Adult Dog Nutrition
Your dog's nutritional needs depend in large part on his breed and size. Some dogs reach physical maturity much more rapidly than others, with large-breed puppies taking the longest to mature. In general, the growth of any dog starts to slow at about six months of age, but the following table offers some more detailed information.
Size of Dog |
Growth |
Food Requirements |
Small dogs |
Those that weigh less than 20 pounds, have a higher metabolic rate than large-breed dogs, so they burn energy more quickly. |
They need a nutrient-dense diet that gives them a lot of nutrition in a small amount of food. Their stomachs just aren't that big relative to their needs. |
Medium-size dogs |
At nine months to one year of age, their skeleton will be full size, or almost there. |
Most of these breeds can start eating adult dog food around nine months to one year of age. |
Large and giant-breed dogs |
These breeds don't reach full physical maturity until they're two and sometimes even three years old. |
These dogs should eat a large-breed puppy diet or a diet customized by your veterinarian until they're two years old. Some manufacturers add ingredients such as glucosamine and chondroitin to diets for large-breed puppies and adult dogs. These nutrients are believed to help improve joint cartilage, and they remain stable in foods for long periods. |
The exceptions to the rule are the small but stocky breeds, such as pugs, which are prone to skeletal problems if they grow too quickly. They can start eating an adult food as early as five months of age.
Switching Foods
When it's time to switch your dog from puppy food to adult food, or if you simply want to change brands, always do so gradually. Dogs have sensitive stomachs, and a rapid dietary change can bring on vomiting or diarrhea. Begin by adding small amounts of the new food to your dog's regular food over a period of five to 10 days. The more different the foods are from one another, the more gradual the change should be.
For instance, if you're switching from Brand A puppy food to Brand B adult food, the change should go more slowly than if you're changing within the same line of food; say, from Brand X puppy food to Brand X adult food.
Also change gradually if you're switching from dry food to canned food or vice versa. Allow plenty of time for the dog's gastrointestinal system to fully adapt to the new diet.
Nutrition for Older Dogs
A healthy older dog can continue to eat the same diet as long as she maintains a good weight and her coat and skin remain in good condition. If you notice some symptoms of aging, there may be something you can do. The following list of problems common to older dogs also offers possible solutions.
Sign or Symptom |
Reason |
What to Do |
Weight gain |
Like people, dogs tend to become less active with age, so they need fewer calories to maintain an appropriate weight. |
Because their aging body is less able to metabolize protein efficiently, they need a food with reduced levels of fat and calories, but high levels of protein. Added fiber can also help reduce the calorie count, while still giving your dog the feeling of a full belly. |
Thinning coat |
Like aging humans, dogs also suffer from thinning hair. Follicles are just not as productive anymore. |
Certain nutritional supplements may help, such as essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and zinc. |
Dry itchy skin |
As dogs age, their skin glands produce less oil, increasing the chances of dry skin. |
Certain nutritional supplements may help, such as essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and zinc. Always check with your veterinarian before adding any supplements to be sure your dog's diet will still be balanced, especially in puppies. |
Checking thyroid levels is important in older dogs with weight gain or coat changes as well. As a general rule, always ask your veterinarian for a recommendation when it comes to physical changes in your adult dog.
