Can adult dogs eat puppy food?
In this blog, we will answer the important question, “Can adult dogs eat puppy food?” We will also answer some other important queries like is puppy food safe for your adult dogs, when to switch to adult dog food, and what nutrients are present in puppy food.
Can adult dogs eat puppy food?
No, adult dogs cannot eat puppy food. It is not safe for your adult dog to eat puppy food because puppy food is high in calories and it can add unhealthy weight gain to your adult dog. Moreover, adults and puppies have different nutritional requirements so they should be fed according to the requirements.
Is puppy food safe for your dog?
No, puppy food is not safe for your dog to consume. Following are the potential risks of feeding puppy food to your dog:
Canine obesity
Puppy food has dense calories because it is a requirement for puppies. Puppies are in a growing phase and they need more energy. Consuming a high amount of fat content can cause obesity and it can lead to chronic joint problems and heart problems for your dog.
Puppy food has 22% fat, while adult dog food has 18% fat. Puppy food is not safe for your adult dog to eat.
Mineral overload
There is also a high amount of mineral content in puppy foods. Puppy foods have 2 grams of calcium content, while adult dog food has 1 gram of calcium content. Consuming high calcium content can lead to bone and joint problems which are a big threat to the health of your dog.
Adult dog food has a maximum of 17 grams of calcium, while puppy food has 18 grams of calcium, which can cause mineral overload in your adult dog.
What nutrients are present in puppy food?
Following are the nutrients present in puppy food:
Fat content
Puppy foods have 22% of fat content in them. This high-fat content can help in the growth of your puppies. High amounts of fat content also keep the puppies warm and give them the energy to enjoy their lives. The extra fat content is stored in the subcutaneous tissue of the skin which keeps the puppy warm and acts as an insulator.
Calories
Puppy food has 300 to 400 calories which is too much for your adult dog. Adult dog food has only 200 to 300 calories. The high-calorie content is beneficial for puppies because they want to grow, and they need extra energy to grow.
Calcium
The amount of calcium puppy food has is 2 grams which is the need of puppies. As we have discussed above, the adult dog’s calcium requirement is only 1 gram, which makes it dangerous for adult dogs.
Consuming high calcium content can cause bone problems in your adult dog, and you should be aware of it.
Protein
The last part of puppy food is protein. The puppy food has 30 grams of protein but the adult dog’s requirement of protein is only 18 grams. Giving your adult dog this food will cause problems for your dog.
This high amount of protein is needed for growth, muscle repair, and other metabolic functions. Protein keeps the muscles of the puppies strong and keeps your puppies active.
When to switch to adult dog food?
The average age of the puppies at which they become mature is 10 to 12 months. This varies from breed to breed. The larger breed matures later than the smaller breeds. The average weight of a puppy when he becomes an adult is 30 pounds.
Now is the time to change the food for your dog. Change the dog food slowly, otherwise it will cause metabolic conditions in your dog.
When can adult dogs eat puppy food?
Following are the conditions in which your adult dog can eat puppy food:
Loss of weight
If your adult dog has lost weight due to starvation or any disease, then your vet might advise giving puppy food to the adult dog because puppy food has high-fat content which helps your dog to regain his lost weight.
Pregnancy
A pregnant dog needs an extra amount of nutrients because most of the dog’s nutrients are benefiting the puppy. In this condition, you can give a high-calorie containing diet to your dog.
High energy need
If your dog needs a high-energy diet to keep himself active then giving puppy food is best. Puppy food can give an extra amount of energy to your dog so he can perform well.
Conclusion
In this dog blog, we answered the important question, “Can adult dogs eat puppy food?” We also entertained some other questions like is puppy food safe for your adult dogs, when to switch to adult dog food, and what nutrients are present in puppy food.
References
https://blog.homesalive.ca/dog-blog/can-adult-dogs-eat-puppy-food
