1. What is Resting Energy Requirement (RER)?

The Resting Energy Requirement (RER) represents the number of calories a cat needs at complete rest in a thermoneutral environment. It's the baseline energy requirement for basic physiological functions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the RER formula:

Where:

• \( Weight \) — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( 70 \) — Constant coefficient for cats
• \( 0.75 \) — Metabolic weight exponent

Explanation: The formula accounts for the non-linear relationship between body weight and metabolic rate.

3. Importance of RER Calculation

Details: RER is fundamental for determining appropriate caloric intake for cats, whether for weight maintenance, weight loss, or recovery from illness.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the cat's weight in kilograms. For accurate results, use a recent weight measurement.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does RER differ from DER?
A: Daily Energy Requirement (DER) is RER multiplied by an activity factor (typically 1.2-1.6 for normal cats).

Q2: What's the RER for a 4kg cat?
A: Approximately 198 kcal/day (70 × 4^0.75).

Q3: Can I use this for kittens?
A: Yes, but growing kittens typically need 2-3 times their RER.

Q4: How often should I recalculate RER?
A: Recalculate whenever the cat's weight changes significantly (≥10%).

Q5: What about obese cats?
A: For weight loss, feed approximately 80% of RER for ideal body weight.