Energy Needs of Your Dog

Energy Needs of Your Dog



Dogs need energy for growth, work, and lactation and so on, and obtain it by "burning up" (digesting) protein, carbohydrates, and fat. The energy content of food is measured in calories and while most people think of calories as a bad thing, they are only bad if you consume more than you need.

A dog's energy requirements are determined by its weight, and activity level. The smaller the dog the fewer calories are required. The following chart can be used as a good starting point.

Dogs Weight Energy needed (calories per day)



Small 5 lbs. 290 10 lbs. 410 20 lbs. 700



Medium 30 lbs. 920 50 lbs. 1300 60 lbs. 1600



Large 70 lbs. 1810 80 lbs. 1950 90 lbs. 2190



These values should be increased for the following circumstances:

Growing puppies x 2

Pregnancy x 1.5

Lactation x 3



Based on the analysis of pre-packed dog foods, dry, semi-moist, canned, and biscuit, the following table gives a good idea of the number of calories per ounce of each type.

Dry 96.4 calories per ounce

Semi-moist 85 calories per ounce

Canned 28.4 calories per ounce

Biscuit 99.2 calories per ounce



Based on this information, if you have a 20 lb. dog, it will require 700 calories per day. To meet this requirement you will have to feed him approximately:

Dry 700 / 96.4 calories = 7.26 ounces

Semi-moist 700 / 85 calories = 8.23 ounces

Canned 700 / 28.4 calories = 24.64 ounces

Biscuit 700 / 99.2 calories = 7.05 ounces



Individual products may vary in calorie content, but most manufacturers will supply analysis on request.



Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest dog clothes, dog collars, dog carriers and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out the site at www.joncopets.com











Submitted with Article Distributor.