Feeding your dog well: choosing food, portions and treats

About this guideCompiled from the listed veterinary and health organisations’ guidance; not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.

General information for owners, not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. If your animal seems very unwell, in pain, struggling to breathe or may have been poisoned, contact a vet immediately.

Quick answer

Key points

Feed a complete and balanced food suited to your dog's life stage, made by a company that can answer questions about its nutrition.
Large-breed puppies need a growth food made for large breeds and should not grow too fast.
Rice with leftovers, or home-made recipes from the internet, are often unbalanced as a main diet.
Treats, including human food, should make up less than 10% of daily calories.
Clean drinking water must always be available.

When should you see a vet?

Go to a vet immediately if your dog eats something toxic such as chocolate, xylitol, grapes or onion, swallows raw bread dough, or its belly looks swollen and bloated.
Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, including after a change of food.
Refusing food or eating much less than usual.
Drinking much more or much less than usual.
Weight gain or loss without an obvious reason, or a puppy that is not growing well.
Choking, vomiting or appearing in pain after swallowing a bone.

Contact your nearest veterinarian or animal clinic. This site cannot assess your animal’s condition. Choosing a vet

In this guide (10)

What is the best food for a dog?

The best food is a complete and balanced diet for dogs and for your dog's life stage, made by a reputable company. WSAVA explains that such a food provides every essential nutrient in the right amounts and proportions. The choice also depends on your dog's size, neutering status and health, so your vet is the best person to ask. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that in higher-income countries, nutritional disease is rare in dogs fed a complete and balanced commercial food or a home-made diet formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. Problems arise most often in dogs fed unbalanced home-made diets. The RSPCA adds that most human meals do not give dogs the nutrition they need.

Evidence: WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals ↗ · RSPCA — How to Feed Your Dog a Healthy Diet ↗

How do you read a dog food label?

Look for a nutritional adequacy statement saying the food is complete for a particular life stage, such as growth or adult maintenance. WSAVA explains that products labelled “complementary”, treats or foods for intermittent feeding should be only about 10% or less of the diet, unless a vet is supervising a therapeutic diet. A label saying “for all life stages” means the food is formulated for growth and reproduction. The ingredient list does not show quality or digestibility, and terms such as “premium” or “holistic” are unregulated. WSAVA also suggests choosing a company that employs a qualified nutritionist, has quality control and is easy to contact. Properly cooked grains are not mere “fillers” and dogs can digest them.

Evidence: WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods ↗ · WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual — Dog and Cat Foods ↗

Can dogs eat rice and household leftovers?

Plain cooked white rice is fine in small amounts, but rice with leftovers is not a balanced main diet. WSAVA says dogs can digest properly cooked grains as long as the overall diet is complete and balanced. The problem is balance: the Merck Veterinary Manual notes that diets built from a few foods, such as only minced meat and rice, can cause calcium deficiency and bone problems. Leftovers are often seasoned with onion or garlic, which can damage red blood cells. Recipes from books or the internet are also often deficient; WSAVA and Merck advise using a recipe formulated by a veterinary nutritionist, with veterinary check-ups. See also our guide to foods that are dangerous for cats and dogs.

Evidence: WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual — Dog and Cat Foods ↗ · RSPCA — How to Feed Your Dog a Healthy Diet ↗ · ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets ↗

How often should puppies and adult dogs eat?

Puppies usually eat three meals a day until six months, then two until a year old, and most adult dogs do well on two measured meals daily. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that small-breed puppies may need to eat more often. Large- and giant-breed puppies should get a growth food made for large breeds, and slow growth is better than fast growth, because overfeeding during growth harms skeletal development. Keep feeding a growth food until the skeleton is mature, not just until growth seems to stop. In adult dogs, leaving food out all the time makes many dogs overweight. The amount on the packet is only a starting point; adjust it to body condition score.

Evidence: Merck Veterinary Manual — Feeding Practices in Small Animals ↗ · WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗

Do dogs need supplements, raw food or a vegetarian diet?

Dogs eating a complete and balanced food generally do not need vitamin or mineral supplements, and too much of some nutrients can be toxic. WSAVA and Merck advise using supplements only on a vet's advice. WSAVA also states there is no evidence that raw meat diets are healthier than commercial foods or balanced home-cooked diets. Raw meat can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can spread to people, especially young children, older people, pregnant women and anyone with a weak immune system. A vegetarian diet may be able to meet a dog's needs, but it is harder to formulate, so talk to your vet first.

Evidence: WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual — Feeding Practices in Small Animals ↗ · WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Raw Meat Based Diets for Pets ↗

How many treats can a dog have, and what about water?

Treats, including human food, should make up less than 10% of daily calories and should never replace a meal. WSAVA warns that the wrong treat can cause obesity, injury, a blocked gut or even death. Bones, cooked or raw, and very hard chews such as antlers or hooves can break teeth and damage the gut. Some fruits and vegetables make good low-calorie treats, as long as they are not grapes, raisins or onions and are not cooked with butter, sauces or salt. Provide clean water at all times, because the RSPCA says a dog without water can become seriously ill within hours. If you change foods, do it gradually over several days to prevent vomiting and diarrhoea.

Evidence: WSAVA — Feeding treats to your dog ↗ · WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗ · Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Petfoodology — The Most Popular Holiday Foods… That Your Pet Should Avoid! ↗ · RSPCA — How to Feed Your Dog a Healthy Diet ↗

Sources & references

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.

Cite this page

PanduanHewan. (2026, 25 September). Feeding your dog well: choosing food, portions and treats. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/feeding-your-dog/

Feeding your dog well: choosing food, portions and treats

Key points

When should you see a vet?

What is the best food for a dog?

How do you read a dog food label?

Can dogs eat rice and household leftovers?

How often should puppies and adult dogs eat?

Do dogs need supplements, raw food or a vegetarian diet?

How many treats can a dog have, and what about water?

Sources & references

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