At what age should I switch from Puppy food to Adult?

[Spiritwind]

I've never fed puppy food to my dogs very long at all... MAYBE to around 3 months of age they might get a good quality puppy food... or when weaning a litter, but usually by 3 months of age they are switched to a good quality adult food - which is Canidae. I tell the owners when they are taking their puppy home the samething as well. I usually don't let puppies (pet or show) go till atleast 12wks of age anyway, so they are typically already on adult food, but I tell them to keep feeding a good quality adult food (canidae if possible), don't put them on puppy food.

I have Collies of course, as adults usually weighing between 55-75lbs, so I don't want them to grow to fast and get to gangly looking.


Janna

[shihtzulover850]

I think one year. That is about when we switched snuggles. She is a shih tzu though

[MomOf7]

Looks like you have a lab...Labs start major growing spurts at 6mo I would switch to a large breed quality dog food. I use Nutro Natural chicken.
What happens is labs have a tenacy to grow too fast on puppy food and have joint and ligament problems. I would also keep his exercise minimal or at least no more than usual. Try swimming as its low impact and really builds some nice muscles on the front and back end. Swimming makes for a strong lab with endurance.

[Zipsmybaby]

I agree with Kblaiz, when feeding a food formulated for a large breed puppy it will have lower amounts of protein and fat as well as a lower calcium and phosphorus ratio but still have the calories to meet the needs of a growing puppy. If feeding a formula for breed size they usally recommend one year of puppy food unless they are giant breeds then two years.