There are dozens of brands, several feeding methods and contradictory opinions everywhere. This guide takes no sides. It covers the basics that every dog owner should know.
🍖 Kibble, Wet Food or Home-Cooked
All three can suit a healthy dog, provided they are well formulated. Quality kibble (with a named meat as the first ingredient, before cereals) is practical and nutritionally complete. Wet food provides greater hydration. Home-cooked or BARF diets require more careful monitoring to avoid deficiencies.
The most reliable indicator remains your dog's overall condition: shiny coat, stable energy, regular digestion.
📅 How Many Meals a Day
- Puppy up to 6 months: 3–4 meals per day
- Puppy 6–12 months: 2–3 meals per day
- Adult dog: 1–2 meals per day depending on breed and activity level
- Senior dog: 2 lighter, more digestible meals
Large breeds are more susceptible to gastric dilatation-volvulus. Avoid intense activity in the two hours after a meal.
❌ Strictly Forbidden Foods
- Chocolate: theobromine is toxic, even in small quantities for small dogs
- Grapes and raisins: acute kidney failure
- Onions, garlic, leeks: haemolytic anaemia
- Macadamia nuts: paralysis and hyperthermia
- Xylitol (sweetener found in some chewing gums and low-fat yoghurts): severe hypoglycaemia
- Cooked bones: splinter and can perforate the intestine
💧 Hydration: Often Overlooked
A 10 kg dog needs around 500 ml of water per day, more in heat or after exercise. Water must be clean, fresh and always available. If your dog eats exclusively dry food, make sure to compensate for the low moisture content.
The Golden Rule for Changing Diet
Any dietary transition must be made gradually over 7–10 days: 25% new food for the first two days, then 50%, 75%, then 100%. Too rapid a transition causes digestive upset even with a higher quality food.
