Stop feeding puppy food?

Monday May 25th, 2009

Question:

At what age is it appropriate to stop feeding my dog puppy food and do I need to phase it out gradually?

Answer:

In general most, most dogs mature into adults at about one year of age. Large and giant breeds puppies initially grow more slowly and are considered adults by 18-24 months of age. Wean your puppy gradually over a period of two to three weeks onto her new diet. Dogs of all ages need a balanced, high quality, natural diet that agrees with them no matter how old they are.

Instead of focusing on a puppy, adult, or senior diet as dictated by the pet food industry, I recommend feeding your dogs a high-quality, balanced and natural, organic or homemade diet--regardless of age. Provide them with the extra nutrients they need in the form of a good vitamin-mineral supplement, which offers longevity and wellness benefits for your dog that last a lifetime.

Carol Osborne is a veterinarian and the author of Naturally Healthy Dogs.

Tags Dog Ages & Dog Stages, Feeding A Puppy, Puppies

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