Last Updated: 15/07/2025
Choosing the Right Nutrition for Your Dog
Find out how to choose the best nutrition for your dog.
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 31 minutes - long read
What you feed your dog every day has a profound impact on their health and happiness, influencing everything from their energy levels to their longevity. Since every dog has unique requirements based on their age, breed, and lifestyle, a one-size-fits-all approach isn't always best.
For their optimal well-being, consider a premium, scientifically tailored diet specifically designed for their individual needs. This ensures they receive the precise nutrients necessary to thrive and live a full, vibrant life.
To help you make the best decision, let's explore the key factors to consider when choosing the right nutrition for your dog.
What is tailored nutrition?
It's hard to believe that a 2kg Chihuahua can be the same species as a 60kg Great Dane. With such variety in size and shape, it makes sense that there can be variation in the nutritional needs of different breeds of dogs.
Tailored nutrition aims to address the specific needs of a particular breed or size and life stage of dog. For example, large breed dogs can be prone to joint and mobility problems such as arthritis as they age, so tailored adult and senior large breed foods may contain nutrients such as glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health.
Want to know more? Read through our guide to feeding age-appropriate dog foods.
In addition to tailored nutrients to target specific needs and life stages, tailored foods can also feature unique kibble shapes, sizes and textures to suit the variation in chewing styles and preferences between dog breeds, sizes and age.For example, the kibble for Royal Canin Adult Boxer is designed specifically to be easy for Boxers to be able to pick up and chew with their brachycephalic jaw, while Royal Canin Adult Chihuahua Wet Food has a specially adapted texture to appeal to fussy Chihuahuas.
For more information, take a read through our Guide to Breed Specific Dog Food.
Guide to tailored nutrition by lifestage
Tailored nutrition for puppies
Puppies require complete and balanced nutrition to grow and develop into healthy adults. This includes the right level of high quality proteins for strong muscles, minerals like calcium and phosphorus for bone growth and omega 3 fatty acids for brain and eye development.
Nutritional requirements can vary depending on breed, so when choosing a diet, it is recommended to look for a puppy food which has been tailored for their expected adult size or breed specifically. For example, it is best to feed puppies with an expected adult weight over 25kg a large breed puppy food like ADVANCE Puppy Large Breed, which has controlled levels of energy and minerals to help reduce the risk of developmental bone and joint problems. There are also foods available for puppies that have been tailored to a breed specific level to address needs and common health issues for that breed, for example ADVANCE for Puppy Ooodles contains omega 3 and skin barrier nutrients for healthy skin and reduced allergy symptoms.
When do I transition my puppy to an adult food?
This can vary depending on the size and breed of your puppy. The feeding guidelines on your puppy's food will generally give you an indication of when to move your puppy on to an adult food. When transitioning between foods, follow our guide on How to Introduce a New Food to Your Dog to reduce the risk of tummy upset.
For more information, read through our guides to the Best Puppy Food and Switching from Puppy to Adult Dog Food.
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Tailored nutrition for adult dogs
Ensuring your adult dog receives the correct nutrition is fundamental to their long-term health, vitality, and overall happiness. As dogs move into their adult years, their dietary needs shift to supporting their specific activity level and maintaining the healthy functioning of all bodily systems. A well-formulated adult dog food must provide a precise balance of energy, derived from proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Beyond basic energy needs, a premium diet delivers targeted ingredients that proactively support their well-being. For instance, digestive health is crucial, and the inclusion of beneficial components like prebiotic fibres helps to nourish a healthy gut microbiome, leading to better digestion and improved stool quality.
Simultaneously, a robust immune system is vital for fending off illness. Antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C, play a key role in this by neutralising free radicals and supporting the body's natural defences.
Furthermore, maintaining strong, lean muscles is essential for mobility and overall strength, which is why high-quality, easily digestible proteins are a cornerstone of any superior adult dog food.
Breed Size Specific Nutrition
The most effective nutritional strategies are those that are tailored to the unique characteristics of a dog's size or breed. Different dogs have vastly different physiological needs, and targeted formulas are designed to address common health predispositions.
For example, small breed dogs often have faster metabolisms and can be prone to specific health issues. A diet like ADVANCE Small Breed Adult is scientifically formulated with this in mind, incorporating specific heart health nutrients that actively support vascular health and cardiac function, which can be a concern for smaller dogs as they age.
Similarly, breed-specific nutrition addresses genetic tendencies. The Labrador Retriever, for instance, is famously enthusiastic about food and genetically predisposed to gaining weight, which can put immense strain on their joints. A specialised diet such as Royal Canin Adult Labrador is crafted to manage this risk. It features a precisely adapted calorie content to help maintain an ideal weight, while also including specific nutrients to support healthy bones and joints.
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Nutrition for Specific Health Conditions
Similar to breed size specific diets, there are various diets formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of dogs with common health conditions.
Sensitive skin diets often include a higher level of omega 3 fatty acids and other ingredients to support the skin barrier function; sensitive stomach diets include highly digestible, often limited ingredients, with added pre and probiotics to support healthy digestion; weight control diets include restricted calories and additional fibre to help with satiety between meals and dental diets often include ingredients to help bind calcium in the saliva to reduce plaque build up, and use a larger kibble size to encourage mechanical cleaning of the teeth while chewing.
These diets can be an excellent option if you have a breed or individual dog prone to these conditions. There are also prescription diet versions of these foods, which are designed to manage these conditions more carefully, so be sure to speak to your vet if you feel your dog may benefit from more dietary support.
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Tailored nutrition for senior dogs
As dogs age and enter their golden years, their bodies undergo a series of natural changes that necessitate a thoughtful shift in their nutritional care. Supporting them through this stage with a diet tailored to their evolving needs is one of the most impactful ways we can enhance their comfort, health, and quality of life.
During the ageing process, a dog's physiology begins to change; there is often a gradual decrease in lean muscle tissue (a condition known as sarcopenia) and a corresponding increase in the amount of body fat. This change in body composition naturally lowers their metabolic rate, meaning they require fewer calories to get through the day, making them more susceptible to weight gain if their diet is not adjusted accordingly.
Beyond metabolic changes, the digestive system of a senior dog can become more delicate. Their ability to efficiently digest food, particularly fats and proteins, may decline, which can lead to tummy upsets or inconsistent stool quality. For many older dogs, appetite can also wane, making it crucial that the food they do eat is not only highly palatable but also nutrient-dense, so every bite counts towards meeting their daily requirements.
In addition, significant changes can occur within the brain. As dogs age, their brain cells can become less efficient at utilising glucose, their primary energy source. This can lead to noticeable signs of cognitive decline, such as disorientation, changes in sleep patterns, or reduced interaction with family members.
Specially formulated senior dog foods are scientifically designed to address these complex nutritional challenges, while also providing proactive support for other health issues common in ageing dogs, like joint stiffness. A prime example of this targeted approach is Pro Plan Bright Mind Senior Medium & Large Breed. This advanced diet directly confronts the cognitive challenges of aging by incorporating a unique blend of nutrients, including medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) derived from botanical oils. These MCTs provide an efficient, alternative energy source for the brain that can be readily used, helping to fuel brain cells and support mental sharpness and alertness. It also has omega 3 fatty acids and glucosamine to promote joint health and mobility.
From the crucial developmental stages of puppyhood to the unique requirements of adult and senior years, it's clear that your dog's nutritional needs are not static. By selecting a diet scientifically tailored to their specific breed, size, and life stage, you can provide targeted support for everything from joint mobility to cognitive function.
Ultimately, making an informed choice about their food is one of the most direct and powerful ways to invest in their lifelong health, vitality, and happiness.
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
Best dog food for skin allergies
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu 1 Feb 2024
Written by Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Head Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons)
Pet Circle's Head Veterinarian, Dr Teagan graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010 and went on to work in small animal and mixed practice in various locations around QLD & ACT before joining Pet Circle in early 2016. Dr Teagan has special interests in dermatology, nutrition and preventative health care. She feels privileged to witness the special bond people share with their pets on a daily basis and enjoys forming lasting relationships with pet parents and their fur children.
