How long do you feed IAMS puppy food

Feeding a growing Puppy

How much should I feed my puppy?

The amount you feed your puppy will be dependent on their individual breed, weight and age. As a general guide, would recommend the below,

Why do the feeding guidelines in IAMS Puppy food decrease so much around 6 months of age?

During the first 6 months of a puppies life growth they grow very rapidly and to support this growth they need more energy. At approximately 6 months of age this growth rate slows down, so the feeding guidelines are reduced in line with this reduced need for energy. Six months is also a common age for neutering, which can reduce a dogs metabolism, meaning weight gain is more likely. It is important to note though, that all feeding guidelines are just a guide; all dogs are individuals and should be fed according to their individual needs.

Feeding a growing Puppy

How much should I feed my puppy?

The amount you feed your puppy will be dependent on their individual breed, weight and age. As a general guide, would recommend the below,

Why do the feeding guidelines in IAMS Puppy food decrease so much around 6 months of age?

During the first 6 months of a puppies life growth they grow very rapidly and to support this growth they need more energy. At approximately 6 months of age this growth rate slows down, so the feeding guidelines are reduced in line with this reduced need for energy. Six months is also a common age for neutering, which can reduce a dogs metabolism, meaning weight gain is more likely. It is important to note though, that all feeding guidelines are just a guide; all dogs are individuals and should be fed according to their individual needs.

How Long Should I Feed My Dog Puppy Food?

You might want your puppy to stay a puppy forever, but eventually he has to grow up and when he does, youll have to start feeding him adult dog food.

But when should you make the switch, and how do you do it?

The Dodo spoke to Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinarian consultant at Senior Tail Waggers, to find out how long to feed your dog puppy food and how to switch him to adult dog food properly.

When to switch a puppy to dog food

According to Dr. Ochoa, you should wait until your puppys fully grown to start feeding him adult dog food.

The age at which a puppy matures will depend on his size, so when you can start feeding dog food will vary for different pups. This may be at 6 to 8 months for smaller dogs (25 pounds or less), 12 to 16 months for medium-sized dogs (25 to 75 pounds) and 2 years for large and giant-breed dogs (over 80 pounds), Dr. Ochoa told The Dodo.

Heres a breakdown of approximately when you can start feeding your puppy adult dog food:

• Small dogs (25 pounds or less) 6 to 8 months old
• Medium dogs (25 to 75 pounds) 12 to 16 months old
• Large and giant-breed dogs (over 80 pounds) 18 months to 2 years old

Your vet can also help you decide when to switch to adult dog food if youre not totally sure.

Whats the difference between puppy and adult dog food?

You might think that puppy food and adult dog food are basically the same (its all dog food, right?), but theyre actually not and you shouldnt feed your puppy adult dog food before hes ready.

Adult food does not have the proper nutrients needed for a growing puppy, Dr. Ochoa said. Puppies need higher protein content, fats and minerals than adult dogs do.

Adult dog food contains less protein and fat than puppy food since adult dogs dont need as many nutrients to feed a growing body like puppies do. Since puppies are still developing, they burn a ton of calories and need a lot more protein, fat, calories and minerals in their food to keep them healthy.

Puppies need protein and fats to keep up with their high-energy demands, Dr. Ochoa said. These puppies are quickly growing and have high energy levels that need more nutrients than older dogs.

For example, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends that puppy foods (food for growth and reproduction) contain a minimum of 22.5 percent protein, while adult dog foods (adult maintenance) only need to have 18 percent. The AAFCO also recommends that puppy foods contain a minimum of 8.5 percent fat and 1.2 percent calcium, while dog foods should have only a minimum of 5.5 percent fat and 0.5 percent calcium.

While puppy food is good for puppies, you shouldnt keep feeding it to your dog once hes fully grown since puppy foods have a lot of calories and fat. If you do, he could become overweight because his body isnt using up as many nutrients as a young, hyper puppy.

If adult dogs ate foods that were this high in protein and fats, they would quickly become overweight, which can lead to other health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes, Dr. Ochoa said.

So the bottom line is that puppy food and adult dog food are formulated to have just the right amount of nutrients that your dog needs for each stage of life, and its not recommended to feed your pup food thats not meant for his current life stage.

How to transition from puppy food to adult dog food

According to Dr. Ochoa, When switching diets, it is best to make the transition slowly.

Any time you transition your puppy (or adult dog) to a new food, you should do it gradually. This is because dogs have sensitive stomachs, and changing your dogs diet too quickly can upset his stomach and lead to vomiting and diarrhea.

Dr. Ochoa recommends this schedule to switch your puppy to adult dog food or to a new food:

• Days 13: Feed 25 percent new food and 75 percent old food
• Days 46: Feed 50 percent new food and 50 percent old food
• Days 79: Feed 75 percent new food and 25 percent old food
• Day 10: Feed 100 percent new food

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So be sure to switch your puppy to adult dog food when hes fully grown and make the transition gradually so he can get used to the new food.

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How Much To Feed A Puppy By Weight And Puppy Feeding Chart

There are many elements to keeping your dog healthy. These include giving your dog enough exercise, playtime, and, of course, food. But do you know how much to feed a puppy? Are you wondering, How much food should I feed my puppy?

Lets discuss what a puppys diet should consist of, how much a puppy should eat, and how often a puppy should be fed. We hope our puppy feeding guide will help you provide the proper diet for your pup.

Puppy Feeding Chart: How Much To Feed A Puppy By Weight

Curious to know, How much should I feed my puppy? How much food to feed a puppy depends on age and weight. Most dog and puppy food packages have a feeding chart on the label, similar to our chart below. Be sure to check your puppys specific food bag for the label so you know how much to feed him. While this chart is a good baseline, we recommend double-checking with your vet, as all dogs dietary needs are unique.

How Much Food Should I Feed My Puppy?

These amounts are for every 24 hours.

How Often To Feed A Puppy

So now that you know how much to feed your puppy, you might be wondering, How many times a day should a puppy eat? Setting a routine for your puppys feeding schedule is critical so he can learn when to expect his food.

• 4-12 Weeks: Young puppies need three or more feedings per day to adequately meet their nutritional needs. So, according to the feeding guide that comes with their food or the chart above, divide that by three or more and give the food to them throughout the day.
• 3-12 Months: As your puppygets older, you can reduce the number of feedings to twice daily. Their energy level should be reduced; thus, they dont need as much food throughout the day.
• 12+ Months: Most adult dogs eat two meals per day. Youll want to divide their food requirement by two.

Puppy Feeding Schedule

A typical feeding schedule for puppies is 7 am, noon, and 5 pm. If you decide to do more than three feedings, you can adjust your schedule for puppy eating times as needed. Make sure to keep that last feeding around the 5 oclock mark. That way, your pup has ample time to digest the food and eliminate it one last time before bedtime.

Keep To The Feeding Schedule To Avoid Overeating

We know that it can be tempting to leave food out all day for your puppy to munch on, especially if you have a busy schedule. However, free-choice feeding encourages overeating, which can cause your pup to gain too much weight. Portion control is key to making sure your puppy eats the proper amount for his size and age. Learning how much to feed a puppy and choosing the best food and nutrition helps avoid overeating, which leads to obesity and ensures proper development.

Dog Feeding Schedule By Age

Heres a quick timeline of a puppys nutrition in the first few months of his life. You will find more details just below our how much to feed a puppy chart.

• 0-3 Weeks: Puppies should be with their mother and nurse as they please. The mothers milk has the nutrients necessary to provide proper nutrition and protect puppies from diseases. During this time, you dont need to worry about how much to feed puppies because their mother providesthem with nutrition.
• 3-4 Weeks: Puppies will begin developing teeth and will begin weaning off their mothers milk.The puppy caregiver can blend a 50:50 portion of canned wet puppy food with a milk replacer in a flat saucer, gradually reducing the amount of milk replacer until youre only giving them puppy food. One should not be concerned if the puppies dont like the new food right away. It may take a few days to adjust to the new formula. Rubbing fingers in the mixture and then gently on the puppys nose and mouth can make the transition smoother.
• 4-6 Weeks: By this time, puppies should be fully transitioned to puppy food.
• 6 Weeks-6 Months: Puppy food based on their size and breed.
• 6-12 Months: Gradually begin to switch your puppy to adult food. Small breeds can switch between 7-9 months, and larger breeds can switch around the 12-month mark. It doesnt hurt to keep him on puppy food longer than needed to make sure hes getting all the nutrients he needs as a developing dog but since puppy food has higher calories, be sure to watch for unnecessary weight gain. A balanced diet that also maintains a healthy body weight is important for an adult dog.

What Can Puppies Eat?

A dogs food needs differ as they age, and you uncover different dietary needs. Here is a guide to our top recommended items for several different canines.

Can Puppies Eat Adult Dog Food?

Puppies and adult dogs have different nutrient needs. To help puppies grow into adult dogs, they require more protein, micronutrients, and carbs. Protein provides them with amino acids and energy. Puppies need more fat as they use a significant amount of energy, and fats help them absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Puppy formulas always have more fat than adult foods.

Calcium is vital to developing healthy bones and teeth. Puppies need more calcium than adults. However, larger breeds need than smaller breeds due to their rapid rate of growth. It is healthier to feed your puppy food that is formulated for their specific breed size to ensure they get the right amounts of essential nutrients like calcium.

DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, is vital to puppy growth and is very important to brain and vision development. t is found in their mothers milk but is added to puppy food in the form of fish protein or fish oils.

Puppies also require a high amount of calories to help them grow, so its essential to purchase a high-quality food brand for your puppy. You want them to have a balanced diet to ensure healthy growth and development, and adult dog food will not meet their needs.

A puppys mouth is smaller than an adult dogs mouth, which helps explain why their food is not as big as adult kibble. Feeding puppies adult dog food can be dangerous because the kibble is larger, and the texture is harder to chew. Giving a puppy adult dog food can cause damage to their teeth, jaws, and overall health.

The same can be said for puppy treats. Treats made for adult dogs are often larger and harder to chew. Puppy treats ingredients also tend to be more suitable for them than those made for adult dogs. If you can, stick to treats that specifically say they are safe for puppies.

If youre looking for high-quality food for your little friend, perhaps you could try The Farmers Dog, one of our top picks for fresh dog food. Its a healthy solution for dogs of all ages. Learn more in our The Farmers Dog review.

How Long Do Puppies Eat Puppy Food?

For many breeds, puppies will need to eat a puppy-specific recipe until they reach a year or 12 months old. Smaller breeds may make the transition between 7 and 9 months old. Larger breeds, like the Great Dane, stay on puppy formulas for longer, some even until 18 months old.

How long your pup needs to stay on puppy food will depend on breed, health, and size. It is always better to stay on puppy food a little too long than to switch too early. Switching too soon can deprive them of vital nutrients needed to reach full development and can lead to health issues later in life. Discuss this change with your vet before making the switch.

Dont overlook the importance of planning and allowing for a transitional process when changing dog food. Imagine eating the same meals every day. Then, suddenly, you switch to something completely different. Youll probably experience a tummy ache orother gastrointestinal problems.

The same thing goes for your puppy. Remember that its a process that should take a minimum of six days and sometimes longer (up to several weeks).Do not try out too many different new foods at a time, as this can lead to digestive upset and stomach pain. It can also lead to body weight issues if your pup isnt eating enough. You want to keep your dog on a consistent feeding schedule and feed the appropriate amount for their age.

Puppyhood Is The Best Time To Consider Pet Insurance

As a puppy, your dog has probably not shown any significant health concerns at a young age. Since pet insurance companies dont cover pre-existing conditions, the younger your dog is when you sign up, the better coverage you will likely receive throughout his lifetime.

Pet insurance can help support you financially during the unpredictable puppy years when dogs are more likely to chew on things they shouldnt and run into dangerous situations. Check out our pet insurance guide to learn more and to determine whether pet insurance is worth it for your puppy. You can also use our free tool below to get instant pet insurance quotes.

Your Best Puppy And Dog Food Options (And Other Tips)

Remember, having a dog who has his dietary needs met will be happier and healthier as a result. Not eating enough can lead to malnutrition, and overeating makes your pup obese (read our tips to help your dog lose weight). You do not want your puppy to become a picky eater, or develop a sensitive stomach, so stick to puppy formulas. If you have any concerns about how much to feed a puppy, are worried your puppy is not eating enough, or need help ensuring they are on the right diet, reach out to your vet. This is a perfect topic to bring up at a puppy checkup.

Are you looking for more dog food articles? Weve got plenty of resources on various dog diets and nutrition, including our recommended foods for any age, diet type, and health concern, the best dog food delivery services for puppies and adult dogs, and homemade dog food recipes.