Your Dog’s Calorie Requirements

The dietary needs of dogs are fundamentally different than that of humans. There are as many as 17 million dogs in the United States that are overweight.  Many of us don’t realize that the caloric requirements for dogs vary on the individual animal, the environment and the amount of exercise the dog does.  There are many guidelines and dog food recipes that provide the daily calorie requirements for dogs at different stages of their life.

On the average, a dog needs about 25 calories per pound of body weight per day to maintain a stable weight. Inactive dogs, neutered dogs, or those that live in  warm climates require less caloric intake, while active or working dogs, active puppies such as Rottweiler Puppies may require a higher amount depending on their activity.  However, small dogs that are under 20 pounds can take in as many as 40 calories per pound of body weight while dogs that are a 100 pounds or over may get by with as little as 15 calories per pound per day.

It is important to make sure that your dog isn’t eating too much.  Overweight dogs can easily be susceptible to a number of health problems.  As a dog owner it is our responsibility maintain our dogs at a healthy weight.  A dog can only have so many calories each day, therefore it is important that those calories have nutritional value and at the same time provide bulk and are appealling to its pallet.  If you feed your dog homemade dog food, some calculations will have to be made to determine the caloric content of the prepared meals.  Making sure your dog eats healthy foods will help contribute to its quality of life and longevity.

A homemade dog food diet can be adjusted to fit your dog’s needs and it can also assure you that your dog is eating healthy.  A dog in good health will eat at any time.  So don’t fall for his pleading and begging behavior as an indicator of how much to feed him.  Dogs can react in different ways to a change in diet. Study your dog’s reactions to the different ingredients being used.  Protein is one of the major sources of energy for your dog.  Fiber will help your dog feel fuller and also fuels the body so they can enjoy life and stay young.  Meats, fruits, vegetables and grains are all sources of carbohydrates.  It is exttremely important for you to know how many carbohydrates your dog is ingesting, especially if they are diabetic.

Below is a general guideline for caloric requirements for dogs:

Knowing how many calories he needs and how that translates into food will help keep him trim and healthy.  A good rule of thumb would be to keep their calories at 60% of the normal requirement.  Avoid low quality foods that use corn syrups and other sources of refined sugars.  Do not feed an adult dog food intended for a puppy.  Besides making him very fat, it can have some severe consequences.  Feeding your dog more natural foods can be more beneficial to its health.  Many dogs enjoy meals that are made or mixed up with eggs, yogurt, fresh fruit and vegetables, kelp and flax seed meal.

Always consult your veterinarian when thinking of changing your dog’s diet.  Inform your vet of why you feel your dog needs a new diet and always ask for his recommendations . Make sure you understand about dog food nutrition and caloric requirements, and how your new diet will properly supply your dog’s needs.