Feeding Your Dog: Best Feeding Tips for All Stages of Their Life

If you are a first-time pet owner, you may be unsure of what to feed your dog and how to feed your dog. The truth is there are so many different types of dog foods out there but you should always look for the best food to feed your dog. These options include natural dog food, homemade dog food, food for sensitive stomachs, fresh dog food, vet-recommended dog food, and many more different options.

Some are more nutritious than others. In addition, certain dog breeds require different types of food. Today you are going to learn more about feeding your dog in the different stages of their life. This is important because puppies require different things than adult dogs and senior dogs. By following these tips and making sure your dog gets the best diet every day, you are going to help keep them healthier.

Feeding Your Puppy

If you have brought a new puppy into your home, this can be an exciting time. Puppies are so full of energy. They need to be house trained and you need to keep them healthy. It is important to know that puppies will have different growth spurts until they are an adult. They will generally stop growing between 1 to 3 years. This usually varies based on the breed of the dog. With these growth spurts, your dog is going to need more energy, which they can get through food.

This is why it is so important to feed your puppy the proper food. If you can afford to, it is best to get your puppy high-quality, nutritious, and natural food. The food that you choose to get for your puppy should have meat products listed under one of the first ingredients. It should also be free from grains, if at all possible.

Feeding Your Adult Dog

Once your dog reaches 1 year old, you will start feeding them adult dog food. Again, there are numerous options to choose from when it comes to adult dog food. There are fewer calories and less protein in adult dog food. This provides the appropriate balance that your dog needs at this stage of their life. If your dog is more active, you can give them some treats.

Generally, you would give out treats to your dog as they are performing an agility routine or completing obedience training. If your dog is pickier, you may want to mix in some wet food with their dog food to promote healthier eating.

Feeding Your Senior Dog

One senior dog is not necessarily like another. Some are still very active, while others are more tired out and lazy. Some senior dogs have more health issues than others. The type of food and amount of food you feed to your senior dog is going to vary based on their activity level and health.

For example, if your senior dog has gastric or dental health problems, you might have them eat wet food instead of dry dog food. In addition, senior dogs need a different nutrient count than adult dogs. You should buy senior dog food to make up for these differences. Senior dogs should not have an excess in treats, as they aren’t as active, and could become obese.

These are some of the tips that you should use for feeding your dog in all stages of their life. Use these tips to keep your dog healthy at all times.

How many times a day should you feed your dog?

Depending on your dog's age, you may need to feed them two to four times a day. Puppies need to be fed small meals three to four times a day while an adult dog should be fed an equal amount of food twice daily.

What is the best food to feed your dog?

Dogs are not strict carnivores, unlike cats, so you can add fresh fruits, grains, and vegetables in their diet. Although these non-meat foods are just fillers, they contain the necessary vitamins, minerals, and fiber that your dog needs. The best kind of dog food contains high-quality meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits.

Is it okay to feed your dog raw meat?

Feeding your dog raw meat can be harmful to them. Raw meat has a high risk of containing bacteria that can cause not only your dog, but also you, to be sick. Bacterias like listeria and salmonella are often present in raw meat.