How long to stay on Puppy Food?

Hiya

I need a bit of advice on whether Max should stay on his puppy food...

He is currently on Beta Puppy (which he likes well enough), the feeding instructions say that he should be on it until 12 months old (if he is between 12-25kg)

He is 7 months old, and about 25kg (or thereabouts).

Someone mentioned to me that I'd have to watch how much protein he was having (Beta has 29%)

There is a Beta Puppy/Junior Large Breed, but that also has 29% protein in it.

Is this too much protein? Should we switch him onto an adult food because of his size etc?

Help, I'm confused!

That sounds quite a lot of protein to me, and I have heard that some brands overdo it. Are you particularly committed to the brand? If so, then it might be a good idea to change over to adult food. I know some people do swap over to adult food at about 6 months of age, but obviously still feeding to puppy routines and quantities. Alternatively have a look at other brands of puppy food. Bongo's on Burns Mini Bites which, although it doesn't suit every dog, does have a lot less protein at 21%

Mine are on Royal Canin Maxi Dog which is 32% and that is until they are 15 months. The Adult is 26% and Syd is coming up to 18 months but I have delayed the change as Rio is only 8 months and they share their food. It is almost impossible to get them to eat without swapping bowls part way through.

I've found this link for you, I hope it helps

Protein in dog food

No, we're not committed to it (apart from having half a sack left!)

Max only eats twice a day anyway (between 1.5 and 2 mugfuls at each meal)

I might look at putting him on "big dog" food after this sack runs out...

A lot depends on the breed but I take mine off puppy at around 6 months, best thing would be to ask your breeder and if you have joined a breed club to ask around and see what is the normal time to change for your breed. Looking at the food label is not that useful as there is protein that the dog can make use of and protein the passes straight through and is of no use at all.

The pup that the breeder has kept is still on Beta, and they will continue to feed her on that until she is 12 months old...

I changed Dusty (Mini Dax) at around 6-9 months, I can't remembe rbut it was quite a while before her first birthday. Maddy (Weimaraner) has just changed and she is nearly 14 months, but if she hadn't been suffering from colitis i'd have kept her on puppy untill she was a bit older as she is quite lean.

Charlie was always on adult food, I got him when he was 10 months.

A lot of large breed people say max 21% protein in food

How big should your dog be when fully grown???
If it's more than 25kg then I'd swap onto the large breed puppy food, your dog's still growing and the food is formulated to take that into account????

If you're worried about the protein maybe check out the protein levels in large breed puppy foods. ours is on Eukanuba and it's recommended to 24 months...