Nutrition is an essential aspect of taking care of puppies as well as older dogs. Many pet owners are aware that puppies require food specially designed to aid in development and growth. But, many pet owners are unable to decide the right time to transition to adult-sized dog foods. It is because there isn’t a rule that is applicable to all breeds. Different breeds develop at different rates. Your vet and you can determine the most appropriate moment to make the switch to the diet of your puppy.
Feeding Puppy Food
Puppy dogs require greater energy than adult dog breeds to help support their development, growth, and energy levels. Young puppies require about two times the calories of adult dogs similar in size. As your puppy grows older growing, his development slows and his caloric requirements decrease. If you continue feeding puppies food after your dog is no longer growing, it could lead to an increase in weight. The excess weight can rapidly become overweight and cause a variety of health issues.
When to Switch to Adult Food
In general, the dog breed is considered to be a puppy up to about one-year-old age. However, different breeds age at different rates. For example, a lot of large and large breeds are considered to be puppies up to two years old and have to eat puppy food until they reach the age of one. In contrast, certain smaller breeds of dogs attain adult size before they reach the 1-year mark. Your vet is the best source of information with regard to the diet of your dog and diet, so seek advice prior to making the transition to adult-sized food.
In determining the ideal timing to feed adult dogs It is important to transition to adult food at the point that the puppy ceases to grow but prior to him becoming overweight. Track the weight and height of your puppy and observe for figures to increase in a more gradual manner. Most dogs begin to attain a plateau at about one year old however, you may see a decline in growth at around 8 or 9 months of age.
Assessing Your Dog’s Weight
Take note of the fact that weight loss doesn’t necessarily mean growth. When your pet is growing weight, but not becoming bigger or taller or stronger, it is possible that he is overweight. It is possible to address the body’s situation at home by following the following steps:
-
- Move your hands across the dog’s ribcage. You should be capable of feeling the ribs are covered with a slim layer of fat. If you’re unable to easily sense the bones of the ribs then your dog might be overweight.
- Check your dog’s face at the sides. The dog should allow you to observe the upward tuck in the stomach. If your dog is overweight, you will see only a small or no tuck.
- Look up at your dog from above. There should be some slandering in the waist, just above the ribcage. If you notice a straight line or bulging running from the ribcage up to the hips is a sign of an overweight dog.
The prominent ribs and slim waist could indicate that your dog is not gaining weight. Consult your veterinarian for an exam to make certain.
In the event that your puppy is younger than one year old and is gaining weight, you might need to cut down on the size of portions and frequency at which meals are served prior to your transition to adult food. The vets suggest feeding puppies three times every day. However, puppies are able to be fed three meals daily when they are nearing adulthood.
How to Make the Diet Change
Any changes to your diet must be made gradually in order to prevent stomach upset. This can be a week or two depending on the way you approach it.
It could require some time and some research to select the best pet food for your dog which is now an adult. It is possible to stay with the same brand of food, but you should switch to a formula for adult dogs. It is possible that your veterinarian can assist you in finding the appropriate diet.
After you’ve selected an adult food for your dog, figure out the size of the adult food you’ll eventually have to feed based on your dog’s weight. After that, add an appropriate amount of adult-sized food into the puppy’s diet, and increase it by a small amount at each meal. To make it easier, you might need to establish a schedule to ensure that you’re not trying to remember the amount of each food item to feed. Many veterinarians advocate a “3 by 3” approach to switching diets “3 by 3” approach for switching diets
- Days 3 and 4 Days 1-3: Feed 1/3 portion of adult food, and 1/3 portion of the puppy’s food.
- Days 4-6 Days 4-6: Feed 1/2 portion of an adult meal and one portion of puppy food
- Days 9 – 7 Day 7: Feed 2/3 portion of the adult’s food, and 1/3 of the puppies’ food.
- Day 10 and up All day long: Eat a complete portion of food for adults.
During the transition, be aware of your dog’s appetite as well as stool movements. The transition should be slowed in the event that your dog is experiencing diarrhea and/or vomiting. If GI upset persists and persists, it may be necessary to switch to an adult diet that is different and then restart the process. Consult your veterinarian in the event that your dog has had diarrhea or vomiting for more than a few days.
Check your dog’s weight in the next few months to make sure you don’t have to change the times of your meals. Be sure to be on top of biannual or annual vet wellness checks according to the recommendations of your veterinarian.
Leave a Comment