What Should I Feed My Dog?
Choosing the right dog food is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a dog owner. With shelves full of options and plenty of conflicting advice online, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s the reassuring truth: feeding your dog well doesn’t have to be complicated. The best dog food for your dog is simply the one that meets their unique nutritional needs — and this guide will help you find it.
Whether you have a bounding puppy, a spirited adult dog, or a wise old senior, the right dog food depends on their life stage, breed size, activity level, and health status. Let’s break it down together.
Key Takeaways
There’s no single “best” dog food for every dog — the right choice depends on your dog’s life stage, breed size, activity level, and individual health needs.
Every dog needs a complete and balanced diet that provides protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins, and minerals to truly thrive.
PEDIGREE® offers a full range of dog food tailored to every life stage — from puppy food through to senior dog food — so you can feed the good at every meal.
When changing your dog’s diet, transition gradually over 7–10 days to support their digestive health and make the switch a smooth one.
Understanding Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs
Good dog nutrition is the foundation of a long, happy, healthy life. Every dog — from the scruffy mix-up at the shelter to the show-ring champion — needs the same core nutrients to thrive.
A healthy dog diet includes:
Protein — supports muscle growth, maintenance and repair
Healthy fats — provide energy and help maintain a soft, shiny coat
Carbohydrates — deliver readily available fuel for active days
Fibre — promotes healthy digestion
Vitamins and minerals — support immune function, bone health, and overall vitality
Water — essential for every biological process
When you see the phrase “complete and balanced dog food” on packaging, it means the food has been formulated to meet recognised nutritional standards for your dog’s life stage. It’s a reassuring sign that your dog is getting everything they need in every bowl.
Choosing Dog Food for Your Dog’s Life Stage
Your dog’s nutritional requirements change significantly as they grow, mature, and age. Choosing puppy food, adult dog food, or senior dog food that matches your dog’s life stage is one of the most impactful things you can do for their health.
Puppy Food
Puppies grow at a remarkable rate and need dog food rich in high-quality protein, calcium, and DHA to support healthy brain development, strong bones, and boundless energy. PEDIGREE® Puppy dry dog food is specially formulated to give growing dogs the complete nutrition they need from their very first bowl.
Adult Dog Food
Adult dogs need balanced nutrition to maintain a healthy weight, strong muscles, and consistent energy. PEDIGREE® Adult dry dog food delivers complete and balanced nutrition for dogs in their prime — supporting everything from a healthy coat to a strong immune system.
Senior Dog Food
As dogs slow their pace with age, their metabolism changes and joints may need extra care. Senior dog food is generally lower in calories and richer in joint-supporting nutrients to keep older dogs comfortable, active, and happy.
How Breed Size Affects Dog Food Choice
A tiny Chihuahua and a giant Newfoundland may both love a good belly rub, but when it comes to dog food, their needs are worlds apart.
Small breed dogs have faster metabolisms and smaller mouths — they thrive on energy-dense, smaller-kibble dog food designed for their size.
Medium breed dogs do well on balanced, all-round dog nutrition that supports a healthy weight and steady energy.
Large and giant breed dogs need controlled-growth formulas as puppies to protect developing joints, and joint-supportive nutrition throughout adulthood.
Matching your dog’s food to their breed size ensures the right caloric density and nutrient profile — and helps them grow and age well.
Dry vs Wet Dog Food: Which Is Right for Your Dog?
Both dry and wet dog food can be excellent, nutritious choices for your dog. The right option — or the right combination — often comes down to your dog’s preferences, dental health, and your daily routine.
Dry dog food (kibble) is convenient, easy to measure and store, and the chewing action can help support dental health. It’s a popular everyday choice for Australian dog owners.
Wet dog food has a higher moisture content, which supports hydration and is often more palatable for fussy eaters or dogs with dental sensitivities.
Many owners combine both — using dry food as the daily base and adding wet food as a tasty topper. It’s a simple way to add variety while keeping nutrition on track.
Ready to Find the Perfect Dog Food for Your Dog?
Every dog is a PEDIGREE® Dog — and every dog deserves to be fed well. Explore the full PEDIGREE® range at Pedigree AU to find dog food tailored to your dog’s life stage and size. Want more feeding guidance? Our dog care articles on nutrition cover everything from how much food to feed your dog to how to switch your dog’s food safely — because feeding the good starts with the right knowledge. Feed the good.™
FAQs
What should I feed my dog every day? Feed your dog a complete and balanced dog food formulated for their life stage, breed size, and activity level. Most adult dogs thrive on two meals per day at consistent times, while puppies typically need three to four smaller meals to support their growth and energy.
How do I choose the right dog food for my dog? Start with your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior), then consider their breed size, activity level, and any specific health needs. Look for a complete and balanced dog food, and chat with your vet if you’re navigating particular dietary requirements.
Should I feed my dog dry food, wet food, or both? Both are nutritious options. Dry dog food is convenient, cost-effective, and supports dental health through chewing. Wet food adds moisture and is often more appealing to fussier eaters. Combining both is a popular approach that adds variety without compromising on nutrition.
What ingredients should I look for in dog food? Look for a quality named protein source — such as chicken, beef, lamb, or salmon — listed as the primary ingredient. Whole grains, vegetables, and essential vitamins and minerals are also good signs. Avoid dog foods with vague ingredient listings, excessive artificial additives, or fillers as the main component.
How do I safely transition my dog to a new food? Transition gradually over 7–10 days by slowly increasing the proportion of the new food while reducing the old. For example, start with 25% new food and 75% old food for the first few days, then gradually adjust the ratio. This gentle approach helps prevent tummy upsets and gives your dog time to adjust comfortably. For a step-by-step guide, visit our article on how to switch your dog’s food.
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Why your older dog needs protein
As part of your dog's natural metabolic processes, they'll lose a certain amount of protein every day through loss and turnover of hair, skin, nails and bodily secretions. Historically there's been a belief that reducing protein intake in older dogs will relieve ‘stress’ on their kidneys and may help to prevent or slow progression of kidney disease. More recent research has shown that this theory cannot be supported. Whereas older dogs have a higher incidence of kidney disease than younger dogs, not all older pets will develop kidney failure. The routine use of protein restricted diets in all senior dogs is therefore not necessary unless kidney function is impaired. Very low protein diets may actually be associated with a risk of protein malnutrition and poor palatability. In general, healthy older dogs should have diets based on their individual needs, which will be related to bodyweight, health status, condition and physical activity. There are really two main reasons why your dog requires protein. First to provide the essential amino acids that their own body can't make. Secondly, to provide nitrogen for making non-essential amino acids and other nitrogen-containing compounds. As part of your dog's regular metabolic processes, they'll lose a certain amount of protein every day through loss and turnover of hair, skin, nails and bodily secretions. What's more, about 1% of body protein is broken down and re-synthesised every day. However, if the body isn't taking in enough protein, this process can break down and result in a protein deficiency. Some signs of protein deficiency include:Loss of appetite and weight lossDull coatFluid retentionDistended abdomenSwelling of the legsLethargySo how much protein does your senior dog require? To a certain extent it depends on their breed, environmental factors, and variations in the dietary source of protein. If your senior dog has special needs, consult with your veterinarian.
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Adopting a second dog
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Adopting the right adult dog for you
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