Dog feeding guide: from pup to senior
Discover the ins and outs of doggy nutrition with our vet-approved guide, in partnership with Mars Petcare. From portion control to foods to avoid, learn how to keep your pooch happy and healthy.
General dog feeding guidelines
Start with these basic feeding guidelines to gauge intake and portions. For a clearer picture of your dog's health, consider a chat with the vet or book a professional consultation.
Note: The amount of food a dog needs will depend on their breed, size and level of daily activity.
Puppy feeding guide
Because puppies are growing quickly, they have more demanding dietary and nutritional requirements than dogs at later life stages. After starting with puppy milk, you can wean pups from 7-8 weeks’ old to support their growth and development.
How much food should I feed my puppy?
Dry puppy kibble or puppy pouches can provide nutritionally complete diets so they grow big and strong, while supporting them as they learn more every day. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance on the packaging – it often depends on your dog's age and weight.
How do I calculate how much to feed my puppy?
Although a vet's assessment is always best, using a puppy feeding chart like the one below is generally a safe and effective way to make sure you’re feeding your puppy the right amount.
Nutritional needs for puppies
It’s important that every meal for puppies contains plenty of the six essential nutrients – carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, protein, water and minerals – delivered in the right proportions and ratios.
Dry dog food or wet puppy pouches can both help to support your pup's healthy growth and development.
Puppy feeding chart
Most puppy food comes with its own feeding guide that shows how much to feed a puppy for that variety of food. You should always refer to the packaging for a more accurate measure of portions based on the brand.
See how these factors can affect puppy food portions in this example feeding chart:
Transitioning to adult dog food
You can transition puppy to their adult food at around 12 months' old. It's recommended to transition to new food with a 75/25 ratio of puppy to adult dog food, then gradually increasing this ratio in favour of adult food.
Puppy feeding tips
To start, choose a food formulated for your puppy's age, size and weight at maturity. You could use the Mars Petcare guide above as a starting point.
Then, create a regular feeding schedule with at least 3 meals a day.
Make sure to follow recommended feeding guidelines on the packaging.
Always provide clean and fresh water – puppies can get thirsty with all that playtime!
Keep an eye on your puppy's weight and adjust portions accordingly.
Adult dog feeding guide
As your pup grows older, you'll also need to adjust feeding routines and portion sizes to support them with a balanced diet that suits their body condition, breed and activity levels.
Essential nutrients for adult dogs
An adult dog has different nutritional requirements from a growing puppy, but it’s still important to make sure they’re getting all six essential nutrients – carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, protein, water and minerals – from their dog food.
Adult dog feeding chart
Adult dog food feeding quantities should be adjusted based on your dog’s size and weight to avoid the risk of over or underfeeding. Guidelines vary based on the nutritional values of different food varieties, so always check the packaging.
See how food portions for adult dogs can be adjusted in this example feeding chart:
Feeding schedules for adult dogs
When dogs have grown to their expected, full adult weight, they can typically get all their necessary nutrition from a daily feeding schedule of 2 meals a day, fed roughly 12 hours apart.
Special dietary considerations
You should tailor adult food and nutrition to your dog’s activity levels for optimal health. More active dogs may benefit from nutrient-rich options to support their energy, while less active four-legged friends might be better eating a balanced, lower-calorie diet. Keep an eye on portion sizes to meet their individual needs, and always prioritise your dog’s wellbeing with a diet tailored to them. Obesity can lead to joint problems and other health issues over time.
Senior dog feeding guide
From age-related health issues to joint care, senior dogs require more dietary adjustments as they age to keep them healthy.
Changing nutritional needs for seniors
Of course, every dog is different, but there are some general nutritional needs and changes you can expect for senior dogs.
Senior dog nutrition changes:
Fewer calories required as metabolism slows
More protein to maintain muscle mass
Dietary supplements to ease joint discomfort and age-related health issues – discover supplements for your dog
Special diets for conditions including diabetes, heart disease and osteoarthritis.
Senior dog feeding chart
Use this example senior dog feeding chart to ensure your dog is getting all their nutritional requirements, based on weight and activity level:
Transitioning to senior dog food
So, when is a dog considered senior? There’s no universal age that a dog is considered senior. Every dog reaches seniority at its own pace, and regular vet check-ups will guide you through this transition, based on their breed, life expectancy and other health conditions.
The transition to senior dog food should be smooth, blending it with their current feed. Depending on their health, the vet might suggest dietary supplements. Added vitamins and antioxidants often give older dogs a boost.
Senior dog feeding tips
Feed senior dogs smaller portions and spread their usual amount of food across more meals per day.
Be cautious of overfeeding your dog. Senior dogs can be more prone to unhealthy weight gain.
Senior dogs often prefer eating in a quiet, peaceful environment, so consider moving their bowl to a different room.
If your dog is at risk of arthritis, consider raising their bowl to make it more accessible.
What can dogs eat?
Did you know? You should always be cautious with sharing your snacks with your dog. While carrots can make a crunchy treat, other foods could be harmful. Foods like garlic, onion, raisins, grapes, chocolate and avocado can be extremely toxic to dogs. Unsure about feeding your dog human food? Always consult a vet if unsure about what's suitable for your dog's diet.
Can dogs eat strawberries?
Yes. In fact, strawberries offer antioxidants and vitamin C. Make sure you remove the stalks, and cut the fruit into small pieces to prevent choking.
Can dogs eat apples?
Yes – in moderation. Just make sure to remove the seeds and core. Apples provide vitamins A and C, but the seeds contain cyanide and the core can be hard to digest for some dogs.
Can dogs eat tomatoes?
Yes, but only the ripe flesh. Avoid the stems and leaves, because they contain solanine which is toxic to animals. Feed tomatoes in moderation – the acidity could cause digestion issues.
Can dogs eat cucumbers?
Yes – in moderation. Cucumbers are low in calories and are great for keeping dogs hydrated. Just remove the seeds and cut into small pieces to prevent choking.
Feeding fussy dogs
Not all dogs are foodies – some can be surprisingly fussy about what they eat. With a few easy tricks, you can still make sure your pet gets all their key nutrition.
Recognising picky eaters
You may have a fussy dog on your hands if they turn their nose up at their food bowl but beg for treats or fancies a bite of your dinner. However, your dog consistently not eating could be a sign of something else.
Supplements and treats
Using supplements may help fussy pooches get what they need for a more balanced diet. It can be a good idea to use dog treats to hide the supplements.
Tips to encourage eating
Sometimes your dog may just need a little extra reassurance when it comes to eating. A few things you could do to aid their eating could include: giving your dog praise or petting them for finishing their food; try different food flavours to see which they prefer; maintain a consistent feeding schedule, and trying to avoid giving your dog too many treats.
Diet-related health issues
The food your dog enjoys influences their health and wellbeing greatly. Overeating can lead to obesity, one of many health concerns owners need to watch out for.
Allergies
Dogs can be allergic to common ingredients found in their dog food. Some signs that your dog has eaten something they’re allergic to may include: itchiness; hives; swelling in their face; inflamed gums; vomiting and/or diarrhoea.
Preventing obesity
Sometimes, no matter the nutritional values in the dog food you buy, over-feeding your pet and lack of activity can lead to obesity. Using interactive feed toys is a good way to help your dog move their body when eating. You can also weigh your dog’s food for more precise portion control.
Dietary solutions for common problems
Some simple ways to improve dogs' health problems include: trying hypoallergenic food; giving them easy-to-digest foods; adding dental chews, and increasing omega-3 and omega-6 intake.