6 Factors that Determine Your Dog Daily Energy Requirement

Posted by Dr Sam, On 16 Feb, 2023 | Updated On 18 Sep, 2023 No Comments »

Amazon pays us commission if you buy any item from it through our links at no extra cost to you. Thanks.

The following are the factors that determine the amount of daily calories your dog needs:

1. Body Weight

This is the number one factor. It is used to calculate metabolize energy requirement (MER). MER is the energy required when a body is inactive and at rest.

2. Life Stage (Age) and Breed (by Size)

These two factors go together to calculate DER. They help us determine the life stage of dogs. A small-size breed dog of less than 12 months old is a growing puppy while from 12 months and above is an adult. A medium-size breed dog becomes an adult at 15 months. A large breed dog of less than 18 months old is a growing puppy while from 18 months and above is an adult.

For instance, during puppyhood, the DER of dogs varies from period to period. Within the first 2 months of birth, any puppy irrespective of breed, requires double of MER as her DER.

Between 3 and 6 months old, the small breed dog requires 1.6 times MER as her DER. While between 3 and 9 months old, the large breed dog requires 1.6 times MER as her DER.

So the DER of puppies varies from period to period of puppyhood and from breed to breed. The DER remains the same for all breeds once adulthood is reached.

3. Life Style

Dogs lifestyle is categorized into four as follow:

• Inactive – old, neutered, quiet or sedentary dog.
• Normal – dog living in kennel or in group, young dog.
• Active – young & active dog, dog running around the house.
• Very Active – working dog, nervous & hyperactive dog like Great Dane living outdoor, Terrier.

The higher the activeness of your dog the more calories required for her to live a healthy life.

4. Hairiness

Hairiness is classified into:

• Normal (Short-Haired)
• Hairless
• Long Hair

5. Living Environmental Temperature (Climate/Weather)

This is classified into:

• Hot – Temperature Above 25°C (77°F)
• Warm – Temperature Between 20°C and 25°C (68° F and 77°F)
• Cold – Temperature Between 10°C and 20°C (50°F and 68°F)
• Chilling – Temperature Below 10°C (50°F)

The two factors above (hairiness and Environmental Temperature) combined together to determine the daily energy requirement of your dog.

For instance; a normal (short-haired) dog living in warm weather/climate is considered to be in a thermo-neutral environment and this has no effect on her DER. A hairless dog in warm weather/climate needs 30% more of her normal DER. A long-haired dog in warm weather/climate needs 50% more of her normal DER.

The combination continues like that.

6. Physiological State

This has to do with female adult dogs. There are two categories: Pregnant Dog and Lactating (Nursing) Dog.

Daily calorie needs of a pregnant dog is more than normal and it varies from period to period (in weeks) of the pregnancy.

For lactating (nursing) dogs, DER is more than normal and depends on the number of litters and number of weeks of lactation.

Please Share with Your Friends/Followers

Do you have question or opinion about this post? Make it in the comment below.

Related Dog Care Article

Nutritionally Complete Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Posted on 21 Jan, 2023