Feeding your dog properly can play a crucial role in helping him stay healthy and happy. However, since deciding the right amount of food to feed your dog can be an uphill task, it is best that dog owners refer to certain scientific facts and use their discretion based on their experiences regarding this matter.
According to experts, puppies less than eight weeks old should always stay with their mother. Puppies that are orphaned or leave their mother sooner are deprived of their mother’s milk and are more prone to illness. To feed a puppy, it is advised to feed him food that contributes to about 5% of his body weight. However, though this is only the preferred average, taking into account the size of the puppy is also important when deciding the proper amount of food for the puppy.
It is always best to feed your puppies until they feel full and satisfied. Generally, puppies can be fed until their abdomen looks a bit rounded. However, avoid overfeeding puppies as their bodies will be unable digest the food, leading to various health issues including diarrhea or stomach ache.
The serving size of the food and the number of times the meals are served in a day are important to consider when feeding an adult dog or a puppy. While an adult dog can digest large quantities of meals given to him few times a day, a puppy requires smaller portion size food at higher frequencies to remain healthy. However, as the puppy grows older, the quantity of food can be increased while the frequency can be decreased.
Old dogs usually become inactive due to age and require only a limited amount food with fewer calories and less protein to remain healthy.
Including raw food can help provide the required nutrients in your dog’s diet. However, the limit of intake should be only between 2% to 4% of their body weight. In addition, dog owners can increase or decrease the food intake of the pet after taking into account the visible effects of food on their dog’s health.