It goes without saying that our companion animals eat differently from us. When it comes to your animal’s feeding plan, type of food and meal frequency are important factors to consider. They vary from one animal to another.

For your dog
The appropriate diet will vary according to breed, age, size and level of physical activity.

A healthy diet is essential for growing puppies. Up to 2 months of age, a puppy feeds almost exclusively on mother’s milk. After this age, puppies require 4-5 meals per day, depending on size and breed. In between 3 and 6 months of age, reduce the number of meals to 3 per day. Once your dog is 6 months old, feed them twice a day until they’re 1 year old. After this, set a pattern that works best for you—either twice (morning and evening) or exclusively once a day. Be sure to adapt portion sizes according to feeding frequency.

Appropriate portion sizes can be found on dog food packaging. Keep in mind that on average a dog should eat between 2-3% of their body weight every day (though factors such as physical activity and a food’s caloric content will affect this number).

Routines are important. Be sure to feed your dog at the same time(s) each time. Food must be selected according to your dog’s specific needs. Consult your veterinarian for more information.

For your cat
A cat’s feeding routine doesn’t need to be as strict as one made for a dog. For instance, frequency can vary without it necessarily affecting a cat’s wellbeing. What’s more, while being careful with portions, you can feed your cat once and they will eat as they need to throughout the entire day.

As with puppies, kittens need specialized diets. Those aged up to 4 months should be fed 4 times a day. When they’re between 4 and 6 months of age, frequency can be reduced to 3 times a day. Between 6 months and 1 year of age, feed them twice daily.

On average, an adult cat should eat 200-300 g of wet food or 50-75 g of kibble per day. Be careful with quantities, more inactive cats—such as house cats—can gain weight easily. To have an idea of your cat’s healthy weight, weigh them when they turn 1 year old and keep this weight as a reference point throughout their life.