So you are planning to switch the diet of your little furry guy that is wandering everywhere? However, before you do, would you say you are certain that your puppy is ready for adult dog food?
Many individuals think that the best time to feed adult dog food is after your pup gets 1 year older while this methodology works it is imperfect, it generally relies upon your dog breed and size.
So read along to find out whether “Is your puppy ready for adult dog food?“.
When to Switch to Adult Dog Food?
To make sure that your puppy is ready to switch to adult dog food there are certain factors to consider.
For fair-share of an idea, most puppies are ready for adult dog food when they are mature.
These can range anywhere between 6-12 months, that being said, it also depends on the breed, size, and weight of your pup.
Factors to Consider While Switching
All dogs are different and changing the food may vary upon the dog you own.
Here are certain things that can help you determine when to give your little fury guy adult food.[1]
Maturation
Size of your dog when an adult will be a deciding factor for transitioning.
For the small breeds that will not transcend 30 pounds, they get mature around 10 to 12 months.
With that being said, in some small breeds puppy might get mature before 10 months. As for the medium breed dogs that weigh around 50 to 80 pounds as an adult, they mature a little slower and often reach maturity between 14 to 16 months.
Lastly, the large breed dogs that exceed 80 pounds when an adult, they get ready around 16-24 months.
Recommendation
Some breeds might get mature before 10 months and are ready for adult dog food before their full growth.
If your dog is reluctant towards puppy food, it might be an indication that the food is providing him way more calories, albeit he hasn’t fully grown.
If you find that your puppy’s maturity is around 14 to 16 months but he is eating less at 10 to 12 months, then you can think to replace the food.
Active
If your puppy is all over the place, always ready to play and run, then you might have to wait a little bit longer.
As active and energetic puppies need more calories they rely more on puppy food which satisfies that.
On the other hand, if your pup is more on the lazy side or lounging then this might be a sign that they are reaching maturity.
Generally, they will eat less puppy food or start rejecting them, so they might need adult food early.
Watch Them
You can easily find whether if your dog is ready for adult food or not simply by watching their eating habits. If you find that your puppy is leaving some food after eating, it means they don’t need that many calories.
So if your pup is eating less, that might just mean he/she is ready to move for adult food. Most of the dogs know when to move on, and you can easily find that out by looking at their behaviors.
Feeding Schedule for Puppies
When feeding your pup with adult food you should be intimate with the metabolism and body type of your puppy.[2]
When it comes to feeding adult dog food, you should focus on feeding the puppy small treats and keep repeating them as we feed our babies.
If your dog is skipping some meals then don’t worry it is natural and their way to cope with the diet change. So it is recommended to keep the treats small.
Learn More: Do you know how many cups in a pound of dog food required per day? Here you can read everything about it.
How to Make the Transition?
Your pup must be gradually weaned off from puppy food to adult dog food so it doesn’t put pressure on the digestive system of your dog.
Switching foods quickly could lead to a ton of digestive problems for your little guy, it may also make the dog feel sick, and then he/she might start to reject it completely.
The transition period can last up to 7 to 15 days not longer than that.
During these days you have to gradually shift the whole diet of your pooch.
First few days you will feed your puppy with 75% puppy food and 25% adult food.
After some days you introduce them to 50% puppy food and 50% adult food. Then after few days, shift the ratio to 75% adult food and 25% puppy food.
Lastly, after some days of doing the same, you replace the food completely with adult dog food.
Another thing to keep in mind when changing the diet is paying attention to their poop. If you find some changes in their stool like it’s discolored or runny then it might be possible due to the diet.
The stomach of the dogs has to get used to different levels of nutrients and fibers. So slowing down the transition will do just fine and the dogs will easily adapt.
FAQs
How long should I feed my puppy with puppy food?
For puppies aging between 6 to 12 weeks must be fed with puppy food, as these foods contain the crucial nutrients required by your pooch to grow. The puppies aged 3 to 6 months must be also fed puppy food, however, pet owners can reduce the meal to 3 to 4 meals a day. And for the little cute guys aging between 6 to 12 months they can or cannot be fed puppy food depending upon their behavior and if they are ready for adult food or not. During this period you can reduce the number of meals to two per day.
Is the transition necessary?
When your pup is all-new young and just born he is fully active and so needs more nutrients, fibers, and calories than an adult dog. They also need higher levels of fats and proteins which helps them to grow. All these requisites are filled with the help of puppy food. But once the puppy becomes an adult, they don’t need that many calories and nutrients. Puppy food can quickly lead to overweight and obesity, therefore, the transition is necessary.
Does puppy food make dogs grow fast?
The major reason for the growth of puppies is their diet. If overnutrition happens or otherwise known as overfeeding your puppy can result in weight gain. So it is recommended to look for a food that is endorsed by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials).
Can you tell how big a puppy will get?
A general thumb of the rule is to double the size of your puppy once he/she is 16 weeks old. Ostensibly, this rule appears to be working fine most of the time, if not every time.
How much time do puppies need mothers’ milk?
Generally, puppies need mothers’ milk for 6 to 10 weeks and after that, you can gradually shift it to commercial milk and ultimately no milk. Weaning puppies can benefit from mother’s milk.
Read More: Do You Know How Long Does Rawhide Take to Digest in Dog? Understand Everything about the Digestion of Rawhide bone in dogs.
The Final Note
If you are not sure if your puppy is ready for adult dog food or not, then the best way is to visit your vet, they will give the whole diet plan based on your breed. With that being said, make sure to be familiar with your pup’s natural metabolism and depending on your breed change the diet.
While switching keep in mind to gradually change their diet and allow their body and digestive system to be support from time to time. Keep a watch on their poop as well as their behavior and you will get a better idea about the transition.
If you have any doubts or concerns then make sure to shoot them in the comment box and we will gladly help you out.
Also Read:
- How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Digest Food and Poop
- Does Your Dog Need A Veterinary Diet
- Are Dogs Carnivores or Omnivores
Resources:
- Puppy Feeding Fundamentals [1]
- Puppy Food — Types, Feeding Schedule, and Nutrition [2]
- Is Your Puppy Ready for Adult Dog Food?[3]
When things come crashing down, Tiffany comes to the rescue! As a veterinary medicine graduate, she is the brain behind the in-depth analysis of the products. As an avid dog lover, she is earnestly driven to find the finest options. Any article on DogNeedsBest that has to do anything with your pet’s health goes under scrutiny before getting published.
