How to Choose a Dog Food Diet to Meet Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs

There is no one-size-fits-all dog food because there is no one-size-fits-all dog. Since they differ in breed, size, lifestyle, age, health conditions and so much more, dogs' nutritional needs are all different. Finding the right food to keep them happy and healthy may seem impossible, but it's not. Here are a few examples to help point you in the right direction.

Taco, the 4-Month-Old Dachshund

Meet Taco, a little bitty puppy that will grow up to be a little bitty dog. His current size and soon-to-be size are both important factors to consider when choosing a healthy dog food diet for him.

When dogs are still puppies, they need more high-quality animal-based protein (to help them build body tissue and strong bones) and fat (to help maintain their energy and support their skin and coat) than their adult counterparts. So, always start your puppy food journey by looking for foods made specifically for puppies.

But there's more to consider: his adult size! Taco is a little guy, and always will be. That's part of the reason we love him so much. Unlike large-breed puppies that can grow for up to two years, small dogs like Taco have high metabolic rates that cause them to reach their full size at around nine months. With that kind of growth spurt, they have their own unique set of nutritional needs.

So, based on what we know about Taco, we recommend a puppy food made specifically for small breeds to help him grow up to be the roughest, toughest, tail-waggingest hot dog in the neighborhood.

Food Recommendation: IAMS™ Puppy Small Breed

Pugtato, the 3-Year-Old Pug

As a pug, Pugtato is prone to weight gain, which isn't made particularly better by his potato-esque lifestyle and deep-rooted love of food. So, in this case, his breed, lifestyle and current health needs are important to consider when switching him to a new diet.

Pugtato needs a healthy diet that will help him lose weight while ensuring he gets all the nutrients he needs as an adult dog. That means his food should be lower in fat content than regular adult dog food and formulated with L-carnitine to help support a healthy metabolism. Just remember: Follow the proper dog feeding chart guidelines, usually found on the dog food bag (or can), to make sure he's not eating too much. Even too much of a good thing can be a bad thing when it comes to obesity.

Food Recommendation: IAMS™ Healthy Weight

Mariah Hairy, the 8-Year-Old Saint Bernard

Miss Mariah Hairy is the wisest, fluffiest lady on the block. But as the mature dog she is, she has different nutritional needs than the younger pups on the street.

She switched to senior dog food at just the right time for her size, around seven years old. The switch makes sure she gets the nutrition she needs for her changing body.

As dogs age, they tend to be less active. So, mature dogs like Mariah Hairy need more essential nutrients like protein, fiber and antioxidants to help meet their nutritional needs as well as fewer calories to make up for any decrease in activity levels.

Food Recommendation: IAMS™ Mature Large Breed

Choosing Food for Dogs with Other Unique Needs

Those are just three examples. What about dogs with more unique nutritional needs or health concerns? We can help you out with that too:

• Pregnant Dogs: A soon-to-be mama needs 25% to 50% more food than usual to help prep her puppies for the world. She should eat high-quality, nutrient-dense dog food formulated for all life stages, like IAMS™ Minichunks Chicken & Whole Grains Recipe or even puppy recipes like IAMS™ Puppy, formulated for growth.

• Nursing Dogs: Even though dog moms lose weight after birth, their nutritional needs increase dramatically. In fact, they may need two to five times their normal amount of food, divided throughout the day. Much like when she's pregnant, nutrient-rich formulas like IAMS™ Puppy can be a great option for a healthy diet during this life stage.

• Picky Eaters: There are several reasons a dog may turn their nose up at their food – some more serious than others. If it's a matter of taste or texture, you could try transitioning to a new adult dog food containing a different protein source than their current food. For example, if they're currently eating chicken-first dog food, try a lamb-first diet like IAMS™ Minichunks Lamb & Rice. You could also experiment with mixed feeding, such as adding wet food like IAMS™ Adult Chicken & Rice Paté to your pup's dry food.

• Digestive Health: If your dog struggles with digestion, make sure you're feeding them a fiber-rich dog food diet. Look for ingredients like beet pulp and prebiotics when choosing their menu. Specially formulated diets, such as IAMS™ Advanced Health™ Healthy Digestion dry food, support healthy digestion.

Want help choosing your dog food? We've got you covered! Our Dog Food Selector will help you find a recipe formulated just for your pup's unique needs.

If you have any additional questions or concerns about your dog's diet, talk to your vet or click the chat icon at the bottom of your screen to be connected with an IAMS™ pet expert.