What the dogs eat
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Domestic Dogs
http://iheartdogs.com/12-healthiest-human-foods-for-dogs/
On average, a dog needs about 30 calories per pound every day, though larger breeds only need about 20 calories per pound and smaller ones need approximately 40 calories per pound. Puppies are slightly different. To satisfy their bodies' growth requirements, they need 50 calories per pound each day, and they also require more protein. Despite the fact that dogs are omnivorous, some foods, such as chocolate, moldy cheese, onions, garlic and grapes, are still toxic to them.
Types that the dogs eat:
Chicken, peanut butter, cheese, salmon, yogurts, sweet potatoes.
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Wild Dogs
Dogs are highly carnivorous, and while they prefer raw meats and raw bones, they also eat a range of fruits and plants. The meat that wild dogs consume is typically in chunks, and smaller pups often dine on their mother’s regurgitated meals. Some common food sources for wild dogs include chickens, birds and small rodents.
How often
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Domestic Dogs
Most experts recommend feeding your dog twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening — though puppies under five months of age should be fed three to four times a day, or as directed by your veterinarian.
While most dogs will dig in the moment you place the bowl on the floor, you may find that your adopted dog is a finicky eater, at least at first. After all, he’s been thrust into a new home with new people, and he may be too nervous to eat. If this is the case, you will need to teach him to eat on a schedule.
Leave the bowl on the floor for ten minutes and then pick it up, regardless of whether he has eaten. (If your dog is a slow eater, this period can be extended to twenty minutes, but only if he is still eating during that time and hasn’t gone off in search of other entertainment.)
At the next scheduled feeding time, put the bowl back down, again for only ten minutes. Pretty soon your dog will learn that he needs to eat when the food is offered.
Having regularly-scheduled feeding times not only establishes a routine, it also allows you to monitor your dog’s health. If he picks at his food throughout the day, you may not notice right away if he’s not eating well. But if he normally eats heartily as soon as you put the bowl down, you will immediately see a sudden lack of appetite, which is often an indication that he’s not feeling well. If your dog’s appetite doesn’t improve in a few days, have him checked by your veterinarian.
Another benefit of set feedings is that a dog who eats on a schedule poops on a schedule. In addition, if you live in an urban area, leaving a bowl of kibble on the ground all day can attract unwanted house guests, like cockroaches and mice. It is to everyone’s advantage to keep feeding times regular.
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Wild Dogs
They usually hunt in the early morning and again in late evening, prettying on gazelles and other antelopes, warthogs, wildebeests calves and rat and birds. They may raid domestic stock, but as wild dogs seldom stay in one place for long, this damage is not extensive
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What amounts
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Domestic Dogs
Here are some guidelines for portion sizes at different stages of your dog’s life:
Puppies: Puppies are typically introduced to solid food at three to four weeks of age and are completely weaned from their mother’s milk by eight weeks.
Puppies require a diet that is higher in protein and other nutrients to support normal growth and development. If you are feeding commercial pet food to your adopted puppy, select a brand that is specially formulated for puppies.
Young puppies should be fed at least three times a day — morning, noon, and early evening — until their food requirements per pound of body weight begin to level off as they mature.
By the time the puppy is five or six months of age, his feeding schedule can be reduced to twice a day.
If you have a finicky puppy, you can add some warm water to dry food to encourage him to eat it. Cow’s milk can act as a laxative and cause digestive problems for some puppies and adult dogs, so avoid giving this to your pup or only give very small amounts. If your puppy doesn’t eat all his food within an hour, discard the uneaten portion.
The amount of food you feed your puppy will vary depending upon his size, activity, metabolism, and environment. Feeding too much can not only lead to a pudgy pup, but can also cause bone abnormalities and other health issues.
If your puppy appears to be gaining too much weight, gradually decrease his food intake, but if his ribs are showing, increase his portions. If you are unsure about his proper weight or appearance, talk to your vet for guidance.
Adults: When the average dog is one year old, he has reached full maturity and enters a “maintenance period.” This means that his nutritional requirements will stay about the same during his young adult life, assuming he is not ill or engaging in extreme physical exercise.
His weight should remain stable and his body should be well-proportioned — he should have an observable waist and you should be able to feel his ribs with your fingertips, beneath a thin layer of fat.
If you are feeding your adopted adult dog a commercial pet food, select one that is specially formulated for adult dogs.
As with humans, a dog’s appetite may vary from day to day. This is not cause for alarm unless his loss of appetite persists for several days or he shows obvious signs of weight loss or illness. However, having no desire to eat can be the first sign of many illnesses, so monitor your dog’s food intake carefully.
You know your dog best, so if something seems amiss, don’t hesitate to take him to his vet.
Active adults: Moderate exercise is essential for all dogs and helps them remain fit and trim throughout their lifetime. But some dogs, like some humans, will regularly do more intense exercising.
If your adopted dog is particularly active (for instance, if he jogs or runs with you regularly, or is involved in sporting activities) his energy needs will be greater than those of his more sedentary counterparts.
Be aware, though, when a typically active dog is less active (for instance, during the cold winter months or when he suffers an injury, such as a sprain or muscle pull), his food requirements decrease. In these instances, experts recommend gradually changing to a lower energy, less nutrient-dense dog food.
Very active dogs should not be fed immediately before or immediately after a strenuous workout. This can lead to digestion problems or discomfort (such as vomiting or loose stools) and may increase the risk of gastric bloat, a painful and often life-threatening condition caused by a twisting of the stomach.
Although a small meal can be provided in the morning, hard-working dogs should receive the bulk of their daily calories one hour or more following their last exercise session each day. You can also feed your dog small snacks or treats during periods of increased activity to prevent hunger and fatigue. Allow him to rest intermittently and make sure he has access to fresh water at all times.
Seniors: As with humans, the dietary requirements of dogs will change as they age. Elderly dogs have reduced energy requirements and therefore shouldn’t consume the same quantity of food as they did when they were younger.
If you’re feeding your adopted senior dog commercial pet food, look for brands that offer reduced calories while still including all the necessary nutrients.
Senior dogs, like all dogs, should be fed according to their overall health and level of activity. A less active dog can quickly gain weight if you’re not careful.
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Wild Dogs
On an average, wild dogs eat 9 pounds of meat per wolf per day during winter. Although the wild dogs is capable of eating large quantities of food in a short time, such quantities are not always available. Thus, wild dogs may have to go for several days at a time without eating. Wild dogs probably could fast for periods of two weeks or more while searching for vulnerable prey. When food is available, wolves can replenish themselves to prepare for another period of fasting. With its large stomach capacity, the wolf seems well adapted for this cycle of feasting and extended fasting.