How Much Food Should A Dog Eat Per Day
One of the aspects that most worries pet caregivers is that they have an appropriate diet, since it goes beyond supplying nutrients. It also has to do with the correct portions and how often they should be fed, so we leave you with a bit of information on how much food a dog should eat per day.
The first thing to keep in mind when it comes to feeding a dog per day is that this will depend on a number of very varied factors, such as the animal’s age, weight, breed, size and amount of exercise performed by the pet.
You must also be very aware of controlling the weight of your little friend, once you start him on some regimen, this way you will know if you are overfeeding him or you are doing it in a deficient way.
Puppy feeding
Feeding a puppy is very important for its growth and development. Weaning time varies greatly according to the opinion of different experts, ranging between 4 and 8 weeks of age. During the lactation period, the puppy will spend his day sleeping and in the moments when he is awake, feeding.
Once breastfeeding has passed, you can start giving your puppy soft food, this should be gradually replaced as the puppy gets used to it. From weaning to six months of age, he will need to feed six times a day. Try to supply specialized puppy food, which has a specific nutritional source for this stage and that adult food does not have. When the six months have passed, you can feed it three to four times a day.
Feeding in adult dogs
Once your dog has reached adulthood, you can reduce his rations, which should be 2 a day. In addition to replacing puppy food with food for adult dogs. However, you must be absolutely sure that your dog has completed its development and will not continue to grow. This can be a bit misleading, as dogs mature at different rates depending on their breed. They will also need more or less servings, depending on their breed. For example, Boxers have one of the longest childhoods among dogs and because they are very energetic, they need to be fed three times a day.
Likewise, an important factor at this point is the type of food your pet consumes, so it is best to know exactly how many times a day to feed your dog, it is best to consult your veterinarian.
There is a myth that dogs should be fed according to their weight, but this is not entirely true, although weight is a starting point, variables such as age or if the dog is overweight must be taken into account. The best thing you can do after consulting with the vet is to carry out a weekly check-up and know the ideal weight of your dog according to the standard of his breed, so you will know if you should reduce or increase portions.
Recommendations on how much food a dog should eat per day
- Dogs must have a meal schedule and it must be fully adhered to. This is done to avoid diseases such as reflux or so that your dog does not develop disorders with food. So we suggest serving your food and lifting the plate after 15 minutes. In this way the dog will learn that it will not be able to feed at any time and will adjust to the schedule.
- Treats should be given in the least amount possible, and they should not be too large. In this way you will prevent your dog from developing disorders in his schedules or end up rejecting the food that you provide him.
- Older dogs should be fed twice a day, but you should replace their food with one for this age range, preferably a soft one.
- If you notice that your dog has stopped eating, try changing the food, if he resists take him to the vet, this is sometimes a sign that something is happening with his body and he cannot tell you.