What should i feed my dog?

Choosing what to feed a dog is one of the most frequent and impactful decisions an owner makes. The right food helps a dog grow, stay active, recover from illness and live longer; the wrong choice can contribute to weight problems, skin issues, digestive upset, or subtle behavior changes. I typically see owners underestimate how much life stage, size, activity and values shape those choices. Below I explain what matters, give a practical recommendation you can use today, and walk through the steps to tailor feeding safely over your dog’s life.

How the food you choose affects your dog’s health and happiness

Food is not just calories; it is health management delivered daily. A diet chosen for a growth-phase puppy supports rapid tissue development and calcium balance, while an adult maintenance formula emphasizes steady weight and joint health. In seniors, calories may need to drop while specific nutrients for joint cartilage, cognition, or kidney support may be emphasized. Feeding with life-stage goals in mind helps prevent problems and supports longevity.

Breed and size matter. Small-breed dogs have faster metabolisms and higher calorie needs per pound but lower absolute meal volumes; giant breeds are prone to developmental orthopaedic disease if calorie and calcium intake are excessive during growth. Activity level changes what a diet should supply: a couch companion needs fewer calories and often less fat, while a working or sporting dog may need higher calories and different electrolyte balance. Owners’ values—budget, time, and ethics—also shape sensible choices. A high-quality commercial diet is not always the most expensive option; likewise, home-cooked or raw feeding may reflect ethical priorities but will usually require more planning and veterinary input to avoid nutrient gaps.

Best first choices: what to feed right now

For most dog lovers, the practical, safe starting point is a commercially prepared diet labeled as complete and balanced by an appropriate authority, fed in a life-stage formula that matches the dog’s current needs. These products are formulated to meet general nutritional requirements and reduce the risk of unintentional deficiencies.

• Choose an AAFCO-complete or equivalent commercial diet (kibble or canned) that explicitly states it is intended for your dog’s life stage: puppy, adult maintenance, or senior.
• If your dog has known medical issues (kidney disease, food allergies, obesity), consult your veterinarian—sometimes a prescription or veterinary-supervised therapeutic diet is appropriate.
• Control portions and feed on a schedule. Use the manufacturer’s starting feeding guidelines adjusted for body condition; weigh and reassess every 2–4 weeks until stable.

Nutrition fundamentals: the nutrients your dog actually needs

Understanding why those labeled diets exist starts with basic biology. Protein provides amino acids for tissue repair, immune function and enzymes; adequate, bioavailable protein is important across life stages and is especially critical during growth, recovery from illness, and for highly active dogs. Dietary fat supplies concentrated energy and essential fatty acids that support skin, brain and hormone function; fat also influences palatability and energy density.

Carbohydrates are a variable energy source that many commercial diets use for fuel and to bulk the diet; dogs can digest starches but their digestive system differs from ours in enzyme profile and transit time, so not all human-style carbohydrate choices translate well. Micronutrients—vitamins, minerals and specific amino acids such as taurine—are necessary in small amounts but have outsized effects: a shortfall or excess of minerals like calcium or sodium may produce clinical disease over time.

Energy balance is central. Body condition scoring (a visual and hands-on assessment of fat cover and muscle) is a practical tool that may be more useful than scale weight alone. A healthy dog usually falls into a mid-range body condition; persistent drift up or down is a sign diet or exercise needs adjustment. Keep in mind that a dog’s gastrointestinal tract is shorter and more acidic than ours, and dogs are adapted to metabolize protein and fat efficiently—this affects how they tolerate certain foods and supplements.

When to change diets — age, lifestyle, and medical reasons

There are predictable moments when a diet should change. Puppies need a growth formula until skeletal maturity; small breeds mature faster than giant breeds, so the exact timing may differ. Transition your dog to an adult formula when growth slows and the vet confirms skeletal maturity is appropriate for your breed.

Changes in activity level—starting a job, increased sports, retirement from work—alter calorie and sometimes nutrient needs. Reproductive status matters: pregnancy and lactation increase energy and protein requirements. Seasonal or travel changes can alter appetite and exercise—plan transitions ahead of time and avoid abrupt switches that provoke digestive upset.

Illness, surgery or new medications often require altered diets. Certain diseases (chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, pancreatitis, food allergies) may be best managed with diet modifications or prescription foods; I usually recommend contacting your veterinarian before switching diets in these situations, because a wrong choice can worsen outcomes.

Red flags to watch for: digestion, weight, and behavior issues

Watch for rapid weight changes or a persistent poor body condition. Rapid weight loss, especially with normal or reduced appetite, is a clear warning and should prompt veterinary evaluation. Likewise, steady, unexplained weight gain suggests portions or calorie density are too high or activity is insufficient.

Frequent vomiting, diarrhea, or ongoing poor stool quality indicates the gut is unhappy with the diet, environment or a medical issue. Skin problems—new or worsening itchiness, hair loss, chronic ear infections—may be linked to food intolerance, but they can also reflect non-dietary causes; consult your veterinarian before launching elimination diets on your own.

Other serious red flags include excessive thirst or urination, lethargy, panting at rest or difficulty breathing; these symptoms can be associated with metabolic or endocrine problems and require prompt attention rather than home dietary fixes.

A practical feeding routine: portions, timing, and adjustments

1. Assess: Record your dog’s age, ideal weight and current weight, activity level, and any medical history. I often ask owners to take photos and a body condition score; these help judge whether changes are needed.
2. Select: Choose a diet type that matches life stage (puppy, adult, senior) and activity level. Read labels for statements that the food is complete and balanced by AAFCO or a recognized authority; avoid relying solely on marketing claims.
3. Transition: Move to a new food gradually over 7–10 days—start with 25% new mixed with 75% old and increase the new food incrementally. A faster switch may be tolerated in some dogs, but slow transitions reduce vomiting and diarrhea risk.
4. Portion: Use the manufacturer’s feeding guide as a starting point, then measure with a cup or scale. Monitor body condition every 2–4 weeks and decrease or increase portions by about 10% if weight drifts.
5. Monitor: Track stool quality, coat condition, energy level and appetite. If problems arise within a week of a change, revert to the previous food or contact your veterinarian. For chronic concerns, consider referral to a veterinary nutritionist.

Mealtime manners: creating a calm feeding environment and effective training cues

Structure matters as much as the diet itself. Feed on a consistent schedule and in a dedicated location to help digestion and reduce begging. Free-feeding may lead to obesity in many dogs; scheduled meals support monitoring of appetite and stool quality.

Multi-dog households require management to prevent resource guarding. I recommend separate bowls and spaces at mealtime or staggered feeding times until dogs eat calmly. For dogs that gulp food, fast-eating increases risk of choking and may contribute to bloat in susceptible breeds; slow-feed bowls and feeding puzzles help pace eating and add mental stimulation.

Use mealtimes for training—practicing sit-and-wait before offering the bowl, or splitting portions into training treats during activity—so your dog learns impulse control and you reinforce desired behaviors. Also limit unsafe human-food access; many common foods (xylitol, grapes, certain nuts, onions) can be poisonous, and consistent counter-surfing can become a dangerous habit.

Safe bowls, feeders, and tools: what to buy and why

Accurate measurement is simple but effective. A good set of measuring cups is inexpensive; for precise portion control, a digital kitchen scale is best. Store dry food in airtight containers to maintain freshness and reduce insect or rodent attraction; label the container with the opening date and rotation instructions if you buy in bulk.

For fast eaters, choose slow-feed bowls or puzzle feeders designed for dogs; these reduce speed and provide mental work. Automatic feeders can be useful for timed portion control or when you’re away, but use them with caution if your dog has medical needs or is prone to overeating—do not rely on an automatic feeder for medically restricted diets without veterinary oversight.

Home-cooked or raw diets: benefits, risks, and safe preparation

Owners sometimes prefer to cook or feed raw. If you’re considering this, plan to involve a veterinarian and ideally a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Home-cooked diets can meet needs but are often nutritionally incomplete unless formulated and supplemented correctly; raw diets carry additional risks of bacterial contamination and may be unbalanced for key nutrients. If you proceed, get a written recipe from a qualified professional and have periodic nutrient assessments and health checks to catch any deficiencies early.

Trusted sources and further reading

• AAHA Canine Life Stage Nutrition Guidelines, American Animal Hospital Association
• WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines for the Veterinary Health Team, World Small Animal Veterinary Association
• National Research Council, Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (2006)
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Canine Nutrition and Feeding, Merck & Co., Inc.
• American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) – Board-certified veterinary nutritionists resources and position statements
• FDA: Pet Food Safety and Labeling Information (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)