Best Puppy Dog Food For Large Breeds

What Is The Best Large Breed Puppy Food

With so many options on the market, it can be a daunting task to choose the best food for dogs. In general, youll want to choose a dog food formula that meets the following criteria, as recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Associations Global Nutrition Council:

• **Formulated for growth or all life stages
• **Undergone feeding trials following AAFCO guidelines
• **Have a veterinary nutritionist on staff
• **Have an experienced pet food formulator on staff
• **Have effective quality control of the manufacturing process to ensure pet food safety

Each individual may also have preferences for certain kibble shapes, sizes, and flavors. This means you may have to try multiple diets to find the best diet for your puppy. If you are switching between different foods, it is important to do a slow transition between diets to avoid an upset stomach in dogs.

Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Whole Grain Brown Rice, 4. Whole Grain Barley, 5. Chicken Fat

Large breed puppies grow quicker and need more nutrients than other puppies. So, to fulfill their needs, Nutro has formulated the Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy Food. The recipe contains real chicken meat to keep up with the protein requirements of big pups and sources carbs from whole grains like barley, brown rice, and sorghum.

Another highlight feature of the formula is that its made with non-GMO ingredients. Everything is naturally sourced so that your puppy gets the most nutritional value possible. Additionally, the formula is fortified with micronutrients needed for overall development. This includes omega fatty acids, DHA, calcium, and antioxidants.

Our Rating Of Purina Pro Plan Puppy Food

Purina Pro Plan Puppy is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a moderate amount of named meat and by-product meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.

Highly recommended.

However, its unfortunate the company chose to include menadione in its recipe. Without this controversial ingredient and minus the plant-based protein boosters, we may have been compelled to award this line a higher rating.

Also, those concerned about the presence of menadione in this recipe may wish to ignore our rating and look elsewhere for a different product. Or consider using diet rotation to reduce the risks associated with feeding the same dog food continuously, for a lifetime.

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How Will I Know If My Large Dog Is Allergic To An Ingredient In Their Dog Food

The best way to determine if your dog is allergic to an ingredient in their food is to consult with a veterinarian. They will be able to perform tests and give you specific advice on how to proceed.

Feeding a large breed dog the wrong type of food can lead to a number of health problems. These problems include joint pain, arthritis, diabetes, and obesity. It is important to consult with a veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.

Blue Buffalo Large Breed

Image courtesy Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy Food is a great food to give your large breed puppy. This diet contains chicken as the first ingredient, which is a great source of protein for dogs.

Carrots and sweet potatoes are included in this food, both of which are high in carbohydrates and dietary fiber. These can help your big dog’s energy levels stay up and their digestion run smoothly.

This food also contains DHA, an omega-fatty acid, which is great for your dog’s coat and general health. Overall, the Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy Food is a great pick for large breed puppies.

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Do Large Dogs Need Special Food

Not necessarily. You dont want to feed a large dog any food designed for small dogs, of course. But the average dog food may be a suitable option.

Simply put, you want to feed your dog quality food that contains extra ingredients, like glucosamine and omega fatty acids. These additives can benefit large dogs, but they are also good for all dogs. Therefore, some foods that arent necessarily labeled as being made for large breeds may still contain them.

If a food has these ingredients, it may be a good option for a large breed, even if it isnt labeled as such.

Conversely, some foods may be labeled for large dogs, but they may not contain these important additives.

Additives To Look For In Dog Food

Large breed dogs are known for being prone to certain health problems. For instance, hip dysplasia mainly affects large breeds. These dogs are heavy, so their joints tend to wear down quickly.

Therefore, we recommend looking for a food that contains additives to help combat this problem, like:

• Glucosamine and Chondroitin. These ingredients are often used together to treat arthritis in dogs. Even if your dog doesnt have arthritis, these additives can help prevent it and can support your dogs overall joint health. Most large breed foods include them for this reason.
• Omega fatty acids. These fatty acids are extremely vital for a dogs health, though they arent counted as essential. Most foods on the market have added omega fatty acids, which can help your dogs joints, skin, and coat. They may even prevent aggressive
• Antioxidants are essential for preventing oxidative stress, which can lead to a variety of different health problems. Dogs will accumulate this damage throughout their life, so fixing it is a life-long struggle.

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Why Is My Puppy So Hungry All The Time

Puppies are so hungry because they grow a lot, and food helps support that growth. The other reason is that dogs have a feast-or-famine mentality embedded in them from their ancestors that were wild. When a wild dog had the opportunity to eat, he ate as much as possible, not knowing when he would eat again. This translates to domesticated dogs as an urge to eat, whether hungry or not.

Iams Proactive Health Large Breed

Image courtesy Iams

Iams Adult Large Breed Real Chicken High Protein Dry Dog Food is a nutritious meal to feed your large breed puppy. Your big-breed pup’s unique nutritional needs have been met by this adult food.

Chicken is the first component, which is important for muscular strength. It’s also meant to assist your friend in being active by maintaining bone and joint health.

This food also includes DHA, an omega-fatty acid, for brain development. You’ll be able to see the difference in your pup’s coat and overall health when you switch to Iams.

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The 10 Best Large Breed Dog Foods

The best large breed dog food will be formulated specifically for large breeds and made from wholesome, natural ingredients. Look for real animal protein as the first ingredient with essential fatty acids for energy as well as skin and coat support. It also doesnt hurt to see beneficial supplements like chelated minerals, probiotics, and glucosamine and chondroitin.

Heres our top pick for the best large breed dog food:

Best Premium Dry Food For Adult Dogs: Royal Canin Large Adult Dog Food

Royal Canin is a quality brand, so when your large breed puppy reaches adulthood at 15 months, you can graduate to this formulation. I like it best because its formulated to be easily digested while supporting healthy bones and joints, says Dr. Burch. It also has added the fatty acids of EPA and DHA, which help promote healthy joints, skin, and coat. Depending on your dogs energy level and weight, you can customize the portion size using Royal Canins feeding guide, which recommends feeding 75-pound dogs that are moderately active four cups per day. Speaking of maintaining your pups coat, youll want to bookmark these tips on how to groom your dog.

Highlights:

via chewy.com

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Recommended Serving Amounts For Homemade Dog Food

As a general rule, dogs will eat around 2 to 3 percent of their ideal body weight in fresh food daily. Larger breeds may need as little as 1 1/2 percent, and smaller breeds may need as much as 4 percent.

This works out to be approximately:

• 2 pounds of food per day for a 100-pound dog
• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of food per day for a 50-pound dog
• 1/2 to 3/4 pound of food per day for a 25-pound dog
• 5 to 6 1/2 ounces of food per day for a 10-pound dog

There is much variation in what the ideal amount should be as it depends on how much your dog weighs and how active she is.

I feel that the best approach is to feed and watch if your dog is losing weight, give more, and if your dog is gaining weight, give less.

For our pugs, we feed a scoop each in the morning and a scoop each in the evening, plus all their supplements.

We have an easy system for this: homemade food is refrigerated in a sealed container with a measuring cup , and all the supplements are lined up together in a cupboard in the kitchen. Keeping your ingredients organized and accessible will make feeding time fast and smooth.

Compared to feeding commercial food, where you might scoop out kibbles or open up a can, feeding homemade food with all the supplements takes maybe 10 seconds more. And even if it took 10 minutes more, fresh wholesome food for our furbabies is worth it.

Aafco Nutritional Adequacy Statement

The Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO, recommends nutrient profiles for pet foods based on the most recent research in pet nutrition. However, they do not inspect, approve, certify or regulate pet foods. Instead, the organization provides a standard for each states feed laws. But in order to be marketed as complete and balanced, foods must meet nutritional standards outlined in AAFCOs minimum requirements.

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Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe

This canned puppy food is made with chicken, chicken liver, and real veggies for maximum flavor and nutrition.

Features:

• Chicken is always the first ingredient, with broth for moisture and chicken liver close behind
• Contains real veggies that you can see in your poochs food rather than mystery chunks
• Doesnt include corn, soy, wheat, by-products, or additives
• Made in the USA

Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas…,

PROS

This food mixes easily if used as a topper. Pricing is another plus, as youre getting quality food at a fraction more than the other stuff. Owners enjoy seeing the fresh veggies in the food as well.

CONS

Some reviews said that their dogs disliked the taste, while others mentioned tummy troubles after eating. Youll encounter these hiccups with most foods, however, as every pooch has different tastes and sensitivities. Also, because this food is wetter than others, sloppy eaters may make a mess.

What Should I Look For In Large Breed Dog Food

When shopping for the best large breed dog food, there are several factors you need to consider. Here is a short overview of those factors:

• Protein. Protein is the building block of muscle. Adult dogs require less protein than puppies, and an excessive intake of protein can lead to calcium and phosphorus imbalances that can cause a host of issues, from kidney problems to joint and bone issues.
• Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio. Large breed dog foods will contain lower calcium levels, especially in large breed puppy food formulas. This is to prevent malformation of bones and joints in large breeds that grow at a very rapid pace. Phosphorus works with calcium to grow strong bones and keep them healthy. A typical ratio in large breed puppy food will be 1:1 calcium to phosphorus, while a large breed adult formula will be around 1.3:1.

• Joint Health. Look for things like manganese, vitamin A, glucosamine, and chondroitin. All of these are required for healthy bones and joints, which large breeds are known to have issues with.
• Life Stages. Pay attention to what stage of life the food is formulated. Large breed puppies will require different nutrition than large breed adult dogs or senior dogs.

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Diamond Care Sensitive Skin Formula

First five ingredients: Peas, pea flour, hydrolyzed salmon, sunflower oil, and flaxseed

Price: $52.99 for 25-lb bag

Diamond CARE Sensitive Skin Formula is a limited ingredient, grain-free dog food that is uniquely crafted for dogs with skin sensitivities. Itâs made with a single source of high-quality protein, along with other health boosting ingredients like flaxseed, salmon oil, and tomato pomace.

This sensitive skin dog food offers the right balance of omega fatty acids to protect your pupâs skin and coat health. Each meal provides complete and balanced nutrition for your furry friend, with optimal levels of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients.

Diamond CARE Sensitive Skin Formula is enriched with species-specific probiotics that thrive in your dogâs GI tract. Probiotics play an important role in digestive and immune health.

How Much Food Should I Feed My Puppy

Deciding how much to feed your puppy is a processnot a one-time choice.

Since a larger breed puppy requires more food each day than a smaller breed

And because every brand of dog food contains a different number of calories per cup

Start with the recommended feeding amount printed on the foods package. Then, adjust that amount up or down to keep your dog at her ideal weight.

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What Should You Look For In Large Breed Dog Food

You should take several factors into consideration, including your dogs age, breed, size, and activity level. For instance, large breed puppy foods should have a good amount of protein. They should have 30 percent protein and 9 percent fat on a dry matter basis in addition to calcium amounts up to 1.5 percent and phosphorus around 0.8 to 1 percent DM, explains Michelle Burch, DVM, a veterinarian with Safe Hounds Pet Insurance. Large breed puppy foods should also not be fed to a dog in all its life stages.

For adult dogs, youll need a diet that provides a balanced ratio of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Pay close attention to the labels on dog food and look for foods labeled complete and balanced, which is the best indicator that a food has all the necessary nutrients, says George Melillo, DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer and cofounder of Heart + Paw. Beyond that, of course, youll want to take your dogs special needs and preferences into consideration, as well as consult your vet. The expert-approved picks on this list will get you off to a good start and help your dog live a long, healthy life.

via chewy.com

The Price Of Large Breed Dog Food

Large breed dogs consume large amounts of food, which means that it costs more to feed a large breed dog than it does to feed a small breed dog. This is an important consideration for anyone thinking about purchasing a large breed puppy.

It is tempting to purchase a cheaper food for large breed dogs to save money. While there are plenty of good quality dog foods in various price ranges, always be sure to investigate the quality of your dogs food. When you invest in dog food, you invest in your pets health. In the case of cheap, poor quality food, that can mean getting exactly what you pay for.

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The Health Of Your Dog

If your large breed dog has any health problems, it’s important to choose a food that will help them stay healthy. For example, if your dog has joint problems, you may want to choose a food that is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin.

Some large breed dogs are also prone to obesity, so it’s important to choose a food that is lower in calories if your dog is carrying around extra weight.

Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices and find the best dog food for large breeds in 2022.

How Often Should I Feed My Large Breed Puppy

Once youve determined how much to feed your puppy per day

Simply divide that daily feeding amount into 3 or 4 smaller servings.

Then feed those smaller portions to your puppy at regular intervals throughout the day.

To make it easy

Try feeding your puppy whenever YOU eat breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Wellness Just For Puppy Canned Food

This chicken- and salmon-based recipe is designed for puppies and packed with omega-3s, fruits, and veggies.

• Made with real chicken and salmon
• Formulated for puppies up to one year
• DHA is included to help with brain development and coat health
• Includes fruits and vegetables for added immune support

Protein Content: 9%

Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Ground Barley…,

PROS

Per the reviews, taste won over even the pickiest pups. The consistency mixes well into kibble too, a feat not all canned food can tackle.

CONS

Feeding canned food to a large breed is pricey, and Wellness price tag doesnt make it any easier. Some owners mentioned stomach upset in their reviews, so remember to transition slowly or study the ingredient list thoroughly to avoid surprise proteins.