How much should a dog eat to maintain weight?
Raleigh Bogan
2025-07-29 20:02:38
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To determine how many calories a dog should eat to maintain weight, you need to consider several factors, including breed size, age, body type, spay/neuter status, and activity level. Big dogs need more calories than small dogs—it takes more energy to power a big body in comparison to a small body. A dog’s calorie needs are highest when they are less than 4 months old, and senior dogs tend to need fewer calories than they did when they were younger. You can get a general idea of how many calories per day you should be offering your dog by using a calculation, such as converting your dog’s weight in pounds to their weight in kilograms and then using the equation RER (calories/day) = 70 x (BWkg) 0.75. For a typical 50-pound, neutered male dog, the calculated maintenance energy requirement (MER) is 1165 dog calories per day, with a normal range of 874 - 1456 dog calories per day. An online calorie calculator for dogs or a chart that lists typical calorie ranges for healthy adult dogs can also provide guidance. However, if your dog is not typical, it's best to consult with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate number of calories to feed your dog.
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