🐾 Module 3

Adult Dog Food (Welcome to Stability… Mostly)

Congratulations.
You made it.

Your dog is officially an adult.

They are now:

• Less chaotic
• Slightly wiser
• More predictable (most days)
• Still completely convinced thatyour food is better than theirs

Adulthood brings routine, reliability, and just enough self-control to survive everyday life.

Mostly.

🦴 What Changes When Your Dog Becomes an Adult

Adult dogs:

• Stop growing
• Stabilise metabolically
• Need fewer calories than teenagers
• Benefit from consistency

This is the stage where overfeeding sneaks in, because appetite doesn’t always shrink as energy needs do.

Your dog may eat with the same enthusiasm as before —
but now calories matter more.

🥣 What Adult Dogs Actually Need From Food

Adult dog food should be:

✅ Complete & Balanced

Meaning it contains:

• Proper protein levels
• Correct fats
• Essential vitamins & minerals
• Everything your dog needs without guesswork

If it isn’t labelled “complete and balanced”, it’s not a full diet.

✅ Appropriate for Your Dog

The right adult food depends on:

• Size (small vs large breeds)
• Activity level (couch enthusiast vs athlete)
• Health needs (sensitivities, joints, weight)

One-size-fits-all works poorly.

✅ Boring Enough to Do Its Job

Your dog doesn’t need fireworks at dinner.

They need:

• Nutrition
• Consistency
• Predictability

Excitement is optional.
Nutrition is not.

🕒 Feeding Schedule: When & How Often

Most adult dogs do best with:

🐕 2 Meals Per Day

Typically:

• Morning
• Evening

This helps with:

• Digestion
• Energy balance
• Training motivation
• Behaviour regulation

Yes — hangry dogs are real.

🤔 Once-a-Day Feeding?

Possible? Yes.
Ideal? Usually no.

Once-daily feeding can:

• Increase hunger-driven behaviour
• Lead to bloat risk in some breeds
• Make energy levels spiky

Two meals keeps things smoother.

🍽️ Real-World Adult Feeding Examples

🐕 Example 1: The “I’m Still Starving” Adult

Your dog finishes meals and immediately patrols the kitchen.

✔ Stick to measured portions
✔ Ignore post-meal theatrics
✔ Offer enrichment, not food

Hunger behaviour ≠ actual hunger.

🐕 Example 2: The Slightly Chubby Adult

Your dog hasn’t changed food… but gained weight anyway.

✔ Reduce portions slightly
✔ Review treats
✔ Increase activity

Adult metabolism slows. Portions must follow.

🐕 Example 3: The Active Adult

Your dog hikes, runs, trains, or works.

✔ Choose a food for active dogs
✔ Adjust portions, not frequency
✔ Monitor weight and energy

Active dogs need more fuel — but still balanced fuel.

🍖 Human Food – Friend, Foe, or Frenemy?

Human food causes more feeding mistakes than anything else.

Some is fine.
Some is dangerous.
Some will turn your dog into a digestive science experiment.

✅ Generally Safe (In Moderation)

These can be used as:

• Occasional treats
• Meal toppers
• Training rewards

Safe options include:

• Plain cooked chicken
• Carrots
• Pumpkin
• Rice
• Eggs (fully cooked)

Moderation is the key word here.

❌ Never Feed

These are strictly off the menu:

• Chocolate
• Grapes / raisins
• Onion / garlic
• Xylitol (artificial sweeteners)
• Cooked bones

No exceptions.
No “just this once.”

⚠️ A Common Adult Feeding Trap

“They’re an adult now, so a bit extra won’t hurt.”

Yes, it will.

Adult weight gain:

• Happens slowly
• Is easy to ignore
• Is hard to reverse

Feeding for health beats feeding for feelings.

🧠 Key Takeaway for Adult Dogs

Adult dogs thrive on:

• Routine
• Balanced nutrition
• Predictable feeding times
• Appropriate portions

They don’t need:

• Constant food changes
• Table scraps
• Bigger bowls

They need consistency.

Even if they tell you otherwise.