What should I feed my new dog
Our expert advice
Advice by Ciara Pollen, Behaviour and training advisor
First, you need to decide what type of food is right for you and your dog. You can choose between dry food (also called kibble or biscuits), wet food, raw food, or a mix!
Dry foods can be made in several ways, they can be baked, extruded, cold pressed, or air-dried. The method of drying can affect how tasty and digestible it is for your dog.
Most dry food is nutritionally complete, which means it has all the nutrients your dog needs to thrive. Others are 'complementary' or 'mixers', meaning they must be fed alongside another food to make sure your dog gets all the vitamins and nutrients they need.
Dogs usually find wet food very tasty. This is because of the high-water content, and you’ll have to feed your dog more of this to make sure they’re getting enough calories, so it can be an expensive option.
Raw food for dogs is usually frozen and, like wet food, you need to feed more to keep your dog healthy. Good news is, it's minimally processed and very tasty. One thing to bear in mind though - it should be handled carefully and stored correctly to prevent spreading germs to your dog or others in the home.
More information
Unlike babies, puppies don’t need milk or other dairy products in their diet to grow big and strong. Their tiny tummies are very sensitive and can’t digest dairy properly.
Three things you can do today
Check the ingredients
Always read the ingredients on the back of the packet. There could be certain allergies your dog has that you should avoid giving them.
Weigh their food
It’s a good idea to weigh out your dog’s food before giving it to them. This will help keep your dog a healthy weight.
Get an enrichment feeder
An enrichment feeder like a Kong or puzzle feeder will keep mealtimes fun and engaging for your canine companion. They’ll really enjoy their meal and make the most of it!
Hear from other humans
Carla
📍 Wales
- Dog breed: Corgi
- Dog age: 3 years
- Owner expertise: Novice
I was struggling with my dog's anxiety, especially when we had to leave the house. Thanks to Woodgreen's advice, I've made some changes that have worked wonders. By sticking to a consistent routine, my dog knows what to expect each day, which has significantly reduced her anxiety.
Sarah
📍 Sussex
- Dog breed: Cockerpoo
- Dog age: 6 months
- Owner expertise: Novice
This advice really helped me and my new pup! I tried teaching recall without your guidance and struggled. Woodgreen's step-by-step dog training videos break each action down for you and I'm happy to say we finally made progress!
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