Puppy food to adult food, when?

6wapiti6 · 05-12-2008, 11:14 AM

The post about dog food got my attention and I didn't want to highjack that thread. My lab will be turning one this month, he's about 75 lbs and in very good shape, not overweight at all. My question is when should I get him off of the puppy food (IAMS Smart Puppy Large Breed)? He's at about 3 1/2 to 4 cups per day now, would I need to increase or decrease when I switch?
Thanks,
Matt

Texascat · 05-12-2008, 11:29 AM

I would put him on the O'l Roy diet after the first 6 months. "4 cups a day" for my hound is perfect.

Newbs · 05-12-2008, 11:43 AM

I have always stayed with a high quality puppy chow (like Iams) untill my pup stopped growing. Somewhere between 6 and 12 months depending on the breed.

If I was unsure I'd ask my Vet.

Hunt'nFish · 05-12-2008, 02:05 PM

Puppy food typically has higher nutritional content to support a growing dogs bone structure and protien needs. Even after switching off puppy food to adult food, I still stayed with a high protien dog food. Black Gold "preformance" or "super dog" was my choice. Let muscle mass and weight dictate what protien/fat content to feed.

Even a 1yr old should still be getting high protien food. Even though bone growth has almost topped out, they'll still be putting on muscle. And thier energy levels will still dictate a high energy food.

My dog Chance, gets 2 cups 3x a day. His breeding shows field trials, and he's a med/small sized high energy lab. I can't put any weight on him, so don't think I'm over feeding considering he'll eat & leave some, only to come back later to clean it up.
Even at 6 cups/day, a 40lb bag will last 1.5months.
I suppose if I saw him getting fat, I'd feel compelled to back off.
Hunt'nFish

MossyOarReelCreek · 05-12-2008, 02:19 PM

Hunt'nFish and I agree... switch to a high protein food... decrease amount and monitor weight. If the dog starts gaining.. decrease til you maintain optimum weight. Black Gold is pretty good stuff.. I switched to a no by-product dog food. Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul... or Diamond brand. $33.00 & $29.00 for 35lb & 40lb respectively. I use Innova for hunting season. It's real high in protein and fat so I can carry less and keep my dogs energy up.

MORC

Capin' Dan · 05-12-2008, 07:05 PM

We usually switch to adult at around 6 months our dogs seem to be a little stockier than the fieldy lines so we switch in an effort to keep the weight down a bit so that the rest of their body and muscle mass can keep up with bone growth. This is to possible help cut down on elbow injuries and growing pains. we read somehting about it once so have been doing it. If we have a pup that is running on the small side we may keep it on the puppy food for a while longer.

twisterme · 05-12-2008, 08:24 PM

lots of people out there talking about not putting a large breed on puppy food at all, but right on a good grade adult food (at least 24%). Idea is to have them grow a little slower.

Capin' Dan · 05-12-2008, 10:31 PM

twisterme, +1
I don't but have read about it and the reasoning behind it

BlacktailBowhunter · 05-12-2008, 10:50 PM

I always fed puppy until they were at least a year old.

Most foods are good for all life stages, because they have to be, but the puppy usually has a higher protein and fat content. Most of the other ingredients are about the same within high quality feed.

A good rule of thumb is puppy until a year old and then continue a high quality food from there.

The key difference between one food or the other is the protein and fat. As long as you are using a high quality food it is a matter of preference. I like the Nutro Max and then switch it up every now and then and go to Purina One High Performance when I have a dog doing a lot of exercise.

Just remember, if you have a couch potatoe and not a field dog, you don't need near the protein or fat. If the dog can't burn the protein and fat in their diet, they get fat and have kidney problems.

Active dogs use a lot of protein and fat like a 26% Protein 20% fat would be good for an active field dog that is getting a lot of exercise at least every other day.

An adult that stays in the kennel all day or on the couch a 21% protein 12% fat is fine, just so it isn't freezing outside and then I would just add vegetable oil at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 30 lbs of the dogs weight.

When it comes to feeding dogs, just keep their age and activity level in mind. It is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. I like to keep my dogs thin in the summer and a little heavier in the winter.

If they are in the house, keep them real thin. There is no need for the extra fat, because they don't need it to stay warm like an outside dog does.

007SPRIG · 05-13-2008, 10:45 AM

I just did the switch. Jack turned 1 in April. I mixed 50/50 puppy chow with the adult feed. As the puppy chow ran out the ratio became greater on the adult feed side. I fed my first 2 retrievers Science Diet then switched over to Iams for the next 2. I think they are both good products. A note of caution on the high protein diet. My vet told me years ago to back off on high protein feeds in the off season.

ICHTHYDEMON · 05-13-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twisterme

lots of people out there talking about not putting a large breed on puppy food at all, but right on a good grade adult food (at least 24%). Idea is to have them grow a little slower.

They actually make puppy formulas now that do exactly what you say.

I fed my Lab the Nutro controlled growth puppy food on the recommendation of the breeder.