General Feeding Guidelines for Dogs
For thousands of years, dogs roamed the ancient world living on the Savannahs of Africa, the plains of India and the forests of Europe, Asia and the Americas. Their food came from three sources: prey, scavenged and grazed items. Prey would mainly consist of herbivores such as rabbits, deer, sheep or antelope. Scavenged food included the scraps left over from the meals of big carnivores such as lions and bears. Grazed food included apples, berries and other wild fruits and nuts in season forming a small but significant part of a dog’s diet.
Dogs hunted in packs. They devoured their prey completely including the gut contents which would be full of partially digested vegetable matter. Cereals were also present, but only in small amounts. The bones, skin and hair comprised the final course, being nature’s way of cleaning the teeth after a large meal.
Man has been feeding dogs for about forty thousand years. The canines helped with the hunt and man rewarded them with some of the leftovers. Life was easier for both species under this arrangement.
Food is an integral part of our health and its impact can be seen clearly. The same is applicable for dogs too. What we eat should be monitored. Dog food should have the presence of all the required nutrients in the correct amounts. The percentage of all nutrients need to be under scanner as too much of varying contents can be harmful as well. Every breed of dog has different requirement. Packed or tinned dog food is easily available in the market. The dog can be given that for eating, the ingredients are mentioned on the pack for our reference.
The link between diet and health for humans is well established: we all know that we should eat a balanced diet, ideally including fresh ingredients. But what about our dogs? What is the best dog food to give them?
The science is clear: dogs need a balanced diet, providing all of the necessary nutrients, including protein, carbohydrate, fats, minerals, vitamins and fibre. The challenge is that there’s a huge range of products available in pet shops, at vets, and online. The aim of this article is to offer guidance on how to choose the optimal diet for your canine friend.
The choice is vast, and we can select from the range. Food for dogs is available online also in various shopping sites which has made purchasing a simple phenomenon. The vitamin present in the food for the dog should be administered in right quantity.
Indian dogs are pampered by their owners as far as food is concerned. The owner has the habit of giving the dog everything off the shelf to the dog. But a slight check is required here.
The nutritional requirements of a dog vary throughout its life and are governed by factors such as age, reproductive status level of activity, state of health and environmental conditions. Since animals eat to satisfy their requirement for energy, all essential nutrients must be present in the correct amounts relative to the energy content of the diet. General recommendations may be given for feeding dogs at various life stages, but these are usually aimed at the average healthy dog that is kept indoors in a temperate environment.
These recommendations, which are reflected by the feeding guides found on the packaging of commercially available pet foods in India, are intended only as a guide to obtain an approximate estimate of a pet’s needs. The energy requirements of pets have been established for various life stages from early life through gestation and lactation to senior years, as well as for level of physical activity. Because dogs are extremely diverse in terms of their body size and shape, the relationship between energy requirement and body weight is not linear.
Feeding Guidelines
Puppies should be fed as much as they want at each meal, 3 to 4 times a day until 6 months of age, when feedings can be reduced to twice daily. As the growth slows down, please reduce the amount of food accordingly.
Pregnant & Lactating Dogs
Your dog does not require nearly the same amount of calories and nutrition during her pregnancy as she does when she is lactating. To avoid overfeeding your pregnant dog, and underfeeding your lactating mom, we recommend the following feeding guidelines. Of course, it is best to discuss the appropriate amount of food for your dog with your trusted veterinarian.
The Pregnant Dog. Your pregnant dog’s calorie needs don’t change much the first month of her pregnancy. She should be fed the normal amount of food for an adult dog the first 4 weeks. Her pregnancy will last (on average) 58 to 68 days. The second half of the gestational period is when her nutritional need begins to rise. From the 5th week until she gives birth, gradually increase the amount of food, targeting 25% – 30% more food by the time of delivery. It is best to increase her intake by feeding small but frequent meals.
The Lactating Dog. As soon as your mom gives birth and begins to nurse her puppies, her nutritional need increases tremendously. Your nursing mum will typically need two to three times her prior average daily calorie need. In short, she should have a frequently available, if not constant, supply of fresh food.
Raw-fed Adult Dogs typically eat between 2% – 4% of their body weight daily. Unless your dog is very active (or suffers from a gastrointestinal disease that causes malabsorption or improper digestion), eating 4% is unusual. Generally speaking, dogs eating raw food will consume between 2% – 3% of their body weight to maintain a healthy, ideal weight. Age, level of activity, and health status will all impact the amount of food your dog needs. For adult dogs, we recommend dividing the daily food requirement into two meals per day, usually fed morning and evening.
How much should I feed my dog?
| The first 8 weeks | Puppies should not be separated from their mother before they are 8 weeks old. Puppies that leave their mothers sooner have a rougher time adjusting and a higher incidence of illnesses. I do not know if it is due to weakened immunity or mourning the premature loss of their family. Their mother’s milk provides them with the nutrition and antibodies they need to become healthy dogs. At three to four weeks, puppies should begin eating some solid food. You can try mixing three parts food with one part water or puppy replacement milk. This will make the food easier for the puppy to digest. If your puppy begins eating a little solid food before it leave its mother it will have an easier time adjusting when you bring it home. One way to tell if a puppy is ready to come home with you is if it prefers human company over its mom or siblings. |
| 6 to 8 weeks | Feed your puppy 3-4 times a day. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. Choose a puppy food that provides the appropriate balance of nutrients your puppy needs. Be sure it is getting the right amount of protein and calcium, and the proper amount of calories. Check the label to determine if you are feeding your puppy a balanced diet. A specified meat should be the first ingredient on the label. |
| After 8 weeks | Feed your puppy twice a day. |
| 3 to 6 months | Your puppy will be teething. He may become a finicky eater or lose his appetite. Keep feeding him nutritious food twice a day. If he has an upset stomach for more than one or two days, take him to the veterinarian. |
| 6 months to 1 year | Your puppy may look all grown up but he is still a puppy. He should still be fed a highquality food for the added nutrition. Note, in some very high quality foods the company does not make a separate food for puppies because the food is of such a high quality that it provides for both puppy and adult equally. For example, a real human grade chicken is what it is for all ages. If you are feeding a puppy food ask your veterinarian when you should switch to adult food. Make sure the adult food you switch to is still a balanced high quality diet with the first ingredient being a specified meat that is not a by-product. |
| 8 to 9 months | Feeding should be twice a day. |
| 1 year | In most breeds feeding should be twice a day. |
Below is the daily basic feeding guide for adult dogs. An individual dog’s requirements may differ from this chart. It is best to look at the directions of the food you are feeding for their recommendations. This chart is a general reference. The feeding directions are based on using an 8 oz. measuring cup. Puppies can be fed up to one time the highest amount listed in their category. It is sometimes best to split the amount into two or more separate feedings rather than just one big meal, often twice a day. Puppies should be fed more often than adult dogs. When adding in canned food, cut the dry by up to half the amount and substitute the same volume that you cut with canned food, so the dog is getting the same amount of food, some dry and some wet. Note, if you are feeding a good quality dog food you will be able to feed less as the dog’s body will utilize more and poop out less. If you are feeding a food that contains a lot of fillers (grain fillers such as corn are often used by some companies) you may have to feed more in order for the dog to get the proper amount of protein.
| Typical Breed | Weight as an Adult Dog | Dry Food | Dry Food Mixed with Can Food |
| Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle | Up to 10 pounds | 1/4 to 3/4 cup | Cut dry up to ½ the amount and substitute the same volume with a can |
| Miniature Poodle, Scottish Terrier | 10-25 pounds | 3/4 to 1 cup | Cut dry up to ½ the amount & substitute the same volume with a can |
| Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, Springer Spaniel | 25-50 pounds | 1-2 cups | Cut dry up to ½ the amount and substitute the same volume with a can |
| Collie, Boxer, Labrador, Golden Retriever | 50-75 pounds | 2-2 ½ cups | Cut dry up to ½ the amount and substitute the same volume with a can |
| Great Dane, Malamute, St. Bernard, Mastiff | Over 75 pounds | 2-4 cups | Cut dry up to ½ the amount and substitute the same volume with a can |
Good Basic Feeding Tips
- Dogs should be fed at the same time every day. Feeding at the same time will keep your dog on a bathroom schedule. Ask your vet how many times a day you should feed your dog.
- Feed your dog the same type and brand of food every day. Unlike humans, a dog’s digestive system cannot handle changes in food. It can cause upset stomach and diarrhea.
- When switching to a new food gradually transition him to the new food by mixing portions of both foods until you slowly phase out the old food. Your dog may experience diarrhea if his food is suddenly changed.
- If you are mixing water into dry food you should mix 4 parts dry food to 1 part water.
- Keep fresh drinking water available at all times. Change the water at least once a day, more for dogs who drool.
- Keep food and water bowls clean.
- Don’t overfeed your dog.
- Follow the guidelines on the dog food package for recommended feeding amounts.
- Monitor your dog’s weight and activity level, and make feeding adjustments as necessary.
- If your dog has loose stool feeding sweet potatoes is a natural stool hardener. Unlike some medicines, giving too many will not make them constipated. They sell sweet potato chips for dogs in a lot of pet supply stores.
Interesting bits of info...
Dogs have about 1,700 taste buds. Humans have about 9,000 taste buds, and cats have about 470.
Dogs have water taste buds, something humans do not have.
Dogs do not crave salt the way humans do.
Optimum Diet for Puppies:
The amount of time taken for a growing puppy to achieve adult body weight varies considerably, with larger breeds having a longer growth period than smaller breeds. Toy, small and medium breeds reach 99% of their adult weight at around 9-10 months, whilst large and giant breeds reach this point at approximately 12-24 months. A Puppy’s nutritional requirements are almost twice that of an adult dog and are different to human. For example, Puppies not only need significantly more protein than adult dogs and human babies but also require highly digestible proteins and energy dense food for optimum growth. If Adult dogs should be fed a diet containing at least 25 g protein per 1000 kcal, this requirement increases to 50g/1000 kcal in bitches during pregnancy and lactation and 56g/1000 kcal in puppies.
Puppies grow almost 12 times faster than babies. Lastly puppies are fed 2-4 small meals per day to accommodate in their tiny stomachs. Image- www.pinterest.com
Dog Food for Adults Dogs ( above 12 months in age): Nutritionally speaking, the stage of adult maintenance is considered to be the period of basal requirements in which the animal is not subjected to additional physiological stresses of growth, pregnancy or lactation, regular work, or high levels of activity, or extremes environmental temperature. During this period, the dietary aim is to maintain optimal health, activity and promote peak condition in the animal. The amount of food needed to meet these may then be calculated from knowledge of the energy values of food. Feeding recommendations are only ever given as guidelines and are subject to individual variability between dogs and to difference in activity level and environmental conditions.
If extra snacks, treats or table scraps are added to the diet, their energy content must be taken into account when calculating the daily food allowance, In addition, spaying may reduce the resting energy requirement to bitches. Regular weighing of the animal allows the owner to monitor the adequacy of the feeding regimen on a quantitative basis. Image-www.dogfoodinsider.com
Senior Dogs’ Dietary requirements: As a rough guide a dog can be considered senior when it enters the last third of its predicted lifespan. The energy requirement of senior dogs is approximately 20% less than that of young adults. The decrease in energy requirement is linked to declines in activity and changes in body composition. Most adult dogs in maintenance are able to eat all they require in a single meal and it is perfectly acceptable to adopt a once-a-day feeding.
Pregnant and Lactating Bitches: The average duration of pregnancy in the bitch is 63 days, but her energy requirements do not increase appreciably until the last third of gestation when most fetal weight gain occurs. It is important, therefore, to avoid overfeeding in early pregnancy, since this will lead to the deposition of unwanted fat and may predispose the bitch to problems at whelping. A gradual increase in food allowance over the second half of gestation is all that is required and a satisfactory regimen would be to increase the amount of food by 15% of the bitch’s maintenance ration each week from the fifth week onwards. By the time of whelping the bitch will be eating 60% more than when she was mated. During the first four weeks post whelping, she must eat enough to support both herself and her rapidly growing puppies. The extra energy and nutrients needed over above her normal intake depends on the size and age of the litter but at peak lactation (three to four weeks after whelping), she may need to eat anything up to four times normal maintenance allowance.
Treats
Treats can be used as a great training reward to teach your dog new things. Training with rewards is all about teaching your dog that good things happen when they make a good choice.
When your dog gets a reward, they will associate this with whatever they’ve just done, and they will be more likely to do the same thing again next time.
Here are our top tips for treats:
- Always give your dog treats in moderation. Monitor the number of treats you give your dog and reduce their usual food portions if needed. As a general rule, no more than 10 per cent of your dog’s diet should be made up of treats.
- There are a wide variety of treats you can buy for your dog. Be aware that these can vary in quality and could contain a lot of sugar, milk products and fat, so always check the ingredients.
- Treats that dogs especially love (something soft and smelly like cheese, sausage or chicken) can be used as the ‘gold star’ reward when your dog gets something spot on. You can also use these to keep your dog’s focus and attention in environments where there are more distractions. These can be chopped into small pea-sized pieces for training.
- Your dog can safely eat lots of fruits and vegetables, including carrots, broccoli and strawberries. These can be a good alternative to bought treats as they are lower in calories. Try your dog with a few different options to see what they like, but be careful not to give them anything that could be dangerous – check our list of toxic foods.
- Avoid feeding your dog table scraps as treats. Many human foods can cause digestive upsets and some are even toxic, such as onions and garlic. Human food can also contribute to obesity and unbalance your dog’s diet. Feeding your dog a slice of toast is equivalent to a human eating a portion of chips!
FAQ
What is the best food for your dog at different ages?
Your precious pup will grow up before you know it, and they’re going to have some different nutritional needs at these different stages of their lives. Just like you wouldn’t eat baby food as an adult, even your pet pooch can’t be expected to go on eating puppy food as a full-grown dog! So, it’s very important to take care of your dog’s nutrition based on their age.
- Puppy (0 – 12 months)
If you’ve ever seen a puppy you know that they’re basically tiny furry balls of energy! And since puppies grow very very fast, and that means that they need highly nutritious food with lots of proteins and vitamins to help your fur baby to grow big and strong. They also need to eat more frequently as they use up a lot of energy. You can start off with around four meals a day and gradually reduce it to two times a day.
- Adult (1 – 7 years)
Puppies become fully grown adults at 12 months (so soon!). And around this time, you will need to transition your pup to adult food. Again, you’re going to need to make sure that it’s the right food for your pooch’s breed, size, and weight (just have a quick chat with your vet!)
Another thing to keep in mind is how active your dog is. If your furry friend loves to run around and play all day, they might need more calories than if they spend their days lazing around in bed!
- Mature (7-11 years)
When your precious furball is past 7, they’re starting to get a little bit older, and also probably a little bit slower. This means that you might need to look for the kind of dog food that is rich in nutrients (to make sure they maintain that puppy-spirit!) but with a lower number of calories (to make up for that slower metabolism).
- Senior (11+)
If you have an older dog, you might want to consider cutting back on how much food you serve your pooch at each meal (just to avoid any weight gain from less activity). You could also look for dog foods that contain fewer minerals so that there is less stress on your dog’s kidneys. Be on the look out for any major changes to your furry BFF’s weight or eating habits, as that could be a symptom of a health issue.
Other factors you would need to look at are your furry friend’s weight, size, breed, and their level of activity. You can also ask your vet if you need to get any food specifically for health issues like dental care and stomach issues.
*Keep in mind the above age ranges and information are just guidelines and your own dog might actually age faster or slower due to any number of health issues.
How to find the best dog food?
Once you keep in mind your pooch’s age and other factors, you’re going to want to go out there and find the best food for your dog. With so many dog food brands out there, it’s become quite hard to choose the right food for the furriest members of your family. But, don’t worry. It’s actually quite easy to find what’s best for your little fur ball.
- First of all, consult with your veterinarian and they can tell you exactly what brands or mixes will work best. If you want to opt for home-made food, they can even tell you what to include in your furry friend’s meals!
- If you’re going to a pet store or looking to buy dog food online, just make sure to check that the food you pick fits your doggy’s breed, age, weight group, activity level, and any special health needs (like for example a pooch with a sensitive stomach). Once you find the foods that fit, just check through the ingredients listed to make sure it’s healthy!
- But, in case you’re still not sure what to choose, why don’t you just narrow it down using these questions:
- Should you get Wet Dog Food or Dry Dog Food?
When it comes to the nutrients your dog needs, both wet dog food (which is the soft food you get in a can) and dry dog food (it’s the hard stuff that’s also called “kibble”) have everything your dog could ever need.
Generally, wet food is better for older dogs who have trouble chewing, picky eaters, and apparently, it also tastes better to dogs! On the other hand, dry food has a much higher energy content which is perfect for active pooches, and it also stays fresh for a whole lot longer.
Of course, you don’t have to pick just one! You can even go ahead and feed your furry-BFF a combination of the two.
Should you give your dog homemade food?
It’s perfectly okay to feed your dog a pure kibble (or wet food) diet. But if you want to mix it up with some home-cooked food, that’s great too. Just remember that, as much as it may seem that way, your pooch isn’t a human! This means that they can’t always eat what you’re eating so you need to be careful what you cook for your dog.
Generally, try to go for small amounts of cooked meat (like boiled chicken or lamb) along with some veggies for fiber (pumpkin and carrots are easy to add) as well as rice or chapatis for carbs. Avoid giving your dog any food with sauces or cooked bones, as they are not good for them.
Should you feed your dog raw meat and eggs?
Giving your dog raw foods like meat, bones, and eggs (which is called “raw feeding”) is okay, but they can cause unbalanced diets, so always check with your vet. Raw food diets don’t have any additives, sugars, or dyes so some people think of it as organic food for pooches.
But, raw meat and eggs can also end up carrying bacteria, like salmonella, that can make your dog — and the rest of the family — sick. So, if this is something you want to try, look for human-grade meats and make sure it’s from a place that is really really clean.
When it comes to bones, while small bones (that can be consumed whole) and cooked bones can cause broken teeth or splinter and lead to stomach issues, bigger bones (that are much larger than your dog’s mouth) is actually great. When your pooch gnaws on it can help clean and strengthen their teeth. Just try to restrict them to one to two bones a week.
Which food should your dog avoid?
Every dog parent knows the routine – you sit down for dinner and your furry baby turns those big puppy-dog eyes to you to beg for food. It seems so hard to resist, but you must! Giving you dog human food can actually be harmful, as it’s often too rich and fatty for a doggy’s digestive system (and this is especially true for restaurant leftovers). Sometimes, human food also has ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as:
- Onions and Garlic– Onions and garlic are super toxic for dogs and can lead to anemia and serious damage to the red blood cells.
- Cooked bones– Unlike raw bones, cooked bones tend to be smaller and can end up splintering and stick in the throat or damage your pooch’s stomach or intestine!
- Artificial sweeteners– These often contain a chemical called xylitol, which can be extremely harmful, as it causes liver damage and might even result in a life-threatening drop in your dog’s blood sugar.
- Milk and Milk Products– Dairy products can upset your dog’s delicate digestive system and cause diarrhea or lead to food allergies. Cheese, in particular, is too calorific for them.
- Macadamia nuts and Almonds– These nuts are very toxic to your dog and can cause everything from weakness and diarrhea to paralysis.
- Chocolate– By now you’ve probably heard that chocolate is really bad for dogs and can cause severely upset stomachs. Generally, the more chocolate consumed the worse the symptoms will be. Similarly, the darker the chocolate is, the more dangerous it is to your pup.
- Grapes and Raisins– While grapes and raisins are not harmful for some dogs, in others they can lead to kidney failure in others. So, it’s definitely not worth the risk to find out!
Other things you should not feed your dog are avocados, alcohol, caffeine. If you think your furry BFF has accidentally ingested any of these substances, a quick call to the vet would be a good idea.
Just like with what you eat, choosing the right food can ensure a better life for your furry friend too. It can help them stay healthy and active. So as a dog parent, it’s important that you feed your pooch the right food for each stage of their lives.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
General Feeding Guidelines for Dogs
