As the pet care industry evolves, veterinarians learn more and more about what constitutes the most well-rounded diet for dogs. For instance, we now know that inadequate nutrition can produce health problems in dogs just the same as it can in people. We also know more than ever before about what to feed, when, and how much to meet the dietary needs of dogs in different stages of life.
In this post, learn what you need to know about feeding your dog the healthiest possible diet.
My Bowl for Dogs
Thanks to PetMD, dog owners now have a resource similar to “My Plate” for humans. The site is called “My Bowl” and it reviews the types of nutrients and quantities that should be present at each meal your dog eats.
Here is a summary of tips from My Bowl:
- 1/2 bowl. Carbohydrates should be the single largest energy source at each meal.
- 1/4 bowl. Protein should be the next largest energy source.
- 1/4 bowl. Fats and oils are important as well, although they should be present in smaller portions.
- As needed. Your vet may have recommendations for vitamin or mineral supplementation based on your dog’s age, breed, overall health, and current diet.
- Water. You should always make sure your dog has a fresh bowl of clean water.
How to Assemble the Perfect Dog Meal
Different veterinarians and dog owners have different opinions about whether it is best to feed a commercially prepared diet, a raw diet, or some combination in between. But what everyone does agree on is that dog nutrition should be balanced and varied.
Here are tips to assemble the perfect dog meal for every meal:
- Include at least 2 or 3 high quality carbohydrates, such as whole grains (barley, wheat, corn, rice, etc.) and potatoes.
- Include 1 or 2 high quality protein sources, such as lamb, chicken, beef, fish, pork, egg and soybean.
- Include 1 or 2 high quality sources of oils and fatty acids (which your dog can’t make naturally), such as fish oil, soybean oil, olive oil, or pork fat.
How to Choose Your Dog’s Portion Size Per Meal
The best way to determine the proper portion size for your dog is to talk with your family veterinarian. Your vet can help you determine your dog’s “ideal body weight” – the weight your dog functions best at – and adjust meal portions so your dog can maintain that body weight.
This is particularly important since some dog breeds tend to be more food-driven than others. If your dog seems hungry all the time, he may be truly hungry. But he may also be bored, tired or just wanting attention. If you feed your dog when he is not really hungry, he may gain weight and begin to develop health problems.
Once you know your dog’s ideal weight, activity level and calorie count per serving in his current dog food, you can also use this Dog Food Calculator to figure out how much to feed per meal.
Feeding Puppies, Adult Dogs, and Senior Dogs
Dogs, like people, often require more or less of some nutrients and energy sources at different stages of life. Puppies, for instance, will need more protein and more calories since they are growing rapidly.
Adult dogs should be fed by their activity level and size. A sedentary lap dog won’t burn as many calories between meals as an active working dog, so portions should be adjusted accordingly.
Senior dogs (typically, a dog aged between 5 and 7 years, depending on breed) face special health challenges and often need more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids to replenish natural supply.
Why Dogs Shouldn’t Eat “People Food” Regularly
As mentioned here, an ideal dog diet is different than an ideal people diet. While it can be fun to feed your dog treats or table food on special occasions, for the most part, a dog’s diet should stay close to the meals outlined in My Bowl (see above).
Dogs can also have bad reactions to certain “people” foods such as the foods as listed here.
You can feed treats between meals, but try to strike a good balance between offering treats and other types of rewards such as pats or play sessions. Choosing low-calorie treats like apple slices or baby carrots will give your dog extra nutrients without expanding his waistline.
By paying close attention to what your dog eats at each meal, portion sizes, and what type of treats and rewards you offer, your dog will stay healthier and you will be able to enjoy his company for many wonderful years together.