Adult Dogs

Activity Level And Dietary Requirements Are Key

By the time a puppy is 6 to 8 months of age, it’s a good time to switch from a puppy formula to an adult dog food (depending on what your veterinarian says, of course). And, since by now your pup is most likely housetrained, canned food, or a mixture of canned and dry, would also be an option. When selecting a food, keep in mind your dog’s level of activity and any special dietary requirements it has (regardless of age, for example, overweight dogs, may need a senior dog formula). The amount a dog needs to eat also depends on size and breed — as explained in our puppy section, 8 ounces of food per day for every 10 pounds of body weight is a good guideline. For most dogs, including medium-sized breeds like Border Collies and Beagles, and large dogs such as Vizslas and Pointers, feeding twice a day (with a greater portion in the morning) is best. However, these are just guidelines, so talk to your veterinarian before making the final call. A couple other rules of thumb:

• Small dogs, like Chihuahuas, Pomeranians and Yorkshire Terriers, burn a lot of calories just zipping around the house all day. Though they don’t eat much, frequent meals will help them keep their energy level right where it should be. For most dogs, feeding two

times a day is best, but these little canines may benefit greatly from feeding more frequent, smaller, meals throughout the day.
• Regardless of your dog’s size, go easy on the treats and table scraps (unless you want a constant beggar). And do not, under any circumstances, allow your dog to eat chocolate — it can make them extremely sick.