Dog Nutrition & Diet: A UK Owner's Guide
A plain-English UK guide to feeding your dog well — calories, weight, raw and grain-free debates, hypoallergenic diets, wet vs dry, and feeding senior dogs.
18 guides in this topic
Hi, I'm Matt, the founder of Giddy Pets. Getting your dog's diet right is one of the simplest, most powerful things you can do for their long-term health — and one of the most confusing, given how much conflicting advice is out there. This hub pulls together honest, referenced guidance so you can make calm decisions rather than panicked ones.
This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — ask your vet about your dog's diet, especially if they have a health condition.
Start with the basics
Most dogs do well on a complete, balanced food that meets recognised nutritional standards, fed in the right amount for their size, age and activity. "Complete" means it contains everything your dog needs in one product; "complementary" foods (like many treats and toppers) don't, and shouldn't make up the bulk of the bowl. The single biggest dietary mistake in UK dogs isn't the brand or format — it's overfeeding. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight matters more than almost any other diet decision.
If you're after puppy portions, feeding schedules and the day-to-day mechanics of meals, our existing dog feeding hub covers that ground. This nutrition hub focuses on the trickier, more specific questions owners ask once the basics are in place.
How much, and how many calories
Portion guides on the back of the pack are a starting point, not gospel — they're averages, and your dog may need more or less. The honest way to feed is to match calories to your individual dog and adjust by body condition. Start with how much should I feed my dog for adult dogs, then use how many calories does my dog need to understand the maths. Our calorie calculator gives you a quick estimate to sanity-check the bag.
Weight: the quiet health issue
A large share of UK dogs are overweight, and it creeps up slowly. If your dog is carrying extra, how to help a dog lose weight walks through doing it safely, and the weight tracker helps you log progress so you can actually see it working.
Choosing a food format
There's no single "best" format — the right one depends on your dog, your budget and your routine. Wet vs dry dog food lays out the trade-offs fairly. If your dog has itchy skin or a sensitive tummy, hypoallergenic dog food explains what that label really means. And because grain-free has become a hot topic, is grain-free dog food good covers the debate honestly, including the DCM discussion, without scaremongering.
Life stage
Nutrition needs shift as dogs age. Best food for senior dogs looks at what changes for older dogs, and our wider senior dogs hub covers life beyond the bowl.
A note on raw and home cooking
Raw and home-prepared diets can work, but they're easy to get wrong nutritionally and carry hygiene considerations. If you're exploring them, do it with proper guidance rather than online recipes — and talk to your vet or a qualified canine nutritionist first.
When to involve your vet
If your dog has a medical condition, sudden weight change, ongoing tummy trouble or skin issues, food is part of a bigger picture. Your vet can rule out causes and recommend a suitable diet. Find local practices via our vet directory. And if you're ever unsure whether a food is safe, our can my pet eat this tool is a quick first check.
When you're ready to buy, browse dog food & treats.
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How to choose the best dog food: an owner's guide
How to read a dog food label, match food to life stage, and avoid common mistakes when picking a complete diet
Feeding your puppy or dog: a complete guide
How much and how often to feed dogs at every life stage, from a four-meals-a-day puppy to a senior needing fewer calories
Best dog food for neutered dogs
How neutering changes your dog's metabolism and appetite, and what to look for in a food that keeps them a healthy weight
Dog food allergies: signs your dog may be allergic
How to spot the skin, ear and digestive signs of a dog food allergy, the common trigger ingredients, and how vets actually diagnose it
Frozen watermelon dog treats: a simple recipe
A safe, simple recipe for frozen watermelon dog treats, with the seed, rind and portion-size rules that matter
Human foods that are safe for dogs to eat
A vet-charity-sourced guide to which human foods dogs can safely eat, which are toxic, and how to introduce new treats safely
The Best Food for Senior Dogs: An Honest Guide
Older dogs don't all need the same thing. What changes with age, when senior food helps, calories, protein, joints and tempting fussy old dogs to eat.
How Much Should I Feed My Dog? (Adult Dogs)
For adult dogs, the right amount is calorie- and condition-based, not just whatever the bag says. How to read pack guides, check body condition, and adjust.
How Many Calories Does My Dog Need?
What drives a dog's calorie needs — size, age, activity, neutering and metabolism — why pack guides are estimates, and how to use body condition to get it right.
Wet vs Dry Dog Food: Which Is Better?
Neither wins outright. A fair side-by-side on cost, teeth, hydration, palatability and convenience — plus why mixing the two is a perfectly good option.
How to Help a Dog Lose Weight Safely
Many UK dogs are overweight, and it creeps up quietly. A safe, practical plan: check condition, cut calories sensibly, rethink treats, build activity and track progress.
Hypoallergenic Dog Food: What It Really Means
"Hypoallergenic" isn't a regulated promise. Here's what the label actually means, when it helps a dog with allergies or a sensitive tummy, and how vets diagnose food reactions.
Is Grain-Free Dog Food Good? An Honest Look
Grain-free isn't automatically healthier — and isn't the cause of allergies most people think. A fair look at the benefits, the marketing, and the DCM debate.
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