Puppy Food a Gimmick?

[Ivy]

Is puppy food a gimmick? I have been told by a couple of breeders that recommend feeding a pup adult food from the beggining to the end.

[vanillasugar]

No. Puppy food has it's time and place where it's suitable. Now when you're talking about large breed dogs (those who will grow to 100lbs+ at maturity) a lot of research points at keeping them on adult food from the beginning to keep growth and development slow and even.

[ihartgonzo]

I believe that it is, honestly. Puppies would naturally eat the same stuff as adult dogs (raw meat and bones)... just in larger quantities to support their growing bodies. A lot of nutritionists discourage feeding puppy food because it is so high in calories and calcium that it can cause dangerous growth spurts.

Fozzie was raised on prey model raw, supplemented with an all life stages kibble, and grew up very slowly with no growth spurts. He has really good structure, for a wonky Corgi mix, and that's important. I did NOT want him to grow up to have any joint issues or bowed legs or other ailments that I've seen in dwarf dogs, especially mixes.

[Dekka]

I think it is to an extent. I mean if you look at the 'crap' foods then yes puppy food is probably necessary. But we don't have special foods for growing children. We just make sure they eat healthy foods. But these foods are the same that adults eat.

[OutlineACDs]

Yes, it is. I quit feeding puppy food to puppies/pregnant moms years ago, and have seen no ill effects. If you feed a good, all life stages food (or raw diet) you have no need to feed puppy food, even on a large breed dog.

[motherofmany]

Just watch the calcium and phosphorus levels and ratios if you have a rapidly growing or large breed puppy.