Madeleine Hull
A dog's diet is an essential part of its health and wellbeing. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can eat meat and plant-based foods. A balanced diet is key to a dog's health, and it should include proteins, fats, fibre, minerals, and vitamins. The right amount of food is also important to maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity. A dog's diet should be adapted to its age, lifestyle, and health conditions. Commercial dog food is a convenient option, but it is important to choose a high-quality brand that meets nutritional guidelines. Some dogs may require a special diet or home-prepared meals designed by a veterinary nutritionist to meet their individual needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet type | Dogs are omnivores and can eat meat and plant-based foods. |
| Diet composition | A balanced diet of proteins, fats, fibre, minerals, and vitamins. |
| Water | Essential to life and needed daily. |
| Energy requirements | Energy requirements vary depending on factors such as reproduction and a dog's daily lifestyle. |
| Calories | A low-calorie diet is recommended for most adult dogs. |
| Treats | Treats should be limited to no more than 10-15% of the daily calorie intake. |
| Commercial dog food | Commercial dog food is recommended over homemade food as it is difficult to get the right nutrition balance with homemade food. |
| AAFCO guidelines | AAFCO guidelines are the general basis for the nutritional content of commercial pet foods. |
| Food quality | Feed your dog the highest-quality food you can afford. |
| Food quantity | The right amount of food is important to maintain a healthy weight. |
| Individual needs | Consult your vet to get tailored advice about your dog's diet based on their age, lifestyle, and health conditions. |
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What You'll Learn
Energy requirements
The energy requirements of a dog's diet depend on many factors, including age, size, sex, neuter status, breed, and activity levels. For instance, the energy requirements of adult dogs are different from those of puppies, which have a higher requirement due to their rapid growth. Senior dogs, on the other hand, may have lower energy needs due to their slower metabolism and reduced activity levels. Similarly, the energy needs of working dogs, such as police dogs or guide dogs, will depend on their workload, with higher workloads requiring a significant increase in energy intake.
A dog's diet should be well-balanced and meet their specific energy requirements to sustain their daily lifestyle. The six essential classes of nutrients that dogs require are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. Fats and proteins provide a large portion of the energy in a dog's diet, followed by carbohydrates. The energy content of the diet determines the quality of the food and how much should be consumed daily. A balanced diet ensures that all nutrients are properly absorbed and utilised by the body.
Water is an essential component of a dog's diet, accounting for 60 to 70% of an adult dog's body weight. On average, a healthy, altered dog requires 2.5 times the amount of water as the dry matter they consume. Dogs that are fed moist food will generally drink less water due to the higher moisture content in their food.
Proteins are another crucial component of a dog's diet, providing amino acids and nitrogen that are essential for various bodily functions. Adult dogs generally require at least 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight, while younger and older dogs may need more due to growth or a decreased ability to utilise protein efficiently, respectively.
Fats also play a vital role in a dog's diet, providing energy and aiding in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, are necessary for maintaining healthy skin and coat quality. However, high-fat diets can increase the risk of obesity and require additional vitamin E supplementation.
Carbohydrates are another source of energy for dogs, and cooked complex carbohydrates are more easily digested by dogs than raw ones. However, foods high in fibre may not be suitable for dogs with high energy requirements, especially growing dogs.
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Nutrients and nutritional requirements
A dog's diet should be well-balanced and include the six basic nutrients: water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. These essential nutrients are required as part of a dog's regular diet and are involved in all of the basic functions of the body. The dietary needs of dogs vary depending on their breed, life stage, and level of activity.
Proteins
When broken down, proteins create amino acids, which are essential nutrients for dogs. Amino acids help create energy for dogs and sustain life. Animal protein sources have the highest amounts of essential amino acids. While dogs can theoretically survive on a completely plant-based protein diet, it may be difficult for them to digest and may need various sources of protein to reach a daily minimum that can be safely absorbed.
Fats
Fats are another important source of energy for dogs. Fats and proteins provide a large portion of the energy in a dog's diet, with carbohydrates providing the rest.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the third essential nutrient in a dog's diet. They provide energy and determine the quality of the food and how much food should be consumed daily.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are needed for many of the chemical reactions in a dog's body, such as building and maintaining strong bones. Dogs can get all the vitamins and minerals they need from "balanced" dog food. They do not need vitamin C in their food because their bodies make it. However, vitamin and mineral supplements should be avoided as they can be dangerous.
Water
Water is essential to a dog's health and survival. Even if dogs lose all of their body fat and half their protein, they can survive. But if they lose just 10% of the water in their body, they could die. Water makes up more than half of an adult dog's body weight.
Life Stage and Activity Level
The nutritional requirements of dogs vary depending on their life stage. For example, puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and adult dogs have different needs than geriatric dogs. Additionally, active dogs have higher energy needs and require more calories than sedentary dogs. Working dogs, such as police dogs, guide dogs, and cattle dogs, may require an energy increase of 40-70% compared to maintenance.
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Treats
When it comes to the number of treats, it is recommended that treats should not make up more than 10% of your dog's total diet. This means that 90% of your dog's daily calorie intake should come from their complete and balanced food, and the remaining 10% can come from treats and snacks. To calculate this, you will first need to figure out how many calories your dog consumes each day. This can be done by checking the package feeding instructions and your dog's weight. Once you have this number, you can calculate 10% of their total calorie intake to determine the maximum number of calories that can come from treats.
It is important to choose low-calorie treats for your dog. Some examples of low-calorie treats include vegetables such as sliced cucumbers or carrots. If your dog is not motivated by vegetables, you can try meat-flavoured training treats with low-calorie content or use their regular dog food as treats. It is also a good idea to avoid treats that are high in fat or sodium, such as jerky treats, meat-like treats, and table scraps. Cookies and cupcakes specifically baked for dogs are okay for special occasions but should not be given regularly due to their high sugar and fat content.
Dental treats and chews are another great option for dogs as they help reduce plaque buildup on their teeth. However, it is important to supervise your dog when giving them dental chews to ensure they don't swallow large pieces. It is recommended to give dental chews only three times per week, but your veterinarian can advise you on the appropriate frequency and quantity based on your dog's oral health.
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Human food
Dogs are carnivores, but they are not "true" carnivores like cats. In the wild, dogs commonly eat scavenged vegetables and fruits in addition to their usual diet. This means that dogs are quite open to a variety of different foods. However, some human foods are toxic to dogs.
It is important to note that while puppies can safely eat the same human foods as adult dogs, their dietary needs are different. Puppies need a higher amount of protein, the right balance of fat, calcium, and carbohydrates to ensure optimal growth. They also need to eat a lot more calories than an adult dog of the same breed. It is recommended to seek a vet's advice to ensure a balanced diet plan.
Some human foods that are safe for dogs include:
- Bread: Small amounts of plain, white or whole grain bread (without spices or raisins) are safe for dogs. However, it has no nutritional value and can lead to weight gain.
- Eggs: Cooked eggs are a great source of protein and can help with an upset stomach. Raw egg whites should be avoided as they can contribute to biotin deficiency.
- Coconut: Coconut, coconut milk, and coconut oil are safe for dogs. They contain lauric acid, which helps combat bacteria and viruses, improves bad breath, and clears skin conditions.
- Corn: Corn is a common ingredient in dog food. However, the cob can be hard for dogs to digest and may cause intestinal blockage.
- Blueberries: Blueberries are a rich source of fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals, which can help reduce the risk of diseases and age-related issues.
- Bananas: Bananas are a good source of magnesium, which is important for bone health. However, due to their high sugar content, they should only be given occasionally.
- Cucumbers: Cucumbers are a safe, low-calorie snack, especially for overweight dogs. They are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K.
- Cooked turkey: Plain, unseasoned, and defatted turkey is safe for dogs and is a good source of protein.
- Carrots: Both raw and cooked carrots are safe for dogs and are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They also help remove plaque from teeth, but too much vitamin A can be toxic.
- Watermelon: Watermelon should have all seeds removed as they can block the intestines. The rind can also cause an upset stomach. However, watermelon is a good source of hydration and vitamins A, C, and B-6.
Some human foods that are harmful to dogs include:
- Chocolate, coffee, or anything with caffeine: These contain methylxanthines, which are highly toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, abnormal heart rate, seizures, and even death.
- Grapes, raisins, sultanas, and currants: These are all highly toxic to dogs and can even lead to rapid kidney failure and death.
- Cherry pits: These contain cyanide, which is poisonous and can negatively affect the cardiovascular system. They can also be a choking hazard or block the intestines.
- Avocados: Avocados contain persin, which is poisonous to dogs and can lead to breathing difficulties and even death.
- Macadamia nuts: These are some of the most poisonous foods for dogs and can cause vomiting, increased body temperature, inability to walk, lethargy, and nervous system issues.
- Onions: Onions contain N-propyl disulfide, a compound that is toxic to dogs.
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Age and weight
A dog's diet should be adapted at every stage of its life to ensure it remains as healthy as possible. As a dog ages, its dietary needs change based on its activity level, overall health, and body condition. For instance, puppies need more energy (calories), protein, vitamins, and other nutrients compared to adult dogs. Puppies also gain weight rapidly as they grow, and healthy puppies are often voracious eaters due to their quick growth, intense play, and high metabolism.
In their early months, puppies require extra calories to fuel their growth. It is recommended that puppies be fed diets appropriate for growth until they reach skeletal maturity. For small and medium-sized dogs, this means feeding a diet for growth until they are approximately one year old. For large and giant breed dogs, skeletal maturity may not be achieved until 15-16 months, so it is important to support their growth with a lean body condition score (BCS) and avoid excessive calcium intake.
Healthy adult dogs are the easiest to feed as their nutritional needs should be fairly consistent over time, unless something significant changes in their lives. The most important factor is their weight, which can be determined by using a body condition score chart. The ideal weight may be lower than the dog's actual weight if they are overweight, or a little higher if they are underweight.
Senior dogs are on the other end of the spectrum. Veterinarians usually consider dogs to be seniors when they reach 7-12 years of age, depending on their size. Senior dogs are likely to become overweight as they slow down and may require a diet change to accommodate their lower activity level. Senior dogs are also likely to develop health conditions that contribute to weight changes. It is important to routinely check their body condition score to catch weight gain early and prevent unhealthy weight gain.
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Frequently asked questions
Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can eat meat and plant-based foods. A balanced diet for dogs includes proteins, fats, fibre, minerals and vitamins. It's recommended to buy commercial dog food that's approved by a veterinary organisation, such as the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) or 'UK Pet Food'. If you're unsure, consult your vet.
The amount of food your dog needs depends on their breed, age, size and energy requirements. It's important to not overfeed your dog, as this can lead to health issues such as obesity. You should be able to feel, but not see, their last two or three ribs. If you're unsure, consult your vet.
Some human foods are toxic to dogs, so be sure to find out which foods to avoid. While it's tempting to feed your dog food from your plate, it's best to stick to their dog food. If you want to give them treats, opt for low-calorie, low-fat snacks such as carrots or snap peas.
