Feeding amounts on processed foods are guidelines only. Two dogs of the same weight and age might vary greatly in activity level, body type, and overall health. If your dog is plump, feed less or don’t worry if food is left uneaten; if your dog is lean and hungry, offer more.

You’ll be able to feel your dog’s ribs with gentle pressure if your dog is at a healthy weight. Your dog may or may not have a “waist” depending on breed.

Dogs have individual tolerances for grains in their diets. They evolved as carnivores but are somewhat more omnivorous than cats. If your dog suffers from chronic skin or digestive issues, grain intolerance may be an issue.

Some dogs do very well with the occasional raw meaty bone in their diets. Cooked bones splinter and can be dangerous. If you want to give your dog raw bones, at first offer a few small pieces, or a bone so large it can’t be ingested, only gnawed. Feed raw bones from a safe food source, a trusted butcher or natural pet food store.

Processed food is anything that comes from a can or a bag. Some or all unprocessed food in the diet can offer huge benefits, just as it does for human nutrition. Unprocessed pet food can contain cooked, lightly cooked or safely prepared raw meat. All unprocessed food should be nutritionally balanced.

Diet changes should be made gradually.

Read processed food labels and avoid artificial preservatives, colorings, high grain content, mysterious ingredients, and byproducts.

Dogs are pack animals. Often they can be encouraged to eat if somebody else is eating!

Treats should be considered in the overall nutrition picture.