What You Need To Know About Dog Feeding Guidelines

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

How much food should I be giving my dog? Here’s what you need to know about dog feeding guidelines before you ring the dinner bell.

While it might seem like you can trust the feeding guidelines on the back of your dog’s food packaging, this isn’t necessarily the case. The recommended feeding amount can vary wildly from one brand of dog food to the next, so it’s hard to know who to trust. Besides, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to feeding canines: the amount of food your pooch needs will depend on factors such as his age, weight and activity level.

Related:How is Commercial Dog Food Regulated?

So, How MuchShouldYou Be Feeding Your Dog?

In order to determine how much you should be feeding your dog, you need to know his current weigh and the ideal weight for his breed or type. Smaller dogs need more calories per pound than larger dogs, so as a general rule of thumb, small to medium dogs should be fed 1 ½ cups of food per 20 pounds of body weight and large to extra-large dogs should be fed around 1 cup of food per 20 to 25 pounds of body weight. Of course, the exact amount will vary depending on your dog and the nutritional content of the food. If your dog is over his ideal weight, he should be fed slightly less than this amount, whereas if he’s under his ideal weight, he should be fed slightly more. The same goes for exercise; if he’s very active, feed him a bit more, but if he’s fairly inactive, he’ll require less food. If you feel unsure about how much you should be feeding your canine companion, it’s a good idea to consult your vet.

Related:Do I Have A Fat Dog? How To Tell If Your Dog Is Overweight

Monitoring Your Dog’s Progress

The only real way to know if you’re feeding your dog the right amount is to keep an eye on his weight. Try to weigh him each month for a few months, so you can see if he’s staying on track. If he’s maintaining his weight (or losing/gaining weight, if that’s what you’re aiming for), you know you’re feeding him the right amount and you can keep up the good work. If his weight is heading in the wrong direction, you can easily adjust the amount you’re feeding him. To keep things as accurate as possible, make sure you always measure out your dog’s dinner.

What Should You Be Feeding Your Dog?

Not only should you be feeding your dog the right amount of food, you should make sure you’re offering him a high quality food. There aren’t many strict regulations as to what can and can’t be put in dog food (only that the ingredients have to be “generally recognized as safe”) so some brands are far better than others. Low quality foods often contain too many fillers and additives, plus too much salt and sugar, meaning they can be detrimental to your dog’s health. What’s more, since they have an inferior nutritional profile, you may need to feed your dog more of the product, making it more costly than a better quality food in the long run.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Olive Headed Lorikeet

Without a doubt, Olive Headed Lorikeet lives up to its nickname - they are the Perfect Lory on many levels. Find out why!
Best Music for Anxious Dogs

Music soothes the savage beast... and also the anxious one. If your dog is anxious, playing music may help calm him down.
Expert Advice: Supplements and Diet For Senior Dogs

Older dogs have specialized dietary needs. Sabine Contreras, Canine Care and Nutrition Consultant, knows just what to serve up to your senior dog to ensure h…
Top 10 Products To Buy For Your Local Shelter

We all want to help our local shelters if we can, and sometimes, it can be as simple as ordering some much-needed products to be sent to them.
Silkyhuahua

A mix between a Chihuahua and a Silky Terrier is popularly called the Silkyhuahua or Silky Chi and is a quirky, affectionate, fun, and adorable dog.
Ask The Hairy Dogfathers: In Need of a Donation Rescue!

After being stood up by a rescue, a pair of grieving pet parents doesn''t know what to do with their dearly departed dog''s possessions.
Stay Connected To Your Dog With The Tagg Pet Tracker

You want to know where your dog is and what he is doing when you''re not around. For pet parents who want to be connected, there''s Tagg Pet Tracker.
Dalmatian

Often associated as the kind of dogs who help firemen and police, the Dalmatian is a notoriously good workers and are known as an assertive, friendly breed.
Adoptable Dog of the Week – Beau

This week’s adoptable dog from Adoptapet.com is Beau, a Labrador Retriever mix puppy from Terrell, TX. Beau is as cute as can be. Sporting a black coat…
Pitbull Named Top “American Hero Dog” At The 2013 American Humane

Elle the therapy dog teaches children about dog safety, reading, and overcoming prejudice Each year, the American Humane Association honors American Hero Dog…
Take A Close Look – Study Shows That Dogs Look Like Their Owners

Scientists have finally uncovered just what it is that makes dogs look like their owners. Turns out, it’s all in the eyes. Sadahiko Nakajima, a psychol…
Chipaniel

Chipaniel combines the quirky and goofy nature of the tiny Chihuahua, with the charming looks and the affectionate character of the Cocker Spaniel.
Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Known in its homeland as the Cesky Fousek, the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a versatile gundog with a thick wiry coat.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever

A great Chesapeake Bay Retriever will be just what you''ve been looking for in a dog. American heritage and breeding keeps this breed simple and domestic.
Best Leashes For Bernedoodles

It’s important to make sure the leash you choose for your Bernedoodle is the right one, so we’ve compiled a list of the best leashes for Bernedoodles.