Recently, pet owners are paying a lot more attention to what they're feeding their dogs. But with so many different dog food choices on the market, both online and at your local pet store, it can be challenging to know what really makes a dog food healthy and well-balanced.

One of the easiest ways to keep your pet healthy is to provide the appropriate quantity of a nutritious food. Overfeeding can set the stage for weight problems, while too little might mean they're not getting all the essential nutrients they need.

If you're asking yourself “How much should I feed my dog?”, this article will cover everything you need to know! Our dog feeding guide is designed to help you find the right answer.

What Makes a Dog Food Healthy and Balanced?

A good dog food needs protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Water is also super important every day. This might sound simple when you list the basic parts, but knowing how each nutrient is used in your dog's body, how it all works, and how much of each thing your dog needs at different ages is actually pretty complicated.

- Protein & Amino Acids:

Dogs need protein in their food to survive, as protein gives them 10 important building blocks called amino acids that their bodies can't make on their own. These essential amino acids help build many important biologically active compounds and proteins in their bodies, as well as providing energy. 

Good-quality proteins have a good mix of all the essential amino acids, which is important because studies show that dogs can tell if their food is missing even one amino acid and will avoid eating it.

Dogs often pick foods that are high in protein. We don't know if this is just because they like the taste or if it's because they know they need those 10 essential amino acids. But, dogs can live on a vegetarian diet as long as it has enough protein and added vitamin D.

- Fats & Fatty Acids: 

Food fats, which mostly come from animal fats and plant oils, give dogs the most energy. They also provide essential fatty acids, which their bodies can't make, and help carry important vitamins that dissolve in fat. Fatty acids are important for how cells are built and how they work. Plus, fats usually make dog food taste better.

Essential fatty acids are needed for healthy skin and coat. Puppies that don't get enough fat can develop dry, rough hair and skin problems that can easily get infected. Not enough Omega-3 fatty acids can cause vision problems and make it harder for them to learn, and let's not forget another group of fatty acids, called omega-6, which are also important for their bodies to function properly.

-  Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds that do a lot in the body, dogs need them in their food, even in small amounts. Vitamin problems were first seen in dogs about 75 years ago, and not getting enough vitamins can cause different health issues.

For example, not getting enough vitamin A can cause problems with movement and vision, breathing difficulties, skin problems, and make them more likely to get infections. Dogs that don't get enough vitamin E can have muscle problems, trouble reproducing, and eye damage. 

Not enough thiamin can damage the brain and cause other nerve problems, and can even damage the heart and cause death if it lasts a long time. Some vitamins, like vitamin D, are good in small amounts but can be toxic if they get too much.

- Minerals

Dogs need 12 essential minerals, including calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth, and magnesium, potassium, and sodium for nerve function, muscle movement, and cell communication. Some minerals, like selenium, copper, and molybdenum, are only needed in tiny amounts but help with important chemical reactions in the body.

Dogs can get too much or too little of certain minerals. For example, not enough calcium can cause a condition that leads to bone loss, skeletal problems, and broken bones. Too much calcium can also cause bone problems, especially in growing puppies of large breeds.

What Affects How Much Food Your Dog Needs?

Many factors affect how much you should feed your dog:

• The Food Itself: Some dog foods have a lot of calories and nutrients concentrated in a small amount, so a little goes a long way.
• Age: Puppies need more energy (calories), protein, and certain vitamins and nutrients than adult dogs.
• Size: Bigger dogs need more food than smaller ones.
• Body Condition: Overweight dogs should eat fewer calories than dogs at a healthy weight, while dogs that need to gain weight should eat more.
• Reproductive Status: Neutered male dogs and spayed female dogs need fewer calories than dogs that haven't been spayed or neutered. Pregnant or nursing dogs need more food to support themselves and their puppies.
• Activity Level: Some dogs simply burn more energy each day, whether it's because of their personality, their job, or their owner's lifestyle. Dogs with active jobs, like farm dogs, police dogs, or search and rescue dogs, often need food that's higher in energy..

A dog's food needs can change as they age, or if their lifestyle or health changes. It's also important to remember that every dog is different. What works for one dog might not work for another.

Estimating Your Dog's Daily Energy Needs

Dogs need a certain amount of energy to do their normal daily activities, such as walking, exercising, growing, being pregnant, and nursing puppies, all increase how much energy they need. Energy, which is usually measured in calories, comes from three main things in their food: protein, carbohydrates, and fats. 

The information below is based on a report called “Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats”, which is a technical report created by the National Research Council.

Please note that 1 Calorie = 1 kilocalorie = 1,000 calories.

The “Calorie” you see on food labels is actually a food calorie. It's equal to 1,000 scientific calories (or 1 kilocalorie). A scientific calorie is the amount of energy it takes to heat 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius.

Dog Feeding Charts

Deciding how much food your dog needs? It's a common question, and it's not always simple. The best place to start is by looking at the label on your dog's food. You'll find a feeding chart that gives recommendations for that specific food.

At Healthy Dogma, we always provide a guaranteed analysis of the nutrition in our food, so you know exactly what you're feeding your dog. You can find this information online in the product description before you buy, and it's also printed on every bag of PetMix dog food. 

This includes details on crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, moisture, and calories, as well as daily feeding guidelines. Let's look at an example! Below is the daily feeding guide for our Fish Dinner PetMix™:

• Dog's weight: up to 19 lbs: 1/4 - 3/4 cups 
• 20-39 lbs: 3/4 - 1 1/4 cups 
• 40+ lbs: 1 1/2 - 4 cups

Checking your dog's body condition is a good way to adjust their food amount. And of course, talk to your vet if you have any questions.

Feeding Your Adult Dog

Figuring out meal sizes for healthy adult dogs is usually the simplest. Since they've finished growing, their nutritional requirements tend to remain relatively stable over time, assuming there are no significant life changes.

Their weight is the primary factor to consider. When determining how much food to offer, use your dog's ideal weight. If your dog is overweight, aim for a target weight that's lower than what they currently weigh. But, if they're underweight, the target weight should be a little higher.

There's more to consider when feeding puppies…

In their early months, they need extra calories, protein, and other nutrients to help them grow. As they get closer to being fully grown, their needs become more like an adult dog's. So, you need to check both your puppy's current weight and their age to decide on the right amount of food for them.

Senior dogs, on the other hand, 

Often but not always, senior dogs need food with fewer calories than adult dogs. This helps prevent unhealthy weight gain as they become less active. Their food might also have special ingredients to support their joints or help with other health issues that are more common as they get older.

From calories to protein to feeding charts, we've covered a lot of ground. We hope this guide gives you a solid understanding of how to feed your dog properly.

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