[ad_1]
If there is one thing that everyone knows, it’s that you have to start out puppies on food for them. And then at some point later, maybe when the pup is a year old, you can switch him over to adult food. Right?
Well, no. There’s a bit more to it than that.
Let’s get the easy part sorted out first. Generally speaking, a dog is considered an adult when they reach full size, on average around 1 year of age. Small-breed dogs mature faster and can be considered an adult around 9 to 10 months of age. Large breed dogs mature more slowly; it may take them until 18 months or more to stop growing.
WHEN DO YOU STOP FEEDING YOUR DOG PUPPY FOOD?
Asking “How long do you feed a puppy puppy food”, or you may be wondering how long do you feed your dog puppy food, then the answer is simple, typically, until they reach maturity.
When considering what age to stop feeding puppy food, there could be mixed breeds that the owner isn’t sure about their breed size, in such cases, it is best to discuss it with your veterinarian. If you are contemplating when to stop feeding puppy food, then that is the answer. Rationally, large breed dogs would require to be fed puppy food longer as they take more slowly to mature.
PUPPIES HAVE GREATER NEEDS
Growing puppies have greater nutritional needs than adult dogs. They require more calories per pound of bodyweight than adults – and they need a diet that contains a higher percentage of fat and protein (including higher amounts of many specific amino acids that contribute to the food’s total protein) than adult dogs. How long do you give puppy food? Their needs for calcium, phosphorus, and several other minerals are higher than the amounts needed by adult dogs.
The legal minimum (and a few maximum) values for the nutrient requirements of puppies and adult dogs are enumerated in tables (called “nutrient profiles”) established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). “How long does it take to feed a large breed?” One column lists the nutrient levels required for the “maintenance” of adult dogs; these are called the “adult maintenance” nutrient profiles. Another column lists the nutrient levels that meet the needs of breeding animals, pregnant or nursing females, and growing puppies. These are called the “growth and reproduction” nutrient profiles.
The phrase “puppy food” isn’t the guarantee of a product’s nutritional adequacy. Rather, it’s the “AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement” that indicates whether the food meets the legal requirements of a “complete and balanced diet” for puppies. If it does, the statement will either say the food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles “for growth” or “for all life stages.” AAFCO now requires that foods also specify whether they are appropriate for large-breed puppies with a statement that uses either “including” or “except for” the growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult).
DO PUPPIES NEED PUPPY FOOD?
Have you ever wondered why puppies eat puppy food when they can just eat normal food? Well, here’s the answer. Development issues can be avoided when fed a special puppy food diet. There are different dog foods for different breeds and ages. As their diet is an extremely important part of their growth, it is important to follow what your dog needs and carefully choose your dog’s food. There could be puppy food for large or small dog breeds, and the cover should be read carefully as there are adult formulations that may look similar to a puppy’s food but are clearly different.
Related: What To Consider Before Adopting A Puppy
“ALL” INCLUDES PUPPIES
Remember, there are only two Nutrient Profiles: one for “growth and reproduction” and one for “adult maintenance” (sometimes called just “maintenance”). So what’s this about “all life stages”?
“All life stages” includes growth and reproduction; food that is so labeled must meet the requirements for puppies. Whether you feed a product that is formulated for “growth” or for “dogs of all life stages” – which, again, is the same thing – you could feed that product from weaning through your dog’s senior years. “Puppy food” may be manufactured with a smaller kibble size, but, nutritionally, it can be fed to a dog of any life stage.
WHEN SHOULD I STOP FEEDING MY DOG PUPPY FOOD?
Your puppy may reach its maturity in less than a year, or maybe it could even take a bit less than two years, it may vary depending on its breed. Nonetheless, when deciding on stopping feeding them puppy food, there should also be a change in the amount that is fed. A moderate adjustment of their food would also help them avoid an upset stomach.
ADULTS ONLY
The Adult Maintenance Nutrient Profiles have lower minimum values for protein and fat, so they usually contain less protein and fat. Protein and fat are the most expensive ingredients in a food, so if the manufacturer can put less of them in a product, they usually do. Less fat also means fewer calories. With that being said, can adult dogs eat puppy food? They can but they most likely shouldn’t as it may lead to obesity or maybe even unwanted weight gain. Of course, there may still be puppy food that is recommended for adult dogs.
When feeding adult dog puppy food, you may want to consider switching your dog to a “maintenance” food if he’s both (1) fully grown and (2) overweight or gaining unneeded weight on the same amount of food you’ve always fed. Or, keep feeding an “all life stages” food, and just feed less of it!
[ad_2]
