Feeding Basics
Normal, healthy dogs who are not pregnant, nursing, or hardworking have relatively low nutritional requirements for maintaining an appropriate body condition. Unlike puppies, who are developing into their adult bodies, adult dogs need to keep the bodies they have healthy and strong.

Feed your dog a nutritionally complete and balanced dog food in amounts that will keep your dog in ideal body condition. A good body condition is one in which the animal is well proportioned, with an observable waist behind the ribcage, and ribs that can be felt with a slight fat covering over them.

Tips for Proper Feeding

• Choose a nutritionally complete and balanced dog food like Purina® Dog Chow® brand dog food.
• Providing a proper diet for an adult dog can be straightforward and simple without the need for supplements of any kind.
• For dogs with lower caloric needs and/or for dogs that are less active, attention should be paid to the potential for excessive weight gain.
• Often a dog's weight can be reduced simply by eliminating table scraps and treats from the diet and by avoiding high-energy dog foods.
• Feeding recommendations for adult dogs can vary, depending upon the breed, activity, metabolism and owner's preference.
• Follow a consistent feeding routine and feed your dog at the same time(s) daily. Fresh drinking water should always be made available.
• A dog's appetite may vary from day to day and should not be a concern unless the loss of appetite persists or the dog shows signs of illness or weight loss. In these situations, the dog should be examined by a veterinarian.

Switching Foods
Dogs do not need variety in their diet. In fact, it is best to switch foods as little as possible to avoid creating a finicky eater. But when you do need to change foods (such as when a dog turns 7 years old - 5 years old for Large Breeds - and starts eating senior food), gradually mix the new food in with the old over 7 - 10 days. If you gradually increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of old, you’ll make the transition easier on your dog.