Skip to main content
Pet A&E
Animal Trust Logo
Book or Register
Animal Trust

Feeding Your Dog: A Guide for Puppies, Adults and Older Dogs

Your dog’s nutritional needs change as they grow and get older. Choosing a suitable food and feeding the right amount helps support their health throughout life. Here’s what to consider for puppies, adult dogs and older dogs. 

Feeding Your Dog: A Guide for Puppies, Adults and Older Dogs
Choosing a Complete Food for Your Dog

Choosing a Complete Food for Your Dog

Choose a food labelled “complete” for your dog’s life stage. This means it is designed to provide all the nutrients they need when fed as directed. “Complementary” foods are not suitable as their only diet. 

Wet food, dry food or a combination can all be suitable. Choose an option that suits your dog and your budget. A higher price does not automatically mean better nutrition. 

If your dog has a medical condition, ask your veterinary team whether they need a particular diet. 

Raw food has not been shown to offer better overall health benefits than a balanced cooked diet. It can contain harmful bacteria that pose a risk to dogs and people. Speak to your veterinary team before choosing a raw or home-prepared diet, particularly for a growing puppy. 

Make sure fresh drinking water is always available. 

Dog Nutrition: Feeding Puppies, Adult Dogs and Older Dogs

Choose a complete puppy food suited to your dog’s expected adult size. Large and giant breeds need food suitable for large-breed growth. 

Divide their daily allowance into three or four small meals initially, gradually reducing to two as they grow. Regular weight and body condition checks help you adjust portions to support healthy growth without excess weight gain. 

Move to adult food as your puppy approaches maturity. The timing varies with their size and breed, so ask your veterinary team if you are unsure. 

Most healthy adult dogs do well on a complete adult food, divided into two meals a day. The amount they need depends on their size, activity and individual metabolism. 

Review portions if their activity changes or after neutering, as their calorie needs may decrease. Regular weight and body condition checks will help you spot when adjustments are needed. 

Senior dogs do not automatically need to switch to a senior food. If your dog is healthy and maintaining a good weight and muscle condition on their current complete adult diet, it may still be suitable. 

Some older dogs need fewer calories as they become less active, while others need support to maintain weight and muscle. Your veterinary team can help you choose a diet based on your dog’s individual needs and any medical conditions. 

Arrange a veterinary check if you notice unexplained weight changes, muscle loss, reduced appetite or difficulty eating. These should not simply be put down to age. 

Rabbit Diet Safety: Foods to Avoid, Fresh Water and Dietary Changes

Rabbit Diet Safety: Foods to Avoid, Fresh Water and Dietary Changes

Getting portions right 

Use the feeding guide on the packet as a starting point. Read it carefully, as puppy portions usually depend on age and expected adult size. Adjust portions according to your dog’s growth, weight and body condition, with advice from your veterinary team if needed. 

Weigh food using kitchen scales. If you mix wet and dry food, combine appropriate portions rather than feeding the full daily allowance of each. 

You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs easily without a thick covering of fat and see a waist when looking from above. Your veterinary team can show you how to assess their body condition. 

Include treats, chews and table scraps in the daily calorie allowance. These should generally provide no more than 10% of daily calories, with the rest coming from complete food. You can also use some of their usual food for training rewards. 

If your dog needs to lose weight, ask your veterinary team for a feeding plan rather than simply cutting their food substantially. 

Changing your dog’s food 

Introduce new food gradually over about a week, unless your vet advises otherwise. Start by mixing a little into their current food, then increase the proportion of new food while reducing the old. 

Some dogs need a slower transition. Speak to your veterinary team if your dog develops persistent vomiting, diarrhoea or a reduced appetite. 

Author

Written by Gillian Burkhill, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Trust Vets CIC | Published October 2026 | Review date October 2029 | This advice is for UK pets only and is not a replacement for seeing a vet

Concerned about your pet?