Whether you are a seasoned or perfect dog, deciding how much canned food to give your dog can be confusing.
Since canines can’t communicate with words, it is difficult to tell whether they are underfed, appropriately fed, or overfed.
Most pet owners wing it hoping they are giving their dogs adequate nutrition for their bodies.
If you are among pet owners confused about how much canned food to give your dog on a daily basis, keep reading.
I have discussed the topic in detail, including how canned food compares with dry food.
Can dogs eat canned food?
The answer is yes. However, feeding your dog with canned food has both advantages and disadvantages.
Canned food is a regular wet or dry food containing the required vitamins and nutrients for your pets. It is also quite similar to kibble.
There are usually artificial sweeteners or preservatives in canned food. Make sure to feed only a little dry or wet food that your pet will likely finish in few minutes. This is because canned wet food is a treat for your adult dog. If you compare packaging wet food and dry dog food, then dry dog food is better.
Eating dry food will keep your pet’s teeth healthy and clean, and there will not be any leftovers to take care of.
Dry dog food will retain its health benefits when left outside for many days. Due to more moisture in wet food, it takes longer for your pup to eat.
So, it has to be eaten right then before it goes bad. Both dry kibble food and wet food have the same amount of nutrition.
Canned food can benefit your dog’s health if he is way more active than any average pup. This will provide the right amount of protein to your dog.
Why choosing the Right Canned Food Matters
Nutrition has a significant impact on the quality of life of a pet. Too little food and your dog will experience deadly nutritional deficiencies.
Too much, and he will develop various health issues, including skin disorders, obesity, cancers, labored breathing, osteoarthritis, congestive heart failure, shortened years, and more.
Giving your pup the right amount of food will enhance his optimal health and improve their quality of well-being.
How Much Canned Food Should I Feed My Dog Per Day?
This depends on some factors. There’s no specific answer to this question, as dogs differ in age, size, appetite, health levels, and more.
Let’s discuss the factors that affect the portion of canned food a pup should have.
Age
First, your four-legged friend’s age is directly related to how much food he consumes daily.
The stage of your dog will determine the quality and specific nutrition he needs.
Typically, a young puppy needs more food than an adult dog. This is because the adult dog has a slower metabolism than the young puppy since growth has reached its peak.
Size Of Your Dog
The size of your dog goes hand in hand with his breed.
The bigger the canine, the more canned food he needs for survival.
A Chihuahua consumes a tiny fraction of a Great Dane’s daily intake.
Activity Level
Dogs’ activity levels and, ultimately, their daily caloric requirements differ.
For example, a big German shepherd might not need to consume much compared to a highly active Labrador retriever.
Even dogs of the same breeds have different activity levels.
A dog that moves and plays around all the time, like agility and flyball, certainly needs more canned food, especially during competition, than one that is low-energy.
Body Weight
Another factor to remember when establishing how much canned food to feed a dog daily is his weight.
People on a weight loss journey eat differently than their counterparts who maintain or gain weight.
The same principle applies to your dog. You will want to increase his canned food intake if he is not overweight to help him pack the pounds.
On the other hand, overweight dogs need a lower-calorie diet to aid in fat burning.
In the same vein, if you have a dog with a normal weight, feed him the right amounts specific to his needs.
You can track your dog’s weight by weighing him once or twice per month.
After a couple of weeks, you can tell whether they are underweight, overweight, or ideal.
Frequency Of The Meals
Pet parents have different schools of thought regarding how often you should feed your dog. Some dog parents believe in feeding their dogs once daily, others twice, countless times, etc.
You must understand that dog breeds require different feeding schedules for good health. Some dog breeds are susceptible to bloat, including Great Danes and German shepherds.
If you have any of these, it is important to feed him frequently rather than offering one big meal. Most adult dogs feed twice daily, while puppies have three meals.
To ascertain the exact amount of food to give your dog, you need to divide the calorie intake by the number of meals.
Can I know the right amount of Canned Food To Feed My Dog?
You need to visit your vet to determine the amount of canned food to give your dog. They are the professionals who can offer you the best advice.
However, if you have no such facility, here’s a quick guide to help you. (The principle is based on your pup’s body weight only).
0-10 weight of your dog will require ¼ canned food.
11-25 weight of your dog will require ½ of canned food.
26-50 weight of your dog will require 1 can
51 – 75 weight of your dog will require 1.5 cans
Over 75 weight of your dog will require 2 cans.
More Tips
While this guide is essential when portioning out canned food for your dog, there are some other things you need to consider. These include the following:
1. Check The Can’s Feeding Guide
Dog food companies are required by law to include essential details on their food labels.
Most have feeding guides on all their food products to guide pet owners to give the right portion.
2. Use an Online Calculator
Another fantastic trick to use when determining how much canned food your dog needs is a dog calorie calculator. There are many of those on the internet.
After keying your dog’s details, they will compute his daily calorie needs and display the number on the screen.
Compare two or more such calculators and determine the right portion size for him.
3. Talk to Your Vet
If you have further questions regarding your pup’s diet, the best place to get answers is at the vet. They have the knowledge and expertise to develop a diet plan for virtually any dog.
For example: If ¼ cup of canned food is 900kcalories, you will replace that with kibble equal to 900k calories.
If you intend to jump between canned and dry food, remember to offer plenty of water to avoid stomach upsets.
Warning
Observe Your Dog’s Weight. Keeping track of your dog’s food intake is crucial to maintain a healthy weight. Checking your dog’s weight every two to four weeks will determine if they are gaining or losing weight. Consult your veterinarian if you see any drastic changes.
If you want to switch your dog’s food, check the calorie count and readjust your dog’s daily feeding quantity accordingly.
Going for manufactured canned dog food can be very expensive; there are many homemade foods that your dog can eat, so you need to know what to feed your dog instead of dog food that costs you lots of money.
Conclusion
Canned food comes with many benefits for dogs. It is no wonder most dog owners have put their pets on a wet food diet. Consider the tips in this guide to know how much to give daily.
