Optimal Adult Dog Feeding Guide: Nutritious Tips Inside

Do you know exactly when a dog reaches adulthood?

Many pet owners believe that a dog becomes an adult when it reaches sexual maturity.

However, it's important to note that sexual maturity does not equate to adulthood. Many dogs become sexually mature before they are a year old, but their bodies are not fully developed at this stage, making them unsuitable for breeding.

In other words, sexual maturity cannot be used as a definitive indicator of a dog's adulthood.

Adulthood in dogs refers to the age at which they are considered fully mature, and this varies among different breeds.

Puppies reach adulthood around 12 months of age, small breeds typically take 18 months or more, and large breeds need to be at least 24 months old.

Regardless of the breed, dogs generally reach full maturity between the ages of 12 and 15 months, at which point their bones stop growing.

However, some dogs have a unique growth pattern, with their bones ceasing growth later than average, such as Golden Retrievers, whose growth plates close around the 21st month.

Once a dog reaches adulthood, the way you care for them must change. They should be fed and cared for as an adult dog.

One of the key aspects of feeding an adult dog is determining the best time to feed them. A good practice is to feed them twice a day, in the morning and evening.

Eating twice a day is a healthy dietary approach for dogs.

Feeding a dog only once a day can lead to prolonged periods of hunger, and in addition to their regular meals, they may consume excessive amounts of treats, which can be harmful to their health.

On the other hand, if a dog is fed only once a day without any additional snacks, there can be significant fluctuations in their blood sugar levels throughout the day. Low blood sugar during periods of hunger and high blood sugar after eating can both be detrimental to a dog's health.

It's also important to note that the amount of food an adult dog should be fed has a standard. The total daily food intake should be between 2% and 3% of their body weight, with variations in feeding amounts depending on the breed and size of the dog.

Additionally, adult dogs should no longer be fed puppy food. Longterm consumption of puppy food can have many negative effects on an adult dog's health.