Changing a dog’s diet. Moving to a new home is usually very stressful for puppies. The last thing you want to do is increase their stress by changing their diet. It’s best to stick to the food they were receiving before they came to you, at least for the first two weeks after their arrival.
Changing a dog’s diet
Once the puppy has settled in and become accustomed to its new surroundings, you can gradually begin to make changes to its diet. The most important thing is to ensure the changes are gradual, giving the puppy enough time to adjust.
What is the right amount of food?
Any dog food labeled as suitable for puppies should include feeding recommendations on the package. This is certainly a good starting point, but since all puppies are different, it’s important to monitor their weight and adjust the amounts of food according to their size.
From puppy to adult dog
Dogs are generally considered to reach adulthood around 12 months of age, but maturity depends on the breed. Some breeds mature faster than others. Smaller breeds may reach full size as early as 9 months, while some large breeds can continue growing until 18 months or even longer.
As puppies grow, their growth rate slows down, and they naturally start needing less food, with many of them even experiencing a reduced appetite. At this stage, it’s important to switch to adult dog food. This means reducing the amount of food to prevent excessive weight gain.
It’s a good idea to change a dog’s diet from time to time, especially when the puppy becomes a fully grown adult dog. Their needs and even preferences for food can differ as they mature.