Puppy diets tend to be higher in calories to support growth and have a slightly different balance of vitamins and minerals to provide optimal nutrition for growing bones and muscles. Most veterinary nutritionists do not recommend homemade, raw, or adult diets for puppies because they do not contain the right balance of nutrients to support rapid growth.
Therefore, these diets may lead to developmental abnormalities or deficiencies. While an adult dog is less likely to become unwell from eating puppy food, there are still some concerns with feeding your dog a diet that does not match their current life stage. The biggest problem with giving a puppy food or a generic "all life stages" diet to an adult dog is that these diets are often too high in calories.
Adult dogs that are no longer growing do not require as many calories as puppies and can gain weight if they are fed puppy food. Spaying and neutering your dog, while very beneficial, also causes a decrease in your dog's metabolism that can lead to weight gain. Specifically formulated diets for neutered dogs are available and contain fewer calories to keep your dog's weight healthy. The right time to transition from puppy food to adult food varies for each dog.
Small and medium-breed dogs are typically finished growing at around 8 to 12 months of age, while large and giant breeds may not reach their full adult size until 18 months of age. Some dogs may need to transition earlier if they have medical problems that can be managed with diet changes, such as food allergies or digestive issues. We would advise switching food slowly by gradually introducing the new food and phasing out the old, and if your puppy continues to refuse food, you may need to seek expert advice.
Remember, puppies need to have a special and balanced diet to grow properly and too little food may lead to growth and health deficiencies. If you are in any doubt about what to do, make an appointment to see your vet. Puppies are far more likely to overeat than to not eat enough, which is why it is so important to evenly space out their recommended daily food intake via smaller portions throughout the day.
If your puppy often eats too much, too quickly, it can lead to them developing long-term weight problems. Obesity in dogs is just as dangerous as it is in humans, and can lead to a number of health problems for your puppy, including:.
All of these can lead to a poor quality of life and a shorter lifespan. So, rather than risk these diseases, take your dog out for regular walks, stop the treats and table scraps and, if necessary, speak to your vet about switching to a lower calorie diet.
So, given how easily puppies can become obese and how bad that is for their health, here are the signs that your pet is overweight:.
Find more information on the weight of your dog here. Full or partial anorexia in dogs can lead to a multitude of life-threatening health problems, including the body shutting down to save energy.
Anorexia is a condition which should be treated seriously and urgently. An anorexic puppy is much harder to manage than an overweight pet, largely because there are so many things that can cause the problem, including hormonal imbalances and psychological issues.
It is also harder to get a dog eating again after it has stopped than it is to control the diet of an overfed puppy.
Once your vet has diagnosed the problem and come up with a plan for you to follow, you will likely need to begin feeding your puppy small but regular meals until they are able to digest food properly again. However, if after a check-up, your vet is happy there is nothing physically or psychologically wrong with your puppy, it is time to try our earlier suggestions of first making sure they are eating in a quiet and comfortable space, and then try switching their food.
The best guide to how well your puppy is doing, both physically and mentally, is how interactive, sociable and happy they seem. Puppies want to play, they want love and affection, and they want to eat and sleep.
So long as they are doing these things, you are doing a good job! While it is up to you which puppy food you buy for your new family member, avoid the traps of home remedies or food meant for human consumption, just as you should avoid giving your puppy adult dog food.
Puppies need to get the right amount of nutrients to ensure they have the energy to grow strong, and the best way to achieve this is to feed your dog puppy food that has been designed with their breed and health in mind. From then on, just keep an eye on their eating habits and behaviour and let your vet know if anything changes.
Otherwise, focus on enjoying your time with your puppy; training them, playing with them, and maybe slipping them the occasional puppy treat as a reward. Become a friend of James Wellbeloved and receive offers, updates and news.
Subscribe to our email newsletters to be the first to hear about new products, offers and helpful tips for keeping your furry friends happy and healthy. Shop Dog. Caring for Dogs. Puppy Nutrition. Stuck at home with a new puppy? This live telephone service connects you with a professional trainer who will offer unlimited, individualized advice on everything from house-training to behavioral issues.
Compare Breeds Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side. Dog Name Finder Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration. Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. Additional Resources AKC. Clubs Offering: Training Classes. Puppy Feeding Fundamentals. By Erika Mansourian Aug 15, 6 Minutes. Aug 15, 6 Minutes. Feeding Your Puppy: A First-Year Timeline 6—12 weeks: Growing pups should be fed puppy food, a diet specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs for normal development.
Feeding adult food will rob your puppy of important nutrients. Four feedings a day are usually adequate to meet nutritional demands. Large breeds should be fed unmoistened dry food by 9 or 10 weeks; small dogs by 12 or 13 weeks.
A pup should be losing her potbelly and pudginess by 12 weeks. If she is still roly-poly at this age, continue to feed puppy-size portions until body type matures.
Spaying or neutering lowers energy requirements slightly; after the procedure, switch from nutrient-rich puppy food to adult maintenance food. Small breeds can make the switch at 7 to 9 months; bigger breeds at 12, 13, even 14 months.
Err on the side of caution: Better to be on puppy food a little too long than not long enough. After age 1: Most owners feed adult dogs two half-portions a day. How much food should I give my puppy? How often should I feed my puppy?
Is it worth it to buy expensive puppy food? Dry food, wet food, or both? Canned food is the most expensive to feed, and dogs often find it most palatable. When is the right time to change your pooch from puppy kibble to adult food? But as they mature, they need less of the rich stuff. This could lead to obesity and other health issues. Smaller dog breeds mature quicker than larger dog breeds. So, if your little Dachshund is 7 to 10 months old, you can start switching them to adult food.
Large breed dogs should reach 80 pounds before you start switching them to adult food. This can be anywhere between 12 and 16 months. The switch over from puppy food to adult food should be done gradually. The gradual process might also help you deal with any problematic begging behavior. Once again, follow the feeding guidelines on the dog food package or can to ensure your puppy is getting the right quantities.
Your puppy has become firmly part of the family ever since you brought them home at eight weeks old. One of the first items you purchased when you brought your puppy home was her special food bowl.
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