Ensuring your dog gets the right amount of food is crucial for their health and well-being. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, while underfeeding can result in malnutrition. So how much should you feed your dog? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you calculate the perfect portion for your furry friend.
The amount of food you feed your dog depends on a lot of factors: their age, breed, size and how much they exercise every day.
AGE: Puppies require more calories than adult dogs because they are growing. Senior dogs might need fewer calories due to lower activity levels.
WEIGHT: The dog’s current weight helps determine its daily caloric needs. Our Lean & Tasty recipe has 20% less fat and has a weight loss feeding guide for you to follow if your dog is overweight.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Active dogs need more energy, so they require more food. This will be based on how much you walk your dog each day.
BREED: Some breeds have faster metabolisms or different nutritional needs. For example, Border Collies and Huskies have high metabolisms and need a lot of regular exercise, and will need a diet to suit.
HEALTH CONDITION: Certain health issues or medications can affect appetite and metabolism. Your Vet will be able to recommend a feeding guide for your dog’s specific health condition.
You know your dog better than anyone else, so we suggest you read your food’s feeding guidelines and take into account their age, breed, size and level of activity and adjust the amount of food you give, until it feels right.
Each of our products have individual feeding guides, please either check out our product pages or the back of the pack for full information.
Here you can see an example for our Healthy Heart recipe in tin format. You need to know the weight of your dog to then find the corresponding number of tins to feed per day. You can use this is a starting point and then adapt as required.
Our wet dog food recipes are 100% complete & balanced, meaning this includes everything your dog needs to feed it everyday. However if you are feeding other foods or treats you should adapt your dog’s main meal accordingly.
Weigh your dog regularly to ensure they are maintaining a healthy weight. Adjust food portions if necessary.
Use a body condition score (BCS) chart to assess your dog’s physical condition. Adjust the food amount if your dog appears underweight or overweight.
Always consult your vet before making significant changes to your dog’s diet. They can provide tailored advice based on your dog’s specific needs.
We would suggest when transitioning from an old recipe to a new recipe, if you have time, to gradually introduce the new food over a few days. Just so you can see how your four-legged friend is reacting to the new recipe and to avoid any upset stomachs.
Calculating how much food your dog should eat involves understanding their caloric needs based on factors like age, weight, and activity level. By using a feeding guide and monitoring your dog’s weight and body condition, you can ensure they stay healthy and happy. Remember, a well-fed dog is a happy dog!