Whether your pet is a little wet behind the ears or slightly gray around the muzzle, a healthy diet is important at all stages of life. Life-stage feeding is various feeding regimes that are appropriate for the different stages in a dog’s life.
LIFE-STAGE FEEDING
Puppies:
Puppies usually stop drinking their mothers’ milk and go on to solid food proper when they are five to six weeks old; gradual weaning starts at three weeks. Once fully weaned onto puppy food, they should be kept on this as it contains all the essential nutrients they need in a form that is easy for them to digest and utilize. Fed correctly at this age, they will be on course to grow into healthy and well-developed adults.
From Weaning to 20 Weeks:
Puppies should receive three meals a day, plus an evening dish of milk.
From 20 to 30 Weeks:
Three meals a day.
From 30 Weeks to 9 Months:
Two meals a day (depending on breed/growth rate).
From 9 Months to 8 Years:
One or two meals a day.
From 8 Years Onwards (Elderly):
One or two meals a day depending on your pet’s condition and health.
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One of the most important breakthroughs in canine nutrition came when veterinary nutritionists recognized the different nutritional needs that dogs have as they mature. This may seem fairly self-evident now, but dog owners and veterinarians used to have more of “a dog is a dog is a dog” mentality when it came to feeding our canine friends. [...] Feeding a diet that is appropriate for a dog’s life stage, that is made from superior ingredients, and that provides balanced nutrition can go a long way towards keeping him strong and healthy. - source
