How much food should a senior dog eat per day?
Tierra Steuber
2025-09-22 06:33:31
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Most people feed their dogs twice a day. But instead of facing a couple of fully-loaded bowls a couple of times a day, senior dogs tend to prefer smaller portions, served more frequently throughout the day. Feed your senior dog in a quiet place, somewhere they can eat in peace without any surprises or distractions. Senior dog food contains a careful balance of the nutrients older dogs need to stay happy and healthy, with a good mix of antioxidants and fatty acids to support their joints and immune systems. Finally, because senior dogs are less active and have slower metabolisms, their food generally has a lower calorie content.
Jonathon Bartell
2025-09-22 06:09:39
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Watch how much you’re giving them – If your older dog is less energetic and burning fewer calories, then it’s easy to give them too much food for their energy requirements. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the quantity of food to give your dog and remember to weigh it out to avoid giving them too much. Manufacturer’s guidelines are, as the name suggests, just a guide, so keep an eye on your dog’s size and adjust the amount if you need to. Changing how much and how often they’re fed – Many dogs are used to being fed twice a day, but older dogs may prefer to be fed smaller amounts more frequently. Being less active, often due to joint problems, and having a slower metabolism means that it’s much more difficult for them to burn the calories that they gain from food. As your dog gets older, it’s a good idea to switch over to a diet that is lower in calories.
Cynthia Strosin
2025-09-22 04:11:01
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Most senior dogs tend to have lower caloric needs, because their metabolism slows down and they may not be as active, due to arthritis and other health issues. Because of this, we usually recommend feeding your dog 2% of their body weight as a general guideline. However, other dogs lose weight as they get older. Health issues and failing sight/smell can cause your dog to eat less calories than she needs to to stay healthy. If your dog appears underweight, you may need to increase their calorie intake or switch to a more palatable food. Dogs' caloric needs vary according to their breed, activity level, and size, and every dog will have a different need. For any dog, a wholesome, unprocessed diet is better than one with empty calories.
Hoyt Franecki
2025-09-22 03:52:52
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Seniors may benefit from senior formulas that help keep older dogs active and their minds sharp.
The dog feeding chart on the back of his dog food package can help guide you.
According to Dr. Harris, “Dog feeding charts usually make recommendations for daily intake.
Here’s a sample dog feeding chart similar to the one you will find on any dry dog food packaging:
Adult Dog Size (lbs)Dry Food Feeding Amount (cups)3 to 121/3 to 113 to 201 to 1/321 to 351-1/3 to 226 to 502 to 2-2/351 to 752-2/3 to 3-1/376 to 1003-1/3 to 4-1/4100+4-1/4 plus 1/4 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs
Note: Dog feeding amounts vary from product to product based on calorie content and formula.
For most dogs, feeding twice each day—once in the morning and once in the evening—is appropriate.
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