Dogs are just bundles of love, and something that we all cherish as precious members of our family. But what do we do when these four-legged comrades put on too many pounds? You are most likely feeding exactly what the bag says to feed but they continue to gain weight. My name is Thor and I am the owner of The Pet Pantry®, a local business that delivers dog and cat food, treats and supplies to homes across the triangle and triad and I would like to help you.
A big misconception that many pet owners have is that the feeding recommendations on the bag are appropriate for their dog. But unfortunately, that’s just not correct. AAFCO is the agency that determines the feeding requirements for dogs. These guidelines are a one-size fits all guide that may not be right for your friend. The guidelines printed on the bag give no consideration for age, breed, whether they have been spayed/neutered, or the activity level of your dog. As an example of how the guidelines may not be right for your dog, when a dog is spayed or neutered, their caloric needs go down 20 or 30 percent, but the AAFCO guidelines do not take this into account. You could be feeding 20 to 30% more than your dog needs!
As a very general guide I tell people most adult dogs that have been spayed or neutered, get moderate activity need about 17 calories per day per lb. of ideal body weight. So with this general guide in mind if your dog currently weighs 50 lbs. and should weigh 40 lbs. you would multiply 40 lbs. x 17 calories which equals 680 calories per day. You would then divide the 680 calories by how many calories are in each cup of dog food you are feeding to determine how many cups of food to feed each day. You must also make sure to compensate for any treats that you are giving throughout the day by subtracting food. Keep in mind that this is a guideline only, every dog’s needs are different and you will need to adjust up or down appropriately.
Remember to look at your dog food bag with a discerning eye, and to feed your dog for the weight that you would like them to be and their lifestyle. If I can be of any help, feel free to contact me at thor@feedyourpets.com.