switching to adult food

kzdz

New member
I have two newfies. One is a female (Morgan)almost 2 years old and the other is a 4 month old puppy (Quark). When Morgan was a puppy I read that Newfs should be switched from puppy to adult food earlier than other breeds in order to slow their growth rate and relieve some of the strain on their joints. Has anyone else heard this? I started Morgan on adult food when she was about 5 months old and am wondering if this is a good idea for Quark. It would definitely be better on my checkbook since he's already eating more than Morgan and puppy food is more expensive.
 

AmyPC

Inactive Member
We heard this too so switched Rory over at about 6 months. However when the vet found out he advised to switch back until she was at least a year, saying that adult foods have different types of vitamins from puppy foods, and different amounts. So we went back to the puppy, and she is still on puppy.

Back to adult soon. I guess it really depends on which brand of food you're on.
 

Diane

Inactive Member
Hi...I just joined this forum and it's great to have a Newf-oriented group of folks to "speak" with. We have a Newf puppy (who is now a year old) and from the start, the breeder recommended that we feed him adult food specific to large breeds. He has grown so rapidly (130 pounds....but very lean) that we sense that this was the correct approach for Willie. We also mix Hokamix into both Willie's and Amy's (3 years old) food. Again, recommended by the breeder, it's a good source of vitamins, minerals, and natural joint-protectors.
 

shawn

Inactive Member
Newmie was started on adult food by my breeder at 3 wks old. When I got him at 8 wks old, I asked my vet about this and he was definitely in agreement with the breeder. He said that since Newfs grow so fast and puppy foods sometimes had stuff in them to encourage growth it was not good for their joints. They don't need anything to make them grow any faster.
 

kzdz

New member
Amen to that! I just switched Quark to mainly adult food this past weekend and am still mixing the puppy food I have left with the new stuff. At 18 weeks old he was 50 lbs. What a beast!
 

Liesel

Inactive Member
Hi kzdz, I understand that newfies should be kept on puppy food for up to 2 years, depending on the size of the animal, with the general rule being that the larger the animal the longer this period should be. This is to allow strong bone and good joints to develop. Giant breeds are predisposed to rapid growth and adult foods do tend to slow this down but there are now plenty of junior/puppy grade foods available specifically for giant breeds which will provide the required vitamin and mineral content without high protein and fat levels which will encourage accelerated growth. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by kzdz:
I have two newfies. One is a female (Morgan)almost 2 years old and the other is a 4 month old puppy (Quark). When Morgan was a puppy I read that Newfs should be switched from puppy to adult food earlier than other breeds in order to slow their growth rate and relieve some of the strain on their joints. Has anyone else heard this? I started Morgan on adult food when she was about 5 months old and am wondering if this is a good idea for Quark. It would definitely be better on my checkbook since he's already eating more than Morgan and puppy food is more expensive.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
 

Kodiak

New member
We have a 6 month old black newfie named Kodiak Bear, affectionately known as Kodi. Tonight at the vet we were told to switch him over to large breed adult food, but to mix it with his large breed puppy food. He's been on Eukanuba large breed puppy since we got him at 6 weeks of age, which at that time was completely moistened. He weighed in at 84.6 pounds. We were told that by mixing the food, it will slow his weight down as he grows. Has anyone that has started the adult large breed food noticed any difference in their puppy's weight gain? Right now, Kodi is lean and tall and in excellent condition. Does anyone have a guideline for newfie weights?
 

Diane

Inactive Member
Kodi seems to be doing very well - the important point you've made is that he's lean. We have several books on Newfs (of course!)
, and I picked up the one Amy and Willie had pulled out of the basket last eveing..."The Newfoundland" by Emily Bruno. (it's highly informative). In it, there's a chart of growth for male newfoundlands during their first 20 months...at 6 months, the dog should weigh about 88 pounds. So Kodi's right on the money!
 

Kodiak

New member
Diane, thanks so much for the info. I do have the Emmy Bruno "The Newfoundland" book, but can't locate the chart you referred to. Would you be kind enough to let me know the page. I do appreciate your response to my topic. Here on Long Island, NY there aren't too many Newfie owners and it's nice to be able to get answers and ideas from other owners.
 

Diane

Inactive Member
We're almost neighbors...we're in CT. I don't know if there's more than one edition, but this one was copyright in 1997. The chart is on page 137. It's in Chapter VI., Breeding. Did you find it?
 

Kodiak

New member
Yes, Diane, we found it
. I guess we were looking for a text chart and not a graph. Glad to know Kodi's weight is correct for his age. Thanks again...
 

kzdz

New member
Thanks for the input everyone! For now I'm feeding him mostly adult food, but I mix it with about 1/3 puppy food. Speaking of eating, here's a picture of our house at dinnertime.

 

Diane

Inactive Member
kzdz- I cannot open your picture- what am I doing wrong? I've double-clicked on the box, and I've right clicked and selected "show picture"...?
 

kzdz

New member
I'm not sure. On my computer at work, I can't even see an indication that there's a picture for a bunch of the photos on this forum. On my home computer I can see all of them. Did you have any problems opening my other pictures? I think they were in the "Newf Photo" forum. I've posted all of them the same way. GAD, any ideas?
 

JerseyGirl

New member
Hi everyone - need some advice. I have a 4 month old male newfie. He seems to be eating his food too fast. My breeder recommended raising his food dish. What are your thoughts on this and what kind would you suggest. Also he is about 51 pounds. I have been feeding him Pro Plan large breed puppy food. My breeder also suggested switching him to adult food.
 

kzdz

New member
I definitely recommend raising the food dish. If you watch them eat both ways you can see what a difference it makes. I don't know if it will make him eat more slowly, but it keeps the dog from looking all bunched up and uncomfortable. It really does look like it helps with the digestion. Ergonomically correct. If we're someplace where her food dish can't be raised, Morgan will sometimes decide not to eat! Quark (my male) and my lab/spaniel, Frank, both appear to wolf down their food without stopping for a breath, and I haven't found a way to stop them. If I try pulling them a way to take a short break, it just makes them eat faster when they get back to the dish.
 

Kodiak

New member
When our newfie was 4 months old he was also wolfing down his food. You'd put the food in the dish and turn around and it would be gone. Now at 6 months, with his elevated bowls, he doesn't wolf down the food. He does though finish every last morsel in the bowl.
 

JerseyGirl

New member
Thanks for the help. I have elevated his food dish and also placed a small bowl in the middle of his dish. This way he has to eat around the smaller dish to get to his food. My breeder suggested putting large rocks in his dish but I decided on the small metal bowl. This seems to be working.
 
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