As it’s long-lasting and easy to portion out, dry dog food is often seen as the more economic choice for dog owners as it costs less over time. When fed as part of a balanced diet, wet dog food is safe for healthy dogs. However, if your dog is sensitive to fats or has pancreatitis, for example, I would suggest speaking to a vet, who can advise if a prescription diet may be a better option. Can Wet Dog Food Help With Weight Management For Overweight Dogs? Typically, the frequency of feeding will depend on the dog’s age. As a rule of thumb, we feed young puppies very regularly; at least four times a day. This is because they have small stomachs and are less able to regulate their blood sugars. Once pups reach about three months of age, we should be able to increase the portion they are given and taper their feedings down to three times daily. It is at six-month-old that it is usually advised that dogs are offered two meals and these should be given in the morning and evening. Some owners are comfortable continuing this pattern lifelong, while others may choose to go on to feed their dogs once a day. For an in depth guide for feeding puppies read our Puppy Feeding Guide blog piece. Remember, our tools help provide a guideline but each dog is an individual. If your dog has had a busy day of training and playing, they may need a few extra calories for dinner. Similarly, if the weather has been awful and they’ve had a lazy day, you may find they don’t finish their full portion. It is sensible to monitor your puppy’s weight each week and to ensure they are growing as expected. If not, we may need to alter the recommended feeding amount. Wet and dry dog food is a lot safer in terms of risk of infection, and there is a very low chance of cross contamination with your family’s food.

Feeding a high-quality, nutritious puppy food is essential for your little one’s growth and development. Here at Pooch & Mutt, we have both a wet food and dry food specifically tailored to your puppy’s needs. You can choose to offer one or the other, or to opt for mix feeding. Try to store your unopened wet dog food in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight - such as in a dedicated food cupboard or pantry or even in a basement or garage. Of course, there are times when you can feed a dog dry dog food when they usually eat wet, or wet dog food when they usually eat dry. It’s advisable not to change frequently between wet and dry foods, as this can be too much for a dog’s easily upset stomach to handle. Many pet parents do end up feeding both wet and dry dog food though. This may mean some kibble left down throughout the day and a wet meal in the evening, or perhaps offering a bowl that contains both. Many appreciate this compromise (owner and dog alike), and most pooches do well on mixed diets.As your puppy gets older, you may start to wonder when to switch them from puppy to dog food. When to stop feeding puppy food will depend on several factors, include your dog’s breed and size. Depending on your dog, you may be making the transition any time between the ages of nine months and two years. At the same time, not providing all of the food our dog needs can be detrimental. Without the calories they need, your dog may not have the energy they need to play, learn and develop important life skills. Under-weight dogs may find it hard to build muscle and are more prone to dehydration, hypothermia and hypoglycaemia when unwell. Under-feeding also puts your pup at risk of developing nutritional deficiencies. How much to feed a puppy is dependent on your puppy’s current size and age as well as their predicted weight. If your puppy is a mixed breed and you are unsure how much they will weigh when older, there are usually good estimates available online. Nutritional additives: Vitamin A 3,300IU vitamin D3 275IU, Zinc (as Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate) 27.5mg, Iron (as Iron (II) Sulphate Monohydrate) 13.2mg, Manganese (as Manganous Sulphate Monohydrate) 2.2mg, Copper (as Copper (II) Sulphate Pentahydrate) 1.32mg. Analytical constituents: Crude protein 10%, crude fat 8%, crude fibre 1%, inorganic matter 3%, moisture 77%. Small breeds weigh less than 10kg at maturity and take somewhat longer to develop and fill out than their toy breed peers. This is why we continue to feed more until they are about six months of age. After this, their calorie requirements only dip slightly. As with toy breeds, owners tend to want to ‘over-feed’ these dogs. Consider weighing out the portions suggested by the puppy feeding guide.

If your pooch is on a plan to lose those pounds, dog biscuits are better for weight loss than wet food. Again, this is largely because of easier portion control.Feeding wet dog food can be more expensive than dry dog food on a per-meal basis. However, it’s important to consider the many additional benefits that wet food can provide. This article has more information on Dry Dog food vs Wet Food. How Do I Choose The Right Wet Food For My Dog’s Life Stage (puppy, adult, senior)? Veterinarians and pet nutrition experts may have varying opinions on which wet dog food brands are the best. Brand and products featured in this round-up review are certainly great options. What Is The Difference Between Grain-Free And Grain-Inclusive Wet Food?