Dog Food Nutrition Calculator
| Nutritional Items | Total Amount | AAFCO Min | AAFCO Max | Nutritional State |
|---|
Dog Food Nutrition Calculator — AAFCO-Based Nutrient Analysis for Homemade Dog Food
Assess homemade dog-food recipes quickly by selecting ingredients and entering weights (grams). This tool aggregates nutrient totals and compares them to AAFCO guidelines, producing clear status indicators for each nutrient.
About AAFCO: Origin and Purpose
AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) is an organization that develops model regulations and nutrient profiles widely used across North America and referenced internationally. AAFCO’s nutrient profiles define minimum and maximum levels for essential nutrients (proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, etc.) required for a complete and balanced pet food.
Although AAFCO is not a government agency, its model regulations are adopted by many regulatory bodies and manufacturers to ensure nutritional adequacy and product labeling consistency. When formulating homemade diets, comparing to AAFCO profiles helps identify potential deficiencies or excesses.
Calculator Inputs and Outputs
Inputs
- Ingredient selection — choose one or more food items from the provided ingredient list (meat, fish, vegetables, oils, supplements).
- Weight (grams) — for each selected ingredient, enter the intended mass in grams. Each ingredient’s nutrient profile in the system is defined per 100 g.
- Optional additions — you may add supplements (e.g., bone meal or multivitamin mix) to correct specific nutrient shortfalls.
Outputs
- Nutrient table — displays every tracked nutrient with:
- Aggregated total (calculated from selected ingredients and weights)
- AAFCO minimum (if defined)
- AAFCO maximum (if defined)
- Status indicator: Below Standard, Moderate, or Exceeds Standard
How to Add Food
- Select ingredients from the ingredient list (multi-select is supported).
- For each selected ingredient a card will appear on the page where you can enter its weight in grams. The default can be 100 g; edit as needed.
- To remove an ingredient, click the card’s Delete button or uncheck it in the selection list.
- The nutrient totals update automatically whenever you add, remove, or change weights.
Calculation Rules and Status Judgement
- Total calculation: The total amount of each nutrient is computed by weighting the grams entered by the user. Each ingredient’s nutrient values are interpreted as per 100 g. For example, if an ingredient lists 20 g protein per 100 g and the user enters 150 g, the contribution is 20 × 1.5 = 30 g protein.
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Status judgment rules:
- If a Min value exists and the actual amount < Min → Below the standard
- If a Max value exists and the actual amount > Max → Exceeds the standard
- Otherwise → Moderate
Important Notice
This calculator is an informational tool intended to provide a high-level comparison of ingredient-based nutrient totals to AAFCO benchmarks. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice or laboratory analysis. For therapeutic diets, growth-stage formulations, or suspected nutrient imbalances, consult a veterinarian or a qualified animal nutritionist before making long-term dietary changes.