Finding the right balance of kibble and wet food for your dog can seem like a bit of a puzzle. But it's important to remember that every dog is unique, and the best feeding regimen is one that keeps your pet healthy, active, and satisfied. Here are a few guidelines to help you answer the often-asked question: "How much and how often should I feed my dog?"
Understanding Your Dog's Body Condition
Before you can decide how much to feed your dog, you need to understand their current body condition. To do this, use a body score chart to check if your dog is average, overweight, or underweight. This will help you determine if they need to gain, lose, or maintain their weight. Weigh your dog and keep track of the number to monitor any weight changes1.
Reading the Feeding Guidelines
Whether you feed your dog primarily dry food or a combination of dry and wet food, it's essential to read the feeding guidelines on the package. These guidelines are based on your dog's weight, age, and activity level. For a mixed diet, remember to account for the calories in both kibble and wet food, since wet food is not as calorically dense as kibble due to its moisture content2.
The feeding guidelines on the food package are reported in daily amounts. Once you've found the daily recommended quantities for your dog for each type of food, you can calculate how much of each to feed3.
For instance, if you have a 30 lb reasonably active adult dog and you want to feed them a combination of kibble and wet food, you can follow this example:
- If you want to feed 50% kibble, 50% wet, use the feeding guidelines for each and provide half as much daily. In this example, you would feed ¾ cup of dry and 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 cartons of wet per day.
- If you want to feed 75% kibble, 25% wet, use the feeding guidelines for each and calculate how much 75% would be for providing dry and 25% of the feeding guidelines for the wet food4.
Adjust these amounts over time to maintain your dog's ideal body weight. For better accuracy, it's recommended to weigh your pet's food.
Don't Forget About Treats
Treats can add extra calories to your dog's diet, so they should never make up more than 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. It's also important to remember that just like humans, a dog's weight and body condition can fluctuate due to factors like activity level, climate, and age. Paying attention to the feeding guidelines is a great place to start, but keep an eye on your dog's body condition and adjust their food intake as needed5.
Finding the right balance of kibble and wet food for your dog doesn't have to be a daunting task. At PetMax.ca, we provide a variety of both wet and dry dog food from top brands to help you provide a balanced and nutritious diet for your pet. Remember, the key is to observe and adjust according to your dog's individual needs. With a little patience and observation, you can ensure your furry friend gets the nutrition they need to thrive.
It's an Ongoing Balancing Act
Feeding your dog is an ongoing balancing act that requires attention and adjustments as needed. Factors such as your dog's activity level, climate, and age can cause fluctuations in their weight and body condition. Keep a close eye on these factors and adjust your dog's feeding accordingly.
At PetMax, we offer a wide range of high-quality kibble and wet food options to cater to the dietary needs of your furry friend. Remember, paying attention to feeding guidelines and your dog's body condition will give you a good starting point for creating a balanced diet for your pet.
Keep in mind that the information provided in this blog post should serve as a guide and is not a replacement for professional veterinary advice. Always consult with your vet when making changes to your dog's diet.
We hope this post helps you feel more confident about feeding your dog a balanced diet.
