Proper nutrition is an important part of caring for puppies and adult dogs. Most owners know that puppies need specially prepared food for growth and development. However, many owners have a hard time determining when it is appropriate to switch to adult dog food. This is because there are no rules that apply to all dogs. Different dogs grow at different rates. You and your veterinarian can estimate the best time to change your puppy’s diet.

Feed the Puppy Food

Puppies need more calories than adult dogs to support their growth, development, and high energy levels. Puppies need about twice as many calories as an adult dog of the same size. As your puppy approaches adulthood, his growth begins to slow down and his caloric needs decrease. If your dog continues to feed puppies food after it has stopped growing, it will lead to weight gain. Being overweight can quickly turn into obesity, which can lead to a range of health problems.

When to Switch to Adult Foods

Generally, dogs are considered puppies until they are about one year old. However, different breeds have different rates of aging. For example, many large and giant dogs are considered puppies until they are two years old or older, so they still need to continue to consume puppy food after one year of age. Conversely, some small dog breeds reach adult size before the age of one. Your veterinarian is the best source of information when it comes to your dog’s diet, so ask for advice before switching to adult food.

When deciding the right time to feed adult dog food, aim to switch to dog food before the puppy stops growing but starts to gain weight. Keep track of your puppy’s weight and height and look for numbers to increase at a slower rate. Most dogs will begin to reach a steady level around the age of one, but you may notice that growth begins to slow as early as eight or nine months of age.

Assess Your Dog’s Weight

Note that weight gain is not necessarily indicative of growth. If your dog is gaining weight but not getting taller or gaining muscle, then it may be overweight. Here are a few steps you can take to address your dog’s condition at home:

• Stroke your dog’s ribcage with your hand. You should be able to feel a thin layer of fat covering your ribs. If you can’t easily touch the ribs, your dog may be overweight.
• Look at your dog from the side. You should be able to see your abdomen tucked upwards. Overweight dogs have few or no folds.
• Observe your dog from above. There should be some narrowing at the waist just past the ribcage. A straight or bulging line from the ribcage to the buttocks indicates that the dog is overweight.

A very prominent rib cage and a very small waist can mean that your dog is underweight. Visit your veterinarian for a check-up to be sure.

If your dog is less than a year old and seems to be gaining weight, you may need to simply reduce the portion size or frequency of meals before switching to adult food. Veterinarians recommend feeding puppies three times a day. However, most puppies are able to eat daily as they approach adulthood.

How to Change Diet

Any dietary changes should be made gradually to avoid gastrointestinal upset. This process can take anywhere from one to two weeks, depending on how you do it.

It may take some time and research to choose the right food for your now adult dog. You may want to stick with the same brand of food, but switch to adult formula. Of course, your veterinarian can help you find the right diet.

Once you’ve chosen adult dog food, determine the portion size of adult dog food you’ll eventually need to feed based on your dog’s current weight. Then, add a small portion of the adult dog food to the puppy food, adding a little with each meal. For simplicity, you may want to create a schedule so you don’t have to remember how much to feed each food. Many veterinary professionals recommend a “3×3” approach when making changes to your diet:

• Days 1-3: Feed 1/3 of the adult dog food and 2/3 of the puppy food
• Days 4-6: Feed 1/2 portion of adult dog food and 1/2 portion of puppy food
• Days 7-9: Feed 2/3 of the adult dog food and 1/3 of the puppy food
• Day 10 and beyond: Feed all adults with food

During the transition, observe your dog’s appetite and bowel movements. If your dog is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, slow down the transition. If gastrointestinal discomfort persists, you may need to choose a different adult diet and start the transition all over again. If your dog vomits or has diarrhea for more than a day, contact your veterinarian.

Observe your dog’s weight over the next few months to make sure you don’t need to adjust portion timing. Also, be sure to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for an annual or biennial veterinary health check-up.