Short answer: life stage changes what a dog needs from its food. Puppies need more energy, protein and carefully balanced calcium and phosphorus for growth. Adults need maintenance nutrition. Senior dogs often need fewer calories but the same high-quality nutrients. Check the bag's nutritional adequacy statement: "adult maintenance", "growth" or "all life stages" tells you who the food is designed for.

Most owners read the front of the bag and the price. The life-stage statement, usually in small print on the back, is more important than either.

The three main life-stage statements

• Growth (and reproduction): formulated for puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs.
• Adult maintenance: formulated for adult dogs, typically from around one year old.
• All life stages: meets the growth profile, so it can be fed to puppies and adults. It is not specifically tailored to seniors.

There is no separate AAFCO profile for senior dogs. "Senior" on a bag is a marketing description, so you need to look at calories, protein and other details to judge whether it suits an older dog.

Puppies: growth is not forgiving

Puppies grow fast, and the nutrients that build bone, muscle and organs need to arrive in the right amounts and ratios. Calcium and phosphorus matter especially for large and giant breeds, where both too little and too much can affect skeletal development. Puppies also have higher requirements for energy, protein, some amino acids and DHA.

That is why a food built for adults is not automatically right for a puppy. To be clear about our own range: V-Planet is formulated to meet AAFCO standards for adult dogs, from one year of age. If you have a puppy, talk to your vet about a growth or all-life-stages diet, and about if and when a plant-based diet might suit your dog. Our guide to the best puppy food in the UAE covers the first year in more detail.

Adults: maintenance and body condition

Once a dog has finished growing, the aim is to maintain a healthy weight and muscle, with enough energy for daily activity. Small breeds often reach adulthood around 9 to 12 months, while large and giant breeds may keep growing until 18 to 24 months, so ask your vet when to switch.

For adults, an adult maintenance food fed at the right amount is the foundation. V-Planet provides 24% minimum protein and 330 kcal per 100 g, and comes in two kibble sizes: Mini Bites for mini and small breeds and a regular kibble for medium and large breeds. It is the same recipe in both sizes.

Seniors: fewer calories, not less nutrition

As dogs age, many become less active and need fewer calories, while still needing good protein to protect muscle. Some develop dental problems, joint stiffness, kidney issues or a reduced appetite. Because "senior" is not a regulated category, what an older dog needs depends very much on the individual dog.

Practical steps for older dogs:

• Monitor weight and body condition monthly, and adjust portions gradually.
• Ask your vet about routine blood tests, which help detect changes early.
• If chewing is difficult, smaller kibble or kibble softened with a little warm water may help.
• Do not change diet suddenly. Older dogs can be more sensitive to transitions.

For more on this, read what changes for senior dogs.

What about plant-based diets at different ages?

A complete and balanced plant-based adult food can be a full diet for healthy adult dogs. For puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs and older dogs with medical conditions, the stakes are higher and individual advice matters more. That is not a reason to rule plant-based food out, but it is a reason to involve your vet, schedule regular check-ups, and monitor weight and energy closely.

Changing foods between life stages

Whenever you move a dog from one food to another, whether from puppy food to adult food or from an adult food to one better suited to an older dog, do it gradually. Mix increasing amounts of the new food into the old over 7 to 10 days, and go slower for sensitive dogs or in hot weather. Watch stools, appetite and energy as you go. A life-stage change is also a good time for a vet check, so you have a weight and body condition baseline to compare against later.

A quick checklist when you pick up a bag

1. Find the nutritional adequacy statement and read the life stage.
2. Match it to your dog's age and, for puppies, expected adult size.
3. Check calories per 100 g or per cup, especially for less active or older dogs.
4. Choose a kibble size your dog can chew comfortably.
5. Ask your vet if your dog is a puppy, pregnant, senior or has a health condition.

Frequently asked questions

Can I feed adult dog food to a puppy?

Adult maintenance foods are not designed for growth. Puppies need a growth or all-life-stages diet, so check with your vet before choosing a food for a dog under one year.

Is V-Planet suitable for puppies?

V-Planet is formulated to AAFCO standards for adult dogs from one year of age. If you have a puppy, ask your vet for advice on the right diet.

When should my dog switch from puppy food to adult food?

Small breeds often switch around 9 to 12 months, while large and giant breeds may need puppy food until 18 to 24 months. Your vet can advise for your dog.

Do senior dogs need special senior food?

Not necessarily. There is no official senior nutrient profile. Many older dogs do well on an adult food with adjusted portions, but some need specific diets for health conditions.

Can older dogs eat plant-based food?

Many healthy older dogs can eat a complete and balanced plant-based adult food. Because older dogs are more likely to have health conditions, discuss any diet change with your vet first.