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The specific [[Energy - Nutrition|energy]] need of an individual pet can be estimated using a mathematical equation that relates energy requirements to bodyweight <ref name="NRC"/>, and in most species (including dogs and cats) this is best estimated from an exponential equation based on bodyweight <ref name=''Kleiber''> Kleiber, M. '''The Fire of Life.''' 1961. ''New York: John Wiley and Sons''.</ref>. It is important to note that [[Energy - Nutrition|different equations]] exist for healthy adult dogs and cats, puppies, kittens, gestating or lactating mothers, and overweight pets <ref name="NRC" />.

The specific [[Energy - Nutrition|energy]] need of an individual pet can be estimated using a mathematical equation that relates energy requirements to bodyweight <ref name="NRC"/>, and in most species (including dogs and cats) this is best estimated from an exponential equation based on bodyweight <ref name=''Kleiber''> Kleiber, M. '''The Fire of Life.''' 1961. ''New York: John Wiley and Sons''.</ref>. It is important to note that [[Energy - Nutrition|different equations]] exist for healthy adult dogs and cats, puppies, kittens, gestating or lactating mothers, and overweight pets <ref name="NRC" />.

In addition to bodyweight, there are a number of other factors that influence the energy requirement of the animal. These include activity, life-stage, reproductive status, and environmental conditions. Activity level can contribute to more than 30% of the daily energy requirement in highly active working dogs, such as Border Collies <ref name="NRC" />. However, recent studies have shown that adult pet dogs are relatively ‘inactive’ receiving on average only 4 walks of 40 minutes duration per week <ref name=''Christian''>Christian, NE, et al. '''Dog ownership and physical activity: A review of the evidence.''' ''J. Phys Act Health 2013''; 10:750-759</ref>. The energy requirement of inactive dogs is lower than their active counterparts <ref name=Bermingham>Bermingham EN et al. '''Energy requirement of adult dogs.''' ''[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27417154 PLOSone 2014; 9:e109681.]'' </ref> <ref name=Thes>Thes, M, et al. '''Metabolizable energy intake of client-owned adult dogs.''' ''[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/274171548 J. Anim. Phys. Anim. Nutr.]'' accessed May 2017 </ref> and this represents a more realistic starting point for most adult pet dogs and cats.

In addition to bodyweight, there are a number of other factors that influence the energy requirement of the animal. These include activity, life-stage, reproductive status, and environmental conditions. Activity level can contribute to more than 30% of the daily energy requirement in highly active working dogs, such as Border Collies <ref name="NRC" />. However, recent studies have shown that adult pet dogs are relatively ‘inactive’ receiving on average only 4 walks of 40 minutes duration per week <ref name=''Christian''>Christian, NE, et al. '''Dog ownership and physical activity: A review of the evidence.''' ''J. Phys Act Health 2013''; 10:750-759</ref>. The energy requirement of inactive dogs is lower than their active counterparts <ref name=Bermingham>Bermingham EN et al. '''Energy requirement of adult dogs.''' ''PLOSone 2014; 9:e109681.'' </ref> <ref name=Thes>Thes, M, et al. '''Metabolizable energy intake of client-owned adult dogs.''' ''[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/274171548 J. Anim. Phys. Anim. Nutr.]'' accessed May 2017 </ref> and this represents a more realistic starting point for most adult pet dogs and cats.

Equations to calculate energy requirements can be complex and cumbersome to use (table 1). Using these equations, energy requirements have been calculated for adult dogs, adult cats, puppies and kittens <font color="red">(link to excel file)</font>

Equations to calculate energy requirements can be complex and cumbersome to use (table 1). Using these equations, energy requirements have been calculated for adult dogs, adult cats, puppies and kittens <font color="red">(link to excel file)</font>