Welcome back, pack parents,
Don’t trust the label for feeding instructions!
A recent study of 44 weight loss or weight management diets showed that these foods varied as much as 200 calories per cup or can. The researchers concluded that the variability of commercial diet foods could actually contribute to the failure of weight loss programs. Further research has documented the inaccuracy of the “cup” measurement for delivering accurate amounts of calories. So how do we feed our dogs correctly? Determining the optimum amount of food to feed your dog should ideally be measured by the ounce, not the cup. To calculate your dog’s daily caloric needs in ounces use these 4 easy steps.
Calculating the correct feeding amount for your dog:
1) Buy a kitchen food scale ($5-30)
2) Ask your veterinarian for the appropriate daily calorie (actually kilocalories or kcal) needs for your dog
3) Go to website of your dog food company to find the kcal/kg of food (it is not required that this information be provided on the dog food package. If it is there – Great!)
4) Calculate the ounces to feed:
Kcal/day ÷ kcal/kg ÷ 28 X 1000 = ounces of food per day
Example: A dog needs 500 kcals/day (per your Vet) and the food contains 3800 kcal/kg (find online)
500 ÷ 3800 ÷ 28 X 1000 = oz./day
500 ÷3800 = .132 ÷ 28 = .0047 X 1000 = 4.7 oz./day
Ideally, dogs should be fed twice daily, so this dog would receive 2.35 ounces of food per meal. Accurate feeding is the key to weight management!
Today’s Tip: WATER is the most important nutrient for dogs!
Dogs do not have the ability to sweat to reduce body heat. Panting is their primary cooling strategy. Evaporation of water from the tongue and mouth provides the necessary body cooling (think swamp cooler). Unfortunately, this loss of body water needs to be constantly replaced. Dogs should have access to large amounts of clean, fresh water. The water bowl should be the largest feeding utensil, not the food dish.
Releasing the Trim Dog Inside
Dr. T
*Calculating the generic caloric needs of dogs will be the content of later postings.
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