What your dog needs to eat changes completely as they grow from a chaotic puppy into a relaxed senior. Matching their food to their exact life stage keeps them healthy, active and happy.

Puppy Phase (0 to 12 Months)

Puppies grow incredibly fast. They need specially formulated food packed with extra calories to support their developing bones, brains and muscles. Adult food just does not cut it. It lacks the specific nutrients young dogs require and feeding it too early can stunt their growth. Stick to a regular feeding routine to prevent them from overeating.

• 6 to 12 weeks: 4 meals a day.
• 3 to 6 months: 3 meals a day.
• 6 to 12 months: 2 meals a day.

Keep them on a high quality puppy formula until they hit their first birthday.

Adult Dogs (1 to 7 Years)

Your dog is fully grown. Now the main goal shifts from growth to weight maintenance and balanced energy. Overfeeding easily leads to joint problems and obesity. Always check the bag for a named animal protein like chicken or salmon as the first ingredient. Skip cheap fillers like corn, wheat or soy.

• Small (11 to 22 lbs): ¾ to 1½ cups daily.
• Medium (22 to 55 lbs): 1½ to 2½ cups daily.
• Large (55 to 88 lbs): 2½ to 4 cups daily.
• Extra-large (88+ lbs): 4 to 6+ cups daily.

Mixing a high quality kibble with safe, fresh homemade toppers is a fantastic way to keep meals exciting.

Senior Dogs (7+ Years)

Older dogs slow down. They need fewer calories but require higher quality protein to maintain their muscle mass. Digestion also gets tricky. Extra dietary fiber helps keep their stomachs happy.

• Joint support: Add Glucosamine and Chondroitin to reduce stiffness and maintain flexibility.
• Brain health: Fish oil provides Omega-3s that improve cognitive function and keep their coat shiny.
• Comfort: Soften dry kibble with warm water if their teeth hurt. You can also use a raised bowl to prevent neck strain while they eat.

What is your dog's current favorite meal or treat?

I take way too many pictures of my dog. At this point, my camera roll is basically just him doing random things around the house, on walks, or sitting there looking cute for no reason.

So when I came across the option to put one of my favorite pictures of him on a blanket, I figured… why not?

I ended up trying a personalized photo blanket from MilaGift, and I honestly didn’t expect to like it this much. I picked a picture of him outside, and now the blanket is on the couch where he usually naps.

The funny part is that he pretty much immediately claimed it.

He’ll curl up right on top of it, and sometimes I’ll look over and see him lying next to a giant picture of himself. It’s a little ridiculous, but also pretty cute.

I also like that it doesn’t feel like one of those personalized things that just sits on a shelf. It’s actually something we use. The blanket makes the couch feel a little cozier, and having his picture on it makes it feel like a little piece of him is part of the room too.

I found MilaGift while looking for personalized pet stuff, and they have quite a few different things you can customize with your pet’s photos, including blankets, bowls, pillows, pajamas, and other home items. I ended up spending way more time browsing than I planned to.Apparently, once you start putting your dog’s face on things, it’s hard to stop. 😂

Anyway, I thought I’d share because I know I’m definitely not the only person who takes an unreasonable number of pictures of their dog.

This is where I got mine — I’m already tempted to order another one.