As your puppy’s rapid growth starts to slow, you should be getting ready to feed them an adult formula. The timing is important, but this article will help you work out when to make the switch.
Depending on your dog’s breed, your puppy will usually be ready to transition onto adult food somewhere between seven months to two years of age. Smaller dogs mature more quickly, so they'll be ready to make the switch earlier than large or giant breeds.
How long should you feed your dog puppy food?
You can use this chart as a rough guide, but you should always speak to your vet for tailored advice.
|
Type Of Dog |
When to Give Adult Food |
|
Toy and Small |
7 months to 10 months |
|
Medium |
12 months |
|
Large and Giant |
18 months to 24 months |
Why change to adult food?
Puppy food is high in calories and nutrients to support the rapid growth that your young dog is going through. When your dog reaches maturity, puppy food is likely to make them overweight.
Keep a close eye on your dog’s physique, and don’t hesitate to speak to your vet if you think they might be piling on a few too many pounds. If your puppy is getting a little overweight, you might need to reduce the amount of puppy food they are getting, or it could be time to transition to adult food. An appropriate diet tends to be more efficient than exercise for weight loss, so portion control is essential.
How to know if your puppy is overweight?
Using a body conditioning score, you can determine if your dog is overweight. You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs without too much effort, and they should have a noticeable waist.
Petplan's guide to body scoring your dog - YouTube
How to choose the right food
It can be overwhelming to select the best food for your growing puppy. But, high-quality nutrition can help prevent a host of health problems further down the line, so it’s worth investing the time and money into finding something that works best for your dog.
Dry food vs. wet food
Most vets recommend incorporating some dry food into your dog's diet, as this helps keep their teeth cleaner than wet food. If your dog is a picky eater, adding a little wet food to the mix can help encourage them to finish their kibble. But, account for these extra calories in your portion sizes!
Raw Food
Some people prefer a raw diet for their dog, which in some cases may benefit your dog's health. There are increased risks with choosing to feed a raw diet, though, so you have to be careful to provide safe, fresh food that has been properly refrigerated. Always speak to your vet before making the transition to raw food.
Grain-free and gluten-free
Grain-free and gluten-free food can suit some dog breeds better, especially those with digestive or joint issues. This diet isn’t suitable for dogs with certain health conditions. Many dogs will do very well with some grain in their diet, so don’t rule it out completely.
Speak to your vet for advice
Does choosing food sound a bit complicated? Don’t worry; it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at first. It’s a good idea to speak to your vet or a dog nutritionist, but it will all get easier once you’ve chosen a brand that you want to stick with. Don’t forget that you can always change to something else if your dog isn’t thriving!
When your puppy is getting its vaccinations and check-ups, it’s a great time to ask your vet about what age you should switch them over to an adult diet. After all, every dog is an individual. The transition should happen when your particular dog has reached maturity, not just when they reach a general age milestone.
How to transition to a new food
If you try and change your dog's diet in a single day, they will probably suffer from some digestive issues. It’s best to transition from puppy to adult food over at least ten days. Try to plan this in advance, so you don’t end up wasting an open sack of puppy food.
Here’s a suggested schedule for transitioning from puppy to adult dog food:
|
Day 1 - 2 |
90% old diet, 10% new diet |
|
Day 3 - 4 |
70% old diet, 30% new diet |
|
Day 5 - 6 |
50% old diet, 50% new diet |
|
Day 7 - 8 |
30% old diet, 70% new diet |
|
Day 9 - 10 |
10% old diet, 90% new diet |
|
Day 11+ |
100% new diet! |
Meals per day
Once your dog is eating an adult diet, you can consider decreasing from three - four small meals a day to two meals a day. But for food motivated dogs that tend to put on weight quickly, it’s fine to keep feeding three small meals a day into adulthood.
Transitioning your puppy to an adult dog food usually goes without a hitch, but keep an eye on your dog’s weight during the first few months. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet for more advice around when to make the switch.