Nourishing Your Puppy s Body Mind and Spirit with Science Diet Nutrition

How Much and How Often to Feed Your Adult Dog

Growing dogs need plenty of food and your veterinarian may tell you to feed a new puppy a few times a day. However, what about when your dog gets older? You might wonder, "how often should I feed my dog?" or "how much should my dog eat?"

To answer those questions, here are some feeding guidelines that cover playful puppies, relaxed seniors, and every age in between.

Nourishing a Puppy

Since puppies grow quickly and burn so much energy, they need to eat highly nutritious food and they need it often. You'll start out feeding your puppy frequently, then slowly wean them down to fewer feedings. This process will help them grow big and strong.

6 to 12 Weeks

Puppies should be eating food nutritionally designed to meet their needs for bone and muscle growth, like Hill's Science Diet Puppy foods, which fuels your on-the-move puppy. A quality puppy food contains optimal amounts of protein, DHA, and vitamins to keep your puppy growing at appropriate rates. For puppies, four feedings a day are recommended for ages six to twelve weeks. It's also a good idea to start puppies with moistened food to help them chew.

3 to 6 Months

Feedings can decrease to three times a day during this period. You will see your puppy start to mature during this phase their baby potbelly and pudginess will start to disappear. Its recommended to feed them puppy-sized portions until you see signs that their body is maturing.

6 to 12 Months

At six months reduce to twice-daily feedings. Keep in mind that after your dog is neutered, their energy level may decrease, so you need to make sure that you are feeding them the correct amount. Its also a good time to start thinking about what food you want to offer when you switch from nutrient-rich puppy food to adult food. While you should always check with your vet about your puppy's individual needs, small and medium breeds typically transition to adult food at 12 months, while large or giant breeds may not transition until 18 months of age.

It's also good to make the switch to adult food over a 5-7 day period. Too abrupt of a change may cause stomach problems for your pooch. To transition between foods, mix your dog's current food with a small amount of their new food. Over the course of a week, gradually decrease the amount of the current dog food while increasing the amount of new dog food for a safe and comfortable transition.

As with anything that plays a pivotal role in your dog's overall health and development, talk to your veterinarian about proper feeding regimes. While dog food bags and cans will often provide feeding instructions on the packaging, calorie needs can vary from dog to dog based on breed, weight, activity level and more. Your vet will be able to provide you with the best recommendation for feeding your pup for healthy growth.

Feeding an Adult Dog

Once your dog is fully grown, you need to make sure you're feeding them dog food that keeps them healthy and fit, so that they avoid developing health issues. Their food type and portion size should be tailored to their breed, size, and lifestyle. Again, this is a good conversation to have with your veterinarian to ensure they receive adequate nutrition.

Years 1 to 7

Most owners feed adult dogs two half-portions a day. How much is that? It depends on your dog. Measure food, rather than eye-balling it, to make sure your dog is getting the right amount each day. Keep an eye on your dog for signs of weight gain, and cut down on food if necessary under the supervision of your vet. Some of the signs your dog is overweight include not being able to feel their ribs, loss of a discernible waist, pads of fat over the hips and base of the tail and a waddling gait.

Dogs should eat at regular times, usually once in the morning and once in the evening the key is consistency. Also, keep in mind that the type of food you choose is important. If you have a more sedentary dog, consider a food that matches their lifestyle to ensure they still get the right nutrients without causing them to gain weight.

Years 7+

Your dog is getting older and perhaps a little slower. Remember that dogs age more quickly than people do, so major health changes occur much earlier in life. Choose a food specially formulated with ingredients that support brain, immune and digestive function, energy levels, and a luxurious coat. Food formulated for ageing pets also takes into consideration that their metabolism will have likely slowed down. Choosing the right food will help give your older pup the right amount of calories, while including additional nutrients to help them get their youthful spirit back.

Caring for a Senior

Your dog has officially made it over the hill of middle age. With seniority your dog is changing, so make sure you're keeping an eye on their nutrition and health, and consult your vet to see if you should switch to a senior dog food.

Larger breeds may reach seniority sooner than smaller breeds, so it is important to ask your vet when your pooch has reached their golden years. For instance, your Jack Russell terrier might still be barreling around the house at eleven, but your golden retriever might be slowing down by age seven.

It might be around this time that you'll want to cut back on food to avoid the weight gain that comes with less activity. You should also watch senior dogs for signs of weight loss, which can be a sign of health issues, like dental problems. Continue with twice-daily feedings as your dog may appreciate the routine. If you see changes in your dog's weight or eating habits, talk to your vet.

Feeding your dog the right amount of high-quality dog food through each step of their life will go a long way towards keeping your four-legged friend healthy. Just as eating amounts vary from person to person, eating amounts vary from dog to dog, which is why consulting your vet is the best place to start.

Keep in mind the above age ranges and information are just guidelines. Health issues might age your dog faster, or they could remain vital well into their senior years. Monitoring your dog's health, choosing high-quality dog food for every life stage, and keeping an open dialogue with your vet will help you answer how much to feed your dog and make the best choices to nourish your furry friend through puppyhood and into their golden years.

Nutrition for the mind, body, and spirit: An overall guide for your mental health, physical being and spirit.

We all know that our diet and lifestyle have an impact on our overall well-being. Despite this knowledge, the fundamentals of healthy eating and living are still lacking.

There are many different nutritional theories out there today making it difficult to determine what is best for your mind, body, and spirit. The truth is that our gut microbiomes are so different and unique that there is no way to prescribe a single diet that will help everyone reach optimal health.

To help guide you in the right direction, here are 5 nutrition tips to satisfy your mind, body, and spirit:

1 Eat Enough Food to Fulfill Your Specific Needs and Objectives.

Without an adequate amount of food, the mind, body, and spirit cannot thrive, but fortunately, there are clear indicators of under-eating to look out for.

The first step is to calculate an estimate of your daily calorie needs, then adjust your intake based on your energy levels, mood, and any weight changes. Keep in mind that the energy you require each day will not always be the same. For example, you will need to eat more and increase your caloric intake as you get more active. On the other hand, if you change from an active to a sedentary lifestyle, you will need to reduce what you eat to stay healthy and not gain weight.

It is all about understanding the balance of how much fuel you need for the energy that you burn at any given time there is no secret or magic number! Our Registered Dietitian collaborator mentions to trust your appetite as it is your best indicator for knowing if you have eaten enough.

2 Balance Your Macronutrients

Protein, carbohydrates, and fats are the three types of macronutrients you consume the most and that provide you with energy. It is important to note that no single food can provide all the nutrients your body needs.

Always remember that a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates, and fats from whole-food sources is preferable for optimal health and wellbeing cutting off an entire macro is not a sustainable long-term solution for most people because it may accelerate muscle loss, decrease bone density, and also cause you to miss out on key micronutrients essential for your brain to function at its best.

3 Do Not Substitute Food Quality for Saving Money.

Todays society is so focused on efficiency that we have neglected the importance of eating whole foods. Sure, eating fast food and junk food is cheap, quick, and enjoyable, but unhealthy when consumed in big quantities.

Highly processed foods are loaded with saturated fats and trans fats, they also contain empty calories which means you get energy without the needed vital nutrients. This may satisfy your body in the short term, but soon enough you will feel the lethargy set in your mind and in your spirit.

Putting a little bit more money into organic whole foods, fruits, and vegetables is a healthy investment for your well-being and health. Try this amazing nutritionist approved Kale Millet Strawberry Salad!

4 Be Mindful When You Eat.

Do you ever eat so quickly and that you wonder where your meal went? When it comes to eating, try to make it a priority to practice mindfulness techniques.

Some tricks that you can start implementing today are to take the time and focus on your chewing. Take the extra step and make sure all your food is properly chewed before swallowing. Slowing down your eating will also trick your mind into thinking you are full with less! You can also try turning off your TV and putting down your phone while eating. Instead, focus on the scents and sights around you this will help you feel full and present.

Eating is not a race and slowing down by being mindful will be a pleasant experience that is sure to satisfy your soul.Also, our Toronto dietitian team collaborator mentions to always remember that you should never feel like you need to finish your plate when you are no longer hungry, no matter where you are. Why waste food by overeating when you can bring it back from the restaurant for another meal or simply keep a small amount for a snack. Food also tastes so much better when we are hungry.

5 Get Expert Recommendation.

Finally, it is always encouraged to see a dietician that can help create a customized meal plan for your individual needs.

Dietitians work on the assumption that all foods are fine in moderation and balance. A dietician will never stop you from consuming specific foods unless there is a solid cause. Instead, they will provide you advice on how to improve your nutrition and overall health.

Because there are so many unqualified people offering nutrition advice, make sure your dietician is registered with your province's regulating agency. We have a team of Local Registered Dietitians on hand at TeamNutrition to assist you with any nutrition needs you may have contact us today to discover how we can assist you!

Local registered dietitians are available in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver as well as available almost anywhere in Canada with an internet connection for online dietitian counseling.

How Eating Intuitively Can Nourish Your Spirit

Eating intuitively can nourish your body, mind, and spirit and also invite renewal. Honoring your inner wisdom is an act of courage. In a world that constantly and consistently tells you that you are not enough, that being you is wrong, and that you just need to buy this cream, or take this supplement, or sign up for this course to be fixed (phew!), deciding how to be

you-as you are

-is revolutionary.

From birth, you are toldthrough advertisements, social media, your families, and all aspects of capitalist culturethat in order to belong, you must eat this and not that or to look like this and not that. To choose otherwise actively rebels against the damaging byproducts of capitalism, racism, able-ism, sexism, homophobia, and the way things are. Letting go of outgrown habits and prescribed conceptions of how, when, where, with whom, and what you should eat can bring about a renewed sense of self.

Introducing Intuitive Eating

If you are choosing a path of renewal, especially at a time when many people in the world are actively unlearning diet culture, racism, sexism, and separateness, consider eating

intuitively

. According to the

ten 10 principles of intuitive eating

developed by nutrition experts Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, eating intuitively involves such things as:

• Paying attention to cues of hunger and satisfaction
• Challenging the food police
• Coping with your emotions with kindness
• Respecting your body
• Making peace with food

People who score high on intuitive eating have more body appreciation, they enjoy their eating better, they have less disordered eating such as restrictive eating, meal skipping, chronic dieting, and feelings of guilt and shame about food,

says Tribole

, co-author of

Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach

.

The practice of choosing what to eat according to the subtle messages of your body and tuning into the deep knowing within your gut can help you follow this inner wisdom in other areas of your life as well. When you follow your personal compass and get reacquainted with your deepest desires, as life coach Martha Beck invites you to do in her book,

Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live

, youll find more opportunities to live the best life you can imagine.

By paying close attention to the signals your body offers, such as stomach cramps, rashes, brain fog, or those mornings of I dont feel very good, choose foods that instead help you feel awake, alive, and satiated. Honor the beautiful container your spirit has been given.

Consider Your Approach

Think about how you choose what to eat.

• Do you eat anything you crave?
• Do you eat what other household members have around?
• Do you restrict what you eat based on a certain lifestyle diet (such as keto, paleo, raw, or vegan)?
• Are you limited by what foods are accessible in your area?
• Are you limited by food allergies or sensitivities?
• Do you decide what to consume based on your religious practices?

None of these are wrong ways to choose what to eat! Given the omnivores dilemma, as journalist Michael Pollan writes, you have infinite, abundant nourishment options as a human and can likely survive on whatever you eat (yep, even all the processed stuff with poisonous additives). But eating intuitively includes honoring and respecting your body, which is different than only listening to every grumble your belly makes. Eating intuitively means that you might have an intuitive hit/premonition/gut instinct that if you have that third bowl of cereal you may feel sick. You could then choose to have that third bowl or not have that third bowl.

There is no wrong choice. The moment of insight comes when you

have the awareness

, the intuitive hit that you could have that third bowl of cereal or not even though you know you may feel sick afterwards. The practice is in noticing the thoughts and making choices from that subtle awareness, rather than autopilot, habit, or from an outside influence.

What Youll Gain by Intuitive Eating

As you start a new process of learning to listen to your body with regards to nourishment, you continue on your lifelong journey of self-love. If you are aligned with the

subtle body

it will start to say yes or no when you think of, or look at, a particular food or drink. You may wake up one day and decide never again to have a drop of alcohol. You may wake up one day and know for sure that a cucumber salad for lunch will give you energy today. Maybe youll start growing a garden of the foods that help you feel best!

By claiming all parts of yourself, the parts that

need

mint chip ice cream and the parts that

need

to cut out red meat (take a moment to

feel

into each of those statementswhat happened in your body when you read the suggestion to allow yourself the pleasure of ice cream or the encouragement to stay away from meals that you enjoy?), youll practice taking a holistic approach to well-being, which will have ripple effects in other areas of your life.

Other positive side effects of eating intuitively include rebuilding your

body image

, tuning into your

brain-gut connection

, renewing your

gut microbiome

, connecting to your

culture and ancestors

, and even reclaiming your money and time by going on an

anti-diet

.

Renew yourself from the inside out by eating whatever you want, whenever you want. Buck the system that tries to control the perfection that you are by going on an anti-diet. Nourish your spirit by releasing outside expectations and staying true to yourself. May your plate and palate be filled with color and delight.

*Editors Note:

The information in this article is intended for your educational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.