Home / Guides

Fido's Pad guides

Plain-English guides to fresh dog food, reading recipe labels, GPS collars and pet cameras. General information only: ask your vet about your own dog.

i
Affiliate disclosure: Fido’s Pad is reader-supported. Some links may become affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never change what we list or the order we list it in. How we make money

Product images are illustrative stock photos, not the exact products listed. Photo credits

Fresh dog food

See the fresh dog food comparison →

A calm, gradual plan for moving your dog from one food to another, including fresh food, plus the signs that mean it's time to slow down and call your vet.

6 min readRead guide

Why the feeding chart is only a starting point, how calories per cup and per pack work, how to use body condition to adjust portions, and where treats fit in. Always confirm with your vet.

5 min readRead guide

How fresh dog food delivery plans work, from the signup quiz and pricing to deliveries, storage, pausing and cancelling, plus questions to ask before you subscribe.

5 min readRead guide

What to look for in puppy food, why large-breed puppies need extra care, how meal schedules usually change as puppies grow, treats and training, and when to move to adult food. Your vet leads; this guide helps you ask good questions.

4 min readRead guide

What changes as dogs age, why "senior" on a food label isn't a standard, how to think about portions, texture and appetite, plus how GPS collars and pet cameras can help older dogs. Always with your vet.

4 min readRead guide

Practical food-safety habits for refrigerated and frozen dog food: freezer and fridge storage, safe thawing, serving temperature, cleaning bowls, handling leftovers and what to do if a delivery arrives warm.

4 min readRead guide

How to keep a fresh or refrigerated dog food routine going away from home, from packing a cooler to planning for boarding, sitters and delivery pauses.

6 min readRead guide

Practical ways to manage fresh food plans, portions and mealtimes when you have two or more dogs with different sizes, ages or needs.

5 min readRead guide

Why some dogs turn their noses up at meals, practical routines that help with fussy eating, and the appetite changes that need a vet rather than a new food.

5 min readRead guide

How to estimate the true monthly cost of a fresh dog food plan, including portions, treats, shipping, first-order offers and freezer space, without relying on invented prices.

5 min readRead guide

How pack sizes, thaw schedules, measuring and delivery cadence differ when you feed fresh food to a small dog versus a large one — practical logistics only, not medical advice.

5 min readRead guide

How to estimate freezer and fridge capacity for a fresh dog food subscription, organize thaw zones, label packs and decide whether you need more cold storage — without guessing brand pack sizes.

5 min readRead guide

Recipe labels

See the recipe labels comparison →

What the protein, fat, fiber and moisture numbers on a dog food label actually mean, how to compare wet, fresh and dry foods fairly on a dry matter basis, and what the panel can't tell you.

5 min readRead guide

What "complete and balanced" means on a dog food label, the difference between formulated and feeding-trial statements, the life stages you'll see, and why the statement matters for fresh food too.

4 min readRead guide

What ingredient order really tells you, the naming rules behind words like "dinner", "with" and "flavor", common ingredient terms, and why the list is only part of the picture.

4 min readRead guide

How product names like "beef dinner" or "with chicken" relate to what's inside, and what common terms such as natural, human-grade, holistic and grain-free do and don't tell you.

5 min readRead guide

Where to find official pet food recall notices, how to match a recall to the food in your freezer using lot codes and dates, and what to do if your dog's food is affected.

5 min readRead guide

What "limited ingredient," "single protein" and "novel protein" mean on a dog food label, why they matter for dogs on vet-guided diets, and how to read the ingredient list closely.

4 min readRead guide

GPS collars

See the gps collars comparison →

The questions that matter when picking a GPS collar or tag: how location tracking works, coverage, subscription plans, battery life, fit, waterproofing and features like virtual fences.

5 min readRead guide

Why most GPS trackers need a plan, how monthly, annual and multi-year pricing compare, what really drains a tracker's battery, and how to estimate total cost of ownership.

5 min readRead guide

How to fit a GPS collar or tracker so it's secure and comfortable, how to check for rubbing, when to remove it, weight considerations for small dogs, charging safety, and using it alongside ID and a microchip.

4 min readRead guide

How microchips, ID tags and GPS trackers each help bring a lost dog home, why they work best together, and a step-by-step plan for the first hours after your dog goes missing.

5 min readRead guide

What changes when you use a GPS tracker far from town: cellular coverage, battery planning, accuracy under trees and in hills, and trail safety habits that matter more than the gadget.

5 min readRead guide

What geofences and escape alerts do on GPS dog collars, how to set them up without false alarms, and how they fit beside physical fences, ID tags and microchips.

5 min readRead guide

How GPS collar and tag hardware differs for cats and dogs — size, weight, fit, attachment, water resistance and monitoring habits — without medical or training claims.

5 min readRead guide

A practical moving checklist for dog owners covering microchip and tag updates, GPS trackers, pet cameras, fresh food deliveries and first-week safety in the new place.

5 min readRead guide

Pet cameras

See the pet cameras comparison →

Where to put a pet camera, how to get a reliable Wi-Fi connection, which settings to change on day one, and how to introduce treat tossers and two-way audio to your dog calmly.

4 min readRead guide

How to protect your home when you add an internet-connected pet camera: account security, firmware updates, Wi-Fi settings, cloud recordings, sharing access and where not to point the lens.

4 min readRead guide

A realistic look at pet cameras, GPS trackers and smart-home tools for dogs who spend time alone: what they're good for, their limits, and the signs that mean it's time to talk to your vet or a qualified trainer.

4 min readRead guide

A plain-English walkthrough of the features you'll see on pet camera spec sheets, from resolution and night vision to two-way audio and treat tossers, and how to decide which ones matter for your dog.

5 min readRead guide

How to share a pet camera with walkers, sitters and family members, set up guest access safely, and respect the privacy of the people working in your home.

5 min readRead guide

How to introduce treat-tossing cameras and two-way audio without stressing your dog, how to avoid calorie creep and neighbor noise issues, and when to stop and call your vet or trainer.

5 min readRead guide

Practical home-network habits for pet cameras and smart pet devices: placement, bands, passwords, guest networks, bandwidth and what to do when the video stream drops.

4 min readRead guide

How we write guides

Our guides explain how to read labels, plans and specs so you can make your own choice with your vet. We don’t make health claims, we haven’t hands-on tested products, and we don’t publish invented statistics or ratings. Product facts come from official brand pages. How we work.

!
Not veterinary advice. Fido’s Pad compares published prices, label facts and features for information only. Ask your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet. Vet disclaimer