One of the questions that pet owners consider is the right amount of food to give their dog. You may have a dog that’s always hungry, but the most important thing is to ensure the dog maintains a healthy weight. It begins with combining the right amount of food and exercise. Other factors, such as age, activity level, breed, health issues, and general lifestyle, come into play. If a dog leads a sedentary lifestyle, the portions should be less than active dogs. The same metric of difference can be used with puppies and adult dogs.
Article Summary
How Much to Feed Puppies
Dogs in the formative stages of development have a higher metabolism than adults, much like humans. So they may eat more times a day than you would expect. It also depends on the breed and activity levels, as large active puppies would also need a high-calorie intake. You may find they eat four meals a day which is two times the expected amount for an adult.
The rule of thumb, in this case, is to watch for dog food portions. If you serve the pup according to a schedule and then take away the leftovers 10 to 20 minutes after serving, it builds some good eating habits in the dog. It will also allow you to ascertain how much the pup requires and set the proportions. If they miss out on not eating enough in one meal, the hunger level should be noticeable in the next one. Check our list of the best puppy food brands that are safe for breeds large and small.
How Much to Feed Your Dog
Adult dogs eat less as they have a slower metabolism [1]. It does not take much to feed adult dogs as they do not have as many developmental requirements. The majority of breeds eat twice a day, though. That would entail two cups of age-appropriate food every day, which is divided into one in the morning and another in the evening.
Dog food brands have specified guidelines printed, and you can reference that when portioning out the food for adult dogs. Similarly, the best dog food delivery service companies today produce pre-packed meals customized according to your dog’s needs. Some dogs have great eating habits from the onset as they ‘eat to live’ rather than ‘live to eat.’
Dogs like these do not have a lot of trouble maintaining a healthy body weight provided it is complemented with sufficient exercise. Others that eat continuously even after the quotas require more control, so it would require you to monitor the dog’s personality and how it eats.
If you are having problems maintaining a healthy dog’s weight, the vet may assist with ideas geared toward portion control for weight purposes. That may entail a specialized diet as well, like the the best dog food for weight loss in case your pup is overweight.
How Breed Affects the Dog’s Diet
The dog’s breed may not have as much of an effect on a diet compared to age, though it relates in terms of size. Large-sized breeds like the Mastiff, which also lead active lives, would require more food than a Chihuahua. Small breeds have less energy than the former.
Large-sized breeds as well take a longer time to mature into an adult, which means you will be giving them more food for longer. Toy breeds mature faster, so the frequency and sizing would differ significantly. When in doubt, though, you can consult the veterinarian so they can give an accurate recommendation for the dog.
How to Set a Feeding Schedule
Setting a feeding schedule is surprisingly easy to do as it takes a lot of repetition. To begin, you can fill a bowl with the amount of food and the type you prefer, place it in the designated area, and then wait. You’re off to a good start if the dog’s food is eaten immediately.
Should that not be the case, just take the bowl away after ten minutes and wait to put it down the next time you feed your dog. It is important, though, that the dog does not eat a meal in the meantime, as it will throw off the schedule. If you do this consistently for a few days, the dog will eventually catch on to the new schedule and stick to it because of the conditioning.
The scheduling for pups would probably be more frequent because they need more food. So you would be doing it three to four times a day. When the dog reaches maturity, please be sure to phase down the number of meals. You may even add some food to the remaining meals as compensation.
FAQs
Is it cruel to feed a dog once a day?
Usually, it is not cruel to feed a dog once every day on an occasional basis. The meal should be balanced and be of an appropriate portion. Similarly, it is important to look for any health issues with the dog if it is used to the feeding schedule early, as most dogs do not do very well when constantly fed once a day.
How many meals should a dog eat a day?
Ideally, dogs are supposed to eat an average of two meals a day, and these should be 12 hours apart. You may opt to give them breakfast, lunch, and supper but try to avoid overfeeding as it can result in an increase in the dog’s weight. If more than 12 hours elapse between meals, their stomachs can become too acidic, leading to nausea.
How do you calculate dog food portions?
Depending on the dog’s age and activity levels, an estimated third of an eight-ounce cup per day is the food requirement for an adult dog. If it is a puppy, though, they should be feeding on two to three times that amount.
