How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

If you are a pet owner, you must know that mealtime is the most exciting time for your furry family member. And, when you are feeding your pet with EcoPet food, you are not only adding a boost of flavour to your dog’s kibble, but you are also adding fresh and healthy foods that they need to live a healthy, long and happy life.

However, there is always that one question that stands in the way: how much should I feed my dog?

If this question is bothering you, here are some critical factors that can help you to ensure your dog is eating properly.

1. Weigh Your Dog

One of the most simple and easiest ways to determine how much your dog should eat per day is by measuring out their food based on their body weight. His or her current weight can be determined as part of a scheduled examination, or you can simply stop by a facility to weigh your dog.

If you got this done with an exam, it would be great also if you could ask the vet’s opinion on your dog’s weight and whether the amount and type of food that you are giving your pet is appropriate or not.

Now, it is normal that smaller dogs would require less food compared with larger ones. However, below you will find a recommended feeding schedule for how much and how often dogs should eat a day, based on their weight:

Toy Dogs (Under 10 Pounds)

Traditionally, toy dogs refer to those small dog breeds that can wriggle their way straight into your heart and onto your lap. But, with their adorable looks and big personalities, they can easily stand out from a crowd. Some examples of these breeds are Pomeranian, Havanese, and Yorkshire Terriers.

If these breeds weigh 3 pounds, they should be fed 1/3 cup of food per day.
But, if they weigh 6 pounds, they should be fed 1/2 cup of food per day.

Small Dogs (10-20 Pounds)

Even though there is a fine and pretty blurred line between toy and small dogs, it is still good to know that dogs that are larger than a toy breed and weigh between 10- 20 pounds are regarded as small breeds. For example, Boston Terriers, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, and Pugs are all small dogs.

If these breeds weigh around 10 pounds, they should be fed 3/4 cup of food per day.
If they weigh 15 pounds, they should be fed 1 cup of food per day.
If they weigh 20 pounds, they should be fed 1 2/3 cups of food per day.

Medium Dogs (30-50 Pounds)

Australian Shepherd, Bull Terrier, and Collie are considered as medium breeds that require more quantity of food than the small breeds.

If these breeds weigh around 30 pounds, they should be fed 1 3/4 cups of food per day.
If they weigh 40 pounds, they should be fed 2 1/4 cups of food per day.
If they weigh 50 pounds, they should be fed 2 2/3 cups of food per day.

Large Dogs (60-100+ Pounds)

German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs are considered as large dogs.

If these breeds weigh around 60 pounds, they should be fed 3 cups of food per day.
If they weigh 70 pounds, they should be fed 3 1/2 cups of food per day.
If they weigh 80 pounds, they should be fed 3 3/4 cups of food per day.
If they weigh 90 pounds, they should be fed 4 1/4 cups of food per day.
If they weigh 100 pounds, they should be fed 4 1/2 cups of food per day.
Now, if your dog weighs over 100 pounds, you can add in an extra 1/3 cup of food.

2. Determine Your Dog’s Activity Level

Suppose your dog is a very energetic and active one that always herds the neighbourhood children to the bus stop. It is evident that such dogs need more calories than those adorable lapdogs (whose daily exercise consists only of climbing onto your lap).

3. Figure in Treats

We often like to give our furry friends one or two treats per day. However, did you know that, as per most veterinarians, your dog’s caloric intake should be limited from snacks to 10% of your dog’s daily diet? This number is supposed to be deducted from your dog’s daily meal calculation.

If you have successfully been able to determine how much food to feed your dog, why don’t you check out EcoPet, which can provide you with a range of options for adding flavour and nutrients to your pet’s kibble?

Posted by : Paul
Jun 7, 2021
Pet Food

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Dog

Many of us have always thought of getting a pet dog once in our life. Seeing all those dog videos on social media, we get to imagine how playful it is to have them around, how they love you unconditionally, how they will do anything to protect you, and crawl up in your bed when you’re feeling low. However, having a dog is a life-changing experience because they are amazing companions who require considerable time and energy.

Below are certain factors to consider before deciding to bring home a dog.

Consider your living situation

Whether you live in a home, an apartment, in the city or the countryside, all these aspects will have an effect on which dog breed will best suit you and your lifestyle. It is not just about where you live; it is also about who is living with you. For example, you might be living with young children, older people, a partner, or you may be single. Those facts matter because some dogs are known to be single-person dogs, and other dogs enjoy living with families to keep them company. Your specific living situation will go a long way in informing you about the type of dog breed that you should get.

Consider your abilities

Do an in-depth assessment of your dog-owning abilities, meaning understanding yourself physically and mentally. Can you walk, run or ride a bike with a dog? How much weight can you pick up? Some dogs can be physically too much to deal with for some people. When it comes to your mental state, ask yourself if you are emotionally stable, how you feel about yourself and your environment. Some dogs can be emotionally challenging, meaning that they might be stubborn, independent, or not as loving as another breed.

Health insurance

You should consider having health insurance for your dog. Veterinary care can be very costly. Look for the best policy and coverage you can get. Similar to your spouse, children, or partner, you need to make sure you have the money to take care of your dog whenever health issues arise. Once you get close to a dog, it will become a significant part of your life. You will find yourself willing to spend far more money than you may have thought you would pay before getting a dog.

Consider community infrastructure

You should enquire about the availability of veterinary services close to your place. Get to know if there are veterinarians and veterinary hospitals near you, as emergencies can happen at any time. Note that veterinarians and veterinary hospitals differ. Veterinarians are typically closed on the weekends, and some veterinary hospitals operate 24/7.

You also need to look for recreational groups or spots, like dog groups, clubs, and parks. Those will make your dog-ownership more convenient.

Consider your daily schedule

It is essential to take into account the amount of extra time you can afford to spend with your dog. Every dog will need interaction; it will need to be exercised and fed. You are meant to set aside time from your daily schedule to devote to your dog.

Consider activities your dog will need

Take into consideration the type of exercises your dog will need and how much time is required for the activities. Some breeds need to be run, and others need to be worked. Make sure you have access to facilities to provide your dog with the appropriate amount of exercise. Dogs need to be walked every day. Backyards are nice, but dogs with a high prey drive need to walk in a forward direction and not in circles, which is exactly what happens when they try to run in a fenced-in back yard. Dogs are extremely athletic and need exercise to maintain mental and physical health.

Consider how much you can pay for a dog

Think about how much money you can afford when purchasing a dog. Owning a dog means you will spend more money after buying the dog. If you can’t afford an initial cost (buying), you can still visit your local shelter where there are plenty of lovable dogs that need a home. Shelter dogs will provide you excellent companionship and even as great guard dogs.

The breed

You have to inquire about the breed’s history, its current purpose, and the reason behind why people keep breeding the breed for today. For example, many dog breeds were bred to work on farms, but today they are bred just to be companions. Understand, do your research, and make sure you identify the breed which suits you and fulfills what you want in your next dog.

Consider feeding a raw diet

A healthy and happy dog is directly related to its diet. A raw diet has a higher water content than dry pet food which results in better digestion, dental health, and healthier weight.

Posted by : Paul
Jan 6, 2020
General

How to Pet-proof your Home

Welcoming a pet at home is an exciting time for every family members. Owning a pet brings immense joy to a home. However, animals require special care that is why you need to make sure that your home is safe for them. Pets can come across many dangers around the house that is why before welcoming a pet, it is vital to think about pet-proofing your home.

How to leave your pet alone safely

When your pet is new to an environment, it is preferable to not let them alone as they get upset and anxious. Following which they can act wild and cause destruction around the house. However, there are a lot of ways whereby you can make your pet feel safe at home. In order to avoid that they run away in the yard or get injured, the best solution is to leave them indoors.

Find them a comfortable crate and let them in there. Once a pet is crate trained, they cause less nuisance and find a way to entertain themselves within the crate area. A crated pet cannot injure itself or damage the home. Another option is to keep the pet in your room. This solution helps them to move freely while keeping them away from the rest of the house.

No matter which option you go for, always make sure that the pet has access to food, water, and its favorite toy.

Install pet doors and block all escape routes

Pet doors are ideal for people who do not want to wake up by their pets in the morning as the latter wants to go out. While installing a pet door, the pet is free to go outdoors when they want to. However, make sure that you do not place food near the opening as it will attract unwanted animals into your house. The second thing that you need to consider is to secure your backyard else your pet might wander away. Your gates should be high enough to prevent your pets to jump out. If you are a dog owner, watch for areas where your dog can easily dig its way out.

Create a pet-friendly zone

Pet-friendly zones can be indoor or outdoor. It is supposed to be a space which is specifically for pets. This zone will prevent the pet from roaming around the rest of the house. It should be a place where the pet can sleep, move around or play without causing harm to furniture or meeting with other accidents. Make sure that you keep the pet’s favorite toys there and a pillow which the dog can use as bedding.

Store medicines and household toxins away from the pet

Pets are very curious beings that is why you should keep medicines and household chemicals away from them. If pets consume any one them, it can kill them. Always make sure that you keep those toxins in a place where your pet cannot access them. Store all your household toxins in the bathroom and keep your medicines in a medicine cabinet which can be childproof. Keep your bathroom doors closed every time.

Keep sharp objects out of reach of pets

Never ever leave any drawer open especially if it is easily accessible to your pet. Place any object that can injure your pet in a place which is hard for your pet to access. As they can reach anything with their paw or nose. So make sure that it is not within the reach of their paw or nose. Among those items, you should also include wires which can strangle your pet or electrocute them. Small items can also prove to be dangerous as your pet can chew or swallow them and choke to death.

Ensure that you don’t leave candles or anything with a flame as the pet can stumble upon it and catch fire or put your whole house on fire. Chocking hazards such as buttons, small toys, batteries, and screws should not wander on the floor. Put your dustbin out of reach of your pet as it can go through the stuff in your trash and find a chicken bone, chew on it and choke.

Be aware of the food you feed your pet

Fruit seeds can be fatal for your pet as well especially for your dog. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure, caffeine and chocolates are also toxic for your pet. Sugar-free food and gums can cause liver failure. Nutmeg can cause tremors and seizures in your pet. You can consult ASPCA’s list of foods that you don’t have to give to your pet. Even before planting plants, consult ASPCA’s database as some plants such as lilies, amaryllis, mums, aloe vera can be toxic for your pet. If your pet stays indoors most of the time, better avoid having indoor plants.

Posted by : Paul
Mar 20, 2019
General

Tag Archives: dogs

Tag: dogs