How To Feed Premium Dog Food Correctly

October 26, 2026

A golden dog sits on a blue mat while a person's hands feed it a treat. — A person is feeding a treat to a happy golden dog sitting on a blue mat.

You want to ensure your dog receives the right nutrition without confusion. This guide explains how to feed premium dog food correctly using specific steps. You will learn how to read labels and calculate portions accurately. The information comes from verified sources to help you make informed choices for your pet.

First, talk to your vet before changing your pet’s diet or treatment

1. Selecting The Right Premium Dog Food

Choosing the correct food is the first step in proper feeding. You should look for products that meet established nutritional standards. FOR PAWS™ low-carb kibble is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for All Life Stages ^[1]. This formulation ensures the food supports dogs from puppies to seniors. The product is suitable for all life stages of dogs.

You must check the ingredient list carefully. Ingredients are listed in descending order of weight, on an as-fed basis, in the food. A food ingredient may be listed first, but if it is high in moisture, it will contribute a much smaller percentage of total nutrients to the food dry matter than the same ingredient added in a dry form. Therefore, you should look at the guaranteed analysis rather than just the first ingredient.

The product features a unique Freeze Dried Raw Coating, Real Meat Infusion, and the power of GutIH. This coating helps capture your dog’s attention. The freeze-dried kibble method preserves the natural nutrients of the raw ingredients. You can choose from various blends, including chicken-free options for dogs with sensitivities. FOR PAWS™ offers chicken-free options for hypoallergenic diets. Carbohydrates are not an essential nutrient for dogs. High-carbohydrate diets can lead to weight gain and obesity in dogs. Dogs have a shorter digestive tract compared to herbivores and cannot efficiently break down large amounts of starch.

2. Understanding Premium Dog Food Labels

Reading the label is crucial for accurate feeding. You should compare foods on a dry-matter or caloric basis. Comparisons across different food types should be made on a dry-matter or caloric basis. A laboratory proximate analysis lists the actual nutrient concentrations in the food ^[4]. Two foods with identical guaranteed analyses may have very different proximate analyses. There is a certain variance above or below a minimum or maximum in guaranteed analyses. The manufacturer’s average nutrient profile should be used to evaluate a food.

Dog and cat food labels must include a statement of nutritional adequacy or purpose of the product. There are four possible AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements, and one of them must appear on all pet food labels. The product weight must be listed on the front of the pet food label within the bottom third of the principal display panel.

For example, For Paws Pet Care Products Game Blend Low Carb Dog Kibble contains Meat & Animal Derivatives. It also contains Climate Smart Whole Brown Rice. The Game Blend contains Vegetables such as Field Peas and Faba Beans. It includes Animal Fats from Beef and Salmon. Other ingredients include Alfalfa, Real Venison Meat, and Coconut Oil. You will also find Yeast, Chicory Root, and Freeze Dried Raw Kangaroo. The formula includes Taurine, Methionine, and Natural Antioxidants.

3. Calculating Daily Portions For Premium Dog Food

Accurate portion control prevents overfeeding or underfeeding. You can use a feeding guide calculator to determine the right amount. For Paws Pet Care Products Game Blend Low Carb Dog Kibble has a feeding guide calculator that allows users to input their pet’s approximate adult weight and activity level to determine the daily feeding amount. The daily feeding guide specifies the number of cups per day for different weight ranges and activity levels.

For a 5kg inactive dog, the guide suggests 0.5 cups per day ^[5]. For a 5kg active dog, you should feed 1 cup per day ^[6]. One Standard Metric Cup equals 250ml, which weighs 125g.

You should feed to maintain optimum body condition. This is a guide only. If you feed wet and dry food together, you must adjust the amounts. If feeding wet and dry food, simply halve the feeding guides of both formats. For Paws Pet Care Products Game Blend Low Carb Dog Kibble feeding guides should be halved if feeding wet and dry food together.

4. Feeding Puppies

Puppies have different nutritional needs than adults. You should adjust the portion size based on age. For Paws Pet Care Products Game Blend Low Carb Dog Kibble should be fed according to the feeding guide for adult dogs ^[1]. However, puppies require more frequent and larger meals relative to their size.

From weaning up to 4 months of age, feed up to 3 times the adult light work requirements. You should divide this amount into 3 to 4 small meals per day. From 4 months of age to adult, feed up to 2 times the adult light work requirements. Divide this amount into 2 to 3 small meals per day. This food can be fed dry, as is, or rehydrated to assist in weaning. Please monitor your puppy when feeding for the first time.

5. Adjusting For Pregnancy And Lactation

Pregnant and lactating dogs need extra nutrition. You must increase the food amount during specific stages. The amount of food you offer the pregnant dog should be increased by up to 10% to 15% from the fifth week of pregnancy onwards ^[1]. She should be eating approximately 50% more at the time of whelping than when she was mated ^[7]. These adjustments ensure the mother and puppies receive adequate nutrients.

6. Rehydrating Premium Dog Food Correctly

Rehydrating kibble can make it easier to eat. This method is especially useful for weaning puppies. For Paws Pet Care Products Game Blend Low Carb Dog Kibble is highly absorbent in warm (not hot) water. You should soak it with a 1:1 water to kibble ratio prior to feeding ^[1]. Do not use hot water as it may damage the nutrients. Warm water is sufficient to soften the kibble.

For Paws Pet Care Products Pasture Raised Low Carb Dog Kibble can also be fed dry or rehydrated. It is highly absorbent in warm (not hot) water. You should use a 1:1 water to kibble ratio and soak prior to feeding ^[7]. This method maintains the quality of the freeze-dried coating.

7. Benefits Of Low-Carb Premium Dog Food

Low-carb diets offer specific health advantages. FOR PAWS™ low-carb kibble uses real meat and animal derivatives as the primary energy source. This reduces reliance on starches that dogs digest poorly. The product supports a balanced microbiome with pre and probiotics.

The nutritional content is significant. For Paws Pet Care Products Pasture Raised Low Carb Dog Kibble has Crude Protein 30.0% per 100g ^[7]. It contains Crude Fat 20.0% per 100g. The moisture content is 10.0% per 100g. Total Carbohydrate is 30.0% per 100g. Net Carbohydrates are 25.5% per 100g. The Total Metabolisable Energy is 365 kcals per 100g.

Some studies show that high protein levels can affect metabolites. Metabolites associated with inflammation increased with higher protein levels in food ^[8]. One-carbon pathway metabolites decreased with higher protein levels in food. However, these foods are formulated to meet specific nutrient profiles.

8. Comparing Premium Dog Food Options

You have several blend options to choose from. For Paws™ Poultry Blend Low Carb Dog Kibble contains Poultry & Poultry Derivatives. It includes Vegetables like Field Peas and Faba Beans. The blend contains Climate Smart Whole Brown Rice. It has Animal Fats from Beef and Salmon. Other ingredients include Alfalfa, Real Chicken Meat, and Coconut Oil. You will also find Yeast, Chicory Root, and Freeze Dried Raw Chicken. The formula includes Vitamins, Minerals, Kelp, and GutIHTM. It also contains Sea Salt, Taurine, Methionine, and Natural Antioxidants.

Another option is the Seafood Selection. Seafood Selection Low Carb Dog Kibble contains Ocean Fish & Fish Derivatives. It includes Vegetables such as Field Peas and Faba Beans. The blend has Climate Smart Whole Brown Rice. It contains Animal Fats from Beef and Salmon. Other ingredients include Alfalfa, Real Fish, and Coconut Oil. You will also find Yeast, Chicory Root, and Freeze Dried Raw Fish. The formula includes Vitamins, Minerals, Kelp, and GutIHTM. It also contains Sea Salt, Taurine, Methionine, and Natural Antioxidants.

Each blend meets the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for All Life Stages ^[6]. This ensures consistency across the product line. You can switch between blends based on your dog’s preferences or dietary needs. Always monitor your dog’s response to any diet change.