Dog Feeding Chart: How Much & How Often to Feed Good nutrition is essential to your dog’s health. However, different dogs have different nutritional needs.
Understanding the steps involved in feeding a dog properly is the key to making the right decisions. Pet food can vary from bag to bag, and if you’re not sure exactly how much to feed, using a dog feeding guide can help you determine how much you should be feeding.
What Should Be in Your Dog’s Bowl? To maintain an ideal body condition, your dog needs quality food that is complete and balanced and formulated to meet the needs associated with his size, age, and lifestyle.
For example, active sporting dogs may benefit from a formula with higher calories and protein levels, while less active dogs may require a food that is lower in calories.
How Much Food Does Your Dog Need? To answer this question, start by checking the dog feeding chart on your dog food package. These charts are a required part of every dog food package, and they can help you determine the daily amount you should be feeding.
The information will be similar to the dog feeding chart below. These are initial recommendations and amounts may need to be adjusted based on your dog’s lifestyle. If you have questions specific to your dog’s nutritional needs, talk with your veterinarian.
Note: Dog feeding amounts vary from product to product based on calorie content and formula. Consult the feeding chart on the back of your dog’s food packaging. Individual needs can vary, so consult your veterinarian regarding special dietary needs.
Just Right personalized pet food blends come with a personalized daily feeding amount recommendation and instructions, which can be found on the insert in each order. The daily feeding amount is determined by our Just Right nutritionist, based on the information you provide about your dog. Your first Just Right delivery even comes with a scoop, to make it easy to feed the right amount each day.
For most adult dogs, dividing the recommended daily feeding amount into two feedings a day, in the morning and evening, is a good schedule. Keeping mealtimes, as well the type of food and amount, consistent can help your dog maintain both healthy digestion and weight.
When choosing a mealtime, be sure to consider not just your schedule, but also your dog’s age and activity level. For example, if you have an active dog who enjoys strenuous exercise, avoid feeding right before or after that activity because this could lead to a condition like “bloat,” a life-threatening condition that is a particular risk for large breed dogs.
When it comes to feeding, the right choices are the ones that are right for your dog. That includes the food you put into his bowl and his body. For example, you should limit treats to 10 percent of his daily caloric intake.
With a Just Right personalized blend you can be sure that when you’re feeding your dog, he’s getting the nutrition he needs to live his best life.
Most owners feed adult dogs two half-portions a day. How much is that? It depends on your dog. Measure food, rather than eye-balling it, to make sure your dog is getting the right amount each day. Keep an eye on your dog for signs of weight gain, and cut down on food if necessary under the supervision of your vet. Some of the signs your dog is overweight include not being able to feel their ribs, loss of a discernible waist, pads of fat over the hips and base of the tail and a waddling gait.
Since puppies grow quickly, they need to eat highly nutritious food and they need it often. Since they tend to burn so much energy, youll start out feeding your puppy frequently, then slowly wean them down to less regular feedings. This process will help them grow big and strong.
Once your dog is fully grown, you need to make sure youre feeding dog food that keeps them healthy and fit, so that they avoid developing health issues. Food type and portion size should be tailored to breed, size, and lifestyle. Again, this is a good conversation to have with your veterinarian to ensure they receive adequate nutrition.
Not sure what your dog needs? Its also good to make the switch to adult food over a period of a few days. Too abrupt of a change may cause stomach problems for your pooch. To transition between foods, mix your dogs current food while gradually increasing to their new food. Over the course of a week, gradually decrease the amount of the current dog food while increasing the amount of new dog food for a safe and comfortable transition.
Your dog is getting older, a little slower perhaps. You have to remember dogs age more quickly than people do, so major health changes occur much earlier in life. Choose a food, like Science Diet Senior foods, formulated with ingredients to support brain function, energy, a healthy immune and digestive system and a luxurious coat. Food formulated for aging pets also takes into consideration that they have likely slowed down — this includes their metabolism. Dog foods like Senior Vitality help give your older pup the right amount of calories, while including additional nutrients to help them get that youthful spirit back.
Other recent posts from our blog
Horses can safely eat a wide variety of household foods which can make great supplements to a traditional diet. However, there are several common foods that are toxic to our equine friends.
Common Household Foods That Are Poisonous For Horses
Horses can safely eat a wide variety of household foods which can make great supplements to a traditional diet. However, there are several common foods that are toxic to our equine friends.
FAQ
How much food should I feed my dog chart?
How much dog food should I feed my dog a day?
How much wet food should I feed my dog Hills?