All guides
Longer-form reading on PetMathStudio, sourced from NRC, WSAVA, AAFCO, AAHA, and AKC. Most guides pair with a calculator on the same topic — the calc gives you the number, the guide explains the reasoning underneath.
- 01 — 4 guides
Calorie & weight
Bowl portions, feeding math, body shape scoring, and the safe-loss range a vet would back.
- Dog body condition score (BCS)GuideHow to score 1-9 by feel. The same WSAVA chart vets use, written for owners.
- Dog calorie deficit safe rangeGuideAAHA's 1-2% body weight per week loss rate explained, with the case for not going faster.
- Dog food calorie calculator: how the bag chart missesGuideWhy bag-chart portions overshoot maintenance MER for most adult dogs.
- Homemade dog food calorie calculatorGuideCalorie-targeting only — never nutrient balancing. Redirect to ACVN nutritionist for complete diets.
- 02 — 2 guides
Age & seniors
Epigenetic dog-years math, size-band lifespan curves, and when a dog crosses into senior care.
- 03 — 6 guides
Breed & growth
Adult-size projection by size class and breed-specific growth-curve guides.
- Dog ideal weight by breedGuideAKC breed standards translated into target weight bands you can compare against.
- When do puppies stop growing?GuideSize-class growth-plate closure timing — small at 9-12 mo, giant at 18-24 mo.
- When does a German Shepherd stop growing?GuideLarge-breed growth curve specifics with AKC weight bands.
- When does a Golden Retriever stop growing?GuideSame large-breed pattern, breed-specific calibration.
- When does a Labrador stop growing?GuideAmerica's most-registered breed — the growth curve and what to watch for.
- When does a Mastiff stop growing?GuideGiant-breed growth — slowest plate closure, longest puppyhood, biggest bowl.
- 04 — 1 guide
Cost & ownership
Real-world spend ranges from ASPCA + Rover surveys, with the assumptions behind each number.
- 05 — 1 guide
Safety
Toxic-foods reference and the rule of thumb behind each entry.
Looking for the calculator instead? Browse all calculators. Sourcing tiers and review cadence are documented at /methodology.