Big, small, old, young - every dog has different energy needs. But how much food does a dog need? Learn all about the perfect quantity of feed for dogs.
Your dog eats only unwillingly or even refuses the feed? Maybe it is not the right one! Of course, you want your little four-legged friend to stay fit for as long as possible, so his eating habits are the key. But what constitutes healthy dog nutrition? What do you need to consider when it comes to puppy food and adult dogs? How much food does a dog need? You can find answers to all these questions in the following article:
What constitutes healthy dog food
New dog owners often do not know which food to buy. The market is huge, and you've already heard about things like vegan dog food or BAREFOOD. What is healthy for dogs? Here are some basic rules:
1. an uncoded list of ingredients
Dog food packaging promises you always the best for your four-legged friend. But what does it contain? Reading the ingredients is certainly a challenge for beginners. High-quality ingredients are ideally named precisely, e.g. not "grain", but wheat or oats. The term "animal by-products" usually hides slaughterhouse waste such as cartilage or tendons. If you are unsure, ask the manufacturer. If he refuses to provide information, this dog food is not recommended.
2. the right balance
Dogs need proteins, but also vitamins, track elements, and a small share of carbohydrates. A good source of protein is usually muscle meat, egg, or liver. Track elements can also be found in meat, for example, but also in certain cereals, legumes, yeast, or nuts. The stomach draws vitamins mainly from plant products, and carbohydrates from cooked potatoes or raw fruit, for example.
3. the question of grain
For a long time, grains in dog food were considered bad or disease-causing. Today we know that it depends on the right portion. This should always be well below the meat so that your dog can digest the food well. Some four-legged friends have allergies to certain types of grain, these must then be found out and avoided in the future.
4. the vegan or vegetarian diet as an option
Some dog owners insist to use this type of dog nutrition, which may not seem natural at first. In fact, your four-legged friend can get all the essential ingredients from fruits, grains and vegetables. For this, however, you must know him very well and have dealt with meatless nutrition in detail. It is important that he does not miss any nutrients through this.
5. the smallest possible quantity of additives
If you buy dog food by yourself, the clear sign of quality indicator is how many additives are included. Manufacturers sometimes use flavor enhancers, preservatives, and colorants, just as they do with human finished products, to make the food look more attractive to our eyes. Try to stay away from these kinds of ingredients as much as possible!
6. the well-being of your dog
Food can be very individual. Therefore, good observation is essential to find out what your dog should eat. For example, if he has intolerances, he may develop diarrhea, coat problems, or allergies. Also, make sure that he likes to eat frequently and regularly.
7. a healthy dog feces
Optimally, your dog's feces will not be remarkable inconsistency, odor, or color. If it is, he may not tolerate the current food very well.
High-quality ingredients, for example, will reduce the stench.
8. BARFing As An Option
With BARFing you rely on a mostly meat-based dog diet made from raw ingredients. You must be dealt with it in detail. Without previous knowledge, this kind of feeding is not possible. Again, it is important to avoid deficiency symptoms. Likewise, feed allergies, such as beef protein, can become problematic. So it is a question of practice and knowledge if BARFing is healthy for your pet.
9. the avoidance of certain foods
Some foods are risky or unhealthy for dogs:
- Sugar
- Chocolate
- Onions
- Grapes or raisins
- Potatoes (raw)
- Avocado
- Seeds from stone fruit
10. the alternation
Dogs should not always eat the same food. Their bodies, just like ours, are looking forward to new sources of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and trace elements. If you prepare your dog food, the variety is easier to incorporate. When you buy dog food, you should always try new things, but don't switch frantically between vendors or wet and dry foods. This confuses your four-legged friend's digestion. However, a middle ground of buying and making your own can be useful.
The right puppy food
At first, puppies feed on their mother's milk. But from the 5th week, they begin to be interested in dog food.
how much puppy feed?
From the 9th week of age, the mother's healthy milk supply ends for her puppies. After that, small dogs should be fed puppy food for 9 months and medium-sized or large quadrupeds for up to 24 months.
It's recommended to discuss the feeding schedule with your health care professional and to check regularly that your dog's growth and weight gain are in line with the standard curve. Some puppy food packages will show the exact amount of food recommended.
What is healthy food for a puppy?
Feeding young dogs is all about meeting their energy needs for growth. That's why puppy food contains plenty of crude protein and fat, as well as minerals and vitamins. Most often, puppies first try their hand at wet food, as it is easier to chew. With the puppy food available in the store, a high meat content is a given. Some breeds require additional protein and thus special puppy food. These include St. Bernard and Great Dane, for example.
How much food does an adult dog need?
It is not for nothing that dog food accounts for a share of up to 20-150 USD in the cost of keeping a dog. For small breeds of dogs, you change to adult food already after 6 months, for medium-sized dogs about 12 months, for large ones only after 24. The right amount of food depends on the following success factors:
- Age
- Health condition
- Size
- Activity
If your dog is healthy and moving normally, he usually eats about 2.5% of his body weight per day. Older animals eat less, and if you have a particularly active or large animal, the optimal amount of food can be up to 5%. Check from time to time if your dog has enough "on the ribs". To do this, simply stroke his back. If the spine or individual ribs are protruding, your pet may be underweight. If you can't feel these bones at all, then he is overweight. A healthy dog diet should not produce either extreme.
When is time for an age-appropriate diet change?
Older dogs eat less. Due to age-related problems, they also need a correspondingly different food that helps against tartar, for example. You can support your four-legged friend with the right diet. You will notice yourself when your dog gets older.
The right time for a change of diet is usually after about three-quarters of his expected age. This is usually later for small dogs than for large ones: 7-10 dog years your four-legged friend should ideally eat "normally", after that senior nutrition is the order of the day.
How do I feed my dog healthy food?
First of all, you need to ensure regularity: for adult animals, it is enough to feed them once a day. The body of the dog gradually gets used to a specific daily and dietary routine. Also, freshwater is part of the diet - especially if you choose pure dry food. If you can, feed your four-legged friend when you are eating yourself, e.g. at the lunch table. This way you avoid begging.
Healthy food has a room temperature and does not come directly from the refrigerator. In addition, it should not be stored too long to give bacteria or germs no chance. The amount should always be individually adjusted to your dog according to the above factors. If he leaves some, then empty his bowl. After eating, the organism needs rest, so wait with games or walks until your dog has digested the food. Is something wrong, does your dog refuse food?
Then you should always consult a veterinarian. On the other hand, a fasting day once a week, set by you as the owner, is in line with your dog's nature. This routine is healthy for your dog, as it reduces unnecessary reserves during this time.