Dog Food

　　Why do dogs need to eat dog food? This question is aimed at those dogs that are still receiving "table scraps" as food. Because dogs have their own nutritional requirements and dietary safety habits, yet some pet owners remain stuck in the outdated practice of feeding dogs leftover food from the dining table. Even among the more progressive, there are instances of buying chicken liver or duck liver and mixing it with leftover rice and dishes to feed their dogs. Apart from practical economic factors, much of this arises from a lack of understanding about dog food safety and pet nutrition concepts. Because of this, many dogs around us are continuously threatened in terms of health. People often assume that what they like to eat is what their pets like, but that's completely wrong. Humans are highly evolved omnivores, and dogs were originally strict carnivores who, after nearly ten thousand years of domestication, became mainly carnivorous omnivores. Dogs have relatively short intestines, only 3 to 4 times their body length, making it difficult to digest excess carbohydrates and easier to absorb nutrients from meat. Dogs have extremely sensitive olfactory senses, but their taste buds are only about one-sixth of humans'. Their taste is generally undeveloped. Humans enjoy chewing slowly and savoring food, whereas dogs quickly tear food apart with their jaws and swallow it whole without a "tasting" process like humans. These are significant differences from us humans.

　　Precautions and methods for feeding dog food

　　Currently, many dog owners buy bagged dry kibble and feed their pets directly. This is a healthier and more scientific choice because dry extruded dog food is a complete nutritional dog food. It’s comprehensive, reasonably balanced, easy, and convenient to use. Correct feeding methods and precautions when feeding dog food include:

　　1. Choose tailored to the dog

　　Before selecting dog food for your pet, you must clearly identify the pet's breed, type, and physiological stage — whether it is a miniature, small, medium-large, or large breed, and whether it is a puppy or adult. Different breeds and physiological stages require different amounts and methods of feeding dog food. It is recommended to refer to the feeding instructions on the packaging of different brands of dog food. Each dog food has varying nutritional indicators, such as energy, protein, and fat contents. Therefore, combine the dog's breed, type, and physiological stage and carefully read the recommended feeding amounts on the packaging because the daily intake for dogs has been scientifically and comprehensively calculated.

　　2. Both dry feeding and wet feeding are acceptable

　　Many pet owners often ask, "Is it better to feed dry dog food or soak it in water before feeding?" Actually, both methods are compatible. Dogs can eat dry food and drink clean water, or you can soak the food and let the pet consume the food and water together.

　　Generally, letting pets eat dry kibble first with a bowl of clean water nearby is preferred. After eating, they drink some water. Eating dry kibble not only satisfies basic fullness but the hardness of the extruded pellets can also clean the oral cavity somewhat, removing some residue and reducing oral diseases. However, in practice, dogs are not always as rational as we think. They often show little interest in the water placed nearby and drink mainly when thirsty. Therefore, to increase the pet's water intake, it is recommended to soak the dog food in water but not for too long to avoid spoilage. It also shouldn’t be too soft or sticky because dogs generally dislike sticky foods. The purpose is just to let pets consume the food and water together to increase hydration. Also, liquid "enticing agents" like boneless meat broth or yogurt can be added and mixed evenly with the food. This increases the pet's fondness for the dog food and simultaneously boosts water intake, killing two birds with one stone. Once the dog reaches adulthood, soaking dog food can be stopped, as providing clean drinking water at all times will suffice.

　　3. Dog food should neither be too hot nor too cold, but at a moderate temperature

　　The temperature of dog food is very important. If not controlled well, high temperatures can burn the pet's mouth, while too low temperatures may cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea. Long-term observations show dog food should never be served too hot; the best temperature is about 1–2℃ above the dog's body temperature, around 40℃. Higher temperatures lead to refusal to eat and even oral burns. Similarly, temperatures that are too low are problematic—especially in summer when some owners store dog food in the refrigerator and feed it directly cold. This easily causes diarrhea. For owners who soak dog food, it is recommended to use water around 40℃, not cold water.

　　4. Feed dog food at fixed times, locations, and amounts

　　Dogs are very intelligent animals with excellent memory. By consistently feeding them in the same place and time, dogs will gradually form a fixed routine like humans. When mealtime comes, they naturally wait for their food. Before feeding, their mouths secrete saliva, and their stomach secretes digestive enzymes. This not only reduces many bad habits but also promotes digestion and absorption of food while increasing acceptance and affection for dog food.

　　The frequency and amount of dog food feeding must be carefully managed. Do not feed pets randomly or irregularly, as it will cause many bad habits. Usually, puppies are fed 2–4 times daily, with feeding frequency decreasing as they age. Adult dogs are fed 1–2 times daily. Pets should not be allowed to overeat. In the wild, dogs’ hunting success is irregular; they often experience feast or famine. They instinctively eat all available food quickly. This instinct has not changed through domestication and remains in pets' behavior. Therefore, control each feeding amount strictly to only 70–80% fullness to avoid indigestion.

　　Recommended daily dog food amounts based on dog weight:

　　Dog Weight

　　(kg) Growth Nutrition Need Maintenance Nutrition Need

　　Per kg weight (mg) Per Dog (kg) Per kg weight (mg) Per Dog (kg)

　　2.3 80 0.18 40 0.09

　　4.5 66 0.30 33 0.15

　　6.8 56 0.38 28 0.19

　　9.1 54 0.49 27 0.25

　　13.6 50 0.68 25 0.34

　　22.7 50 1.13 25 0.57

　　31.8 50 1.8 25 0.79

　　49.9 48 2.4 24 1.2

　　Scientifically, dog food requirements depend on dog breed, size, physiological cycle, gender, health, and dog food nutritional differences, so daily amounts are not fixed and lack a single standard. About 70%–80% of the nutrients in dog food can be absorbed and utilized. You can indirectly gauge the amount your dog needs by observing its stool. Soft or runny stools indicate excessive intake, while medium-hard stools indicate proper consumption.

　　What factors make dogs dislike food?

　　Dogs are attracted to any dog food not only because of flavor but also visual appeal, aroma, particle size, temperature, and texture. Observations show dogs are especially sensitive to scent and tend to prefer sweetness. Long-term observations indicate female dogs are more fond of sweet tastes than males.

　　Dog health is also a key factor. Dogs with certain illnesses or special physiological states may refuse food they normally like. For example, respiratory diseases damaging olfactory sensors reduce food interest, leading to refusal even of very tasty foods. Age and physiological status also affect food preference. After sterilization, dogs’ sensitivity to smells usually decreases, making them less responsive to new food and requiring gradual transitions to new diets. "Falling in love" with new food requires a process.

　　As dogs age, their olfaction gradually declines, and their ability to quickly fall in love with new food through scent diminishes, so older dogs tend to have lower food enthusiasm.

　　Flavor: dogs’ sense of smell is over 1000 times stronger than humans. Dogs have taste buds but fewer in number. They respond mainly to sweet, bitter, and salty. Dog food nutrition, ingredient composition, and their proportions affect food palatability. Dogs prefer meats ranked as: beef, chicken, pork, lamb, horse meat. The best palatable foods are pure meats without plant protein sources.

　　Texture: kibble particle structure, shape, surface roughness, and stickiness influence palatability. Fat and moisture positively impact pet food acceptance. For example, canned food contains about 75% moisture and tastes better than soft moist food with 30% moisture, while dry food below 10% moisture is generally less palatable. Fat helps improve food's appeal by enhancing taste and texture. Studies show dogs prefer foods with combinations of two or more fats. To prevent obesity, owners should choose reasonable dietary combinations.

　　Temperature greatly affects feeding acceptance. Dog food temperature about 1–2℃ above normal body temperature offers optimal palatability. Too hot or cold reduces acceptance and may cause diarrhea, burns, or oral ulcers. Particle size, density, and bulk density also affect acceptance.

　　Breed differences influence food preference. For example, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers differ considerably. Previous diet habits strongly impact feeding. New foods may provoke curiosity initially, but longstanding scent and flavor memories deeply affect their tastes. Gradual food transitions align better with dogs’ dietary habits.

　　 Environmental stress can disrupt feeding acceptance. Dogs undergoing sudden family changes, like member departure or stranger presence, may react differently to favorite foods. Even daily changes in the owner's mood can be sensed by dogs.

　　Three main flavors to entice pets

　　Scent is the primary factor for dogs to decide whether they like food. Dogs pick food mainly based on scent. Dogs have extremely sensitive noses, detecting smells up to 15 km away. They tend to like smells humans find "weirdly smelly," which arise from protein and amino acid decay. In primitive times, dogs often ate leftovers from lions and tigers. Natural selection led dogs to favor this "strange" odor. Therefore, don’t let human preferences dictate dog food choices; after all, dogs are the ones eating.

　　Secondly, flavor is less important than scent but still plays a role. Dogs respond to sweet, bitter, and salty tastes, so adding sweetness or salt to dog food improves palatability.

　　Dogs need seven essential minerals during growth; sodium chloride (salt) plays key roles maintaining ionic balance, boosting immunity, and enhancing palatability. However, salt amounts must be strictly controlled, as excessive salt causes bitterness and poisoning.

　　Third, dogs prefer foods with richer "juiciness." This doesn’t mean surface oiliness but the fat content in the food. Higher fat increases taste and acceptance. Dogs favor food with multiple flavor combinations better than single-fat types. However, to prevent obesity, owners should maintain dietary balance.

　　(Some content adapted from "How Good Dog Food is Made")