Glossary

Life stage

The category on a dog food label, such as growth, adult maintenance or all life stages, that shows the nutrient needs the recipe is designed to meet.

Also called: life stage food, puppy food, adult maintenance, all life stages, large breed puppy food, senior dog food

Dog food labels name the life stage the diet suits. Growth, for puppies and for pregnant or nursing females, has more calories, protein, fat and minerals. Adult maintenance has less. An "all life stages" food has to meet the growth requirements, so it may be too rich for a sedentary adult.

Large-breed puppies need a diet formulated for large-breed growth, because too much calcium or too many calories can contribute to developmental joint problems. Puppy food is usually continued until the dog nears its adult size, around one year for small dogs and up to eighteen months or longer for giants.

AAFCO has no official senior category, so a senior food is a marketing label that varies widely. Ask your vet when to change diets. Switch foods over about a week, mixing old with new, to avoid stomach upset.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Complete and balanced A label claim that a dog food contains every nutrient a dog needs, in the right amounts, for the life stage named on the package. AAFCO The US body that sets model pet food rules and nutrient profiles but does not itself approve, test or certify any dog food. Calorie The unit of energy in food; dog food labels list kilocalories per cup or kilogram, which is how portions and weight are controlled. Kibble Dry, cooked, bite-size pieces of dog food, usually made by extrusion, that are shelf-stable, convenient and the most common way to feed dogs.