Puppy food vs. adult food - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Calleasto · 01-07-2006, 09:35 PM

Yesterday Chester went to a new vet that we have never seen yet. She informed me that I should stop feeding Chester puppy food (he just turned 4 months old today) and begin him on adult food. What do you guys think? I always heard it was best to wait until atleast 7 months to a year before switching. Her reason was that puppy food was just setting him up for obesity later in life. Aren't I in control of if my pup is obese or not? How can him eating puppy food effect his weight later in life? Just curious how late in life the rest of you fed your dogs puppy food. Am I wrong in feeding him puppy food at 4 months old?

Gracy · 01-07-2006, 09:45 PM

I would get a new Vet.
You are not wrong, I can't believe a Vet told you this.
Your Puppy is growing and needs a Special Diet.
Puppies eat Puppy food. Puppy food is high in Protein and Calcium.
Puppies Bones and Teeth development continue as they grow.
About 9 -12 months.
I even feed my Dams, which is advised by ALL, puppy food. From the time I decide to breed her, Until her puppies are weaned.
Toy dogs especially need to be on a high protein diet.

I have one of Lily's pups right now. He is 14wks and will keep him on puppy food at least till he is a year.

txshopper73 · 01-07-2006, 09:50 PM

I've heard of vets that have done this if a pup is very healthy and maybe too large weight wise for it's age. How much does your pup weigh?

Calleasto · 01-07-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txshopper73

I've heard of vets that have done this if a pup is very healthy and maybe too large weight wise for it's age. How much does your pup weigh?

He weights 4lbs 2oz. at 16 weeks. I realize he is going to be one of the "bigger" yorkies, but he in no way shape or form overweight. I was actually a little worried he was underweight. He's such a finicky eater. I can feel his ribs, but they don't jut out. He has meat on them, but they are still easy to detect.

hunniebunnie · 01-07-2006, 09:59 PM

my puppy is 4lbs 6oz at 16 weeks and i still plan to keep him on puppy food until at least 7 to 9 months. although i have contemplated switching him to food that's for "all stages of life". some dog food come in one version, one for "all stage of life" as opposed to puppy food and adult food. perhaps you can try one of those.

txshopper73 · 01-07-2006, 09:59 PM

No mam!!! I would NOT take him off of puppy food. Now, if you were to say he was 7 or 8 pounds at 16 weeks, that would be a different story, but his weight is fine. That's one advice from the vet that I would not follow. JMO

Calleasto · 01-07-2006, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txshopper73

No mam!!! I would NOT take him off of puppy food. Now, if you were to say he was 7 or 8 pounds at 16 weeks, that would be a different story, but his weight is fine. That's one advice from the vet that I would not follow. JMO

Well honestly I'm glad to hear this because I thought it sounded a little strange when she suggested it to me. Plus, as I said in another post, she wants me to redo all of Chester's vaccinations that his breeder gave him incase there were "any lapses" in his doses... yeah, at $80 a visit I'm sure she'd love that! She also didn't do a fecal exam on him. I am DEFINATELY going to change vets. There is another YT member on here from my area who suggested her vet and I'll be trying him. Thank all of you for the advice!

shelbysmom · 01-07-2006, 10:49 PM

So do most of you have them on puppy food until they are a year?

chester's mom · 01-08-2006, 02:21 AM

Actually, we are feeding our puppy canidae, which only comes in adult food. We tried giving him wellness super5 puppy, but the chunks are so big! I am surprised that is a puppy mix. He likes the Canidae, and the portions are much smaller so it doesnt take him 45 minutes to eat one handful.

Any one else think that the wellness is too big for our yorkie pup's?

kewtee · 01-08-2006, 03:04 AM

Puppy food until they are 10 months, then I mix adult and puppy food until 12 months where they get pure adult food

alpayton · 01-08-2006, 03:55 AM

I did away with worrying with which pup was eating out of which bowl and started feeding Eagle Pack Holistic Chicken & Rice Adult & Puppy Formula....good for both!

Gracy · 01-08-2006, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calleasto

Well honestly I'm glad to hear this because I thought it sounded a little strange when she suggested it to me. Plus, as I said in another post, she wants me to redo all of Chester's vaccinations that his breeder gave him incase there were "any lapses" in his doses... yeah, at $80 a visit I'm sure she'd love that! She also didn't do a fecal exam on him. I am DEFINATELY going to change vets. There is another YT member on here from my area who suggested her vet and I'll be trying him. Thank all of you for the advice!

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!

mg:
I didn't put the other thread together..........

Where did she get her Education, on the back of a match book cover?????

I am so glad to hear a YT Member suggested their Vet to you.
And I am so glad that you are aware of the fact that your Vet is not up to par with everything.
On the whole though, your one step ahead, and I am sure this is a fluke.
Their are alot more great Vets than there are bad ones.
As I wrote before, Your puppy needs Puppy food, and then the vacinations.
My goodness, as I wrote in that thread, redoing can ruin their immune system.
Their is alot of talk about the side effects of vaccinations.
I personally don't like some of the side effects. My last litter all the pups had a reaction. Now they all have to have a shot to prevent reactions for every vaccination they get.
But still, I would never re vaccinate, just because.

FYI
Also I am in Calif and for the exam, booster and special shot my Vet charges $51.00. Plus I trust his judgement.

Gracy · 01-08-2006, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelbysmom

So do most of you have them on puppy food until they are a year?

Yes!!!!! Absolutely

That is why it is called Puppy Food....

CC's · 01-08-2006, 08:03 AM

I am going to respectfully disagree.

My puppies never get a "puppy food" .
They start out with natural balance and remain on it. While they are just learning to eat they do get milk supplement added to the mix, but by 12 weeks they are eating dry NB.

I have never had any sickly, skinny, slow to develop pups either. Good quality food doesn't need a puppy formula.

Nikko's_human · 01-08-2006, 10:30 AM

Nikko is 8 months old and is still on puppy food. i figure this will be his last bag. at about 10 months i will start mixing in the adult food.

01-07-2006, 09:35 PM	#1
Calleasto Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 81	Puppy food vs. adult food Yesterday Chester went to a new vet that we have never seen yet. She informed me that I should stop feeding Chester puppy food (he just turned 4 months old today) and begin him on adult food. What do you guys think? I always heard it was best to wait until atleast 7 months to a year before switching. Her reason was that puppy food was just setting him up for obesity later in life. Aren't I in control of if my pup is obese or not? How can him eating puppy food effect his weight later in life? Just curious how late in life the rest of you fed your dogs puppy food. Am I wrong in feeding him puppy food at 4 months old? __________________ Jamie, proud mom of Chester, Lexie and Zoie R.I.P. Chewie at Rainbow Bridge 7/14/2005-10/7/2005

01-07-2006, 09:45 PM	#2
Gracy YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: California Posts: 517	I would get a new Vet. You are not wrong, I can't believe a Vet told you this. Your Puppy is growing and needs a Special Diet. Puppies eat Puppy food. Puppy food is high in Protein and Calcium. Puppies Bones and Teeth development continue as they grow. About 9 -12 months. I even feed my Dams, which is advised by ALL, puppy food. From the time I decide to breed her, Until her puppies are weaned. Toy dogs especially need to be on a high protein diet. I have one of Lily's pups right now. He is 14wks and will keep him on puppy food at least till he is a year. __________________ Gracy, Yorkie Lover S Lulu Lily Woody

01-07-2006, 09:50 PM	#3
txshopper73 Donating YT 14K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Victoria, Texas Posts: 14,194 Blog Entries: 1	I've heard of vets that have done this if a pup is very healthy and maybe too large weight wise for it's age. How much does your pup weigh? __________________ As always...JMO (Just My Opinion) Kimberley Gracie, London and Dallas

01-07-2006, 09:59 PM	#6
txshopper73 Donating YT 14K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Victoria, Texas Posts: 14,194 Blog Entries: 1	No mam!!! I would NOT take him off of puppy food. Now, if you were to say he was 7 or 8 pounds at 16 weeks, that would be a different story, but his weight is fine. That's one advice from the vet that I would not follow. JMO __________________ As always...JMO (Just My Opinion) Kimberley Gracie, London and Dallas

01-08-2006, 03:04 AM	#10
kewtee Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Skagen, Denmark Posts: 769	Puppy food until they are 10 months, then I mix adult and puppy food until 12 months where they get pure adult food __________________ Mette - proud mother of Kali - 6 lbs, born on March 18th 2004 Mare - 4 lbs, born on January 28th 2005

01-07-2006, 09:59 PM	#5
hunniebunnie Follower of Yorkietology Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cali-fo-nee-ya Posts: 1,325	my puppy is 4lbs 6oz at 16 weeks and i still plan to keep him on puppy food until at least 7 to 9 months. although i have contemplated switching him to food that's for "all stages of life". some dog food come in one version, one for "all stage of life" as opposed to puppy food and adult food. perhaps you can try one of those.

01-07-2006, 10:49 PM	#8
shelbysmom YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,049	So do most of you have them on puppy food until they are a year?

01-08-2006, 02:21 AM	#9
chester's mom YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 5	Actually, we are feeding our puppy canidae, which only comes in adult food. We tried giving him wellness super5 puppy, but the chunks are so big! I am surprised that is a puppy mix. He likes the Canidae, and the portions are much smaller so it doesnt take him 45 minutes to eat one handful. Any one else think that the wellness is too big for our yorkie pup's?

01-08-2006, 03:55 AM	#11
alpayton Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bowling Green KY Posts: 425	I did away with worrying with which pup was eating out of which bowl and started feeding Eagle Pack Holistic Chicken & Rice Adult & Puppy Formula....good for both! __________________ ~Amanda * Biewers: Armani & Titan

01-08-2006, 08:03 AM	#14
CC's YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 397	I am going to respectfully disagree. My puppies never get a "puppy food" . They start out with natural balance and remain on it. While they are just learning to eat they do get milk supplement added to the mix, but by 12 weeks they are eating dry NB. I have never had any sickly, skinny, slow to develop pups either. Good quality food doesn't need a puppy formula.

01-08-2006, 10:30 AM	#15
Nikko's_human Proudly owned by Nikko Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bronx, New York Posts: 753	Nikko is 8 months old and is still on puppy food. i figure this will be his last bag. at about 10 months i will start mixing in the adult food. __________________ NIKKO and his mommy NECEE