How should daily energy requirements be adjusted when a dog is ill or obese?

• A. DER should always be doubled
• B. DER should be adjusted based on illness or obesity as needed
• C. DER should never be adjusted
• D. DER should be set to a fixed multiplier for all dogs

Answer: (B)

Adjusting daily energy needs is about matching intake to the dog's current state. Illness can change how much energy the body uses—some conditions raise metabolic demand, while illness often reduces appetite—so feeding should be tailored to support healing without overfeeding. Obesity reflects a chronic energy surplus, so the goal is to reduce intake relative to maintenance and progress toward a healthier body weight. Because these situations vary from one dog to another and even within the same dog over time, the daily energy requirement should be adjusted based on the individual illness status or obesity needs as they arise. Doubling energy needs or using a fixed multiplier for all dogs ignores these differences and can either starve or overfeed the animal. Not adjusting at all fails to address changes in health or body condition, risking malnutrition during illness or insufficient weight loss in obesity.