Everything you need to know about switching your pet to adult wellness food
Did you ever wake up to look at your pet and think they’ve actually gotten bigger overnight? They really do grow up quickly!
Knowing when your pet has outgrown puppy or kitten food isn’t always easy. Veterinary nutritionists recommend that puppies and kittens transition to adult food either at 1 year of age or when they’ve reached maturity, whichever occurs later. So the question is, how will you know when the time is right for your pet?
When Is your pet mature?
Maturity can be gauged by several physical factors, including body weight and height. Most dogs and cats are considered mature when they’ve reached 80-90% of their predicted adult size.
In cats, that typically occurs between 9-12 months of age for all but large-breed cats, such as the Maine Coon, which may take up to 18 months to reach maturity.
For dogs, who range from tiny Chihuahuas to massive Great Danes and Bernese Mountain Dogs, there is a huge variation by breed:
Because there can be several other factors beyond breed that affect growth, your veterinarian can help you gauge more definitively when your pet has reached full maturity.
How to choose adult food
There really is a difference between puppy and kitten food and adult food. Puppy or kitten food may be too high in calories for adult pets, causing excessive weight gain.
When choosing an adult pet food, it’s very important to read the entire label, and not just the ingredients. Take a minute to educate yourself about pet food labels at the Association for American Feed Control Official’s (AAFCO’s) website.
The basic label statements your pet’s food should have are:
An easy way to find the best adult wellness foods is to visit Shop myVCA, where only the highest quality, veterinarian-recommended dog and cat food is available.
How to transition your pet to adult food
Make sure you change to the new food gradually, over a period of seven to 14 days, to avoid digestive troubles. For example, on day one, feed your pet 90% puppy or kitten food and 10% adult food. On day two, give your pet 80% puppy or kitten food and 20% adult food, and so on.
Watch your pet closely during this time. If you notice loose stools, vomiting or decreased appetite, slow down the transition process. If things don’t normalize in 24 hours, call your veterinarian for help.
