Transitioning from Puppy food to Adult food...

[Eric]

I was wondering what the typical age at which you transition from puppy kibble to adult kibble is? I have heard a few different responses from people and was wondering what some others opinions were. Another question is for those who have/do use flax oil, how often are you using it? btw Frankie is now 5.5 months and around 18.5lbs...pics below. Thank You for all comments and suggestions

[fran and dari]

You dog is very cute.. As for transitioning from puppy to adult food..I never used puppy food.. I am sure someone else can answer your question.

Flaxseed oil is not a good source of Omega 3.. according to Lew Olsen PHD ,owner of the k9nutrition list; the bioavailiblity of Omega 3 in Flaxseed oil is so low as to be nil for dogs.because of the difficulty of conversion and digestion
. Instead use Salmon oil or cold water fish oil (certified heavy metal free) in capsules. Once the oil hits the air; even when refrigorated, its starts to deteriorate..that is why capsules are better than the pump bottles.

For a healthy adult dog, a dose of 1000mgs is good.. a dog with allergies can/should have more.

[Maria Casanova-Richards]

Eric, I'm sure you're going to get a bunch of different answers so here is one more. I've always waited until my dogs turned one year old before switching them. To my knowledge, puppy food contains more fat which, I'm told, they need while they are puppies (assuming he gets regular exercise because you don't want an overweight dog).

BTW, that's quite a handsome boy you have there.

[Eric]

To Fran, what if the flaxseed is "formulated" for dogs I've seen that stuff around, is that also not a good source of Omega 3? and if it isn't are the other oils you mentioned available at most stores? gnc, target, etc?

[Tatiana]

While "flaxseed" oil is formulated for pets, the fact is that it's more like "snake oil" in the sense that it costs a lot of money and isn't very beneficial nutritionally... It's a plant-based oil and the fact is that you'd have to feed the dog six to seven times MORE of the flax-seed oil to derive the same benefits contained in fish oils, and secondly, plant-based oils aren't processed the same way by dogs and take much longer to break down...

Like Fran suggested, one should source cold-water fish oils that are ethoxyquin-free... The usual dosage is 1,000 MGs per day and you can add 200 I/Us of Vitamin E in the form of gel caps... My dogs swallow the gel caps and like them, but people can either dispense them as they would with any pill, or they can blend them into the meals, or you can puncture a hole in the gel caps and drizzle the oil on the food... Cod liver or salmon oil can also be purchased in bottles, however, they have to be stored properly or they go rancid... The gel-caps really are quite affordable and come in the ideal daily dosages...

For dogs that happen to suffer from allergies to fish, then flaxseed or olive oil may be a substitute, however, they still won't provide the amount of Omegas associated with the fish varieties.

As for transitioning puppies to adult food, the fact is that you're going to hear many opinions... As a person that's been around French Bulldogs for the past 17 years, here's what I've learnt: Unlike large-breed dogs, French Bulldogs don't need a puppy-formulated food... They can eat an all-stage or adult selection from the time they're weaned from their mother's milk and start getting introduced to food... Whether you feed kibble, home-cooked, or raw, Frenchies can eat whatever suits them and don't necessarily benefit from eating strictly puppy food and don't need the fat or fillers. There's nothing wrong with feeding puppy food to a French Bulldog, but there's no special benefit either... What you do need to know is that allergies can manifest themselves between 6 months and up to 4 years of age so when you do wean your dog off the puppy formula try and make cautious and prudent choices and keep tabs of what you feed your dog so that if problems do develop you'll have an easier time eliminating a food from the diet... Good luck!

[Jen]

I am a certified Holistic Nutritionist for people and flaxseed is not a good source as it does not contain all the essential fatty acid (3,6, and 9). Which can cause you or the dog to become deficient in 6 and 9. It is best like Fran said to have salmon or a omega 3,6,9 pill or oil.

[Eric]

ty for the info. Tatiana, I've been researching the different oils and have found out a lot of good info. and as far as the food goes we will just stick with the same brand and use the "adult" food, no allergies or signs of any problems with his current brand so hopefully that will continue and he will not develop any allergies...thank you all for the good info.

[fran and dari]

Cod liver oil is not interchangable with Fish oil...as for storage of oil..it is not the storage method..it is the air hitting the oil that diminishes the efficacy of it..So even Fish oil in a pump in the refrigorator ,properly stored is not delivering the appropriate benefits.

Here is a good explanation of various oils from Lew Olsen PHD.

Fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids, which help the immune system, coat
and skin and also is good to fight inflammation.

Cod liver oil is for vitamin A and D, and it all depends on the dog's diet
before I would recommend this.

Coconut oil is medium chain triglycerides (a type of fat) that may be useful
for certain digestion problems. It is an omega 6 fatty acid (which can
aggravate inflammation) so I would give fish oil when giving this. Omega 3
fatty acids (which are found in fish oils, not so much fish LIVER oil) are
hard to find in the diet. Omega fatty acids are in most all foods, which is
why we add the omega 3 fatty acids, to balance them out.

As for Flaxseed and Olive Oil.. they can be counter productive..especially for dogs suffering from allergies
again according to Lew Olsen PHD.

Generally when we talk about essential fatty acids, we are talking
about omega 3 fatty acids, which you find in fish oil. Olive oil and
flaxseed oil are hign in omega 6 fatty acids, which can promote
inflammation.

Eric, I buy fish oil capsules at Whole Foods.. certified heavy metal free.. the fish are small fish at the bottom of the food chain..rather than the larger fish. They have not ingested so many (or any ) of the pollutants because of this position in the scheme of things..

Depending on the way you choose to feed.(I feed raw) foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids can be included in the diet as well. My dog gets a meal once a week of Jack Mackeral..things like that.. in addition to the fish oil..
Good luck with your pup..

[Eric]

well thanks for all the info everyone...I found a good deal on the Fish Oil in 1000mg capsule formula, much more convenient for sure