Dog Nutrition & Feeding Guide
A UK reference to feeding by life stage, portion sizes, complete vs complementary foods, weight control and how to read a pet-food label — aligned with the PFMA Nutritional Guidelines.
Last reviewed: May 2026
The basics
Every dog needs the right balance of protein, fat, carbohydrate, fibre, vitamins, minerals and water. UK pet food is governed by the FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines and labelled under PFMA conventions. A product marked "complete" provides everything the dog needs; "complementary" (treats, toppers, mixers) must be combined with a complete food.
Life-stage feeding
| Life stage | Meals/day | Food type | Monitoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (0–12 m) | 4× → 3× → 2× daily | Puppy / growth formula, higher protein & DHA | Weight-gain check every 2 weeks |
| Adult (1–7 y) | 2× daily | Adult complete, breed-size appropriate | Body condition score monthly |
| Senior (7+ y) | 2× daily | Senior formula, lower calorie, joint support | More frequent vet checks |
| Pregnant / lactating | 3–4× daily | Puppy/performance food, free-fed last trimester | Up to 2× normal calories |
| Working dog | 2–3× daily | Performance, higher fat | Adjust to workload |
Portion sizes (adult maintenance)
Use as a starting point for an average activity dry-food diet of ~3,500 kcal/kg. Always follow the specific guide on your product, then adjust by body condition.
| Body weight | Daily food | Approx calories |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg (toy) | 40–60 g/day | ~150 kcal |
| 5 kg (small) | 80–120 g | ~290 kcal |
| 10 kg | 140–200 g | ~490 kcal |
| 20 kg (medium) | 230–330 g | ~825 kcal |
| 30 kg (large) | 320–460 g | ~1,120 kcal |
| 40 kg | 400–580 g | ~1,390 kcal |
Body Condition Score (BCS)
Run your hands over your dog's ribs. You should feel ribs with light pressure (not see them through the coat, but no thick fat layer). Viewed from above, there should be a visible waist behind the ribs. Viewed from the side, the abdomen should tuck up. The PFMA's BCS chart scores 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese); aim for 4–5.
Food formats compared
| Type | Strengths | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Complete dry (kibble) | Convenient, dental benefit, long shelf life | Lower moisture, watch carb content |
| Complete wet (tray/pouch) | Palatable, high moisture, good for fussy/seniors | Cost per kcal higher, fridge once opened |
| Fresh cooked (Butternut, Tails) | Human-grade, gently cooked, traceable | Premium price, freezer storage |
| Raw (BARF / PMR) | Natural diet philosophy, glossy coats reported | Bacterial risk, must be PFMA-compliant; not for immunocompromised households |
| Home cooked | Full ingredient control | Must be vet-nutritionist formulated to be complete |
Raw feeding
Raw is legal in the UK but must come from a DEFRA-approved producer if commercial. Salmonella and campylobacter risk is real — wash bowls daily, store separately and avoid raw in households with infants, elderly or immunocompromised members. The RVC recommends adult dogs only and never as part of a brace/AHC travel period.
Reading a UK label
By PFMA convention, the label tells you:
- Composition — ingredients in descending weight order. "Chicken (26%)" is meaningful; "meat and animal derivatives" is not.
- Analytical constituents — protein, fat, fibre, ash, moisture.
- Additives — vitamins/minerals declared per kg.
- Feeding guide — by adult weight and activity level.
- Best before and batch number.
Allergies and intolerances
True food allergies are uncommon (~10% of skin cases). Most reactions trace to beef, dairy, chicken or wheat. An 8-week elimination diet using a single novel protein and carbohydrate (or hydrolysed prescription diet) is the gold standard for diagnosis. Skin or blood "allergy panels" are unreliable.
Weight control
Around 51% of UK dogs are overweight (PFMA Pet Obesity Report). A 10% reduction in daily calories combined with a 20-minute extra walk is usually enough for slow, safe weight loss (target 1–2% body weight per week). Weigh food on kitchen scales, not a scoop, and account for all treats.
Foods to never feed
| Food | Why |
|---|---|
| Chocolate, caffeine | Theobromine toxicity |
| Grapes, raisins, currants | Acute kidney failure |
| Onion, garlic, leek, chive | Haemolytic anaemia |
| Xylitol (sweetener, peanut butter, gum) | Hypoglycaemia, liver failure |
| Macadamia nuts | Weakness, tremors |
| Cooked bones | Splinter risk — never feed |
| Alcohol, raw dough | CNS depression, ethanol production |
If your dog ingests any of these, call your vet or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 immediately. See our Toxic Foods reference for full severity ratings.
Treats and toppers
Treats should be under 10% of daily calories. Healthy choices: small pieces of plain cooked chicken, carrot, cucumber, blueberries, plain rice cakes, dehydrated single-ingredient liver. Avoid rawhide (choking risk), pig ears (high fat), and any treat made outside EU/UK safety standards.
Switching foods
Transition over 7–10 days: 25% new on days 1–3, 50% on days 4–6, 75% on days 7–8, 100% on day 9+. Slower for sensitive stomachs. Some loose stools during transition are normal; persistent diarrhoea means slow down.
Resources
FAQ
Wet or dry? Either can be complete and balanced. Mixing is fine; just keep total daily calories on target.
Grain-free — better? No evidence of benefit for non-allergic dogs. The FDA has investigated a possible link between grain-free diets and DCM heart disease; choose grain-inclusive unless your vet recommends otherwise.
How much water? Roughly 50 ml per kg per day, more in hot weather or on dry food. Always provide fresh water.
Can dogs be vegan? Possible with a vet-formulated complete food, but most vets recommend at least some animal protein. Never improvise a home vegan diet without a veterinary nutritionist.