Understanding your puppy’s nutritional needs
As a lifelong dog lover, proud owner of six dogs and experienced ethical breeder, I know firsthand how crucial the right nutrition is at every stage of a dog’s life.
One of the most common questions I hear from new puppy owners is, “Can puppies eat adult dog food?” The short answer? It depends. Let’s dive into the reasons why and discuss when to transition your puppy to adult food.
The Difference Between Puppy and Adult Dog Food
Puppies grow at an astonishing rate, and their nutritional needs are vastly different from those of adult dogs. The difference between puppy food and adult dog food lies in the levels of essential nutrients that support growth and development. Most puppy foods are formulated with higher protein, fat, and key vitamins to ensure strong bones, healthy muscles, and optimal brain development.
At James & Ella, we take puppy nutrition seriously. Our Kibble + Raw Puppy Food is specifically designed to provide all the essential nutrients puppies need during this critical stage. Our recipes meet FEDIAF and DEFRA standards, ensuring a complete and balanced diet.
Our Cold-Pressed Food, however, is an exception when it comes to the transition between puppy and adult food. Unlike traditional adult-only formulations, our Cold-Pressed food is uniquely designed to be suitable for both puppies and adult dogs. The gentle cold-pressing method helps retain essential nutrients while making the food easier to digest, meaning it supports a puppy’s growth and development while remaining a great choice for adult dogs too. The only thing that changes is how much is fed, depending on your dog’s age. This makes it an ideal option for households with both puppies and adult dogs, or for those who’d rather keep their puppy on the same food into adulthood.
What Happens if a Puppy Eats Adult Dog Food?
If a young dog regularly eats adult dog food, they may not receive the proper level of protein, fat, and calcium they need. This can lead to health problems such as stunted growth, weaker bones, and improper muscle development.
While an occasional bite of adult food won’t harm them, consistently feeding your puppy adult food could lead to deficiencies over time.
When Can Puppies Eat Adult Food?
So, how long does a puppy eat puppy food? The answer depends on their size and individual development. For most breed sizes, we recommend switching from puppy food to adult food between 10-12 months of age. For large and giant breeds, the transition can be extended to as long as 18 months, to ensure proper growth and development.
It’s crucial to transition your puppy gradually over 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset. Start by mixing a small amount of adult food into their puppy food, gradually increasing the adult food portion while decreasing the puppy food.
The Best Puppy Food for a Healthy Start
I believe every puppy should have the best start in life. That’s why, at James & Ella, we offer two fantastic options for puppies.
Our Cold-Pressed Food is a highly digestible option that’s gentle on young stomachs while still being suitable for puppy and adult dog life stages. It’s suitable for puppies from 4 weeks of age and it can be fed to adult and senior dogs too! It’s a highly versatile option which suits multi-dog households and those looking for a convenient option for their dogs.
Our Kibble + Raw Puppy Food is also a fantastic choice, providing a rich blend of essential nutrients and with a Freeze-Dried Raw boost that supports puppies as they grow. We also offer our Kibble + Raw adult food for an easy transition when they’re old enough. Or, our Freeze-Dried Raw adult food is a premium option to transition to.
To complement their meals, our Air-Dried and Freeze-Dried Treats are the perfect rewards, ensuring that even training time contributes to their health and well-being. Also, our Freeze-Dried Raw Topper is perfect for adding a palatable raw boost for even the fussiest puppies!
Joining Our Breeder Club
For responsible breeders, our Breeder Club offers Kibble + Raw puppy packs and discounts, ensuring puppies get the best start in life. We know how important it is to set puppies up with high-quality pet food from the beginning, and our club is designed to support responsible breeders in providing just that. Find out more about our club here.
Setting Your Puppy Up for a Healthy Future
When to switch from puppy food varies based on breed, growth rate, and energy levels. While it’s tempting to move them onto adult food sooner, ensuring they receive proper nutrition in their early months is key to lifelong health. Whether you’re feeding Kibble + Raw Puppy Food, Cold-Pressed Food, or our nutritious treats, rest assured that James & Ella’s range is created with care to give puppies the best start possible.
So, when the time comes to switch from puppy food, do so gradually and with a balanced, high-quality dog food. If in doubt, weigh your dog regularly and monitor their development.
If you’re looking for expert guidance, feel free to reach out to us and our in-house Nutritionist will be more than happy to help!
Until next time,
James x
