Assess Age, Weight, and Activity
30 minutesUse age calculator and body condition score to determine life stage and calorie needs.
Beginner1-2 days
Dog Nutrition Plan
Free step-by-step dog nutrition plan for dog owners. Plan dog nutrition plan with calculators and checklists covering assess age, weight, and activity.
dog ownersweight management plannersactive breed handlers
Workflow
Calculate Daily Portions
30 minutesDetermine cups or grams per day based on food calorie density, weight goal, and activity level.
Budget Monthly Food Costs
45 minutesCompare premium versus budget brands on cost per calorie and ingredient quality.
Monitor and Adjust Monthly
OngoingWeigh monthly and adjust portions — vet if weight shifts more than 10% without diet change.
Tools Used
- Dog Food CalculatorPrimary
Calculate daily portions by weight and activity.
- Dog Age CalculatorPrimary
Determine life stage for senior or puppy formulas.
- Pet Cost CalculatorSupporting
Estimate monthly and annual food spend.
- Pet Medication Order–Label Reconciliation RecordSupporting
Fit dog food into household grocery budget.
Checklist
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Assessment
Nutrition
Monitoring
Health
Reference Materials
Dog Body Condition ScoreTable
Vets use 1–9 scale — aim for 4–5 (ribs palpable, visible waist).
| Score | Ribs | Waist | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Visible | None | Increase calories, vet check |
| 4–5 | Palpable | Visible | Maintain current plan |
| 6–7 | Hard to feel | Minimal | Reduce 10%, more exercise |
| 8–9 | Buried | None | Vet weight-loss program |
Food Label Red FlagsStandard
Avoid generic "meat meal" without species, artificial colors, and excess sodium.
Slow Feeder Bowls
Reduce bloat risk in large breeds and extend meal satisfaction.
No Grapes or Xylitol
Common human foods are toxic — grapes cause kidney failure in dogs.
Subscribe and Save
Chewy or Amazon autoship saves 5–10% on recurring food orders.
Safety Notes
- Sudden food switches cause GI upset — transition over 7–10 days mixing old and new.
- Raw diets carry salmonella risk for immunocompromised household members — consult your vet.