A menu for every age
Needs change over time
Puppy : Choose a food for large-breed puppies, split the ration and monitor steady growth without excess weight gain.
Adult : Adjust the intake to the actual activity, keep two meals per day and regularly check body condition.
Senior : Favor an easily digestible ration adjusted to the decrease in activity, with monitoring of weight, joints and kidney function.
Which food?
Kibble, wet food, or home-cooked diet?
Good-quality kibble formulated for large-breed dogs is a practical solution, with identified animal proteins and an appropriate energy density. A home-prepared ration may be suitable if it is calculated by a veterinary nutritionist in order to avoid deficiencies and imbalances.
Amounts
How much should you give?
The daily amount depends on the energy value of the food, the target weight, the age and the activity. The manufacturer's guidelines serve as a starting point, then the ration is adjusted according to changes in weight and body condition.
| Weight | Daily amount | Meals/day |
|---|---|---|
| 35 - 40 kg | 380 - 470 g | 2 |
| 41 - 50 kg | 450 - 560 g | 2 |
| 51 - 60 kg | 520 - 650 g | 2 |
Change
Managing the food transition
Any dietary change must be gradual over about 7 to 10 days, by gradually increasing the proportion of the new food. A slow transition limits digestive upsets and makes it possible to check tolerance of the new ration.
Hydration
Water: do not overlook it
Fresh, clean water must remain available at all times, particularly in hot weather, after a walk and with a dry diet. The bowl must be cleaned regularly and any marked variation in consumption deserves monitoring.
Little extras
Treats, in moderation
Treats should remain occasional and be deducted from the daily ration. Small low-calorie pieces are useful for training, while fatty or salty table scraps promote weight gain and digestive disorders.
Good habits
For a top-notch bowl
- Weigh each ration rather than measuring it by eye.
- Split the daily food into two meals.
- Avoid intense exercise just before and after meals.
- Count treats in the daily energy intake.
- Adjust the ration according to body condition and the veterinarian's advice.
Never give
Chocolate, grapes and raisins, onion, garlic, leek, xylitol, alcohol, caffeine, macadamia nuts, cooked bones and very fatty foods are to be avoided, as they can cause poisoning, digestive lesions, pancreatitis or obstruction.
