Understanding your pet’s Resting Energy Requirement (RER) is the first step in managing their health and nutrition. RER is the baseline number of calories your pet needs to perform essential bodily functions, like breathing, digestion, and cell repair. This number is crucial for determining the appropriate amount of food to give your pet daily.
How to Calculate RER
RER is calculated using the formula: RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)0.75. This will give you the energy your pet requires at rest, without accounting for activity. Once you calculate the RER, you can use it as a foundation for adjusting your pet's food intake based on their activity level and health status.
Why RER Matters
Calculating your pet’s RER helps ensure they are not overfed or underfed, preventing obesity or malnutrition. From the RER, you can adjust calorie needs for different life stages and activity levels, ensuring your pet maintains an ideal body weight. A pet calorie calculator or dog calorie calculator can simplify this process and give more accurate results.
Additional Tips
- Regularly track your pet’s weight and adjust RER calculations if necessary.
- Use RER to guide portion control and prevent overfeeding.
- Consult your vet for tailored advice based on your pet’s specific needs.