🐾 Canine Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) Calculator Simulator

Resting Energy Requirement — The Starting Point

RER is the calorie floor a dog burns simply existing at rest.

• 70×W^0.75: Formula (kg body weight)
• kcal/day: Units (baseline metabolism)
• All dogs: Applies to (before multipliers)
• Body mass: Basis (metabolic scaling law)

What RER measures

Short placeholder: RER reflects resting metabolic energy cost.

Life Stage Multiplier — Puppy, Adult, Senior

Growth and aging change how much energy a dog needs daily.

• ~2.0–3.0x: Puppy (rapid growth phase)
• ~1.6x: Adult (maintenance level)
• ~1.2–1.4x: Senior (slower metabolism)
• Age stage: Basis (growth vs upkeep)

Why age matters

Short placeholder: puppies need more energy per kg than seniors.

Activity Level Multiplier — Sedentary to Working

Exercise level scales daily calories beyond baseline needs.

• 1.2x: Sedentary (low activity dogs)
• 1.6x: Moderate (typical pet activity)
• 2.0x: Active (regular exercise)
• 3.0x+: Working (high exertion dogs)

Activity scaling

Short placeholder: more movement means higher calorie demand.

Neuter Status Adjustment — A Small But Real Shift

Spayed and neutered dogs typically need slightly fewer calories.

• 1.8x: Intact adult (higher baseline need)
• 1.6x: Neutered adult (reduced multiplier)
• ~10%: Effect size (lower energy need)
• Hormonal shift: Cause (metabolic rate change)

Neuter effect

Short placeholder: hormonal change slightly lowers metabolic rate.

Final Daily MER and Food Portion Size

Combined multipliers yield total daily calories and bowl size.

• RER×multiplier: Formula (final MER kcal/day)
• MER/kcal-per-cup: Portion (daily food cups)
• ~350 kcal/cup: Typical food (dry kibble estimate)
• Weight stability: Goal (adjust as needed)

Putting it together

Short placeholder: MER and portion size complete the daily plan.

Short placeholder: monitor body condition and adjust portions monthly.