The Right Way to Feed Your Pet (And the Mistakes Most Owners Make)

Feeding a pet sounds straightforward. Put food in bowl, watch pet eat. Job done.

But nutrition is one of the areas where small mistakes have the biggest long-term impact. Overfeeding, underfeeding, the wrong food type, or even the wrong bowl can affect your pet's health, weight, digestion, and behaviour — sometimes without you realising until a vet points it out.

Here's what to get right from the start.

🐶 Feeding Dogs: The Basics

Choose age-appropriate food. Puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs have very different nutritional needs. Puppy food is higher in protein and calories to support growth — feeding it to an adult dog long-term leads to weight gain. Senior formulas are easier to digest and often support joint health. Always match the food to your dog's life stage.

Stick to set mealtimes. Free feeding — leaving food out all day — makes it almost impossible to monitor how much your dog is eating and can lead to obesity. Two meals a day works well for most adult dogs. Puppies under six months usually need three.

Measure portions. The feeding guide on the packet is a starting point, not a rule. Factor in your dog's size, breed, and activity level. If your dog is gaining weight, reduce portions slightly. If they're losing weight or seem hungry, increase gradually.

Slow it down. Dogs that eat too fast swallow air, which causes bloating — and in large breeds, bloat can be life-threatening. A slow feeder bowl or a lick mat makes mealtimes safer and more enriching at the same time.

Watch the treats. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake. It's easy to go over without realising, especially when training.

🐱 Feeding Cats: The Basics

Wet food, dry food, or both? This is one of the most common questions new cat owners ask. Wet food helps keep cats hydrated — cats have a low thirst drive and often don't drink enough water on their own. Dry food is convenient and good for dental health. A mix of both is often the best approach.

Cats are obligate carnivores. Unlike dogs, cats cannot thrive on a vegetarian or vegan diet. They need taurine, arachidonic acid, and vitamin A — nutrients found only in animal tissue. Always choose a cat food where meat is the first ingredient.

Little and often. In the wild, cats eat multiple small meals throughout the day. If you're feeding dry food, splitting it into two or three portions works better than one large meal. Automatic feeders are useful if you're out during the day.

Fresh water, always. Keep a clean water bowl away from the food bowl — cats instinctively avoid water near their food source (in nature, water near a carcass can be contaminated). Some cats prefer running water; a pet fountain can significantly increase how much they drink.

Don't ignore weight changes. Cats are good at hiding illness, but weight loss or gain is often the first visible sign something is wrong. Weigh your cat monthly and flag any significant changes to your vet.

❌ The Most Common Feeding Mistakes

• Feeding human food regularly. The occasional plain piece of chicken is fine, but many human foods are toxic to pets — onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, and xylitol (found in sugar-free products) can all be dangerous.
• Switching food too quickly. Any diet change should be made gradually over 7–10 days, mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old. Sudden switches cause digestive upset.
• Using the wrong bowl size. Cats with whiskers that touch the sides of a bowl experience "whisker fatigue" — genuine discomfort that puts them off eating. Wide, shallow bowls are better for cats.
• Ignoring the water bowl. Both cats and dogs need fresh water available at all times. Change it daily and wash the bowl regularly.

Set Your Pet Up for a Healthy Start

The right feeding setup makes mealtimes easier for you and healthier for your pet. Browse our Feeding & Nutrition collection at Ted's Treats — from slow feeder bowls to measured scoops, everything you need to get it right from day one.