As you already know, small dog breeds often have huge personalities with a calorie intake that is rather larger than in relation to the amount they usually eat. This is simply due to the fact that their metabolism tends to burn at a high energy rate. You see, they have a higher surface area to the body as compared to their small size and less weight, making their energy requirement quite elevated. In fact, a generic toy dog will most likely need twice as many calories per bite as compared to a bulldog.
Most Common Dog Food to Choose From
There are various kinds of food options available for our furry friends nowadays. These include raw food, natural food, grain-free food, fresh food, frozen food, and organic, but two of the most widespread are the dry kibble and the wet food.
- Dry Kibble. These are often a balanced diet delicately worked out by manufacturers, basically meant to be fed without any other additions but with water on hand always. It is convenient with a reasonable cost. However, this type of food has more starch and carbohydrates because of the way they are made.
- Wet Food. Also, referred to as canned dog food, this comes in cans and pouches. Highly palatable for most pooches but provides nothing for teeth crunching which is essential for tooth cleaning and for dogs to actually chew on. On the up side, its meat content is often high and the filler material is usually low.
It is indisputable how portion control is just as important for dogs as it is for us humans. By measuring the amount you feed your pooch, you make it easier for yourself to determine how much exactly your dog is eating; which in turn, will help you control his weight. But how much really is enough? Note that the amount generally depends on your pooch’s size and activity level. A combination of dry kibble and wet, canned food is popular.
Here’s a table of what can be fed to small breeds and small to medium dogs as taken from pets.webmd.com.
| Typical Breed | Weight as an Adult Dog | Dry Food | Dry Food Mixed with Can Food |
| Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle | Up to 10 pounds | 1/4 to 3/4 cup | Cut dry up to ½ the amount and substitute the same volume with a can |
| Miniature Poodle, Scottish Terrier | 10-25 pounds | 3/4 to 1 cup | Cut dry up to ½ the amount & substitute the same volume with a can |
| Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, Springer Spaniel | 25-50 pounds | 1-2 cups | Cut dry up to ½ the amount and substitute the same volume with a can |
Basic Dog Feeding Tips
- Feed your dog at the same time every day to keep his bathroom schedule consistent as well.
- Since changes in food can upset your dog’s stomach, feed him the same type and brand of food every day as much as possible.
- When there’s a need to switch to a new food, gradually transition him to the new food by mixing portions of both foods until the old one is slowly phased out.
- When it comes to mixing water into Fido’s dry food, keep the ratio at 1 part water to 4 parts dry food.
- Always clean your dog’s food and water bowls, and keep fresh drinking water readily available at all times.
- Avoid over-feeding your pooch and follow the guidelines on the dog food package to determine the recommended feeding amounts.
- Monitor your dog’s weight as well as activity level.
- Make feeding adjustments as needed.
