How do you know how much food your dog needs?

One of the most common questions among those who live with a dog is very simple: how much should you eat?

The answer does not depend solely on the weight of the animal. Two dogs weighing the same may need different amounts of food depending on their age, physical activity, metabolism, and body condition.

Weight isn't everything

Using only the weight of the dog to determine the amount of food can lead to errors.

For example, a very active adult dog may need a different amount than another dog of the same weight that leads a more sedentary life.

We must also take into account the stage of life. Puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs may have different nutritional needs.

What factors should we assess?

To calculate an adequate diet, different aspects must be taken into account:

Age

A growing puppy has different needs than an adult dog.

Weight

The weight serves as a reference, but should be interpreted in conjunction with the animal's body condition.

Physical Activity

A dog that exercises daily may need more energy than one that spends most of the day resting.

Body Condition:

We should not look only at the scale.

Observing the dog's silhouette, his waist and the ease of palpating his ribs can help us assess whether he is maintaining proper body condition.

Feed Type

Not all foods have the same energy density. Therefore, we cannot directly compare the grams of one diet with those of another.

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This is one of the points we most easily forget.

Snacks and prizes also add energy. Veterinary recommendations typically place treats and foods that are not part of a complete diet at less than 10% of the daily caloric intake.

This does not mean that we have to stop rewarding our dog.

It means that we must do it taking into account their daily diet.

How do we know if we are giving too much?

Some signs that may indicate that we should check the amount of food are:

• Progressive weight gain.
• Waist loss.
• Difficulty noticing ribs.
• Underexertion
• Excess prizes.
• Feeding without controlling the quantities.

Obesity is a problem that can affect the well-being and quality of life of the dog, so controlling its weight throughout its life is important.

Every dog is different

There is no universal quantity that works for all dogs.

Feeding should be adapted to the characteristics and needs of each animal and reviewed when factors such as their age, weight or activity level change.

If you have questions about how much your dog should eat or want to review their diet, at Perro Qué Menú we have a nutrition consultation service to help you find an approach adapted to their needs.

Because feeding your dog well also means knowing how much he needs.