Feeding your dog correctly is crucial for their overall health and well-being. Proper nutrition helps maintain a healthy weight, supports their immune system, and ensures they have the energy to enjoy life. Unfortunately, nearly half of dogs in Australia are either overweight or obese, highlighting the importance of getting it right.
How Often to Feed
- Puppies: 3-4 times a day
- Adult Dogs: Twice a day
- Senior Dogs: Twice a day, but they might need smaller, more frequent meals if they have health issues
How Much to Feed
The amount of food your dog needs depends on their size, age, activity level, health and of course the food you are feeding.
Because each brand has differing nutrient densities the amount of food you need to provide will vary with each brand. Always check the feeding guidelines on your dog food packaging and calculate how much to feed daily based on your dog’s weight. Most foods provide a daily feeding guide, so you will need to divide that quantity by the number of times you are feeding per day.
| Pro Tip! |
| When I first start a new food I weigh the food to determine how much to feed per meal, then pour this into a appropriate sized cup measure. Once I know how full the measure is with the correct volume of food I can just use the measure on subsequent feeds. For example, with LifeWise Ocean Fish Small Bites I know that Campo gets a heaped 1/2 cup and Zambi gets a level 1/2 cup each meal. |
Of course, if your dog is very active, underweight or overweight you will need to adjust the amount accordingly. Consult your vet for personalised advice.
What to Feed Your Dog
There are a huge number of options available to dog owners and it can be a little daunting. This situation is made worse because the standards for dog food in Australia are entirely voluntary. Crazy, right? We delved a bit deeper in a previous blog post.
When I am looking for a food to feed my dogs, there are three things I look for to narrow the range and help ensure I am making a good choice.
- I look for foods that do adhere to the Australian standards. I research each food to learn in they are voluntarily complying, so I can be sure they are nutritionally complete and manufactured from quality, ethically sourced ingredients.
- Australian made – as a small Australian business I want to support other Aussie companies. Buying Australian Made products also helps to ensure a fresher product and reduces the transportation overheads.
- Environmental Considerations – finally I look for brands with a strong commitment to reducing their environmental impact.
Incidentally, these are not just the foods I feed my dogs. These are also the brands that we carry at Dogonality.
Foods to Avoid
Personally, I don’t feed my dogs people food. I get some people do, though, so it is important to be aware certain foods can be harmful or even toxic to dogs. Here are some to avoid:
- Chocolate: Contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs.
- Grapes and Raisins: Can cause kidney failure.
- Onions and Garlic: Can damage red blood cells.
- Avocado: Contains persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Alcohol: Even small amounts can be dangerous.
- Caffeine: Can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, and heart palpitations.
- Bones: Cooked bones can splinter and cause internal injuries.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your dog stays healthy and happy. Remember, every dog is unique, so it’s always best to consult with your vet for tailored advice.
Happy feeding!