A fundamental question for every dog owner is: How often, how much, and at what times should I feed my dog? While these questions may seem easy to answer at first glance, there are a few basic rules to follow. Here's what experts recommend.
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How much should I feed my dog?
The amount of food depends, on the one hand, on the dog's energy needs . This depends largely on the dog's breed, weight, activity level, daily routine, and general constitution. Puppies, sporting dogs, and breeding bitches, for example, have different energy needs than family dogs.
On the other hand, the amount depends on the composition of the feed and, above all, the resulting energy content of the feed.
Manufacturers of complete pet foods provide recommended feeding amounts for each food on the packaging or online. These describe how much food an average dog needs to meet its energy needs. Sometimes, special feeding recommendations are given for groups with particularly high energy needs—such as puppies and young dogs, pregnant bitches, or sporting dogs—to meet these energy needs. Alternatively, there are special foods with increased energy content for these groups, which also provide feeding recommendations.
However, the "right" amount of food ultimately depends on everyday life rather than meticulously adhering to the manufacturer's feeding recommendations. A look at your dog's weight and condition will tell you whether you should feed a little more or a little less in a given week.
How often should I feed my dog?
The frequency of feeding depends on the dog's daily routine, its constitution, and its age. A dog can generally be fed once, twice, or even three times a day. Puppies should be fed four to six times up to six months old , as their stomachs can initially only process small amounts.
The stomach of an adult dog is very expandable, so feeding once a day is theoretically possible. However, to reduce stress on the stomach and facilitate faster utilization of nutrients , splitting the meal into two or three feedings is strongly recommended. Smaller amounts of food are more quickly penetrated by stomach acid, reducing the likelihood of fermentation and thus gas in the stomach. The risk of dangerous gastric torsion is also reduced.
Especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs, working dogs, breeding bitches, puppies and young dogs who require a larger amount of food and energy, it is essential to divide the food into two to three meals .
Uncontrolled feeding: self-service feeding
A common practice is to constantly fill the dog bowl and leave the frequency and amount of food to the dog. We call this self-feeding . This is unproblematic as long as the dog eats small amounts throughout the day, according to its own needs. However, if the dog fails to exhibit this natural regulation and appears to be "constantly hungry," this method is not recommended. If the bowl is constantly refilled, critical and uncontrolled overfeeding often occurs. The result is an increased risk of obesity and associated diseases such as cardiovascular disorders.
Self-feeding is strongly discouraged, especially for older dogs with lower energy requirements. When self-feeding, it is also important to ensure that the daily food amounts provided are based on the manufacturer's recommendations and do not excessively exceed them.
At what times should I feed my dog?
After eating, a relaxed period should be allowed, and no walks, exercise, or play should be allowed. The dog needs one to three hours of rest after eating to digest its food. Activity, exertion, or stress immediately after eating disrupts digestive activity and increases the risk of intolerance reactions and the dangerous gastric torsion . Therefore, feeding should be scheduled so that the dog has sufficient time to rest afterward.
To prevent your furry friend from constantly lurking in the kitchen, establish fixed feeding times . This way, your dog never knows exactly when it's being fed, but has a consistent daily routine. The dog's body gets used to the approximate feeding times, leading to regular and healthy digestion . For example, working people can feed their dog in the morning before work and in the afternoon after a walk. It's by no means necessary to feed at exactly the same time every day. However, it's important to ensure your dog has the opportunity to relieve itself a few hours after eating.
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