As pet owners, we often wonder when our furry little friends will reach adulthood. We want to make sure we are providing them with the right nutrition and care during this crucial stage of their development. But when exactly does a puppy become an adult dog? And what should we be feeding them during this transition? In this article, we will explore the different stages of a puppy’s growth and the nutritional needs that come with it.
When does a puppy become an adult dog?
It’s important to note that a dog’s age at maturity will depend on their breed and size. People classify all dog breeds into five dog sizes: extra small, small, medium, large and giant. So your puppy will become an adult dog at different ages depending on his breed.
Adult age of dogs according to each size
| Dog size | Adult age |
|---|---|
| Extremely small (4 kg) | Eight months old |
| Small (5 – 10 kg) | Ten months old |
| Average (11 – 25 kg) | Twelve months old |
| Large (26 – 44 kg) | Fifteen months old |
| Giant (45 kg or more) | From eighteen to twenty-four months old |
As you can see, it takes longer for large and giant breeds to reach full maturity than for smaller breeds. However, all dog breeds have a period of intense growth and need special care during this period.
What does a puppy’s diet need?
When your puppy is young, his body will undergo noticeable changes as he rapidly grows. Therefore, puppy diets need to be designed to meet their nutritional and developmental needs.
Specific problems in puppies
While growing up, puppies will experience many changes in their body and health. This can cause some specific problems such as:
- Teeth development: Puppies will start teething at about 3 weeks of age and complete this process at about 6 months of age. During this period, they need to be provided with easy-to-eat foods such as wet food or dry food soaked in water to make chewing and swallowing easier.
- Weak digestive system: Puppies have a weak digestive system and are prone to diarrhea or constipation. Therefore, their diet needs to be designed to be easy to digest and rich in nutrients.
- High nutritional needs: Puppies need more nutrition than adult dogs to support body and immune system development. Therefore, their diet needs to be balanced and nutritious.
Change from a puppy diet to an adult dog diet
As your puppy begins to enter adulthood, his nutritional needs and development will change. Therefore, the diet also needs to be adjusted to meet these new needs.
Dry food or wet food?
One of the common questions asked by owners is whether to feed their puppies dry food or wet food. The reality is that both types of food have their own advantages and disadvantages. Dry food can help clean teeth and aid swallowing, while wet food can provide hydration and make it easier for puppies to digest. However, the most important thing is to choose a food that contains all the nutrients your puppy needs.
Essential nutrients for adult dogs
Adult dogs need to be provided with adequate nutrients to maintain health and energy. Here are some important nutrients to include in an adult dog’s diet:
- Protein: Is a source of energy and helps build and maintain muscles, skin and fur for dogs. Choose foods with a protein content of 18% to 25%.
- Fat: Provides energy and helps absorb essential vitamins. Choose foods with a fat content of 10% to 15%.
- Carbohydrates: A source of easily digestible energy for dogs. Choose foods with a carbohydrate content of 30% to 70%.
- Vitamins and minerals: These help maintain health and support your dog’s bodily functions. Choose foods that contain a full range of vitamins and minerals.
Appropriate nutrition for puppies
To ensure your puppy grows healthy and becomes a vibrant adult dog, the nutritional regimen needs to be specifically designed for this stage.
- Puppy food
Puppies need to be provided with food rich in protein and energy to support their body’s development. Puppy food also needs to have a higher fat content than adult dog food. So, choose foods with a protein content of 25% to 30% and a fat content of 15% to 20%. - Supplement calcium and vitamin D
Calcium and vitamin D are two important substances that help puppies’ bones and teeth grow strong. Therefore, choose foods that contain calcium and vitamin D to ensure healthy development of bones and teeth. - Diet for puppies in stages
As mentioned above, puppies will go through many stages of development as they grow. Therefore, the diet also needs to be adjusted to meet their nutritional needs in each stage
Period 3-6 weeks
During this period, puppies need to be provided with food rich in protein and energy to support their body’s development. Puppy food also needs to have a higher fat content than adult dog food. So, choose foods with a protein content of 25% to 30% and a fat content of 15% to 20%.
Period 6-12 weeks
During this period, puppies need to be provided with food rich in protein and energy to support their body’s development. Puppy food also needs to have a higher fat content than adult dog food. So, choose foods with a protein content of 25% to 30% and a fat content of 15% to 20%.
Period 12-24 weeks
During this period, puppies need to be provided with food rich in protein and energy to support their body’s development. Puppy food also needs to have a higher fat content than adult dog food. So, choose foods with a protein content of 25% to 30% and a fat content of 15% to 20%.
Conclusion
While growing up, puppies will go through many stages of development and have different nutritional needs. Therefore, their diet needs to be adjusted to meet these needs. We need to note that the age of maturity of dogs will depend on their breed and size. So, learn thoroughly about your dog’s breed and provide them with the right nutrition to help them become healthy and happy adult dogs.