Lifestages: Adult
Adult 1-7 Years
Adult dogs need to be fed a constant diet of a complete and balanced pet food. A dog may show preferences for certain foods but they do not require the variety that we do in their diet. It is therefore advised not to change varieties frequently as this might upset their stomach. It is also important to feed the correct quantity to avoid obesity (measuring cups are available from the till point) and ensure adequate exercise.
To support your dog’s health, look out for a food that provides a complete and balanced diet and the following:
To help you select the right food, is your dog...
Overweight?
Obesity in dogs is on the increase with overfeeding and lack of exercise being the main contributing factors. In simple terms, if a dog eats more calories than they need then the excess energy is deposited as fat.
By sticking to feeding guidelines and avoiding too many treats, as well as ensuring your dog receives plenty of exercise, you can prevent or at least reduce obesity. If your dog is overweight then you should take action sooner rather than later, as this will not only make your dog feel healthier but can also help reduce vet bills as obesity can lead to a whole host of related diseases such as arthritis, diabetes and respiratory problems.
Behavioural Symptoms
Physical symptoms of an overweight dog include:
Top tips for healthy eating
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Feed a specially formulated light complete diet
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Avoid feeding table scraps and snacks
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Stick to the recommended daily food allowance – Pets at Home Complete measuring cups are available from the till point
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Divide your dog’s daily food allowance into several meals
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Keep your dog in another room when you are eating
A Performance Dog
Working dogs such as sheep dogs, police dogs and guide dogs often need more calories due to their level of work and stress. A dog with a moderate workload may require 20-40% more and a dog with a heavy work load will require an extra 50% or even more. It is often necessary to feed these dogs a performance diet which contains a high energy content as they may not be able to consume enough calories from a regular adult food.
A Large or Giant Breed?
Large breed dogs are those that typically weigh between 25-45kg when adult. So a Golden Retriever, Labrador, German Shepherd and Boxer are all considered to be large breed dogs. Giant breed dogs are those that typically weigh over 45kg e.g. Great Danes.
Up to 40% of large and giant breed dogs develop joint problems. Choose a large breed adult food that contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate to help promote healthy joint cartilage and support overall joint and health mobility. It is also important that large and giant breed dogs are fed a diet that contains lower levels of energy to maintain a healthy weight, meaning less joint stress.
Pregnant?
Pregnancy and birth is a demanding time for animals, just like it is for humans, although a bitch’s pregnancy typically only lasts 9 weeks. It is advised that once a pregnancy has been diagnosed, bitches should be gradually changed onto a small breed puppy or performance food as these foods contain more energy. They should continue to be fed on this diet until the puppies have been weaned as this food will also support healthy lactation (milk production).
Avoid under-feeding and overfeeding by feeding to appetite. Bitches with large litters may however lose their appetite during the last 10 days due to reduced stomach capacity. In this instance, it is advisable to feed several small meals or feed ad lib.
Over 7 years old?
Even though your dog may still perform at the same outstanding level, once it reaches seven years of age it officially enters the senior life stage. It is extremely important at this age to make the transition to a specially formulated senior diet to help keep your dog healthy and happy into retirement. To make the transition easy on your dog’s digestive system gradually mix increasing proportions of the new food into the old over a period of 4 or 5 days.
Click here for information on solving more specific problems with your dog's diet