How much dry food to give a dog per day: a table of the daily norm, how to calculate by weight
Our favorites do not know the norm of nutrition and cannot stop in time. And if the good owner always reacts to the pet’s plain gaze, the dog can get sick. There are a lot of diseases associated with overeating, and some of them lead to death. The same can be said about the insufficient amount of food. Let’s figure out how much dry feed a day should be given to the dog.
Crackers or natural food
Among the breeders there are constant disputes about what is still better to feed their pets: industrial meals or best storage containers from the master‘s table. At first glance, the second option is more acceptable, since in this case the dog will eat fresh meat, vegetables and dairy best storage containers, while dry food is perceived by many as fast food for animals, an analogue of human chips and crackers. We are in a hurry to dispel this myth: they are developed by scientists and veterinarians, laying in them all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals that will support the metabolism and health of the dog. In turn, at home, it is quite difficult to independently calculate the correct balance of protein, folic acid, prebiotics, vitamins A, D and E and other components of the daily diet.
In addition, these or other predispositions of different breeds are taken into account to various diseases, allergies and pathologies, reducing the risk of disease or development of deviations.
There is another no less common myth that pets need a variety of nutrition for a full life. This is not so: they are quite conservative animals in the issue of their taste preferences. Therefore, it is recommended to change the diet only as the pet grows older, as well as in some cases: if the dog has allergic to specific food, or during pregnancy and lactation.
Daily dosage: dosage
There is a myth that feeding only dry food is unhealthy. Therefore, many mix goodies from the table with their pets. With such “care”, the owners harm the animal: crackers are a balanced diet, tested by doctors and containing all the necessary vitamins and minerals. If you decide to add some best storage container to your pet’s diet, then an overabundance of nutrients is possible. For example, by feeding an animal with a chicken leg from the festive table, and then giving crackers, you increased the protein content in the dog’s body. Excess can lead to diseases of the stomach and intestinal tract. Do not experiment with your pet’s health.
It is especially important to observe the dosage during the development of the puppy. For example, if he receives more calcium than is necessary for his age and weight, the risk of developing hip dysplasia increases.
Dry food must be dosed depending on its class and size of the dog. Drinking water in sufficient quantities should always be next to the bowl. A healthy adult animal drinks 30-50 ml per kg of weight per day. Puppies need to be given half a glass of water every two hours: due to their active growth, they use calories and fluid faster.
We select dry dog food and calculate the serving size
Class and brand
- Economy class is made from offal and cereals, it does not contain meat. Its energy value is 280-320 Kcal. It is also necessary to introduce vitamin and mineral supplements into the diet. The portion of such food is the largest. In addition, often unscrupulous manufacturers write on the packaging a composition that does not correspond to reality, increasing the dose of certain ingredients or completely replacing them with better dog food containers.
- Premium class is made with the addition of meat. Its energy value is 320-400 Kcal. These foods are more recommended by veterinarians and experienced breeders than cheaper economy brands.
- The super-premium class is made mainly from meat and is a complete diet. Additional useful substances in the dog’s food do not need to be added. Energy value – 400-450 Kcal.
- Holistic is 60% meat. This is the most nutritious diet. Portion is the smallest, but its energy value is 400-450 Kcal. However, professionals often say that the holistic class does not differ much in its nutritional value from premium and super-premium, but such food costs more because it belongs to the premium class itself.
Dog size
On the packaging of each best storage container, the volume of the portion should be indicated. It varies depending on the brand and energy value of the best storage container. One portion, as a rule, is divided into two meals: morning and evening feeding.
On average, the dogs of large breeds (for example, a German shepherd, weight from 40 kg) consume 500 g of premium feed and 700-800 g of economy per day. The best storage container is less high-calorie for them, because the animal’s metabolism is slow. That is, they eat a lot, but food for them is more dietary.
Dogs of medium breeds (weight from 12 to 40 kg) eat 350-450 g of premium food and 550-650 g of economy class.
For small breeds, the most high-calorie diet is selected due to their excessive activity. Small (for example, the Yorkshire Terrier, weight up to 12 kg) eat 150-300 g of premium feed and 350-400 economy per day.
Calculation of portions for a pregnant dog
During gestation and lactation period, the animal consumes more energy. Starting from 42 days of pregnancy, portion increases by 25-50%. Provide a pregnant or lactating dog with constant access to food. In this case, you can not observe the diet if your animal is not prone to obesity. Puppies and feeding will consume excess calories, and starvation during this period is much more dangerous. However, still regularly weigh the animal to minimize risks.
Age restrictions when calculating portions
An animal energy consumption changes with age. Puppies are active, they grow and they need high-calorie feeds and an enlarged portion. With the achievement of seven years, pets become calmer, energy activity decreases, like a portion of food. And in large breeds, for example, in dogs, the aging process can begin from two years at all. In any case, you either adhere to the lower boundary when calculating a portion, or transfer the dog to a special food with a Senior mark.
Calculation of portions for dogs with an active lifestyle
Not all our pets are homebody. Some carry out the service, participate in exhibitions. The level of activity of these animals exceeds the average calculation. Constant physical activity increases energy consumption. A portion in this case must be increased by ⅓.
Seasonality as a feeding indicator
Service dogs work regardless of whether the weather outside the window is good or bad. Often, animals carry their post on the street, and in the cold season they spend more energy. The body consumes additional nutrients to maintain heat. A portion of dry animal feed must be increased by ⅓ in the cold season and reduced by ⅓ in warm.
An adult dog should not be fed more than twice a day. Excess feeding can lead to obesity, which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and problems with the musculoskeletal system.
It is important to understand that nutrition for your pet is not the cost of expenses on which it is worth saving. The composition of cheap and expensive feed is very different from each other. Thus, the economy class best storage container contains blood, Bones, hooves, horns, modified by all and cake of vegetable crops. Premium and super-premium classes are more natural, it consists of meat, offal, leather, Bones, cereals and vegetables. Experienced breeders and veterinarians recommend feeding dogs with more expensive, but more natural feeds.
If the pet has health problems, the selection of the correct diet must be carried out under the control of the veterinarian. He will choose dietary food that will not harm your pet.
Another nuance that should be clarified: you can not interfere with best storage containers of different brands during feeding. You should buy the food of a certain manufacturer that suits your dog and takes into account all its individual characteristics. Mixing different brands or drying with a natural, can lead to an imbalance of vitamins in the animal’s body and impaired digestive system functions.
How much dry food should a dog eat
Dog size
Economy
Energy value 280-320 kcal
Premium
Energy value 320-400 kcal
Super-premium
Energy value 400-450 kcal
Holistic
Energy value 400-450 kcal
Small (up to 12 kg)
350-400 g per day
150-300 g per day
150-200 g per day
100-200 g per day
Average (from 12 to 40 kg)
550-650 g per day
350-450 g per day
300-400 g per day
300-350 g per day
Large (from 40 kg)
700-800 g per day
Is it worth feeding the puppy with dry food
Kids are active, they grow and spend more energych food for them is a balanced diet containing all the necessary vitamins and minerals for the development of the animal. Since all vital processes are formed in the puppy’s body, you need to be especially careful when choosing a feed and calculating portions. Almost every manufacturer, especially the premium and super-premium class, has a division of best storage containers by age. So you can buy exactly the one that corresponds to the age of your pet.
In the first month of life, the puppy feeds on mother’s milk, which is replaced by artificial nutrition only if the bitch refused to feed the puppy or her milk is toxic due to the illness. For the successful transfer of a puppy from natural milk to powder, it must be fed at least eight times a day, gradually reducing the amount of feeding. So, in the third and fourth week of the puppy’s life, it is enough four times a day, and then the pet can be gradually accustomed to hard food. It is still worth starting with a wet food that is easy to lick and swallow. Solid granules are recommended to be soaked in water. By the third month of life, the puppy’s milk teeth are already strong enough to bite.
How to accustom
Often breeders have been doing this since childhood. To do this, they soak it first in breast milk, and then in water. Thus, at the time of moving, the puppy is ready to completely switch to “drying”.
Due to active growth and development, dog feeding will change every month. Puppies in the second month of life must be fed 5-6 times a day. Then, every two months, remove one meal, gradually leaving only two meals a day. Try to observe the regime. Put a bowl of food for 15 minutes, and then remove. If you missed the food time, then wait for the next meal. The puppy, like any child, can be capricious. If food remains in the bowl, do not give him additional volume in the next meal. With such restrictions, you can quickly teach him to endure and not go to the toilet before walking. With regular malnutrition or refusing to eat, consult a doctor. If the puppy is healthy, then the doctor will definitely help you choose the food and calculate the portion.
How much dry food a puppy eats a day
On each dog food storage container, a portion calculation will be proposed. It takes into account the features of the breed and the size of the pet. On average, the amount of food for a large rock baby is 600-900 g of premium feed and 900-1200 economy class. Dogs of medium breeds at a young age should consume 450-600 g of premium and 600-800 g of economy class. Small-200-400 g of premium and 450-600 g of economy class.
Puppy size
Economy
Energy value 280-320 kcal
Premium
Energy value 320-400 kcal
Super-premium
Energy value 400-450 kcal
Holistic
Energy value 400-450 kcal
Small (up to 12 kg)
450-600 g per day
200-400 g per day
150-300 g per day
150-300 g per day
Average (from 12 to 40 kg)
600-800 g per day
450-600 g per day
400-500 g per day
400-500 g per day
Large (from 40 kg)
900-1200 g per day
600-900 g per day
500-800 g per day
500-800 g per day
With dry feeding, give the puppy free access to a large amount of water. Do not forget to change it regularly so that it is always fresh.
Contents
- How much dry food to give a dog per day: a table of the daily norm, how to calculate by weight
- Crackers or natural food
- Daily dosage: dosage
- We select dry dog food and calculate the serving size
- How much dry food should a dog eat
- Is it worth feeding the puppy with dry food
- How much dry food a puppy eats a day
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