Feeding Your Dog or Puppy: A Complete Guide!

To stay healthy, your dog needs to be fed a complete and balanced food created for the life-stage and life-style of the dog so that it contains the right balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Each nutrient must be in balance with the energy content of the diet and with each of the other nutrients.

The right number of calories depends on your dog’s size, their breed and the amount of exercise they get. Life stage can make a big difference too: puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs, pregnant and lactating mothers all need different amounts of energy.

Key Takeaways

• Feed your dog a complete and balanced diet based on its age, size, activity level, and overall health.
• Puppies need smaller, more frequent meals, while most adult and senior dogs do well with two meals a day.
• Portion sizes vary depending on your dog's breed, lifestyle, health, weather, and the type of food you choose.
• Choose dog food that matches your dog's life stage and follow the feeding guidelines to support their nutritional needs.

Homemade or Packaged Dog Food: Which is Better?

Creating a balanced diet for your dog at home takes a lot of time, effort and understanding. It’s hard to get it right, and that could affect your dog’s health.

Decades of science and expertise have gone into PEDIGREE®’s range of dog food available in the supermarket aisles. It is the result of over 50 years of research.

This means you’ll get guaranteed, consistent quality, whether the food is complete or complementary, dry or wet. Quite simply, feeding a complete diet like PEDIGREE® is the easiest way to make sure your dog gets the nutrition they need.

How Often And How Much Should You Feed A Puppy?

Puppies should be fed between four and six small meals a day from weaning. At two to three months, you should start feeding your puppy 4 meals a day. When they reach four to six months, you can adjust this schedule to 2-3 meals a day. Finally, when your puppy is over six months of age, you should feed them 2 meals a day, depending on the breed. This is because puppies still have small stomachs and cannot eat a lot before they become full.

Determine how much to feed your puppy by following the feeding guidelines on the pack of your PEDIGREE® puppy food. Although weighing out your puppy’s food will ensure you aren’t overfeeding them, a smaller bowl will also help you serve the right portion every single time. It's a good idea to save some dry food for use as rewards during training or to acknowledge good behaviour throughout the day.

What Is The Best Feeding Schedule For A Healthy Adult Dog, And How Often Should I Feed Him Or Her?

The best feeding schedule for a healthy adult dog depends on factors like your dog's age, size, and activity level. Most adult dogs do well with two meals a day, while puppies typically need three to four smaller meals daily.

• At 2 months of age, puppies should be fed 4 meals a day.
• At 4 months of age, puppies can be fed 3 meals a day.
• At 6 months of age, puppies should continue with 3 meals a day.
• Once your dog reaches adulthood, feeding 2 meals a day is generally recommended.
• Senior dogs are also typically fed 2 meals a day, although their feeding routine may vary based on their health and your veterinarian's advice.

What Factors Affect How Much You Feed Your Dog?

Age, breed size, health and activity levels are some of the major factors that can affect how much you feed your dog.

1. Age: Adult dogs may prefer smaller meals; puppies need more calories for their rapid development, and nursing mothers also need more calories.  
2. Size: Tiny dogs would need smaller portions, while large or giant breeds would need a much larger amount. Whereas medium-sized dogs would need regular portions of dog food.
3. Activity: Very active dogs will need more calories than inactive dogs. 
4. Health Issues: If your dog faces certain health issues, you may also need to adjust their diet; we advise consulting with a veterinarian.
5. Type of Dog Food: A mixed diet where 50% of calories come from wet dog food and 50% from dry dog food is recommended by vets. However, wet and dry dog food may have different calories per gram. You may need to feed your dog more wet food to ensure they are getting the right amount of calories
6. Weather: It impacts how much you should feed your dog, too. Just like humans, dogs often need more calories to keep warm in the winter. They generally eat less in the summer and need more fresh water.

How much food you feed your dog will impact many things such as weight, health, hunger and activity levels. A consistent feeding routine will keep all of these areas in check.

How Do I Choose The Right Dog Food For My Dog's Age, Size, And Breed?

To choose the right dog food for your dog's age, size, breed characteristics, activity level, and overall health, you need a recipe that balances all these aspects. Puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs have different nutritional needs, while small and large breeds may require different calorie levels and nutrient balance. Look for a complete and balanced dog food with feeding guidelines, and consult your veterinarian if your dog has specific health or dietary requirements.

Conclusion

When choosing the right dog food for your little one, you must consider your dog’s age, size, breed, and other factors that might affect their diet. Then, choose a science-backed commercial dog food like PEDIGREE®, which is the result of over 50 years of research. As always, make regular checkups with your vet to ensure you adjust their feeding as necessary if you are unsure about their breed requirements.