How Often Should I Feed My Dog?

How often should you feed your dog? For most healthy adult dogs, two meals a day works well: one in the morning and one later in the day. Puppies usually need more frequent meals, while age, size, health and daily routine can all affect the best schedule.

The total amount your dog eats across the day matters more than the number of bowls. If you divide their daily allowance into two meals, each meal should contain roughly half of that allowance, not the full daily amount twice.

How many times a day should an adult dog eat?

Most adult dogs are comfortable with two meals a day. Splitting their food can help prevent long gaps between meals and may suit dogs that become very hungry or eat too quickly.

Some healthy adult dogs do well with one meal, but two smaller meals are often easier to fit into a regular routine. Dogs with particular health needs may require a different pattern recommended by their vet.

How often should you feed a puppy?

Puppies have small stomachs and are growing quickly, so they generally need several smaller meals rather than one or two large ones.

• Young puppies: usually three or four meals a day
• Older puppies: often move towards three and then two meals
• Approaching adulthood: many can settle into two meals a day

The timing of each change depends on your puppy’s age, breed, size and individual development. Follow the feeding guidance for their puppy food and ask your vet if you are unsure.

Do small dogs need more frequent meals?

Some small dogs prefer smaller, more frequent portions. They have less room for a large meal, while puppies and very small dogs may struggle with long gaps between feeds.

Dewkes small-breed recipes have a smaller kibble size designed for little mouths. Their daily amount can still be divided into the number of meals that best suits their routine.

How often should you feed a senior dog?

Many older dogs can continue with two meals a day. However, changes in appetite, activity or health may affect how much and how often they should eat.

If your senior dog suddenly becomes much hungrier, loses interest in food, gains or loses weight, or starts drinking more than usual, speak to your vet rather than simply changing their portions.

Should you feed your dog before or after a walk?

Avoid vigorous exercise immediately before or after a large meal. Give your dog time to settle and digest their food, particularly if they are a large or deep-chested breed. Ask your vet for tailored advice if you are concerned about bloat.

For many households, a walk followed by time to calm down and then breakfast or dinner creates a simple routine.

What time should you feed your dog?

There is no single perfect time. Consistency is more important. Choose times that work reliably for your household and avoid making large, sudden changes.

A typical schedule might be:

• Breakfast between 7am and 9am
• Evening meal between 5pm and 7pm

Your own routine may be different. The aim is to create reasonable gaps between meals without leaving your dog waiting unpredictably.

Can dogs graze all day?

Leaving food down all day makes it harder to monitor how much your dog is eating. It can also be difficult in a home with more than one pet.

Measured meals make changes in appetite easier to spot and help you manage your dog’s weight. If your dog regularly walks away from their bowl, offer the meal for a set period and remove what remains, unless your vet has advised otherwise.

Remember treats count too

Treats add to your dog’s daily intake. If you use food for training or enrichment, include it when considering their overall portions. You can also set aside part of their measured dry food allowance and use it in a puzzle feeder or training session.

Feeding Dewkes dog food

Dewkes offers complete grain-free dry dog food for puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs and small breeds. Use the feeding guide's on the individual dog food pages for your chosen recipe as a starting point, then divide the daily amount between your dog’s meals.

Not sure which recipe they will enjoy? Try Dewkes dog food from £1 before choosing a larger bag.

When should you ask your vet?

Speak to your vet if your dog’s appetite changes suddenly, they repeatedly refuse meals, seem constantly hungry, lose or gain weight unexpectedly, vomit, have persistent diarrhoea or show any other signs of illness. Feeding guidance is a starting point; your dog’s individual health always comes first.