I recently came across a post in one of the forums asking about feeding dogs. This person wanted to know if there was a food that could accommodate her toy poodle as well as her Daniff – a Great Dane/Mastiff cross. The answer to this is yes. Feeding dogs of differing sizes is very easy.
Feeding Your Dogs from the Smallest to the Largest
Here’s the truth. When it comes to feeding dogs, puppies should eat puppy food, and adult dogs should eat adult food. That’s pretty much the only thing to remember. All of these breed and size specific foods are mainly B.S. Studies have shown that a food “specifically designed” for a large or small dog offers only a marginally better health profile for the breed or size in question. Any by marginal, I mean a hair.
So. If you have a teeny tiny ankle biter living in the same house as a moose of a dog, just make sure they’re both on a high-quality dog food, and make sure the kibble is small. Giganto the Mastiff may be able to snarf down little kibble, but Zippy the Chihuahua won’t be able to hoark down food made with a Mastiff’s mouth in mind. As a rule of thumb, remember these things when feeding kibble to your tiny and large dogs.
Kibble Size
This is important. It’s so important, I’m repeating it. If you have two dogs of vastly different sizes, get food the smaller dog can eat. That way, both of your guys can eat with ease.
Serving Size
Smaller kibble size doesn’t mean giving your big dog more of it. Continue to measure out the food when feeding your big guy. Resist the urge to give him extra because of the size of the kibble. In fact, you might actually have to give him less if you’ve bought a “small breed” kibble, as those foods tend to be slightly higher in calories.
Feed for the Dog That Needs More Help
If you have a dog that has bad joints, opt for food for both dogs that has glucosamine. Likewise, if one of your dogs has a skin condition, feed both dogs food with omega fatty acids. Feed both dogs the food that will address the special needs of the one. The only caveat to this is if one of your dogs requires special food disorders like kidney failure, diabetes, or the like. DO NOT feed both of your dogs the specialty food.
Feeding Dogs of Different Sizes
It doesn’t have to be an ordeal. When thinking about feeding dogs of differing sizes or health needs, just remember that generally speaking if you accommodate the one with the biggest need, both will be fine. Buy small kibble. so both dogs can eat it easily. Buy food that’s best for the older dog, so both dogs can be healthy. Unless one of your dogs has a health issue requiring prescription food, you should be A-okay.
