When to change from puppy to adult food?

The moment a puppy comes into the home, whether it's a dog or a cat, it's time to learn what its diet should be like.

One thing to keep in mind is that your dog's diet will vary depending on his age . As he grows older, we'll need to adapt the type of food we feed him according to his life stage: puppy, adult, or senior.

As a starting point, it's worth noting that at Arquivet we always recommend feeding your pet natural food , as it will benefit your pet in every way, not only providing the nutrients they need and a balanced diet, but also helping to increase their life expectancy as much as possible. Of course, diet isn't the only factor that affects longevity, but it is one of the key points to consider.

Benefits of a natural diet

Just as healthy eating is beneficial for people, there are also many advantages to providing natural food for cats or dogs. Some of these are:

• Weight control: Natural food for dogs—and cats too—is made with ingredients that are typically high quality and naturally sourced. This will help them get all the nutrients they need in a balanced and proportional way, thus avoiding overfeeding and, therefore, the likelihood of becoming overweight.
• Health care: It helps maintain your physical fitness by preventing the onset of certain diseases. It will also be very beneficial for your digestive cycle, your skin, and your coat, which will look shinier and stronger.
• Dental care: Natural food is a perfect ally for reducing tartar and plaque buildup on our pets' teeth, especially dry food, which promotes a kind of brushing process while the animal eats.
• Improves the immune system: When we feed our furry friend correctly and with quality food, we promote their health and, consequently, their immune system. A good diet will help prevent many diseases.
• Happiness: Our pet will be more active, as this type of diet will help them have all the energy they need. Natural food, along with plenty of pampering and regular exercise, will be the perfect recipe for a life full of happiness.

What is the difference between puppy and adult food?

At first glance, the main difference will be the size of the kibble . This is smaller in puppy food, as this will prevent choking.

On the other hand, and looking at the composition of the food in more detail, puppy food generally has more calories, since during the first months of a dog's and cat's life, calorie expenditure and energy requirements are greater. This is even more true for larger breeds.

In this sense, puppy food will have ingredients that provide more energy . You'll normally find more protein and fat than in adult dog food, as this will promote strong muscle and joint growth.

It will also be important for them to incorporate a significant vitamin-mineral balance, as this will strengthen the immune system, promoting the protective barriers of the skin, hair, and mucous membranes.

Therefore, the best puppy food will be one that has a high level of protein and fat for proper development and provides all the minerals and vitamins necessary for a strong and healthy immune system, thus enjoying good health.

When should I change from puppy to adult food?

Something to keep in mind is the amount of food that each type of animal and breed requires, since depending on this, they will need more or less food for their proper development.

Regardless of the above, the change from puppy to adult food can be done depending on the size of the breed:

• Small breeds: Their development and growth is faster than that of larger dogs. Puppies typically stop growing around 9-12 months, at which point we can switch to a different food and reduce feedings.
• Medium breeds: Dogs such as German Shepherds stop growing at around 12-15 months of age, at which point we can change their diet.
• Large breeds: All large breeds take longer to develop. In these cases, a change in food should not be made until 18-24 months of age.

However, it's best to consult a veterinarian, as each dog's case is unique, and these guidelines only serve as a general idea of ​​what we could do.

In addition to dry food, there are other types of food, such as wet food, that can be considered when feeding our furry friend. This type of food is also age-appropriate, and consequently, canine health professionals have developed recipes to provide everything our dog needs for their daily life.