When to switch a puppy to adult dog food?

Adult dogs and puppies have completely different nutritional requirements and levels of energy. But how should a pet owner know if they should be feeding their dog a puppy food or adult food?

Puppies vs Adults

Puppies nutritional needs are much more expansive than an adult dog. The reason for this is because puppies need calories for all the energy they have, as well as needing the calories to support their growing bodies and bones. A puppy’s stomach can’t hold as much food as a grown-up dog, so it is recommended that they are fed in small portions but more frequent.

Calorie Dense Food

One of the main factors of puppy food, concerns a large number of calories into a small stomach, in order to fuel them until there next feeding. Feeding an adult dog a puppy food would put them at risk of too many calories all at once, whilst feeding a puppy an adult dog food will put them at risk of not having enough calories, which could lead to slowing or stunting of their growth.

Large Breed Puppies

With Large breed puppies, pet owners need to take extra care, compared to smaller puppies, this is because of the high rate of growth and energy needed as a large breed puppy. This type of dog can be at risk in later life of developing issues with their hips and elbows because of how quickly they grow.

Switching to adult food

It is recommended that when a dog reaches 80% of their full adult size, the owner should consider switching them onto adult food. This can happen at different times and ages depending on the breed of the dog. It is suggested that small dogs will reach this size first, at the age of around 9 to 10 months. Medium-sized breeds continue to grow until they are about a year old. Whilst Large breed puppies reach 80% in size at around 12 to 16 months old.

The Dog Man’s Choice offers a wide range of fantastic recipes that provide the nutritional requirements for any type of dog no matter what breed or life-stage the dog is. To search for your specific recipes simply go to the search bar at the top of this page.

The best puppy food the UK

Puppy – Grain-Free Chicken, Sweet Potato, Carrots & Peas

£27.99 £44.99 unbeatable price.

Click here to order today

What is the best food to feed my dog?

Adult – Grain-Free Salmon, Trout, Sweet Potato & Asparagus

An adult dog that’s weight should be over 25 kgs click here.

£31.50 £45.99

Order today

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If you need any help or advice before ordering please don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

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