How a dog’s diet changes based on its size: here are the ideal kibbles for every size

Dog owners probably already know this: every size has its own specific needs, especially when it comes to nutrition, so it’s important to always choose pet food that’s appropriate for your dog’s size. In fact, a dog’s size affects how it absorbs nutrients and how it digests food, which is why different sizes have different energy requirements.

What to choose for small and medium sizes

Small and medium-sized dogs are smaller in stature and are classified in this category based on the breed’s average weight. For example, if your dog is a pug—a breed that typically weighs 8–10 kg on average—but is overweight and weighs 15 kg, it will still be classified as a small dog. But how do you distinguish between the different categories? Dogs weighing up to 5 kg are considered toy dogs, those weighing 5 to 10 kg are mini-sized, and those weighing between 10 and 25 kg are medium-sized. Dogs in these categories are often quite playful and lively, and therefore require a high daily energy intake, precisely because they expend a lot of energy and quickly burn through their reserves. In fact, kibble for small dogs has a higher energy content and is, of course, smaller in size, so that even dogs with small mouths and teeth can eat it without any problems. The daily amount to be fed should be calculated based on several factors: the dog’s weight, age, and energy requirements. An older dog that doesn’t move much will naturally need less energy than a puppy that plays and runs all day. The important thing is not to overfeed and not to force the dog to eat: serve the amount indicated on the package based on your furry friend’s weight and let them decide how much and when to eat it. This is one of the reasons why it’s best to choose kibble: since it’s a dry food, even in summer temperatures it retains its scent for several days, remaining appealing to a dog’s sense of smell, which, as is well known, is much more developed than a human’s.

Maxi kibble for big appetites

If your dog weighs more than 25 kg, it definitely falls into the large breed category, but be careful: this doesn’t just mean it needs larger portions of food! In fact, large dogs often tend to be less active and are therefore more proneto obesity than very small dogs. This is precisely why it’s important to be very careful when choosing kibble for large dogs, which have a slower metabolism and therefore don’t require the same energy intake that is essential for mini breeds. Large dogs, in fact, eat proportionally less food per kilogram of body weight, even though the total amount will necessarily be greater. In this case as well, of course, portions should be adjusted not only based on your dog’s weight, but also on its age and the amount of exercise it gets—and thus the energy it burns daily.

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