petgood currently offers two insect-based complete foods for dogs - one variant for adult dogs and one developed for the nutritional needs of the puppy and the pregnant or lactating female. Here we explain in more detail what sets these foods apart, and when it is time to switch to adult food for your puppy.
What is the difference between our puppy food and adult food?
For puppies, growing dogs and pregnant or lactating females, we recommend our puppy food, which is developed especially for the puppy's growth and development. It differs from the adult food in that the puppy food has:
-
higher levels of a specific omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is a prerequisite for healthy development of the puppy's brain, retina and nervous system.
-
a higher fat and protein level for growth and development.
-
higher calcium and phosphorus levels for the development of the puppy's skeleton, joints and teeth.
On this page you can read more about which ingredients our puppy food contains, as well as the nutritional content. In this article you will also find our feeding recommendation for puppies.
When should I switch from puppy food to adult food?
We recommend that you switch from puppy food to adult food when your puppy has finished growing. For most dogs this happens around one year of age. Small breeds can switch a little earlier, and large breeds can switch a little later. Remember to make a gradual transition, just as with all food changes.
Are there any risks with eating puppy food as an adult?
There are several reasons to switch from puppy food to adult food when the dog has finished growing. Puppy food contains higher levels of protein and fat. Since an adult dog does not have the same need for fat and protein, there is a risk that the dog instead becomes overweight because of the excess. The dog's need for minerals also changes when the dog is no longer growing - when the skeleton and joints have finished growing, the dog no longer has an increased need for calcium. To keep the dog's mineral balance healthy, you should switch from puppy food to adult food when the dog has stopped growing. It is worth noting that muscle growth can continue to happen in adulthood, and a complete and balanced adult food covers the protein needs an adult dog has to be able to build muscle.