New Tricks Feeding Guidelines
Fresh, Complete & Balanced Meals
Smart Treats for Training & Rewarding
Is Your Dog at a Healthy Weight?
Your dog’s feeding guideline is a great place to start, but every dog is an individual. Metabolism, activity level, age, body composition, and even changes in routine can affect how much food your dog needs over time.
One of the best ways to evaluate whether your dog is eating the right amount is to regularly check their Body Condition Score, or BCS.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) uses a 1-to-9 Body Condition Score system to help assess a dog’s body composition. Dogs in the ideal range generally have ribs that can be easily felt without excess fat covering, a visible waist when viewed from above, and an abdominal tuck when viewed from the side.
Use the chart below as a visual guide when evaluating your dog
What Should You Look For?
At an ideal body condition, you should generally be able to feel your dog’s ribs without having to press through a heavy layer of fat. Looking down from above, there should be a noticeable waist behind the ribs. From the side, the abdomen should tuck upward rather than hanging level with or below the rib cage.
If your dog begins moving outside their ideal body condition, their daily food intake may need to be adjusted. Small changes made gradually can help keep your dog at a healthy weight while still providing the complete and balanced nutrition they need.
Feeding Guidelines Are a Starting Point
Our feeding calculator estimates an appropriate starting amount based on the information you provide. From there, watch your dog’s weight, body condition, energy level, and overall well-being and adjust their portions as needed.
For dogs that are significantly underweight, overweight, experiencing an unexplained change in weight, or managing a medical condition, talk with your veterinarian before making substantial changes to their diet.
A healthy bowl is not just about how much food goes into it. It is about feeding the right amount for the dog standing in front of you.
Don’t Forget About Treats
Treats can absolutely be part of a healthy routine, but they should still fit within your dog’s overall nutrition plan. As a general guideline, treats should make up no more than about 10% of your dog’s total daily calories, with the remaining 90% coming from a complete and balanced diet.
That includes training rewards, chews, toppers, table scraps, and all the little extras that can add up throughout the day. This is especially important for smaller dogs, where even a few extra calories can represent a meaningful portion of their daily needs.
Choosing treats that are easy to portion can make staying within that 10% much simpler. Many of our New Tricks Chews are only about 4 calories each, making them an easy option for training, enrichment, or everyday rewarding without using up a large portion of your dog’s daily calorie allowance. We also focus on simple, recognizable ingredients and offer a variety of options so you can choose treats that fit your dog’s preferences and dietary needs.
If your dog enjoys frequent treats throughout the day, simply account for those calories when determining their meal portions.
Meals provide the complete nutrition. Treats provide the fun. Keeping treats to 10% or less helps you enjoy both.
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