When To Switch A Puppy To Adult Food
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Switching a puppy to adult food isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” approach. It can vary based on your dog’s breed, age and weight. We can help you determine when is the best time for you to switch your dog’s food and how to transition them successfully.
Article Overview
How Long Should A Puppy Be On Puppy Food?
In general, dogs are considered puppies if they are less than 1 year old. During this first year of life, they require a puppy-formulated diet to ensure they are getting the proper nutrients for growth. However, the time your dog is on puppy food can vary based on your dog’s breed size.
Signs It’s Time To Switch From Puppy To Adult Food
Once your dog reaches a certain weight or age, you’ll need to transition to adult dog food. Please note that these are rough estimates for weight and ages, and you should consult your vet to determine what’s best for your dog.
- Toy breeds (4 to 7 pounds at maturity): around 9 months old
- Small breeds (8 to 20 lbs at maturity): around 12 months old
- Medium breeds (21 to 50 lbs at maturity): around 12 months old
- Large breeds (51 to 85 lbs at maturity): 18 to 24 months old
- Giant breeds (more than 85 lbs at maturity): 18 to 24 months old
It’s best to ask your vet about your dog’s diet. And if you’re unsure about your dog’s breed, consider doing a canine DNA test.
Why Transition From Puppy To Adult Food
Puppies require different nutrients and calories than adult dogs. Puppy-formulated foods typically have higher protein and fat to help them grow. They also often include DHA, which is also in mother’s milk.
Once your puppy is fully grown, they don’t need as many calories. If you continue to feed puppy food to an adult dog, it could result in the dog gaining excess weight.
How To Switch A Puppy To Adult Food
If you need ideas on which food is right for your dog, check out these dog food delivery options. The fresh foods make it easy to customize your dog’s diet based on age, weight, etc. and it ensures you will have food on hand at all times.
When it is time to switch to an adult food, make sure you do it slowly. You’ll want to transition your dog’s food over multiple days and watch for any upset stomach issues. To learn how to adjust a dog’s diet correctly, read our full article on how to safely change your dog’s food.
What dog food do you plan on transitioning your puppy to?
