Based on your dog's degree of excess weight, your veterinarian may recommend a target weight higher than the ideal weight to start. To determine weight gain calorie needs, use this equation: RER x 1.2 up to RER x 1.8. See how Pet Plates meals stack upnavigate to your flavor of choice and click on the Guaranteed Analysis dropdown to see the breakdown of nutrients. If you have had your dog on the diet train and nothing is moving, try these five veterinarian-approved recommendations to tip the scales back toward a healthy weight. Calorie (kcal) needs = 1.6 [70 x (weight in pounds 2.2)0.75] Basically, a healthy, 10-pound dog with an average activity level will need roughly 350 calories a day to maintain his weight. It is important to have your pet examined by a veterinarian to determine your pets ideal weight. Or maybe your dog has a sensitive stomach that needs some TLC. Just like humans, dogs should never go on a crash diet, nor is it ideal for them to go on and off diets. If youre worried about overfeeding or underfeeding your dog, consider our healthy meal delivery service, which comes with pre-portioned, nutritious meals customized to your dogs needs. Some additional simple tips for getting your dog to exercise more are: After you have put your dog on a weight loss program, it is critical that you determine if it is working for your dog. Consider buying a special dish designed to slow them down as they eat. Here are some tips for handling your pleading pup: The ideal solution for multi-dog households is to feed the dogs separately. Use toys, balls, laser pointers, squeaky toys, or sticks to encourage games of chase or fetch. If your dog is overweight, it will be hard to feel their ribs without a lot of pressure due to their excess body fat. For example, an active Jack Russell Terrier versus a miniature poodle. For example, hypothyroidism is a relatively common condition in dogs that causes the thyroid gland to be underactive, slowing down your dogs metabolism. Most vets recommend feeding your dog twice daily, as we mentioned earlier. Sometimes, when it comes to weight loss for dogs, the answer is easy: reduce calories, increase exercise, and BOOMthe pounds come off. Bob-A-Lot Treat Dispenser (The Complete Guide!). The exact amount of calories a dog needs to maintain a healthy weight is variable and influenced by many factors including genetics, age, breed, and activity level. She has a soft spot for special needs animals and has a three-legged senior dog and an internet famous cat with acromegaly and cerebellar hypoplasia. First, the energy to perform essential body functions like digestion, respiration, heart functions, brain functions, etc. How to Calculate Pet Food Dry Matter Basis (with Calculator), Diet for Overweight Dogs: Weight loss & Management, To determine the calorie needs of a fixed dog, use this equation: RER x 1.6, To determine their calorie needs, use this equation: RER x1.8. It is vital that you know how many calories are in the food that your dog is eating, and that you count the calories or measure the food when entering into a weight reduction program. If youre doing a lot of reward-based training, you may want to adjust meals to accommodate the extra calories. Consult your vet as calorie needs vary based on the type and frequency of activity. Studies have shown that keeping dogs at their ideal weight can dramatically improve their wellbeing and add years to their life. Healthy weight loss takes time, but helping your dog improve their quality of life and health is worth it! Underweight dogs that are malnourished can suffer permanent organ damage, skin problems, hair loss, pressure sores, and lethargy. However, these diets are often not as effective as veterinary weight loss diets if a dog needs to lose a significant amount of weight or if your dog has other medical conditions. Using an outdated weight or a weight youre ballparking isnt going to give you an accurate measurement. The number of calories burned during a session of Pilates depends on the type and intensity of the workout you do. If your dog needs some extra motivation, incentivize them with active playtime. To minimize digestive upsets, mix the new diet in with the old diet in gradually increasing proportions. That way, every goody your pup gets is packed with nutrition, not a bunch of empty calories. Dogs should eat around 25 calories per pound of body weight if the goal is to maintain weight. Animals use protein as a source of the amino acids they cannot make, and of nitrogen for the ones they can make. Is your dog eating enough? Your dog may also enjoy playing brain games. If your dog is lethargic, has trouble breathing, or struggles to walk comfortably, this could be a result of extra weight. While every dog is different and finding the right feeding amount for your dog is likely to need at least a little fine tuning, this tool is here to give you a good place to start. Have a family meeting, decide who is going to feed the dog, and get everyone to agree to not feed extra. Pupppy up to 4 mos. Please consult a veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's diet. Here are some things to keep in mind: If youre still not sure about how much to feed your dog, re-read the previous section to get a baseline and check in with your vet! 1. If you want to help a dog lose weight, then there are two non-negotiables that are necessary for success: you must have a daily calorie limit that has been calculated, and you must stay under that number. Resting energy requirement, or RER, is the basic energy needed to sustain essential bodily functions like metabolism, circulation, respiration, and digestion. If your dog is already at their ideal weight, great job! Hospital for Farm Animals: 614-292-6661 Dog Calorie Calculator. Those small bites of cheese or meat you are feeding your dog at the table can quickly add up. Start small, and then increase their daily exercise. This can help your pup feel full throughout the day and have more time to digest and chew their food. Brooke believes that every day is an opportunity for learning and growth and she spends time daily working toward new skills and knowledge. Explain to your family and anyone else around your pup that these are all the treats your dog will be eating today. There are two steps to calculationing your dog's daily calorie needs. In addition, your vet will need to assess your dog's overall health and make sure there is not an underlying disease affecting your dog's weight. Your dog's body condition is an important thing to consider. Even small amounts of these can lead to weight gain in dogs prone to obesity. Additionally, CanineBible.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.CanineBible does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Draw your leash closegenerally within two to four feet (about 0.5-1 meter) of your body - and set off at a pace you feel comfortable sustaining. Heres a look at a few dogs that are the same weight but have different specific needs. Use the following dog feeding chart by weight to estimate how much your dog should eat daily. If your veterinarian has determined your dog is overweight, you will use the RER you already determined as their calorie needs. Dogs that are 22 to 55 pounds should eat 10 to 12 ounces of dog food per day. It simply requires a commitment to weight loss and fitness, attention to details, and the assistance of your veterinary healthcare team. You can find the calculator and more information here. Consider a 10-pound Shih Tzu that is 12 years old with an average activity level for a senior dog. Thats where Canine Bibles handy dog calorie calculator comes in! If you feed any people food, include it in the daily calorie count. The materials contained on this website are intended to be used for educational purposes only, and the websites use is solely at your own risk. She loves all animals and currently shares a home with three dogs, two cats, five fish, and two snails. Take your dog's weight in kilograms, multiply by 30, and add 70 (or, take their weight in pounds, divide by 2.2, multiply this figure by 30 and add 70). This might be as long as six to eight months, with the goal of losing between one and five pounds each month. 1. Tip: Want to make things even easier? Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. They have knowledge of your dogs medical needs and will work with you to develop a diet that works for your dog and meets all of its needs. Many people let their dogs lick their plates after they finish eating or while they sit in the dishwasher, but this is where sneaky calories hide, even in BBQ sauce remnants. As a pet parent, itll be your responsibility to monitor your pups weight and make changes if needed. No, your pup isnt going keto! General guidelines for safe weight loss in dogs are 3-5% body weight loss per month and about 0.5 pounds per month in cats (1-3% body weight). For example, a 100-pound dog should lose about a pound a week or four pounds per month. Buy on Amazon Buy on Chewy. Younger and geriatric pets may need more; young pets for growth, and old pets because they appear to be less able to utilize dietary protein than are younger animals. While this may not seem like a lot of weight, remember that slow and steady weight loss is far more sustainable and healthier for your dog than fast, extreme weight loss. If the process is taking longer than this, something needs to be changed. The best dog food should include a mix of: Wondering where the carbs are? In general, dogs who are at a healthy weight should have an hourglass shape when viewed from above. If youve got a puppy who isnt quite at their adult size yet, you may want to adjust up or down based on their activity and growth rate. They make frequent pauses (on average every one to two minutes) to allow their dog to smell an interesting object or mark territory. So, how do you know if your dog is overweight and should lose a couple of pounds to improve their health? 5020 Bradenton Avenue In addition, pregnant or nursing dogs need more calories than the average adult dog. While we provide information resourced and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. The RER is then multiplied by factors to estimate the pets total daily energy needs. Puppy over 4 mos. A dog at a healthy weight will have a slightly raised stomach, while an overweight dog may have a prominent belly. First you need to convert that to kilograms. Dog food labels offer some guidelines, but you can calculate the ideal number of calories needed in a few steps. In general, that means that to lose 1 1/2 pounds (0.7 kilograms) a week, you need to reduce your daily calories by 500 to 750 calories. Neutered adult. For example: A 22 lb. Body weight in pounds. This way you can measure out the proper amount and divide it into daily meals. The other thing you need to consult with your dogs veterinarian to determine your dogs ideal or target weight. (c) 2022 Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, Typical Total Daily Calories to achieve Weight Loss. Everything should be fed in moderation and do your best to keep your dog from stealing food from other pets. A healthy weight loss is between one to five pounds per month based on your dog's size and current condition. your dogs food, consider the habits youre establishing. Use this tool to determine the proper number of calories your dog will require on a daily basis. If they do, this means they are likely at a healthy weight. A 100-pound dog is about 45 kg. Talking with a vet may help you diagnose if theres something else causing the problem and, if so, how to treat it. In order to answer this question, your veterinarian will need to calculate your dog's ideal weight based on its breed and size. Most women need 1,600-2,400 daily calories to maintain their weight. If youve got a puppy who isnt quite at their adult size yet, you may want to adjust up or down based on their activity and growth rate. In short, anything and everything your dog eats needs to be counted toward its calorie intake. Do not dramatically cut back your dogs food, as this can upset your dogs metabolism, making weight loss more difficult. Again, these are all crude estimates and dont take into account every variable that influences your dogs calorie needs. In this article, well go through everything you need to know about helping your dog manage their weight, as well as some common questions you might have: Simply put, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for how much to feed a dog. },{ "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Does your dog have a swinging or sagging stomach? Even human foods that are safe for dogs to eat can be very high in calories, which can quickly throw their calories for the day out of balance. Most vets recommend feeding your dog twice each day, as we mentioned earlier. (Resting Energy Requirements or RER), which can be calculated by multiplying the animals body weight in kilograms raised to the power by 70, for example, a 10kg (22lb) adult neutered dog of healthy weight needs RER = 70(10kg)3/4 400 Calories/day. A few means only a few - not a handful. Dogs with a low activity lifestyle or those that are predisposed to obesity due to health or genetics require fewer calories than most other adult dogs. While this seems obvious, auto-feeders are nothing more than unlimited candy machines to a fat dog. Do you have kids? For both conditions, you'll want a low-sodium food. Brooke enjoys plants and gardening and keeps a vegetable garden during the summer months. This can be tricky though, as dogs have different metabolisms and activity levels. As the name alludes to, resting energy requirement is the calories your dog would need it they were to rest all day. Feeding treats or table scraps will add to your dog's calorie intake. So how do you factor in their actual energy requirements for the day? So while you might think your pudgy pooch looks cute, its important to get their weight in check. If you are several months into the weight-loss program and are not seeing results, then schedule an appointment with your veterinarian and ask to have your dogs hormones checked. A basic formula for weight loss in pets is: Ideal weight in pounds divided by 2.2 gives you weight in kilograms (kg) Calculate the Resting Energy Requirements (RER) based on this ideal weight: Consider buying a special dish designed to slow them down as they eat. Puppies in this age group are still growing rapidly and most dogs continue to grow for 18-24 months. You should never put your dog on a diet without the assistance of your veterinary healthcare team. ", "name": "Check for fat pads." Consult the package for feeding amount. Just as we humans should focus on healthy options like fresh vegetables and lean protein instead of cheeseburgers and french fries, what your dog eats is important for their health and well-being. When you are introducing a new diet to your dog, you should allow about a week to make the transition. If your dog exercises, youll need to add more calories into their diet. Smaller dogs tend to burn more calories (energy) than larger dogs. This is dependent on the level of activity your dog is participating in and may vary from day to day. Active dogs burn more calories than sedentary dogs, so they need more calories each day. Feed small meals frequently - especially give a last feeding for those dogs that like to wake you up in the wee hours begging for more goodies - divide the total volume or calories into four to six smaller meals - whatever you do, do not feed extra food. Your dog may also enjoy playing brain games. As a concerned dog owner, you want to make sure your dog is getting the right number of caloriesnot too many, not too few. Once you know your dogs ideal weight, you can start to reduce the food and treats youre giving them, along with making other healthy lifestyle swaps to help them lose weight. Kcal content is helpful when shopping for dog food and treats. Make sure its nutrient-dense, and avoid fillers and byproducts. You can create a deficit by burning more calories each day (with increased exercise or NEAT) or you can consume 500 fewer calories than you need. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. , as well as some common questions you might have: How Many Calories Should My Dog Eat Daily? Feed your dog in a treat ball or puzzle feeder to slow down ingestion and help them feel more full. These toys are not only exciting for your dog, encouraging them to get up and move around as they solve the puzzles, but they are also mentally stimulating, which is an essential part of your dogs health too. It is essential to work with a veterinarian to design a complete and balanced homemade diet for your dog. If the process is taking longer than this, something needs to be changed. Dogs love to run alongside their human, but even if you do not run, there are good alternatives. Just like humans shouldnt crash diet as a quick fix, its best to focus on small daily reductions that will help your dog lose weight over time. Consult your veterinarian for help determining your dog's ideal body weight and caloric needs. Remember to adjust for age as well. offers a wise reminder on their site: when it comes to selecting the best food for your pup, get the highest-quality food you can afford. Obese dogs cannot be as active as healthy weight dogs, even if they want to. 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