If you're a new dog owner or just new to the idea of dog feeding guidelines, you might be wondering what the best way to feed your puppy is. The answer to that question depends on a variety of factors, including the age and size of your dog and its activity level.
That said, there are some general rules that most experts agree on when it comes to a dog's diet.
The Kennel Club recommends that adult dogs be fed two meals per day, while puppies should eat four to six. This does vary by the breed of dog, however, giant breed puppies should eat three to four meals per day, and toy breed puppies should have six to eight.
"Younger puppies should always be fed small amounts regularly, and this decreases in frequency as they get older. If you’re not sure how often to feed your puppy, then here is a rough guide:
If your dog follows these schedules, then they will remain healthy and energetic.
Now that you know a little bit more about dog feeding guidelines, you might be wondering what specific foods you should be feeding your dog. Here are some general tips:
We stock a wide variety of wet and dry dog food at our online pet store, so you can be sure to find the perfect food for your dog. Dogs are like people in that they have different needs when it comes to their diet. Make sure to consult with your vet to figure out the best approach for feeding your dog.
As a general rule, your dog should eat 2 to 3 % of its body weight. Canned dog food and dry food are excellent choices, although you can also feed dogs raw food too.
Keep an eye on your dog's weight to ensure you are not overfeeding. You don't want your dog to become overweight, as that can lead to several health problems.
The best time to feed the dog is morning and evening. The stomach is empty in the morning, and at night, so it is better for digesting food. In the afternoon, there are many things that can disturb digestion, such as playing, exercising, and travelling. It's not good for the dog's health to have a lot of food in its stomach when it's not resting.
Overfeeding can be very uncomfortable and dangerous for dogs. If you're a new dog owner, it's important to recognise the symptoms of overfeeding so you can get your dog back on a healthy diet. Some common symptoms of overfeeding dogs include:
Sometimes it's necessary to change your dog's feeding schedule to ensure they get the right nutrients and calories. If you find that your dog is gaining or losing weight rapidly, consult with your vet to figure out if a change in diet is needed. You might need to feed your dog more often or switch to specialist dog food.
On the other hand, if your dog is constantly begging for food and seems to be gaining weight, you might need to cut back on their meals. Try feeding them twice a day instead of three, serving a smaller portion or taking them out for regular exercise.
It's important to note that every dog is different, so what works for one may not work for another.
Hopefully, you have found our dog feeding guidelines useful. We've helped answer questions like 'how much food should I feed my dog?' and ‘what should I feed my dog?’ and looked at ways to help prevent overfeeding. For specialist dog food, take a look in our dog food category, where you will find wet and dry food to suit all shapes and sizes!