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→Estimating Energy Needs
=== Estimating Energy Needs ===
=== Estimating Energy Needs ===
The specific 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 different equations exist for healthy adult dogs and cats, puppies, kittens, gestating or lactating mothers, and overweight pets <ref name="NRC" />, and link to energy section).
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 different equations exist for healthy adult dogs and cats, puppies, kittens, gestating or lactating mothers, and overweight pets <ref name="NRC" />, and link to energy section).
In addition to bodyweight, there are a number of other factors that influence the energy requirement of the pet. 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.]'' </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 pet. 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.]'' </ref> and this represents a more realistic starting point for most adult pet dogs and cats.