Daily energy and batch size

Where the daily target comes from

The daily calorie target is calculated from the animal's weight and body condition, using established veterinary energy-requirement guidelines. Bigger dogs need more calories, but not in proportion to weight: a dog twice as heavy needs well under twice the calories.

Batch target = daily energy × the days the batch should last.

Keep the profile current

The target is only as good as the weight and body condition on the profile. Re-weigh regularly and update the profile; every recipe for that animal is re-checked against the new target.

Things that look wrong and are not

• An overweight dog's target is much lower than an ideal one of the same weight. The profile is feeding it towards a healthier weight. Update the weight as it changes.
• An intact dog needs more than a neutered one of the same weight. Neutered or spayed dogs burn less energy, so set the status on the profile. Unset is treated as neutered.
• Every recipe for an animal changed when you edited its weight. The target belongs to the animal, so all its recipes are re-checked against the new one.

These are population averages. Individual dogs vary; if one gains or loses weight on a balanced recipe, adjust with your veterinarian.