My Corgi Keeps Eating Adult Food

[TheGoldenCorgi]

I feed dogs at the same time but in different areas of the house and the puppy Corgi always goes toward the other dogs with their adult + puppy food mixed (I'm starting to wean them from their puppy food because they are almost 1 year old). And today I was sleeping when I found out my dad didn't do anything to stop the Corgi from eating about half a cup of adult food from the other dog's kibble tray.

I know he shouldn't be eating this food yet and he is about 3 months old. Is this going to be potentially dangerous for him?

[Michael Romanos]

Two things here - absolute no harm can be done by the odd indiscretion of a puppy eating some dry or wet dog food designated for an adult-only dog. All the puppy is been deprived from is some extra nutrients, minerals and vitamins important on a daily basis for a puppy up til around 12 months (in the case of the usual small-medium size dogs).
The other point is try and keep the food given to each of your Corgis well apart - different rooms. inside-outside.

[TheGoldenCorgi]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Two things here - absolute no harm can be done by the odd indiscretion of a puppy eating some dry or wet dog food designated for an adult-only dog. All the puppy is been deprived from is some extra nutrients, minerals and vitamins important on a daily basis for a puppy up til around 12 months (in the case of the usual small-medium size dogs).
The other point is try and keep the food given to each of your Corgis well apart - different rooms. inside-outside.

Yeah I am trying to crate the other ones to feed separately or I'll feed one in the patio and the other in the house. It seems to work better that way.

But you're saying that there is no harm in the 13 week old puppy eating adult food? I read that different nutritional formula plays crucially in a puppy's growth and development. Like adult food, there is more calcium supplements for bone growth which can be bad for a puppy since too much bone growth at a young age promotes hip dyslepsia (sp?). I did read the ingredients and the guaranteed analysis from both bags and the adult and puppy are almost identical except the adult food has organic fats in it. Nearly same supplements at a glance too with the Vitamin D3 ect. I mean what I read was general rule of thumb. I'll take anyone's word over this that belongs on this forum because you guys know Corgis best!

I feed the older dog IAMS MiniChunks designated for 1+ years and the puppy Corgi Purina Puppy

[Louwants]

Like Michael said, a little adult food given to a puppy will not harm it. A steady diet of it is not recommended. The nutrients in the puppy food is essential. When Duncan was yound, my vet recommended large breed puppy food because corgis seem to grow at a very fast rate just like large breeds and it helps their joints.

[TheGoldenCorgi]

Originally Posted by Louwants

Like Michael said, a little adult food given to a puppy will not harm it. A steady diet of it is not recommended. The nutrients in the puppy food is essential. When Duncan was yound, my vet recommended large breed puppy food because corgis seem to grow at a very fast rate just like large breeds and it helps their joints.

I see. So what should his feedings be like? Should I keep him eating Purina One Puppy food? Because when I feed the others he seems to like to eat their IAMS Minichunks for 1+year dogs. So should I be mixing him with adult food once in a while at 13 weeks young?

I saw your dogster pictures of your dogs. I really like them and they look beautiful. I hope mine looks like yours when he fully matures.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by TheGoldenCorgi

I feed dogs at the same time but in different areas of the house and the puppy Corgi always goes toward the other dogs with their adult + puppy food mixed (I'm starting to wean them from their puppy food because they are almost 1 year old). And today I was sleeping when I found out my dad didn't do anything to stop the Corgi from eating about half a cup of adult food from the other dog's kibble tray.

I know he shouldn't be eating this food yet and he is about 3 months old. Is this going to be potentially dangerous for him?

No it won't hurt him. In fact IMO, a puppy can eat adult food all his life and be just fine. I have rasied my last two litters on adult food. They never had any puppy food.

If you'll read the bags almost all adult foods (I don't know any that aren't) are labled for "all life stages". That includes puppyhood.

However, IMO, you also need to know which dog is eating his food and how much. So you either need to feed them in crates or behind closed doors, or put baby gates across the rooms. Do something to ensure that your dogs are not switching bowls. Otherwise I'll bet you're either going to have a fat corgi or a fight over food. (Corgis, as a rule, don't share food, that's the fastest way to start a fight.)

Peggy

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by TheGoldenCorgi

But you're saying that there is no harm in the 13 week old puppy eating adult food? I read that different nutritional formula plays crucially in a puppy's growth and development.

The dog food companies want you to belive that. However, many breeders have gone to feeding only an adult food to all thier dogs. Puppies included.

Like adult food, there is more calcium supplements for bone growth which can be bad for a puppy since too much bone growth at a young age promotes hip dyslepsia (sp?).

I've not heard that it promotes hip dysplasia, but puppy foods can accelerate growth and the bones and muscles don't always grow at the same rate. Panosteitis something that can result.

This accelerated growth problem is why they have now developed "large breed puppy foods". Forumlas which are more like a adult food. (So they could just go to an adult food to begin with.)

And when I did feed mine puppy food I switched at about 4 mos. old. That I was taught from one of the top PWC kennels at the time. So, go ahead and switch your puppy to the food everyone else is eating.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

I will say it again and again, it is dangerous to keep telling Go Corgi members that feeding Corgi puppies with adult only food is OK, simply because it can lead to damaging the dog permanently and irreversably for later in life.

Food that is designated suitable for both adult dogs and puppies, and has been approved to conform to AAFCO standards ( balanced and complete diet), is food that is for the benefit of a puppy and that an adult dog (ie over 12 months) will also be consuming basic puppy food.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

I will say it again and again, it is dangerous to keep telling Go Corgi members that feeding Corgi puppies with adult only food, simply because it can lead to damaging the dog permanently and irreversably for later in life.

Food that is designated suitable for both adult dogs and puppies, and has been approved to conform to AAFCO standards ( balanced and complete diet), is food that is for the benefit of a puppy and that an adult dog (ie over 12 months) will also be consuming basic puppy food.

It IS NOT DANGEROUS! And I wish you'd stop saying that, you're trying to make me look incompetent and I am NOT!

It is my opinion, based on what I've learned over the years and the way I feed my dogs. I am entitled to my opinion and I am entitled to share it if I wish. I have 3 7 year olds here that have no problems due to eating only adult food. There are other breeders who do the same thing.

Contact Pat Hastings, and talk with her. She can give you the studies she's been part of that proves it is not only not dangerous but beneficial to feed only adult food. You're the one who is always tossing around names and telling how you go to the experts for your info, so do it this time. Contact Pat and talk to her. Dogfolk Enterprises - Videos, Books and Seminars for puppy evaluation and dog showing She gives this info on dog food in her "Tricks of the Trade Seminar".

The adult foods in the US are balanced and complete for ALL LIFE STAGES. It is perfectly ok to feed them to any dog of any age. Unless the your vet says your dog needs a perscription diet.

I have always switched my puppies to an adult food around 4 mos. I have had dogs live out the normal corgi lifespan and some have lived to 16 and 16 1/2.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

Peggy - go and find out what puppy food for Corgis SHOULD contain and should NOT contain and what adult food for Corgis SHOULD contain and should NOT contain, and report back to Go Corgi.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Peggy - go and find out what puppy food for Corgis SHOULD contain and should NOT contain and what adult food for Corgis SHOULD contain and should NOT contain, and report back to Go Corgi.

It's not any different from what should be fed any other dog. I've already been to the seminar and that's where I learned that puppies don't need puppy food.

I know what I belive and my dogs are just fine. It's YOU who has the questions not me. You're the writer and good writers do their own research.

However, I will contact Pat and see if I can get something I can post here. Just to prove you wrong. (I've got dogs to feed right now and an obedience class to go to, so it'll have to wait till tomorrow.)

A preimum adult dog food is better than a grocery store or generic brand of puppy food. And I feed preimum brands.

Peggy