Puppy Food to Adult Food

[manda99]

For those of you who have had your dog(s) since they were puppies - when did you switch to Adult Dog Food?

Smokey is 6 months old and I just bought a new bag of Puppy food last week (it'll last about a month). The guy at the store suggested I switch him to Adult food on the next bag because he may get fat if I keep him on the puppy food. (I feed him Natural Blend. One day when I'm rich I'd like to try the BARF diet.)
He doesn't get an enormous amount of exersice...
Free to run in a pretty good sized yard all day and then usually about a 40-60 minute walk several days a week and some hard games of fetch at the park occasionally. (Oh and of course, running laps around the house at lightspeed several times a day! )

He doesn't look overweight now, but he's still a puppy so he's still got a little roundness to him.

I guess I should really ask the vet but if anyone has any opinions or experience... share, please.

Thanks in advance.
manda99

[Cincy'sMom]

I never really was told when we should switch food. We got Cincy when Sadie almost a year old, so we left Sadie on the puppy food. We had Sadie on large breed forumula at the time and the bag said to keep them on it til they were 18 mos. old. Cincy couldn't handle chicken products, so they both went to puppy lamb and rice. I don't remember exactly how old they each were when I switched them over, but I would say Cincy was about 7 mos and Sadie anout 18 mos. I don't know if it had anything to do with the timing of switiching or not, but Sadie is super skinny and Cincy is a little hunk-a-chunk. Personally, I think it is more the genetics (Sadie is Lab/Dalmation, built like a Dal and Cincy is lab/beagle and built stockier) and appetite.(Cincy will steal Sadie's food if she walks away from it for too long!)

Like you said,I would ask your vet or a breeder. They will have a better answer specific your dog.

[KYS]

I have heard different theory's.
I heard for "large" breed dogs, it is best to
take them off puppy food sooner so their
bones do not grow to fast.
I took Sheba and Rocky off puppy food some
where around 10-11 months.
Today they make a puppy food especially
formulated for large breed dogs. : )

[RockyRoad]

Well, a puppy is usually considered an adult dog when it is 1-2 years old. I think it may be about time for adult food. Your dog will become fat if you don't change to a healthier puppy food or to an adult food. He mat not look fat now, but he will. Be careful about changing dog foods, dogs can get sick when you change its food. If you keep him on the puppy food, change it when he is about 11 months old. I have been keeping Lady on Pedigree Dog Food since she was 11 months old. Before that I gave her Pedigree Puppy Food. By the way, about the exercise thing, you can have your dog get more exercise by training him or having a trainer come and teach him how to play fetch. You can also teach him many other outdoor games that will keep him active. With healthy food and lots of exersise, your puppy will stay in great shape!

[Andie]

Both Bull and Katie eat Science Diet.

It said on the puppy food that it was for _ weeks to 12 months. So I switched Bull last month (Aug) not that it mattered that much since Bull always ate Katie's food and Katie always ate Bull's (much to my displeasure). Lol

[anna_66]

and our vet, and the bag both say to switch from puppy food to adult at 1 yr, though it may be different for your dog and the type of food you use.

P.S. I looked on the Natural Blend website and it says:

See your veterinarian for information on when to switch to Natural Blend Adult Formula.

[Crikit]

I switched Smudge over to adult food whe he was just over a year old and Winter got placed on adult food as soon as I got her which was at 11 mnths, they eat different foods now because Winter can't handle high protein it trashes her coat and Smudge needs a reduced fat food because well he's a pig. But I think most vets or trainers suggest around a year is a good time to change the food...at least that's what the ones I've talked to say. What you might want to do is phone your vet up and ask them what they think or get they're advise as to when you should change...because people in the pet stores don't always know everything aboout the situation and can't give a proper opinion without it.

[pupper-lover]

I have always been told by our vet, to switch to adult food at about a year old. Puppy food has more protein than adult food and will not hurt a young dog, even if feed after 1 year. It should not be feed to a senior, as their systems can't handle it.

Changing foods should be a gradual process. Start by mixing a 1/4 new food with the puppy food for a few days. Then switch to 1/2 adult and 1/2 puppy food. Then 3/4 adult food. Work your way up to all adult food. Your dog's system will adjust more easily to the food change, if done gradually.

I'm not sure what type of dog Smokey is, but keep in mind that larger dogs generally take longer to grow to their adult size. They may need the extra nutrients of puppy food longer. Buying food that is specifically for small breeds, large breeds, etc. will help ensure that your dog gets the nutrients they need. My dogs are both large, young, and active, so I buy food That claims joint protection, etc.

[ChrisAK]

We changed Rio's diet at 2 years. Being he was (is) a very active pup and with us living in AK at the time, his puppy food suited his dietary needs. It wasn't uncommon for us to take 7 miles walks (we called it around the corner) any given day, so the proteins and nutrients he needed to sustain in the cooler climate were higher in his puppy food. Once he settled somewhat and decided he did not like the walk around the block (too many big cats and bears for him) we transitioned him to his adult formula.

One thing that is rarely considered is climate. The colder the climate the more the body tends to burn, requiring one to want to eat more. The same with the storage factor. When it got into the really cold months we cut down his food quantities along with the activity level. Where we were at, it was common to have temperatures in 30 below with the wind chill factor. This is considerably dangerous as it only takes a few minutes for your lungs to freeze if you do not have proper facial cover (which dogs don't).

So if you make a drastic move in climate consider this factor in your pet'd dietary needs.

Remember all pets react differently to changes and no 2 are exactly the same.

[manda99]

Originally posted by ChrisAK

So if you make a drastic move in climate consider this factor in your pet'd dietary needs.

That's interesting that you say that because I hadn't thought about it. I will be moving from San Diego to NYC in a few [COLD!] months so I'll be sure to talk about this w/ the vet, too.
Thanks!

[lovemymaltese]

Yeah I would just talk to your vet. Tango has just started taking senior food because my little baby will be 9 years old in a few months. They grow up so fast!