Ensuring your dog has a regular feeding routine is crucial for their wellbeing and contentment. Nonetheless, with conflicting recommendations, it can be difficult to determine the best feeding schedule for your furry friend.
How to Create a Feeding Schedule for Dogs
Designing a perfect feeding timetable for your pet requires a lot of consideration. However, answering a few uncomplicated queries will aid in the formation of a timetable that essentially emerges from your responses.
We will discuss some of the questions that should be taken into account when planning your dog’s meals.
How much food does your dog need each day?
When establishing a dog feeding schedule, the initial consideration should be the daily quantity of food your dog requires. After calculating this quantity in terms of cups or calories, you may split it into two or three portions, depending on the frequency of meals you intend to provide.
Feeding your dog the appropriate amount of food each day relies on various factors such as your dog’s breed, age, and lifestyle. To determine your dog’s precise daily food intake, it’s recommended to consult with your veterinarian and work together to establish their specific nutritional requirements.
That said, a reliable formula given by veterinarians can help you estimate a ballpark figure. Additionally, you may refer to a weight-specific calorie chart from a reputable source such as WSAVA.
Feeding recommendations for your dog are often printed on the labels of dog food by manufacturers, providing you with a rough estimate of how much food your furry friend should consume.
Keep in mind that your pet’s treats and snacks, including the small pieces of pizza crust that you feel compelled to share with him, are included in his total calorie intake for the day.
How many times a day should your dog eat?
Once you have determined the amount of food that is appropriate for your dog on a daily basis, the next step is to determine the frequency at which you should feed him.
Adult dogs generally require feeding twice a day, with a gap of 8 to 12 hours between meals. Nevertheless, feeding your adult canine thrice a day is acceptable as per your preference (this may aid dogs who consume their food hastily).
However, puppies require frequent feeding, around 3 times daily, due to their faster calorie burn rate. Dividing their meals into small portions can aid in reducing the occurrence of bilious vomiting syndrome, canine bloat, and other digestive disorders.
Like adult dogs, senior pups can be given two meals a day. However, it’s important to be aware that older dogs require specific nutrition. Therefore, it is advisable to choose high-quality food specially formulated for senior dogs. Additionally, older dogs may have discerning taste buds, so you may want to consider adding a palatable dog food topper to their diet.
What time of day should your dog eat?
Now that you are aware of the required amount of calories your dog needs daily, and you have decided on the frequency of meals per day, you can proceed to determine the precise meal times.
Basically, you should give your dog food in the morning and later on in the day, either in the afternoon or evening. Puppies also require a meal around noon.
As an illustration, you can set the timing for “breakfast” at 8:00 AM and for “dinner” at approximately 6:00 PM (in case you own a young dog, “lunch” would be necessary at 1:00 PM).
If you maintain consistency, you can arrange your dog’s meal schedule to fit in with your family’s routine.
While it’s easy to establish regular feeding times during the work week, it’s important to take into account how your dog’s feeding schedule aligns with your usual weekend routine. If you tend to sleep longer on weekends, it may be best to skip a 6:00 AM breakfast.
Additionally, consider unique experiences such as holidays.
Where should you feed your dog?
Although our main concern is the timing of your dog’s meals, it’s also crucial to take into account the location where you should place the food bowl.
As long as it is a dry and clean area that your canine can reach effortlessly, you can choose any spot you want. While most people prefer the kitchen floor, some owners find laundry rooms, dining areas, or outdoor porches to be more suitable for feeding their pets.
However, be sure not to position his feeding spot in close proximity to the dining table or cooking area to prevent your pup from gazing at you expectantly during your steak dinner while he is only having kibble.
In some cases, it might be wise to have your dog’s food and water station near his crate or bedding area which can help create a positive association with your dog’s den .
Ensure that the spot you choose is readily accessible to your dog and effortless to keep clean.
Additional Dog Feeding Tips
During your dog’s mealtime, remember these extra feeding suggestions:
- Always measure the amount of food given. It’s essential to measure out your dog’s food to ensure that he’s getting the appropriate number of calories. This can help prevent obesity and give you the confidence that your dog has had enough even when he gives you those irresistible puppy eyes. Just pick up a measuring cup and store it with your dog’s food to make things easier.
- Factor in treats and people food. Your dog’s treats and any dog-safe people food should be factored into your dog’s daily calorie calculation.
- Clean dishes regularly. Make a habit of cleaning your dog’s dishes at least once a day, if not after every use. Most food and water bowls (including stainless steel dog bowls ) are safe to throw in the dishwasher, so this isn’t a big chore or anything. Also, be sure to toss out any uneaten food after it’s been sitting out for an hour or so.
- Use a good dog food storage container . Keep Fido’s food fresh by using an airtight container (don’t forget wet food leftovers must be refrigerated). This will help keep your canine’s kibbles tasty and free of bacteria and pests.
- Consider using a puzzle feeder. If your dog wolfs down his meals without abandon, it’s worth considering a puzzle feeder . These tools can help slow down Spot’s eating and engage his brain simultaneously.
BONUS: Should You Feed a Homemade Diet?
As the news about recalls and updates on commercial dog foods keeps changing, a growing number of dog owners are choosing to make their own dog food at home. Although dogs enjoy homemade food, preparing food for them is different from cooking for yourself or your human family. It is crucial to adhere to specific guidelines to ensure the health of your dog.
The popularity of homemade diets is increasing due to the assurance of being able to have control over the ingredients and eliminate any concerns relating to dog food recalls. Furthermore, similar to their own dietary choices, many individuals aspire to have their dogs consume healthier food. As a result, homemade diets are preferred by some as they comprise of whole food ingredients which are typically regarded as more beneficial than commercially processed dog food.
Before transitioning your dog to a homemade diet, it is important to take certain factors into consideration as not everyone may find home cooking dog food suitable.
- Be sure to find a dog food recipe that is complete and balanced. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to feed an incomplete or imbalanced diet to your dog.
- It takes time to measure ingredients and prepare the food correctly. Be sure you have a schedule that allows enough time to properly make your dog’s food on a regular basis.
- Make sure you can afford the ingredients to make your own dog food. Homemade food is typically less expensive than commercially prepared fresh or raw dog food, but it usually costs a little more than kibble.
- If you have a picky dog, you may need to source multiple recipes so you can change the diet periodically and keep your dog interested.
Proper Nutrition for Dogs
In order for dogs to thrive, their nutritional needs must be met just like humans. However, their nutritional requirements are not the same as ours and it is not advised to share our meals with them. Neglecting to provide a complete and balanced diet may result in dogs experiencing deficiencies in vitamins and nutrients.
To satisfy their energy needs, dogs require an adequate amount of calories that correspond to their activity level and stage of life. Consult your vet to ascertain the precise daily caloric requirement of your dog.
For a dog’s diet that is made at home, it is important to have the right combination of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat. Additionally, the food must have the necessary vitamins and minerals to make sure that it is complete and balanced.
- At least 10% protein , such as chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef
- Up to 50% carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta , and potatoes (also provides some fiber)
- About 2.5-4.5% fiber , which can come from vegetables like peas, green beans, and carrots
- At least 5.5% fat , usually in the form of vegetable oil
- Vitamin and mineral supplements (dog-specific; can be purchased from a reputable company like BalanceIT.com )
The initial step towards cooking food for your dog is to consult your veterinarian. Your vet might provide you with recipe suggestions or might refer you to a veterinary nutritionist or a canine nutrition-focused vet.
What to Watch for When Feeding Homemade Dog Food
When transitioning your dog to homemade food, it is crucial to closely observe your dog’s behavior. Inform your vet immediately about any positive or negative changes you notice. To achieve optimal outcomes, regularly track your dog’s weight and physical condition. Take your dog’s weight at least once a week and notify your vet if you detect unexpected weight fluctuations. Be aware of vomiting or diarrhea, which may indicate an ingredient sensitivity, and promptly notify your vet of any signs of illness or discomfort.
How to Prepare Homemade Food for Dogs
It is crucial to use a full and balanced recipe when making your dog’s diet at home. Once you and your veterinarian have selected a suitable recipe, it is time to begin.
- Before you begin, it’s best if you have ready a food scale, food processor, pots and pans, and containers or bags for portioning the food.
- Purchase fresh, high-quality ingredients that are not canned, seasoned, or heavily processed.
- Set yourself up in a clean area of the kitchen that is free of foods that may be harmful to your dog .
- Measure out the ingredients. Use a food scale if possible for accuracy.
- Cook ingredients as directed on the recipe
- Mix food and supplements together well (ideally, use a food processor to blend ingredients).
- Place food in containers and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
- In general, refrigerated food will stay fresh for three to four days. Frozen dog food is best within about two months. Avoid feeding homemade dog food that has been in the freezer for more than six months.
It is a common practice among owners to cook food in large quantities and store it in pre-measured containers in the fridge or freezer, which is an excellent way to save time and money. However, it is advisable to start with smaller amounts to assess your dog’s response to the diet.
IMPORTANT: Before making any changes to your dog’s diet, please consult with your holistic veterinarian to ensure the changes are compatible with your dog’s current health status. Weigh your dog before making diet changes. Having a baseline; tracking their weight will help you in adjusting quantities should they lose or gain too much. The amount of food a dog requires will vary based on activity level, age, and overall health status.
