External APOP Clinical Tool
Veterinary RER & MER Calorie Calculator
Estimate resting energy requirement and an estimated maintenance energy range for a dog or cat, with optional conversion into cups or cans per feeding.
Estimate
Resting energy requirement
Calculate an RER starting estimate from the patient’s body weight.
RER = 70 × BWkg0.75Adjust
Maintenance energy range
Apply the selected activity or life-stage factor to estimate an MER range.
MER = RER × selected factorConvert
Per-feeding guidance
Enter food calorie density and meal frequency to estimate cups or cans per feeding.
The calculator is published and maintained by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. It opens on the APOP website.
Opens petobesityprevention.org in a new browser tab.
Clinical Use
Treat the result as a starting estimate
Calculated energy needs can differ from the individual patient’s actual requirements. Interpret the estimate with current intake, body-weight trend, Body Condition Score, Muscle Condition Score, life stage, reproductive status, activity, and health.
- Confirm the patient’s current intake and food calorie density.
- Use the factor that best matches the patient’s current status.
- Adjust the plan based on measured weight and body-condition response.