How do I calculate a puppy’s Daily Energy Requirement?

Calculating a puppy’s Daily Energy Requirement (DER) is a two-step process. First, you calculate their Resting Energy Requirement (RER), then multiply it by a specific factor based on their current stage of development.

Step 1: Calculate Resting Energy Requirement (RER). To find your puppy’s RER, you will need their current weight in kilograms. You can calculate it using the standard equation:

• RER = 70 × (body weight in kg^0.75)

Alternatively, if your puppy currently weighs between 2 and 30 kg, you can use this simplified equation:

• RER = (30 × body weight in kg) + 70

Step 2: Calculate Daily Energy Requirement (DER) Once you have the RER, you multiply it by a factor that corresponds to how much of their expected adult weight they have reached:

• Weaning to 50% of adult body weight: DER = 3 × RER

• 50% to 80% of adult body weight: DER = 2.5 × RER

• 80% to 100% of adult body weight: DER = 1.8 to 2.0 × RER

The resulting DER shows the total number of calories your puppy needs each day. This total should be divided over 2 to 4 meals per day, with treats making up no more than 10% of this daily caloric allowance.

Important Exceptions and Adjustments:

• Spaying and Neutering: After a puppy is spayed or neutered, their energy requirements will rapidly decline, so you must reduce their DER by 10% or more to prevent excess weight gain. On average, the DER for a neutered house pet drops to 1.4 to 1.6 × RER.

• Great Danes: This breed is a notable exception during early growth. Great Danes have a 25% higher energy requirement in the first 2 months after weaning, and they may not grow properly if fed less than 2.5 × RER during this period.

• Hair Coat: Dogs with long hair generally have a lower overall energy requirement than dogs with short hair.