Raw Diet Calculator

Raw Diet Feeding Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate the daily raw food requirements for your dog or cat. Remember, these are guidelines; individual needs may vary based on metabolism, breed, and environmental factors. Always consult with a veterinarian or a certified pet nutritionist for personalized advice.

function calculateRawDiet() { var petWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("petWeight").value); var weightUnit = document.getElementById("weightUnit").value; var petAge = document.getElementById("petAge").value; var activityLevel = document.getElementById("activityLevel").value; var feedingGoal = document.getElementById("feedingGoal").value; var overridePercentageInput = document.getElementById("overridePercentage").value; var overridePercentage = parseFloat(overridePercentageInput); if (isNaN(petWeight) || petWeight 0) { basePercentage = overridePercentage; } var dailyFoodAmountRaw = (petWeight * (basePercentage / 100)); // in lbs or kg, depending on input unit var dailyFoodAmountGrams; var dailyFoodAmountOunces; if (weightUnit === "lbs") { dailyFoodAmountGrams = dailyFoodAmountRaw * 453.592; dailyFoodAmountOunces = dailyFoodAmountRaw * 16; } else { // kg dailyFoodAmountGrams = dailyFoodAmountRaw * 1000; dailyFoodAmountOunces = dailyFoodAmountGrams / 28.3495; } var resultHTML = "

Estimated Daily Raw Food:

"; resultHTML += "Based on your selections, your pet needs approximately:"; resultHTML += "" + basePercentage.toFixed(1) + "% of their body weight per day."; resultHTML += "This translates to:"; resultHTML += "" + dailyFoodAmountGrams.toFixed(0) + " grams per day"; resultHTML += "or " + dailyFoodAmountOunces.toFixed(1) + " ounces per day"; resultHTML += "Split this amount into 2-3 meals per day. Always monitor your pet's condition and adjust as needed."; document.getElementById("rawDietResult").innerHTML = resultHTML; } .raw-diet-calculator-container { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 25px; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); max-width: 700px; margin: 20px auto; color: #333; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; } .raw-diet-calculator-container h2 { color: #2c3e50; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 1.8em; } .raw-diet-calculator-container p { line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 15px; } .calculator-form .form-group { margin-bottom: 18px; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; gap: 10px; } .calculator-form label { flex: 1 1 180px; font-weight: bold; color: #555; font-size: 0.95em; } .calculator-form input[type="number"], .calculator-form select { flex: 2 1 200px; padding: 10px 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 1em; color: #333; background-color: #fff; box-shadow: inset 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); transition: border-color 0.2s ease-in-out; } .calculator-form input[type="number"]:focus, .calculator-form select:focus { border-color: #007bff; outline: none; box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(0, 123, 255, 0.25); } .calculator-form .hint { flex-basis: 100%; font-size: 0.85em; color: #777; margin-top: -10px; margin-left: 190px; /* Align with input fields */ } .calculator-form button { display: block; width: auto; padding: 12px 25px; margin: 25px auto 15px auto; background-color: #28a745; color: white; border: none; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease; box-shadow: 0 2px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); } .calculator-form button:hover { background-color: #218838; transform: translateY(-1px); } .calculator-form button:active { background-color: #1e7e34; transform: translateY(0); box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); } .calculator-result { background-color: #e9f7ef; border: 1px solid #d4edda; border-radius: 8px; padding: 20px; margin-top: 25px; text-align: center; color: #155724; font-size: 1.1em; } .calculator-result h3 { color: #218838; margin-top: 0; font-size: 1.5em; } .calculator-result p { margin-bottom: 8px; } .calculator-result strong { color: #0056b3; font-size: 1.2em; } .calculator-result .disclaimer { font-size: 0.9em; color: #6c757d; margin-top: 15px; font-style: italic; } .calculator-result .error { color: #dc3545; font-weight: bold; } @media (max-width: 600px) { .calculator-form .form-group { flex-direction: column; align-items: flex-start; } .calculator-form label, .calculator-form input[type="number"], .calculator-form select { flex: none; width: 100%; } .calculator-form .hint { margin-left: 0; text-align: left; } }

Understanding Raw Feeding for Pets

Raw feeding, often referred to as BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) or PMR (Prey Model Raw), involves feeding pets uncooked meat, edible bones, and organs. Proponents believe this diet mimics what ancestral canines and felines would eat in the wild, leading to various health benefits.

Why Consider a Raw Diet?

• Improved Digestion: Many raw feeders report better digestion, smaller and less odorous stools, and reduced instances of digestive upset.
• Enhanced Coat and Skin Health: A raw diet can contribute to a shinier coat, healthier skin, and reduced shedding due to better nutrient absorption.
• Increased Energy Levels: Pets on a raw diet often exhibit higher energy levels and improved vitality.
• Better Weight Management: The natural composition of raw food can help pets maintain a healthy weight more easily.
• Dental Health: Chewing on raw, meaty bones can help clean teeth naturally and reduce plaque buildup.

How to Use the Raw Diet Calculator:

1. Pet's Weight: Enter your pet's current weight and select the appropriate unit (pounds or kilograms).
2. Pet's Age Group: Choose whether your pet is a puppy/kitten, adult, or senior. Younger animals and growing puppies/kittens typically require a higher percentage of their body weight in food.
3. Activity Level: Select your pet's typical activity level. Highly active or working dogs will need more calories and thus more food than sedentary pets.
4. Feeding Goal: Indicate if you want your pet to maintain, lose, or gain weight. The calculator will adjust the recommended percentage accordingly.
5. Override Daily Percentage (%): If you have specific guidance from a vet or nutritionist, you can enter a custom percentage here. Otherwise, leave it blank to use the calculator's default recommendations.
6. Calculate: Click the "Calculate Daily Food" button to see the estimated daily raw food amount in grams and ounces.

General Raw Feeding Guidelines (Examples):

The calculator uses these general guidelines to determine the feeding percentage:

• Puppies/Kittens: Typically require 5-10% of their current body weight per day, decreasing as they grow.
• Adult Dogs/Cats: Generally need 2-3% of their ideal adult body weight per day for maintenance.
• Senior Pets: May require slightly less, around 1.8-2.5%, depending on their activity and metabolism.
• Active/Working Pets: Can require 3-4% or even more, depending on their energy expenditure.
• Weight Loss: Percentages are typically reduced by 10-20% from maintenance.
• Weight Gain: Percentages are typically increased by 10-20% from maintenance.

Important Considerations:

• Individual Variation: Every pet is unique. Factors like breed, metabolism, health conditions, and even climate can influence food requirements.
• Monitoring: Always monitor your pet's body condition, energy levels, and stool quality. Adjust food amounts as needed.
• Balance: A balanced raw diet is crucial. Ensure your pet receives a variety of muscle meat, organs, and edible bones in appropriate ratios.
• Veterinary Consultation: Before transitioning to a raw diet or making significant changes, consult with a holistic veterinarian or a certified pet nutritionist. They can provide tailored advice and ensure the diet meets all your pet's nutritional needs.

Example Scenarios:

Let's look at how the calculator might work with different inputs:

1. Adult Dog, Moderate Activity, Maintain Weight:
   • Weight: 50 lbs
   • Age: Adult
   • Activity: Moderate
   • Goal: Maintain Weight
   • Expected Output: Around 2.5% of body weight, which is 1.25 lbs (approx. 567 grams or 20 ounces) per day.
2. Puppy, Active, Growing:
   • Weight: 15 lbs
   • Age: Puppy/Kitten
   • Activity: Active
   • Goal: Maintain Weight (for growth)
   • Expected Output: Around 7% of body weight, which is 1.05 lbs (approx. 476 grams or 16.8 ounces) per day.
3. Senior Cat, Sedentary, Lose Weight:
   • Weight: 15 lbs
   • Age: Senior
   • Activity: Sedentary
   • Goal: Lose Weight
   • Expected Output: Around 1.4-1.5% of body weight (1.8% reduced by 20%), which is 0.21-0.225 lbs (approx. 95-102 grams or 3.4-3.6 ounces) per day.

These examples demonstrate how the calculator adjusts recommendations based on your pet's specific profile.