Psychodermatology in Dogs: The Itch-Stress Connection
September 9, 2026
When it comes to ensuring our dogs have the best chance to live a long and healthy life, there are some key lifestyle factors that influence this. This includes knowing what to feed a dog for each of their life stages, to ensure they are getting the complete and balanced nutrients they need as they grow, and for their size.
Of course, like us, genetics plays a role, but so too does daily exercise, reducing emotional and environmental stress, exposure to toxic chemicals and, of course, ensuring they have a healthy complete and balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs for each of their life stages.
Feeding Puppies
When it comes to puppies, they are a bundle of energy so require a diet rich in protein, calcium and calories for their growth and energy levels. They require specific nutrients to support their growing bones, teeth and muscles, and to facilitate optimal brain development.
Look for puppy-specific formulas and it is recommended to split their total daily requirements into three feeds. For example, if they need 90g a day, then you’d feed three 30g meals. Keep doing this until they are around six months old and I like to add in a good quality probiotic to support their developing gut.
It is also important to check with the breeder as to what your puppy was being fed, to ensure you correctly transition them on to a healthy new diet.
Learn more about how to transition your puppy across to a new diet HERE.
Giant Breed Puppies
Giant breeds have very specific requirements, as they not only grow rapidly but continue to do so until 18-24mo of age as they mature later.
It is important that you talk to your Vet to discuss their specific needs and choosing the right formula to ensure their diet helps to keep them at the correct weight and so their bones and joints develop properly.
Also talk to your Vet about their specific needs as they hit their adolescence period, where they experience significant hormonal changes. That’s why it is particularly important to understand what to feed a dog based on their age and size.
Adolescence
For most other breeds, after about 6-9 months of age, they move into adolescence and growth slows down, so reduce their meal frequency to two times a day. Your vet can assess their body condition to determine the exact amount you should be feeding and what to feed a dog based on your individual dog’s needs.
Be prepared for some behavioural issues as well at this time. Learn more about adolescent behaviour in dogs HERE.
Adulthood
Knowing what to feed a dog as they move into adulthood can be tough, but it is at about 10-12 months of age your puppy can be transitioned onto adult food, which is lower in calories and fat. They can be fed once or twice a day depending on their individual needs.
Mature dogs
Mature adult dogs at the age of 6-7 years, experience a decrease in their metabolism and activity levels, so a diet that is lower in calories and higher in fibre can help to maintain their weight and digestive health. Consider adding Omega-3 fatty acids and other supplements that support joint health and cognitive function.
Senior dogs
A dog is considered senior when it has lived 75% of its breeds average lifespan. Reduced muscle tone, arthritis, dental disease, skin health and kidney function can be compromised, so a diet specific to this age group is important. And keep going with the supplements, they’re even more necessary.
Pregnant or lactating dogs
Pregnant and lactating dogs also have specific nutritional needs, as do dogs with certain health conditions or diseases. It is important that you have regular communication with your Vet, or a Pet Food Nutritionist, to ensure you are feeding them a diet that is suitable if they have any health conditions or are pregnant.
At all life stages, protein is vital to maintain strong lean muscles, so you should always look for, and choose a product that is complete and balanced, and has a good quality meat protein as the first ingredient, and ideally meat listed as the first three ingredients on the label.
Fats provide the most concentrated source of energy in the diet, and need to be tailored to each life stage.
As our dogs mature, for example, a diet lower in calories, but still high in essential fatty acids is generally recommended, along with other nutrients that support their ageing brains and bodies.
At all life stages, look for a good quality fish oil to support your dog’s skin, coat and brain health, whilst vegetables and other fibre-rich ingredients provide additional vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to help maintain good gut health.
Another important part to knowing what to feed a dog is understanding the different diet types, and how this can impact on your dog’s health as well.
My book, ‘Eat, Play, Love (your dog) walks you through the Pro’s and Con’s of all diet types, so order your copy HERE to help your dog thrive at all ages.
For now, here are some key articles to help you better understand what to feed a dog, and what type of diet may suit best:
When considering what to feed your dog at all life stages, it is not only important to talk to your Vet, but to also contact them if you notice changes in your dog’s eating habits, stools or energy levels.
And remember, when transitioning your dog to a new diet, you need to do it slowly to help avoid stomach upsets, which can be anywhere from 7 to14 days depending on the diet type you are transitioning from and to.
About the Author: Lara Shannon is a certified dog behaviourist and trainer, pet food nutrition specialist, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com. Lara also runs her own dog training business in Melbourne’s Bayside area and is the Author of World of Dogs and Eat, Play, Love Your Dog
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