When calculating a caloric deficit, should energy intake be based on the dog's current weight or ideal target weight?
Answer
Ideal target weight
Successful weight reduction efforts are fundamentally based on establishing a precise caloric deficit calculated relative to the dog's ultimate goal weight, not the weight they currently possess. If a dog weighs 90 pounds but their healthy goal is 70 pounds, the energy requirement calculation, often starting with the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) for the 70-pound figure, is performed first. This calculated RER for the target weight is then reduced, typically by 20% to 40%, to establish the initial daily caloric intake limit. Basing the calculation on the current, higher weight would result in an inadequate deficit, stalling progress toward the ideal body mass.
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