The Dog Food Guide

Giving your dog the best nutrition ensures a happy, healthy life, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. From choosing the right food to ensuring a balanced diet, we’re here to help so you are confident you’re doing the best for your best friend.

If you have any questions – speak to a team member in store. We are fully trained to discuss & suggest the right food for your precious pup. We will take into account these things: age, size, breed, activity levels, allergies & budget.

The first step – how old is your dog?

Did you know different breeds hit milestones at different times? For example:

Size matters while choosing the right food!

Small Breeds: Tiny pups like the Maltese or Yorkie benefit from small kibble sizes to prevent choking and dental issues. Look for formulas rich in protein and fat to keep their energy up.

Medium Breeds: Dogs like the Golden Retriever do well with balanced diets containing a mix of protein, carbs, and fats.

Large Breeds: Great Danes and Saint Bernards require lower protein and calcium levels to prevent rapid growth and joint problems. Consider a formula specifically designed for large breeds.

Explore our range of Leader food with a wide, varied range for different-sized dogs.

Each breed has needs..

Just like people, dogs from different breeds often have specific dietary requirements. Here are a few breed-based recommendations:

Chow Chow: These fluffy buddies have sensitive tummies, so a high-quality, easily digestible kibble with limited ingredients is a must.

Border Collie: Known for their boundless energy, Border Collies thrive on high-protein diets with plenty of healthy fats to fuel their daily herding (or zoomie) activities.

Bulldog: Bulldogs are prone to allergies, so a grain-free diet with a single protein source can help keep their skin and coat looking fabulous.

Labrador Retriever: Labs are notorious for their love of food and tendency to gain weight. Opt for a weight management formula to keep those fetch games strong.

Let’s get physical!

Activity levels can play a huge part in how much to feed your dog and what they need. From couch potato to proper grafter, we use these rough guidelines for an idea:

• Low – Less than 1 hour (e.g.. walking on lead)
• Moderate – 1-3 hours (high impact activity)
• High – 3-6 hours (e.g.. working dog)

Allergies & Intolerances

Did you know some common dog allergies are chicken & gluten?

If you notice something not quite right with your dog, keep a diary and you may realise it’s all down to what’s in their food! You can then speak to a member of the team for alternatives. Like fish4dogs or even YORA which is an insect based protein diet!

Stick to the budget

We understand some food options aren’t feasible but you still want the best for your pet.

Some tips:

Grab a discount: Join our loyalty scheme for discounts across a wide range of food with different benefits & budget.

Stock up: Buy in bulk when you can to get the greatest savings.

Speak to us: We offer different size options in lots of food so speak to us if you need to temporarily downsize. We can also recommend a similar food to your current which may be more budget friendly.

What’s your type?

We have a huge range of dog food available which is great for choice, but it can be confusing! Here’s a quick run-down on what we’ve got.

Complete

• Provides all the nutrients in correct amounts a dog needs
• Only way to not need to add other food products

Complimentary

• Designed to be only part of a full diet
• Does not meet nutritional requirements when fed alone
• Can be fed with a mixer biscuit or alongside some raw foods

Dry Food

• Often most economical
• Long lasting
• Chewing crunchy kibble is good for teeth and reduces tartar
• Less water content means high levels of nutritional ingredients

You may have seen raw feeding on social media which is often raw eggs and fish heads and generally doesn’t look very easy for a busy lifestyle..

However, our raw options have all the health benefits of raw food but with easy prep and storage.

For example, Nature’s Menu – just thaw it and serve it!

Plus Nature’s Menu is one of our many loyalty offers! Buy 10, get 1 free (don’t worry about freezer space, this doesn’t have to be in one go!)

How to switch:

FAQ’s:

How much do they need?

• 3 things to consider – which breed, how much does your dog weigh and how active are they?
• If you’re not sure on weight, use our free in store scales!
• Speak to a member of the team who can advise you on the recommendation.

My dog is itching..

• Is your dog up to date on flea treatment? 
• Try a grain free diet – if already on one, try a fish diet.
• Also consider hypo-allergenic treats – allergy in treats can sometimes be forgotten!

My dog has gone off their food

• Your dog may be craving different nutrients/ingredients – try a change of flavour
• Give a topper or a supplement a try such as salmon oil or change food temperature

My dog has smelly farts/runny poo

• Re-weigh your dog and speak to team to ensure they are on correct amount of food – consider age change too
• Change to a different kibble size/type of food gradually

Whatever reason you are considering changing your dog’s food, we are here to help!

Don’t forget to sign up to our loyalty program for discounts!

Search Petplace on the App Store or sign up in any store.