The Feeding of Puppies and Dogs

Is there a correct ratio for proportioning food to small dogs? How much do you feed a puppy?

I think the best diet is one made up mostly of dry kibble, mixing in a small amount of canned food for flavor and higher fat content. My rule of thumb for feeding is 8 ounces of food (dry, canned or a mixture of the two) for every 10 pounds of body weight for puppies and half that amount (4 ounces) for adult dogs. Based on that, a 5-pound puppy (up to 8 months old) would get 12 ounces of food a day (divided into three meals) and a 5-pound adult (8 to 10 months and older) would get 4 ounces of food a day (divided into two meals). Keep in mind that puppies grow quickly, so the quantity should be reevaluated on a weekly basis. I also recommend switching from puppy to adult formula when the dog is 8 to 10 months old. (Both kittens and cats should be fed 6 ounces of wet or 8 ounces of dry food per 10 pounds of body weight, divvied up in three meals per day for kittens and two meals per day for cats.)

Please note that these recommendations may vary depending on the diet you feed your dog and the amount of exercise he gets. My suggestions apply to a city dog on a high-quality, commercial pet food. If your pet spends the weekend in the country, playing for hours on end, you would then increase rations by 10 to 20 percent. If you are in the habit of giving excessive amounts of treats (more than five cookies a day), then lessen the amount of food you give him (and keep in mind that treats are not as healthy as food). If your pet likes to graze, it's fine to leave food out all day, but remember that canned food is perishable and dry food can go rancid if left out too long. If you have more than one pet, leaving food out can make it hard to control who eats what and how much.

I'm often asked which kind of dog food people should buy. Most brands of commercial dog food are nutritious, and there's no reason to shop for food in a pet store. Some dogs will have special requirements for either morsel size (small breed foods are available) or ingredients (hypoallergenic diets). Your veterinarian may also recommend a prescription diet formulated for a specific health need (heart disease, kidney disease or weight loss, for example). If your pet insists on table scraps, feed him at your own risk. I know pet owners who broil lamb chops for their dogs every night and wonder why they have a hard time getting them to eat dog food. If dogs don't have choices, they will accept the food we provide them. Another good reason to stick with dog food is that it is made with your pet's nutritional requirements in mind; if you feed your dog things that you eat, you will usually leave out an essential ingredient. After all, people get urges for an orange when their bodies say they need Vitamin C. Your dog, on the other hand, can't tell you he has a hankering for carnitine. If you stick with dog food, not only is it easier for you, but your dog will get the nutrients he needs and be healthier.

FYI
Dogs are carnivores and ate small animals (rabbits, rats and squirrels) in the wild. Have you ever seen a puppy pick up a toy with his teeth and shake it as if trying to break its neck? You might think the dog is just playing, but he's really trying to kill something he wants to eat. Even though dogs like to eat meat, they can survive on a well-balanced vegetarian diet; cats, on the other hand, could die if not fed animal protein.

Dr. Peter Kross, DVM, has had his own veterinary practice, the Rivergate Veterinary Clinic in New York City, since 1989. He lives in Manhattan with his three white boxers, Buchanan, Wilhelmina and Laila.