Puppy to Adult Food

[Ann O'Connor]

My Labradoodle Bella is turning 1 on October 3.  I am currently feeding her Orijen Puppy. Do I need to switch her over right away to Orijen adult?  I still have quite a bit of the puppy food left.  When should I make the switch and when I do is it done gradually?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Actually, Bella could have been switched to adult formula sooner, but there are really no hard & fast rules. I would do it now, though. The puppy formula contains more fat and calories than the the adult formula.
There isn't a whole lot of difference between the two formulas in terms of ingredients, so it should be an easy transition. As long as you have a lot of puppy food left, you can do it over a week's time. Start by replacing a quarter of Bella's puppy food with the adult formula. Increase the amount of adult food while you decrease the puppy formula untuil she's only the adult formula. Once she finishes the bag of Adult formula, you can rotate with the 6 Fish or Regional Red formulas for more variety, if you like.Make sure you check the recommended feeding amounts on the bag for her weight, they may be different from the puppy guidleines.

[Ann O'Connor]

Great thanks for the advise. So, I should use the adult formula first, correct, then rotate? Wasn't sure which formula to use. Also, when you rotate formulas do you have to introduce them slowly again?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, I would start with the Adult formula. Once she's doing fine on that for say, a month, you can just rotate with the other two formulas. There shouldn't be a need to transition unless she has a sensitive stomach.

[Ann O'Connor]

Thanks Karen. This is a big help!