DIET CALCULATOR FOR DOGS AND CATS: AN INNOVATIVE TOOL TO OPTIMIZE NUTRITION AND ENSURE ANIMAL WELFARE

Abstract

A balanced diet is a prerequisite for the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of dogs and cats. An innovative tool, the Dog and Cat Diet Calculator application, created on the basis of Microsoft Excel by a team of researchers and teachers at Polissia National University, is of great help in achieving optimal nutrition for animals. This calculator is an important tool for optimizing animal nutrition, as it allows for detailed diet planning based on the individual needs of each animal. The program consists of five tabs: “Feeds”, ‘Dog Norms’, ‘Cat Norms’, ‘Dog Diet’, and ‘Cat Diet’. Each of these tabs plays an important role in calculating and adjusting the diet. The main Feed tab contains a database of nutritional values of feeds and supplements that can be adjusted by the user based on their experience or laboratory results. This allows you to adapt the diet to the specific needs of the animal, which significantly improves nutritional efficiency. A special feature of the calculator is the use of the simplex method for ration optimization, which allows you to set limits and adjust the composition of the ration to achieve an optimal balance of nutrients. The user can adjust the diet in real time, which allows you to quickly and efficiently tailor the diet to the specific needs of your dog or cat. This calculator is useful not only for veterinarians, dog handlers, nutritionists, but also for students. The importance of such a tool lies in the fact that it promotes a deeper understanding of the nutrient requirements of animals and helps to achieve high standards in feeding. Thanks to the use of the calculator, it is possible to maintain the health and welfare of dogs and cats, as well as to ensure a comfortable and long life.