Feed calculations

• What is the aim of the lesson on calculating energy requirements of animals?

  To calculate the energy requirements of animals
• What must a feeding plan include?

  • Fresh water provision
  • Food delivery method
  • Ingredients of the diet
  • Fresh or dry food status
  • Need for supplements
  • Food storage method
• What do pet food labels list as percentages?

  Protein, fat, ash, and fibre
• What does "ash" refer to on a food label?

  The mineral content in food
• What is metabolizable energy?

  Energy in food usable for bodily processes
• What is Gross Energy (GE)?

  Total chemical energy in food
• How is energy provided in the diet?

  Through protein, fat, and carbohydrates
• What are the typical GE values for protein?

  3.5 kcal/g
• What are the typical GE values for fat?

  8.5 kcal/g
• What are the typical GE values for carbohydrates?

  3.5 kcal/g
• Which components do not contribute energy?

  Fibre, ash, and moisture
• What is a calorie?

  A unit of energy in food
• Why is kilocalorie (Kcal) used in calculations?

  It is more scientifically accurate
• How do you calculate the percentage of carbohydrates in pet food?

  100% - total of other constituents
• What is the total percentage of other constituents given?

  56.3%
• How much energy does 25g of protein provide?

  87.5 Kcal of energy
• What is the total energy content in 100g of the food?

  333.95 Kcal of energy
• How much energy does 1g of this food contain?

  3.34 Kcal of energy
• How much energy would a 150g serving of food provide?

  500.93 Kcal of energy
• How do you calculate energy for 70g of dog food?

  70g x 3.34 Kcal/g
• What is Digestible Energy (DE)?

  GE minus energy in faeces
• What is Metabolizable Energy (ME)?

  DE minus energy producing urine and gas
• What does Basal Metabolic Requirement (BMR) refer to?

  Energy for basic bodily functions
• What is the formula for Resting Energy Requirement (RER)?

  RER = (weight in kg x 30) + 70
• What is the RER for a 25kg dog?

  820 Kcal
• What are the factors that compose an animal's daily energy requirements (DER)?

  • Basal Metabolic Requirement (BMR)
  • Resting Energy Requirement (RER)
  • Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER)
• What is Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER)?

  Energy required considering activity level
• What are the guidelines for adjusting RER for dogs?

  • Weight loss: 1 x RER
  • Normal activity adult: 1.8 x RER
  • Neutered adult: 1.6 x RER
  • Light working dog: 2 x RER
  • Moderate working dog: 3 x RER
  • Heavy working dog: 4 x RER
  • Early pregnancy: 1.8 x RER
  • Late pregnancy: 3 x RER
  • Nursing mother: 4-6 x RER
  • Puppy (1-4 months): 3 x RER
  • Puppy (4-12 months): 2 x RER
• How much energy would a 25kg dog need as an 11-month-old puppy?

  Calculate using RER guidelines
• How do MER estimates differ for cats compared to dogs?

  Different multipliers for activity levels
• What are the MER estimates for cats?

  • Weight loss: 0.8-1 x RER
  • Normal activity adult: 1.4 x RER
  • Neutered adult: 1.2 x RER
  • Pregnancy: 2.3 x RER
  • Nursing mother: 2.6 x RER
  • Kitten: 2.4 x RER
• What is the purpose of the quiz questions at the end?

  To test knowledge on the material
• What is the purpose of calculating rations for animal diets?

  To specify the feed items, ingredients, amount of food, energy value, and quality of the foodstuff in a feeding plan
• Why is it important to provide clean, accessible water in a feeding plan?

  Clean water is essential for the animal's health and circumstances must be considered, such as an elderly animal's ability to reach it
• What are the main components that should be included in a feeding plan?

  Fresh water provision, how food will be delivered, ingredients, supplements, and food storage
• How can you calculate the energy content of a food item if the percentage of carbohydrates is not listed on the label?

  Add up the percentages of all the listed ingredients, then subtract that total from 100% to get the percentage of carbohydrates
• Why is it important to compare the nutritional values of wet and dry diets on a dry matter basis?

  Because the moisture content of wet and dry foods is different, so the percentages of nutrients are not directly comparable
• What is the difference between gross energy (GE), digestible energy (DE), and metabolizable energy (ME)?

  GE is the total chemical energy in the food, DE is the energy absorbed by the body, and ME is the energy available for the body's functions after losses
• How can you estimate the resting energy requirement (RER) for cats and dogs?

  RER = (weight in kg x 30) + 70 Calories
• If a dog has an estimated daily energy requirement of 820 Calories, and the food you want to feed has 340 Calories per 100g serving, how much of that food should you feed the dog per day?

  2.41 servings of 100g per day, or 241g of food per day