Recommended Daily Allowances - Canine

Figures provided by the National Research Council in it's latest book published in 2006. Each Measurement listed is amount needed per kg. of body weight unless otherwise indicated.

According to the National Research Council, dogs naturally eat between four and eight meals per day.

The lowest calculations for caloric intake, for sedentary dogs, is recommended at 95 Kcal per K of body weight.

A summary of the book can be found at the National Acadamy Press site under "download free".

Water

According to the descriptions in the NRC's latest book, dogs are quite capable of getting daily requirements for water in canned food, during the day, and still drinking more, just out of habit, or stress.

It is common for dogs to consistantly consume 30ml of water per Kg body weight, per day, however requirements can increase depending upon the activity level of the dog. There seems to be a wide variation of figures involved, and it is suggested that fresh water be available at all times.

Protein

Measurements in grams unless otherwise indicated.

Total Protein Minimal Requirement - 2.62; Recommended Daily Allowance - 3.28
Amino Acids:
Arginine Minimal Requirement - 0.092; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.11
Histadine Minimal Requirement -0.048; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.062
Isoleucine Minimal Requirement -0.098; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.12
Leucine Minimal Requirement -0.18; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.22
Lysine Minimum Requirement - 0.092; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.11
Methionine Minimum Requirement - 0.085; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.11
Methionine-cystine Minimum Requirement - 0.17; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.21
Phenylalanine Minimal Requirement - 0.12; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.15
Phenylalanine-tyrosine Minimal Requirement - 0.19; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.24
Threonine Minimal Requirement -0.11; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.14
Tryptophan Minimal Requirement -0.036; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.046
Valine Minimal Requirement -0.13; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.16

Fat

Measurements in grams unless otherwise indicated.

Total Fat (g) - Adequate Intake - 1.3; Recommended Daily Allowance - 1.8; Safe Upper Limit - 10.8
Fatty Acids:
Linoleic Acid (Alpha Linolenic Acid) Omega 3 (g) Adequate Intake - 0.14; Recommended DailyAllowance - 0.12; Safe Upper Limit - 1.4
Arachidonic Acid Omega 6
Eicosapentaenoic & Docosahexaenoic Acid Adequate Intake - 0.03; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.03; Safe Upper Limit - 0.37

Minerals

Measurements in grams unless otherwise indicated.
Calcium Minimum Requirement - 0.059; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.13
Phosphorus Adequate Intake - 0.10; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.10
Potassium Adequate Intake - 0.14; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.14
Sodium(mg) Minimum Requirement - 9.85; Recommended Daily Allowance - 26.2
Chloride(mg) Adequate Intake - 40; Recommended Daily Allowance - 40
Magnesium(mg) Minimum Requirement - 5.91; Recommended Daily Allowance - 19.7
Iron(mg) Adequate Intake - 1.0; Recommended Daily Allowance - 1.0
Copper(mg) Adequate Intake - 0.2; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.2
Iodine(µg) Minimum Requirement - 23.6; Recommended Daily Allowance - 29.6
Zinc (mg)Adequate Intake - 2.0; Recommended Daily Allowance - 2.0
Manganese(mg) Adequate Intake - 0.16; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.16
Selenium(µg)Adequate Intake - 11.8; Recommended Daily Allowance - 11.8

Vitamins

Measurements in grams unless otherwise indicated.µg = micrograms 1µg = 40 IU

Vitamin A, (µg retinol) µg Adequate Intake - 40; Recommended Daily Allowance - 50;Safe Upper Limit - 2,099 (IU)
Vitamin D3, (Cholecalciferol) µg Adequate Intake - 0.36; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.45; Safe Upper Limit - 2.6
Vitamin E, (alpha tocopheral), mg Adequate Intake - 0.8; Recommended DailyAllowance - 1.0
Vitamin K, (menadione) mg Adequate Intake - 0.043; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.054
Thiamin, mg Adequate Intake - 0.059; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.074
Riboflavin, mg Minimum Requirement - 0.138; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.171
Pyridoxine, (B6) mg Minimum Requirement - 0.04; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.049
Niacin, (B3) mg Adequate Intake - 0.45; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.57
Pantothenic Acid, (B5) mg Minimum Requirement - 0.39; Recommended Daily Allowance - 0.49
Folic Acid, (B9) µg Minimum Requirement - 7.1; Recommended Daily Allowance 8.9
Biotin, (B7) aka, Vitamin H; For normal diets not containing raw egg white, adequate biotin is probably by microbial synthesis in the intestine. Diets containing antibiotics may need supplementation
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine) µg Adequate Intake - 0.92; Recommended Daily Allowance - 1.15 Choline mg Minimum Requirement - 45; Recommended Daily Allowance - 56

Note:
Vitamin C, (ascorbic acid) The liver of cats and dogs have the key enzyme L-gulono-Y-lactone oxidase, (EC 1.1. 3.8), which is able to synthesize the needed ascorbic acid from glucose. The NRC warns against high intake of ascorbic acid, stating the following: "High intake of ascorbic acid may act as a prooxidant and induce lipid peroxidation." This includes Fenton's reaction, which will enhance iron absorption and cause a resulting overdose of this mineral. This reaction is reduced with an increase in Vitamin E levels in the diet. (page 234).