I adopted a new dog yesterday after the loss of my other one in June, but I'm wondering if I should be feeding her puppy or dog food. She is a three month old German Pointer. She likes the dog food I bought, but I'm wondering if its the right thing for her nutritionally. Should I be switching to puppy food until she is older or will she be OK with the dog food?
2006-08-27 09:09:07 · 20 answers · asked by Chad 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
At three months of age, I would feed a good quality food for a large breed puppy. Nutro and a few other good quality lines of food have large breed puppy food. This helps ensure the puppy's bones don't grow too fast, which could lead to dysplasia problems. If you adopted her from a shelter, she may not have had the best puppy nutrition. I would also get her puppy vitamins. They come in "treat" form and puppies love them. Several brands to choose from. Petco, Petsmart, vet's office (more pricey). Make sure you get her out and socialize with lots of people, pets, places! Puppy obedience classes are great!
2006-08-27 09:16:19 · answer #1 · answered by Whippetgirl 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It all depends how old your puppy is. It is quite acceptable to change over to Adult food when the pup is about 5 months old for a few months while he is going through his growth spurt. This actually stops the pup from becoming skinny and leggy. He really needs the high protein up until this age but if you have already opened the bag then I would suggest you add the odd egg or grated cheese, even some cooked chicken or fish to his meals until you have finished the bag. This will give him the extra protein he needs. Tinned Sardines in Oil are an excellent source of protein. Once you have finished the bag of Adult you can then go back to the Puppy Food. If you are feeding a high protein Puppy Food there is absolutely no need to add any extra vitamin supplements as the Food will have been scientifically balanced to give your puppy all the nutrients and vitamins he needs for his bone growth and development. I am at a loss why your Veterinarian would give you vitamin supplements to add to his diet.
2016-03-26 22:03:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was always told to feed puppy food till at least 7 to 8 months. Bigger dogs need the nutrition in the food to help their little bodies grow healthier so they don't have deformed bones or joint problems later in life. If you switch slowly add the puppy food to what ever she is eating now so she can get use to the change, and eventually start feeding her all the puppy food. Iams is the best for large breed dogs, I don't really know what a German pointer is, but I think they get to be medium to large dogs.
2006-08-27 09:17:49 · answer #3 · answered by na nah 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you continue feeding her dog food she will eat much more food because it's not nutritionally meeting her needs. Puppy food is designed for a growing puppy and meets the needs of such an animal. You're best bet is to buy a good brand of puppy food (I especially like Natural Choice Oatmeal, Chicken and Rice) and keep her on that until she is a year old, then you can switch to a dog food. Also keep in mind that she should also be given puppy treats, not dog treats. Also if you buy her nylabones to teeth on make sure you purchase the ones designed for puppies, or the nylabone flexible which will be easier on her teeth. Also, contrary to popular belief, Iam's is mostly fillers like chicken by products (feathers, beaks, and feet) and corn, which is indigestible.
2006-08-27 09:25:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Puppies need a little bit different nutrition then adult dog food. Buy a new bag of puppy food and start mixing them together until your old dog food runs out. Give the puppy at least a year on puppy food.
2006-08-27 09:12:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Puppies should be fed puppy food until they're about two years old. There are different nutrients in puppy food for growing dogs than are in dog food. And vice versa, there is stuff in puppy food that is not compatible with feeding to dogs. I made the mistake of feeding my older dog puppy food because the size was easier for her to chew. There were different types of proteins and other things that are not good to give to older dogs.
2006-08-27 10:10:17 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Shes should be eating puppy food. Usually up to 1 year old then gradually switch to adult dog food. Mix 3/4 puppy to 1/4 adult food then 1/2 1 and 1/2 untill its all adult food. This way you dog won't develope diareah from the food change.
2006-08-27 09:14:22 · answer #7 · answered by cin_ann_43 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
She needs to be getting puppy food until she's a year old.
2006-08-27 12:51:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They say puppy food for the first year. I have not always stuck to that though, switch out once in awhile. I don't like same thing all the time. Good Luck.
2006-08-27 09:13:46 · answer #9 · answered by woowoo19532004 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Feed her large breed puppy food until she is 10-12 months old.
2006-08-27 09:45:25 · answer #10 · answered by BLANK 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋