MagazineDog nutrition, honestly explained: all our guides at a glance
Here you'll find 33 articles on feeding your dog, sorted by topic: how much and how often your dog should eat, which nutrients they need, how to cook for them yourself, what puppies and seniors need, and what helps with diarrhoea, allergies or excess weight.
Our content follows the recommendations of the NRC, WSAVA and FEDIAF and is no substitute for veterinary advice. You can read how we work under Editorial team & methodology.
- 33Guideson dog nutrition
- 6Topicsfrom food amounts to treats
- 3Expert sourcesNRC, WSAVA, FEDIAF
Free food amount calculators
For concrete numbers: the calculators estimate daily needs from weight, age and activity and convert them into grams of food.
- Food amount calculatorGrams per day for dry, wet or fresh food.
- Calorie needs calculatorkcal per day by weight, activity and life stage.
- Puppy feeding calculatorAmount and number of meals by age and weight.
- Bland diet calculatorChicken with rice or potato: amount per day and per meal.
- Fresh food calculatorDaily amount of home-cooked food.
- Food amount by breedGuide values for popular dog breeds.
Nutrition: food amounts and nutrients
How much food your dog needs a day, how much protein and fat makes sense, and which meat, fruit and vegetables can go in the bowl.
What can dogs eat and not eat? Over 60 foods from A to Z
Potatoes only cooked, couscous in moderation, grapes never: for over 60 foods, here's what dogs can eat and which ones are toxic to them.
Cottage cheese and quark for dogs: how much per day?
A 10 kg dog has a treat budget of around 63 kcal a day – about 90 g of low-fat quark if there are no other treats. A teaspoon is enough to start with.
Does fresh food help dogs live longer? What studies show
Does fresh food help your dog live longer? What studies really show – from the DogRisk project to the Labrador study – and what is proven to help.
Fat in dog food: does your dog need it, and how much?
Fat is vital for dogs – but how much do they need? Which oils make sense, what the omega ratio means and when fat becomes dangerous.
Do dogs need grains, or is grain-free food better?
Grain-free sounds healthy, but for most dogs it's unnecessary. What the FDA investigation into DCM shows and why rice, oats and millet make sense.
What fruit can dogs eat? A safe list with amounts
Apple without the core, blueberries, watermelon – and grapes are off limits. Which fruits your dog can eat, how much, and which ones to avoid.
How much protein does a dog need? Grams per day
At least 18% protein for adult dogs and 25% for puppies: what FEDIAF sets out, how many grams per day that means and the truth about the kidney myth.
What vegetables can dogs eat? The complete list
Carrots yes, onions never: which vegetables dogs can eat, which are fine only cooked or in moderation, and which, like raw potato or leek, are off limits.
Which meat is best for dogs? Every type compared
Turkey, chicken, beef, lamb, game, fish or pork: which meat suits your dog – compared by fat content, digestibility, allergy risk and price.
How much should I feed my dog? Feeding chart by weight
Chart by weight: kcal and grams of dry, wet and fresh food per day. A 10 kg dog needs around 630 kcal, or about 175 g of dry food.
Dry vs wet vs fresh dog food: the honest comparison
Dry, wet or fresh? An honest comparison of the three ways to feed your dog, with pros and cons, food amounts in grams and what the studies show.
Home cooking for dogs
Getting started with cooking for your dog, the real costs and an honest comparison with raw feeding (BARF).
How much does homemade dog food really cost per day?
What does home-cooked dog food cost per day? An example for a 15 kg dog with amounts, a comparison with dry food, money-saving tips and the time involved.
Home cooking vs. raw feeding (BARF): an honest comparison
Raw feeding or cooking? Both have real pros and cons. An honest comparison without the fan-club romance: nutrients, hygiene, bones and everyday life.
Homemade dog food for beginners: a guide with amounts
Homemade dog food: 60% meat, 20% veg, 20% carbohydrates plus oil and calcium. A 15 kg dog needs about 660 g a day. Includes a list of common mistakes.
Life stages: from puppy to senior
Feeding puppies properly, the switch to adult food and nutrition for older dogs.
When to switch from puppy food to adult dog food
When to switch to adult food: small breeds usually at 9–12 months, large ones at 12–16. How calorie needs change and how to switch in 7–10 days.
Senior dog nutrition: gently adjusting the diet with age
When does a dog become a senior, how many calories and how much protein do they need, and what really helps their joints? Practical tips with amounts.
Puppy feeding guide: how often, how much, 5 mistakes
Feeding a puppy: 4 meals a day up to about 3 months, then 3. A 5 kg puppy aged 3 months needs around 195 g of dry food. Plus calcium and 5 mistakes.
Common problems: diarrhoea, allergies, excess weight
Bland diets, stomach and gut trouble, allergies, excess weight, refusing food, toxic foods and bones – and when you're better off seeing a vet.
Dog losing weight but still eating? Causes and warning signs
Weight loss with a normal appetite: causes from teeth to diabetes, warning signs that mean a trip to the vet, and how to check body condition yourself.
Toxic foods for dogs: list, dangerous amounts, what to do
Chocolate, xylitol, grapes, onions and more: which foods are toxic to dogs, how much it takes to become critical and what to do in an emergency.
Raw bones for dogs: are they safe or dangerous?
Never cooked bones, raw chicken necks only with care, marrow bones best avoided: what to know about splinters, size, constipation and broken teeth.
Dog digestion time, upset stomach and diarrhoea: what helps
How long do dogs take to digest food? The stomach is half empty after 1.5–3 hours, and passing it takes 1–2 days. Plus home remedies for diarrhoea.
Food allergy in dogs: elimination diet and the right food
Food allergy in dogs: recognise the symptoms, do an 8-week elimination diet properly, know the most common triggers and confirm with a food challenge.
Dog suddenly not eating? 7 reasons and what to do
Your dog has stopped eating? 7 common reasons, from stress and heat to toothache, a simple self-check and when you really need to see the vet.
Dog weight loss: diet plan, calories and food amounts
A diet plan for dogs: calories by target weight, 1–2% weight loss a week, staying full with veg and cottage cheese, a treat budget and a food amount table.
Bland diet for dogs: chicken and rice, amounts, how long
Chicken and rice 1 : 2, cooked very soft: a 10 kg dog needs about 450 g a day, usually for 3–5 days. Plus rice water and warning signs for the vet.
Everyday feeding: tips for daily life
How often to feed, how to switch food smoothly, how to store home-cooked meals and what helps when your dog eats too fast.
How to switch dog food: a safe 7 to 10 day transition
Switching dog food: change gradually over 7 to 10 days, with a table and gram example, and spot intolerance early. Sensitive dogs need 14 days.
Travelling with your dog: how to organise their food
Travelling with your dog: a cool box for the car, food in flight luggage, pre-portioned bags for the hotel – plus an emergency kit, water and heat tips.
Storing and freezing homemade dog food: how long it keeps
Storing homemade dog food: 2–3 days in the fridge, around 3 months in the freezer, daily portions by weight, safe thawing and hygiene with raw meat.
Dog eating too fast? 5 tricks that really help
Dog wolfing down food without chewing? 5 tricks slow them down: a slow feeder bowl, a snuffle mat, tennis balls in the bowl, a baking tray, smaller meals.
How often should I feed my dog? Once, twice or three times
Once, twice or three times a day? What really makes sense by age, breed and bloat risk – with a puppy feeding plan and a daily plan in grams.
Treats, dog ice cream and cake
Make your own treats, dog ice cream and birthday cake – without sugar and in line with daily needs.
Dog birthday cake recipe: easy and sugar-free
Bake your own dog birthday cake: an easy recipe with banana, peanut butter and oats – no sugar, no xylitol, ready in about 40 minutes.
Homemade dog ice cream: 5 sugar-free frozen treats
Make sugar-free dog ice cream at home: 5 recipes with banana, chicken liver, watermelon, broth and peanut butter. For 10 kg, 1–2 cubes a day are plenty.
Homemade dog treats: 5 healthy recipes without sugar
Dried chicken hearts and beef lung, carrot and apple biscuits, salmon and potato crackers and banana chips – and how many treats fit into a day.
From the guide straight into the bowl.
The magazine tells you what matters. The DoggoMeal app turns it into recipes with gram amounts to suit your dog's weight, age, activity and allergies.
- Dog profile
- Recipes with gram amounts
- Allergy warnings
- Doggopedia
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