Overfeeding is the most common feeding mistake - and obesity shortens lives. Getting portions right is simpler than most owners think.
Start With the Label, Adjust From There
The feeding guide on your food's packaging is a starting point, not gospel. It's based on weight and assumes average activity. Most dogs need slightly less than the label suggests.
Watch the Waist, Not Just the Scale
The best body condition indicator: you should be able to feel your dog's ribs easily beneath a thin layer of fat, and they should have a visible waist when viewed from above.
Count Every Treat
Treats, training rewards, and table scraps all count toward daily calories. If treats make up more than 10 percent of intake, portion back on meals to compensate.
Quick Check: Use a kitchen scale or measuring cup for meals. Free-pouring kibble can add 25 percent more calories without you noticing.
Split Meals Across the Day
Two meals a day is the sweet spot for most adult dogs. Puppies need three or four smaller meals, and some large breeds benefit from divided portions to reduce bloat risk.
Adjust portions every few weeks based on your dog's body condition. A healthy weight is one of the greatest gifts you can give your companion.
Portion control prevents obesity, the most common nutrition problem in dogs. Here's how to get it right.5
