A question often asked by dog parents is what the right amount of food is to feed their dog. Every bag of dog food includes a feeding quantity guide, but this is just a general guideline and the right amount to feed your dog will depend on so many factors including –
- The age of your dog
- Your dog’s breed
- Type of food
- Number of meals
- Body weight
- Metabolic rate
- The size of your dog – sometimes there is even a size range in a breed, and you can get a smaller sized German Shepherd for example.
- Your dog’s activity level. Your dog might run around on a large plot or farm all day or stay inside while you are at work which means that their kilojoule requirements will differ.
- Your dog’s health. A dog recovering from an injury or suffering from a health condition might need more or less food.
WHY THE RIGHT DOG FOOD AMOUNT MATTERS
If you feed your dog too little, they can suffer from nutritional deficiencies. However, if you feed your dog too much, it will eventually result in obesity and its related health issues, like:
- Musculoskeletal problems like osteoarthritis, cruciate ligament ruptures, and intervertebral disk disease
- Congestive heart failure
- Laboured breathing
- Cushing’s disease
- Skin disorders
- Some types of cancer
- Shortened life span
- Reduced quality of life
Giving your dog the right amount of quality dog food can help support your pet’s overall health and keep them feeling their best.
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF DOG FOOD FOR YOUR DOG
To start the process, take a look at the feeding guide on your dog food’s label. Most adult dogs should eat two meals a day, and puppies often require three or more feedings. Use the feeding guide with your knowledge of your dog’s lifestyle to come up with the initial amount of food to offer your dog.
For example, if you have a relatively inactive 16kg Maltese Poodle who had a tendency to gain weight, you could start with a little less food than the table recommends. On the other hand, if your dog was a 16kg Boxer who never sits still, you would feed a little more.
You can keep a check on your dog’s weight and then fine-tune the amount of food you offer. If in doubt, or your dog has any health issues, your veterinarian can help you and determine an appropriate daily kilojoule amount for your dog.
In general, dogs who are at a healthy weight:
- Have an “hourglass” figure when you look down on them from above. The abdomen should be narrower than the chest and hips.
- Are “tucked up” when you look at them from the side. This means that their chest is closer to the ground than their belly when standing.
- Have ribs that are not readily visible but are easily felt with only light pressure.