Said simply, one pet may have completely different energy requirement than another of a similar breed, age and size. Our pets' bodies “burn” calories through the metabolic processes within the body requiring numerous enzymes. These enzymes break down the macronutrients into smaller products that the body can use.
Are human calories the same as dog calories?
Calorie Basics 101 The terms kilocalories (kcal) in pet foods and calories in human foods are interchangeable! For example, a large apple is 120 human calories which if fed to a dog is counted as 120 kilocalories. All dog foods vary in weight- so no two cups of dog food will weigh the same.
Do calories matter in dog food?
But dog food companies have taught us to feed cups or cans of dog food. But there are no standard calorie counts for cups or cans of dog food. Cups and cans can vary as much as 200 calories per cup or can between and among dog food brands. That big difference can promote excess body weight and poor health.
How many calories should my dog have per day?
(Resting Energy Requirements or RER), which can be calculated by multiplying the animal's body weight in kilograms raised to the ¾ power by 70, for example, a 10kg (22lb) adult neutered dog of healthy weight needs RER = 70(10kg)3/4 ≈ 400 Calories/day.
Should you count your dogs calories?
All treats and snacks also need to be accounted for and their calories should be subtracted from the total that will be provided in their meals. It is always recommended that before making changes to a dog's current diet you discuss this plan with your veterinarian.
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Do dogs burn calories the same as humans?Are human calories the same as dog calories?