Adult maintenance (1–7 years) is where most feeding errors compound: the RER × 1.6 arithmetic, treat budgets, and monthly BCS checks that keep a decade of feeding honest.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Core formula | RER × 1.6 (neutered) or × 1.8 (intact) |
| Meal structure | Two measured meals, 8–12 hours apart |
| Treat budget | ≤10% of daily calories — count everything |
| Monitoring | Monthly body-condition score; weigh quarterly |
| Formula bar | 24–28% protein, named meat first, AAFCO complete |
The maintenance playbook
Two measured meals from the calculator (our RER tool), treats inside the budget (our sheet), and a monthly BCS check — that is the whole system. Formula choice matters less than consistency: a 24–28% protein grain-inclusive formula fed accurately beats a premium formula fed by optimism.
The compounding error to avoid
Maintenance years are when obesity compounds silently: a 5% annual weight creep becomes 15 lb of excess by year 7, and the Purina lifespan data shows the cost — lean-fed dogs live ~1.8 years longer. The fixes are mechanical, not motivational: gram-weighed portions, counted treats, scheduled scores.
FAQ
How much should I feed my adult dog daily?
RER × 1.6 for neutered dogs — the calculator converts it to cups or grams for your kibble. Adjust monthly by body condition.
Is free-feeding okay for adults?
Rarely works: it breeds obesity in food-motivated breeds and hides appetite loss, an early illness sign.
Related reading: Calculator · Treat sheet · BCS card · Age library