A dog's diet has a greater impact on its health than any other daily factor: energy, coat quality, digestion, weight, and longevity. Yet, between dry kibble, wet food, BARF, and homemade rations, it is easy to get lost. This comprehensive guide brings together everything you need to know to feed your dog properly: its nutritional needs, the ration to provide according to its age and weight, how to read a label, toxic foods, and mistakes to avoid.
Contents
- The dog's nutritional needs
- Feeding according to age: puppy, adult, senior
- What ration should you feed your dog?
- Kibble, wet food, or mixed feeding
- How to read a dog food label
- BARF, homemade rations, and natural diets
- Neutered, athletic, or sensitive dogs
- Toxic foods for dogs
- Changing diets without digestive issues
- Most common mistakes
- Frequently asked questions
The dog's nutritional needs
The dog is a facultative carnivore: it digests animal proteins very efficiently and also benefits from certain cooked plant sources like rice, sweet potato, or pumpkin. Its body requires six major families of nutrients.
- Proteins build and maintain muscles, skin, and fur. Clearly identified meat or fish provides the amino acids the dog needs. Our guide to animal proteins details the best sources.
- Lipids provide the most concentrated source of energy and transport vitamins A, D, E, and K. Omega-3 and Omega-6 support skin, coat, and joints: see our article on essential fatty acids.
- Carbohydrates complement energy intake. They remain useful in moderate amounts, using digestible sources (rice, sweet potato, oat flakes).
- Fiber regulates transit and feeds the gut microbiota, as explained in our article on digestion and the microbiota.
- Vitamins and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, zinc, B vitamins) support bones, immunity, and metabolism. Find details in our guide to vitamins and minerals.
- Water remains the most vital nutrient. An adult dog drinks on average 50 to 60 ml per kilo per day, more in hot weather or after exercise. A bowl of fresh water must be available at all times.
Feeding according to age: puppy, adult, senior
Needs change radically throughout life. A perfect food for a three-month-old puppy becomes unsuitable for a twelve-year-old dog.
Puppy (2 to 12 months, up to 18-24 months for large breeds)
Growth requires a lot of energy, quality proteins, and a precise balance between calcium and phosphorus. In large-breed puppies (Labrador, Shepherd, Golden Retriever), an excess of calcium or calories accelerates growth and weakens joints: a "large breed growth" formula is essential. Puppies eat 3 to 4 meals a day until 4-6 months, then 2 meals. Our puppy and kitten growth guide delves into every step.
Adult dog (1 to 7 years)
The goal becomes maintenance: stable weight, preserved muscle mass, and energy adapted to activity. An adult dog eats 1 to 2 meals a day. Two meals spread between morning and evening limit hunger, bile vomiting on an empty stomach, and ingestion speed.
Senior dog (from 7 years, 5 to 6 years for very large breeds)
The metabolism slows down, joints tire, and kidneys and teeth require more attention. Senior food provides fewer calories, high-quality protein to fight muscle loss, Omega-3s, and joint-support nutrients. Seasons also count: discover how to adapt your dog's diet for autumn.
What ration should you feed your dog?
The instructions on the back of the bags provide a baseline, but they often overestimate the needs of a less active dog. To refine, start with the resting energy requirement, calculated as follows: 70 × (weight in kg)0.75, then apply a coefficient based on the dog's profile.
| Dog profile | Coefficient |
|---|---|
| Neutered adult, moderate activity | 1.6 |
| Intact adult, moderate activity | 1.8 |
| Very active or athletic adult | 2 to 5 |
| Overweight dog (weight loss target) | 1.0 to 1.2 |
| Puppy from 4 months to adulthood | 2 to 3 |
Example: for a 10 kg neutered dog, the resting requirement is approximately 394 kcal (70 × 100.75). Multiplied by 1.6, this gives a ration of about 630 kcal per day, including treats. Divide this figure by the kcal per 100 g of the chosen food to obtain the grams to serve.
These values remain indicative. The best indicator remains the dog's body: you should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat and see a tucked-up waist when viewed from above. Weigh your dog every month and adjust the ration by 10% if necessary. In case of weight gain, our article on overweight and obesity provides an action plan.
Kibble, wet food, or mixed feeding
| Type | Pros | Points of caution |
|---|---|---|
| Kibble | Convenient, economical, long shelf life, good for chewing | Low water content (8 to 10%), quality varies greatly by brand |
| Wet food and canned food | Very palatable, rich in water (70 to 80%), useful for picky dogs or seniors | Higher cost, keeps less well once opened |
| Mixed feeding | Combines hydration, palatability, and convenience | Requires calculating rations for each component |
The best food is the one your dog digests well, enjoys, and tolerates long-term, with a clear composition. A natural food, rich in identified meat and free from artificial colorings, forms a solid foundation. Discover our selection in the collection 100% dedicated to dogs.
How to read a dog food label
Pet food marketing highlights photos of fresh meat and alluring claims. The truth is on the back of the bag, regarding three points.
- The list of ingredients. It follows descending order of weight. The first line must cite specific meat or fish ("dehydrated chicken," "fresh salmon"). Vague formulations like "meat and animal derivatives" or "vegetable derivatives" mask the real origin.
- Analytical constituents. Crude protein, fat, crude fiber, crude ash, and moisture appear on the label. To estimate carbohydrates, subtract the sum of these five values from 100. Always compare foods based on dry matter: a wet food with 8% protein may contain more protein than kibble with 25% once the water is removed.
- Ash rate. This is normally between 5 and 9%. Above 10%, the food often contains bones or lower-quality ingredients.
Also check for the term "complete food," which ensures the product covers all the dog's needs, unlike a "complementary" food to be mixed with something else.
BARF, homemade rations, and natural diets
More and more owners are turning to alternatives to industrial food. Each has its advantages and requirements.
- BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) is based on raw meat, meaty bones, offal, vegetables, and oils. Its proponents cite better digestibility, a shiny coat, and smaller stools. It requires rigor: strict adherence to the cold chain, impeccable hygiene, controlled calcium/phosphorus ratio, and a significant budget. Imbalanced recipes lead to deficiencies or excesses that take their toll over time.
- Homemade ration consists of cooking for your dog yourself (cooked meat, starch, vegetables, mineral and vitamin supplement). Without a recipe validated by a veterinary nutritionist, the risk of deficiency is high, especially in calcium and trace elements.
- Natural industrial food (kibble or wet food with high meat content, no artificial colorings or preservatives) offers a solid compromise: balanced formulation, convenience, and ingredient quality. Our article on natural nutrition in Switzerland details this approach, which also applies to dogs.
If you wish to switch to raw or homemade, have the recipe established by a veterinary nutritionist and have it re-evaluated every year.
Neutered, athletic, or sensitive dogs
The neutered dog
After sterilization, energy needs drop by about 20 to 30% while appetite increases. Without adjustment, weight gain occurs within a few months. Switch to a less caloric food, rich in protein and fiber, and weigh the ration to the gram.
The athletic or very active dog
Canicross, agility, long hiking: energy and protein needs increase significantly. Favor a food rich in high-quality fats, split meals, and avoid feeding just before effort to limit the risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus.
The sensitive or allergic dog
Itching, recurring ear infections, loose stools, or paw licking may signal a food allergy or intolerance. The reference protocol is the elimination diet, conducted over 8 to 12 weeks with a novel protein, under veterinary supervision. Our article on food allergies in cats and dogs explains the step-by-step process.
Toxic foods for dogs
Certain everyday foods are dangerous, sometimes deadly. Keep this list in mind:
- Chocolate and cocoa: theobromine causes vomiting, tremors, heart rhythm disorders.
- Grapes and raisins: risk of acute kidney failure, even in small amounts.
- Onion, garlic, leek, chives: they destroy red blood cells and cause anemia.
- Xylitol (sweetener present in some chewing gums, candies, and peanut butter): sudden drop in blood sugar and liver damage.
- Macadamia nuts, avocado, alcohol, coffee: toxic to varying degrees.
- Cooked bones: they shatter into sharp fragments that injure the mouth and digestive tract.
- Fatty and salty table scraps: a source of pancreatitis.
In case of suspected ingestion, call your veterinarian or Tox Info Suisse at 145 without delay, even if the dog seems fine.
Changing diets without digestive issues
An abrupt change disrupts the microbiota and causes diarrhea or vomiting. Spread the transition over 7 to 10 days:
| Days | Old food | New food |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | 75% | 25% |
| 4 to 6 | 50% | 50% |
| 7 to 9 | 25% | 75% |
| 10 | 0% | 100% |
If stools soften, return to the previous level for two days before resuming progression.
Most common mistakes
- Relying solely on bag doses without weighing the dog or adjusting the ration.
- Counting treats as extras: they should represent a maximum of 10% of the daily ration.
- Giving table scraps to "treat" them.
- Leaving food out free-choice for a greedy dog.
- Changing food overnight.
- Choosing food based on price or packaging without reading the composition.
- Forgetting to renew water every day.
Frequently asked questions
How many times a day should a dog be fed?
An adult dog eats 1 to 2 times a day, a puppy 3 to 4 times until 4-6 months, then 2 times. Two daily meals suit the majority of adult dogs.
What is the best food for a dog?
The ideal food is complete, balanced, adapted to the dog's age, size, and activity, with identified meat or fish in the first position. The best choice depends on each dog: observe their coat, stools, energy, and weight.
Is grain-free kibble better?
It is well-suited for dogs sensitive to grains, but the absence of grains does not guarantee quality. Read the full composition: the meat content and nutritional balance count more.
Can you give bones to a dog?
Raw meaty bones of appropriate size, served under supervision, are accepted as part of a raw diet. Cooked bones are strictly forbidden.
My dog eats grass, is it serious?
It is a common and generally harmless behavior. If the dog vomits frequently after eating it or shows other symptoms, consult your veterinarian.
How do I know if my dog is overweight?
Run your hand over its ribs: you should feel them easily without seeing them. A waist visible from above and a tucked abdomen in profile confirm a correct weight. When in doubt, a veterinary check-up will determine the ideal weight.
How long should a bag of kibble be kept?
Consume a bag within 4 to 6 weeks after opening, keep it in its original packaging placed in an airtight container, away from heat and light.
In summary
Good dog nutrition rests on three pillars: a complete food adapted to age and activity, a ration adjusted to real weight, and constant vigilance regarding risky foods. Discover our selection of natural food and dog accessories, and find the counterpart of this guide for felines: the complete guide to cat nutrition.
This article is for information purposes. For any health question, a specific diet, or a dog suffering from a disease, your veterinarian's advice takes precedence.