How long to feed puppy food

W

wllmsjs615

Forums Regular
I am new to this forum but would like to ask a feeding question. When I got my new boy Rio, my breeder said to only feed him puppy food till he was four months old or he will get to big. I know he will be on the bigger side anyways but that's just more of him for me to love. I don't want him unhealthy big though. Is this a new feeding guideline to only feed puppy food till 4 months or should I feed him puppy food till 1 year. I find mixed thoughts on this on the internet. Some say to high of a calcium intake for to long makes theirs bones grow to fast. Please advise on this issue. We have one month till he is 4 months old.
 
So I just got my boy back from getting his distemper shot. At 11 weeks he is 12lbs 4 oz of fuzz. He is about 11 inches tall. We will continue to feed puppy food for a year as I feel this is best after reading all your comments. Thanks so much for your input.
 
Hi, Congratulations on your new addition!

You will receive quite a variety of answers to your question.

In the wild most mothers begin weaning at around 6 weeks and few puppies are still nursing at 10 weeks. In the wild they would then have the same diet as their moms. Commercial dog food is relatively new (http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/2004/09/history-of-dog-food.html) when compared to how long dogs have been domesticated (http://phys.org/news/2013-05-dogs-domesticated-earlier-thought.html).

After reading about different foods at the Pet Food Advisor (great resource: http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com) and discussing nutrition with my vet I decided to go with an All Life Stages kibble and selected Orijen. They have all done great on it.

However, each dog is different and some have more sensitive digestive systems than others.

Many members feed raw and their dogs are thriving.

Many members started with a puppy food and gradually moved to adult and their dogs are thriving.

My best advice - do some research and talk to your vet. If you are changing foods make sure the transition is slow.

Again, congratulations!!!

Kimberly

PS - we love pictures :smile2:
 
I feed ALL my dogs puppy food until they are 12 months old. To me 4 months is WAY to early. I'm guessing your not showing him in conformation, if so why dose he need to stay in size? I've said this before and I'll say it again, if your dog is going to be big he'll be big. Some switch food at 6 months, I still don't like it but, for me personally, that would be more expectable that 4.

Congrats and good luck with your new puppy!
 
Don't talk to your vet. Most vets know little about nutrition - truly (with the exception of our vets here on the forum, of course).

I also discount what your breeder said. Staying On puppy food won't make the bones bigger and longer, but it will make them stronger and healthier. Higher fat and proteins. They need the extra to grow. The higher fat might make them gain weight eventually, which generally means you are feeding too much or not enough exercise.

I generally recommend 10 to 12 months. Longer for bigger dogs as they grow right past 12 months. Small breeds generally mature faster

You can switch anytime to an all life stage food, but check that the fat and protein is high enough while the dog is young. A lot of the grain free foods are all life stage. The only I know that comes in puppy, adult and senior is Now.
 
Dickens at ten months is still getting the food he got as a pup, but it's a good quality food that's designed for older dogs as well. As he's grown I haven't cut back on the amount, but haven't increased it either, and I give him a modest ration of raw meat daily. He seems to be doing very well on it, and I think he'll grow out to his natural size without getting overweight. For treats he gets homemade "Sheltie Jerky" (made with lean beef) and a pork rind every now and then--enough to make him think he's getting something, but not enough to add appreciable calories.

All of this is planned and controlled. Hard experience has taught me not to use a dog as a garbage disposal system!
 
Angus is now just over 11 months, and I am finishing up the last of his puppy food.....starting to just mix in the adult now. (He will be 1 year August 5th). I have too always fed my pups to 11-12 months of age on the puppy food and never had a problem.


as a side note.....I wish it would have made him grow!:lol::lol::lol: He is a true shrimp! But I love him anyways!
 
We transition the dogs from puppy food to adult food gradually at six months. Shelties tend to gain weight easily, and puppy food can contribute to that. We also eliminate the lunch feeding at six months and start feeding just breakfast and dinner.

Feeding puppy food won't affect how big he gets, but it will affect how heavy he gets.

Some breeders don't feed puppy food at all, but I think puppies need the extra nutrition until they're six months old. It's fine to feed it longer if you like, but I wouldn't go longer than 12 months.

Good luck with your boy!
 
Ann said:
We transition the dogs from puppy food to adult food gradually at six months. Shelties tend to gain weight easily, and puppy food can contribute to that. We also eliminate the lunch feeding at six months and start feeding just breakfast and dinner.

Feeding puppy food won't affect how big he gets, but it will affect how heavy he gets.

Some breeders don't feed puppy food at all, but I think puppies need the extra nutrition until they're six months old. It's fine to feed it longer if you like, but I wouldn't go longer than 12 months.

Good luck with your boy!
Click to expand...
yup I switched my last group over at I think around 5 months..simply because I ran out of puppy food...typically I switch around 5-6 months to regular dog food...although I also judge it on the individual puppy..some need the higher fat/protein levels and some can do without and need puppy weight watchers! Heck Six at 3 years old can still probably use the puppy kibble for added weight as hes a skinny minnie, where Twinkie whos 8 months old is like a solid tank(she takes after her sire)!
 
I will be keeping Laddie on puppy food for an entire year, once he reaches his year birthday, then I will swing in to adult food by the same brand. I use Nutro, Natural choice, he loves it and it is a good brand of healthy food.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top