This is such an important question, because determining when to switch your dog from a puppy food to an adult food will impact their overall health .  When they are puppies, it is important to give them puppy food, as it is formulated for optimal growth and development.  However, as they reach their maturity, their nutritional needs change, leading to the need to transition them to an adult formula form optimal health.

It can be challenging for an owner to determine the right time to transition their pet to adult food.  While your veterinarian can help to determine the optimal time for your specific pet, here are some guidelines based on size of dog.

Small breed dogs whose adult weight is under 20 lbs, can generally transition over to adult food around 10-12 months of age.  Medium breed dogs whose adult weight is from 20-50 lbs can usually transition to adult food at 1-year of age.  Large and Giant breed dogs whose adult weight can be above 50-150 lbs should generally wait until 1.5-2 years of age to transition to adult food.

Any time you are changing your pet’s diet, it is recommended to transition them slowly from the old food to the new food over a 5-7 day period in order to prevent any upset stomach and watch for any allergy to the new food.

Again, these are just some general guidelines.  For a specific recommendation for your pet, you can always ask your veterinarian.  That’s what we are here for!