Nutrition 101: How Much Food Should I Feed My Adult Dog?

You would think the answer is simple, in fact it is not. Feeding instructions on dog food labels are too generous and promote weight gain. Veterinary nutritionists do not agree on the many formulas for determining a dog’s daily calorie needs. A dog’s lifestyle has a big impact on daily calorie needs.

But there are some primary feeding rules that can keep our dogs fit. First is to feed amounts that maintain your dog at a 4-5/9 BCS throughout its life. The BCS or Body Condition Score is a visual and tactile method for assessing a dog’s fitness level.It actually matches complicated x-ray techniques that are used to determine body fat percentages.By monitoring your dog’s BCS you can tell when to reduce food because your dog is less active and increase the food during more active times of year.

All feeding instructions or calorie calculations are based on a dog’s ideal weight, not their present weight, especially if it is too much.

Every food brand varies in calorie counts. It can be as much as a 200 calorie per cup difference for dry food and a 100 calorie difference per can of wet food. Always read the new feeding instructions when changing dog food.

The best way to feed dogs is by calculating their daily calorie needs and feeding accordingly. The article below walks you through those steps.

[lr]

It would be helpful if you showed the bowl size and what the portion size looks like in the bowl

[CynsCorner]

An 8-ounce cup? Not a 16-ounce cup? I've always been going by a 16-ounce size since that is a cup size.

[sylvi]

I have 2 boxers, they eat the same amount. One shows her bones when the other is in perfect condition. My dog has a gluten allergy and I add honemade food to her food, I am giving her now no grain dog food. Do you think she is not retaining nutrition due to her glutten allergy?

[peaceandlove]

Hi
Is Whey Protein a good alternative to some meat or other protein sources?

[huntterbanna]

how many time should I feed my 6 week old puppy