Once you know the basics, the next step is to calculate your dog's individual food requirements and put them into practice. A rule of thumb can serve as a starting point, but the actual amount depends on the dog.

Calculate basal metabolic rate

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) describes the amount of energy a dog uses at rest. A common formula is: BMR = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75 . This value can vary depending on activity level, diet, or health factors.

Adaptation to activity & lifestyle

• Quiet apartment dogs: RER × 1.2–1.4
• Normal activity: RER × 1.5–1.7
• Very active dogs: RER × 1.8–2.5

RER = Resting Energy Requirement

Practical feeding tips

Ensure regular meals, monitor body weight, and adjust portion sizes accordingly. The right type of food can help optimally support metabolism.

👉 FRED Premium Dry Chicken Food – nutrient-rich complete food with a high meat content.

Dry food has a different energy density than wet food, therefore the portion size changes accordingly.

• Dry food → more energy per gram
• Wet food → lower energy density, ideal for reduced calorie intake

Consider rewards in the daily schedule

Reward snacks should be included in the total calorie intake, otherwise weight gain can quickly occur.

👉 FRED Soft Snacks Lamb – a soft reward for training.

The topic of basics and special cases continues below:
Feed requirements – errors & special cases