When Should A Lab Puppy Switch To Adult Food

You should switch to an adult dog food when your puppy is anywhere from 18 months to 24 months old. Large or giant breed puppies take a little longer to reach maturity, and many of them are still growing until they turn two years old.

When should a lab puppy switch to adult food. Spaying or neutering usually occurs at this age as well, lowering your dog’s need for increased energy; hence a reason to switch from puppy to adult dog food. Breed size matters. Switching to adult food coincides with maturity, but due to the large variety of breeds, different dogs mature at different rates. When Should You Switch from Puppy Food to Adult Food? The short answer is: It’s complicated. Most vets agree it should be done somewhere between 6 months and 24 months of age, but that’s a big window! The long answer is more nuanced, and it has everything to do with your dog as an individual. This is why it is important to switch from puppy food to adult dog food at the appropriate time. Switching the Food. Because a switch in food can sometimes cause stomach upset or even allergies, you should always make sure that the transition is a slow and gradual process. The best way to do this is to work in the adult food over a four day period. An immediate change in food can be a burden on their stomachs. Once you are nearing the end of the puppy chow and you have purchased the adult dog food, start to mix in the adult food with the puppy food. For example: if you give your puppy 4 scoops of puppy chow start with 1 scoop adult 3 scoops puppy chow.

When puppies have reached approximately 80% of their expected adult size, they can usually be switched to an adult dog food. This happens at different times for different individuals. Extremely small dogs (e.g., Chihuahuas, Miniature Pinschers, and Toy Poodles) reach this point first, usually at around 9 or 10 months of age. If you’re going to switch to a different puppy food, you should do so gradually over five-to-seven days. Guidelines To Minimizing Upset Stomach In Your Puppy. Photo: Vicky TH/Flickr. Most puppy food packaging will tell you to continue feeding the pup on the food for a year before switching to an adult formula. But, most people agree, that the switch should happen much earlier at four months whilst others say puppies should be fed on a good quality adult food right from the start. The proper time to switch from puppy food to adult dog food is a common concern. Some recommendations are to switch your pup to adult food when he is 1 year old. However, dogs grow at different rates according to their breed. Puppy Food.

When switching your puppy to a new food, it's important to make the transition gradually to avoid causing digestive upset. Start by mixing the puppy food with a small amount of the adult food, and over the course of the week, gradually increase the amount of adult food while decreasing the amount of puppy food. If you have any questions about how much you should feed your puppy, talk with your veterinary care team. They’re your best resource for knowing when to switch your puppy to adult food. Adults Age 1 year to 6-8 years. Two of the most common questions puppy parents have are how long to feed puppy food, and when to switch to adult dog food. If your puppy is approaching his peak adult height and weight, you may be wondering when to switch to adult dog food. It can be hard to determine when your dog hits adulthood by looks alone. In fact, some large breed puppies may look full size even though they’re still growing! Consider the following factors when deciding to switch your puppy’s food to adult food, and why it’s so important to time it properly. ADVERTISEMENT. Your Dog’s Age. As you’ve clearly seen, your puppy grows fast in his first year of life. He needs food that is designed specifically to support that rapid growth and development.

Because puppy food is formulated to provide nourishment and calories to rapidly growing bodies, it's not suitable for adult maintenance. Making the switch doesn't have be complicated, though. Keep factors such as your dog's size, age and growth patterns in mind and, if in doubt, talk to your vet. Puppy food should also be higher in calories than adult food to compensate for the energy puppies expend by growing and playing. About half of the calories they consume are spent on tissue growth and development. You should consult your veterinarian to determine a healthy food for your growing puppy. You’ll also find out how much to feed your Lab puppy and how often to feed. Together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Finally, the article will include some reviews of the various brands, and will help you cope with the all-important transition to adult food. The change of dog food from puppy to adult must be done at the end of the dog's development and growth. Thus, your puppy's breed plays a crucial role, since each one develops at a different time. 2. Small breeds, such as Chihuahuas or Yorkshire terriers, reach maturity long before the larger breeds.