How much food to feed my dog, & what should I feed?

If you are thinking about welcoming a new pet dog to your home, then there are several things that you must keep in mind. As we all know, being a pet parent is not that simple as it might seem. It is a job that comes with a lot of intricate responsibilities, and you should not go ahead with it, if you don’t have the necessary knowledge.

Sometimes, pet parents might wonder how much food to feed my dog, & what should I feed. We need to keep in mind that every dog breed is different, and each has its own peculiar characteristics, as well as requirements. So, before getting a particular dog, you need to look at these details thoroughly.

If you think that you are not capable enough to handle the responsibilities that comes with being a dog parent, then you must give up the idea of being one. You can always adore them, but if you are unable to fulfill the basic requirements, then it can become extremely detrimental for these little beings. So, without further delay, let’s take a look at the essential things that might be noted while feeding them.

Find out how much food to feed my dog

• The food items that you should be feeding your pet dog is obviously very vital. Along with that, the quantity of food that should be fed is also very important.
• If you opt for the complete and balanced dog food packages, then they will have specific feeding instructions on the label. However, it must be noted that every dog is different, and hence, the owners will have to make some adjustments here and there. 
• There are several factors which determine the amount of food that can be fed to our pet dogs. These include weight, age, as well as activity levels of the dog.
• Maintaining an adequate weight is very important, and malnourishment, as well as obesity both leads to a wide variety of health concerns that are difficult to manage. So, make sure that your dog’s weight lies within the ideal range, and make some adjustments if needed.
• If your pet dog is more active when compared to the other dogs of his age, then you will have to provide him more food to cope up with the energy loss. Age is also a significant factor when it comes to determining the quantity of food that your dog requires.

Adult Dog Size (lbs)	Dry Food Feeding Amount (Cups)
3 to 12	1/3 to 1
13 to 20	1 to 1/3
21 to 35	1-1/3 to 2
26 to 50	2 to 2-2/3
51 to 75	2-2/3 to 3-1/3
76 to 100	3-1/3 to 4-1/4
100+	4-1/4 (Plus 1/4 cup for every 10 lbs of weight over 100 lbs)

 

• Keep in mind that the above mentioned values are for daily intake.

What should I feed my dog?

If you are wondering how much food to feed my dog, then you might also want to know about the food items that you can give to your dog.

• You should always try to feed your dog a food that is labeled ‘complete’. This label information indicates that the specific food contains all the necessary nutrients which  your dog needs, and that too in the required amounts.
• Some people might want to give a homemade diet to their pet dog. While there is nothing wrong in this concept, it is highly recommended that you buy a commercially available dog food. If you give homemade foods, it would be quite difficult to ensure whether your dog is getting all the necessary nutrients, or not.
• The complete foods are available in both wet and dry forms. You can opt for any forms, as per the preference of your dog. But, if you are thinking about giving a combination of both, then make sure that you are feeding the right quantity of each food type. For this, you need to go through the information provided on the packets carefully, and then work out the quantity accordingly.
• A lot of owners prefer giving their dog a raw diet. In that case, you must choose one that is complete, as well as commercially prepared. Thereby, your dog will be able to get all the necessary nutrients in the correct amounts.

Life stage feeding

Now that we know how much food to feed my dog, & what should be fed, let’s take a look at the concept of life stage feeding. 

• We need to keep in mind that dogs are regarded as older when they reach about half their life expectancy. For small dogs, this is around 7 years, and for larger ones, this is about 5 years.
• You might be advised to feed your dog a puppy diet when he or she is growing towards their adult size and shape. These  foods are designed in accordance with the particular size or breed of the dogs. These factors will have a great effect on the puppy’s growth rate and nutritional requirements.
• Thereafter comes the adult dog diets. These diets are designed in such a manner that it keeps your dog in a healthy size and weight. You will be able to find plenty of good adult dog foods in the market. You can choose one that suits your dog’s individual requirements and lifestyle.
• In the case of the older dogs, the diet should be easily digestible, and it must contain a balance of all the essential nutrients. Such a diet will help your dog to manage the different aging changes efficiently.

Conclusion

So, we have discussed how much food to feed my dog, & what should be fed. Along with that, we have also taken a look at the concept of life stage feeding. In addition to that, you should keep in mind that if your dog has any medical conditions, then he or she might need some specific diet, and you should discuss it thoroughly with the vet.