How much should I feed my dog?

In 2018, an estimated 56% of dogs in the United States were overweight or obese, according to a survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). “The majority of pet owners are overwhelmed with pet food choices and conflicting dietary advice and desperately want help and nutritional recommendations from veterinarians.” states APOP President, veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward.

Balancing the dog feed is a crucial situation for pet guardians because it is essential for the long and incredible life of pets. Unbalanced dog food may lead to potential issues like joint inflammation, heart diseases, depression, low stamina and high blood pressure.

There is no such thing as a universal dog feed guide. Dog feed depends on a number of factors such as dog activity time, weight, size and age. Some dogs are allergic to some of the components/ingredients so it’s important for a pet guardian to keep that in check as well.

How many times should I feed my dog?

It’s better to feed your dog at least 2 times a day. Once in the morning and again in the evening or at night. But if you like to feed your dog in portions; that’s also fine. You can divide the dog food and feed it 3-4 times a day. 

Your dog diet may vary if:

• The dog is pregnant.
• Recovering from any kind of illness/surgery/infection.
• Growing up and having increased the level of activity.
• Changing weather also sometimes affects the activity.

Do dog treats are equivalent to a one-time full meal diet?

Sorry to break the myth for you but many people think that if you feed your dog treats that is equivalent to a full meal which is not true. Veterinarians suggest that Dog treats should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet. You can use the dog treats as prizes or rewards while training your dog. But it’s important to check the ingredients that a dog treat contains. Make sure that your dog isn’t allergic to any of the ingredients, if so, look for a different option.

Lastly, ensure that water is easily accessible for your dog not just during meal times but throughout the day. Water intake is very essential for dogs. So make sure that their water bowl is always around and full so they can easily find and drink water whenever they want