How much should I feed my dog?

A common question by new and experienced dog owners is fundamental for your pet's health; How often should you feed your dog?

Diet and nutrition is an important element to keeping your pooch a healthy member of the family for years to come.

Though there is no set rule, Veterinarians have found feeding twice a day is generally a good place to start. However, more important than feeding repetition is serving size. Portion size vary based on breed, age, and health condition, and concluding on the right quantity can be tricky.

What Affects How Often a Dog Should Eat?

Veterinarians recommend feeding a dog at least twice per day. Dogs with medical issues or dietary needs may require specialized feeding schedules or restrictions on what they eat. Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s eating habits and daily activity to make sure you are satisfying their nutritional needs and healthcare requirements. Most dog treats are high in calories and need to be counted as part of his meal.

Breed plays a large role when deciding how often to feed your dog. Typically large breed and highly active dogs, often require more feedings and more calories per day than medium and small, less active breeds. Age is also another important consideration. The caloric requirements for a two-month-old medium breed dog varies greatly compared to a two-year-old small or teacup breed.

How Much Should Puppies Eat?

Since puppies are constantly growing, they need more food than adult dogs. Puppy nutrition is imperative for developing support for future growth, as well as their bone and organ development. Puppies must have a specific amount of calcium in their diet; otherwise, they can develop metabolic bone disease or orthopedic conditions like early-onset arthritis. Teacup puppies, in particular, are prone to hypoglycemia. Puppies also go through teething and require chew treats for comfort. Big Lu bully sticks are great to help with teething and are also an excellent source of protein.

For the first few months of a puppy’s life, they will need small meals of food rich in protein throughout the day as they transition from their mother’s milk to solid food. Starting around four months, puppies can begin eating about three times a day, and after that, puppies will quickly grow, and twice-a-day feedings will become sufficient.

Feeding your pup three or four times per day makes it easier for his digestion while helping keep their energy levels consistent. However, it is important not to overfeed them, since chubby puppies are more likely to become overweight adult dogs.

Toy-breed puppies will need 4 to 6 meals per day for the first three months of their lives. Medium-breed puppies will require three meals per day, and large-breed puppies typically need 3 to 4 meals per day. Though the breed is an important consideration, metabolism and energy levels can vary by up to 30 percent. Therefore, you will need to measure meals accordingly.

Even though puppies grow quickly, it is crucial to keep caloric intake and meal sizes consistent for four to twelve months of age. Dogs use fewer calories for growth as they become older. However, protein is necessary for healthy muscles, and bully sticks are an excellent source of protein.