The Right Nutrition for Your Dog: Scientifically Based Tips for a Healthy Dog Life
A balanced and A needs-based diet is the foundation for your dog's health, vitality, and well-being – both as a puppy and in adulthood. However, choosing the right food can quickly become a challenge given the multitude of products and feeding philosophies available. In this article, you'll learn how to find the optimal diet for your four-legged friend, what to look for in different types of food, and how to meet your dog's individual needs.
The Dog Food Market: Variety and Trends
The dog food market is more diverse than ever today and offers numerous options to meet the needs and preferences of both dog and owner. Common feeding methods include:
- Wet food: High moisture content, usually very tasty and well-tolerated.
- Dry food: Convenient to handle, long-lasting, sometimes promotes dental health.
- BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food): Raw meat, vegetables, fruit, and supplements – based on the natural diet of wolves.
- Home-cooked meals: Allows maximum control over ingredients.
- Insect proteins: Sustainable protein source, especially suitable for dogs with allergies or intolerances (Jäger et al., 2020).
- Vegetarian and vegan options: For dogs with certain medical conditions or ethical considerations – require particularly careful nutrient coverage (Dodd et al., 2021).
Many nutrition experts recommend a A meat content of at least 60–70% is recommended in dogs' diets, as dogs, although omnivorous, are still strongly adapted to a meat-based diet (Bosch et al., 2018). However, there are now successful alternative approaches, provided the food is designed to meet their needs.
Complete Food vs. Supplementary Food: What Does Your Dog Really Need?
The key to choosing a food is that the product is labeled as a complete food. Only such a food provides all essential nutrients such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. You can find the label on the packaging. Supplementary feed, on the other hand, is not suitable for exclusive feeding, but rather serves to supplement a balanced main meal.
A high-quality complete feed takes into account the needs for:
- Essential amino acids (e.g., taurine, arginine)
- A balanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids
- Adequate supply of vitamins (especially vitamin D, B vitamins) and minerals (especially calcium, phosphorus, zinc)
- Adequate energy intake, adapted to age, activity level, and body weight
An undersupply or oversupply of certain nutrients can lead to long-term health problems (Freeman et al., 2019).
Dry food or wet food? – Advantages and disadvantages at a glance
The choice between dry and wet food is often a question of practicality and the dog's individual needs.
Dry Food: Benefits and Possible Risks
- Convenient in storage and dosage – ideal for on-the-go or for dogs with a big appetite.
- Promotes dental health: Chewing on the kibble can help reduce plaque and thus prevent tartar formation (Gorrel & Rawlings, 1996).
- Lower moisture content: Dogs need increased water intake from dry food to prevent dehydration.
- Ingredient controversy: Some dry foods contain high amounts of grains, artificial additives, or inferior by-products that are not optimal for health.
Wet Food: Benefits and Possible Risks
- Very tasty and easily digestible – often preferred by fussy or older dogs.
- High water content: Supports hydration, especially in dogs that drink little.
- Shorter shelf life after opening and higher cost compared to dry food.
- Less mechanical tooth cleaning than dry food, so additional dental care is important.
Ultimately, the decision also depends on individual factors such as the dog's age, health status, preferences, and lifestyle. A combination of both types of food (mixed feeding) is also possible.
Puppy Food: The Foundation for Healthy Growth
Especially during puppyhood, proper nutrition is crucial for healthy growth, immune system development, and the prevention of adult disease. Puppies have significantly higher energy, protein, calcium, and phosphorus requirements than adult dogs (Zafalon et al., 2020).
- Only use puppy food labeled as a complete food.
- Ensure the correct calcium-phosphorus ratio: Too much or too little is detrimental to bone growth.
- Large breed puppies often require specially formulated foods to minimize the risk of skeletal malformations.
Since needs vary depending on the breed, individual growth, and activity level, consultation with a breeder, veterinarian, or a certified nutritionist is recommended (WSAVA, 2021).
Food Change: How to Ensure a Smooth Transition
The transition to a new food should always be gradual to avoid digestive problems such as diarrhea or stomach pain. Experts recommend slowly mixing the new food into the usual food over a period of about two weeks, increasing the amount daily.
- Days 1–3: 25% new food, 75% old food
- Days 4–6: 50% new food, 50% old food
- Days 7–10: 75% new food, 25% old food
- From day 11: 100% new food
A careful transition supports the intestinal flora and minimizes stress for your dog (Guard et al., 2020).
Nutritional status and feeding practices: What you should consider
How do you recognize good dog food?
An important indicator of a suitable diet is your dog's stool. High-quality food usually results in smaller, firm, and well-formed stools with less odor – a sign of high nutrient utilization and few indigestible components.
The frequency of defecation in healthy, adult dogs is usually once or twice a day. Significant changes can indicate intolerances, improper feeding, or illness.
How often and when should they be fed?
- Puppies: 3–4 meals per day to avoid overloading their small stomachs and to keep blood sugar levels stable.
- Adult dogs: Typically 1–2 meals daily. Feeding can be adjusted individually.
- Treats and rewards: These should be included in the daily ration to prevent obesity.
Fixed feeding times are not absolutely necessary for dogs, but they can contribute to daily structure and increase well-being. In the wild, dogs eat irregularly, but many pets appreciate a predictable rhythm.
Breed, Lifestyle, and Special Needs
Different breeds and individuals have different nutritional needs:
- Active dogs consume more energy and require more energy-rich food.
- Dogs prone to obesity benefit from low-calorie, high-fiber foods.
- Breed-specific characteristics: For example, Dalmatians should be fed a low-purine diet to prevent urinary stone formation (Osborne et al., 2020).
- Allergies and Intolerances: If suspected, an exclusion diet should be used under veterinary supervision. advisable.
- Senior and sick dogs: Adapted nutrition can significantly improve quality of life.
Common mistakes in dog nutrition and how to avoid them
- Overfeeding: Obesity is one of the biggest health problems in dogs (German, 2020).
- Incorrect composition: There is a risk of malnutrition, especially with home-cooked or vegetarian rations.
- Too many snacks: Treats should make up a maximum of 10% of the daily ration.
- Unsuitable "table scraps": Many human foods are unsuitable or even toxic for dogs (e.g., chocolate, onions, grapes).
- Neglecting the water supply: Fresh water must always be freely available.
Conclusion: Individual, balanced nutrition for a long, happy dog life
The right diet is essential for your dog's health and well-being. Whether puppy, adult, or senior – the choice of food should always be based on the individual needs, activity level, and health status of your four-legged friend. Scientifically proven nutritional recommendations and regular check-ups by a veterinarian or nutritionist form the best basis for a long, active, and happy dog life.
Stay informed, observe your dog closely, and adjust the diet as needed – this is how you do the best for your loyal companion.
Sources and further literature
- Bosch G, Hagen-Plantinga EA, Hendriks WH. "Dietary nutrient profiles of wild wolves: insights for optimal dog nutrition." Br J Nutr, 2018. Link
- Dodd SAS, et al. "Plant-based (vegan) diets for pets: A survey of pet owner attitudes and feeding practices." Front Vet Sci, 2021. Link
- Freeman LM, Chandler ML, Hamper BA, Weeth LP. "Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc, 2019. Link
- German AJ. "Obesity in companion animals." Vet Rec, 2020. Link
- Guard BC, et al. "Characterization of microbial dysbiosis and metabolomic changes in dogs with acute diarrhea." Front Vet Sci, 2020. Link
- Jäger H, et al. "Insect protein as a sustainable ingredient in pet food." Animals, 2020. Link
- Osborne CA, et al. "Dalmatian Urinary Stones: A Canine Model for Human Hyperuricosuria." Vet Sci, 2020. Link
- Zafalon RVA, et al. "Nutritional management of puppies and kittens: recommendations for feeding growing dogs and cats." J Nutr Sci, 2020. Link
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, 2021. PDF