Nutrition calculations

RE: Nutrition calculations

Robyn — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 17:44:35 GMT

(Thank you for the explanation guys!)

RE: Nutrition calculations

James Colver Cert. Ed, RVN — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 15:55:31 GMT

Hello!

Your calculation is fine. Remember that for maintenance (i.e. an active, healthy animal going about it's daily routine) then the RER is multiplied by a factor (up to 2) for maintenance energy requirement (MER).

Worth bearing in mind that these calculations based on weight will never be as accurate as calculations that take the animal's surface area into consideration, so don't get too upset when they don't match the guide on the packet.

If you are ever in any doubt, use the WSAVA nutrition tool kit - it has done all the calculations for you and can be found here

http://www.wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit

RE: Nutrition calculations

sarah collins — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 15:43:09 GMT

Hi DT,

The equation you have used is fine for every day practice, but remember that Royal Canin use the more accurate equation 70 x (but in kg)0.75 which would give you a RER of 393 (so not far out from your calculation). They will also be working on MER rather than RER as the feeding guide is designed for dogs at home rather than in the hospital. I would always start feeding to RER in a hospital situation, monitor the dog's food intake and bodyweight and adjust as necessary (i.e increase amount fed if not maintaining weight). Hope that helps!

RE: Nutrition calculations

Robyn — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 14:56:36 GMT

Honestly I can never remember these calculations or use them right! I was better at physics than I am at nutrition it seems ;) I generally use the PFMA online calculator, plugging your numbers into it even with a very low activity dog gives you required calories of around 530kcal/day? Something about your calculation must be a bit off, hopefully someone else will know what haha!