Purina Response- Feeding Large Breed Puppies

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Thank you for contacting Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.

We appreciate your inquiry. Please know that we recommend puppies remain on a puppy formula until they turn one year of age. However, large breed dogs (dogs weighing over 50 pounds at maturity) should remain on a puppy formula until they reach two years of age.

Growing puppies have increased nutritional needs compared to adult dog and the nutritional needs of large breed puppies differ from those of smaller breed puppies. Large breed puppies, which are dogs that will weigh over 50 pounds at maturity, require fewer calories per unit of body weight than smaller breed puppies.

Rapid growth occurs during the first few months in all breeds. Excessive daily caloric intake, beyond that needed for lean body condition, can contribute to accelerated growth rate and excessive weight gain. Avoiding excessive caloric intake helps manage growth and excessive weight gain, which is beneficial to skeletal development in large breed puppies. To help manage the large breed puppy's growth rate when fed as recommended, the new large breed puppy formulas are scientifically formulated with reduced fat and calories.

Large breed puppies mature at a slower rate than smaller breed puppies and may take up to 2 years to reach adult size. This difference in maturation rate is why it's important to feed a large breed formula until full maturity.

Research at the Purina Pet Care Center indicates that avoiding overfeeding of puppies may help their development. Maintaining ideal body condition is key to encouraging proper growth in all puppies, especially large breeds.

We hope you find this information helpful and will contact us with any additional questions.

Again, thank you for visiting our web site.