askHELTIE HELTIEdog® What should go in the feeder daily?

What should go in the feeder daily?

Of course, as a dog owner, you want the best for your buddy. Healthy and tasty food, but also enough of it. At the same time, it should also be doable for you as an owner to prepare and feed the meals. What should you take into account?

Feeding

5 February '25 • 2 min reading time

Whatever you feed your dog, make sure the diet contains all the essential nutrients they need. Preferably with minimal grains, well-digestible proteins, and sufficient omega-3 fatty acids.

Omnivore, Vegetarian, or Vegan?

Dogs are naturally omnivores, meaning they can digest both animal and plant-based nutrients.
An omnivorous diet naturally includes all the nutrients your dog needs. However, with some adjustments, a dog can also be fed a vegetarian diet. In that case, you need to ensure they get enough vitamin B12, taurine, L-carnitine, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Complete Food

Kibble and wet food from the store are usually classified as "complete food." This means they are precisely formulated to meet the needs of a healthy dog. If your dog eats the recommended daily amount for their weight, no additional supplements are required. All the necessary nutrients are already included—super convenient!

How Often to Feed?

How often you should feed your dog depends on the dog and your daily schedule. Puppies and small dogs need to eat more frequently than large adult dogs. This is because puppies are still growing and require a lot of energy and nutrients. Small dogs also need relatively more frequent meals, as they have a larger surface area in proportion to their body weight and lose heat more quickly.

How Much to Feed?

The exact amount of food needed varies per dog. Small dogs, nursing dogs, and growing dogs require relatively more energy per kilogram of body weight and thus need more food. Neutered dogs, on the other hand, typically need about 30% less energy.

Daily Requirement of Fresh Meat:
Puppy up to 4 months: 50 grams per kg body weight
4–7 months: 40 grams per kg body weight
7–10 months: 30 grams per kg body weight
10+ months: 20 grams per kg body weight
Adult dog: 20–30 grams per kg body weight
Very active, lively, and small dogs: up to 40 grams per kg body weight
Pregnant and nursing dogs: 30–40 grams per kg body weight

Daily Requirement of Kibble:
Puppy up to 4 months: 25 grams per kg body weight
4–7 months: 20 grams per kg body weight
7–10 months: 15 grams per kg body weight
10+ months: 10 grams per kg body weight
Adult dog: 10–20 grams per kg body weight
Very active, lively, and small dogs: up to 20 grams per kg body weight
Pregnant and nursing dogs: 15–20 grams per kg body weight

If you feed your dog a combination of kibble and fresh meat, you need to calculate how much of the daily requirement comes from kibble and how much from meat. Be sure that your dog receives the necessary daily amounts of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids! You can usually find this information on the packaging of complete food. If unsure, consult a pet nutritionist or your veterinarian. Remember: the right feeding plan should always be tailored to each individual dog.

A Little Extra?

Could your dog use some extra support for digestion and coat health? Salmon oil as a topping over their regular food is a great addition. The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon are very beneficial—plus, dogs love the taste of this fish oil!

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