Feeding on work days and rest days

Describe the week

Log time at work, travel, training and rest instead of calling every day active. Include short intense sessions and long quiet periods so the record represents the dog’s real routine.

Record the whole ration

Note meals, training rewards and extras together. Ask your veterinarian how the plan should respond to seasonal changes rather than guessing a standard rest-day percentage.

Review with evidence

Bring several representative days to a review and describe changes in condition or appetite. No single ration suits all dogs carrying the same breed name.

Include unusual weeks such as lambing, extended travel or competition in the review. A simple diary can reveal whether the written plan reflects what different family members or staff actually feed.

Keep travel rewards and food used during training visible in the diary. If a dog spends time with another handler, ask for their contribution before concluding that the ration is unchanged.

Treats are part of the intake

AAHA’s feeding-plan guidance includes treats and other foods within total intake, while protecting the contribution of a complete and balanced main diet. For a working team, a quiet day may still include rewards during handling, travel snacks or food supplied by another person. Measure the routine you actually have before changing it. Compare several representative days rather than a single unusually hard session or one day without work. A diary should identify whether the dog ate the portion offered and whether rewards replaced part of a meal or were additional.

Common questions

Sources & further reading

References for this guide. Rules and services can change; check the responsible organisation for current details.

• RSPCA: What should I feed my dog? (opens in a new tab)
• AAHA: Feeding plans (opens in a new tab)

Keep exploring