If we had a piece of kibble for every time we heard the question, ’How much should I feed my dog?’, well, we wouldn’t know where to put it all.

Striking a balance between over and underfeeding is crucial if your dog is to remain fit and healthy.

However, portion control can pose a real dietary dilemma for many pet parents.

We know only too well how difficult it can be resisting those big puppy dog eyes.

While feeding our pups the occasional extra bit of food won’t do too much harm, continued overfeeding can result in bloating, digestion problems and unhealthy weight gain.

At the other end of the scale, dogs who are regularly underfed will likely begin showing signs of lethargy, before eventually developing long-term health complications.

As a general rule of thumb, dogs should be fed twice a day. We recommend feeding them a bowl of complete dry food in the morning followed by another in the evening, with a complimentary wet meal.

Portion sizes will vary depending on the age, breed, activity level and general health of your four-legged friend so monitor how much they eat closely.

On the back of each Applaws pack, as well as on our website, you will find handy feeding guides to help get you started.

If you’re still not sure about the amount of food you should be serving, speak to a vet who will be able to assist in developing a meal plan.

What factors affect how much my dog should eat per day?

Breed

From Jack Russells to Great Danes, our furry friends come in a variety of shapes and sizes. And while all hungry hounds love their food, different breeds do have different nutritional needs. Naturally, larger dogs tend to have bigger appetites than their smaller counterparts, so on paper, serving them more meals, or at least increasing portion sizes, does make sense.

However, if you have a tiny terrier who’s always on the go, they could be burning through calories at a far quicker rate, therefore requiring a lot more food fuel. Unfortunately, this isn’t an exact science and so it’s vital you monitor your dog’s daily food intake. The more time you spend with your pooch, the more you’ll come to understand their eating habits. Do check their weight every few weeks as well, and keep a record of the results.

Health

Numerous medical conditions can greatly affect a dog’s appetite. Tooth or gum disease may see you having to feed them a reduced diet if eating or chewing is causing severe discomfort. Dogs with medical issues such as diabetes may require specialized feeding schedules  that would need to be established alongside professional medical advice.

If your dog has slowly started piling on the pounds and is potentially developing an obesity problem, you may want to look at tailoring their diet so it contains less calories. Never starve a dog in order to help them lose weight quickly though. Reducing your pet’s food intake by too much will mean they’re not receiving the right amount of essential nutrients they need for long and lasting health. If you’re struggling to develop a weight loss diet plan for your overweight dog, consult with your vet.

Age

Puppies should be fed little and often. This can be three to four times a day – sometimes even eight – however the amount of food a pup needs also depends on a number of factors including breed and activity levels.

When your puppy is about six months old, you should look to change scheduled feedings to twice a day until they are mature; once in the morning and once in the evening. It’s common for dogs to eat less as they get older. As their energy levels drop, so does their desire for food, but that doesn’t mean they completely lose their appetite.

Senior dogs, due to a slower metabolism, are prone to weight gain so one serving a day may be sufficient. Appetites do fluctuate, but if your dog ever stops eating completely contact you vet immediately.

 

Opting for a natural diet

While how often a dog should be eating can sometimes prove a culinary conundrum for pet parents, what they should be eating is a lot more straightforward.

We firmly believe our pets flourish on complete and well-balanced natural diets brimming with wholesome ingredients.

Carefully crafted recipes that focus on all-important vitamins and minerals instead of nasty additives are key to keeping our four-legged friends happy and healthy all the time.

Opting for a natural diet means opting for a high-quality diet comprising foods high in animal protein (for building muscle and strengthening immune systems) and ones boasting fruit and vegetables (for healthy guts and shiny coats).

No diet is complete without taste-bud tickling flavor though, which is why we created Taste Toppers.

Our mouth-watering toppers are specifically designed to be added to your dogs dry food to complement and liven up mealtimes with delicious natural ingredients.

From our Beef Bone Broth with Turmeric & Parsley Pouch to our Lamb with Zuccini, Carrot & Chickpeas in Gravy Pouch our range of recipes offer varying levels of hydration and feature a succulent selection of flavors and textures fit for the fussiest of dogs.

If you do need to change your dog’s meals for any particular reason, remember to do so gradually  and carefully to prevent any tummy trouble.

Also, when changing their diet be sure to calculate how many calories are in the new recipes you’re feeding them.