When to Switch Golden Retriever to Adult Food
Switching your dog’s food can be confusing. Below, we tell you when to switch golden retriever to adult food
Your golden retriever is no doubt your favorite companion, and this dog breed makes for a loyal, loving friend. If you’ve adopted your golden retriever young, you may be wondering when to switch your golden retriever puppy to adult dog food, and how to keep your dog healthy as they grow.
Our article is here to answer your questions about switching your dog’s food and when to consult a vet with your concerns about your dog’s diet.
What Is the Difference Between Puppy and Adult Dog Food?
There are several differences between puppy and adult dog food, and it’s important to understand these differences as you think about feeding your dog in a way that supports their life stage.
In general, puppy food will be denser in nutrients with additional protein and fat content. Puppy food also contains DHA, which is found in a mother’s milk, and this helps puppies grow strong and healthy; puppy food is higher in calories to support the higher activity levels and caloric needs of growing dogs.
On the other hand, adult dog food is well-balanced, and it has the nutrients an adult dog needs to stay healthy. These foods are typically lower in calories, as most adult dogs will not be as active as they were during puppyhood, and many adult dog foods offer special formulas for specific diet needs. For example, you may want an adult dog food that supports a sensitive stomach or skin and joint health.
It’s important to feed your dog the right food for their life stage to ensure they have their caloric and nutritional needs met.
Should I Be Feeding My Dog Wet or Dry Food?
The debate over the best dog food for golden retrievers often includes a debate on wet versus dry dog food. According to Dog Academy, both of these types of food are typically fine to feed your dog; your choice depends on your preferences, your budget, the ingredients in the food, and your dog’s needs. Your dog may also have a strong preference for wet versus dry food.
You can try out both food types and determine which one works best for both you and your dog when deciding what to feed your golden retriever.
When to Switch My Golden Retriever to Adult Food?
As your golden retriever grows, you will need to start thinking about switching your dog from puppy food to adult dog food around the time they reach a year old. Typically, golden retrievers will be almost at their full size between 12 and 18 months of age, and this is around the time when they need adult dog food to support their needs; adult dog food also has fewer calories, something that helps your golden retriever maintain a healthy weight as they go into adulthood.
When you start to transition your dog’s food, you must do so slowly, as an immediate changeover can upset your dog’s stomach. After you decide it is time for your dog to transition, start mixing small amounts of their new food into their old food. Increase the amount of new food and decrease the old food every day until your dog is eating their new adult food.
We recommend taking between seven and ten days to fully transition your dog’s diet.
When Do I See a Vet About My Golden Retriever’s Diet?
There are a few circumstances in which you might want to consult a veterinarian about your golden retriever’s diet to ensure they are staying healthy and having their needs met. These circumstances include:
- Your dog is refusing to eat certain types of food or showing signs of a food allergy
- You are having trouble determining whether or not to switch your golden retriever’s diet
- Your golden retriever is gaining or losing weight unexpectedly
- You can’t figure out how many calories or the type of food your dog needs to eat
- You have special health concerns about your dog’s diet
Your vet can help guide you to the right food for your dog and ensure that you are not overfeeding or underfeeding your pup.
When to Switch Golden Retriever to Adult Food: The Right Way
It’s no secret that golden retrievers, along with many other dog breeds, love their food. However, it’s important that you, as their owner, feed your dog the right way to ensure their health is supported and their nutritional needs are met. You can transition your golden retriever puppy to adult dog food around 12 months, give or take a month depending on their size and activity levels. Speak with your vet if you have any concerns about your golden retriever’s diet.
