Understanding Foods for All Life Stages

Feeding your dog through different life stages (puppyhood, adulthood, and into their senior years) can feel complex. Nutritional needs shift as dogs grow, and pet parents often wonder whether one food can meet those changing needs. The short answer is: sometimes, yes - but with a few important considerations.

An “All Life Stages” diet is formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of dogs from growth through maintenance.

That means it’s suitable for puppies, adult dogs, and mature dogs alike, provided it meets specific nutrient benchmarks. These benchmarks are defined by organisations such as AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), which sets nutritional guidelines to assess pet food adequacy. Look out for statements like “[Product name] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages (including/except for) growth of large size dogs (30kg or more as an adult)” on pet food labels.

At Black Hawk, our High Meat range is designed to support dogs across all life stages.

It’s a great option for multi-dog households, where feeding one high-quality, nutrient-dense food can simplify routines without compromising on nutrition.

However, for many dogs, especially those with specific needs, life-stage specific diets remain the gold standard.

Why Nutritional Needs Change Over Time

Dogs’ bodies and metabolisms evolve as they age, and their diets should reflect those changes:

Puppies

Puppies are in a rapid phase of growth and development. They need higher levels of:

• Total energy (calories)
• Total protein and individual amino acids
• Total fat and individual essential fatty acids
• Minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, sodium, chloride, iron, copper and zinc

Black Hawk’s High Meat recipes naturally support these needs, offering high protein and essential nutrients in a highly palatable format. However, for puppies, especially large breeds, precision matters - read on below.

Large Breed Puppies: A Special Case

Large breed puppies (expected to reach 30kg or more as adults) have unique skeletal development needs. Excess calcium or an imbalance between calcium and phosphorus may lead to developmental orthopaedic diseases such as osteochondrosis and elbow dysplasia.

Black Hawk High Meat Range for Puppies

That’s why we recommend Black Hawk High Meat Australian Poultry for large breed puppies, as it provides appropriate mineral levels to support controlled growth.

On the other hand, the High Meat Australian Red Meat recipe is NOT recommended for large breed puppies. While excellent for adults and smaller breed puppies, it naturally contains higher levels of calcium, which may not be ideal for the growth of large breed puppies.

For even more tailored support, our Black Hawk Puppy range is specifically formulated to meet the needs of growing dogs, with controlled energy, balanced minerals, and added nutrients for immune and cognitive development.

Adult Dogs

Once dogs reach adulthood, their focus shifts from growth to maintenance. These may include protein for lean muscle maintenance, digestive support through prebiotics, skin and coat health via omega fatty acids, green-lipped mussels for joint support, etc.

While the Black Hawk High Meat range continues to meet these needs, with additional animal proteins including fresh meat, our Original and Grain Free Adult ranges offer additional options tailored to breed size and other dietary preferences such as fish protein options, ideal for dogs and pet parents with more specific requirements.

Mature Dogs

As dogs age, their metabolism slows and they may become more prone to joint degeneration, muscle loss, or reduced digestive capabilities. 
The Black Hawk Original Mature dog food range is crafted to provide nutritional support and enhance the overall wellbeing of mature dogs. It is specifically formulated to address their needs, with probiotics for microbiome and total gut health support, plus L-carnitine to help support fat metabolism and lean muscle mass. It aids with weight fluctuations and helps combat cellular ageing.

While the High Meat range remains suitable for many mature dogs, our Original Mature range is specially formulated to support ageing bodies, with adjusted nutrient levels and added functional ingredients to promote mobility and vitality.

When an All Life Stages Diet Makes Sense

Multi-dog households: One food for all dogs, regardless of age

Pet parents seeking simplicity: Fewer bags, fewer transitions

Dogs with stable health: No need for therapeutic or highly specialised diets

So yes, you can feed the same food to your dog from puppy to mature - if it’s a high-quality All Life Stages diet like Black Hawk High Meat Australian Poultry.

It’s a practical, nutrient-rich option that works well for many dogs, especially in multi-dog homes.

But for pet parents who want to fine-tune their dog’s nutrition at every stage, our life-stage specific ranges, for puppy, adult, and mature dogs, offer targeted support that evolves with your dog.

When in doubt, speak with your vet to find the best fit for your dog’s age, breed, and lifestyle.