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Puppy food or adult food?

15 years ago

Hi,

I have presently a 2 year old cockapoo and a 3 month old cockapoo. I am in the process of switching my puppy to the same brand of dog food that my 2 year old is on which is Orijen. When I went to the store to purchase the food the owner told me that I should start my puppy on the Orijen adult food instead of the puppy food. When I looked at the package the only difference between the puppy and adult is in the fat content. Orijen adult has 16% fat where as the Orijen puppy has 20% fat. Is there any harm in feeding the puppy a lower fat food in the first year of it's life? Are there any benefits in giving the puppy the puppy food with the higher fat content?

At the last vet appointment my puppy was healthy and a good weight. I would really like to do what is best for her.

Any help would be appreciated.

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Comments (5)

carmen_grower_2007
15 years ago
The pup should have puppy food until it is a year old. For large breed dogs, they should stay on it for 18-24 months until they are fully matured.
joepyeweed
15 years ago
Your pup will be fine with the adult food. Especially a small breed dog.

Its generally large dogs that need special food while a puppy... and mainly its too keep them from growing too fast...Which isn't really an issue for small breeds.
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runsnwalken
15 years ago
I'm glad its Orijen, Any Orijen is better for a puppy then most of what's out there. To be safe I would feed a mix of adult and pup. If she shows issues go to pup as the dog is still, techically-a puppy
housefairy
15 years ago
Personally I would feed the puppy formula until the pup is at least six months and closer to nine months. Usually a small breed quits growing, in height, by around that time.

What is the owner of the pet shop qualifications for recommending the adult food? If you are really concerned, ask your vet.

All baby animals require more nutrients in their diet, opposed to an adult animal, in order to produce healthy bodies.
holligator
15 years ago
At her size, your pup should be fine on the puppy formula.

However, there is some confusion in this thread about feeding large breed puppies that I think it is important to clear up.

With few exceptions, puppy foods are inappropriate for large breed puppies (Lab, Golden, Collie, GSD, etc.). As joepyeweed mentioned, there is concern about them growing too fast, but puppy foods exacerbate the problem rather than solving it. Excessive fat and protein content promotes fast growth and can lead to orthopedic problems. There are now some large breed puppy formulas that are designed to prevent excessively fast growth.

With giant breed puppies (Great Dane, Mastiff, Newfounland, Leonberger, Great Pyrenees, Saint Bernard, etc.), the concern is far more serious. Orthopedic problems can be crippling in these breeds and, unfortunately, are quite common. Even large breed puppy formulas are inappropriate and can be dangerous for these breeds. Only two brands that I know of (Eagle Pack and Innova) have large breed puppy formulas that are appropriate for giant breed puppies. Adult formulas are much better for them and support slow, steady growth, which lessens the risk of growth disorders.

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