At what age should a dog switch from puppy food?

You should feed puppy food until your puppy reaches maturity. When he is old enough, you can feed him adult dog food.

However, since not all breeds mature at the same age, it can be challenging to determine when to switch.

When to Switch Puppy to Adult Food

You can choose when to switch to adult food once you know when your puppy will mature.

Around the time of his first birthday, if your puppy will be fully grown at 12 months, you can begin weaning him onto an adult formula. You should prepare for the switch taking between 7 and 10 days before you begin.

Based on your dog’s individual requirements, your veterinarian can advise you when it’s best to start feeding adult food to your dog. It’s critical that adult dogs stop eating puppy food because it can lead to orthopedic issues in older dogs, and obesity is the most prevalent nutrition-related problem for canines. Serve your best friend high-quality, adult-maintenance food instead.

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How Long to Feed Puppy Food

Puppy food must be complete and balanced until it is time for it to reach adulthood. Although adult dogs are typically those who are one year or older, this isn’t always the case.

When it comes to dogs, breed size determines adulthood more so than age. Large and giant breeds require more puppy food than small- or medium-sized breeds because they mature more slowly.

According to breed sizes, here is how long to feed puppy food:

Toy and Small Breed Dogs: Many toy and small breed dogs weigh less than 20 pounds at maturity and reach this size between 9 and 10 months of age.

Medium Dog Breeds: Medium-sized dogs weigh between 21 and 50 pounds at maturity. They tend to reach maturity around 12 months of age.

Large & Giant Breeds: Large breeds and giant breeds weigh between 50 and 100 pounds, respectively, and can take 18 months to 2 full years to reach maturity. They need to eat puppy food longer than small- and medium-sized breeds.

It is best to speak with your veterinarian if you have a mixed-breed dog or are unsure of how big your dog will be when it is fully grown. They can advise you when to switch to an adult dog food and assist you in making the transition smoothly.

“It’s crucial to keep an eye on puppies’ food intake as they grow older and mature.” The presence of leftovers in a bowl may indicate that your puppy is becoming satiated and requires fewer calories throughout the day. Begin by feeding him less frequently, and keep an eye on his physical condition, advises Purina Nutritionist Karina Carbo-Johnson, MS.