What You Need to Know About Nutrition for Dogs

You pay attention to what you put into your own body — and now that you’re a pup parent, you’ll likely want to do the same for your canine companion. 

Just like with humans, proper nutrient intake is important for your dog’s health, immunity, and longevity. The basic building blocks of many of the body’s metabolic functions are contained within the food your dog eats. So ideally, your pup’s diet should provide the nutrients they need to thrive.

Chances are, you’ve checked food ingredient labels for yourself before — and you should do the same for your best bud. Be on the lookout for dog food and treats that are made with real, whole food ingredients — like salmon, chicken, pumpkin, and bananas — rather than highly-processed or artificial ingredients and fillers.

When checking those labels, be sure to check that a real, premium protein — like beef, chicken, or fish — is the #1 ingredient listed. That’s the good stuff that will build strong muscles, bones, and support bodily functions like brain cognition.

If the dog food also has probiotics, that’s even better. Studies have shown that healthy, diverse gut flora can help boost immunity and maintain healthy digestion. Sometimes, because of medications or a sedentary lifestyle, your pup’s gut flora can become very homogenous and contribute to poor health. Jinx contains a patented probiotic to help support your dog’s digestion — because gut health is overall health!

Besides looking at the first ingredient listed on the food label, you’ll also want to look out for the inclusion of dog superfoods like apples, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and chia seeds. These ingredients are jam-packed with nutrients and health benefits for your pup — which is why we include them in our recipes here at Jinx, including our kibble. Read on for more dog nutrition tips to support a healthy, happy pup.

Feeding Tips

When it comes to dog nutrition, it’s not just about what you feed your pup, but how you feed them. Here are some easy-to-remember feeding tips to support a well-fed pup:

• Feed your dog at the same time every day.
• Always feed your dog in their bowl. If you don’t, you’re asking for a lifetime of your best friend begging at the table and following you around the kitchen.
• Measure your dog’s food, and feed them twice a day. This is healthier for your buddy than leaving food out all the time. If your dog hasn’t finished their food within 20-30 minutes, take it away. This encourages your dog to eat when their food is given to them, and discourages picky eaters.
• We encourage you to give your dog healthy, low-calorie snacks like fruits and vegetables. Apple slices, carrot sticks, blueberries, and banana slices are all canine favorites. However, be sure to give these treats in small amounts, and in moderation, to avoid an upset stomach. If you’re worried about overdoing it, you can also give your dog treats that contain fruits and veggies, like our Training Treats with bananas or our Bone Broth Biscuits with apples and blueberries.

Food Safety Tips

Certain foods aren’t good for dogs and should be avoided. Here are some tips for keeping your pup safe:

• Some foods are toxic for dogs, and can cause serious health problems or even death if ingested. These include chocolate, onions, garlic, raisins, and grapes. If your dog eats any of these foods, contact your vet immediately.
• It’s okay to give your pup a little bite of what you had for dinner, as long as it doesn’t contain any ingredients that are toxic for dogs, or is high in sodium or sugar. However, feeding your pup table scraps is a slippery slope, and could lead to them rejecting their own dog food — so we’d advise limiting the human food.
• Make sure the dog food you buy is high in protein, free of corn, and that it’s up tp AAFCO standards. The AAFCO, the American Association of Feed Control Officials, is a watchdog group that sets food-testing and labeling standards.
• Check the FDA website regularly for pet food recalls. If you see a recalled food product, spread the word — share that information with your friends and family.

Age and Breed Feeding Tips

Dog nutritional requirements vary depending on the breed, size, and life stage of your pup. 

For example, puppies will need more calories than older dogs to support their rapid growth and development. Restricting their calories is not encouraged. To meet your puppy’s distinct nutritional requirements, they should eat a dog food that is specifically formulated for puppies, like our Cage-Free Chicken Puppy Food. Learn more about why puppies should not eat adult dog food in this article. 

Another example of dog nutrition varying by age and breed: large dogs tend to need more calcium than smaller dogs. Their calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is important, as they need to support healthy bone structure. 

Small breeds, on the other hand, not only need less calcium — they also need less food altogether. To avoid overfeeding, be sure to follow the feeding instructions on your dog’s food packaging, and feed your pup in accordance with their ideal weight.

Dog Nutrition FAQs

How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

As mentioned above, how much your dog should eat depends on a number of factors — including their age, size activity level, and the quality of the food you give them. Always follow the instructions on the food packaging, and be careful not to overfeed your pup.

Overweight dogs can face many potential health problems down the line, from joint issues to heart problems and diabetes. If you’re unsure whether or not your dog is overweight, give them the eye exam and the hands-on test:

• Look down at your dog: they should have a visible waist. 
• Place your hands on your dog’s back, thumbs along the spine and fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel (but not see) their ribs. 
• If you can’t feel the last two ribs, your dog needs less food and more exercise. If you can see your pup’s ribs, then you should feed them more.

Can My Dog Have Food Allergies or Sensitivities?

Just like humans, dogs can have food allergies or sensitivities. Common culprits include: beef, dairy, wheat, eggs, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish. 

Signs of a food allergy may include chronic digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea, lethargy, repeated ear infections, or skin issues like itching or rashes. If you suspect your dog may have a food allergy, consult with your vet. Read more about dog food allergies in this article. 

When Should I Transition From Puppy Food to Adult Dog Food?

You can switch to an adult dog food when your puppy reaches 80 to 90 percent of their anticipated adult weight. For most puppies, this is around 12 months of age. 

Extra large breeds, like Great Danes, may require puppy food for longer, until around 18 months of age — so be sure to research the specific requirements for your puppy’s breed. 

When transitioning your puppy to adult dog food, do it gradually to not upset their stomach. Begin by feeding them 1/4 adult food and 3/4 puppy food for a few days. Then, increase to 1/2 adult food and 1/2 puppy food. After a few more days, feed them 3/4 adult food and 1/4 puppy food. Then, you can feed them 100% adult dog food.

For more info about feeding your puppy, read this article.

At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love.