Editorial team & methodology
Behind the DoggoMeal magazine and the calculators on doggomeal.de is DoggoMeal – a dog nutrition app, founded and run by Kim Marques. Our content is based on the expert recommendations of the NRC, WSAVA and FEDIAF. It helps you put things into context, but it is no substitute for veterinary advice.
Who is behind DoggoMeal
DoggoMeal is a dog nutrition app with recipes whose amounts suit your dog. DoggoMeal was founded and is run by Kim Marques; full provider details are in the legal notice.
Nami, our Shiba, is always part of everyday life. When our articles talk about food changes, bland diets or a bout of itching, those are personal experiences with her – everyday examples, not study results.
How our articles are written
- 1
Research in expert sources
Our foundation is the nutrient recommendations of the US National Research Council (NRC), the Global Nutrition Guidelines of the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) and the FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines. Depending on the topic, we add other reputable sources, for example from veterinary universities or the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).
- 2
Sources you can see
The sources used are listed at the end of each article under “Sources” and link to the original.
- 3
Answer first
The key answer comes at the top of the article; details, tables and examples follow below.
- 4
Experience kept separate
Personal examples, for instance with Nami, are clearly recognisable as such and are no substitute for an expert recommendation.
How our calculators work
All calculators work in two steps. First, they estimate the resting energy requirement (RER) from body weight: RER = 70 × body weight in kg to the power of 0.75 (kcal per day). They multiply this value by a factor for life stage and activity from the WSAVA factor table. Dividing the daily requirement by the energy density of the food gives the food amount in grams.
Example: An adult, neutered, normally active dog weighing 10 kg has a resting energy requirement of 70 × 100.75 ≈ 394 kcal. Multiplied by a factor of 1.6, that comes to around 630 kcal a day – roughly 175 g of dry food (360 kcal/100 g) or 630 g of wet food (100 kcal/100 g).
Without a value from the packaging, the calculators use these typical energy densities:
The information on your food packaging always takes priority. Every result is a starting point: dogs vary a great deal individually, so check weight and body shape every 1–2 weeks and adjust the amount. You can try it yourself in the calorie needs calculator for dogs.
- Calorie needs calculator
- Food amount calculator
- Puppy feeding calculator
- Puppy adult weight calculator
- Bland diet calculator
- Fresh food calculator
Basis of the calculators:
- Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (2006) – National Research Council (NRC), National Academies Press
- Global Nutrition Guidelines – World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
- Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food – FEDIAF – European Pet Food Industry Federation
How we update content
When recommendations change, someone points out a mistake or we revise the content of an article, we update it. Revised articles show “Updated on …” at the top – we only set this date when the content has been revised, not for minor corrections.
Noticed something that isn't right? Write to us via DoggoMeal support.
Limits: when to see a vet
We are not a veterinary practice. Our articles give general information and the calculators provide starting values – neither replaces an examination, diagnosis or treatment. Take your dog to a vet (outside opening hours, to a veterinary clinic) if you notice any of these signs:
- Suspected poisoning, for example from chocolate, grapes or xylitol – go straight away, don't wait.
- Blood in the stool (bright red or black and tarry) or in vomit.
- Vomiting that won't stop, a hard, bloated belly, listlessness, trembling or pale mucous membranes.
- Diarrhoea that lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours – in puppies and seniors after just 12 to 24 hours.
- An adult dog eats nothing at all for more than 24 hours; puppies under 4 months and dogs under 4 kg after just 8 to 12 hours. Also if your dog drinks nothing for more than 24 hours.
- Before any change of diet if your dog has a pre-existing condition (for example of the kidneys, liver or pancreas, or diabetes), and for pregnant or nursing females.
If in doubt, it's better to call once too early than too late.
Contact
We answer questions about the app or the magazine via support. You'll find the provider, address and the person responsible for editorial content in the legal notice.
Turning know-how into a recipe.
The sources and calculations above are built into the app: you create a profile for your dog, choose a recipe, and the app works out the gram amounts.
- Dog profile
- Recipes with gram amounts
- Allergy warnings
- Doggopedia
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