How much food does a dog need per day?
A glance at the back of your pet's food package will surely reveal that you find plenty of information about the respective food: the nutritional values and also the daily food amount, the so-called feeding recommendation.
But what exactly is this feeding recommendation about, and how do you know what the right amount is for your pet?
Our feeding recommendations: The right amount of food
A feeding recommendation is - as the name suggests - merely a rough guideline that you can use as a reference. This is especially helpful when you are switching your pet's food and have no experience with the new food yet. How much food a dog needs per day depends on many different factors: size, body condition (i.e., weight), body structure, amount of fur, age, and, of course, activity level. Young and very active animals require more energy than those that tend to stroll through life more leisurely.
Interesting to know: Per kilogram of body weight, small breeds require more food than large ones. The reason for this is that smaller dogs have a much larger body surface area relative to their body volume, through which they constantly lose energy in the form of heat. That’s why small dogs also get cold faster in winter than large dogs. Keyword winter: In the cold season, the body requires more energy, and it is generally advisable to increase the feeding amount according to the activity level outdoors based on the information on the packaging.
The right amount of food is as individual as each dog and even within a breed, this amount varies depending on activity, age, and health condition.
At Pets Deli, every furry friend gets what they need: Whether clumsy puppy, agile four-legged friend, or a somewhat older senior - our food cans and bags contain fresh meat, healthy fruits and vegetables, exquisite herbs, and rich oils. We are also always transparent with our ingredient lists, so you know exactly what you are feeding your dog. 0% grains and gluten, 0% sugar, and 0% artificial additives. All made with 100% love and high-quality ingredients!
Our dog food: healthy, honest, delicious.
As individual as every four-legged friend
In our feeding recommendations, we orient ourselves to the European standard set by the European Pet Food Federation, abbreviated as FEDIAF. This standard was developed based on scientific studies and establishes the average daily energy requirement for dogs and cats. Our feeding recommendations apply according to FEDIAF for:
🐶 Dogs with ideal weight and moderate, light activity (1-3 hours of exercise per day)
Important to know: When calculating the feeding recommendations, it is always assumed that your dog exclusively eats this food and that the daily energy requirement is completely covered by this one food. Snacks are not included!
On the back of the food packaging, you will find information about weight and the corresponding feeding amount. The range indicates the lower and upper limits. Depending on your pet's activity level, you can assess and decide which amount is most suitable.
If you are feeding a mixed diet, for example, wet food in the morning and dry food in the evening, you should remember to adjust the recommended daily amounts accordingly, such as halving them. If you spoil your furry friend with many snacks or training treats in between, you should reduce the main food amount accordingly to keep your pet at an ideal weight and healthy.
If your dog is active for more than 3 hours daily, the feeding amount according to FEDIAF should also be adjusted (i.e., increased), as those who move more require more energy. In older age, less energy and thus, in most cases, less food will be needed.
