Switching from Puppy to Adult Formula - Page 1

Lot's of discussions about food on this forum. Thought I'd post this question to see what opinions/thoughts folks have-

Is there anything besides age to indicate when it's time to switch a dog (specifically a GSD) from puppy formula to an adult food? Any observable behaviors, physical traits or other indicators?

German Shepherd puppies should be put on Adult Dog Foods from the beginning...So then no switching needs to take place...So to answer your question Put your puppy/puppies on Adult Dog Food NOW...

To explain: GSD's puppies don't need to grown fast...in fact they need to grow slowly...So that their structure can grown and keep up with their bodies...

Put your puppy on a good quality Grain Free Dog Food and you should be just fine...

~Bob~

I personally think a raw food diet is best for all dogs. I am pretty sure that research will back that up. With that being said, I feel most dog owners have different opinions on what and how to feed their dogs. Some dog owners give their dog puppy food or adult dog food (there are quality adult all-life stages foods available). I fed my three year old male German Shepherd (in my profile picture) Blue Wilderness topped with raw or partially cooked (chicken, beef, fish) meat for the first year and half of his life. I then tried three or four 5 star adult dog foods before I found one he actually liked. I still top his food off with real meat for variety and so he can have something different. He has grown to be an average size dog which is what my husband and I had hoped for as he lives in our home with us. I know German Shepherds are prone to grow too fast if fed the wrong diets. My German Shepherds thrived well on the diet I provided for him.

I had his hips and elbows x-rayed and turned in to OFA a couple of months ago. I felt his hips and elbows had to be at least good because of his athleticism while running, swimming, climbing and jumping. To my delight and somewhat shock, when I opened the OFA results he had hips that graded excellent and elbows normal. I am aware genetics played a role in his excellent hip rating, but I feel his diet, exercise (such as swimming at least three days a week) all played a roll in his hips grading excellent.

Everyone has their own opinions on how to feed their dogs. I am not saying my way was the only way or the best. I am just discusing what worked for my dog.




 

It is MOST important to feed a good diet particularly when they are very young...To give them a really good start...Their bodies will mature properly with good nutrition...

As above stated...I too think RAW Diet is the Best...but not everyone either believes in it or don't have the time to do it...

I actually feed a good quality Grain Free Dog Food along with Veggies and other things...then their 2nd feeding my dogs will get a RAW Chicken Leg Quarter...

I start my puppies off at 3 weeks of age beginning to eat RAW...usually Chicken (no bones at this time)...

~Bob~

Hi Bob - When is a good time to add bones? Also, what kind of raw bones do you think is best for them? Thank you for advice! Lynne