When to switch to adult dog food?? - Labrador Retriever Dogs Chat Forum Board - Dogs, Puppies, Photos, Training, Pictures, Rescue Forums

marley&me · 02-08-2010, 11:36 AM

Bailey is currently eating Eukanuba Puppy Food. Marley eats Eukanuba Labrador Retriever food. When can I switch Bailey? I know we kept Marley on the puppy food till she was a year, as that's what the bag stated to do. But I've seen on here to switch them around 4 months? So when do I switch Bailey? She's 13 weeks old today. Could we switch her now, or do we need to wait longer? Just trying to make sure I don't switch too early.

Thanks!

ZoeysMommy · 02-08-2010, 11:47 AM

I would say its truly a personal choice, some believe switching early is the best idea, some believe its better to wait. I dont think there is one wrong or right answer. I think Bailey will be just fine on the puppy food for a while, thats my opinion

I switched Zoey to adult food at 9 months

nikkiluvsu15 · 02-08-2010, 04:17 PM

It's really a personal choice, I believe. Some puppy foods are All Life Stages, you can use and never switch.

I switched Harleigh to adult food at 4 months. Main reason for me was she was growing too fast. Gaining 10-15, sometimes (rarely) 20, pounds every month and I thought I needed to slow it down some

LovemyAddy1022 · 02-08-2010, 04:23 PM

My vet said 9 months, but when she found out were weren't spaying until 10 she said to keep it until after she's spayed. Either way it doesn't bother me. As long as she doesn't gain too much weight.

LovemyAddy1022 · 02-08-2010, 04:25 PM

Also, my breeder tells people to keep them on puppy food until 4-5 months.

Random Gemini · 02-08-2010, 04:46 PM

I still have Mugen on puppy food.

The BIG difference I've noticed between most puppy foods and adult foods is a higher protein content, higher fat content... which you want more of in a food anyway.

I'd like to see that protein percentage number for an adult dog be above 25% and most adult diets are not that high in protein. She's better off staying on the puppy for a while IMO.

newchapter · 02-08-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Random Gemini

I still have Mugen on puppy food.

The BIG difference I've noticed between most puppy foods and adult foods is a higher protein content, higher fat content... which you want more of in a food anyway.

I'd like to see that protein percentage number for an adult dog be above 25% and most adult diets are not that high in protein. She's better off staying on the puppy for a while IMO.

+1!
I have Logan on puppy food still at almost 5 months, to me, he needs a high protein and fat kibble. I think I will keep him on it untill 12 months-ish.

Doppler · 02-08-2010, 06:14 PM

You may want to contact Eukanuba about their Lab. Ret. formula to see what the AAFCO rating is, I think it's only intended for maintenance not growth. Given the two formulas that your feeding, I would keep Bailey on the puppy formula until 12 months for proper nutrition.

02-08-2010, 11:36 AM	#1
marley&me Senior Dog Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,870 My Mood:	When to switch to adult dog food?? Bailey is currently eating Eukanuba Puppy Food. Marley eats Eukanuba Labrador Retriever food. When can I switch Bailey? I know we kept Marley on the puppy food till she was a year, as that's what the bag stated to do. But I've seen on here to switch them around 4 months? So when do I switch Bailey? She's 13 weeks old today. Could we switch her now, or do we need to wait longer? Just trying to make sure I don't switch too early. Thanks! __________________ Lauren Marley-DOB 11/6/08 Gotcha 12/26/08

02-08-2010, 11:47 AM	#2
ZoeysMommy Brittney & Daisee too! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,971 My Mood:	I would say its truly a personal choice, some believe switching early is the best idea, some believe its better to wait. I dont think there is one wrong or right answer. I think Bailey will be just fine on the puppy food for a while, thats my opinion I switched Zoey to adult food at 9 months __________________ Zoey - (left) Born 03/02/2009 Brittney - (center) Born 06/27/1998 Daisee - (right) Born 08/30/2009, Gotcha Day 03/07/10

02-08-2010, 04:17 PM	#3
nikkiluvsu15 Go Gators!!!! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Posts: 2,871 My Mood:	It's really a personal choice, I believe. Some puppy foods are All Life Stages, you can use and never switch. I switched Harleigh to adult food at 4 months. Main reason for me was she was growing too fast. Gaining 10-15, sometimes (rarely) 20, pounds every month and I thought I needed to slow it down some __________________ GO GATORS! ~~~~~~~~~ Nikki & Her Zoo: Rebel(APBT) - 2/07 Harleigh(Lab/?) - 2/09 Tigger(feline!) - 5/97 Phoebe(feline!) - 4/09 Patches(feline!) - RIP ~~~~~~~~~~ But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31 Last edited by nikkiluvsu15; 02-08-2010 at 05:05 PM.

02-08-2010, 04:23 PM	#4
LovemyAddy1022 Retriever Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 272 My Mood:	My vet said 9 months, but when she found out were weren't spaying until 10 she said to keep it until after she's spayed. Either way it doesn't bother me. As long as she doesn't gain too much weight. __________________ Melissa "Sister" to Godiva- 3/18/2003 "Mom" to Addy- 10/22/2009 I love my chocolates!!

02-08-2010, 04:46 PM	#6
Random Gemini Missing my Wagador. Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Washington. Posts: 3,649 My Mood:	I still have Mugen on puppy food. The BIG difference I've noticed between most puppy foods and adult foods is a higher protein content, higher fat content... which you want more of in a food anyway. I'd like to see that protein percentage number for an adult dog be above 25% and most adult diets are not that high in protein. She's better off staying on the puppy for a while IMO. __________________ Stacy and Mugen: Chocolate Mr. Puppy Man Born: 6-5-09 Lucy: Yellow Miss Lucy Girl. Gotcha: 11-02-09 2010 Book Count: 11/50 Random Gemini's Blog Twitter! Facebook

02-08-2010, 04:25 PM	#5
LovemyAddy1022 Retriever Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 272 My Mood:	Also, my breeder tells people to keep them on puppy food until 4-5 months.

02-08-2010, 06:14 PM	#8
Doppler Senior Dog Join Date: May 2009 Location: Location Posts: 1,461	You may want to contact Eukanuba about their Lab. Ret. formula to see what the AAFCO rating is, I think it's only intended for maintenance not growth. Given the two formulas that your feeding, I would keep Bailey on the puppy formula until 12 months for proper nutrition.

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