Purina Pro Plan Puppy Vs Adult

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When you bring your puppy home, you might be worried about whether or not youre giving your puppy all the love and cuddles that they deserve. Ive always said that a happy puppy is a healthy puppy! This could definitely apply toward how much affection you show your dog, but theres plenty of love languages. Show your dog that you care about them by giving them the nutrients they need with Purina Pro Plan puppy food.

You might want your new puppy to stay little forever, but eventually, theyre going to grow. In order to grow, puppies need food that helps with their development. Think about how our parents told us that we needed to drink milk and eat veggies to be healthy and strong. Puppies need food that fosters their growth and overall health too. If youre wondering which food would aid in your pups development, the Purina Pro Plan Focus puppy formula is a top pet food choice for growing pups!

Why Adult Dog Food is Important

Puppy food is nutrient rich and high in calories to support your puppy’s growth, development and high energy levels.

Continuing to feed puppy food past the point of maturity could cause him to become overweight, which can lead to other health problems.

Choose a complete and balanced adult dog food formula once your puppy reaches maturity to help him maintain his ideal body condition.

How Long to Feed Puppy Food

Puppies need a complete and balanced puppy food until they reach maturity. Although dogs who are one year or older are often considered adults, this isn’t always the case.

For dogs, adulthood depends more on breed size than their age. Because large and giant breeds take longer to mature, they need to eat puppy food longer than small- or medium-sized breeds.

Here’s how long to feed puppy food based on breed sizes:

  • Toy and Small Breed Dogs: Many toy and small breed dogs weigh less than 20 pounds at maturity and reach this size between 9 and 10 months of age.
  • Medium Dog Breeds: Medium-sized dogs weigh between 21 and 50 pounds at maturity. They tend to reach maturity around 12 months of age.
  • Large & Giant Breeds: Large breeds and giant breeds weigh between 50 and 100 pounds, respectively, and can take 18 months to 2 full years to reach maturity. They need to eat puppy food longer than small- and medium-sized breeds.

    • If you have a mixed breed dog or aren’t sure how big your dog will be at maturity, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian. They can tell you when to switch to an adult dog food and help make it a successful transition.

    “As puppies get older and reach maturity, it is important to monitor their food consumption. Leftovers in a bowl could signal that your puppy is getting full and needs less calories throughout the day. Start by offering less food per feeding and continue to monitor his body condition,” says Purina Nutritionist Karina Carbo-Johnson, MS.

    What Benefits are You Looking For?

    Once you’ve narrowed your dog food comparisons down based on the above considerations, think about your dog’s unique needs and the benefits you want to see.

    For many dogs, a general, all-purpose maintenance formula may suffice. In other cases, you may want a dog food to nutritionally support a unique need, such as weight management or athletic performance.

    FAQ

    When should I switch my puppy to adult food?

    6–12 months: Begin feeding twice daily. Spaying or neutering lowers energy requirements slightly; after the procedure, switch from nutrient-rich puppy food to adult maintenance food. Small breeds can make the switch at 7 to 9 months; bigger breeds at 12, 13, even 14 months.

    Can I give my adult dog puppy food?

    Since obesity is the most common nutrition-based issue for canines, it’s crucial adult dogs no longer eat puppy food, which can also cause orthopedic problems in older dogs. Instead, serve your best pal high-quality food formulated for adult maintenance.

    Is there a difference between large breed puppy food and regular puppy food?

    Large breed puppy foods are different from “regular” puppy foods in that they are lower in fat and calories, contain slightly lower levels of calcium and phosphorus, and have a carefully balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.

    What is the next step after Purina Pro Plan puppy food?

    If your puppy will be full grown at 12 months, you can start transitioning him to an adult formula around his first birthday. It can take 7 to 10 days to make the switch, so you’ll want to plan for that before you start.