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Dogs give us so much joy and, in return, we want to give them the best life possible. That means making sure your dog eats the pet food that’s suitable for their individual needs. Finding the best food for your dog helps your four-legged friend get the nourishment they need.
Get educated about nutrition choices
A complete, balanced diet is essential for your pup to thrive and live their best, healthy life. There are multiple options when it comes to finding the best food for your dog, with each dog requiring the right amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates.
Understanding dog food labels
In Australia, dog food labels will contain all the information needed to determine if the food will give your dog the correct amount of nourishment. This includes: • Nutritional information – explaining the food’s composition • Nutritional guarantee – explaining if the food will provide a complete, balanced diet or if it’s intended as a supplement or treat • Feeding guide – how much and how often to feed your dog • Ingredients list • Weights and measures.
Feeding your dog
Just like us, all dogs are individuals – and they like different things. Typically, dogs enjoy an omnivorous diet (a diet consisting of both meat and plants). You might choose to feed them a diet of PEDIGREE® dog food to ensure their nutritional needs are met. You can then decide which formats to offer, and a combination of both dry and wet food is a great way to go. This is known as mixed feeding, and as well as providing a tasty meal, it also offers the pet a broad range of benefits.
How your dog’s diet changes over time
Dogs’ diets also vary depending on their breed, size, activity levels, sex and age. As a puppy, your dog will require small, regular meals; however, this should gradually be reduced to one or two meals a day once your dog is an adult. Puppies require a balanced diet with fats, minerals, proteins, amino acids and vitamins to help them form healthy teeth and bones as they grow and develop. As they transition into adulthood and, later, into senior life, their nutritional needs will change. For example, a senior dog may need food with enhanced vitamins, such as PEDIGREE® Adult Dog Dry Food for dogs aged seven and over. This helps ensure senior dogs get the right level of protein and fat, specifically designed for the less active lifestyles of dogs in their Golden Years.
Switching dog foods
Thinking of making a change to your dog’s diet? If you’re trying to transition your puppy to adult food or make another adjustment, it’s important to do so slowly – otherwise your fur baby might get an upset stomach. Your dog’s digestive system will thrive on balance, so gradually introducing food over a period of two weeks will help keep their digestive system happy. Gradually add their new food to their old food, starting with 20% new with 80% old for the first four days. Then gradually increase the dose slowly until your dog has fully transitioned to their new diet. Carefully watch them to make sure they don’t have any signs of an upset stomach. Giving your dog the best nourishment will help ensure they live a happy, healthy life for as long as possible. To find out more about caring for your pup, visit our Help Hub.
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