Feeding guide, by life stage
How much, how often and what to change when.
Every bag has a feeding chart on the back and that is the right starting point. The notes below are the things Joe and the team get asked at the counter in our two physical shops, in the order they come up.
At a glance
| Life stage | Meals a day | How much |
|---|---|---|
| PuppiesUp to 12 months, large breeds closer to 18 months | Three, dropping to two around six months | The bag's chart as a starting point. Add 10% if ribby after two weeks, drop 10% if soft over the spine |
| AdultsOne to seven years | Two for most dogs, one works for some | Active dogs 10 to 25% over the chart. Couch dogs 10 to 20% under |
| SeniorsSeven years and over | Same food in less of it | Weigh monthly from age seven. A five percent gain on a 25kg dog is worth catching early |
| CatsKitten, adult, senior | Four to six small meals | Wet food twice daily, dry food available between |
The team's rule of thumb
Weigh it every time.
Joe, at the counter.
Up to 12 months
Puppies
Three meals a day until around six months, then two. Pup food (not adult food) until at least 12 months. Large breeds run closer to 18 months because their joints are still going. Don't free-feed. Weigh the daily ration and split it.
- Use the bag's chart as a starting point. Add 10% if the pup looks ribby after two weeks, drop 10% if they're soft over the spine.
- Switch from puppy to adult food gradually, a week of mixed, more new less old each day.
- Treats count as food. Keep treats under 10% of the daily total.
Puppy ranges on the shelf: Stanley's puppy line and Naturo puppy.
One to seven years
Adults
Two meals a day for most dogs. One meal works for some, but two helps with digestion and stops the kind of gulping that pulls air into the gut. Weigh the bag with a kitchen scale once and remember roughly what the right scoop looks like.
- Active dogs (working, agility, long walks daily) need more, usually 10 to 25% over the chart.
- Couch dogs need less, usually 10 to 20% under.
Body condition, at a glance
| Condition | What you see |
|---|---|
| Too thin | Ribs, spine, hips visible from a distance |
| Just right | Ribs felt not seen, a waist, a slight tuck-up |
| Carrying weight | No waist visible, ribs hard to feel |
Switching food? Do it over seven to ten days.
| Step | New food in the bowl |
|---|---|
| Step one | 25% new |
| Step two | 50% new |
| Step three | 75% new |
| Step four | 100% new |
Two to three days on each step. Loose stools on day four means slow down. Don't push through loose stools, just hold at the last step a bit longer.
Seven years and over
Seniors
Most healthy dogs don't need a senior recipe, they need the same food in less of it, with attention to weight and joints. If activity drops, the food drops with it. If you're seeing stiffness, an omega-rich food or a joint supplement is worth a conversation.
- Weigh monthly from age seven. A five percent gain on a 25kg dog is over a kilo. Worth catching early.
- Bloodwork at the yearly vet check changes the food conversation. Kidney values, liver, thyroid, all reasons to pick differently.
Senior recipes on the shelf: Naturo senior line and Canagan senior.
Kitten, adult, senior
Cats
Cats graze. Four to six small meals a day is normal, wet food twice daily, dry food available between. Kittens up to 12 months on kitten food, then transition. Senior cats (10+) often eat less, flag any sudden change with the vet.
Common questions
Do I have to mix wet and dry?
No, but most dogs do better with both. Wet food is more palatable and adds water. Dry is more economical and easier to portion. Split it however suits your routine, they don't have to be served together.
Can I free-feed?
Not for dogs, mostly. They'll usually eat the lot. Cats can free-feed dry food if they're at a healthy weight, if they're already heavier than ideal, switch to scheduled meals.
What about treats?
Under 10% of daily calories. Single-ingredient (dried fish, dried liver, dehydrated chicken) is the safest baseline. Skip anything where you can't pronounce the first three ingredients.
Joe's take on how we approach this: Behind the counter.
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