Daily nutrition is the foundation of your dog's health. Many pet owners struggle with deciding what to feed their dogs and how much to give them. This guide covers the basic principles and practical tips for choosing dog food, incorporating the latest information as of 2026.
How to Identify Complete and Balanced Diets
Pet foods labeled "complete and balanced diet" on the package indicate that the food combined with water alone provides all the nutrients your dog needs. The Japan Pet Food Association adopts ingredient standards based on AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) criteria, which continue to be applied as of 2026.
Key label information to check:
- "Complete and balanced diet" designation: Essential for main meals
- Target life stage: Such as "puppy," "adult dog," "all ages," etc.
- Dog size: Such as "small dog," "large dog," etc.
- Recommended serving size: Check if weight-based serving guidelines are provided
Foods labeled as "general food," "treats," or "snacks" are supplementary and alone cannot provide balanced nutrition. Always choose a complete and balanced diet for your dog's main meals.
Choosing Dog Food and Portion Sizes by Breed Size
Toy and Small Dogs (Weight up to 10 kg)
- Calorie density: Small dogs can eat only small amounts per meal, so nutrient-dense food is necessary
- Kibble size: Choose small-sized kibble suited to small dogs' mouths
- Hypoglycemia risk: Especially for puppies, feed in 2-3 meals per day
Medium Dogs (10-25 kg)
- Medium-sized formulas or "all sizes" options are most practical, offering a middle ground between small and large dog foods
- Adjust portion size based on activity level (daily walks, working dog or not)
Large and Giant Dogs (25 kg and over)
- Joint support: Large dog formulas with glucosamine and chondroitin are recommended
- Gastric dilatation risk (GDV): Especially for Great Danes and Saint Bernards, divide daily portions into 2-3 meals and avoid intense exercise immediately after eating
- Growth rate control: Large breed puppies need special puppy formulas to prevent skeletal abnormalities caused by excess calcium
Dog Food Portion Guidelines
Package recommendations are only guidelines. Caloric needs vary based on weight, age, activity level, and individual differences. Adjust portions to maintain ideal body condition (ribs should be felt but not visible).
Nutritional Balance by Life Stage
Puppy Stage (Up to 1 year; up to 2 years for large breeds)
Puppies require higher levels of protein, energy, calcium, and phosphorus for growth. Choose "puppy" or "all ages" formulas. Large breed puppies should use large breed puppy-specific formulas to properly control growth rate.
Adult Stage (1-7 years)
"Adult" formulas are appropriate for this stage. Maintaining ideal weight to prevent obesity is crucial—feed only the amount needed for ideal body weight. Highly active dogs may require higher-calorie formulas.
Senior Stage (7-8 years and older; 10 years and older for small breeds)
Senior formulas with slightly reduced protein, phosphorus, and sodium are recommended to accommodate declining kidney function. Consider switching to "senior" formulas. If kidney disease is diagnosed, use therapeutic diets prescribed by your veterinarian. Easily digestible fiber, joint support ingredients, and antioxidants are also important.
Managing Food Allergies
Common symptoms of canine food allergies include itching, redness, hair loss, and digestive symptoms (diarrhea and vomiting).
Common allergens include beef, dairy, chicken, wheat, soy, and eggs.
Management approach:
- Elimination diet trial: Switch to a hydrolyzed protein diet or novel protein diet (containing meat your dog has never eaten) for 8-12 weeks and monitor symptom changes
- Avoid all other foods, treats, and supplements during the elimination diet trial
- Always work with a veterinarian to confirm suspected allergies
Precautions for Homemade Diets
Feeding only homemade diets without proper nutritional calculations often leads to nutrient deficiencies or excesses.
Foods to never feed (examples): onions, garlic, chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, avocado, and more.
If you incorporate homemade food:
- Consult with a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist to develop recipes
- Understand which nutrients require supplementation (such as calcium)
- Start by combining with complete and balanced diets (homemade food as a topping only)
How to Switch Dog Food
When changing your dog's food, switch gradually over 7-10 days to prevent diarrhea or vomiting caused by abrupt changes.
Switching Schedule
| Days | Old Food | New Food |
|---|
| Days 1-2 | 75% | 25% |
| Days 3-4 | 50% | 50% |
| Days 5-6 | 25% | 75% |
| Day 7+ | 0% | 100% |
Monitor stool quality (consistency, color, volume) daily. If soft stools or diarrhea persist, slow the transition or consider a different food.
Treat Guidelines
Treats should not exceed 10% of daily caloric intake to prevent obesity. Since commercial jerky and cookies are often high in calories, alternatives like boiled chicken breast or vegetable sticks (cucumber or carrot) are effective substitutes.
Homemade Diets vs. Commercial Dog Foods
While homemade diets offer the appeal of fresh ingredients and peace of mind, balancing approximately 40 nutrients dogs need is extremely difficult in practice. If using homemade food as the main diet, consulting a veterinary nutritionist to develop recipes is essential.
Foods Dogs Should Never Eat
| Food | Toxicity | Symptoms |
|---|
| Chocolate | Theobromine toxicity | Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, seizures |
| Onions/Green onions | Hemolytic anemia | Bloody urine, lethargy, anemia |
| Grapes/Raisins | Acute kidney failure | Vomiting, anuria, kidney dysfunction |
| Xylitol | Hypoglycemia, liver damage | Trembling, seizures, loss of consciousness |
| Macadamia nuts | Neurotoxicity | Hind limb weakness, vomiting, fever |
| Raw squid/octopus | Thiaminase | Vitamin B1 deficiency |
| Alcohol | Ethanol toxicity | Vomiting, coma, respiratory depression |
If poisoning is suspected, record what and how much your dog ate, and contact your veterinary clinic immediately.
Finding a Trustworthy Dog through Br-Choku
The optimal diet varies by breed, size, and health condition of the dog you'll welcome. Through Br-Choku's dog category, you can purchase puppies directly from specialized breeders and confirm details about appropriate foods for the breed and the actual diet the breeder uses before purchase. By gathering information directly from the breeder, you can begin proper nutrition management from day one. With support from breeders who understand proper nutrition management, you can ensure your dog's healthy life.
