Feeding dogs is a serious business; it’s an essential part of raising a dog for many pet owners. But how do you know what to feed your dog? Should you follow a strict diet plan or throw caution to the wind and give them whatever they want? These are questions that many dog owners have asked themselves at some point in their lives. This guide is a detailed guide for all the newbies out there, listing out all the pointers for feeding the best possible diet for one’s dog.
How much should your dog be fed?
How much you should feed your dog depends on age, size and activity level. For the newbies owning pets, it is advisable to opt for royal canin dog food to give a dog the right amount of food.
If you want your dog to maintain weight and health, feed them enough so that he keeps his ideal body condition—a good way of doing this is by comparing him with other similar dogs at his height and breed size.
Dog’s calorie requirements
Calories, or kilocalories (kcal), measure the energy in food. This may sound technical, but it’s not complicated once you understand these terms. Calories are an important part of the dog’s diet. The calorie intake of a dog depends on his age and size. Young dogs should be fed calorie-rich food to foster growth and development.
Canine food pyramid
The royal canin dog food pyramid guides what a dog should eat. It has five levels, the first three being the most important. The first level comprises protein and fat, making up at least 50% of your dog’s diet. The second level includes carbohydrates, which should make up 30-40% of your dog’s diet. The third level in this pyramid is fat, which comprises 5-10%. As they say, fats should determine the balanced diet’s effectiveness. Dogs need to consume a good amount of good fats rather than bad fats. Nutrition can be determined by the energy they receive from ingredients like bones.
How to tell if your dog is at a healthy weight
If you need to find out whether your dog is at a healthy weight, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian. The vet can examine the dog and tell you whether they think they are underweight or overweight.
If your vet determines that your dog is overweight, they’ll recommend ways for you to help them lose weight safely. If he finds that your dog is underweight, he’ll advise feeding them more food and a balanced diet so they can complete it satisfactorily. The diet for underweight dogs has higher amounts of fat and carbohydrates than regular diets.
It is hoped you have learned more about the importance of feeding your dog. This can be a confusing topic, especially if you are unsure what type of food or how much to feed them.
Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into how much food should be consumed by each breed so that when it is time to purchase groceries, there will be clarity about which pet food to buy for your dog.
