ESSENTIALS feeding guide
How much should I serve?
Magical. One bite at a time
We hope your ESSENTIALS meals are going down a treat. There are many benefits to serving your dog ESSENTIALS. Our meals are based on fresh, wholesome ingredients, which means satiety from smaller servings, healthy digestion and a more balanced dog. But how much to serve?
Don’t worry, we’ve worked it out for you:
How much does your dog weight as adult?
You may have noticed that the result is 15% less than indicated by the feeding chart on the bag. That’s because the chart is based on the industry’s standard recommendations, but as our meals are exceptionally rich in fresh ingredients a 15% smaller serving provides the same nutritional value.
The amount of puppy kibble you should be serving until adulthood varies as your puppy grows. You should therefore keep checking if you need to adjust your serving sizes.
Free gift with every meal purchase
Free delivery on orders over 150€
Delivery to your door or parcelshop with 3-7 weekdays
Subscribe so you never run out. Pause or cancel with no penalty fee
Must-have accessories
Explore our range of mealtime accessories – from a nifty measuring scoop and an airtight storage tub to those indispensable dog waste bags and outstanding dietary supplements.
Smaller serving sizes
When switching to ESSENTIALS from a different brand of dry dog food, you’ll very likely need to reduce the serving size. If you serve the same amount as before, the result may be loose or increased bowel movements.
Why so?
Because our meals are packed with fresh ingredients, are protein-rich and contain no fillers. All of which means you can meet your dog’s nutritional requirements with smaller servings.
Switching from another kitchen or brand?
When you switch your dog’s dry food, it’s important to do so gradually, especially when transitioning to kibble with high nutritional value and pure ingredients like the ESSENTIALS meal you’re starting on now. By introducing the new kibble slowly, you’ll be giving your dog’s digestion time to adjust to the new ingredients, which promotes gut health and minimises irregular bowel movements.
How to switch gradually:
For a smooth transition, mix the new ESSENTIALS meal with the dog food your dog is used to. Make the switch over 3–7 days, during which time you increase the amount of ESSENTIALS in each serving to allow your dog’s digestive system to slowly adjust to the new nutrient-dense ingredients. It is completely normal for your dog’s bowel movements to become slightly irregular during the transition – things usually settle down soon.
Still unsure about serving sizes?
Our passionate nutrition advisers are ready to give you personalised recommendations and are happy to help with whatever you need. Try our online chat facility for quick answers to everything from serving sizes to mealtime tips. You’re also welcome to phone us if you need help to understand the feeding chart, or email us if you prefer.
Chat with us
+45 71 99 90 90
Monday-Thursday: 8am - 4pm
Friday: 8am -2pm
Grain-free
All our meals are premium quality and carefully composed of ingredients for perfect nutritional balance – and entirely grain-free.
Up to 90% meat
All ESSENTIALS meals contain generous amounts of meat and fish, which top the ingredients list. Our recipes contain up to 90% meat and fish and plenty of greens, berries and herbs.
BOF
One key benefit of our meals is that they are designed to promote stable blood sugar. That is what our proprietary BOF (Behavioural Optimizing Foods) principle is all about.
How much dry food should I be serving my puppy?
The amount depends on your puppy’s age, size and activity. Refer to the feeding chart on our kibble bags as a guide, and make adjustments as you go along. Keep a close eye on your puppy’s weight and energy level, ideally weighing your puppy on a regular basis.
My puppy is not that interested in its meals – what can I do?
It’s perfectly normal for appetite to vary a bit. Puppies tend to get easily distracted by all the exciting new sights, sounds and scents they are experiencing. Some puppies even play with their food, forgetting to eat it. Try serving dry food in small portions, mixing in a dab of pâté, and we promise those tastebuds will be tickled. You should also make sure your puppy can eat in peace without being interrupted.
What do I do if my puppy can’t chew the kibble?
Make dry food easier to chew by softening it in some boiled, cooled water or by mixing it with THE BEGINNING PÂTÉ. This makes all the difference for puppies if their adult teeth are coming through or if they have small jaws. Boiling water should never be added without cooling it first, as the heat destroys the vitamins.
How long can I serve puppy kibble?
Small-breed puppies should be eating puppy meals tailored to small breeds until they are around 10–12 months.
Large-breed puppies need meals tailored to their size of breed for longer; typically until they are 13–18 months.
This is because large breeds of dog grow over a longer period than small breeds, so they need the added support of puppy kibble for longer.
Can I serve my puppy adult kibble?
The short answer is no. Puppies need puppy meals tailored to the growth phases they undergo, ensuring they get the right nutrients until they are ready to transition to adult kibble.
What can I do if my puppy’s stool is too loose?
Loose stool can be caused by too much kibble, a sudden switch to a different kibble, or if a puppy is getting too many treats. Try reducing your serving sizes and stick to simple, low-fat treats.
How do I switch from puppy kibble to kibble for adult dogs?
Take your time, transition gradually over 5–7 days. Start by mixing a small amount of adult kibble into the puppy kibble, and slowly increase the amount of adult kibble one day at a time. This helps your dog’s digestive system adjust to the new kibble, reducing the risk of tummy upset.
How do I switch to ESSENTIALS puppy kibble?
You can serve ESSENTIALS the very same day your puppy moves in. If the breeder provided you with a different brand of kibble, we recommend gradually transitioning to our meals over 7 days, by mixing the breeder’s kibble with THE BEGINNING, so your puppy’s digestion has time to adjust to the new kibble.
In-bag storage
Our airtight bags are designed to allow you to store the kibble in the original bag without having to transfer it to another container.
Store the bag in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Remember to expel the air before resealing the top. That keeps the kibble fresh, ensuring that the last mouthful tastes as good as the first.
ESSENTIAL PÂTÉ
Need added meal appeal?
Looking for toppers to get tails wagging? Our pâté for puppies is grain-free and packed with fresh meat, fish and berries. Try serving this delicious pâté as a complete meal or a dreamy topper on kibble to tempt even the pickiest puppy.
Treats of the same high standard
In addition to our tasty kibble, we offer a large selection of irresistible protein-rich, grain-free treats – prepared and packaged to the same high standard as the rest of the ESSENTIALS assortment.
