Dog Feeding Guide
A comprehensive guide to feeding your dog — what to feed, how much, when, and how to read dog food labels.
Contents
General feeding guidelines
Why dog food matters
Make no mistake — food is the most important factor in your dog's life. Through diet, a dog must get everything his body needs: from the energy needed to keep chasing those balls, to the incredible array of nutrients that form every tissue and keep every cellular process going. Too much or too little of any one nutrient can quickly cause upsets. From weaning right through to old age, it is diet more than any other factor that will determine the quality and the length of your dog's life.
What to feed your dog
There is no one answer. The best we can do is help you pick out foods with the best ingredients, but no food suits every dog. Different dogs do better on different diets, so choosing a food will always entail a certain amount of trial and error.
You will first need to choose which category of food you would prefer to feed: wet, dry or raw complete foods, or meat and mixer. No one category is necessarily better — each includes both good and bad examples, and the choice is really down to what suits your dog and your lifestyle.
Complete foods
Complete foods are by far the most popular choice for UK dog owners. To be "complete" they must contain every nutrient required by a dog in sufficient amounts to keep the dog healthy, meaning they can be fed alone. Complete foods can be dry, wet or raw.
Complementary foods and mixer biscuits
Complementary foods don't contain the full range of nutrients required by a dog and so must be fed alongside home-prepared foods, mixer biscuits or a complete food. Mixers are cereal-based filler biscuits that are nutritionally incomplete and must be fed alongside a wet or raw food.
Dry foods
Dry complete foods are the most popular choice in the UK, largely due to their convenience. They are made from dried and ground ingredients and can be cooked by extrusion, baking, cold pressing or air drying — each method having different effects on nutrient retention.
Wet foods
Wet foods typically have a much higher water content (70–85%) than dry foods. This can be beneficial for dogs that do not drink enough water. They tend to be more palatable than dry foods, making them a good choice for fussy eaters.
Raw foods
Raw feeding (often called BARF — Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) involves feeding dogs uncooked meat, bones and vegetables. Proponents argue that this more closely matches the natural diet of wild canids. Raw complete foods provide a convenient way to feed raw without home preparation.
How much to feed
The amount to feed depends on your dog's weight, age, activity level and the energy density of the food. Always start with the feeding guide on the product packaging — this is the most reliable guide for that specific food.
Use our reviews to compare the recommended daily amounts and costs of different foods. Remember that a more expensive food fed in smaller quantities can work out cheaper than a cheaper food fed in larger quantities.
When to feed
Most adult dogs do well on one or two meals per day. Puppies require more frequent feeding — three to four times per day up to six months, reducing to twice daily as they approach adulthood.
It is generally better to feed at consistent times each day. Avoid exercise for at least an hour after feeding, particularly with larger breeds which are prone to bloat (gastric dilation-volvulus).
Changing foods
Whenever changing your dog's food, it is important to do so gradually over seven to ten days, slowly increasing the proportion of the new food while decreasing the old. A sudden change can cause digestive upsets. See our article on changing dog foods for full guidance.
Dog food labelling
The ingredients list
By law, dog food manufacturers must list all ingredients in descending order of weight. The first ingredient is therefore present in the greatest quantity. However, ingredients are weighed before cooking, so high-moisture ingredients like fresh meat may appear higher in the list than their actual contribution to the finished product would suggest.
Watch out for vague or generic ingredient descriptions like “meat and animal derivatives” or “cereals” — these can mask lower-quality ingredients. Better-quality foods tend to name their ingredients specifically (e.g., “chicken” rather than “poultry”).
For a detailed breakdown of what common ingredients mean, see our ingredient glossary.
The typical analysis
The typical analysis shows the minimum or maximum levels of key nutrients: protein, fat, fibre, ash (minerals) and moisture. These are ‘crude’ percentages — an estimate of the total amount present, not a measure of digestibility. See our dictionary for an explanation of crude percentages.
Dog food nutrients
Protein
Protein is essential for growth, maintenance, reproduction and energy. Dogs require protein from animal sources as they cannot synthesise certain essential amino acids from plant proteins alone. Look for named meat sources (chicken, lamb, salmon etc.) rather than generic descriptions. A good quality dry food for an adult dog typically contains 25–30%+ crude protein.
Fat / oil
Fat provides energy and is essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K). It also provides essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) which are important for skin and coat health. A good quality dry food typically contains 12–20% crude fat.
Fibre
Fibre aids digestion and helps to maintain a healthy gut. Most dog foods contain 2–5% crude fibre. Foods with a higher fibre content may be beneficial for dogs prone to digestive upsets or weight gain. Beet pulp is a commonly used fibre source — it's moderately fermentable and well tolerated by most dogs.
Minerals / ash
The 'ash' content of a dog food is what remains after all organic matter has been burned away — essentially the mineral content. High ash levels can sometimes indicate the use of lower-quality ingredients. A typical ash content for a dry food is 5–8%.
Vitamins
Vitamins are essential for a wide range of bodily functions. Complete dog foods must contain all the vitamins required by dogs. Most manufacturers add a vitamin supplement to ensure that the minimum daily requirements are met, regardless of the quality of the base ingredients.
Feeding during pregnancy and nursing
During the first five weeks of pregnancy, a bitch's nutritional requirements are not significantly different from normal. From the sixth week onwards, energy requirements increase significantly and a high-quality puppy food or a food specifically formulated for pregnancy and nursing is recommended.
During nursing, energy requirements are at their highest — up to three to four times the normal maintenance level for a large litter. Fresh water must always be available. Continue feeding the puppy food until weaning is complete.
Feeding puppies
Puppies have significantly higher nutritional requirements than adult dogs — they need more protein, fat and calories per kilogram of body weight to support rapid growth and development.
Weaning to 8 weeks: Puppies should be gradually weaned from their mother's milk from around three to four weeks of age. A high-quality puppy food moistened with warm water can be introduced at this stage.
8 weeks to adulthood: Feed a complete puppy food three to four times per day up to four months, reducing to twice daily at around six months. The transition to adult food should be made gradually, usually at around 12 months for small to medium breeds and 18–24 months for large breeds.
Large-breed puppies have specific nutritional needs — in particular, they require a controlled level of calcium and phosphorus to prevent the developmental bone problems to which they are prone. Use a food specifically formulated for large-breed puppies.
Feeding adults and senior dogs
Neutered dogs
Neutering reduces a dog's energy requirements by around 30%. Without a corresponding reduction in food intake, weight gain is very likely. Reduce portion sizes after neutering and monitor body condition carefully.
Working / active dogs
Working and highly active dogs have significantly higher energy requirements than pet dogs. A food with a higher protein and fat content is appropriate. Ensure that the food provides sufficient energy without excessive bulk.
Small breeds
Small breeds typically have faster metabolisms and higher energy requirements per kilogram of body weight than large breeds. They also prefer smaller kibble sizes. Some manufacturers produce small-breed specific variants of their foods.
Large breeds
Large breeds are more prone to joint problems and bloat. Foods with controlled calcium and phosphorus levels and joint-supporting ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin can be beneficial. Avoid foods with excessively high energy density.
Senior dogs (7 years+)
As dogs age, their metabolism slows and their activity levels typically decrease. Many benefit from a lower calorie, lower phosphorus diet to reduce the workload on the kidneys. Joint-supporting ingredients become increasingly important. However, not all senior dogs need a senior food — a healthy, active older dog may do perfectly well on a good quality adult food.
Feeding fussy or greedy dogs
Fussy dogs: If your dog is a fussy eater, try warming the food slightly to enhance its aroma. Adding a small amount of a palatable food (such as a little wet food mixed with dry) can also help. Avoid the temptation to keep changing foods — this can reinforce fussy behaviour. If your dog misses a meal, remove the food and offer it again at the next meal time. A healthy dog will not starve itself.
Greedy dogs: If your dog always seems hungry, consider splitting their daily ration into more frequent smaller meals. High-fibre foods can help dogs feel more satisfied. Avoid feeding scraps or treats between meals. If your dog is genuinely overweight, switch to a lower-calorie food and increase exercise gradually.
Feeding dogs with minor health problems
Always consult your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet if they have a diagnosed health condition.
Digestive upsets
Loose stools, excessive wind or regular vomiting can often be improved by switching to a highly digestible food with a simple ingredient list. Rice or potato as the carbohydrate source and a single named meat protein are a good starting point. Avoid foods with artificial additives, high fat content or cheap cereal fillers.
Skin and coat problems
Itchy skin, scurf, dull coat or excessive moulting can have dietary causes. Try switching to a food free from common allergens (wheat, soya, dairy, artificial additives). Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil or flaxseed) can support skin and coat health.
Joint problems
Foods containing glucosamine and chondroitin can help support joint health. Maintaining a healthy body weight is also important — even slight excess weight places significant additional strain on joints.
Hyperactivity
Some dogs respond poorly to artificial colourings, preservatives or very high cereal content in their food. Switching to a natural, lower-cereal food can sometimes help.
Urinary problems
Dogs prone to bladder stones or urinary tract problems may benefit from a lower mineral (ash) content food and increased water intake. Wet food or adding water to dry food can help.
Overweight dogs
Reducing calorie intake while maintaining nutrient levels is the key. Switch to a specifically formulated light or weight control food, reduce portion sizes and increase exercise. Avoid high-fat treats.