Adjusting Your Dog's Daily Energy Requirement (DER)

What is DER?

Your dog's **Daily Energy Requirement (DER)** is the number of calories (kcal) we estimate they need each day to maintain their current weight. We calculate it from: - **Body weight** — using metabolic weight (weight^0.75), because energy needs don't scale linearly with size - **Life stage** — puppies, adults, seniors and lactating dogs have very different needs - **Activity multiplier** — based on the life stage you've chosen (e.g. "Adult — active" uses a higher multiplier than "Adult — neutered") The result is a science-based starting point built on FEDIAF guidelines. But it's exactly that — a starting point.

Why "calculated" isn't always "correct"

No formula can perfectly predict the calorie needs of *your specific dog*. Two Australian Shepherds at 16 kg can have noticeably different real-world needs depending on: - **Metabolism** — some dogs simply burn more or fewer calories at rest - **Actual activity** — a working farm dog vs. a city dog with two short walks - **Climate** — cold weather increases energy needs - **Coat and body composition** — leaner, more muscular dogs often need more - **Health status** — thyroid issues, medications and recovery all shift needs - **Spay/neuter status** — already partly accounted for, but individual variation remains If your dog is steadily gaining weight on the recommended portion, or losing weight when they shouldn't, the calculation needs a nudge — not a new diet.

Introducing the DER adjustment

Introducing the DER adjustment

On each dog's profile you'll now find a **DER adjustment** control with quick chips: `−20%` · `−10%` · `−5%` · `0%` · `+5%` · `+10%` · `+20%` - **Negative values** reduce daily calories — useful for weight loss or a less active dog - **Positive values** increase daily calories — useful for weight gain, hard-working dogs or cold seasons - **0%** uses the standard FEDIAF calculation The adjustment is applied everywhere portion sizes are shown: recipe serving sizes, daily totals and Saga's recommendations.

How to use it: a practical workflow

1. **Weigh your dog** and note the date 2. **Start at 0%** for at least 2–3 weeks on consistent portions 3. **Re-weigh** at the same time of day, ideally on the same scale 4. **Adjust in small steps**: - Gaining weight when they shouldn't → try **−5%** or **−10%** - Losing weight when they shouldn't → try **+5%** or **+10%** 5. **Wait another 2–3 weeks** before changing again 6. **Re-evaluate** body condition (ribs easily felt, visible waist from above) Small steps win. Jumping straight to −20% can leave your dog hungry and stressed.

When to be extra careful

Talk to your veterinarian before adjusting DER for: - **Puppies** — they need calories for growth; under-feeding can cause lasting harm - **Pregnant or lactating bitches** — energy needs change dramatically week by week - **Seniors with health conditions** — kidney, heart or hormonal disease changes the math - **Dogs recovering from illness or surgery** - **Significant or rapid weight changes** — these can signal an underlying medical issue, not just a calorie mismatch For these cases, your vet should be part of the decision.

What the adjustment does not change

The DER adjustment changes **how much** your dog eats — not **what** they eat. - Recipe **balance** (protein, fat, vitamins, minerals) stays the same - **Supplement amounts** scale with the portion automatically - Recipes remain compliant with FEDIAF nutrient guidelines If you suspect your dog needs a different *type* of food — for example because of allergies, life-stage change or a medical condition — start a new **Food Assessment** with Saga instead of only adjusting DER.

Quick reference

- Start at **0%** and observe for 2–3 weeks - Adjust in **5% steps** in the direction the scale tells you - Re-check **body condition**, not just weight - Loop in your **vet** for puppies, pregnant/lactating dogs and seniors - Use **Food Assessment** for diet *type* changes, DER adjustment for diet *amount* changes