Having a puppy is such an exciting time! There is so much to think about, and so many decisions to make. Neutering, training classes, insurance, vaccinations – and of course, the big one – diet! What you feed your puppy can have a really important role in their growth and development, so it is important to get it right. But why is puppy food different to adult food, and when should you make the transition? Show Why do puppies need different food?When a puppy is young, they are growing really rapidly – much more so than humans at the same life stage. When you think about it, humans reach their adult size by about 18 years of age. Dogs reach their adult size in 9-24 months (depending on breed). So the growth happens over a much shorter time period. The average adult human grows to approximately 25-30 times their birth weight, but the average puppy eventually grows to 40-50 times their birth weight. So, not only does the growth happen over a much shorter time scale, but it is of a greater magnitude also. With this huge and rapid growth comes the potential for things to go wrong. And, the bigger the dog, the more potential there is for issues. If dogs grow too quickly, or too slowly, or if there is an imbalance in the nutrients that are needed for correct bone growth, then it can lead to joint problems, such as hip dysplasia (where the hip joints develop incorrectly, so the “ball and socket” joint does not fit together correctly); osteochondrosis (where some of the cartilage peels away from the underlying bone) or brittle bone disease. What does puppy food have that adult food doesn’t?The 3 important factors that we need to control in a puppy’s diet are protein levels, energy levels and calcium:phosphorous ratio. Protein levels are important for muscle development. Energy levels (the amount of calories in the food) are important for overall growth. Too few calories will lead to impaired growth, but too many will lead to a growth rate that is too fast, and could predispose to joint problems or obesity. Calcium:phosphorous ratio is vitally important for correct bone development and should be between 1:1 and 1.8:1. This ratio being either too low or too high could lead to bone weakness or conformational problems. How do I know my puppy food is good enough?First, look for accreditations. A good quality, commercial puppy food should be approved by the PFMA (Pet Food Manufacturers Association) Different rules apply in other countries; but in the UK, PFMA approval is generally a mark of a properly balanced and safe diet. This is the best way to ensure your dog food is completely balanced with all the correct nutrients. It will support your puppy to grow at the correct rate and ensure that their bones develop properly. But, once they have stopped growing and are no longer a puppy – this food will then be too high in energy and will start to make them overweight. Moving from puppy food to adult dog foodSo, we are now back at the original question – when is the right time to switch your puppy from puppy food to adult food? Well, that all depends on when your puppy has reached their adult weight. This will vary from breed to breed. As a general rule, small breeds reach full growth much quicker than large breeds. Every dog will differ, and so it is important to monitor your own puppy’s growth in consultation with your vet, but as a general rule:
It is a good idea to monitor your own puppy’s growth about every 2 months or so. You can do this using a growth chart, such as those provided by the waltham institute (can be downloaded here), and discuss with your vet if there’s anything unexpected (either growing too much or too little!). It is also a good idea to check with your vet when you suspect your puppy is fully grown and you are thinking of making the transition to adult food, just to make sure that they agree! Remember that a sudden change in diet can cause an upset stomach, so it is always a good idea to change your dogs food gradually. Start by adding small amounts of the new food in with the old, and then gradually increase the ratio of new food to old over the course of a week or two. Not only does this mean your dog will be less likely to have an upset stomach, but it also increases the chances of them accepting the new food easily and liking it, as they will barely notice that their old, familiar food has changed!
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Your puppy’s diet and care will need to take into account two specific problems which affect young dogs far more than adult dogs: their delicate digestive system and their reduced immunity. A puppy has a weaker digestive system than an adult dog, particularly immediately after they’ve been weaned, and it’s easily upset by changes in environment or new foods. They need to be given a food which is the right size, shape and texture to make it easy to eat, and highly-digestible so they can get all the nutrients they need from it without it causing stomach upsets. Between the ages of four to 12 weeks, puppies enter a phase called the ‘immunity gap’. This is where their mother’s immune support, passed through her milk, is lessening but their own natural defences aren’t fully developed. During this time their diet is a key way to support this process and boost their immunity through nutrients like vitamin E. Changing from a puppy to an adult dog dietOnce your puppy reaches maturity, you can transition their diet and care so you’re making sure they get exactly what they need now they’re fully grown. Adult dogs need two meals a day, and a food which is nutritionally-balanced to give them the energy they need without too much fat. You can transition to a new food gently by introducing it slowly over a week: mix it with their puppy food, gradually increasing the percentage of new food, so your dog gets used to it.
Puppies grow and develop so quickly throughout the first phase of their life that they require specially-formulated, nutrient-rich food that contains plenty of protein and calories. Harringtons Puppy Complete is a complete pet food that can be fed to puppies from 3 weeks onwards. It’s been carefully formulated to provide wholesome nutrition for growing puppies and contains no artificial colours or flavours, no dairy, no soya and no added wheat. As well as being super tasty, it provides your pup with all the nutrients they need to grow up big and strong! As your pooch matures they won’t need as many calories or portions of food, but choosing the right time to make the switch to adult food is crucial, as switching too early can result in health problems like bone and joint abnormalities. So, when is the right time to make the change and what is the best way to go about it? Here are our top tips on how and when to transition your pup on to adult food safely. Timing is keyTransitioning to adult food should coincide with maturity, which varies amongst breeds. In general, small and medium dogs reach maturity around 9-12 months, with larger dogs maturing slower at about 12-15 months, and giant breeds even later at 18-24 months! If in doubt, it’s always best to double check with your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet, as they’ll be able to offer guidance on your specific breed. Watch for signsGrowing puppies have much higher energy needs than adult dogs - there’s just so many exciting things to see, smell and chew! - but once they’ve reached maturity, their metabolic rate slows down. Your pooch will typically give you signs when they’re ready to transition on to adult food, as their calorie-dense puppy food will have filled them up much quicker, and topped up their energy stores; so they may skip meals or leave food that they would have normally gobbled up. Keep an eye on their bowls and start to reduce the number of meals you give them when they start showing signs of being full for longer. However, if you notice that your dog has significantly lost their appetite and are not eating or drinking much at all, please pay a visit to your vet as soon as possible, as it could indicate something much more serious. Go slowYour dog’s tummy is highly sensitive and rushing the change over to adult food can lead to painful and messy digestive issues, so it’s best to introduce it into their diet gradually. Slowly mix a little of the new food in, adding a little more of the new and less of the old each day for 14 days minimum. This gives them time to adjust to the new flavours, textures and smells, whilst being gentle on their stomach. After two weeks, your dog should be fully transitioned over to their adult dog food and will have officially graduated from their puppy diet. How much food do they need?The amount of adult food you should give your dog depends on their size, breed, metabolic rate and activity level. They no longer need as much fuel for growth and development, and they’re typically much calmer than their younger-selves. As they mature, their metabolic rate will decrease, so you may need to reduce their portion sizes or decrease the amount of times you feed them in the day. Pups should be fed smaller portions more often, typically eating about three or four small meals a day, however when they transition on to adult food you should cut down to twice a day. Here at Harringtons, our range of dog foods provide a balanced, tasty meal that’s full of natural goodness and packed with plenty of minerals and vitamins. With options for puppies through to adult and even senior dogs, we’re with you every step of the way, providing delicious, nutritious food which makes for strong, healthy and happy dogs. Our recipes are tail-waggingly good, and our portion guides make it clear how much and how often you should feed your pooch! It’s important you calculate their portion sizes with any treats or snacks in mind as the calories can quickly add up, and much like us, being overweight can lead to a whole host of health problems for your pooch. Be sure they’re eating a complete, balanced diet and get plenty of exercise to stay fit and well. Wondering about how much your dog should weigh? Head over to our blog that looks at healthy dog weights for some top tips on keeping your pooch in good shape. Did you find that useful? Join our Pet Club for more exclusive content For more pet advice, why not become a member of our Pet Club today? You’ll be able to earn points, learn tips and tricks, access exclusive rewards and enjoy discounts on your favourite products! Our fantastic team includes pet lovers and nutritionists; we’ve even enlisted the expert help of Peter Wright, TV’s The Yorkshire Vet, so whatever you’re looking for, you'll find it there. |