Each puppy grows up at their own pace, and the switch from puppy food to adult dog food is a big step! For petite pals like Chihuahuas, this change might be made a bit sooner, while bigger buddies like Golden Retrievers need a little more time to mature. No matter the breed, moving to adult dog food is a major milestone in your dog's journey to adulthood.
Once your dog has reached adulthood, the surplus energy found in puppy food becomes unnecessary. Hence, transitioning to adult food is essential to uphold a balanced diet!
At what age is your dog considered an adult?
In general, we can assume the following:
Breed | Max. adult weight | Average adult age |
Toy breeds | 5 kg | 6 months |
Small breeds | 10 kg | 8 months |
Medium breeds | 30 kg | 9 months |
Large breeds | 40 kg | 11.5 months |
Giant breeds | 60 kg | 13.5 months |
Making the transition from puppy food to adult dog food
We recommend changing your puppy's diet through a gradual shift to adult dog food over a period of 7 days, much like the suggested transition diet that we explain on this page.
What to expect when switching from puppy food to adult dog food
Nutrient shift: adult dog food has a different balance of nutrients than puppy food, which is designed for healthy growth and development. Adult dog food is tailored to maintain your dog's health and energy without the extra calories, helping to avoid unwanted weight gain.
Calorie adjustment: adult dog food isn't as calorie-dense as puppy food since grown-up dogs don't need as much energy. You might not need to reduce the amount of food drastically; it's more about adjusting how often they eat.
Digestive care: transitioning slowly over about 7 days by mixing puppy and adult food can help avoid digestive upset and help your dog adjust smoothly.
Watch for changes: keep an eye on how your dog reacts, especially if they seem hungrier or behave differently. Adjusting meal sizes and meal times can help.
Check with your vet: it's always a good idea to communicate with your vet to make sure the transition is timed just right for your puppy's breed and size.
With careful management, you'll set your puppy up for a healthy adulthood! 😄
☝️ Need help with portion size for your four-legged friend? Take a look at our adult dog and puppy feeding guidelines!