NRC Normalization (1,000 kcal Basis)
NRC 2006 expresses all nutrient requirements per 1,000 kcal of metabolizable energy. This normalization allows requirements to scale automatically with a dog's energy needs.
How It Works
- 1
NRC defines minimum nutrient amounts per 1,000 kcal ME (metabolizable energy)
- 2
RawPawIQ calculates your dog's daily energy requirement (MER) based on weight and lifestage
- 3
Requirements scale proportionally: a dog needing 2,000 kcal needs 2x the nutrients
- 4
Your recipe's nutrients are compared against these scaled requirements
Why This Exists
Different dogs need vastly different amounts of food. A 5kg Chihuahua and a 50kg Great Dane can't have the same nutrient targets. By anchoring requirements to energy intake, NRC 2006 created a universal standard that scales correctly for any dog size or activity level.
Common Misinterpretations
"My dog needs exactly X mg of calcium"
Requirements depend on energy intake, not a fixed amount. A dog eating 2,000 kcal needs twice as much calcium as one eating 1,000 kcal.
"These numbers seem low"
They're per 1,000 kcal, not per day. Most adult dogs eat 800-2,500 kcal daily depending on size.
"Why does my puppy need more?"
Puppies have a higher energy coefficient (more kcal per kg body weight), which scales all nutrient requirements up proportionally.