How Much Should I Feed My Dog: How to Calculate the Right Amount of Dog Food for Your Pet?

One of your main responsibilities as a doggy pawrent is to make sure that your doggo gets the right amount of food. It seems pretty easy at first, but it can sometimes be a little complex. Here are some things to consider.

When you bring that new puppy home, it is so cute and loving. Then, when it comes to feeding time, you might feel like giving them just a little extra to make sure they have enough.

If you are adopting, a significant number of dogs are afflicted with food aggression. [1] This can cause your dog to overeat and gain weight, which is not good. So it is important to provide your dog with the right amount of food that provides all the calories that they require, along with the proper nutrients.

Why is It Important to Feed Your Dog the Right Amount of Food?

The main reason to feed your dog the right amount of food is to give them the best life that you can. A dog at a healthy weight can live up to two years longer and enjoy:

• Better health
• Improved mobility
• Increased energy
• More lustrous coat

Dogs, just like people, are happier and healthier when they are at the correct weight. So if you are wanting to provide your forever friend with their best life, from puppyhood to old age, it is important to keep them at the proper weight.

Calculating the Right Amount of Food

The amount that you feed your dog is based on a variety of factors, such as:

• Gender
• Spay/neuter status
• Age
• Activity level
• Current weight
• Breed’s ideal weight
• Health conditions
• Treats they get daily
• Calories per unit of their dog food

Several factors vary from dog to dog, as well as from stage to stage in your furry pal’s life. So the amount that is good for your dog today will probably change as they grow older.

Talk to Your Vet About Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs

You can use an online dog food calculator, but you are probably better off working with your vet. When you take your pooch in for their next check up, ask your vet about feeding. They will take into account your dog’s current weight, age, health condition, etc. and help you determine how much to give your furry friend every day.

Important Tips

You love your dog and it is hard to say no to those cute puppy dog eyes, but you have to remember a few things.

Measure Their Food Accurately

Use a measuring cup. It is hard to accurately measure your dog’s food if you are constantly estimating the amount, and more often than not, you will be giving them more than is good for their health.

Don’t Give in

Avoid adding just a bit more food to their bowl once they have finished. Not only will it give them more calories than they can burn, but it will also teach them that if they beg for more food, you will give it to them.

Don’t Forget Treats and Table Scraps

Include treats and table scraps with your daily total. If you give your doggo treats, make sure that they are few and small. And try to give them nutritious treats instead of treats that are just empty calories. If you can, avoid giving your furry pal table scraps. While it is easy to do, they can interfere with them getting the proper amount of nutrients from their regular food.

Happy and Healthy

So with a little care and planning, you will be giving your doggo the right amount of food that will provide them with the right number of calories and all of the micronutrients that they need for a long, happy and healthy life!

[1] Food Aggression