Guide To Pet Diet Preparation During Their Transition From Puppy To Adult

Food is an essential part of life, be it humans or dogs. Do you own a dog who is transitioning from a puppy to an adult? Dogs go from being puppies to adults in a short span of time. Their bodies change and they require food that fits their metabolism. Here in the UK , constant changes in weather can cause discomfort to dogs, especially during the transition period.

Every dog’s body needs a change in food at some point or another. Switching dog food according to your pet’s needs can sometimes become challenging because of various understandable reasons. It is very important to know how to switch to a new dog food gradually and you should read on, to find out more;

Addressing the whys

There can be a few situations in a dog’s life when a food change can be justified. Many pet owners prefer switching from puppy-specific formula to food suited for adult dogs as their puppies grow up.

A food change is recommended because during the initial growth years of your dog food can help build its immunity and strength. As dogs enter the mature stage of their life, its nutritional and calorie requirements change so that the bones develop in a healthy manner.

If their diet is not changed as they age, they won’t get required nutrition and that can have adverse effects on your dog’s health.

Understanding your dog

Every dog is different and so is their gut. When you think of making the transition, you need to keep in mind that it should depend on a canine’s gut tolerance. You should keep a strict vigil on your dog’s appetite.

If you are confident enough that your dog’s intestines can manage most foods, then a ten-day diet switch is said to be most suitable. For a more sensitive dog, it’s better not to rush things and let the transition

period be longer than usual.

When to make the transition

Puppies can become adults during different ages. If you have a small dog, then they will become an adult at around 8 months of age. A medium sized dog takes around a year to become an adult.

Similarly large dogs can take around 18 months for this transition. While on the other hand, it takes 24 months of time for giant-breed dogs to completely make the transition. Making the transition is important because the extra calories in puppy food can lead to problems like obesity.

Finding the right food

There are a wide range of pet foods available in the market. While searching for the right kind of food, make sure the food you settle for is highly digestible. It is important that the food is cooked properly as it can help preserve the crucial ingredients in your dog’s diet. Dogs take time to adapt to new tastes or smells. Make sure  you are not changing the dog food too often because that can put off your dog. So, stick with a few options that provide proper nutrition and a taste that your dog can’t resist.

One such option to provide overall nutrition to your dog is raw foods. It has become quite popular over the last few years because of their emphasis on bones, meat and other ingredients. Raw food is easily available  in the UK, just search for the best raw dog food UK and you will be introduced to a wide variety of raw food. It has been suggested by so many veterinarians that raw dog food has ample benefits, such as higher energy levels,  clean teeth, healthier skin and shinier coats.

Make sure that formula of the food is the right fit with your dog’s size. Dogs do not require food specific to their breeds, but their size makes a huge difference in their metabolism. So, it becomes important to select the food made of high-quality.

Making the Transition

What you plan on feeding your dog decides the amount of time it takes to transition from puppy to adult food. While making the transition have patience and let your dog take their own time to adapt to new food. Rushing into it or trying to force feed, will cause a lot of harm to your dog.

The ideal way to go about it is by mixing a small amount of new food with the old one. Gradually increase the ratio of new food and reduce the old one so that your dog doesn’t get confused. This designated process will help your dog get used to the new food without any issues.

During the first three days you should mix the current and new food in the ratio of 75 to 25. During the next three days the ratio should be brought to 50 each. Then the next three days should be more persistent and the ratio should be 25 to 75 of current to new food. On the final tenth day, your dog would be completely prepared for the 100% quantity of new food.

It is not necessary that you have to follow this particular transition cycle, but what truly matters is you need to make your dog familiar with the new food slowly and gradually.

Sudden changes can throw your dog’s appetite off and their immunity system can also get affected. It is recommended for this very reason that you give your dog a probiotic during the transition period because it can work as a relief for your dog’s stomach and also help smooth over the digestion process.

Conclusion

When your dog is transitioning over to a new food, then its digestive system is troubled. If your dog doesn’t poop well these days, then there is no need to worry.

Good food contains the right amount of vitamins and nutrients that makes your dog’s bones healthy and maintain the calcium level of the body. Having a healthy, rich diet is always beneficial for your furry friend. You should keep in mind that the transition process should be smooth for your dog.

If you are thinking of getting raw food for your dog then it can be quite beneficial because it reduces the risk of bacteria getting into your pet’s body.