Dogs love to eat. And to eat... and to eat... Many dogs would eat all day long if given the chance. But overfeeding will not do anything good for your dog.
A healthy dog is a happy dog, which is why it is important that you feed your dog a balanced diet. It may be tempting to give your dog an extra feeding or give him a few more snacks. Still, in the long run, your dog will love you a lot more if you keep him healthy. Allow the amount of food you give your dog to be in proportion to the amount of exercise he gets to help your dog age healthily.
How Much Should You Feed Your Dog?
Most dogs love to eat but some breeds are even more food-focused than others. That is why you cannot let your dog decide how much to eat but determining how much food it needs can be quite difficult.
Your vet can tell you how much food your dog needs based on its breed and weight. You can also always follow the instructions on the packaging of the food you give your dog. Nevertheless, you should regularly check your dog's weight and adjust the amount of food accordingly. If your dog's size permits, you can use a bathroom scale by weighing yourself first, then lifting your dog and standing on the scale together (the difference in weight is the weight of your dog). If you cannot weigh your dog yourself, you can arrange with your vet to have your dog checked and weighed regularly.
Use a measuring cup
Obesity in dogs is on the rise. This makes them more likely to have health problems such as diabetes, cancer and liver disease. The extra weight your dog is carrying puts an extra strain on its bones - dogs with hip dysplasia, kneecap dislocation, intervertebral disc problems or other orthopedic diseases will certainly feel this extra strain.
To avoid this, keep an eye on the portions you feed your dog. Use a measuring cup and follow the instructions on the dog food packaging. If your canine friend's weight continues to increase, reduce portion sizes until its weight stabilizes at a healthy level.
How Often Should You Feed Your Dog?
When your dog starts to reach physical maturity at around 9 months of age, you need to begin thinking about how often you want to start feeding him per day.
Most dogs are fed twice a day, one small meal in the morning and one in the evening. Usually, large dog breeds are fed a large meal at the end of the day. Remember that dogs have a routine, so once you've decided what time to feed your dog, make sure to stick to this time.
How Much Food Does Your Puppy Need?
It is fantastic to see how quickly your little puppy grows into a strong and lively adult dog. To give them a good start, it is important that they get the right amount of nutrition. A good breeder or shelter can advise you on the appropriate food for your new puppy. It is wise to follow this advice. Puppies have sensitive stomachs that can quickly get upset when their diet changes, so be sure to give them the food they are used to for the first week. After this you can slowly adjust their diet.
A puppy does not need much but regular feeding, usually four to six times a day. This keeps its energy at a constant level and is easier to digest than two large meals a day.
When you come to pick up your puppy, ask the breeder for some guidelines to avoid giving your puppy too much or too little food after returning home. You can usually follow the instructions on the dog food packaging. You may need to adjust the amount of food based on your dog's weight and build. You should be able to feel your puppy's ribs but they should not be clearly visible. You should also be able to see your puppy's waist when viewed from above. This is an accurate way of determining whether you are feeding your puppy too much or too little for all dog breeds.
When your puppy reaches six months of age, reduce the number of meals per day to two. Larger dogs are often fed one large meal a day, usually in the evening. You will also have to reduce the portions of food for your puppy, it is best to follow the guidelines on the packaging of the dog food. Before adjusting the size of your dog's meals, ask your vet for advice.