| “Why do some pet foods have puppy food (or | | | | about feeding an adult dog or cat a pet food that |
| kitten food) and others do not? Shouldn’t I give | | | | has a higher percentage of protein. The best way I |
| my new pup – puppy food?” | | | | can ease those concerns is from sharing the words |
| Before I answer that question – I need to share | | | | of many pet nutrition experts. As a dog or cat goes |
| a little pet food history. Back in the early days of | | | | from being a puppy or kitten, to a young adult, to a |
| commercial pet food, veterinarians noticed that when | | | | mature adult, to a senior pet – their body |
| puppies were fed the same commercial food that | | | | continually produces new cells, new tissue, and new |
| the adult dogs were eating – they did not grow | | | | muscle – the entire process feeds off of protein. |
| and thrive the way they should. Back then, | | | | So the pet continues to need a quality protein source |
| commercial dog foods and cat foods contained very | | | | throughout its entire life. (There are exceptions for |
| little quality meat – the protein mostly came from | | | | senior pets and pets with illnesses – this |
| grains the food contained. It was determined that | | | | discussion is strictly for healthy animals – consult |
| puppies and kittens need a higher protein food in | | | | your veterinarian if you have any questions.) Science |
| order to develop properly. This change was | | | | – not speculation – has determined that a |
| important, however the bad news is that the protein | | | | higher protein level benefits young dogs and cats as |
| was not required to come from meat sources – | | | | well as adult pets. I have reviewed some dog and |
| the majority came from inferior grain sources. The | | | | cat foods in Petsumer Report that have protein |
| new requirements just required a higher percentage | | | | levels as high as 50%! I’m not so confident that |
| of protein for a growth food – a puppy food or | | | | 50% protein in a dog food or cat food is optimal for |
| a kitten food – there were no specifications as | | | | house pets (more for a working dog – example |
| to where the protein came from (still holds true | | | | being a working cattle dog tending to a herd) – |
| today). | | | | the point is that higher protein level pet foods are |
| Today, AAFCO has set standards for puppy foods | | | | out there, and not all of them are labeled as puppy |
| to be a minimum of 22% protein (adult dog food | | | | food or kitten food. |
| minimum 18% protein), standards for kitten food | | | | The thing that makes most pet owners choose a |
| must be a minimum of 30% protein (adult cat food | | | | puppy food or kitten food is the marketing. Those |
| 26% minimal protein). Besides a few other very | | | | television commercials that show adorable puppies |
| insignificant differences – the amount of protein is | | | | and kittens stating this food ‘meets the unique |
| the only difference between an adult dog food or an | | | | needs’ or ‘specially formulated’ or |
| adult cat food to a puppy food or kitten food. | | | | ‘Extra Nutrition’ or ‘developed to meet |
| So, to answer the question above – you can | | | | the higher energy needs’ and so forth have lured |
| feed a puppy food or kitten food, but you don’t | | | | pet owners into firm beliefs that their puppy or kitten |
| have to if you are feeding the right food! Remember, | | | | has to have a puppy food or kitten food. The cute |
| except for percentage of protein, there are no | | | | little faces along with the expertly researched tag |
| significant differences in an adult pet food to kitten | | | | lines – have helped to grow the puppy food and |
| or puppy food. | | | | kitten food business into phenomenal numbers. Part |
| Many pet food lines have protein percentages above | | | | of the marketing strategy is to get puppy owners |
| the minimal requirements for puppies and kittens. | | | | hooked into a particular emotional commitment to the |
| Some pet food formulators have determined in their | | | | manufacturer through a puppy or kitten food. If you |
| research that 18% protein for adult dogs and 26% | | | | start off with ABC puppy food – the marketing |
| protein for adult cats is not optimal – so they | | | | goal is for you to stay loyal to that company later |
| formulate their foods with higher protein levels than | | | | with ABC adult dog food. The pet food |
| the required minimal. In other words – many adult | | | | manufacturers have become SO successful at this |
| foods meet the same nutritional requirements for | | | | marketing technique – several manufacturers that |
| puppies and kittens even though they are not labeled | | | | make a quality maintenance pet food (not a specific |
| specifically as puppy food or kitten food. As an | | | | puppy food or kitten food) have been forced to |
| example…ABC Chicken & Rice Puppy Food has a | | | | package their food in a puppy or kitten format. |
| protein percentage of 23% and ABC Chicken Kitten | | | | I am not saying that puppy foods and kitten foods |
| Food has a protein percentage of 32% - but XYZ | | | | are bad – it still boils down to ingredients in the |
| Chicken & Rice Dog food has a protein percentage | | | | pet food. What I am saying is that it is not a |
| of 25% and XYZ Chicken Cat Food as a protein | | | | requirement to feed a puppy or kitten specifically a |
| percentage of 35%. Both ABC brands and XYZ | | | | puppy food or a kitten food. As long as you provide |
| brands meet the required protein levels for puppy or | | | | them with a quality pet food that meets the protein |
| kitten foods as well as adult dog and adult cat food. | | | | percentage they need – you are fine. |
| So, a puppy owner or a kitten owner could feed | | | | Always, always, always – consult your |
| their new baby the XYZ pet food – even though | | | | veterinarian. |
| it is not labeled specifically for puppies or kittens. | | | | And one more quick bit of information – I wish I |
| Before I go any further – I have to mention a | | | | could tell you that when you find a good puppy food |
| little about canned pet foods. ANY canned or | | | | or kitten food, with quality human grade US |
| pouched pet food (a moist pet food) contains at | | | | ingredients, and added health bonuses such as |
| least 70% to 85% moisture. Protein percentages in | | | | chelated or proteinated minerals and probiotics – |
| canned pet foods vary from 7% to 11% - far below | | | | that you can stick with that same manufacturer for |
| the minimal requirements necessary for adult dogs | | | | your adult pet food and treats…but that is not |
| and cats as well as kittens and puppies. Pet owners | | | | always the case. Actually it is more just the opposite. |
| do not want to feed solely a canned or pouched pet | | | | From reviewing many lines of pet food and pet |
| food to adult dogs and cats or puppies and kittens. | | | | treats from one manufacturer for Petsumer Report, |
| They simply do not provide the necessary nutrition. | | | | I have found that many pet food manufacturers |
| If you want to feed a canned pet food, feed it | | | | make some pet foods that have quality human grade |
| WITH a quality dry food. Maybe soft for breakfast | | | | ingredients and then their pet treats are close to junk |
| and kibble for dinner. | | | | food. While others might have one or two varieties |
| OK, back to puppy foods and kitten foods…a | | | | of pet food that are good, and have several more |
| common question I hear on this subject is…’Is | | | | varieties that I would never recommend a pet owner |
| it ok for my adult dog (or cat) to be eating a food | | | | to feed. It’s just not that easy. You must look |
| that has such a high protein percentage?’ Many | | | | at the ingredients, ask the questions, and look at the |
| pet owners – after hearing my explanation of | | | | Guaranteed Analysis and Best By Date on everything. |
| puppy foods and kitten foods, are then concerned | | | | Wishing you and your pet the best. |