No matter if you are getting a puppy for the first time or just wonder if your dog is getting either enough or possibly too much food, it is a good idea to consider the amount of your dog eats. If a dog is overfed, they can become obese and if underfed they can be malnourished, as well as have no energy and be hungry and grouchy. So, what’s the best way to know if your dog is getting the right amount of food? Here are a few guidelines to see what you need to feed your dog.
Read the Back of the Food Container
The dog food makers give owners a place to start. You can read the back of the container and it normally lists what a dog ought to eat each day. It normally goes by your dog’s age and weight. However, if your dog is a pup or young dog, they normally need to eat more food based on their weight than elderly dogs. You should feed your dog twice a day, or if a puppy or less than 6 months old, they need to eat three times a day.
Every brand of food is different, so if you change your dog’s food be sure to read the back of the new brand container. The reason for this is different brands are made with different fillers, nutrients, and ingredients, as well as differing amounts of calories. For example, two cups of one brand of dog food might equal one and a half cups of a different brand. If you want your dog to eat organic, top-notch foods, you need to look at a list of the top brands of organic dog foods.
Adjust Food Quantities Dependent on Your Pet
If you have a dog that gulps down their food and acts like she is still pretty hungry, chances are you need to feed her more. However, if she only eats half the food you offer and the rest goes to waste, you could be feeding her too much. It’s not rocket science, as a few dogs will just keep eating even if they are full, while others are more picky and eat lightly throughout the day.
It’s best to base food consumption on the dog’s weight and body condition. Every few weeks you need to run your hand over the dog’s body to see if you can feel their ribs. You ought to be able to lightly feel the ribs, but you shouldn’t be able to see the ribs. But if you have to press hard before you can even feel their ribs, likely you are feeding your dog too much and need to cut back. But if her ribs are sticking out or you can feel them a lot, then you likely are not feeding your dog enough and she needs to eat more.
For picky pets, you might want to consider a fresh type of dog food instead of dry, as those appeals more to some dogs. Most owners don’t have time to prepare fresh foods for their dog daily, so you can go with dog food services businesses, as they deliver the food fresh right to your home, and can customize it based on your dog’s dietary requirements. Some of them, including this one even have free shipping or offer discounts to buyers!
Provide Healthful Snacks
All dog owners want to treat their furry buddies from time to time. So you need to pick healthful options that provide your dog with nutrient-dense calories. Here are a few suggestions for tasty treats you can use for rewarding your dog:
- Get a Kong toy or other type of dispenser for treats, and fill it with things like kibble, cheese pieces, or peanut butter.
- Offer a few bits of cooked sweet potatoes or carrots, as dogs normally love these kinds of starchy veggies. But never give raw potatoes of any kind to your pet!
- You can also offer some sliced up apples, which a lot of dogs love. But don’t feed your dog apple seeds.
- You could also mix some plain yogurt or low-salt versions of cottage cheese or even a spoon of canned pumpkin (be sure it is not the mix but is 100 percent pumpkin) with their dry kibble. It can help a picky dog decide to eat their food. Be certain there’s no xylitol artificial sweetener in any of the yogurts, as this is poisonous to dogs.
- Stay away from those commercial rawhide chews for dogs. They can break and get stuck in a dog’s digestive tract. You can get some elk or deer antlers, venison ears or ask your butcher for some raw bones. Be certain you wash your hands well after providing these and have your dog eat these on a surface that’s non-porous and easy to clean.
- Don’t forget that treats should only make up about ten percent of calories you feed to your dog daily.
You should speak with your vet always if there are any questions you have about the amount of the foods you ought to feed your pet.
