Dog Nutrition Fundamentals

A complete food is formulated to meet a recognised nutrient profile — AAFCO in the United States, FEDIAF in Europe — for a stated life stage. A complementary food is not, and should not form the whole diet.

Look for a nutritional adequacy statement, the life stage it applies to, and whether the claim is based on formulation or on a feeding trial.

Large-breed puppies need controlled calcium and energy to avoid developmental orthopaedic disease — a large-breed growth formula is not marketing. Adults need maintenance levels; seniors often benefit from adjusted protein quality, joint support and lower calorie density.

Weigh food rather than scooping. Pack guidelines are population averages and commonly overestimate by a noticeable margin for neutered, less active dogs. Treats should stay within ten percent of daily calories — including training rewards and chews.

Grain-free diets high in pulses have been investigated by regulators in relation to canine dilated cardiomyopathy; the picture remains incomplete, so discuss it with your vet before choosing one. Raw diets carry documented bacterial risks to animals and to the people handling them, and homemade diets are frequently unbalanced unless formulated by a qualified veterinary nutritionist.