homemade dog diet calculator
Homemade Dog Food Calculator
Providing fresh, homemade food for your dog is one of the best things that you can do for his health and well-being and you can do it using a homemade dog food calculator.
Whenever pet owners broach this subject with me, they often bring up how difficult a homemade dog food calculator can be.
Yes, creating recipes to meet your dog's nutritional needs can be a challenge. But, thishomemade dog food recipe calculator will make the process a little easier.
Many pet owners believe that they can feed their dog the same quantity of homemade food as recommended by their old commercial kibble brand.
That could not be more wrong!
Homemade dog food is more nutritionally dense than most commercial foods. This means that your dog won't need as much to get the same nutritional benefits.
I've also heard pet owners share misinformation about watching a dog's weight and adjusting the serving sizes accordingly. That's why it is important to use a homemade dog food calculator.
If the dog is gaining weight, lessen the serving size. If he's losing weight, increase the serving size.
Why Do We Calculate Dog Food?
The consequences of feeding your dog too much food are obvious.He'll become obese, which could lead to a slew of other health conditions like diabetes, joint problems, certain types of cancer, and heart and respiratory issues.
Did you know that feeding your dog too much food can also lead to nutrient toxicity? In the case of nutrition, too much of a good thing could be very bad! For example, Vitamin A toxicity can cause bone spurs, lethargy, constipation, stiffness, and limping.
On the other hand, if you're not feeding your dog enough, he couldbecome nutrient deficientquite quickly. If you don't realize your dog isn't getting the proper nutrients, he may become weak and his organs could start to fail. Ultimately, nutrient deficiency can lead to death if it's not corrected.
In short, it's crucial that you discuss a switch in your dog's nutrition with your veterinarian. It's also important to use this homemade dog food recipe calculator as a guideline for figuring out how much food to feed Fido at each serving.
Calculating Homemade Dog Food Recipe
The first thing you'll need to do when following a homemade dog food recipe calculator is to figure out your pet'sDaily Energy Requirements (DER). This is the amount of energy (also called calories) that your dog's body burns in a typical day.
Before you can find the DER, you'll need to find Fido's Resting Energy Requirement (RER).RER is the energy that your pooch needs to perform essential bodily functions like heart functions, brain functions, digestion, and respiration.
To find your dog's RER, you'll need to multiply his body weight in kilograms raised to the 3/4 power by 70. In equation form this looks like this:
70(body weight in kg. ^.75)
Let's take a look at an example. If your dog weighs 53 pounds, that converts to 24 kg. Now, raise 24 to the .75 power and you get 11.2 (rounded to the nearest tenth). The last step is multiple 70 x 11.2, which equals 784. A 53-pound dog's RER is 784.
Once you figure out the RER, you can move on to the DER. This gets a little trickier. To find the DER, you'll need to multiple the RER by a certain factor that meets Fido's description.
According to The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center, these are the factors that you can choose from:
| Neutered adult | =1.6 x RER |
| Intact adult | =1.8 x RER |
| Inactive/obese prone | =1.2-1.4 x RER |
| Weight loss | =1.0 x RER for ideal weight |
| Weight gain | =1.2-1.8 x RER for ideal weight |
| Active, working dogs | =2.0-5.0 x RER |
| Puppy 0-4 months | =3.0 x RER |
| Puppy 4 months to adult | = 2.0 x RER |
Summary of Homemade Dog Food Calculator
Remember, these are just estimates. They can vary by as much as 50%, so you have to understand that these numbers are just a general starting point. The best thing that you can do is discuss your homemade dog food diet with your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist who can help you understand your dog's caloric needs better.
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Safe & wholesome nutrition, in your hands
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Vet Nutrition Specialty Services
Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospitals
Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospitals
Colorado State University
Ethos Veterinary Hospitals
Friendship Hospital for Animals
Heart of TX Vet Specialty Center
North Carolina State University
Red Bank Veterinary Hospital
Royal Veterinary College, UK
So Paulo State University, BR
University of Ljubljana, SI
University of Montreal, CA
University of Pennsylvania
University of Perugia, IT
University of Saskatchewan, CA
Vet Nutrition Specialty Services
Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospitals
Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospitals
Colorado State University
Ethos Veterinary Hospitals
Friendship Hospital for Animals
Heart of TX Vet Specialty Center
North Carolina State University
Red Bank Veterinary Hospital
Royal Veterinary College, UK
So Paulo State University, BR
University of Ljubljana, SI
University of Montreal, CA
University of Pennsylvania
University of Perugia, IT
University of Saskatchewan, CA
Vet Nutrition Specialty Services
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For two decades, weve provided proven solutions for feeding dogs and cats fresh food.
Why Balance It?
For two decades, weve provided proven solutions for feeding dogs and cats fresh food.
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Factors to Consider When Using a Dog Food Calculator
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Step Guide to Using the Homemade Dog Food Calculator
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Sample Homemade Dog Food Recipes Based on the Calculator
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Tips for Adjusting Homemade Dog Food Recipes
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When it comes to your dogs nutrition, consulting with a veterinarian is crucial. In our blog post, Consulting with a Veterinarian: Ensuring Your Dogs Nutritional Needs, we emphasize the importance of seeking professional guidance. Your veterinarian is a trusted expert who can provide personalized advice based on your dogs specific needs. Well discuss the benefits of involving a veterinarian in your homemade dog food journey, from ensuring balanced nutrition to addressing any health concerns. Well also provide tips on how to effectively communicate with your vet and collaborate on creating the best diet plan for your furry friend. By working hand in hand with a veterinarian, youll have peace of mind knowing that your dogs nutritional needs are met. Join us as we explore the invaluable role of veterinarians in optimizing your dogs health through proper nutrition.
