Feeding directions printed on a pet food bag are set by the manufacturer, not by your veterinarian, and they do not account for your individual pet’s body condition or life stage. They are a starting point, not a prescription. Here is why your pet’s actual needs should guide how much you feed, not the chart on the bag.
What Feeding Directions Really Mean
Really means nothing. The only thing required is that the label include feeding directions stating how much food to give per weight of the animal, and how often. This does not take into account a pet’s body condition, overweight vs. lean, or life stage, puppy vs. senior. The amounts listed are determined by the manufacturer who, it can always be assumed, would choose to sell more food and thus recommend higher feeding amounts.
What Should Actually Guide How Much You Feed
Ultimately, the volume you feed your pet should be based on what keeps them healthy from a body size standpoint and nutrient perspective. That means checking your pet’s body condition regularly, adjusting portions as their activity level or life stage changes, and treating the bag’s feeding chart as a rough starting point to be refined with your veterinary team rather than a fixed rule.
Feeding directions are one of eight required elements on a pet food label. See the full breakdown in our complete pet food label guide.
Want to understand the AAFCO statement that determines whether a food is even complete and balanced in the first place? Read What Is AAFCO and Why It Matters for Your Pet’s Food.
Have questions about your pet’s specific diet? Our veterinary team is happy to walk through your pet’s current food at any wellness visit. Schedule a visit with Healthy Paws Animal Hospital.