When to Stop Feeding Puppy Food
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A well-proportioned diet is vital for the growth, development, and health of puppies and adult dogs. Many dog parents know that puppies need food specifically designed for them to promote normal growth. However, first-time owners struggle to figure out when is the appropriate time to transition from puppy food to dog food. Actually, there is no rule that is applicable to all pooches. All types of dogs have different development rates.
So, is there any timeframe when you should stop feeding him puppy food? Generally, the majority of canines approach the mature age by 12 months. Large breed doggies grow slowly in the starting, so they reach adulthood by 18 to 24 months. You can try to wean him gradually for two to three weeks onto his new food.
Mutts of all ages require superior quality and highly nutritious diet that is suitable for them regardless of their age. Also, only you and your vet can determine the right time to switch your puppy from puppy food to dog food.
Before deciding to make a switch from pup to dog food, you should not only determine their age, but their breed, weight, and health conditions as well. In this guide, we will discuss in detail when and how to shift from puppy food to dog food. But, first, let’s understand the difference between puppy and dog food.
Difference Between Puppy Food And Adult Dog Food
It is imperative for puppies to consume food that is exclusively formulated for them until they are completely grown. The reason is that growing pups have higher nutritional requirements compared to mature mutts. Their diet contains a higher amount of calories to promote growth. Furthermore, the balance of minerals and vitamins is also different to provide essential nourishment to quickly growing muscles and bones.
Many vet nutritionists don’t recommend adult dog, homemade, and raw foods for young puppies because they don’t provide the correct balance of vital nutrients that are needed for swift growth. The lack of nutrients could lead to growth irregularities. On the other hand, a mature dog won’t experience any nutritional issues from consuming puppy food, but it is better not to feed him food that does not match his life stage.
The puppy food is too high in calories, so it could lead your adult dog to obesity. After 1 to 2 years, they don’t grow, so they don’t need as many calories as growing canines. Spaying and sterilization of your pooch will slow down his metabolism that could also lead to excess weight if you don’t adjust his diet accordingly.
When To Stop Feeding Puppy Food?
You should feed him puppy food until he becomes an adult. Although dogs who are 12 months or 18 months old are considered mature mutts, this is not forever the case. Their maturity is reliant more on their breed type than their age.
We all know that small breed dogs reach adulthood early than large and giant breed canines. So, the giant breed dogs need to eat puppy food for a longer duration than smaller ones. Here is how long you can give them a puppy diet according to their breed type:
- Small breed dogs weighing 20 pounds or less may approach adulthood when they are 9 to 12 months old.
- Medium-breed dogs weighing between 30 and 80 pounds may reach maturity at the age of 12 to 16 months.
- Large-breed pooches weighing more than 80 pounds may reach adulthood when they are 12 to 24 months old.
Also, you should keep a strict eye on his weight. Bear in mind; weight gain does not always indicate development. If he is gaining weight but not gaining muscles or getting taller, then he is on his way to obesity. To determine if he is getting overweight, follow these steps:
- With gentle hands, press down on his ribcage. You should be able to feel a thin layer of fat enclosing the ribs. If you can’t effortlessly see or feel the ribs, it means your canine is overweight.
- Now, examine his shoulders, tail, waist, spine, hips, and other body parts and try to feel a thin layer of fat covering all these parts. If you feel a thick layer of fat, it is obvious that he is obese.
However, if he has a small waist and his ribs are also very prominent, it indicates that your dog is underweight. Whether he is under or overweight, you should take him to the vet for a detailed examination.
If he is less than 12 months old and gaining weight faster, decrease his portion size or number of meals before transitioning to dog food. Young pups should eat puppy food at least three to four times a day. However, when they reach maturity, you can feed them two to three times a day.
What Is The Appropriate Way Of Switching From Puppy Food To Dog Food?
It is essential to make the modification gradually to prevent stomach-related problems. The transitioning process can take up to one to two weeks or even more. Also, you will need some time to find the highest quality and well-balanced food for your furry friend.
If you are unable to find the right food for him, take help from your vet. After picking the adult dog food, figure out the frequency and portion size of the dog food depending on your canine’s weight. Initially, it is better to add a small amount of adult food to the puppy food. Here is the feeding schedule you can follow when transitioning food:
- Day 1 to 3: 2/3 percentage of puppy food and 1/3 portion of dog food
- Day 4 to 6: ½ percentage of puppy food and ½ percentage of dog food
- Day 7 to 9: 1/3 percentage of puppy food and 2/3 percentage of dog food
- Day 10 and so on: Full percentage of dog food
During the transition, observe his appetite and bowel movements. If he experiences stomach-related problems, slow down the switch. If his stomach upset continues, you may need to change the food brand or flavor and re-start the switching process.
If he is experiencing vomiting or other issues for more than two days, contact your vet. Also, keep a check on his weight in the coming months to make sure you don’t need to reduce the food percentage.
Conclusion
So when to stop feeding puppy food? Your adorable doggie may reach adulthood in less or more than a year, depending on his breed type. You must wait until he fully matures before changing his diet. Get in touch with your veterinarian to get a more precise timeframe for your pooch according to his unique needs.
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