You cannot control who eats what when you are not around. Have a family meeting, decide who is going to feed the dog, and get everyone to agree to not feed extra. In cases that fail to respond, the total number of calories will need to be reduced further. Do not dramatically cut back your dogs food, as this can upset your dogs metabolism, making weight loss more difficult. ", "name": "Look at your dog’s body shape." A 60-pound dog is about 27 kg. Not all weight loss strategies work for every dog, so there are many different diets to address this. To determine a dog's caloric needs, the dog's resting energy requirement (RER) and maintenance energy requirement (MER) must be calculated from the dog's weight in kilograms, or kg. Pet Keen is reader-supported. Do you have multiple pets? If you are several months into the weight-loss program and are not seeing results, then schedule an appointment with your veterinarian and ask to have your dogs hormones checked. Youll take the RER that you calculated and factor in other variables, such as age and activity level! Dogs do not understand that their excess weight is causing them harm. These dogs have trained us well and know exactly which buttons to press when it comes to getting their way. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Spayed or neutered dogs burn approximately 25% fewer calories than entire dogs. Okay, so how do I plug THAT into my phones calculator? Running: This is the best exercise to burn calories. Do they drop food? How to take your measurements Our weight loss calorie calculator needs up to four of your measurements: height, neck, waist, and hips, to determine the percentage and mass of body fat which is integral in estimating the number of calories you need to forgo on a daily basis in order to achieve weight loss. Dogs that have not been spayed or neutered retain the hormones and muscle-building ability that fixed dogs have lost, which means they have a higher metabolism, thus needing more food. The other thing you need to consult with your dogs veterinarian to determine your dogs ideal or target weight. Why Do I Need to Calculate My Dogs Calorie Needs? How Many Calories Does Pilates Burn? Consider feeding your dog three to four times a day with a slow feeder rather than twice a day for maximum impact. Animals use protein as a source of the amino acids they cannot make, and of nitrogen for the ones they can make. The following information is based on this publication and should be used for general purposes only. Dogs with a body condition score of 6 out of 9 are overweight, and 7 to 9+ are considered obese. Hospital for Farm Animals: 614-292-6661 Consult your veterinarian for help determining your dog's ideal body weight and caloric needs. We can calculate her weight in kilograms (10 2.2 = 4.5 kg), and plug that into the first equation to calculate her RER. The downloadable charts below are categorized by breed type and then broken down further by the size of your dog, from extra-small to large: As youll see from the charts, theres a lot of variances. Try playing different games with your dog, such as hide and seek, throwing a ball or frisbee, or romping through your backyard. Pet your dog or play with him when he begs for food. Well also include a handy feeding guide, so you know how to adequately eyeball portions from your Pet Plate container instead of having to weigh or measure it. Does your dog have a swinging or sagging stomach? Calculate their resting energy requirement based on weight, Factor in other variables, like age and activity. Start small, and then increase their daily exercise. Consult the feeding chart on the back of your dog's food packaging. However, If your dog is overweight, smaller portions throughout the day might actually help. Heres a look at a few dogs that are the same weight but have different specific needs. If possible, get your family involved too. As mentioned, these calculations can only give crude, zip-code level estimates of your pets Calorie needs (and so how much to feed), which can change with time and circumstances. Let Pet Plate help. How often does your dog eat currently? There are so many factors that play into how many calories your dog needs in a day, so calculating the totals and talking with your vet is very important. Check with your vet for the correct way to go about this for your dog. While we provide information resourced and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. If youve got a puppy who isnt quite at their adult size yet, you may want to adjust up or down based on their activity and growth rate. },{ "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Some overweight dogs will have sacks of fat located between their legs or on the top of their hips. Obese prone. After a prescribed time, generally fifteen to thirty minutes, remove any uneaten food. So for example, lets say your dog is 20 pounds. If your dog is already at their ideal weight, great job! Search our database of over 13360 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. If your dog needs some extra motivation, incentivize them with active playtime. WSAVA has provided a quick and easy reference of caloric needs for healthy dogs of ideal weight if you want to skip the calculations. If the process is taking longer than this, something needs to be changed. To lose weight, most people need to reduce the number of calories they consume and increase their physical activity, according to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Feeding too much will result in no weight loss and feeding too little can potentially result in serious health consequences associated with malnutrition. Dont forget to add calories consumed from licking plates clean! However, these diets are often not as effective as veterinary weight loss diets if a dog needs to lose a significant amount of weight or if your dog has other medical conditions. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. If the needle wont budge even though you have cut back calories and increased exercise, try feeding a therapeutic weight control dog food, like Metabolic diet, instead of your dogs regular maintenance diet. As a pet parent, itll be your responsibility to monitor your pups weight and make changes if needed. If your dog is overweight, it will be hard to feel their ribs without a lot of pressure due to their excess body fat. Many people are used to seeing overweight dogs, so knowing what a healthy weight should look like can be difficult. Theyre rapidly growing and need enough energy for everything to develop correctly. The first step to help your dog lose weight is reducing calorie intake. Keep a few kibbles separate from your dogs measured daily ration for this purpose. 601 Vernon L. Tharp Street Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! Treating underlying medical problems before you help your dog lose weight is crucial. One kilocalorie, or kcal, is equal to 1000 calories. Once you have determined your dog's life stage and activity level, use your dog's weight in pounds to find the appropriate caloric intake. If your vet rules out health problems, consult with them for the best steps you can take to help your dog lose the extra weight. Even a few extra pounds can lead to health problems down the road, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Additional Factors That May Alter Your Calculation. While walking can help you lose weight, it's more effective when also following a calorie-restricted diet. Yes, feeding dog treats and sharing food is an important part of the bond you share with your dog, but your heartwarming goodies might be sabotaging your weight-loss efforts. Be sure that treats and snacks make up only 10 percent or less of your dog's daily intake. At the beginning of each day, put a couple of treats aside. Caring for your pup means more than just grabbing whatever store-bought dog food is on sale and hoping for the best. For example, a 100-pound dog should lose about a pound a week or four pounds per month. If you've got a dog that participates in sports like flyball and weight pull, or a working dog like a police or cadaver dog, your dog needs more calories than the average pet. As a concerned dog owner, you want to make sure your dog is getting the right number of caloriesnot too many, not too few. Can You Judge Dog Food Solely by Its First Ingredient? Hypothyroidism cannot be cured but is usually treated with medication that can stimulate the thyroid gland and improve your pups symptoms and metabolism. You can calculate your dogs RER easily with this formula. (See Table 1). And activity levels can change over time. These smaller meals can help keep your pup feeling full without a spike in insulin. Food technology has come a long way, especially when it comes to therapeutic diets. And as a pet parent, youre responsible for feeding your dog the right proportions and nutrients. Your dog may also enjoy playing brain games. Check with your vet for the correct way to do this. Dr. Bartley Harrison is a veterinarian with more than 15 years of professional veterinary experience treating dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds, and small mammals, with a specific focus on Emergency Medicine. Once you divide the total daily calories by the kcal/cup, that will give you the number of 8-ounce cups of food to feed per day. If your veterinarian determines that your pet is underweight, overweight, or has obesity, diagnostic tests may be recommended to rule out an underlying disease process. 3.Swap treats for attention. , which you can easily break into small pieces. The amount is then adjusted up or down as needed to maintain a healthy body condition score. Talking with a vet may help you diagnose if theres something else causing the problem and, if so, how to treat it. 3-1/3 to 4-1/4. Dont feel discouraged if the pounds dont immediately melt off your dog. If you want to help a dog lose weight, then there are two non-negotiables that are necessary for success: you must have a daily calorie limit that has been calculated, and you must stay under that number. If your dog needs to lose weight, have them eat 20 calories per pound. RER in kcal/day = (ideal or target weight in kg ^ 0.75) x 70 OR 30 x (body weight in kg) +70. Ideally, a dog should lose about three to five percent of their body weight each month. If you have had your dog on the diet train and nothing is moving, try these five veterinarian-approved recommendations to tip the scales back toward a healthy weight. These diseases, along with others, should be eliminated as possible causes or contributors to your dog's weight problem prior to beginning a diet. Small-medium dogs (10 to 30 pounds) - 320 - 480 daily calories Medium-large dogs (30 to 50 pounds) - 640 - 800 daily calories Large dogs (50 to 70 pounds) - 960 - 1120 daily calories You get the gist! 5020 Bradenton Avenue in dogs that causes the thyroid gland to be underactive, slowing down your dogs metabolism. 4-1/4 plus 1/4 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs. Calories are simply a measurement of energy. No More Doggy Dishwasher Do you have grandparents that drop by with dog biscuitsin their pocket? In order to answer this question, your veterinarian will need to calculate your dog's ideal weight based on its breed and size. Because they tend to lie around more, it is easier to overlook early signs of illness, since we may attribute their lethargy to their normal laziness. Once you know your dogs ideal weight, you can start to reduce the food and treats youre giving them, along with making other healthy lifestyle swaps to help them lose weight. A nutritional plan and weight monitoring may also be established. The following tips by the American Kennel Club can help you check your dogs weight visually by looking for common overweight dog symptoms: Like all journeys of healing, its often important to understand the cause to be able to formulate the most helpful solution. Dog Calorie Calculator. This is especially true for small dogseven an extra kibble or two every day or will add up to unhealthy weight. The problem with these recommendations is that they dont account for your dogs current health status, or whether your dog is fixed or not, or how active your dog is on a given day. While dogs can safely eat many types of human food, its usually best to avoid giving your dog human food. First you need to convert that to kilograms. The key is to keep it up! Author and publisher claim no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material on this website. If there is no significant weight loss in one month, (3-5% of the starting body weight), then the program will need to be modified. Again, these are all crude estimates and dont take into account every variable that influences your dogs calorie needs. The materials contained on this website are intended to be used for educational purposes only, and the websites use is solely at your own risk. How to Calculate Pet Food Dry Matter Basis (with Calculator), Diet for Overweight Dogs: Weight loss & Management, To determine the calorie needs of a fixed dog, use this equation: RER x 1.6, To determine their calorie needs, use this equation: RER x1.8. These include: These are all important factors that will determine how many calories your pup needs in a day! Calorie (kcal) needs = 1.6 [70 x (weight in pounds 2.2)0.75] Basically, a healthy, 10-pound dog with an average activity level will need roughly 350 calories a day to maintain his weight. Feed your dog in a treat ball or puzzle feeder to slow down ingestion and help them feel more full. For details on developing a healthy walking program for your dog, see handout "Walking Your Dog for Weight Loss". Here are some tips on how to make your dog's weight loss journey easier. Some newer weight loss diets, such as Hills Prescription Diet Metabolic, use specific nutrients that can promote increased metabolism, helping dogs burn calories more quickly. Remember that a small bite of human food is a significant amount of calories for a dog, so even occasional human food can prevent your dog from losing weight. There are many formulas for determining your dog's daily caloric needs, which are known as Resting Energy Requirements (RER), but I find this one to be the easiest to calculate: Daily calorie needs = 30 x [your pet's weight in kilograms] + 70. 10-Pound Adult (Underweight): 245375 calories/day, 10-Pound Adult (Overweight): 180210 calories/day, 50-Pound Adult (Fixed): 7501,200 calories/day, 50-Pound Adult (Intact): 7501,350 calories/day, 100-Pound Adult (Active): 1,4301,700 calories/day, 100-Pound Adult (Obese): 1,4001,430 calories/day. This tool is meant to be used only as a guideline for healthy individuals and does not substitute veterinary advice. Each dog should have its own food bowl so you can keep track of how much each dog is consuming in a day. Once you have this number, then you will need to divide it by the kcal/cup number that is on your dog food bag. Lets take a look at some general daily caloric needs for dogs and cats, and basic principles to help your pet maintain a healthy weight. Together, you and your veterinary healthcare team can help your dog achieve a healthy body weight and condition safely and successfully. That's why dogs must eat more canned foods than dry diets to . Heavy dogs tend to physically interact less with their families and are less energetic and playful. Just like humans shouldnt crash diet as a quick fix, its best to focus on small daily reductions that will help your dog lose weight over time. If you have more specific dog calorie requirement concerns and nutritional questions, talk to our registered online dog veterinarians now. Other simple steps, such as using a slow feeder dog bowl, increasing exercise, and avoiding human food, can help your dog lose or manage their weight. If you really want to feed your dog some human food, choose smart alternatives such as dog-friendly vegetables and fruits. Columbus, OH 43210, Hospital for Companion Animals: 614-292-3551 Here are some things to keep in mind: If youre still not sure about how much to feed your dog, re-read the previous section to get a baseline and check in with your vet! Thats where our handy calculator comes in! To determine a dog's caloric needs, the dog's resting energy requirement (RER) and maintenance energy requirement (MER) must be calculated from the dog's weight in kilograms, or kg. If you feed treats, make sure to include those in the total daily calorie count as well! Weight loss is tough for anyone - two- or four-legged! If you are unsure about your dogs ideal weight, consult your veterinarian. If you choose to use an alternate source of food, and this information is not available on the label, you will need to contact the manufacturer to get it. Make sure its nutrient-dense, and avoid fillers and byproducts. To take in fewer calories than you burn, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends cutting 500 to 750 calories a day to lose 1 to 1.5 pounds (0.5 to 0.7 kilograms) a week. Dublin, OH 43017 Most dogs love crunchy treats so make it a healthy and low-calorie choice. },{ "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Does your dog have a swinging or sagging stomach? If youre concerned about your dogs weight, its always good to get expert advice. Larger breeds around 55 to 77 pounds need 16 to 18 ounces per day. Other factors to consider are senior dog health problems such as heart and kidney disease. Whether your dog gained extra weight from overfeeding, a sedentary lifestyle, or eating the wrong types of food, the following tips will help you get your pup back on track. This tool is meant to be used only as a guideline for healthy individuals and does not substitute veterinary advice. If your dog is eyeing the empty food bowl, a drink of cold, fresh water may satisfy the craving. So, to lose weight you can try to create a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day. Looking for a convenient way to access your pets health records, refill prescriptions, view upcoming appointments and more? 1. To calculate MW, take the following steps: 1. This can help your pup feel full throughout the day and have more time to digest and chew their food. Not only is this extra exercise great for your pup, but the extra exercise and walking can also be wonderful for your health and weight! Krista Williams, BSc, DVM; Ernest Ward, DVM, Contributors: Krista Williams, BSc, DVM; Ernest Ward, DVM. bone apptreat Love human food? There's no easy way to lose weight. It should feel like a brisk walk, and you should break into a light sweat. This way you can measure out the proper amount and divide it into daily meals. So, how do you know if your dog is overweight and should lose a couple of pounds to improve their health? Dont forget to include extra calories from table scraps, treats, or other human food your dog may beg for. Malnourished dogs can be overweight or underweight. As long as the diet has the proper balance of available amino acids, whether they come from plant or animal sources does not make any difference to the nutritional health of the pet. The first month of puppyhood, puppies will be drinking their mothers milk. The most important step in your dogs weight loss journey is consistency. for energy and to help absorb essential vitamins, including A and D, for intestinal function and keeping your pup regular, for regulating metabolism and protecting the immune system, to help ensure your dog doesnt become dehydrated. Use one of these equations: RER x 1.2, RER x 1.3, RER x 1.4. Your dog may also enjoy playing brain games. Your dog's body condition is an important thing to consider. Suggested Calorie Intake for Dogs By Weight, Brooke Billingsley spent nine years as a veterinary assistant before becoming a human nurse in 2013. Considering the type of dog food, dog food portion size, and how much food your dog needs by weight can make a huge difference in dog weight management. ? Yikes! Dont forget the importance of exercise! Buttons to press when it comes to getting their way trained us well and know exactly which to! Health tips, articles, and 7 to 9+ are considered obese I need to MW. No weight loss strategies work for every dog, and heart disease mothers milk youre responsible for feeding dog! Upcoming appointments and more monitoring may also be established can easily break into light! A day of pounds to improve their health 77 pounds need 16 to 18 per... And your veterinary healthcare team can help keep your pup feeling full without a spike in insulin in. Breed and size for the ones they can not be cured but is usually treated with medication that how many calories does my dog need to lose weight! Forget to include extra calories from table scraps, treats, make sure include... Way, especially when it comes to therapeutic diets other pet, trained vets have the answers `` ''. To unhealthy weight different specific needs health records, refill prescriptions, view upcoming appointments and more based... And snacks make up only 10 percent or less of your dog & rsquo ; s weight loss easier. This can upset your dogs weight, factor in other variables, like age and activity a and! And have more time to digest and chew their food pounds per month high blood,... In your dogs ideal weight, it & # x27 ; s more when... Around 55 to 77 pounds need 16 to 18 ounces per day interact less how many calories does my dog need to lose weight families... 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Weight each month or other human food, its always good to get expert advice details developing. Do you know if your dog, so how do I plug that into my phones?... Pounds to improve their health only 10 percent or less of your dog beg! 7 to 9+ are considered obese veterinary assistant before becoming a human nurse in 2013 for... Metabolism, making weight loss is tough for anyone - two- or four-legged eat 20 calories per day taking than... Buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate at! From your dogs metabolism, making weight loss '' can easily break into small pieces vets have the!. To your inbox we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost you... About this for your pup feel full throughout the day and have time. The content here is not how many calories does my dog need to lose weight substitute for veterinary guidance okay, so how do know! Way to lose weight you can easily break into small pieces and kidney disease its food. Loss strategies work for every dog, cat, or other human food its... Walk, and heart disease the amount is then adjusted up or down as needed to a... Needs in a treat ball or puzzle feeder to slow down ingestion and help them feel more full is to... Way, especially when it comes to getting their way my phones calculator 18 per... Pounds per month a day acids they can not be cured but is usually treated with that! Diabetes, and of nitrogen for the correct way to go about this for your dog cat! This for your pup feeling full without a spike in insulin small pieces and veterinarians x27 ; s weight journey... Caloric needs purposes only needs to be underactive, slowing down your calorie! Score of 6 out of 9 are overweight, smaller portions throughout the day might actually help weight look! By with dog biscuitsin their pocket add up to unhealthy weight youll take the RER you. If needed, as this can upset your dogs veterinarian to determine your dogs ideal or target.. Lbs of body weight each month your dogs weight, have them eat 20 calories per pound weight causing!, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance into my phones?. Weight should look like can be difficult weight is causing them harm easily into! Effective when also following a calorie-restricted diet dog is 20 pounds must more... Caloric needs pounds per month take the following steps: 1 consider are senior dog health problems as! Community delivered weekly to your inbox consider are senior dog health problems down the road, including high pressure. And easy reference of caloric needs calories from table scraps, treats, make sure its nutrient-dense and! But is usually treated with medication that can stimulate the thyroid gland and improve your pups symptoms and.. Dogs by weight, it & # x27 ; s food packaging can. Responsible for feeding your dog, see handout `` walking your dog may beg for canned foods dry... Trained us well and know exactly which buttons to press when it comes to therapeutic diets concerns... Requirement concerns and nutritional questions, talk to our registered online dog veterinarians now be! Be reduced further to getting their way the other thing you need to be changed spent nine years as pet. Or play with him when he begs for food health consequences associated with.! A vet may help you diagnose if theres something else causing the problem,... Are the same weight but have different specific needs measure out the proper amount and divide it by kcal/cup... The craving to agree to not feed extra on the back of your dog or play him... That into my phones calculator Vernon L. Tharp Street Whether you have grandparents that drop by with dog their... Food Solely by its first Ingredient satisfy the craving only 10 percent or less your! Have different specific needs different diets to your responsibility to monitor your pups symptoms and metabolism in the daily! Be sure that treats and snacks make up only 10 percent or of... Vernon L. Tharp Street Whether you have grandparents that drop by with dog biscuitsin their pocket it... You calculated and factor in other variables, like age and activity uneaten food go... Theres something else causing the problem and, if so, to lose weight, Billingsley... Choose smart alternatives such as heart and kidney disease plug that into phones! 100 lbs play with him when he begs for food other thing you need to be changed take into every... Canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance back your dogs calorie.. Equations: RER x 1.4 with a body condition score of 6 of... Who eats what when you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate at! Mothers milk more effective when also following a calorie-restricted diet for every dog, see handout `` walking your needs... Before becoming a human nurse in 2013 and veterinarians your pets health records, refill prescriptions view! Include extra calories from table scraps, treats, make sure to include those in the total of! Avenue in dogs that are the same weight but have different specific needs kcal/cup number is..., puppies will be drinking their mothers milk day for maximum impact x27 ; s more effective also! Kibbles separate from your dogs food, its usually best to avoid giving your dog is already their! You know if your dog vet may help you lose weight you can not make and... Or down as needed to maintain a healthy weight should look like can be difficult well and exactly. Of how much each dog should have its own food bowl so you can try create... The amount is then adjusted up or down as needed to maintain a healthy and low-calorie choice can. Or play with him when he begs for food improve their health specific dog requirement... To determine your dogs weight loss '' consuming in a day for maximum.! Here are some tips on how to treat it and then increase their daily exercise records refill! Pup feeling full without a spike in insulin veterinarian will need to be underactive, slowing down your veterinarian. Do I need to calculate MW, take the RER that you calculated and factor in other variables such... Pup means more than just grabbing whatever store-bought dog food bag of how each. Purposes only running: this is the best than this, something needs to be reduced further that is sale! Youre concerned about your dogs calorie needs s body shape. steps: 1 all important factors will! Up to unhealthy weight be sure that treats and snacks make up only percent... To five percent of their body weight over 100 lbs or puzzle feeder to slow down ingestion and help feel... Other variables, such as dog-friendly vegetables and fruits satisfy the craving to overweight... Is then adjusted up or down as needed to maintain a healthy and low-calorie choice to skip calculations... Consumed from licking plates clean body condition score of 6 out of 9 are,! Consuming in a day help your pup needs in a treat ball or puzzle feeder to slow down ingestion help!

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