- How much should I feed my dog/cat?
- This depends upon two factors. First, how much energy does the animal require? Second, how much energy does a certain amount of feed supply? The amount of energy required is dependent upon many factors but is normally figured by considering two factors: 1. Activity Level 2. Weight. Active or productive dogs require more energy than inactive dogs. Lactating bitches naturally need more energy to produce milk. The weight of the dog relates to its body size and a large body would need more energy than a small body.
The amount of energy in a certain amount of feed depends upon its nutrient content. The products percentages of protein, fat and carbohydrates give it its energy content because each one of those can be used to produce energy. Either by lab analysis or calculation, the energy content of a feed can be established. Thus we know the energy content of a particular amount of feed. From all the above we can the estimate the amount of energy required and the amount of feed needed to meet that requirement. However, this is not an exact science because of the many other factors that can affect the dogs need for energy. What is on our labels is simply a recommendation. It is not intended in any way to be 100% accurate. It is only to serve as a guideline. What we encourage our pet parents to do is begin with the guidelines and adjust the amount fed based upon their evaluation of the pets performance. If the dog seems to be putting on weight, then obviously you are feeding more food than the body can use and the opposite of this is true for a thin dog.
