Top Food Tips from the Nutritionists at Burns Pet Nutrition

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The Lake District, Cumbria is a popular destination for dogs and their humans, with so much to see and do - from dog friendly attractions to walks which are sure to help them burn off some energy! Making sure your dog is well fed is a great way to help them enjoy their adventures to the fullest. To help, the team at Burns Pet Nutrition have answered a few of their most asked questions when it comes to feeding your four legged friend.

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How much should I feed my dog?

How much and how often a dog should be fed is a question we are often asked here at Burns Pet Nutrition. In general, it’s not how often, but the overall daily amount of food that is most important for the health of your dog. What people might not realise is that when it comes to dogs, there isn’t really a one size fits all approach. 

For accurate feeding amounts, we recommend weighing portions using a digital kitchen scale. High digestibility means that feeding amounts of Burns tend to be lower than with other pet foods.  This is easier on digestion and means reduced amounts of poo to clear up and is suitable for fussy dogs who struggle to eat the higher volume recommended by other brands.

How many times a day should I feed my dog?

Dogs, in general, should be fed about twice per day. However, there are many different factors that should be considered and dogs with a sensitive stomach often do well on smaller, more frequent meals. The most important thing is how much food they have over the whole day. Once you have worked out their daily feeding amount you can split this between their number of meals, be it one, two or even three meals a day.

Can I leave food down all the time for my dog? 

Free feeding is exactly how it sounds. The dog can eat as much as she wants from a regularly topped up bowl, grazing throughout the day. However, this isn’t always a good idea. As well as causing digestive upset and fussiness, dogs allowed to eat as much as they like can also become overweight, which can lead to associated problems such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.

However, just like people, some dogs seem to be able to eat as much as they want and never gain weight. It may appear that they are perfectly healthy, but these dogs are often passing most of what they are eating through their digestive systems, resulting in huge, smelly, and often runny stools that the owner has to pick up. Allowing your pet to pick all day means that when fresh food is offered during proper mealtimes, he or she is simply not hungry anymore.

What are the benefits of feeding Burns? 

We are often asked why people should switch their dog to a Burns diet. There are lots of good reasons, from our award-winning formulations to our low daily feeding cost. Here’s why dog owners just like you are switching to Burns: 

1.    Developed by veterinary surgeon - John Burns BVMS MRCVS
2.    Wide range of health benefits – See John Burns’ Guide and health management leaflets.
3.    Top Customer Satisfaction Rating of 92% (1st out of 24 popular brands, Which Magazine Survey July 2020)
4.    Low Daily Feeding Cost (90% of 1300 other dog foods cost more per day than Burns, JB survey)
5.    High digestibility - easy on digestive system; less poo to clean up; economical; bag lasts longer.
6.    Hypoallergenic- single meat protein in each variety; no wheat gluten; suits sensitive dogs.
7.    Natural, wholesome, additive-free (except for vitamins and minerals.)
8.    Controlled levels of fat and protein to control weight and avoid toxic build-up in system.
9.    Independent family-run business; not part of multinational conglomerate.
10.    Social responsibility – we support numerous rescue, charity and community projects across the country.
11.    Nutrition Support service for stockists and pet owners – the best in the business!

How to wean your dog onto a Burns diet

The Burns Pet Nutrition helpline is staffed by a team of specialists who are often asked for advice around feeding and nutrition. From low fat diets to weaning, they’re more than happy to help worried pet owners with sound advice they can trust. 

Discover the Burns Pet Nutrition range here.