As your puppy grows, you begin to wonder if it the right time to switch from puppy to adult dog food.

Puppy food is specifically formulated to contain the amount and type of nutrients needed for the growth and development of the puppies. Hence, the transition to an adult food is a must in order to facilitate the changing needs of his developed body.

However, the transition must occur at the right time so that neither is your dog deprived of the essential nutrients and the amount of food he needs to grow nor is he overfed on excess calories.

The protein and caloric requirements of puppies and adult dogs are different. Hence, you must carefully switch your puppy’s food to an adult diet at the right time to facilitate his smooth transition into adulthood without making him sick, malnourished, or over-nourished.

This article is focused on providing valuable guidelines based on different parameters to help you determine the best time to switch from puppy to adult dog food.

What is the age of your puppy?

The most appropriate time around which you can switch from puppy to adult dog food is when your pet becomes one year old.
Most dogs are able to transition off from puppy food at this age because they no longer need a high amount of calories to support their growth and development.

However, though it is a generally followed rule, you must also consider a few other parameters as discussed beneath before actually changing the food habits of your pet.

What is the weight of your puppy?

Your puppy may need to switch to adult food a few months earlier or later than his first birthday if he has been overweight or underweight, respectively.

When your dog is underweight

If your puppy has gained too much of weight as has been evident from his body size or reduced physical activities, you can switch from puppy to adult dog food one or two months earlier to his first birthday.

The excess weight gain is an indication that his body has already fully grown into adulthood and does not need a higher calorie intake to support further growth and development.

An adult food at this age will restrict his calorie intake and keep his weight within normal limits.

Does your dog appear undernourished or weak?

If your puppy’s growth has been slow, you may need to continue him on the puppy food for a few more months following his first birthday.

The higher calorie content of puppy food will support his growth and help him gain enough weight.

What is your dog’s breed?

Different dog breeds have different times when they need to switch from puppy to adult dog food as the period of growth for each breed varies.
For example, large dog breeds like great Danes and Labrador Retrievers need to be fed puppy food for an extended duration as they take a longer time to reach their full size.
On the other hand, the smaller breed dogs like Chihuahuas and tiny Yorkie can be switched to the adult dog food much earlier as they reach their full size at a younger age.

How can I determine if my puppy has matured into an adult dog before switching his food?

If you are the first-time owner of a puppy and do not have much knowledge about different breeds of dogs and their ages of maturity, you may find it difficult to determine when exactly your puppy enters the phase of adulthood. Read further to find the guidelines to help you with the same.

• Small-breed dogs that are less than 20 pounds when fully grown are often ready to transition to the adult formula at the age of 9 to 12 months.
• Medium-breed dogs that are between 20 and 50 pounds of weight when fully grown usually mature at the age of 12 to 14 months.
• Large-breed dogs that are more than 50 pounds of weight when fully grown may not be ready to switch from puppy to adult dog food until they are about 12 to 24 months old.

Is your dog skipping meals?

The food that has been left behind or vanished without a trace can provide clues to whether your puppy is ready to switch to adult dog food.

If your puppy starts skipping meals or picks at the food he otherwise devours, consider it as an indication that he is ready to make the switch to a raw or commercial adult diet.

Skipping meals is a sign that the higher calorie content in the puppy food makes him feel full even when consumed in a lesser quantity.

Keeping in mind these parameters will help you determine if your pet is ready to switch from puppy to adult dog food. Making the transition at the right time will keep your dog healthy and active and support his growth, and proper nourishment.

Author Bio:

Kathryn Brown is a freelance writer. She lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband and her pet Duke. When she's not out exploring other countries, she spends most of her time teaching others how to work remotely while her pit bull, Annabelle, lounges alongside. She's also an advocate for dogs like hers and aims to spread awareness everywhere she goes and makes the pets feel included in the new world of technology.