Can Puppies Eat Adult Dog Food?

Whether you are looking for the best dry dog food for small dogs or a healthy meal for your adult furry friends, you can not deny that different dog food items target specific age brackets. Some food items are only for young pups while others are only for adult dogs. Puppies are required to intake a lot of calories, protein, and certain minerals because they are growing rapidly but those items might be missing in adult dog food. There is also a chance of indigestion or mild nausea if a puppy is having food meant for adult dogs.

What Can Puppies Eat?

There are certain dog food guidelines established by the Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) in order to be sold as “complete and balanced” dog food. You need to look for “growth and reproduction” dog food nutrient profiles if you are looking for food formulated for puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs. The “Adult maintenance” nutrient profile is for adult dogs, try not to give this kind of item to your dog. You must make sure that you have bought the right food for your dog. If there is a label of “all life stages” on a dog food label, then you can feed puppies as well as adult dogs.

What Happens If a Puppy Eats Adult Dog Food?

Puppies “can” eat the adult dog food but that doesn’t mean they “should”. Foods are differentiated as “growth and reproduction” and “adult maintenance” for a reason. Puppies need a lot of calories because they are growing fast. Adult dog food can not provide them with the nutrition they need in this early life stage. Knowing what you can feed your pup is important for people who are confused about how to raise a puppy.

What are the Differences Between Puppy and Adult Dog Food?

The differences between puppy and adult dog food are mentioned below:

• Puppies in general need higher levels of amino acids, fat, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein than adult dogs as they are in the stage of growth.

• Puppies need additional minerals and vitamins from their diet. Calcium and phosphorus are very essential for skeletal development.

• Puppies are more active than adult dogs. They lose body heat much quicker than adult dogs, which is why they require a lot of energy from highly caloric food.

When Can Puppies Eat Adult Dog Food?

Puppies usually move from “growth and reproduction” labeled food to “adult maintenance” in 9 to 15 months. Small-breed dogs generally move to adult food faster than large-breed dogs. It can take 24 months for a large breed dog to be fully grown up and switch to dog food for adults. Food items labeled as “for all life stages” are also good for puppies but to provide an adequate amount of nutrition, you should always take diets formulated specifically for puppies.