Nutrition
Feeding guide,
simple and practical.
How many meals, how to change food, how many treats, and what applies to large-breed puppies, kittens and senior pets. Print it for the fridge.
How many meals a day
- Puppy after weaning: 3–4 meals. From 4–6 months, 2 meals a day.
- Kitten: 3 meals a day until 6 months, then 2.
- Adult: 2 or more measured meals. We measure the amount; we do not just fill the bowl.
- Senior: if they eat less, give more and smaller meals.
- Free feeding is not suitable for puppies: it makes growth harder to control and is linked to more bone problems. Some cats regulate themselves, but if a cat is putting on weight, we switch to measured meals.
How to change food
- Adult dog: mix the new food with the old gradually over 7–10 days, e.g. 25% new on days 1–3, 50% on days 4–6, 75% on days 7–9 and 100% from day 10.
- Puppy or kitten that has just come home: for the first 2–3 days we change nothing. Then we mix in quarters (25, 50, 75, 100%) over 4 days in a row.
- Cat: the change takes about a week or more, especially from canned to dry food or the other way round. Put the two bowls side by side.
- If the stools change or your pet refuses, go more slowly. If it does not settle, the food may not suit them: ask us.
Treats and extra food
- Treats and anything we give outside meals should not exceed 10% of the day's calories. They count towards the amount of food.
- Good choices for dogs: carrot (one small carrot has only about 4 calories), fruit and vegetables, except grapes, raisins, onion and garlic.
- For cats: a little lean boiled chicken, without the skin.
- We do not give bones (risk of injury or blockage), nor food from the table.
Large-breed puppies: slow and steady growth
- The goal is controlled growth, not maximum growth. Excess energy and obesity from a young age lead to bone and joint problems, such as hip dysplasia.
- We give a food made for large-breed puppies, in 2–3 measured meals, and not adult food.
- We do not add calcium, phosphorus or vitamins to a complete growth food: too much calcium harms the bones.
- We weigh every 1–2 weeks and check that we can feel the ribs with our hand.
- Exercise: 20–40 minutes a day, without very intense or prolonged play.
Kittens
- A kitten gains about 100 g a week until 6 months, almost half a kilo a month, and reaches adult weight at 6–8 months.
- Weaning happens at 6–8 weeks. We give kitten food, 3 times a day.
- Wet food (cans, pouches) helps a cat take in more water, which protects the urinary tract.
- After neutering, calorie needs drop by about 30%: we adjust the amount so the cat does not gain weight.
Senior pets
- Cats and medium and large dogs are considered senior from 7 years, small dogs from 9 and giant breeds from 5.
- A dog's calorie needs at 11 are about 20–25% lower than at 3. In cats they drop slowly, but after 12 they may rise again: a thin senior cat may need more food.
- Body condition can change quickly: weigh often. If your pet is gaining weight, reduce the calories. If losing weight, feed a calorie-rich food and have them examined.
- Cats aged 7 and over: a clinical examination every 6 months and blood and urine tests every 6–12 months.
- Tell us if appetite or thirst changes, if there is trouble urinating or passing stools or using the litter box, if behaviour changes, or if your pet forgets things they knew (sleep changes, less activity, loss of toilet training).
Water
- Clean water should always be available. A healthy dog drinks about 50–60 mL per kg of body weight a day.
- Cats do not make up for low water intake on their own: we encourage drinking with wet food, more bowls and fresh water. If a cat drinks much more than usual, tell your veterinarian.
Weight control
- The amount for weight loss is calculated for the weight your pet SHOULD have, not the current one.
- The goal is a loss of 1–2% of body weight a week in dogs and 1–1.5% in cats. Never fast a cat: there is a risk of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver).
- Weigh every 2 weeks. When the ideal weight is reached, we move to a controlled-calorie food and measured meals.
Portion calculator
How much food is needed per day, from the weight and the calories of the food.
Enter the weight to see the result.
Indicative estimate — actual needs vary by individual, breed and activity.
Want personal advice?
Every pet is different. Book an appointment and we will build their feeding plan together.
General information; it does not replace a veterinary examination. Consult your veterinarian.