FAQ: Food for dogs

After a short bout of diarrhoea, an easily digestible food in small portions is often recommended, such as a veterinary gastrointestinal diet. If the diarrhoea lasts more than a day, keeps coming back, contains blood or the dog is lethargic, see a vet.

Boiled rice with lean, skinless, boneless boiled chicken is often used as a bland diet for a short time, but it isn't a complete diet for the long term. If the symptoms don't pass within a day or two, see a vet.

The most common signs are itching, especially of the paws, ears and belly, recurring ear infections, red skin or digestive upsets. They can appear even after a long time on the same food, so a vet needs to confirm the diagnosis.

An allergy is an immune reaction to a particular protein, most often showing as itching and skin problems. An intolerance is a digestive reaction, for example to fatty food or lactose, and more often shows as diarrhoea or wind.

Novel proteins the dog hasn't eaten before, such as venison, rabbit, duck, horse or insect protein, or hydrolysed proteins are often recommended. The specific choice depends on what the dog has been fed before.

Start with the amount on the pack for your dog's weight, then adjust to its body condition: if the dog is gaining, cut the portion by about 10%, and if it is losing weight, increase it. Amounts vary a lot between foods.

Measuring cups are fairly inaccurate, and portions can differ by tens of percent, especially with different kibble sizes. Kitchen scales help you stick to the right amount and avoid weight gain.

Yes, very active, sporting or working dogs may need considerably more energy than usual. Increase the portion gradually according to weight or choose a food for active dogs, and reduce it on quiet days.

Dogs that live outdoors or spend a lot of time in the cold need more energy in winter, so the portion may need increasing. Indoor dogs that walk less in winter sometimes need even less food.

The usual advice is that treats should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories. If you give a lot of treats, reduce the main food portion accordingly.

Consistency matters most: feed at the same times every day, for example morning and evening. A steady routine helps digestion, makes house training easier and lets you notice appetite changes sooner.

Many dogs beg out of habit even when they get enough food. Check that the dog is a healthy weight, split the daily amount into more meals and use a slow-feeder bowl; if the appetite suddenly increases a lot, ask a vet.

The dog gains weight, the ribs are harder to feel, the waist disappears, and stools become larger and softer. That is a sign to cut the portion or the number of treats.

It may be getting more than it needs, especially if you feed at the top of the table's range or give a lot of treats. If the dog is a healthy weight and energetic, just reduce the portion; a sudden drop in appetite is a reason to ask a vet.

Divide the bag's weight by the daily portion in grams to get the number of days. For example, if your dog eats 250 g a day, a 12 kg bag will last about 48 days.

Multiply the price per kilogram by the daily portion in kilograms. This lets you fairly compare a pricier but more energy-dense food, of which less is needed, with a cheaper one that has to be fed in larger amounts.

In the first weeks of pregnancy the amount hardly changes, and in the last third the energy need gradually rises. While nursing, a dog may need several times her usual amount, so she is often fed several times a day; discuss the plan with a vet.

If an adult dog eats nothing for more than a day, or a puppy or senior for more than half a day, or there are other symptoms, see a vet. Don't try to force-feed the dog without a vet's instructions.

It is worth weighing an adult dog about once a month, and a puppy or a dog on a diet more often. A small dog can be weighed on bathroom scales by holding it and subtracting your own weight.

For dogs with sensitive digestion, stretch the transition out to 10–14 days, increasing the share of new food only a little at a time. If the stools soften, stay at the previous ratio for a few days.