As people begin to take more interest in the processes and ingredients behind their own food, the same interest is mirrored by pet owners when it comes to their pets’ food.  Spurred by a growing understanding of how nutrition contributes to general health, and a rash of pet food recalls, more and more pet owners are taking notice and opting to purchase premium pet foods. 

“But why purchase premium pet foods?” you might ask.

Why purchase PBA-free plastics? Organic grains? Free range chicken?  Many of us make daily decisions between premium and regular products in an effort to boost our health and improve our quality of life.  Choosing premium pet food over a less-expensive but ultimately less nutritious pet food will have an impact on the quality of

Getting ready for a new pet should be done before he comes home. Most important, you may wonder what to feed a new puppy. It’s not a matter of just going to your local pet or discount store and buying any dry dog food. After a few tips on puppy food, including when and how to feed, you’ll have the confidence it takes to make an educated feeding decision before you bring him home.

Breeder information

Before you bring your new puppy home, make sure you get a complete feeding schedule and food brand from the breeder. This leaves the question of what to feed a new puppy out of your list of preparations. Follow the same feeding schedule, with the same brand of puppy food that the puppy is used to. If you feel another brand would offer better nutrition, slowly

Many pet owners have questions regarding how often their dog should be fed. Loving pet owners want their canine friends to be well fed and happy, but overfeeding your dog can lead to weight gain and subsequent health issues. Some dogs eat whatever you put in front of them, which can easily lead to overfeeding. Time of day is also a consideration. Is it better to feed your dog in the morning or at night -- or both? If you are a pet owner questioning when to feed your dog, read on for some helpful feeding tips.

When to feed your dog: Things to consider

Age. The age of your dog is one of the most important factors in deciding feeding frequency. Puppies should be fed between two and four times per day, depending on their age and size. Ask your veterinarian for guidelines

Big dogs often have big appetites. That doesn’t mean they should be offered an all-you-can eat buffet. Proper nutrition and portion control are critical for your dog’s health. But there’s more than just the basic weight calculation to consider when determining how much to feed large dogs.

Daily feeding chart

Feed your adult dog 1 to 2 times a day. If you’re using a combination of dry food (kibble) and wet food (canned), use 75% dry and 25% wet. The basic daily feeding chart for large dogs is pretty simple.

Large-breed dogs (51-99 pounds):

50-60 pounds: 2 – 2½ cups

61-80 pounds: 2½ - 3 cups

81-99 pounds: 3 – 3½ cups

Giant-breed dogs (100+ pounds):

100+ pounds: 3½ cups plus ¼ cup for each 10 pounds