Is Your Dog Eating Right? A Guide to Better Nutrition for a Healthier, Happier Dog

Your dog might love their food, but is it giving them everything they need to stay healthy?

Good nutrition plays an important role in your dog's overall health. From maintaining a healthy weight and supporting digestion to keeping their skin, coat, muscles and immune system functioning properly, what goes into your dog's bowl can make a real difference to their quality of life.

With so many dog food brands, feeding options and nutritional claims available, choosing the right diet can feel overwhelming. The good news is that understanding a few nutritional basics can help you make more informed decisions about your dog's health.

Here's what every dog owner should know about feeding their dog a balanced, nutritious diet.

1. Understand What a Balanced Diet Looks Like

Dogs need a combination of essential nutrients to support their everyday bodily functions. A complete and balanced diet should provide the right amounts of:

• Protein: Supports muscle development, tissue repair and normal body functions. Good sources include chicken, beef, fish and eggs.

• Fats: Provide energy, support brain function and help maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat.

• Carbohydrates: Supply energy and can provide dietary fibre to support healthy digestion.

• Vitamins and minerals: Help support the immune system, bone health, metabolism and other essential processes.

• Water: Essential for digestion, circulation, temperature regulation and overall organ function.

Rather than focusing on one particular ingredient, look for a commercially prepared dog food labelled as complete and balanced for your dog's life stage. This means it is formulated to provide the essential nutrients your dog needs when fed as directed.

2. Choose Food That Matches Your Dog's Life Stage

Your dog's nutritional requirements change throughout their life. Feeding the same type of food from puppyhood to their senior years may not always provide the most appropriate nutritional balance.

Puppies

Growing puppies need a diet formulated to support development, bone growth and muscle formation. Puppy food generally contains different energy and nutrient levels from adult dog food. Puppies of large breeds may also require specifically formulated diets to support controlled growth.

Adult Dogs

Adult dogs need a balanced diet that maintains a healthy weight, supports muscle condition and provides enough energy for their daily activities. The right amount will depend on their size, activity level and individual needs.

Senior Dogs

Older dogs may experience changes in activity, metabolism, muscle mass and digestion. Their nutritional needs may also change depending on their health and mobility. A senior dog may benefit from dietary adjustments recommended by their veterinarian.

Choosing food based on your dog's age, size and lifestyle is a good starting point for supporting their long-term health.

3. Know How Much to Feed Your Dog

Even nutritious food can contribute to health problems when your dog eats too much.

Overfeeding can lead to excess weight gain, which places additional strain on the joints and may increase the risk of conditions such as diabetes and other weight-related health problems.

Start with the feeding guidelines on your dog's food packaging, but remember that these are general recommendations. Your dog's ideal portion size will depend on their weight, age, activity level, metabolism and health.

A few practical feeding tips:

• Measure meals rather than estimating portions.

• Keep treats and table scraps to a minimum.

• Include treats in your dog's overall daily calorie intake.

• Avoid regularly feeding human foods without checking whether they are safe for dogs.

• Monitor your dog's weight and body condition over time.

If you're unsure how much your dog should be eating, your veterinarian can help calculate an appropriate daily feeding amount.

4. Be Careful With Human Food and Table Scraps

Sharing food with your dog might seem harmless, but some everyday ingredients can be dangerous.

Foods that should never be given to dogs include:

• Chocolate

• Grapes and raisins

• Onions and garlic

• Xylitol, a sweetener found in some sugar-free products

• Alcohol

• Macadamia nuts

Even foods that are safe for dogs in small quantities can cause digestive upset or contribute to weight gain when given too frequently.

If your dog accidentally eats something potentially toxic, contact your veterinarian promptly rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.

5. Don't Forget Water and Hydration

Water is just as important as food when it comes to your dog's nutrition.

Dogs need access to fresh, clean drinking water throughout the day. Their water requirements can vary depending on their size, diet, activity level, weather and overall health.

Dogs eating dry food may need to drink more water than those eating wet food because wet food contains more moisture.

Keep your dog's water bowl clean, refill it regularly and pay attention to changes in their drinking habits. Drinking significantly more or less than usual can sometimes indicate an underlying health concern that needs veterinary attention.

6. Watch for Changes in Weight, Appetite and Eating Habits

Your dog's eating habits can tell you a lot about their health.

A sudden change in appetite, unexplained weight loss, unexpected weight gain, vomiting, diarrhoea or difficulty eating should not be ignored.

While some changes may be related to diet or routine, others can be signs of an underlying medical condition.

Regular veterinary check-ups help monitor your dog's weight, body condition and general health. They also give your veterinarian an opportunity to identify concerns before they become more difficult to manage.

Remember, a healthy-looking dog can still have an underlying health issue. Not every medical concern comes with obvious symptoms.

7. Nutrition Is Only One Part of Your Dog's Preventative Healthcare

Providing a nutritious diet is an important part of responsible pet ownership, but it should go hand in hand with regular veterinary care.

Routine check-ups, dental care, parasite prevention, vaccinations and monitoring for unusual physical changes all contribute to your dog's overall wellbeing.

One thing worth paying attention to is the appearance of new or changing lumps and bumps.

Although many lumps are harmless, others may require further investigation. You should never assume a lump is nothing to worry about based on how it looks or feels.

If you notice a new lump, a change in an existing lump or an unusual growth, arrange a veterinary examination to have it assessed.

November Is the Time to Check Your Dog's Lumps and Bumps

Good nutrition helps support your dog's health, but knowing when something isn't quite right is just as important.

This November, Paddington Vet is making it easier for pet owners to have unusual lumps and bumps checked with our Bump Friday promotion.

Here's what's included:

• Free fine needle aspirate (FNA) and cytology: When you book a paid consultation, your pet can receive a free needle sample and cytology assessment for their first eligible lump.

  
  

• $50 off eligible lump removals: If your veterinarian recommends surgical removal, receive $50 off when the procedure is booked in November and performed by 18 December 2026.

  
  

The offer is available throughout November, giving you an opportunity to have your dog's lumps and bumps assessed without putting it off.

Early assessment can help your veterinarian determine whether further testing or treatment is needed. Not all lumps are cancerous, but getting them checked is an important step in protecting your pet's health.

Don't wait for a lump to grow or change before having it examined.

Book an appointment with Paddington Vet today and give your dog the attention their health deserves.

Call us on (07) 3367 3294 or visit paddingtonvet.com.au/bookings to book your appointment.

Promotion conditions apply. The free FNA and cytology offer applies to the first eligible lump per pet during a paid consultation. Sedation and external pathology fees, if required, are additional. The $50 lump removal discount applies to eligible procedures booked in November 2026 and performed by 18 December 2026. Please speak with our team for full eligibility details.

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