One of the best ways to keep dogs healthy is to feed them the right amount of a high-quality dog food. Feeding your dog too much or not enough can have certain health consequences. Show
Here’s why it matters and what you can do to determine how much to feed your dog. Why the Right Dog Food Amount MattersIf you feed your dog too little, they can suffer from nutritional deficiencies. However, If you feed your dog too much, it will eventually result in obesity and its related health issues, like:
Giving your dog the right amount of quality dog food can help support your pet’s overall health and keep them feeling their best. How to Find the Right Amount of Dog Food for Your DogYou need to account for several factors when determining exactly how much your dog should be eating. Consider the Important FactorsThe correct meal size depends on factors like:
Look at the Feeding Guide on the BagTo start the process, take a look at the feeding guide on your dog food’s label. They are usually presented as a table that looks something like this: Unless stated otherwise, these amounts give you the total that is recommended for your dog over a 24-hour period. Most adult dogs should eat two meals a day, and puppies often require three or more feedings, so you’ll need to divide the amount in the table by the number of meals you are offering. Take Your Dog’s Lifestyle Into AccountCombine this information with your knowledge of your dog’s lifestyle to come up with the initial amount of food to offer your dog. For example, if I had a relatively inactive 35-pound Corgi who had a tendency to gain weight, I might start with a little less food than the table recommends. On the other hand, if my dog was a 35-pound Border Collie who never sits still, I would feed a little more. Consider Using a Calorie CalculatorAnother option is to try using a calorie calculator for dogs, but keep in mind that while these often spit out a precise number, your dog’s actual needs may be as much as 25% more or less. Determine Your Dog’s Body Condition ScoreWhichever method you pick, you’ll have to use a scale or body condition scoring system to fine-tune the amount of food you offer. Your veterinarian can help you decipher your dog’s body condition score (BCS) and determine an appropriate calorie amount. In general, dogs who are at a healthy weight:
Keep a Record of Your Dog’s Weight ChangeCheck your dog’s weight every 2-4 weeks and keep a diary of your results. If your dog is inappropriately gaining or losing weight, adjust your portion sizes appropriately. Make sure to discuss these changes with your veterinarian so they can ensure that there are no underlying conditions. Reassess the Portion Size if You Switch FoodsEvery time you change dog food formulas, you will have to go through this entire process again, because the number of calories in the food will be different. Always Talk With Your VeterinarianTalk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about your dog’s health or diet. They can help you determine exactly how much food to offer based on the specifics of your dog’s case. Dr. Jennifer Coates Featured Image: iStock.com/Chalabala Learn More:SaveSave
A Weight Management Tool for Adult Dogs This tool was designed to aid the veterinary health care team in making nutritional assessments and recommendations to help their patients maintain or achieve their healthy weight. You can share this information with clients with a take-home worksheet. Use the report function to generate a summary of the calculation. Achieving and maintaining healthy body condition scores in pets has been proven to reduce the risk of illness and add to the longevity and general well-being of the animal. As animal advocates, we take on the challenge of educating and coaching our pet-owner community about nutrition and best practices in feeding. We would love to hear from you! Submit your feedback and suggestions about this tool on our Contact Form. Copyright © Pet Nutrition Alliance. All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: This tool is designed to be used only by veterinary professionals. For obese pets with a body condition score of 7/9 or higher, we advise a weight loss program under the direct guidance of the veterinary health care team. This calculator is only a guideline. Regular monitoring and consideration of outside factors is critical for achieving safe and healthy weight management outcomes. PNA may adjust the formulations based on new data findings.
Calculating the calories your dog or cat needs to be fed You’ll first need to have your pet examined by your veterinarian and an ideal weight calculated. Based on your pet’s degree of excess weight, you may choose a target weight higher than the ideal weight to start. General guidelines for safe weight loss in dogs are 3-5% body weight loss per month and about 0.5 pounds per month in cats (1-3% body weight). A basic formula for weight loss in pets is:
Approximate Daily Caloric Needs for Average Indoor Pets
Daily Caloric Needs for Active Humans
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