1. What is Resting Energy Requirement (RER)?

The Resting Energy Requirement (RER) represents the calories required by a dog at rest in a thermoneutral environment. It's the baseline energy needed for basic physiological functions like breathing, circulation, and cell production.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the RER equation:

Where:

• \( weight\_kg \) — The dog's weight in kilograms
• \( 70 \) — Constant multiplier for kcal/day
• \( 0.75 \) — Exponential factor accounting for metabolic scaling

Explanation: The equation accounts for the non-linear relationship between body weight and metabolic rate in dogs.

3. Importance of RER Calculation

Details: RER is fundamental for determining a dog's daily caloric needs, whether for maintenance, weight loss, or recovery from illness. It serves as the basis for calculating DER (Daily Energy Requirement).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the dog's weight in kilograms. For accurate results, weigh your dog regularly as weight can fluctuate. The value must be greater than 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does RER differ from DER?
A: DER (Daily Energy Requirement) is RER multiplied by an activity factor (typically 1.2-1.8) accounting for exercise, life stage, and health status.

Q2: What are typical RER values?
A: For a 10kg dog: ~400 kcal/day, 20kg: ~662 kcal/day, 30kg: ~897 kcal/day. Values increase with weight but not linearly.

Q3: When should RER be used directly?
A: RER is appropriate for hospitalized or strictly resting dogs. Most pets need DER calculations based on their activity level.

Q4: Are there breed-specific variations?
A: While the formula works for most breeds, giant breeds may have slightly lower metabolic rates and toy breeds slightly higher ones.

Q5: How often should I recalculate?
A: Recalculate whenever your dog's weight changes by more than 10%, or every 3-6 months for growing puppies.