Calories needed

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Well Karen I found it, duh.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Egad, I have been gone so long I can't remember how to start a discussion in the food group.

Since Daisy has switched from Grain Free Acana Salmon to Zignature Grain Free Salmon I have been concerned she is not getting enough to eat. She has never ever asked for more but now it seems she is always licking her bowl and looking up to me as if saying "is that all there is?" I see there cal count is 430 per cup, I can't remember what Acana was. She has slimmed down, not sure how much, but she is way more active than ever since Mike is home.

I give her 1-1/3 cups twice a day + her treats of homemade beef jerky. I have a feeling she is hungry. I never though about how many calories she may need because I just fed her the same amount of ACANA  always.

What do you think Karen?

Dexter to is in the process of switching...need advice.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

What does Daisy weigh now? Do you want to keep her at this weight? The number of calories required per day are determined by their weight, as well as age and activity level.

Daisy is currently getting about 1150 calories per day from her kibble alone, which is roughly what a 55 lb moderately active adult dog would need. And then whatever she gets from the jerky.

 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Oh she weighs 70lbs Karen, at least that is her healthy weight  before we noticed she was a bit less hefty...maybe 68lbs. Her harness has not needed adjustment.
When we were both gone, she got that and another 1/3 cup in her Kong, she may be a little hungry because she no longer gets that extra treat.

What is the formula to figure out what her calorie needs are?

Dexter weighs 65 and is not as active, he prefers watching the ball go by then chasing and catching. Ha ha. Daisy is NON stop at least 3 hours a day. Not to mention all the shenanigans in the living room between her and Dex.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Daisy should be getting 20 calories per lb of body weight per day. So slightly less than 1400. If add that third cup back in, you'd be close. Better to stay a little below than a little above her requirements. 

Dexter should also be getting about 20 calories per lb of body weight per day, even though he's not as active. So about 1300 per day for him. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I can't believe how much I underfeed my dogs!  Every time I read one of these discussions, I go to their food - was Orijen but just switched to Acana - and calculate what I feed them and vs they weigh.  I guess slug activity level isn't listed.  Ned weighs about 28 pounds; we feed him about 1 1/3 cups per day which is about right calorie-wise (396 calories per cup).  His weight never varies by more than a pound.  Clancy weighs about 59 or 60 pounds so should get 1180 calories per day.  We feed him 2 cups per day which equals only 792.  If we fed him even a heaped cup twice a day consistently, he would balloon up to the mid 60's.  Charlie weighs about 40 pounds.  According to the 20 calories per pound suggestion, we should be feeding him  800 calories  per day, yet if we feed him more than the 660 calories (1 2/3 cups), he gains weight.  Neither Clancy nor Charlie is skinny.  You can barely feel their ribs.  From these calculations, I think you simply need to adjust Daisy's portions as you monitor her weight and activity level and adjust it periodically. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The 20 kcal/per lb of body weight/day is just a guideline, a starting point, and it's really for medium to large adult dogs. Small dogs may need as much as 30 kcal/per lb/day and giant breeds, as few as 15. (For puppies, it may be double). And then you have to factor in age and activity, and of course each dog has a different metabolism, just like humans. In humans, calorie requirements are determined by body condition, i.e. lean mass. The higher the lean mass (muscle tissue), the higher the calorie requirement. That's why two people of equal weight and height might have totally different metabolic rates. I have to believe it's the same for dogs. 

[Stella]

I 'underfeed' one of my doodles too!! He is 70lb and I feed him Acana Light and Fit. He has the Labrador ability to put on weight by just looking at food and we compete in agility so I want him lean. I think last time I checked their recommendations he is only getting enough for a 50lb dog according to their guidelines!!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Nancy you crack me up, slug activity.

FYI you two, I have no problem feeling either of my doodles ribs, had it not been for Daisy looking me straight in the face and saying "is that all there is" I would have never really thought she was hungry.

At this time, we will add that 1/3 cup back into their day, probably after their 1-1/2 hour play time be it at the park or back yard, in the middle of the day. I feel so guilty but I know they aren't starving. They are so spoiled, outside and play is just an extension of their day now that Mike is home.

Of course I would rather have Mike back at work, the dog walker coming mid day and both back to being happy with morning play and evening play and our weekends of outside fun. These two have me wrapped with their guilty "what about me" looks and "how long are you going to clean while we wait to go bye bye in the car".

Thank you for all your guidance as usual. I still love DK!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Glad to have you back! DK is still the best! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It sounds like Daisy has increased her activity level so perhaps she is hungry?  She sent me a private message that I was supposed to say that.....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

ROFL!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Ha ha, she is so smart!