When is my dog considered a young adult?
Small- to medium-sized dogs are generally full-grown at about one year of age, while giant breeds, such as the Great Dane, are closer to two years of age. Dogs are considered middle-aged by 5 to 7 years old.
Between “full-grown” and “middle-aged” is the young adult life stage. Unless there is an unusual medical crisis, the young adult stage is typically a healthy period of a dog's life.
What are the main priorities in feeding a young adult dog?
The primary nutritional goals for the young adult dog are to maximize health, longevity, and quality of life. An appropriate diet for the young adult dog should address common health issues that nutrition may influence, including dental disease, osteoarthritis, and obesity.
Your veterinary healthcare team is an excellent partner in choosing a nutrient profile that best suits your individual dog. Relevant factors to consider include breed, gender, reproductive status (spayed or neutered versus intact), lifestyle, activity level, and breed-related tendencies. An important first step is a thorough physical examination to determine whether the dog is underweight, overweight, or at an ideal body condition. Body condition score (BCS) is more important than the actual number on the scale.
Obesity is the most common preventable disease in dogs of all ages. At least two-thirds of dogs are overweight, and one-third are obese. Unless dogs regularly participate in high-energy activities such as working roles, agility training, or endurance sports, they typically require fewer calories than many owners assume. Most dogs live relatively inactive lifestyles. Research suggests that about 22% of dog owners provide fewer than 3 hours of exercise per week, and nearly 40% do not walk their dogs at all.
Lifestyle and living environment can also influence activity level and energy requirements. Dogs housed alone are often less active than dogs living with other dogs, and larger breeds may engage in less spontaneous activity than smaller breeds. Dogs that spend most of their time outdoors may also require a different calorie intake than more sedentary indoor companions. For the average dog, the key to maintaining an ideal body condition is to match caloric density and daily caloric intake to their lifestyle and activity level, while maintaining portion control.
What nutrients does my young adult dog need?
Young adult dogs need water, energy, protein, fat, and fiber.
Water
Water is the most important nutrient for dogs. Dogs typically regulate their water intake well, keeping their total intake fairly consistent. Their total daily water intake will vary depending on the environment, activity, and food composition. Dogs eating a dry kibble diet will drink more than those dogs who acquire part of their water intake from canned food.
Energy
Energy requirements among healthy young adult dogs can vary widely. Spayed and neutered dogs have lower energy requirements than intact dogs. Because most dogs are minimally active, dogs fed the amount recommended on most food labels (according to their body weight) will be overfed. Talk to your veterinarian about how many calories your dog should eat each day so you know how much to feed. After that, monitor your dog’s weight every three to four weeks to determine whether the amount you are feeding is right for your dog.
Protein
Protein is important for the young adult dog. To compare protein, or any nutrient, across different food types, it must be measured on a dry matter (DM) basis, which means looking at the nutrient content of the food after all the water has been removed. Your veterinarian can help you calculate a food’s dry matter. Protein content in commercial dog food varies considerably, from 20% to 60% DM. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a minimum protein content of 18% for young adult dogs.
Although meeting protein requirements is important, feeding excess protein provides no additional benefit. The body does not store excess protein as protein. Instead, the liver breaks it down, the liver and kidneys excrete the waste products, and the remaining energy may be used as energy or stored as fat. Excess calories from high-protein diets may contribute to obesity. Your veterinary healthcare team can help calculate your dog’s protein needs and determine whether the diet provides an appropriate amount of protein.
Fat and Fiber
Different amounts of fat are needed depending on whether your dog is sedentary or more active. Depending on your dog’s individual needs, you may aim for around 10% to 20% DM. Monitor your dog’s weight regularly and monitor their satiety (the sense of feeling "full") throughout each day. Your veterinarian can use that information to help you determine whether your dog will do best with less fat or more fat in their diet.
Similarly, each dog may have different fiber requirements. Fiber can help your dog feel more full between meals, which in turn can decrease begging and limit overeating. Fiber is also important for supporting a healthy gut and can help with maintaining good stool quality. Dog food manufacturers' contact information, found on food labels, can be used to request dry matter data for a particular nutrient you are interested in.
How often and how much should I feed my dog?
Although free-choice feeding is the least labor-intensive and the easiest for most people, open access to food can lead to over-eating and obesity. Dogs do not forage for their food and they largely live sedentary lives, so their caloric output rarely matches their intake when left to their own devices.
Ask your veterinary healthcare team to calculate how many calories your dog needs per day, including treats, to maintain their ideal body condition. Meal feeding two or three times per day using a measured portion provides optimal control over intake and allows for easy modification if your dog’s weight fluctuates.
"Your veterinarian remains the best source for nutritional recommendations specific to your dog."
At least several times each year, it is important for your veterinarian to assess your dog’s body weight and body condition. They can also teach you how to perform body condition assessments on your dog at home. You can perform home assessments more frequently and, if you notice a change, bring your dog to the veterinarian's office to be weighed.
By paying attention to a few nutritional details, you can lay an excellent nutritional foundation to maximize health and longevity for young adult dogs by maintaining a healthy weight all throughout life. Your veterinarian remains the best source for nutritional recommendations specific to your dog. Remember that your dog’s needs may change over time, and regular check-ins with your veterinarian will help you to adjust their diet accordingly.
