It should be no surprise to anyone that dogs love to eat. Every time we eat something, our dogs would always be beside us sitting (or sometimes standing). Mouths mouths open and tongue out waiting for us to give them food.
Although we would give them a pinch of what we are eating, they must learn how to wait for their own mealtime.
And when we are feeding them, we usually give them either dry dog food or canned wet food. But of course, we only give those kinds of foods to our adult fur babies.
But what about the little puppies who are no longer dependent on their mother’s milk? What should be given to them? Is dog food already appropriate for their age?
When To Switch To Adult Dog Food
Well, there is no single answer that applies to all dogs. It depends on how old exactly your puppy is and its breed. But here is a general timeline of what you should feed your dogs based on their age:
- 6-12 weeks of age: Puppy foods are what should be fed for puppies at these ages. They should also be fed 4 times a day at this age. Large dog breeds should be fed unmoistened dry food when they reach 9 or 10 weeks. As for smaller dog breeds, it will take until 12-13 weeks.
- 3-6 months of age: Continue feeding them with puppy foods, but lessen their mealtime to 3 times a day.
- 6 months to 1 year: This is the time to switch to adult dog food. However, for smaller breeds of dogs, you can switch when they reach 7-10 months of age, and for larger breeds, 14 months-2 years. You should also lessen their mealtime to 2 times a day.
- 1 year and older: continue feeding them 2 times a day with adult dog food.
How Long To Keep Puppies on Puppy Food
However, some breeds of dogs take longer than others to mature, most especially larger breeds of dogs. Usually, for average-sized dogs, it takes a year for them to mature. Here is a list of how long should you feed your dog with puppy food based on its breed:
- Small breed dogs: smaller breeds dogs usually weigh around 20 pounds or less. They reach their point of maturity between 7 to 10 months of age. By then, you should switch to adult dog food
- Medium dog breeds: Average-sized dog breeds usually weigh 21 to 50 pounds. They mature in their first year. This is the right time to switch to adult dog food.
- Large dog breeds: large dog breeds take around 14 months to 2 years to fully grow and weigh around 50 to 100 pounds. It will take a longer time to switch to adult dog food for large dog breeds
But what if you have a mixed breed dog? How long should I wait before feeding it adult dog food? The best thing to do in cases like those is to consult your veterinarian.
The reason it must take time for dogs to switch foods is because of the nutrients their bodies need.
In fact, if you have any questions at all about this, consult your vet. They know your dog and what’s best for them and their health.
