How long to feed a border collie puppy food?
Dogs need proper nutrition for optimum growth and development. But they need different types of food as they develop from puppies to adult dogs. This is because puppy dog food and adult dog food have a different composition to meet the dog’s nutritional requirements according to their age. The main difference between the two is their protein content. Puppy food has more protein content than adult food to support the growth of young dogs while the proteins in adult food are necessary for their maintenance.
If you have a Border Collie, you need to feed him food that would meet his specific nutritional needs. Border Collies never seem to run out of energy. They are athletic and agile so their diet must be able to provide them with the energy they need. You can feed your dog puppy food until he is 12 months old. Feed him with good quality food that has a high calorie and protein content to meet the needs of your growing pup. The recommended daily food serving is 1.5 to 2 cups. You can adjust this according to your pup’s size, weight, age, and level of physical activity. If he’s more active, he needs more food. But take care not to overfeed your puppy to avoid health issues. Overfeeding can result in obesity and would cause your Collie to have muscle, bone, and joint problems. Maintain a regular schedule for his feeding time. You can feed him twice a day to manage his eating behavior and give him plenty of time to play and exercise so he can burn all those calories.
Making the switch
Observe your dog closely to know when it’s time to switch from puppy food to adult food. Hints like showing less enthusiasm during meals can be a sign for you to transition him to adult food. Do so by gradually introducing his new food. Put a small portion of the adult dog food to his current food and increase its portion after a couple of days until he gets used to his new food. This is to avoid digestive problems. Give him lots of water at all times. You can also consult with your vet regarding the proper diet for your Collie.
Feed your young Border Collie with the right amount of food, maintain a balanced diet, and let him play and exercise so that he will be on his way to becoming a healthy adult dog.
