Changes

Most pet foods provide owners with guidance on how much, and sometimes how often they should feed their dog or cat. The amount of food a pet needs is a function of the energy content of the food and the [[Energy - Nutrition|energy requirement]] of the pet. Feeding guides should be used as starting point to estimate how much food to offer. Because energy requirements differ among animals, and can also vary within a cat or dog over time, the exact amount to feed must be tailored according to the needs of the individual.

Most pet foods provide owners with guidance on how much, and sometimes how often they should feed their dog or cat. The amount of food a pet needs is a function of the energy content of the food and the [[Energy - Nutrition|energy requirement]] of the pet. Feeding guides should be used as starting point to estimate how much food to offer. Because energy requirements differ among animals, and can also vary within a cat or dog over time, the exact amount to feed must be tailored according to the needs of the individual.

=== Feeding Guides on Pet Food ===

=== Feeding Guides on Pet Food ===

*Calculate daily amount of food (g/d) = [Pet energy needs (kcal/d) x 100]/Energy density of the food (kcal/100 g)

*Calculate daily amount of food (g/d) = [Pet energy needs (kcal/d) x 100]/Energy density of the food (kcal/100 g)

=== Estimating Energy Density of the Food===

=== Estimating Energy Density of the Food===

Estimating the energy content of home-made foods can be a challenge. It requires access to reliable published information on the nutritional content of food ingredients commonly used in pet foods <ref name="NRC">National Research Council (NRC). (2006) '''In Nutrient Requirements for Dogs and Cats and CTS.''' 2006 ''Washington, DC: National Academies Press '' p.28-48</ref>, or human foods <ref name="Food Standard 2004">Food Standards Agency (2002). '''McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods.''' ''Sixth Summary Edition. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry'' - [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/composition-of-foods-integrated-dataset-cofid Online Resource]''</ref> and the ability to quantify the relative contribution of each ingredient to total daily intake of each nutrient. This may require access to complex databases and software, or seek advice from an independent expert that can assess the nutritional value of home-made diets link <ref name="WSAVA">WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines. ''[http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/JSAP%20WSAVA%20Global%20Nutritional%20Assessment%20Guidelines%202011_0.pdf Online Resource]''.</ref>. This is a significant disadvantage in feeding foods prepared at home (link to section on home prepared foods)

Estimating the energy content of home-made foods can be a challenge. It requires access to reliable published information on the nutritional content of food ingredients commonly used in pet foods <ref name="NRC">National Research Council (NRC). (2006) '''In Nutrient Requirements for Dogs and Cats and CTS.''' 2006 ''Washington, DC: National Academies Press '' p.28-48</ref>, or human foods <ref name="Food Standard 2004">Food Standards Agency (2002). '''McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods.''' ''Sixth Summary Edition. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry'' - [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/composition-of-foods-integrated-dataset-cofid Online Resource]''</ref> and the ability to quantify the relative contribution of each ingredient to total daily intake of each nutrient. This may require access to complex databases and software, or seek advice from an independent expert that can assess the nutritional value of home-made diets link <ref name="WSAVA">WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines. ''[http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/JSAP%20WSAVA%20Global%20Nutritional%20Assessment%20Guidelines%202011_0.pdf Online Resource]''.</ref>. This is a significant disadvantage in feeding foods prepared at home (link to section on home prepared foods)

=== Estimating Energy Needs ===

=== Estimating Energy Needs ===

TABLES

TABLES

=== 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 (link to excel food allowances). 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

Food allowances can be calculated, based on these energy requirements by entering the energy density of the food in this tool (link to excel food allowances). 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.

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 pet. To maintain a ‘healthy’ bodyweight, pets should be fed according to their ‘ideal’ body weight, which may not be their ‘current’ bodyweight. In addition regular monitoring of bodyweight, along with additional nutritional assessments such as body condition scoring ([http://www.pfma.org.uk/pet-size-o-meter PFMA Size-o-meter]; <ref name=WSAVA Nutrition Toolkit>[http://www.wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit) WSAVA Nutrition Toolkit]</ref>, <ref name=FEDIAF>FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines</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 pet. To maintain a ‘healthy’ bodyweight, pets should be fed according to their ‘ideal’ body weight, which may not be their ‘current’ bodyweight. In addition regular monitoring of bodyweight, along with additional nutritional assessments such as body condition scoring ([http://www.pfma.org.uk/pet-size-o-meter PFMA Size-o-meter]; <ref name=WSAVA Nutrition Toolkit>[http://www.wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit) WSAVA Nutrition Toolkit]</ref>, <ref name=FEDIAF>FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines</ref>) will help detect early changes, and inform adjustments in the food allowance, to ensure the pet stays at their ‘ideal’ bodyweight.