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Independent dog nutrition knowledge

Understand dog nutrition. Evidence over feeding myths.

From a safe-food A–Z and label decoder to feeding amounts, raw diets, life stages and allergies: clear answers grounded in recognised veterinary guidance, with sources and limits made visible.

Find your questionCheck a dog food
Source-ledCommercial links clearly labelledIndependent editorial criteria
Go straight to the answer

What do you need to work out?

Each guide starts with a concise answer, then adds context, practical consequences, limits and directly linked sources.

01

Choose a food

Check nutritional completeness, the label and the manufacturer.

02

Estimate an amount

Calculate a calorie starting point, then monitor the actual dog.

03

Can dogs eat it?

Search fruit, vegetables and everyday foods in the safety guide.

04

Puppy to senior

Understand how nutrition priorities change through life.

05

Suspected allergy

Separate unreliable tests from a controlled elimination trial.

06

Food emergency

Recognise risky foods and act without unsafe home remedies.

The basis in 60 seconds

Good dog food is not an ingredient beauty contest.

Dogs need a complete supply of nutrients in an appropriate amount of energy. A “natural” ingredient list, high meat claim or premium price does not prove that a food achieves this.

Understand the basics
  1. 01

    Purpose first

    For the main diet, choose a complete food for the correct life stage.

  2. 02

    Assess the finished food

    Look for nutrition expertise, quality control, nutrient analysis and traceability.

  3. 03

    Treat the pack amount as a start

    Weigh the portion and adjust using body weight, waist and muscle condition.

  4. 04

    Keep extras as extras

    Treats, chews and table scraps should generally stay within about 10% of daily energy.

Nutrient compass

What dogs actually need

Requirements apply to nutrients, not fashionable ingredients. Amount, balance, digestibility and life stage determine whether a diet is suitable.

H₂O

Water

Fresh water must always be available. Wet food contributes more water within the ration.

kcal

Energy

Energy intake has to match body condition and actual activity—not body weight on paper alone.

AA

Protein

Provides essential amino acids. Digestibility, amino-acid supply and total diet matter more than a meat percentage.

Ω

Fat

A concentrated energy source and a supplier of essential fatty acids.

Ca:P

Minerals

Both amount and balance matter. More calcium is not automatically safer, especially during growth.

A–K

Vitamins

Deficiency and excess can both harm. Do not routinely supplement an already complete food.

Primary referenceFEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines 2025 ↗Nutrients explained in detail →
A fair comparison of feeding methods

Format alone does not decide quality—completeness, safety and suitability do.

Comparison of dog feeding methods
Feeding methodCan be complete?Hygiene riskPlanning requiredEveryday practicality
Dry foodYesLowVery lowHigh
Wet foodYesLowVery lowHigh
Home-cookedWith formulationModerateHighVariable
Raw dietWith formulationHigherHighVariable
Plant-basedPossible when verifiedProduct-dependentHigh if homemadeVariable

Bottom line: wet and dry foods can both be complete. Homemade diets require formulation; raw diets also require stringent hygiene and risk management.

Compare feeding methods
Starting-point calculator

Daily energy range for healthy adult dogs

This estimate applies FEDIAF starting coefficients to metabolic body weight. It is for dogs at ideal weight and does not replace individual assessment.

Important

Do not use for puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, illness, marked over- or underweight, or working dogs.

Formula basis: FEDIAF energy coefficients. Real requirements can vary substantially.

Read the method, monitoring steps and limits →Open all free calculators →
Requirements change

A diet never matches body weight alone.

Life stage, activity, neuter status, body condition and health change energy and nutrient priorities.

Explore every life stage
01

Growth

Controlled energy and an appropriate mineral profile—especially for large breeds.

02

Adult

Adjust maintenance intake to actual activity and body condition.

03

Senior

Consider muscle preservation, weight trend, teeth, digestion and disease together.

04

Sport and work

Type, duration and intensity shape the energy and recovery strategy.

Immediate safety

Dog ate something toxic? Do not wait for symptoms.

Xylitol, chocolate, grapes or raisins, alliums, alcohol and caffeine can be dangerous. Keep the product, estimated amount, time and body weight ready and call a veterinary professional.

Do not induce vomiting or give home remedies unless a veterinary professional specifically instructs you to do so.

Open emergency guide
Evidence into practice

Start with the most useful guides

Clear conclusions, practical checks, stated limits and sources that can be followed to the original publisher.

Browse all 16 English guides
How to use this site

Check the evidence, scope and date—not just the conclusion.

Futterklar explains its source hierarchy, editorial process, AI-assisted workflow, commercial status and current review limits.

Read our methodology