Feeding a complete and balanced diet is key to your puppy’s growth and development. During the early stages of a puppy’s life, their nutritional needs differ significantly from that of an adult dog, so puppy food is specially formulated to meet these unique requirements. However, as puppies get bigger and mature pet parents find themselves wondering, how do you know when to stop feeding puppy food?
When To Stop Feeding Puppy Food
You should stop feeding puppy food once a dog has reached skeletal maturity. For most dogs this is between 7-18 months, however, the exact age varies between breeds. Smaller breeds mature more quickly and switch to adult food faster than larger breeds, as they take longer to reach their adult size.
Knowing when to stop feeding puppy food and transition your dog to adult dog food is an important consideration for dog owners. While they can’t stay on puppy food forever, switching them to adult dog food isn’t something to be rushed. If they a pup is switched to adult food before they have finished growing, they could miss out on the vital nutrients that puppy food provides, potentially hindering their growth and development.
Understanding your dog’s nutritional needs and the importance of puppy food is key to keeping them happy and healthy. Read on and discover when to stop feeding puppy food and the best way to safely switch your pup to adult dog food. Let’s dive in!
Puppy Nutritional Requirements
Puppies have unique nutritional requirements compared to adult dogs and require a diet that can support their rapid growth and development. Providing food that is correct for your dog’s life phase is essential for their overall health. Adult dog food, while complete and balanced for adult dogs, doesn’t contain the right blend of nutrients to provide everything a young puppy needs.
When it comes to a puppy’s nutritional requirements and the differences between puppy food and adult dog food there are some key points to consider.
- Calorie and Nutritional Differences: Puppies require more calories per pound of body weight than adult dogs. This higher calorie intake supports their energy needs for growth and activity. Additionally, puppies need a specific balance of macronutrients, such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as essential vitamins and minerals for proper development.
- Protein Content: Puppies need a higher protein content in their diet compared to adult dogs. Protein is essential for muscle development, tissue repair, and supporting a strong immune system.
- Calcium and Phosphorus: Puppies require precise levels of calcium and phosphorus for healthy bone and teeth development. Too little or too much of these minerals can lead to skeletal abnormalities. Puppy food is specially formulated to provide appropriate levels of calcium and phosphorus to support your pup’s growing bones.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are vital for brain and eye development in puppies. Fatty acids are a crucial component of puppy food formulations, promoting optimal cognitive function and visual health.
- Digestibility: It will be no surprise to hear that puppies’ digestive systems are delicate. This is why puppy food is designed to be highly digestible, allowing them to easily absorb and utilise the nutrients efficiently.
- Smaller Kibble Size: Puppy food often comes in smaller kibble sizes to accommodate a puppy’s smaller mouth and developing teeth. Smaller kibble pieces make it easier for them to chew and swallow their food.
Each puppy is unique, and their nutritional needs can vary depending on factors such as breed, size, activity level, and overall health. As your puppy grows and reaches different milestones, their nutritional needs will change. It’s crucial to understand these differences and adjust their diet accordingly.
While watching your puppy grow is exciting, knowing when to switch to adult dog food is vital to ensure your furry friend gets the best start in life. Transitioning to adult dog food at the appropriate time is a key step in your pup’s journey toward adulthood, ensuring they continue to receive the right balance of nutrients for their age and life stage.
When To Switch a Puppy To Adult Food
While dogs are often considered to have reached maturity once they are a year old, it isn’t quite that simple, a dog’s breed, growth rate, and overall health are all factors that need to be considered. Ultimately, you want to switch your pup to an adult diet once their growing phase has finished and they have reached skeletal maturity, but before the extra calories that puppy food provides adds-on any unwanted extra pounds.
Each breed has varying growth rates and matures at different ages. Dogs of the same breed tend to reach their full size within a similar timeframe, so their growth rate is easier to predict. While there is always individual variation, as a guide, each size group reaches maturity at the following ages:
- Toy Breeds (e.g., Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier) 7-9 months
- Small Breeds (e.g., Boston Terrier, Dachshund) 8-10 months
- Medium Breeds (e.g., Chow Chow, English Springer Spaniel) 12 months
- Large Breeds (e.g., Labrador Retriever, Boxer) 12-18 months
- Giant Breeds (e.g., Dogue de Bordeaux, Saint Bernard) 18-24 months
Purebred dogs tend to have a more predictable growth rate, but it can be harder to determine the growth rate of mixed-breed dogs. A handy hint to see if your pup is still growing is to run your hands along their rib cage to check if you can feel ‘knobs’ on their ribs. These “knobs” are the growth plates in their ribs, indicating they are still developing. While this may seem vague, it’s considered a good indication that your dog still has some growing to do.
Ensuring that your puppy has finished growing and reached skeletal maturity before switching to adult food is key. Before transitioning your pup’s diet it’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian for guidance on when is the best time to switch. Your vet will be able to assess your pup’s growth progress and overall health, providing you with advice that is tailored specifically to your dog and their growth stage.
How To Switch Dog Food
As with any change in your dog’s diet, switching from puppy food to adult dog food should be done gradually to avoid digestive upset. If you haven’t switched foods before or are unsure of how to do it safely, follow our step-by-step 10-day schedule to ensure a smooth transition for your dog.
To safely transition your dog from puppy food to the new adult food, a good place to start is with a mixture of 75% puppy food to 25% adult food. Then over a period of 10 days gradually increase the amount of adult dog food while decreasing the amount of puppy food. By mixing the original puppy food with the new adult dog food, it’s less likely to cause your dog digestive distress.
Here’s our suggested 10-day schedule for transitioning your pup to adult dog food:
- Day 1-3: 75% puppy food to 25% new adult dog food
- Day 4-6: 50% puppy food to 50% new adult dog food
- Day 7-9: 25% puppy food to 75% new adult dog food
- Day 10: 100% new adult dog food
When switching to a new food be sure to monitor your dog’s response. Observe their behaviour, stool consistency, and overall health during the transition period. If you notice any signs of digestive upset, such as diarrhoea or vomiting, slow down the transition and consult with your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to provide advice and recommendations specifically based on your pup’s needs.
Remember that every puppy is unique, and the transition timeline may vary. Be patient and flexible, allowing your pup’s individual needs to guide the process. A gradual transition to the new food will help your puppy’s digestive system adapt more easily and minimise the chance of digestive issues.
By following these steps and closely monitoring your dog’s response, you can smoothly switch them to adult dog food while providing them with the nutrition they need as they enter their next life stage.
Final Thoughts
Knowing when to switch your dog from puppy food to adult dog food requires thoughtful consideration. Switching foods too soon may result in your pup missing out on the nutrition they need for optimal growth and development. It’s key to ensure your dog has reached skeletal maturity before making the switch.
While it can be tricky to determine when a dog has finished growing, our guide offers a good place to start. Although there is much variation between breeds, most dogs will reach skeletal maturation between 7-18 months. However, each dog is unique, and individuals can vary.
Remember, when it comes to switching diets, do so gradually. This allows your furry friend to get used to the new food over time and will help to avoid any potential digestive issues. Additionally, before making any dietary changes it’s always advisable to speak to your vet, who can offer you personalised recommendations specific to your dog.
Ultimately, it’s better to feed puppy food for a little bit too long than not long enough, potentially risking their nutritional needs not being met. By following these steps you can provide the best start for your pup and set them up for a healthy and happy life as an adult dog.