Dog · Guide

What should I feed my dog?

Choose a food labelled "complete and balanced" for your dog's life stage. That exact phrase means the food is formulated to cover everything they need. It tells you far more than any marketing claim on the front of the bag — grain-free, ancestral, human-grade and premium are not regulated nutritional standards.

Why that one phrase matters most

"Complete and balanced" is a defined nutritional standard, verified against life-stage requirements. Most front-of-bag language is marketing. If a food carries that statement for the right life stage, the fundamentals are covered.

Life stage matters because a growing puppy, an adult and a senior have genuinely different requirements. A food complete for adults is not automatically appropriate for a puppy.

How much, and how often

Start with the guidance on the packaging, then adjust based on body condition rather than the number. Two measured meals a day suits most adult dogs; puppies need smaller, more frequent meals.

Measure rather than eyeballing. Free feeding makes it very hard to notice appetite changes, which are often an early illness signal.

Changing foods safely

Transition over about a week, mixing increasing proportions of the new food. Abrupt switches commonly cause stomach upset, which then gets blamed on the food rather than the speed of the change.

Check your own pet — freeSnap a few photos, get a wellness score in minutes

A wellness check, not a diagnosis — and never a replacement for your vet. If something seems wrong with your animal, see a veterinarian.

Common questions

Is grain-free dog food better?

Not inherently. Grain-free is a marketing category, not a nutritional standard, and it isn't necessary for most dogs. Look for 'complete and balanced' instead.

How many times a day should I feed my dog?

Twice daily suits most adult dogs. Puppies need three or four smaller meals.

Can I change my dog's food suddenly?

Better not to — transition over about a week to avoid digestive upset.