An Introduction to Adult Dog Food and Feeding

During the formative weeks of a puppy's life, their mothers give them all the nutrition they need. As they grow older, they switch to solid feeding, but still require a specialized diet. They also need to be fed several times a day, with some puppies needing as much as six feedings. However, as puppies come to the end of their puppy-hood, their meals, including the number and feeding schedule, should prepare them for adult dog food.

Ideally, your dog should be settled into a regular feeding schedule and routine upon becoming an adult. Pet owners have to keep in mind that different breeds come into adulthood at different times, and it is important to keep track of when your pet is ready to make the switch. The size of your pet and the ailments of diseases common to their breed also needs to be considered. These factors can change the requirements of adult dog food.

For the most part, your adult dog's diet should help provide and maintain a good balance of nutrients in their system. As a rule of thumb, the raw feeding method suggests an overall food intake between 1% and 2% of your pet's body weight, though this can often change if your dog is more active than most or if you have a working dog. Also, rather than just one large meal each day, raw feeding suggests one small breakfast and one main meal.

These rules can vary depending on the dog's size and what you're feeding. Smaller dogs are known to have quick metabolisms. A small active dog may need twice as many calories each day. Larger dogs, on the other hand, have slower metabolisms, but the have larger appetites and can eat a lot more because of their size and weight. Also, these rules may not apply when feeding adult dog food to a dog that is dealing with allergies, intolerance, or food sensitivities.

One way to make sure your pet digests food well and avoids intolerance is to give your pet fiber, which will help clean out their intestinal tract, preventing constipation and illness. If your pet doesn't get a lot of fiber or hasn't gotten a good amount in their regular diet, slowly adding it into their diet is the best way to introduce it. However, it is important not to give them too much fiber as this can also lead to internal problems.

When feeding adult dog food the raw way, serve your pet's meals at room temperature. Make sure your pet eats it right away, though because raw food should not be left out. This is partly why it is important to get your dog on a feeding schedule. Finally, remember not to exercise your pet an hour before or after feeding. Doing this can lead to bloating, especially for large dogs. If you find that your pet is bloated or has stomach cramps, feed them some chamomile tea. This will help.