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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.

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, [[Calculated Energy Requirements|energy requirements have been calculated for adult dogs, adult cats, puppies and kittens]].

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!colspan="3" bgcolor="#97C7F7"|Table 1. Equations to estimate energy requirements (ER) of dogs and cats.

!colspan="3" bgcolor="#97C7F7"|Table 1. Equations to estimate energy requirements (ER) of dogs and cats.

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!align="left" width="50%" bgcolor="#D9EAFA"|<i>Adult Dogs<ref name="NRC" /></i>

!align="left" width="50%" bgcolor="#D9EAFA"|<i>Adult Dogs<ref name="Bermingham" /></i>

!align="left" width="50%" bgcolor="#D9EAFA"|<i>Adult Cats<ref name="Bermingham" /></i>

!align="left" width="50%" bgcolor="#D9EAFA"|<i>Adult Cats<ref name="NRC" /></i>

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!align="left" width="50%"|Based on inactive adult dogs<br>'''ER''' = 95 x W^0.75 kcal/d<br>Where: <br>W = actual body weight<br>

!align="left" width="50%"|Based on inactive adult dogs<br>'''ER''' = 95 x W^0.75 kcal/d<br>Where: <br>W = actual body weight<br>

!align="left" width="50%"|<br>'''ER''' = 77.4 x W^0.711 kcal/d<br>Where: <br>W = actual body weight<br>

!align="left" width="50%"|<br>'''ER''' = 77.6 x W^0.711 kcal/d<br>Where: <br>W = actual body weight<br>

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!align="left" width="50%" bgcolor="#D9EAFA"|<i>Puppies After Weaning<ref name="NRC" /></i>

!align="left" width="50%" bgcolor="#D9EAFA"|<i>Puppies After Weaning<ref name="NRC" /></i>

== Calculating Food Allowances ==

== Calculating Food Allowances ==

Food allowances can be calculated, based on these energy requirements by entering the energy density of the food in this tool <font color="red">(link to excel food allowances)</font>. To convert the amount in grams per day from the tool to cans or trays per day, divide the g/d as calculated for that animal by the net weight of the can or tray in grams. To determine cups per day of a dry food, the density of the food in terms of grams per cup must be known. If that information is not provided as part of the calorie content statement as required under AAFCO model regulations, it can be calculated by dividing the kcal/cup value by the kcal/kg value, then multiplying the result by 1000 to give you g/cup. The pet's food allowance in g/d is then divided by g/cup to give you cups/d. There is no standard international cup size, in the United States of America, a standard measuring cup is 8 fluid ounces (approximately 237 mL) by volume, however in other countries, different volumes or weights of typical dry ingredients are used to determine a cup unit.

Food allowances can be calculated, based on these energy requirements, by [[Food Allowance Calculator|entering the energy density of the food in this tool]]. To convert the amount in grams per day from the tool to cans or trays per day, divide the g/d as calculated for that animal by the net weight of the can or tray in grams. To determine cups per day of a dry food, the density of the food in terms of grams per cup must be known. If that information is not provided as part of the calorie content statement as required under AAFCO model regulations, it can be calculated by dividing the kcal/cup value by the kcal/kg value, then multiplying the result by 1000 to give you g/cup. The pet's food allowance in g/d is then divided by g/cup to give you cups/d. There is no standard international cup size, in the United States of America, a standard measuring cup is 8 fluid ounces (approximately 237 mL) by volume, however in other countries, different volumes or weights of typical dry ingredients are used to determine a cup unit.

== Responsible Feeding ==

== Responsible Feeding ==

Portion control is a cornerstone of responsible feeding, and feeding guides help owners ensure that they are feeding the correct amount of food to their pet. The feeding guide should be used as the foundation for estimating how much food to offer, but the exact amount should be tailored to meet the individual needs of the animal. '''To maintain a ‘healthy’ bodyweight, animals should be fed according to their ‘ideal’ body weight if known, which may not be their ‘current’ bodyweight.''' In addition regular monitoring of bodyweight, along with additional nutritional assessments such as body condition scoring (WSAVA Nutrition Toolkit<ref name=WSAVA Nutrition Toolkit>[http://www.wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit) WSAVA Nutrition Toolkit] accessed May 2017</ref>, FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines<ref name=FEDIAF>[http://www.fediaf.org/self-regulation/nutrition.html FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines] accessed May 2017</ref>) will help detect early changes, and inform adjustments in the food allowance, to ensure the pet stays at their ‘ideal’ bodyweight.

Portion control is a cornerstone of responsible feeding, and feeding guides help owners ensure that they are feeding the correct amount of food to their pet. The feeding guide should be used as the foundation for estimating how much food to offer, but the exact amount should be tailored to meet the individual needs of the animal. '''To maintain a ‘healthy’ bodyweight, animals should be fed according to their ‘ideal’ body weight if known, which may not be their ‘current’ bodyweight.''' In addition regular monitoring of bodyweight, along with additional nutritional assessments such as body condition scoring (WSAVA Nutrition Toolkit<ref name=WSAVA Nutrition Toolkit>[http://www.wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit) WSAVA Nutrition Toolkit] accessed May 2017</ref>, FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines<ref name=FEDIAF>[http://www.fediaf.org/self-regulation/nutrition.html FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines] accessed May 2017</ref>) will help detect early changes, and inform adjustments in the food allowance, to ensure the pet stays at their ‘ideal’ bodyweight.

==References==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

 

 

[[Category:Feeding Guides]]

[[Category:Feeding Guides]]

[[Category:To Do - Nutrition]]

[[Category:To Do - Nutrition]]