Transitioning lab puppy to adult food

[ArtichokeAardvark]

Hello all,

Canvassing opinion - when did you move your Labrador onto adult food? My lab 'puppy' turns one this month and I'm wondering when to make the switch. She's still growing and not had her first season yet.

Guidelines on back of her current puppy food (Burns lamb and rice kibble) say to switch at 9 months but vet said that was too early for a lab.

She's happy and fit on her current food, but the sheer quantity she has each day makes me wonder if it's time to switch!

Obligatory photo of well-fed pooch below.

She's gorgeous. I'd switch now (well, over the course of a week to blend the foods).

I wouldn’t yet. Your vet has said it’s too early, so I absolutely would listen to that. Puppy food is higher in calcium (bones) and protein-fat - both crucial for development. Switching too early can cause serious complications - a healthy diet is critical to puppies bone and overall growth development

Most bigger dogs don’t reach physically maturity from anywhere to 18-24 months. I don’t transition my Goldens to adult food until they’re two. I’ve never had any joint issues, including dysplasia or arthritis, in twenty years. Perhaps that good breeding, but I think food plays a very important role…

Guide dogs move their Lab puppies onto adult food when they leave the puppy raisers and hopefully go to training school (as long as suitable). They are about 14 months or a bit older when they make the transition.

I will do the same with my own Lab puppy - maybe leave it a bit later still unless we are struggling to keep his weight down (adult food less calorific).

We moved at around 14 months I think, but our girl had her first season at 8.5 months and was pretty much her adult weight and it made logistics at bit easier with feeding both ours the same

If she had not had a season and was still obviously growing I would probably have waited longer.

Thanks all. I obviously jinxed something as she's started her first season today! I ordered a massive 12kg bag of puppy food fairly recently which should last us another 2 months, so will probably get through that and then start slowly transitioning her to the adult version. Good to know that I'm on the right track though.

That's ok, I still think you would be sensible to leave her on puppy food at least until she is 1.

Having her first season doesn't make her an adult overnight.