Is Puppy Food Bad For Adult Dogs

What Is Adult Dog Food

Food that feeds an adult dog, obviously. Less obvious is the millions of dog food brands out there, with the billions of dog food varieties they have. If youve ever wandered throughout the dog food aisle of a pet store youve probably seen just how much variety is out there.

Adult dog food can come in so many forms, from your bog-standard all-life-stages grub to kibble catered to different breeds, health conditions, dietary needs and more.

All dog food needs to fulfil the nutrient requirements set out by AAFCO to call their food a complete and balanced diet.

While it may sound weird to bring up an American org when talking about Aussie dog food, its because by-and-large AAFCO has the most thorough and well-researched guidelines on what a dog needs to eat to survive. Theyve determined how much of each nutrient a dog can safely have, what the bare minimum is, and what happens if these nutrient guidelines arent followed.

All Scratch recipes exceed the minimum standards for puppy and adult dog food.

An Upset Tummy Is No Treat

Because puppy food has a higher fat and protein content than adult dog food, it’s more palatable to dogs of all ages. Unfortunately, giving it occasionally to your adult pooch as a treat could result in some gastrointestinal distress for Fido. New foods of any kind can trigger some tummy upset in your pooch, especially high-fat ones like puppy food. Your pooch may also have a food allergy or intolerance and react badly to an ingredient in the puppy food. If he continues to react to an adult dog food containing similar ingredients to the puppy food, consult your vet about putting Fido on a hypoallergenic diet.

Can You Feed An Older Dog Puppy Food

24th June, 2021

Your beloved adult dog is now attaining senior status, and you’re thinking about transitioning them to their own age-appropriate diet.

But wait! Your home life has just been joyously turned upside down with the arrival of a beautiful, playful puppy. He or she has bags of energy and curiosity and also his or her own very specific nutritional needs.

The temptation may be to avoid the hassle of buying two separate lots of dog food, and to simply feed your adult dog the same puppy mix you’re giving the little one. He loves it, after all so why wouldn’t his big brother?

But is this a good idea? Let’s take a closer look at the dietary needs of your senior dog and whether or not puppy food could work for them.

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What About Foods For All Life Stages Are They Safe For Puppies

In addition to foods that are labelled as being appropriate for growth and reproduction or adult maintenance,you may also see foods bearing a label that indicates they are appropriate for all life stages.

These foods are appropriate for most healthy dogs , so you can go ahead and feed them to your puppy.

These foods are designed to meet the requirements for growth and reproduction and adult maintenance. But because the nutritional requirements for puppy foods exceed those of typical adult foods, it means these are essentially puppy food.

Because they have higher protein and fat content than many adult foods, you will want to keep an eye on the body weight of adult dogs fed such recipes.

But as long as your pooch stays nice and svelte, theyre fine for adults too. This extra protein also makes puppy food or all life stages food a great dog food for weight gain if youre trying to get a thin dog to a healthier weight.

Zignature Zssential Formula Dry Dog Food 4 Lbs

Product Details

Zssential Multi-Source Protein recipe is made from Turkey and Turkey Meal from the American Midwest, Salmon from the Northwest, Duck Meal from France, and Lamb Meal from New Zealand.Zssential is exceptionally high in protein, low in saturated fat, and is loaded with heart-friendly essential Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Vitamin B12 and Selenium, while being a good source of Riboflavin, Thiamin, Niacin and Phosphorus.

Physiologically Tuned, limited ingredient premium food for dogs.Hypo-allergenic meat first recipe, with no Corn, Wheat, Soy, Dairy or Chicken, Chicken Eggs or Chicken By-Products.

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Can Adult Dogs Eat Puppy Food

Short answer yes, but they probably shouldnt. Puppy foods are specifically designed to accommodate growth. Once your dog has reached adulthood, the only way a puppy food will help them grow is out.

Obesity is already a big problem for pets, so feeding a high-calorie food, like puppy food, to a dog that doesnt use those calories willlead to unwanted weight gain.

Is puppy food bad for adult dogs? This is not to say that puppy food is never recommended for adult dogs. Under special circumstances, and with a vet’s recommendation, puppy foods can be fed to adult dogs temporarily. Here are a few situations that might warrant feeding puppy food:

• Pregnancy/weaning – pregnant and nursing dogs are giving most of their calories and nutrients to their pups. Puppy food is a great way to ensure that mom is getting enough of the right nutrients until the pups are done being weaned.

• Underweight in some cases of severe weight loss caused by starvation or illness, your vet might recommend feeding a calorie-dense diet like puppy food to help get more calories in smaller portions. This will allow your skinny dog to build muscle faster.
• High energy Some breeds have a need for speed and a typical diet just cant meet their energy needs. To maintain muscle and energy, a puppy formula might help to keep them energized and strong.

Outside of the above special cases, puppy food vs adult food for an adult dog full-time isnt recommended.

When Can Puppies Eat Adult Dog Food

Once they are weaned off their mothers milk, puppies should be fed a calorie-rich puppy food containing the right balance of nutrients for healthy growth and development. If puppies are given regular dog food, they may not develop properly.

When your puppy reaches adulthood, you can make the switch to adult dog food. This could be anywhere from around 9 months to 24 months, depending on their size and breed, so always check with a vet first.

Be aware that puppy food has a much higher calorie content than adult dog food, and if you continue to feed your dog puppy food after they have matured, they may quickly gain weight. You should weigh your puppy regularly to check how they measure up against breed guidelines and take them to the vet if you are concerned about their weight.

There are also different levels of essential nutrients in puppy food, which is higher in things like calcium. Continuing to feed an adult dog puppy food could result in adverse health effects, so make sure you change their diet accordingly. When in doubt, always ask a vet for advice.

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Fish And Pork Recipe Adult Dogs Should Eat Dog Food With Calcium Supplements

Pork is a great addition to your dogs diet of raw foods. Pork is quickly absorbed and has a lot of advantages. Meat raised on pasture has more omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins, such as vitamin E, than meat raised in factories.

However, because of the significant omega-6 fatty acid concentration of pork, designing a diet that includes it might be difficult. You should eat seafood to help counteract the fats.

Koha Limited Ingredient Diet Pork Entre With Squash For Dogs 13 Oz

• Single Meat 90% Lamb Exclusive of Water
• No Carb-loaded Fillers or Preservatives
• New Zealand Green Mussel Promotes Joint Health

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Product Details

Koha Dog Limited Ingredient Pork Entree 369 g Description Pork dog food For adult dogs, especially those with stomach or skin sensitivities.KOHA Limited Ingredient Entrées are ideal for elimination diets and rotational feeding.

Single animal protein 90% Pork exclusive of water Delicious taste Ingredients Pork, Water Sufficient For Processing, Squash, Chickpeas, Tricalcium Phosphate, Ground Flaxseed, Sunflower Oil, Agar Agar, New Zealand Green Mussel, Pumpkin, Potassium Chloride, Blueberries, Choline Chloride, Salt, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Cobalt Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.

) 9.5%Crude Fat: 3.0%Crude Fiber: 1.5%Moisture: 82.0%.CALORIE CONTENT: 939 Kcal/Kg, 346 Kcal/Can.LID 90%.

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How Much To Feed A Senior Dog

Golden oldies need to eat even less than their middle-aged counterparts. Like people, a dogs metabolism gets slower as they age. Theyll need less food to function, burn less calories as they once did, and gain weight more easily.

When your dog reaches senior status its essential to cut back their calories again. Being overweight isnt ideal for any dog, but for seniors prone to joint and ligament issues its even more harmful.

Goal: Ease A Senior Dogs Joint Pain

Challenge: A bouncing puppy has lots of healthy cartilage to protect their joints as they jump, race, and play the days away. Time puts wear and tear on a dogs cartilage, and aging makes it harder for your dogs body to repair or build that cartilage.

Solution: A boost in collagen can help joint health by supporting cartilage. How do you get it into your dogs diet? Forget powders and pills choose a meat-forward food that gives your dog collagen naturally. See how your senior dog responds when you open up a batch of our slow-cooked meat stewing in naturally collagen-rich gravy. Yummers!

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Health Extension Little Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food 30 Lbs

Product Details

Specially formulated for teacup, toy and miniature breed puppies and adult dogs, its made with organic, free-range chicken as the first ingredient, plus wholesome ingredients like brown rice, flaxseeds, and lamb.

Plus, it has probiotics for tummy health and kelp for a balanced blend of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.The hypoallergenic, anti-hypoglycemic formula is made with no added sugar and never any gluten, corn, wheat, soy, by-products, artificial preservatives or colors.

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Zignature Limited Ingredient Pork Formula Dry Dog Food 4

Product Details

Pork is a healthy alternative to other meats.Pork is mostly made up of protein.The protein content of lean, cooked pork is around 26% by fresh weight.By dry weight, the protein content of lean pork can be as high as 89%, making it one of the richest dietary sources of protein.

In fact, pork is one of the most complete dietary sources of protein.Pork is a rich source of many different vitamins and minerals.Unlike other meats, pork is ultimately rich in thiamine.Thiamin is one of the B-vitamins and plays an essential role in various body functions.

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Can Puppies Eat Adult Dog Food

While it is not recommended to feed puppies adult dog food on a regular basis, they can eat it on occasion without any harm.

The main difference between puppy food and adult dog food is the calories and protein content. Puppy food is higher in both of these nutrients to support their growth and development.

Adult dog food does not contain the same levels of these nutrients and may not provide puppies with everything they need to grow and develop properly.

Specially formulated puppy diets are designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of puppies and are the best option for them.

What Can I Feed My Dog Instead Of Dog Food

Refrigerator Plain, low-fat Greek yogurt. Mild cheeses, such as American. Cooked white or sweet potatoes. Cooked eggs, such as scrambled eggs. Rotisserie chicken, skin and bones removed. Cooked lean meat, such as chicken, beef, or turkey. Cooked or raw fresh vegetables, such as carrots, corn, and broccoli.

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Can Puppy Food Cause Diarrhea In Older Dogs

If an older animal happens to get a hold of some puppy food, this can lead to the chance that there could be some problems with their digestion. Changing over any type of meal in dogs can often come with the risk of diarrhea. If youre trying to wean your dog on to adult meal from the puppy food, its best not to do it all at once. Making a choice to mix in a bit of the new meal with puppy meal and working to slowly wean your pet off the diet might be important.

Its not an absolute emergency if your pet gets a hold of puppy food, it can make their stomach upset for the first time, but by taking a slow transition, its possible to avoid adult dogs getting diarrhea as a result of eating this food.

The best analogy for puppy meal versus adulthood is that puppy meal can often be like junk food. Eating a lot of junk food for humans can often cause digestive problems, the same can be said for dogs. With the high levels of calories that can be found in puppy food, an adult pet is likely to enjoy the taste, but eating too much of it can lead to digestive issues.

Feeding your puppy meal once or twice shouldnt be a problem if its the only available food. Feeding your dog puppy food as a regular meal source could be a problem over time. Your pet might likely experience some type of stomach discomfort over a few days when they switch back to adult meal too.

Can I Feed My Adult Dog Puppy Food

Every dog owners faced the conundrum at some point: the family dog is hungry, the regular food is empty or unavailable, and someone well-meaning offers a bag or bowl of puppy food instead. Taken at face value, its easy to rationalize just swapping the two brands out. After all, theyre both made for dogs, look similar, smell the same, and probably taste similar to him as well. The short answer is that yes, owners can feed an adult dog puppy food in a pinch, but its not something that should become habitual for several reasons:

Remember that dogs become used to their brand of food: Human stomachs can get upset and prone to urgent bathroom needs when a new food is suddenly introduced, and dogs are no different. Normally when switching dog food brands, veterinarians recommend a slow transition, mixing the food over several days or weeks into one to the other.

A sudden bowlful of puppy food can send an adult dogs stomach on strike and in some instances, leave pet parents with an unhappy pup, or an uncharacteristic accident inside. If hes resisting a new brand of food when you are trying to switch your dog to adult food, try adding a little wet food or gravy on his adult food to make it more enticing.

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Zignature Select Cuts Lamb Formula Dry Dog Food 4

• Meat First Two Ingredients
• No Potatoes, No Chicken, No Eggs, No Tapioca, No Corn, Wheat, or Soy
• Added Vitamins and Minerals

Product Details

Make mealtime simple, nutritious, and delicious with Zignature Select Cuts Lamb Formula Dry Dog Food! Simple, limited ingredient diet Real lamb featured as the first 2 ingredients Legume, potato, and chicken free Non-GMO grains Made in the USA! This formula features real lamb which is a rich source of protein and other necessary nutrients to help build and maintain lean muscle.

In the Zignature Select Cuts Lamb Formula, the lamb comes from the rolling green hills of New Zealand surrounded by mountains with towering glaciers and unspoiled ancient forests.The millet used is grown in the vibrant green farmlands of the Northern Midwestern United States and Canada, and the oats come from the golden oat fields of the central farmlands in Alberta, Canada.

The folks at Zignature are pet parents too and want what is best for all canine companions, and this is why they take great pride and care in making Zignature Select Cuts your pets signature dish for life.

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How Long Should Puppies Be On Puppy Food

Puppies can start with solid food at about 4 weeks old, when their tiny chompers are starting to come in. This is when theyll begin needing more calories than their moms milk alone can provide. Pups younger than 8 weeks old may need a bit of extra help with the crunchy kibble, so try moistening it by adding some water if you have a very young puppy .

You can begin transitioning puppies to adult food when theyve completed about 80% of their skeletal development. For small breeds this is usually somewhere around 1012 months old, and 1218 months for medium and larger breeds. Your veterinarian will be the best one to help you confirm your puppy is ready for adult food.

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