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Feeding your adult dog

Feeding your adult dog

As dogs get older, their nutritional needs change. For most dogs, they reach their adult life stage around their first year, so it is important to transition their diet to an adult dog food at that time.

 

Here's our nutrition guide for feeding adult dogs (age 12 months to 7 years) to help keep your canine friend in peak physical condition.

Once puppies have matured to 12 months, or even 18 months for some large breeds, they are considered adults. At this point, they are still growing, but not as rapidly as when they were at their prime puppy stage. Because adult dogs don't need the same nutrients as puppies do, the best dog food for your adult dog is one that is specially formulated for his adult needs. Adult dog food isn’t as calorie-dense as puppy food, but still includes a balance of the necessary vitamins, protein, fats and minerals to keep your dog in optimal health.

Note: A puppy's transition to adulthood is variable depending on breed, size and overall growth, so we recommend you talk to your local Animates Vetcare team for their advice on when your puppy is expected to become an adult.

Once your dog reaches adulthood, we recommend feeding them a Superior Nutrition adult dog food to provide numerous health benefits. Superior Nutrition dog food contains guaranteed quality ingredients using a scientifically formulated recipe that takes into account health issues, lifestyle and breed, so you can find the perfect one to suit your best friend. With ingredients like DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, that supports their brain, nervous system, and encourages a healthy skin and coat, your dog will be tip-top shape inside and out!

To help you choose the best food for your adult dog, consider the following factors:

1. Your dog's lifestage - choose a food made specifically for adult dogs.

Because adult dogs don't need the same nutrients to help them grow as puppies, their diet contains fewer calories to help them maintain a healthy weight during adulthood.

2. Your dog's size - choose food matching your dog's size (small, medium, large).

Size also plays a big role in meeting a dog's nutritional needs. For example, smaller dogs have a higher metabolism, which means they need more calories in their diet than larger dogs. Since large, medium and small dogs have different nutritional requirements, choosing a dog food that matches your dog's size will be the best way to keep your pooch healthy. 

No matter the size of your adult dog, you should always pay close attention to the amount they eat and be sure that treats are limited. Keeping your pet healthy during adulthood will set them up well for their senior years. Owners of large and giant breed dogs should keep in mind that their pet must stay on puppy food a little longer than 12 months. If you are unsure when you should switch your dog onto adult diet, ask our friendly pet experts at your local Animates store or Animates Vetcare clinic.

3. Your dog's breed - different breeds have unique needs.

From the small, flat-faced Pug to the obesity-prone Labrador Retriever, breed-specific diets are tailor-made to address the unique needs of purebred dogs. Taking these differences into careful consideration, breed-specific diets feature unique nutrients, kibble shape and texture to provide perigee dogs with the right nutrition they need to thrive. If your dog is a pedigree, or a crossbreed that strongly resembles a purebred, you may want to consider feeding your pooch a breed-specific diet.

4. Health requirements.

Superior Nutrition dog foods are also available in ranges that cater to special health needs such as dental care, joints and mobility support, and weight management. Before switching your dog's food to a care nutrition diet, a proper vet diagnosis is essential. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, talk to your local Animates Vetcare clinic for dietary advice. 

 

5. Wet food or dry food

Feeding your dog a combination of both wet and dry food in their daily diet can help them get the most out of mealtimes. Since some pets can struggle to get enough water day-to-day (particularly in the summer), offering your pet a wet meal is a great way to boost their daily water intake. Plus, the high meat content and enticing aroma of wet diets makes this food more palatable – to help encourage fussy eaters!

Note: Always consult with your vet if your senior pet has problems with their appetite or eating.

Transitioning your dog’s diet

If you’ve decided to make a change to your dog’s diet, whether it’s a different brand, a new balance between wet and dry food, or shifting from puppy food to adult dog food, it’s important that you do so slowly. While we can happily eat a variety of foods in one day, our pets have very different digestive systems, which need a focus on balance.

Some dogs are likely to have a more sensitive stomach than others but, even so, an abrupt change in diet can lead to digestive upsets. Gradually introducing the food over a 7-day period is the best way to avoid some of the issues that can occur with a change to diet. 

At Animates, we believe your dog and cat will love their food so much that if they don’t...we’ll help find a replacement. That’s our taste guarantee.

If you're pet isn't satisfied with their new food all you need to do is...

  1. Bring the remaining food back to one of our stores
  2. Let one of our team members know the food wasn't quite right for your pet
  3. We'll help find a replacement food for your pet with one of equal value

Taste Guarantee, they'll love it or we'll replace it...guaranteed!

We’re here for you

Feeding your pooch a high-quality diet during their adult years will provide many benefits to keep them happy and healthy.
If you need any more information about what to feed your dog, come in and have a chat with our friendly pet experts at your local Animates store or Animates Vetcare clinic. Our knowledgeable staff will help you choose a Superior Nutrition cat food to match your canine friend's age, lifestyle, breed or special health needs.

 

Once puppies have matured to 12 months, or even 18 months for some large breeds, they are considered adults. At this point, they are still growing, but not as rapidly as when they were at their prime puppy stage. Because adult dogs don't need the same nutrients as puppies do, the best dog food for your adult dog is one that is specially formulated for his adult needs. Adult dog food isn’t as calorie-dense as puppy food, but still includes a balance of the necessary vitamins, protein, fats and minerals to keep your dog in optimal health.

Note: A puppy's transition to adulthood is variable depending on breed, size and overall growth, so we recommend you talk to your local Animates Vetcare team for their advice on when your puppy is expected to become an adult.

Once your dog reaches adulthood, we recommend feeding them a Superior Nutrition adult dog food to provide numerous health benefits. Superior Nutrition dog food contains guaranteed quality ingredients using a scientifically formulated recipe that takes into account health issues, lifestyle and breed, so you can find the perfect one to suit your best friend. With ingredients like DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, that supports their brain, nervous system, and encourages a healthy skin and coat, your dog will be tip-top shape inside and out!

To help you choose the best food for your adult dog, consider the following factors:

1. Your dog's lifestage - choose a food made specifically for adult dogs.

Because adult dogs don't need the same nutrients to help them grow as puppies, their diet contains fewer calories to help them maintain a healthy weight during adulthood.

2. Your dog's size - choose food matching your dog's size (small, medium, large).

Size also plays a big role in meeting a dog's nutritional needs. For example, smaller dogs have a higher metabolism, which means they need more calories in their diet than larger dogs. Since large, medium and small dogs have different nutritional requirements, choosing a dog food that matches your dog's size will be the best way to keep your pooch healthy. 

No matter the size of your adult dog, you should always pay close attention to the amount they eat and be sure that treats are limited. Keeping your pet healthy during adulthood will set them up well for their senior years. Owners of large and giant breed dogs should keep in mind that their pet must stay on puppy food a little longer than 12 months. If you are unsure when you should switch your dog onto adult diet, ask our friendly pet experts at your local Animates store or Animates Vetcare clinic.

3. Your dog's breed - different breeds have unique needs.

From the small, flat-faced Pug to the obesity-prone Labrador Retriever, breed-specific diets are tailor-made to address the unique needs of purebred dogs. Taking these differences into careful consideration, breed-specific diets feature unique nutrients, kibble shape and texture to provide perigee dogs with the right nutrition they need to thrive. If your dog is a pedigree, or a crossbreed that strongly resembles a purebred, you may want to consider feeding your pooch a breed-specific diet.

4. Health requirements.

Superior Nutrition dog foods are also available in ranges that cater to special health needs such as dental care, joints and mobility support, and weight management. Before switching your dog's food to a care nutrition diet, a proper vet diagnosis is essential. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, talk to your local Animates Vetcare clinic for dietary advice. 

5. Wet food or dry food

Feeding your dog a combination of both wet and dry food in their daily diet can help them get the most out of mealtimes. Since some pets can struggle to get enough water day-to-day (particularly in the summer), offering your pet a wet meal is a great way to boost their daily water intake. Plus, the high meat content and enticing aroma of wet diets makes this food more palatable – to help encourage fussy eaters!

Note: Always consult with your vet if your senior pet has problems with their appetite or eating.

Transitioning your dog’s diet

If you’ve decided to make a change to your dog’s diet, whether it’s a different brand, a new balance between wet and dry food, or shifting from puppy food to adult dog food, it’s important that you do so slowly. While we can happily eat a variety of foods in one day, our pets have very different digestive systems, which need a focus on balance.

Some dogs are likely to have a more sensitive stomach than others but, even so, an abrupt change in diet can lead to digestive upsets. Gradually introducing the food over a 7-day period is the best way to avoid some of the issues that can occur with a change to diet. 

At Animates, we believe your dog and cat will love their food so much that if they don’t...we’ll help find a replacement. That’s our taste guarantee.

If you're pet isn't satisfied with their new food all you need to do is...

  1. Bring the remaining food back to one of our stores
  2. Let one of our team members know the food wasn't quite right for your pet
  3. We'll help find a replacement food for your pet with one of equal value

Taste Guarantee, they'll love it or we'll replace it...guaranteed!

We’re here for you

Feeding your pooch a high-quality diet during their adult years will provide many benefits to keep them happy and healthy.
If you need any more information about what to feed your dog, come in and have a chat with our friendly pet experts at your local Animates store or Animates Vetcare clinic. Our knowledgeable staff will help you choose a Superior Nutrition cat food to match your canine friend's age, lifestyle, breed or special health needs.

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