Do you know the difference between the ingredients of puppy food and adult dog food?

Jul 26,2025
3Min

The amino acid content of puppy food is higher than that of adult dog food

When the dog’s legs are getting longer, the muscles are getting stronger, the brain is getting bigger, and the body is getting stronger. Sufficient amino acids must be available at this time to ensure their development. Most of the amino acids needed for healthy dog ​​development are made in the dog's body. However, there are some amino acids that dogs cannot produce on their own, and they rely on food to meet their needs. Arginine, histidine, isoleucine and lysine are four of the ten essential amino acids that puppies cannot produce on their own. These "protein ingredients" are important for all dogs, especially puppies. AAFCO sets standards for additional amino acids in dog foods, and these differences average twice as much as in adult dog foods. Without them, puppies may be at risk for developmental delays and deformities.

The fat content in puppy food is higher than that in adult dog food

Puppy food requires high energy to support the puppy's play, learning, growth and development. They need energy to live, and in nutritional terms, energy means calories. Calories come from carbohydrates and protein, but fat contains the highest ratio of calories.
Puppy food has a higher fat content than adult dog food, which will allow puppies to develop normally. As weight gain slows, their high-energy needs decrease. Adult dogs on a high-fat diet are prone to obesity, so the fat content of adult dog food is significantly lower than that of puppy food.

The mineral content in puppy food is higher than that in adult dog food

For dogs that are in the growth and development period, calcium and phosphorus are two extremely important elements. According to AAFCO regulations, puppy food needs to contain 1.2% calcium, while adult dogs only need 0.5% calcium. The presence of calcium affects many functions such as bone formation, tooth growth, muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission in dogs. For phosphorus content, AAFCO requires at least 1% in puppy food and only 0.4% in adult dog food.
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