🐶 What is MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement)?
MER (Maintenance Energy Requirement) is the number of calories your pet needs daily to maintain a healthy body weight. It depends on your pet’s:
- Weight
- Life stage (puppy/kitten, adult, senior)
- Whether they’re neutered or not
- Body Condition Score (BSC)
MER is not written on your pet food label, which is why using a calculator can be such a big help.
🖥️ How to Use the MER Calculator (No Math Needed!)
You don’t need to memorize any formulas—just visit:
👉 https://vetcalculators.com/calories.html
Step-by-step guide:
- Go to the link above on your phone or computer.
- Scroll down to the calorie calculator section.
- Fill in the details:
- Species: Dog or cat
- Weight: In kg (you can ask your vet if you don’t know!)
- Neutered or Intact: Tick the correct box.
- Life Stage: Puppy/kitten, adult, or senior.
- Body Condition Score (BSC): This helps adjust the calorie needs based on your pet’s current weight condition.
- Hit “Calculate”, and the tool will instantly show how many calories your pet needs per day!
Now you can match that number with the feeding guide on your pet food packaging (which should state calories per cup or gram), or ask your vet for help adjusting it.
🐕 What Is Body Condition Score (BSC) and Why It Matters?
BSC is a 1–9 scoring system that helps determine if your pet is:
- Too thin (1–3)
- Just right (4–5)
- Overweight (6–9)
✋ How to Check Your Pet’s BSC at Home:
- Feel the ribs:
- Too thin: Easily seen, very little fat.
- Ideal: Can feel ribs easily but not visibly poking out.
- Overweight: Hard to feel ribs through fat.
- Look from above:
- Ideal: Pet has an hourglass waist.
- Overweight: Waist is hard to see or rounded.
- Look from the side:
- Ideal: Tummy tucks up slightly behind the ribs.
- Overweight: Belly sags or is rounded.
Not sure? You can always ask your vet or vet nurse during your next visit—we’re happy to help you assess!
A Cute Example: Meet Mochi the Shih Tzu 🐶
Mochi is a 7-year-old neutered Shih Tzu weighing 6 kg. Her paw-rent wants to make sure she’s eating the right amount.
So they go to the MER calculator and input:
- Dog
- 6 kg
- Neutered
- Adult
- BSC 5 (Ideal)
➡️ The result? Mochi needs about 380 calories per day.
The food bag says:
“100g = 350 kcal”
So Mochi needs around 110g of food daily.
Her owner splits it into 2 meals of 50g each time and gives a few small treats throughout the day, adjusting the main meal slightly to make room for the extras. Smart!
💡Tips for Success
- Use the calculator every few months, especially if your pet gains or loses weight.
- Don’t forget to include treats in the total daily calorie count!
- Weigh your pet regularly to keep track of changes.
Match your feeding routine to your pet’s life stage and health status.
✅ Final Takeaways
✔️ Use the MER calculator to easily find your pet’s daily calorie needs
✔️ Check their Body Condition Score (BSC) regularly to avoid over/underfeeding
✔️ Adjust food amounts as they age, gain/lose weight, or become more/less active
With just a few clicks and a feel of your pet’s ribs, you’re all set to become a feeding pro!
👉 Stay tuned for next, where we discuss the latest diet trends and does it mean we can never give our beloved pets treat?!
Disclaimer:
I am not a veterinarian or certified pet nutritionist. The information shared in this article is based on general pet care knowledge and current guidelines, and is intended for healthy, adult cats and dogs only.
For pets with medical conditions, special dietary needs, or if you’re unsure what’s best, please consult your veterinarian or a qualified pet nutritionist before making changes to their diet, supplements, or feeding routine.
About Vet Nurse Zoe
Zoe is a dedicated veterinary nurse who has been practicing in a veterinary clinic since 2022. She is committed to providing high-quality care for animals while continuously expanding her knowledge to better serve pets and their owners.
In collaboration with Petsmore, she aims to provide reliable and practical information to help pet owners make informed decisions about their pets’ well-being. Learn more about Zoe by checking her bio or following her on Instagram at @vetnursezoe!
