Updated July 2026
Practical guidance to help you make calmer, more informed feeding choices for your dog.
Choosing dog food can feel unnecessarily complicated.
There are dry foods, wet foods, fresh meals, raw diets, homemade recipes, grain-free products, sensitive formulas and foods for different stages of life.
Then there are treats, chews, toppers, supplements and all the things your dog would quite happily help you eat.
It is easy to become overwhelmed by labels, strong opinions and claims that one particular way of feeding is best for every dog.
This hub brings my dog food, treat and feeding guides together in one place.
I am a professional dog walker and pet sitter, not a vet or veterinary nutritionist.
My role is to follow owners’ feeding instructions carefully, maintain familiar routines and notice when something appears different from normal.
This page provides general information. It does not replace advice from your veterinary team, particularly if your dog is unwell, growing, pregnant, underweight, overweight, taking medication or living with a medical condition.
Start with the question you need answered
Trying to solve one particular feeding problem?
Start here:
What should I feed my dog?
What does complete dog food mean?
How much should I feed my dog?
How many treats can my dog have?
How do I change my dog’s food?
What foods are toxic to dogs?
You do not need to read every guide at once.
Choose the question that matters to your dog now.
The simple starting point
For most healthy dogs, the sensible starting point is a food that:
- is labelled as complete
- is intended for dogs
- is suitable for the dog’s life stage
- can be fed in an appropriate amount
- agrees with the individual dog
- is affordable and practical for the household
“Complete” is one of the most useful words on a dog-food label.
A complete food is intended to provide all the nutrients the dog requires when it is fed according to its instructions.
A complementary food is intended to be used alongside something else. Many treats, chews, mixers and toppers are complementary rather than complete.
BVA advises owners to choose a complete, life-stage-appropriate diet, weigh portions accurately and monitor the individual dog.
[Internal link: Complete vs Complementary Dog Food]
The most expensive packet is not automatically the most suitable one.
Words such as “premium”, “natural”, “fresh”, “human grade” and “high meat” may be important to an owner, but they do not by themselves prove that a food will provide better nutrition or better health.
The first questions should be:
Is it complete?
Is it suitable for this dog?
Can I feed it in the correct amount?
Does my dog remain well on it?
Can I use it consistently?
How to read a dog-food label
Dog-food labels can look technical, but you do not need to analyse every word before feeding your dog.
Start with the important information.
Complete or complementary
Check whether the product is described as complete or complementary.
A complementary product should not normally replace the dog’s complete, main diet unless your vet or a qualified veterinary nutritionist has provided a specific plan.
Species and life stage
Check that the product is intended for dogs and whether it is designed for:
- puppies or growth
- adult maintenance
- older dogs
- a particular size of dog
- a diagnosed medical need
A food being marketed for “all life stages” does not remove the need to consider the individual dog.
Feeding instructions
The packet should provide feeding directions.
These are a useful starting point, but they cannot perfectly account for every dog’s metabolism, activity, treats, body condition, and health.
Composition and analytical constituents
UK pet-food labels include information such as the composition and percentages of crude protein, oils and fats, fibre, moisture where required and crude ash.
Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, although lawful category descriptions such as “meat and animal derivatives” may be used. A category description is not, by itself, evidence that a food is poor quality.
How to Read a Dog Food Label in the UK
Dry, wet, fresh or raw food?
There is no single food format that is automatically right for every dog.
Dry food
Dry food can be convenient, easy to store and straightforward to weigh.
It can also be useful for training, scatter feeding and food toys.
Dogs eating dry food must still have access to clean, fresh drinking water.
Wet food
Wet food contains more moisture and may appeal to dogs who prefer a softer texture.
Wet and dry food can have very different calorie densities, so portions should not be compared simply by volume alone.
Commercially prepared fresh food
A fresh or gently cooked commercial food may be suitable when it is complete, correctly stored and appropriate for the individual dog.
“Fresh” is not a guarantee that the product is nutritionally superior.
Raw food
Some owners choose commercially prepared or homemade raw food.
Raw feeding requires careful attention to hygiene, storage, handling and nutritional completeness. Uncooked animal ingredients can carry a greater risk of spreading bacteria to dogs and people. BVA recommends checking that a raw product is complete and discussing the choice with the dog’s veterinary team.
Homemade cooked food
Cooking food at home does not automatically create a complete diet.
A meal can look varied and wholesome while still providing the wrong amounts of calcium, vitamins, minerals, fats or other essential nutrients.
BVA advises owners considering a homemade main diet to use a recipe developed by an appropriately board-certified veterinary nutrition professional and to follow it accurately.
Wet, Dry, Fresh or Raw Dog Food?
Can I Feed My Dog Homemade Food?
How much should I feed my dog?
The feeding guide on the packet is a starting point.
The appropriate quantity can be affected by:
- the food’s calorie density
- your dog’s ideal weight
- age and growth
- body condition
- muscle condition
- activity
- neuter status
- treats and chews
- food used for training
- leftovers and household scraps
- health conditions
- medication
Weighing food in grams is usually more reliable than estimating it with a cup, mug, scoop or handful.
Dogs eating the same brand may still require different amounts.
UK Pet Food notes that energy needs vary considerably between individual dogs, even when they live under similar conditions. No single formula can calculate the perfect requirement for every dog.
Monitor the dog in front of you.
Look at weight, waist, ribs, general condition and changes over time.
WSAVA provides body-condition and muscle-condition tools that veterinary teams can use to assess fat stores and muscle loss.
[Internal link: How Much Should I Feed My Dog?]
[Internal link: Healthy Weight and Body Condition in Dogs]
Speak to your veterinary team if you are unsure about your dog’s ideal weight or if their weight changes without an obvious reason.
Treats count as food
Treats, chews, table scraps, dental products, food toys and enrichment fillings all contribute to the dog’s daily intake.
A commonly used guideline is that treats should provide no more than approximately 10% of the dog’s daily calories. The main diet should be adjusted when significant extras are given.
This guideline still matters when the treat is fruit or a vegetable.
Something being described as natural does not mean it can be fed without considering the portion.
One practical option is to put part of the dog’s measured daily food aside and use it for:
- training
- recall practice
- calm check-ins
- food searches
- scatter feeding
- a snuffle mat
- a Kong or other suitable food toy
Higher-value treats can still be useful when dealing with distractions, but the individual pieces can usually be small.
Rewards do not always have to be edible.
Depending on the dog, a sniffing opportunity, a short game, calm attention, access to a favourite place or permission to continue exploring may also be rewarding.
Dog Treats – How to Choose and Use Them
Training with Treats
How often should I feed my dog?
There is no single meal schedule that suits every dog.
Many healthy adult dogs are fed in two measured meals each day.
Puppies normally require smaller and more frequent meals while they are growing. Some older dogs and dogs with medical conditions may also need a different schedule.
The dog’s food, age, health and veterinary advice should guide the routine.
Predictable feeding times can be particularly helpful for:
- puppies learning a toilet routine
- rescue dogs settling into a new home
- nervous dogs
- dogs taking medication with food
- multi-pet households
- dogs being cared for by a sitter
Predictability does not mean that a meal must arrive at the exact same minute every day.
It means the dog has a familiar and manageable pattern.
Puppy Feeding
Feeding Instructions for a Dog Walker or Pet Sitter
Changing your dog’s food
A sudden change in diet can cause digestive upset or make a dog reluctant to eat.
Unless your vet has advised otherwise, introduce a new food gradually.
PDSA suggests making the transition slowly over approximately two weeks, beginning with a small amount of the new food and gradually increasing it while reducing the old food.
Some dogs tolerate a quicker transition.
Others need longer.
Slow down and speak to your veterinary team if your dog develops:
- repeated vomiting
- diarrhoea
- discomfort
- a significant appetite change
- lethargy
- another worrying symptom
Dogs with diagnosed allergies, gastrointestinal disease, or other medical conditions may require an individual veterinary plan.
How to Change Your Dog’s Food Safely
Can dogs eat human food?
Some plain foods prepared for people can be offered to many dogs in small amounts.
However, safe does not mean:
- necessary
- suitable for every dog
- nutritionally complete
- appropriate in unlimited quantities
- safe with every seasoning or ingredient
Human food should generally be treated as an occasional extra rather than a replacement for a complete diet.
Any food offered to a dog should be:
- free from known toxic ingredients
- plain rather than heavily seasoned
- prepared without unsafe bones, stones or pips
- cut into a suitable size
- offered in a modest amount
- counted within the daily allowance
Dogs with pancreatitis, kidney disease, diabetes, allergies, digestive problems or a prescribed veterinary diet may need to avoid foods that would be acceptable for another dog.
Can Dogs Eat Human Food?
Safe Fruits for Dogs
Dog-Friendly Vegetables
Foods that can be dangerous
Some everyday foods can cause serious illness in dogs.
Important examples include:
- chocolate
- grapes
- raisins
- sultanas
- currants
- onions
- garlic
- leeks
- chives
- products containing xylitol
- alcohol
- caffeine
- macadamia nuts
- mouldy food
This is not a complete list.
The risk can depend on the ingredient, amount, product, the dog’s size, and the time since it was eaten.
Contact your vet immediately if you believe your dog has eaten something harmful.
Do not wait for symptoms to develop.
Do not attempt to make your dog vomit unless a vet specifically instructs you to do so.
Keep the packet, ingredient list or a photograph of the product where possible.
Be ready to tell the vet:
- what the dog ate
- the approximate amount
- when it happened
- the dog’s weight
- any symptoms
- any existing health conditions
- any medication the dog receives
Toxic Foods for Dogs
First aid for dogs Hub
Animal PoisonLine
Feeding puppies
Puppies need a complete food designed to support growth.
Their requirements differ from those of adult dogs, and appropriate growth matters more than trying to make a puppy grow as quickly as possible.
Puppies are normally fed smaller meals more frequently.
The right food, amount, and timing of the transition to adult food depend partly on the dog’s expected adult size and development.
PDSA advises owners to use a complete food suitable for the puppy’s size, to retain a familiar feeding routine while the puppy settles, and to monitor growth through regular weighing.
Speak to your vet when you are unsure about:
- the puppy’s growth
- expected adult size
- body condition
- food transitions
- persistent digestive problems
- food refusal
- supplements
- homemade feeding
Puppy Feeding Guide
Puppy Visits in Finchley
Feeding older dogs
Getting older does not automatically mean every dog needs low-fat food or a packet displaying a particular age.
The right approach depends on the individual dog’s:
- body condition
- muscle condition
- mobility
- activity
- dental comfort
- digestion
- appetite
- medication
- diagnosed health conditions
An older dog who is losing weight or muscle may have very different needs from an older dog who is becoming overweight.
Changes in thirst, appetite, weight, chewing, swallowing, or toilet habits should be discussed with a vet rather than managed by repeatedly changing the food.
Feeding an Older Dog
Caring for an Older Dog
Allergies and food intolerances
Itching, ear problems, vomiting and diarrhoea are sometimes blamed on food.
These signs can have many possible causes.
Changing food repeatedly or removing several ingredients at once can make it harder to understand what is happening.
A properly controlled elimination diet needs to be planned, followed accurately and assessed over time.
Speak to your vet before putting your dog on a restrictive diet, particularly when the dog is young, unwell or already receiving treatment.
Dog Food Allergies and Intolerances
My dog will not eat
A dog may miss a meal for a relatively simple reason, but a noticeable change in appetite can also be a sign of pain, illness, stress, or a problem with the food.
Consider:
- whether the food or packet has changed
- whether someone else has already fed the dog
- whether the dog has received many treats
- whether the dog appears worried by the feeding area
- whether another pet is hovering
- whether chewing looks uncomfortable
- whether there are other symptoms
Contact your vet promptly if food refusal is sudden, persistent, or accompanied by vomiting, diarrhoea, pain, lethargy, unusual thirst, or any other worrying change.
Puppies, older dogs and dogs with existing medical conditions may require advice sooner.
My Dog Will Not Eat – When to Worry
Food enrichment
Food does not always need to be served in a normal bowl.
Some dogs enjoy:
- scatter feeding
- gentle food searches
- snuffle mats
- slow feeders
- lick mats
- stuffed food toys
- simple puzzle feeders
Use part of the normal measured food allowance where possible.
Choose an activity suitable for the dog’s age, confidence, health and ability.
Enrichment should not be made so difficult that the dog becomes frustrated.
Some dogs prefer a simple bowl.
Others may need one because of illness, pain, age, food monitoring, or how they respond to puzzles.
The aim is not to make every meal difficult.
The aim is to provide a safe and appropriate activity for dogs who enjoy it.
Dog Enrichment Feeding
Complete Guide to Kong Toys
Feeding several pets
Multi-pet households need clear routines.
One pet may eat more quickly.
Another may require a prescription diet.
A dog may try to reach the cat’s food.
One animal may need medication hidden in a meal.
Feed pets separately where necessary, and make sure each animal receives the correct food and the right amount.
This is particularly important when a walker or sitter is following the routine.
Written instructions reduce the risk of:
- double feeding
- missed meals
- incorrect portions
- the wrong pet receiving medication
- one pet stealing another pet’s food
- unapproved treats being given
[Internal link: Feeding Multiple Pets Safely]
How I manage food during pet care
When I walk or look after a dog, I follow the feeding and treat instructions agreed with the owner.
That may include:
- using part of the dog’s normal food as rewards
- keeping meals at familiar times
- weighing or measuring the agreed amount
- avoiding unapproved food
- providing fresh water
- keeping pets separate while eating
- noting changes in appetite
- following written medication instructions
- telling the owner when something appears different from normal
I do not introduce a new food, treat or supplement without permission.
For house-sitting and home visits, written instructions help prevent missed meals, double feeding, and uncertainty.
Leaving Your Dog with a Pet Sitter for the First Time: A Complete Guide
What to leave your dog walker
Pet and Home Readiness Visit
When should I speak to my vet?
Contact your veterinary team when your dog:
- gains or loses weight unexpectedly
- regularly refuses food
- suddenly becomes unusually hungry
- has repeated vomiting or diarrhoea
- struggles to chew or swallow
- appears painful around meals
- drinks or urinates noticeably more
- may have eaten something toxic
- requires a homemade diet
- requires a therapeutic diet
- has a medical condition affected by food
- is not growing as expected
- develops a significant change in body or muscle condition
Nutrition advice is most useful when it considers the whole dog rather than a packet, an ingredient, or an online trend in isolation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dog food?
There is no single product that is best for every dog.
Start with a complete food suitable for the dog’s life stage.
It should agree with the individual dog, be fed in an appropriate amount and be practical for the household to buy, store and serve consistently.
Is wet or dry dog food better?
Both can be suitable when they are complete and appropriate for the individual dog.
Some owners use one format.
Others use a combination.
Follow the manufacturer’s mixed-feeding instructions so the total amount remains appropriate.
Does expensive dog food mean better dog food?
Not necessarily.
Price, packaging, ingredient fashion and marketing language do not prove that a product will provide better nutrition.
Completeness, suitability, portion control, manufacturing standards and how the individual dog responds are more useful starting points.
Can dogs have fruit and vegetables every day?
Some dogs can have small amounts of suitable fruit or vegetables.
They remain treats and should be counted within the daily allowance.
Introduce unfamiliar foods carefully and do not give anything known to be toxic.
Should I change flavours so my dog does not become bored?
Dogs do not necessarily require frequent changes in food.
Repeated switching can cause digestive upset and make it harder to identify the cause of a reaction.
Variety can also come from safe enrichment, sniffing, walking routes, play and interaction.
Can I cook every meal for my dog?
It is possible to feed a properly formulated homemade diet, but balancing one is more complicated than combining apparently healthy ingredients.
Use a recipe developed for the individual dog by an appropriately qualified veterinary nutrition professional.
Are grain-free foods healthier?
Not automatically.
Grains are not inherently harmful to most dogs.
When you suspect an allergy or intolerance, speak to your vet rather than removing ingredients based on general online advice.
Can I use my dog’s normal food for training?
Yes.
Putting aside part of the measured daily food can help prevent training rewards from becoming a large additional source of calories.
Some situations will still require a higher-value reward.
Trusted sources
For evidence-led information about feeding and nutrition, I recommend using guidance from:
- your own veterinary practice
- the British Veterinary Association
- the World Small Animal Veterinary Association
- PDSA
- Dogs Trust
- UK Pet Food
- the Food Standards Agency
- Animal PoisonLine
Need help maintaining your dog’s normal routine?
I provide calm, one-to-one dog walking and in-home pet care in Finchley, Muswell Hill and nearby parts of North London.
I work locally, care for one household at a time and follow the pet’s agreed routine.
When you contact me, tell me:
- your postcode
- the service you need
- a little about your dog
- their usual routine
- any feeding or medication requirements
