Today’s premium pet food aisle is filled with “life-stage” foods. These formulas represent the efforts of premium manufacturers to develop foods that best meet the needs of pets throughout their lives. Here are a few frequently asked questions and the answers concerning selecting a life-stage food.

1. What should I feed my puppy or kitten?
Premium puppy or kitten food is important because it is high in protein and calcium. Many premium foods are supplemented with DHA. This essential fatty acid is important for brain development and overall health.

2.  What’s the difference between small breed puppy foods and large breed puppy foods?
The main difference is that small breed puppies have higher metabolisms and special growth rates and their foods are created to meet those needs. On the other hand, large breed foods are formulated to promote a slower growth rate which will allow for healthy bone and joint development in large and giant breeds.

3. When should my puppy/kitten change to adult food?
Always follow your vet’s recommendations when it comes to your pet’s development. A good rule-of-thumb is to change to an adult food at about 12-14 months of age or when the pet reaches 80% of their adult size.

4. What should I feed my large breed dog?
If you have a dog that is 50 lbs. or larger, it is recommended that you feed him a large breed formula. This food has lower fat and protein levels and a larger kibble size. Many large breed formulas also have higher levels of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.

5. At what age should I switch my dog/cat from an adult  to a senior formula?
For most dogs and cats senior foods should be introduced at about 7 years of age.  Large and giant breed dogs should be switched at 5 years of age. Today’s senior foods are formulated with added protein to meet older animals’ unique nutrition requirements. Very elderly pets (over 7 for dogs and 11 for cats) are prone to weight loss because they often don’t digest fat and absorb nutrients as efficiently as younger animals. Including easily digestible ingredients and metabolic supplements like L-Carnitine are some of the ways pet food manufacturers formulate senior diets to promote muscle maintenance.