Here we can see, “When Should You Stop Feeding Puppy Food to Your Dog?”
Puppies and adult dogs require a proper diet as part of their care. As most owners know, puppies need exceptional food designed to encourage their growth and development. On the other hand, many dog owners are unsure when it’s time to transition to adult dog food. This is because there is no universal norm that applies to all dogs. Different breeds of dogs mature at different speeds. You and your veterinarian can decide when the optimum moment is to modify your puppy’s diet.
Puppy Food Feeding
Puppies require more calories than adult dogs to maintain their growth, development, and high energy levels. Puppies require around twice as many calories as adult dogs of the same size. As your puppy grows older, his growth slows, and his caloric requirements decrease. If you continue to give puppy food after your dog has stopped growing, your dog will acquire weight. Obesity can quickly develop from excess weight, resulting in many health issues.
When to Switch to Adult Food
Puppies are considered puppies until they reach the age of one year. Various breeds, on the other hand, age at different rates. Many vast and giant breed dogs, for example, are considered puppies until they are two or more years old, so they will need to eat puppy chow over the age of one. On the other hand, some miniature dog breeds achieve adult size before they reach the age of one. When it comes to your dog’s diet, your veterinarian is the best source of knowledge; therefore, seek guidance before switching to adult food.
Whether it comes to selecting when to transfer to adult dog food, the idea is to do so around the time the puppy stops growing but before he starts accumulating weight. Keep track of your puppy’s weight and height, and check for statistics increasing more slowly. Most dogs reach a growth plateau around one year, but you may notice a slowdown in growth as early as eight or nine months.
Getting a Glimpse of Your Dog’s Weight
Keep in mind that weight increase does not always imply growth. If he gains weight, your dog may be overweight but does not grow taller or more muscular. In a few easy actions, you can improve your dog’s physical condition at home:
Run your hands along the ribcage of your dog. You should be able to feel a thin layer of fat covering the ribs. If you can’t feel your dog’s ribs, he’s probably overweight.
Take a sidelong look at your dog. The upward tuck of the tummy should be visible. A dog that is overweight will have little or no tuck.
From above, take a look at your dog. An overweight dog has a straight or bulging line from the ribcage to the hips. There should be some narrowing at the waist, just past the ribs.
If your dog has noticeable ribs and a tiny waist, he may be underweight. To be sure, get your dog or cat examined by your veterinarian.
Young puppies should be fed three times a day, according to veterinarians. When they reach adulthood, though, most puppies can eat three meals every day. If your dog is under a year old and appears to be gaining weight, you may only need to lessen the portion size or frequency of meals before switching to adult food.
How to Make the Diet Change
To avoid gastrointestinal distress, every diet modification should be made gradually. This process can take a week or two, depending on how you do it.
Choosing the perfect food for your now-adult dog may require effort and research. You might keep the same food brand but switch to an adult formula. Of course, your veterinarian can assist you in selecting a proper diet.
Determine the portion of adult dog food you will eventually need to feed based on your dog’s current weight once you’ve chosen the adult dog food. Then, add a tiny amount of adult food to the puppy food, gradually increasing it at each meal. You could want to make a timetable, so you don’t have to remember how much of each animal to feed. When switching diets, many veterinary practitioners advise using the “3 by 3” method:
- Days 1-3: Feed 1/3 part of adult food and 2/3 amount of puppy food
- Days 4-6: Feed 1/2 part of adult food and 1/2 amount of puppy food
- Days 7-9: Feed 2/3 part of adult food and 1/3 amount of puppy food
- Day 10 and on: Full Feed portion of adult food
Keep an eye on your dog’s appetite and bowel motions during the transition. If your dog has diarrhea or vomiting, ease up on the changeover. If GI distress persists, you may need to switch to an adult diet and restart the transition. Contact your veterinarian if your dog has been vomiting or diarrhea for more than a day.
In the following months, keep an eye on your dog’s weight to ensure you don’t need to modify portion sizes. Also, as indicated by your veterinarian, maintain up with annual or biannual veterinary wellness check-ups.
User Questions
How long should puppies be on puppy food?
Puppies require the most food between the ages of six and twelve weeks. You’ll need to feed them three times a day at this point. You’ll progressively reduce the feeding to twice a day as your puppy grows older. Between seven and fourteen months, you’ll most likely switch to adult dog food depending on your puppy’s breed and size.
Do large-breed puppies require extra nutrition?
Puppies of large and giant breeds should be fed a diet that contains at least 30% high-quality protein and 9% fat (dry matter basis). Remember that protein content varies depending on the source. Thus high-quality foods may be more expensive. Consider the calories added to your dog’s diet if you offer him treats.
Can I feed a vast breed dog to a bit of dog?
Because it is produced with the size of the dog’s jaw in mind, kibble formulated for small breeds will be smaller than kibble formulated for larger breeds. Smaller breeds are more prone to stomach disturbances and poor dental health, so feeding them a diet tailored to their needs will assist.
How often should a giant breed puppy be fed?
Toy-breed puppies will require four to six meals per day for the first three months of their lives. Three meals per day are recommended for medium-breed puppies, while four meals per day are recommended for large-breed puppies. Though the breed is significant, metabolism and energy levels can differ by 30%.
When should I feed my dog twice a day, and when?
You can give your dog food once or twice a day. It’s better to perform it twice a day, at 8-12 hour intervals, for the best results. If you do it this way, divide the advised amount on the bag, or you’ll be feeding it twice as much as it requires.
Conclusion
I hope you find this advice to be helpful. Please use the form below if you have any queries or comments.
