When to Change from Puppy Food to Dog Food?

[IcyMist]

At what age do you typically change from puppy food to adult food for your dog? Penny is 7 months old (my baby is growing up ) and I still haven't found the perfect dry puppy food for her yet. She seems to be one of those dogs that gets bored with the same food all the time and so won't eat for a day and sometimes two and so I have been testing out different foods (small amounts added to regular food) to see if she likes the new food, but I don't want to continue doing this and end up with a bunch of puppy food if I will be changing her to adult food soon.

[rutylr]

Everyone is different on this .Since I own large breed dogs They are on adult food before I place them at 8 weeks.Then do not need all that extra protien and I don't want them growing too fast.
Donna

[IcyMist]

Hmmmm Penny is 15 lbs and I would love her to stay about the same size she is now, but I don't want to take the extra nutrition away from her if it will hurt her. Any clues if it could hurt a small dog by taking it away from puppy food too soon?

[barnjess]

What breed is she?

[IcyMist]

Cocker Spaniel. According to the vet, she is a rather small cocker spaniel and shouldn't get any more than 19 lbs.

[barnjess]

Oooh whats that in kg lol, well i would keep her on a puppy food until at least 10 months to a year, or you could put her on a all life stages food. Be Careful as constant changing of her food will make her very fussy she will learn that if she doesn't eat something you will offer her different

[Moo]

It depends on the breed, the breed's build, the individual dog. I switched Kirby over at a year... He did not finish growing until a few months later, but that was it.

[IcyMist]

Okay thanks everybody. I think I will wait until Penny is a year old before I change her over to adult food. As for her getting picky, I still make her eat the stuff she gets bored with only I mix it with what she currently likes.

[mara]

I followed my breeders advise and fed puppy food for 10 months. I would imagine different breeds have different requirements.

[sheplovr]

The smaller breeds can go to a year or more if not too fat on puppy brand. Now, mine I change over at 6 or 7 months and once in a while let one on to a year, but if I see too much weight gain, too quick of growth, I run to adult brand. I also use large breed puppy for less protein and fat. I do not want my dogs to grow too fast nor be heavy first year of life.