Your complete guide to calculating dog breed calorie needs

Your puppy’s health and well-being are your top priority. That’s what makes you a great pet parent. Nutrition is an integral part that should not go unnoticed as you work to care for your dog. Make sure you meet your dog’s daily calorie requirements.

Choosing the best food for your pet can be challenging. You need to pay attention to the labels on the dog food package.

To determine how many calories a dog needs, consider your dog’s age, activity level, and whether it has been spayed or neutered.

With so many options available, it can be easy to make the wrong choices.

Research conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) revealed that sales of treats and pet food increased by 9.7% in 2020. Those sales account for $3.7 billion of the total $42 billion generated annually by the pet care industry, and that number is projected to grow by 5% in 2021.

With the large-scale consumption of pet food, separating good nutrition from unhealthy is essential.

A great way to make this distinction is to pay attention to the labels on your purchases. As a rule of thumb, the first five to seven ingredients listed on the label are the product’s primary formulation.

Additionally, considering the number and quantity of essential fats and oils can help you make a wiser decision to meet calorie requirements for dogs.

Daily calorie requirements of inactive dogs

A dog’s daily calorie requirements often vary depending on how active your pet is (or not). To better understand your pet’s requirements, it would be appropriate to understand what a calorie is. A calorie is a unit of energy identified in a serving of food.

Research revealed that dogs must consume 25 to 30 calories per pound of their total body weight daily. Therefore, creating a weight-based diet for your dog can be a great way to recognize calorie requirements. But body weight is not the only factor to consider.

Age, activity, and spaying or neutering are other important determinants of your dog’s diet. The proper diet and exercise help keep your pet healthy and happy.

A couch potato dog will require around 30% fewer calories per day for dogs than active and younger pets.

Smaller active breeds

Smaller active breeds weigh around 10 pounds. Given that they are not very active, a calorie intake of 296 is sufficient for these dogs.

Medium-sized breeds (30 to 50 pounds)

Medium-sized breeds can weigh 30 to 50 pounds. The inactivity suggests that these breeds do not require more than 670 calories (for dogs on the lower end of the scale). Dogs around 50 pounds will require a calorie intake of 980.

Large breed dogs

A large breed dog can weigh as much as 70 pounds. Realize these dogs aren’t very active and require 1270 calories daily to maintain their weight.

Giant breed dogs

Giant breed dogs have a body weight estimated at around 90 pounds. Their relative inactivity sets their daily calorie requirement at not more than 1540 calories.

Daily calorie requirements of active dogs

Active dogs generally burn a lot of fat and require a nutritious diet with enough calories to sustain their body weight. Your Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, or Labrador might enjoy playing fetch with you.

If you are a pet parent to a blind dog, ensure they have a dog halo or bumper collar to facilitate safer playtime. You need to engage and stimulate your pet safely.

If you don’t meet your dog’s calorie requirement with food with the right proportions of fat and protein, your dog might gain weight. More than 60% of canines in North America are obese, so consider how many calories dogs need daily.

Smaller active breeds

Smaller active breeds weigh around 10 pounds. Their ideal daily calorie intake is 400 calories.

Medium-sized breeds (30 to 50 pounds)

Medium-sized breeds weighing about 30 pounds will require close to 920 calories daily. On the other hand, heavier medium-sized breeds with a weight close to 50 pounds require 1350 calories regularly.

Large breed dogs

Large breed dogs can be expected to weigh around 70 pounds. Considering their activity, large breed dogs require 1740 calories daily to ensure they are of healthy weight.

Giant breed dogs

Giant breed dogs are estimated to weigh around 90 pounds. Recognizing that they are larger, active breeds, these dogs require nearly 2100 calories daily.

What is life-stage nutrition?

Your dog’s life stage also affects its nutritional requirements. Therefore, considering your dog’s age when selecting the right dog food is extremely important.

Dietary needs vary across life stages. Therefore, considering your dog’s age when planning its diet can benefit your dog’s health in the long run.

Puppies

Puppies (dogs under one year or two years for larger breeds) require two to four times more energy per pound than their body weight. Therefore, choosing foods high in antioxidants, calcium, phosphorus, fatty acids, and protein can help facilitate healthier growth. Yes, puppies require additional calories.

These nutrients support your puppy’s immune system, bone growth, vision, and brain development. You can even consider adding chewable, low-calorie treats to better control your puppy’s biting.

Adult dogs

Dogs are considered adults from age 1 to 7. That classification varies from breed to breed, depending on how your dog matures.

Adult dogs need nutritionally balanced food that’s easy to digest. Calorie requirements may differ for working dogs and pregnant or lactating females.

How often and what you feed your dog depends on its metabolism and size.

Spayed or neutered dogs can become sedentary. Without proper exercise, they become prone to gaining weight. Therefore, decrease the number of calories sedentary spayed or neutered adult dogs consume by 30%.

Older dogs

Dogs are considered seniors after age 7. You may not see the changes, but your dog is aging internally.

You may notice changes like a drier, coarser coat, decreased muscle mass, activity reduction, or an inability to digest food easily. Therefore, a specific protein-to-calorie ratio must be considered when feeding an older dog.

Talk to your pet’s primary vet so you can choose the right food for your dog. At a minimum, you’ll need to decrease the amount of fat your dog eats and increase the amount of protein.

Closely monitoring your dog’s food intake can help you make the right food choices for your pet.

Monitor your dog’s caloric intake

Calculate daily calorie requirements

Various formulas can help you determine your dog’s daily calorie requirements based on its weight, age, and activity level. 

Use this information as a starting point to monitor their calorie intake.

Track treats

It can be easy to lose track of the number of treats you give your dog throughout the day. 

However, these extra calories can add up quickly and throw off a carefully planned diet. 

Keep track of any treats or human food your dog receives and factor them into its overall daily calorie intake.

Measure meals

To accurately monitor your dog’s calorie intake, measure their meals rather than eyeballing it. 

This will ensure your dog receives the correct amount of food according to their daily requirements.

Monitor your dog’s weight

Regularly weigh your dog (at least once a month) and keep track of any fluctuations in weight. 

If you notice significant changes in either direction (weight gain or loss), it may be time to adjust your dog’s calorie intake accordingly.

Consult your veterinarian

If you’re unsure how many calories your dog should consume or how much it should adjust based on its weight changes, consult your veterinarian for professional advice tailored specifically to your dog.

Consider age-related changes

As dogs age, their metabolism may slow down, and their activity levels may decrease. 

Adjusting their calorie intake to prevent weight gain and maintain a healthy weight is essential.

Focus on exercise

Along with adjusting your dog’s calorie intake, ensure that it is getting enough exercise to stay fit and maintain muscle mass. 

This will also help prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.

Meet your dog’s daily calorie requirements

Understanding your dog’s age, activity level, and whether it has been spayed or neutered will help you determine its daily calorie requirements.

Choosing the right food and ensuring your dog gets enough exercise is critical for overall health.

Making the right choices early will help your dog live a long, healthy life.

Pet expert Annie Butler has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet publishing industry. Before starting her career in publishing, Annie spent eight years working in veterinary hospitals. She assisted veterinarians as they treated dogs, cats, rabbits, pocket pets, reptiles, birds, and one memorable lion cub.

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