Adult Dry Dog Food Feeding Charts
The IAMS Proactive Health dry dog food suggests that you should feed your dog the following:
- For 5 lb dogs: ½ to ¾ a cup daily
- 10 lb dogs: ¾ to 1 cup daily
- 20 lb dogs: 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cups daily
- 30 lb dogs: 1 to 2 cups daily
- 40 lb dogs: 2 to 2 cups daily
- 50 lb dogs: 2 ½ to 2 ¾ cups daily.
This is based on each cup weighing 104 grams.
Alternatively, the Diamond Naturals Real Meat Recipe suggests the following.
- For 5 lb dogs: ½ a cup daily
- 10 lb dogs: 1 cup daily
- 20 lb dogs: 1 ½ cups daily
- 30 lb dogs: 2 cups daily
- 40 lb dogs: 2 ½ cups daily
- 60 lb dogs: 3 ¼ cups daily
- 80 lb dogs: 4 cups daily
- 100 lb dogs: 4 cups daily.
For dogs heavier than 100 lbs, they suggest adding ½ cup for every extra 10 lbs.
Differences in how much dry food to feed a dog depend upon things like the ingredients they contain, and the shape of the kibble.
A cup of large kibble pieces has more air spaces in it than a cup of small kibble pieces, so it can also weigh significantly less.
So always check the specific feeding instructions for your chosen brand.
How Often To Feed A Puppy
So now that you know how much to feed your puppy, you might be wondering, How many times a day should a puppy eat? Setting a routine for your puppys feeding schedule is critical so he can learn when to expect his food.
- 4-12 Weeks: Young puppies need three or more feedings per day to adequately meet their nutritional needs. So, according to the feeding guide that comes with their food or the chart above, divide that by three or more and give the food to them throughout the day.
- 3-12 Months: As your puppy gets older, you can reduce the number of feedings to twice daily. Their energy level should reduce thus, they dont need as much food throughout the day.
- 12+ Months: Most adult dogs eat two meals per day. Youll want to divide their food requirement by two.
Homemade Dog Food Serving Size In Cups
In making your own dog food, you might be wondering how much homemade dog food serving size in cups would be better.
Get yourself a set of measuring cups for homemade food for dogs. Something like this is what I also use.
For most of my homemade dog food recipes, I typically include serving sizes in the article.
I generally recommend feeding the below amount:
1/2-3/4 of a cup of food for every 25 pounds of body weight
While this doesn’t seem like a lot, you need to remember that a well-balanced homemade food meal is much more nutrient-dense than most commercial diets.
When you make homemade dog food, ideally, you’re using high-quality, whole-food ingredients rich in protein and moderate fat, carbohydrates, and vitamins.
On the other hand, commercial dog food brands are processed and contain fillers that are only added to the recipe to make your pet feel like they’ve had enough to eat.
Thankfully, homemade dog food does not include these types of ingredients .
This type of feeding is also better for your dog’s digestive tract and digestion and will reduce the amount of stool a dog creates.
It’s a win for you and the dog.
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Canine Complete By Wholistic Pet Organics
This all-in-one vitamin mix is made with natural food ingredients. It covers all the necessary bases for a dogs nutritional requirements, ranging from vitamins and minerals to digestive microflora. Similarly, it supports the health and longevity of your pup with an abundant supply of antioxidants. This supplement is completely safe for your dog as it is regulated by NASC.
When Can A Puppy Eat Adult Dog Food
When to shift your pup over to adult dog food will depend partly on their size and growth rate. Many toy- and small-breed dogs and mixed breeds reach their full size by 10 to 12 months of age. While a very active small dog may benefit from an extra snack during the day, they can start the change to an adult diet. Large- and giant-breed dogs may not reach full growth until 18 months or older.
Consult your veterinarian for guidance about switching to adult dog food.
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Lets Talk Dog Nutrition Six Essential Nutrients Dogs Need
Here is a link to an article regarding Dog nutrition, originally published in Dogster Magazine in 2017. You can also link to the article by clicking on the picture below.
Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, M.S., is a canine nutritionist and co-author, with M. Jean Dodds, D.V.M., of two books including Canine Nutrigenomics: The New Science of Feeding Your Dog for Optimum Health. Their online course, Complete Canine Nutrition can be found at myhealthydog.dog.
Specific Factors That Impact How Much Raw Food To Feed Your Dog
Weight and Body Condition
Is your dog fit or fat? Its important to understand if your dog is currently underweight, overweight or just right? Your vet can check your dogs Body Condition Score which is like the Body Mass Index for people.
The BCS is a somewhat subjective rating that helps formulate the right diet and exercise plan that best suits your dogs body, activity level, and lifestyle.
BCS scales can range from 1-5 or 1-9. The larger-scale assesses more subtle changes in weight, but either scale is acceptable. Using this scale, pets are scored from 1 to 9 with 5 /9 being the ideal body weight.
Here is an example of a Body Condition Score chart by the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee. You can also download a PDF of the Body Condition Score chart to have for future reference.
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When To Start Feeding Raw Food To Puppies
- Best to keep puppies on mothers milk as long as possible.
- 4-5 weeks old: Usually on milk till 4-5 weeks old when teeth come in. Then can add food for puppies.
- Mom might regurgitate food for puppies this is great as its predigested food.
- 4-5 weeks old: When adding food use mushy food and minced food and add broth or water to it.
- 6 weeks old: Can add small meaty bones like chicken necks. But youll want to help them out with some predigestion of your own so pound the necks up with a hammer or meat tenderizer to make them easier to eat.
- 6 7 weeks: Most puppies are eating what mom is eating only in smaller amounts.
- Puppies might need more calcium so give 15% bone
- Make sure diet is high quality. Not more than 10% fat or there wont be enough proteins and nutrients in the diet.
Egg Yolks Contain Fatty Acids And Vitamins
Dogs need fatty acids and vitamins, and egg yolks provide both.
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are concentrated in the egg yolk.
Fatty acids are consumed as saturated and unsaturated fats in a dogs diet. A dogs body breaks down the fat, and it is absorbed through the GI tract.
Once inside, fatty acids are used to build and maintain body cells.
Fatty acids also provide a delivery system for fat-soluble vitamins. Dogs are not predisposed to heart disease like people, so we dont worry about their cholesterol.
Vitamins
Vitamins are consumed as water-soluble and fat-soluble nutrients in a dogs diet.
Vitamins serve as catalysts and building blocks in metabolism, immune function, growth, and development.
These vitamins are concentrated in the egg yolk:
-
Vitamin A
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The Importance Of Proper Puppy Nutrition
When it comes to feeding, its tempting to tell yourself a puppy is a puppy. But the truth is, food formulated for puppies is actually quite different than food formulated for older dogs.
Brain, organ, and bone development occurs rapidly in puppies and sets up the foundation for normal function and health throughout a dog’s life,” says Shmalberg.
Young dogs need higher levels of protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus when compared to adult dogs. Too few of these can cause deficiencies though too many can cause lifelong complications.
What Are The Best Automatic Pet Feeders
Not sure where to start when looking for an automatic pet feeder? The PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Timed Pet Feeder is a good option. It can hold up to five meals of dog food, dispensing them like clockwork at your pre-set time. For smaller dogs, the Cat Mate C20 2-Bowl Automatic Pet Feeder is a good option. It can be programmed to automatically spring open at feeding times, and has a blue-ice pack for keeping wet food cold for up to 48 hours.
For dogs who love to scarf down their food, the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Programmable Pet Feeder has a slow release function, which dispense each meal over a 15-minute period. And it allows you to feed up to 12 meals per day. Speaking of special features, the Arf Pets Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder, 4-Meal has a fun one: This feeder allows you to record a message alerting your fur baby when it is time to eat!
As convenient and clever as pet feeders are, some pet parents may prefer to keep them only as a backup. The ritual of hand feeding your dog may bring you a lot of enjoyment and allow you to bond with her. If you are more about the old-fashioned way, use a pet food scoop that measures kibble, like the OurPets metal scoop. This allows you to see how much youre serving up.
Knowing how much and how often to feed your dog is one of the most important parts of caring for her. Striking the balance between too much and not enough can take some time. Once you have the formula down, be sure to stick with it! A healthy pup is a happy pup.
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Is Homemade Dog Food Good For Dogs
While I am not a vet, and I certainly cant speak for all animals I can tell you that switching to homemade dog food made the world of difference for Rascal. We had a very unique case with him and his food allergies, but we have also seen other positive changes.
On traditional dog food Rascal was lethargic, he shed in abundance and his appetite was mediocre. He was also low in his weight class, weighing in at just 64 pounds for a full sized male Golden Retriever.
Since the dog food switch he has been energetic, focused, and calmer. He has also put on about 15 pounds in just one year after switching to homemade food. On a traditional diet were vacuuming at least once a day but now 1-2 a week. We no longer have to coax Rascal into mealtime and have finally developed a great eating schedule.
Determine The Right Portion Size For Your Dog
Using the questions below to guide your thinking, determine the right amount of food for your pup. For example, lets say your dog is a 45-pound 2-year-old mixed breed dog who is on the leaner side. The can suggests for dogs who are 35-45 pounds that they eat 2 cups of food per day, you may decide to feed your dog 2.5 cups, as that is the recommendation for dogs 45-55 pounds and you think your dog needs a little more food to keep his weight stable.
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What Can Puppies Eat
Heres a quick timeline of a puppys nutrition in the first few months of his life.
- 0-3 Weeks: Puppies should be with their mother and nurse as they please. The mothers milk has the nutrients necessary to provide proper nutrition and protect puppies from diseases. During this time, you dont need to worry about how much to feed puppies because their mother provides them with nutrition.
- 3-4 Weeks: Puppies will begin developing teeth and will begin weaning off their mothers milk. The puppy caregiver can blend a 50:50 portion of canned wet puppy food with a milk replacer in a flat saucer, gradually reducing the amount of milk replacer until youre only giving them puppy food. One should not be concerned if the puppies dont like the new food right away. It may take a few days to adjust to the new formula. Rubbing fingers in the mixture and then gently on the puppys nose and mouth can make the transition smoother.
- 4-6 Weeks: By this time, puppies should be fully transitioned to puppy food.
- 6-12 Months: Gradually begin to switch your puppy to adult food. Small breeds can switch between 7-9 months and larger breeds around the 12-month mark. It doesnt hurt to keep him on puppy food longer than needed to make sure hes getting all the nutrients he needs as a developing dog.
How To Keep A Puppy Healthy With Healthy Puppy Food
Feeding your puppy a fresh, proven healthy diet thats formulated specifically for very young dogs will provide them with the high-quality nutrients they need to support their overall health and long-term growth. Bear in mind that puppies develop at different speeds, so we always recommend asking your veterinarian for advice on assessing your puppys body condition score.
How to tell if a puppy is underweight?
On an underweight puppy, the ribs and hip bones are clearly visible, jutting out when viewed from above.
Stopping a puppy losing weight will depend on various factors. Check that you are feeding your puppy:
- A nutrient-rich and balanced diet, formulated for puppies and promote their healthy growth
- The recommended number of daily calories for their estimated adult weight, activity level and breedextremely active dogs will require a higher-calorie diet.
- Following the puppy-feeding guidelines given on the food label
If your pup is still below average for their breed, then we recommended seeking advice from your veterinarian to rule out any underlying issues.
Ideal Weight
If your pup is at their ideal weight, their ribs can be seen and felt but do not protrude, their belly tucks up and they have a visible waistline.
How to tell if your puppy is overweight?
An overweight puppy will have a rounded stomach with no definition in the ribs or waistline.
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How Much To Feed Adult Dogs
Most breeds of adult dogs eat twice a day, according to PetMD. If you are adopting an adult dog and arent familiar with her eating habits, two cups of age-appropriate food per day is a good place to startone in the morning and one in the evening, and always with fresh water available. Some dog food brands will have guidelines printed on the bag, and this can be a good place to start, and increase or decrease depending on your dogs current size and her ideal weight.
According to WebMD, adult dogs, depending on their personality, may be responsible enough to decide how much food is enough. In this case, youd leave food out during the day and let the dog decide how much she wants.
Owners of these eat to live-type dogs often have little trouble helping their dog to maintain a healthy weight, as long as the dog gets enough exercise. Some dogs thrive with this grazing routine, while otherssimply cant control themselves.
For those of us with live to eat-type dogs, we need to help our dogs with portion control. If you are having trouble helping your dog to maintain a healthy weight, your vet can assist with ideas for weight control and portion control. They may recommend a specialized diet that often includes premium food.
If youre still at a loss, try PetMDs general rule of thumb for adult dogs:
Method # 2 Calculating Energy Requirements
Calculating caloric requirements for dogs is difficult. For those who want to geek out, the detailed formulas are below.
Step 1: Calculate your dogs Resting Energy Requirements .
This can be calculated by multiplying the animals body weight in kilograms raised to the ¾ power by 70. .
Here is the Resting Energy Requirements formula:
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What Are The Benefits Of Homemade Dog Food
Foods are beneficial for every living creature, thus, to your beloved pup. So, here are some potential benefits of feeding your dog food made at home.
- Regulation of Pet Food Quality
- No Filler Ingredients in Homemade Foods
- Increased Variety in the Diet
- Homemade Diet May Provide Better Nutrition
- Homemade Dog Foods Are Fresh, Not Preserved
- No More Waste
- It Can Be Cheaper
You can also check on our website the other pros and cons of feeding homemade food for dogs.
How Much To Feed A Dog
So, as you can see, choosing how much to feed a dog depends on lots of things! Your dogs size, activity levels, health, and age all play key roles.
You can monitor your dogs weight by feeling and visually assessing him regularly.
If you think that you are feeding your dog the wrong amount, the best person to help you is your vet.
How do you decide how much food your dog needs? Do you have a favorite brand? Let us know in the comments!
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How Much Is Too Much Protein In Dogs
Although protein is necessary for dog nutrition, like everything else, too much is never good. It means that too much protein in your dogs diet might not be good too.
Dogs will only be able to digest and absorb the protein that their body needs for maintaining their muscle mass and other tissues. Any excess protein in their diet can either be disposed of through urine or stored in their body as fat.
If your pets are putting on weight, it might be ideal for checking the amount of protein you are giving them. Also, if there are yellow spots in your backyard where your dog is usually doing its business, that might also be because of too much protein in its diet.