What Are Wsava Guidelines
The WSAVA is a non-profit, worldwide organization dedicated to supporting veterinarians, health, science, and nutrition. Any food brand can sponsor these important efforts, however, most boutique brands do not.
The WSAVA has released a set of common-sense guidelines to consider when choosing food for your dog. These guidelines are simply a set of recommendations. There is no such thing as WSAVA Approved, and the WSAVA does not make kickbacks or money from food brands.
Merrick Classic Real Lamb + Green Peas Recipe With Ancient Grains
Merrick Classic provides a high-quality dog food here for active Great Danes. Its protein content is just right, at 25%, coming from lamb and pork, and the fat content is 15%, coming from chicken fat and flaxseed oil.
There are high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin in this recipe, which provides a great deal of support for an active dog that is prone to suffering from joint problems, or who is already showing signs of joint pain or stiffness.
The carbohydrates come in the form of healthy whole grains, and the carb content is fairly low. There are afew wholefood sources of antioxidants, though it would be good to see some more. The omega-3 content is not particularly high, either.
Therefore, Merrick Classic does not provide the best anti-inflammatory food, nor the best choice for dogs with heart problems, as it contains salt. I do highly recommend it, however, for active Great Danes who need lots of joint support.
Common Health Problems Of The Great Dane
Danes are genetically predisposed to developing a painful condition called hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is the abnormal growth of the hips. Over time, the abnormality can cause painful hip arthritis, even in puppies. While selective breeding and screening can help diminish the prevalence of the genes in the Great Dane population, it is still present.
While there is a genetic component to these diseases, there are significant nutritional risk factors that play a part during puppyhood. These risk factors are rapid growth and excess dietary calcium intake.
Osteochondritis dessicans is a common problem for Great Danes. It is a genetically-linked disease that can be worsened by poor diet and fast growth. Specifically, it is a disorder of the bone ossification and cartilage formation at the joint. The cartilage can wear off, causing lameness and even painful joint mice as early as 3 months of age. It occurs most commonly in the shoulder, elbow, hock and knee.
Most Danes are very easy going and tend to be couch potatoes. It is essential not only for these gentle giants to not grow too quickly but to keep a lean body condition their entire lives.
They are relatively short-lived as a breed and extra pressure on their joints from obesity can reduce their quality of life during the short time theyre with us. The best way to keep them in top form is to feed the best dog food for Great Danes appropriately and maintain an active lifestyle.
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Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy Food
The Royal Canin Puppy Food is specifically formulated to contain all the nutrients your growing puppy needs, especially for bigger breeds of dog such as the Great Dane. Promotes healthy growth of bones and joints with its healthy ingredients and lack of harmful by products. The proteins and prebiotics are highly digestible for your dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- Specially formulated to give your puppy all the nutrients it needs
- Healthy bone and joint growth for up to eight months old
- Proteins and prebiotics are digestible for pups with stomach problems
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Orijen Large Breed Puppy
This recipe is packed full of protein, and with the first 15 ingredients being meat, fish, organs, and egg this recipe is unparalleled when it comes to high-quality protein sources. It is biologically appropriate, which means that whole prey is used, and while organs and cartilage sound awful to us, your Great Dane will love the taste and it is supremely nutritious.
While this recipe is grain-free it has the highest fiber content. While not specifically made as a high fiber content food, it has additional fiber thanks to whole lentils, beans, and peas, so his digestive system is well cared for, and his stools will be firmer too. Calcium levels are optimum for his soon-to-be giant body and most reviewers commented how much their picky pups loved this recipe compared to others.
We love that this premium recipe has the highest protein content which provides him with the essential building blocks for lean and strong muscles.
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Should You Feed A Great Dane Puppy Supplements
When Great Dane puppies are eating a nutritious and well-balanced diet they will meet their developmental milestone. They will also have no need for dietary supplements. If their diet is not giving them the necessary nutrients, or they exhibit development issues, supplements may be necessary.
Even though supplements are not always needed. However, there are some forms of supplements that can be taken in advance to help reduce the likelihood of future health issues.
If you want your Great Dane to have healthy skin and a shiny coat, you should feed him vitamin A. You can give him vitamin E to help support his immune system.
Holistic Select Large And Giant Breed Puppy Food
This puppy food recipe contains a unique combination of lamb meal and oatmeal that is a source of digestive enzymes helping your dog to digest the food easily. This pet food contains blueberries and pomegranate that strengthen cellular health. Moreover, this blend also contain DHA that is present in the mother feed to improve the eyes, brain and cognitive skill of the puppies.
This pet food is an optimal balance of oatmeal, quinoa, and brown rice that keeps your dog energetic to perform day-to-day activities and grow rapidly. It has high-quality natural ingredients extracted from farm-raised animals, vegetables, and fruits ensuring your Danes health in the long term. This recipe also contains antioxidants and enzymes that support the complete absorption of food in the body.
Pros:
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Adult Dry Nutro Ultra Large Breed Dog Food
Most large breed dogs, including Great Danes, require more than one source of lean protein and this by far is one of the best dog food for Great Danes available today.
Top 5 Ingredients
Whole Grain Oatmeal
Why do we recommend it
Do Great Danes Have A Lot Of Health Problems
Great Danes usually do not have many health problems but they easily catch one very common health issue named bloat and torsion. It is not a major health issue or life-threatening issue but it is quite painful for the Great Danes. In this disease, they get bloated because of the trapped air inside their stomach. It is usually caused naturally when the stomach twists itself however it has a treatment as well.
Some of the dogs are more prone to this problem but others are not. If a dog faces this problem once then chances are that it will occur again as well. Try giving your Great Dane a good diet to make sure it is not bloated.
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Chicken Recipe
First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Tapioca Starch, Menhaden Fish Meal
The Blue Buffalo company offers various product lines. Every recipe this brand makes contains wholesome, nutritious ingredients that nourish your dogs body from the inside out.
What makes the Blue Buffalo product line unique is the fact that it is designed to satisfy the spirit of your dogs inner wolf it is designed to promote your dogs health, happiness, and harmony for the duration of his life.
Every recipe is made with real meat proteins, wholesome carbohydrates, and other healthy ingredients with beneficial supplements like probiotics and chelated minerals.
The Blue Buffalo Large recipe is particularly good for your Great Dane because it is designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of very large dogs.
This recipe contains 32% crude protein and 13% crude fat, featuring protein-rich fish and chicken meal as the primary ingredients. It is also supplemented with chicken fat and whole flaxseeds as well as digestible carbohydrates like rice and oatmeal.
Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy
- Boosted nutrition for large breed puppies with high-protein kibble + freeze-dried raw.
- Cage-free chicken is the first ingredient.
- Balanced mix of poultry, fish, and meat.
- Natural DHA from chicken eggs.
- Free from grains, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meal, and artificial colors and preservatives.
- Made in the USA.
This recipe has the highest number of calories and fat, which means that your Great Dane puppy has lots of growing power with this kibble. Real Chicken, Chicken meal, and egg products are found in the first 4 ingredients so you can be sure that his protein needs are met, and plenty of glucosamine and docosahexaenoic acid are present too for his bones and brain development.
Flaxseed and fish meal provide him with plenty of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to keep his joints supple and his coat nourished, and superb coat health was one of the main observations from other reviewers.
We love that this recipe has tasty meal toppers mixed in with the kibble pieces, and not only do the freeze-dried chicken pieces provide extra nutrients, but they are also a big hit with puppies.
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What To Feed A Great Dane With A Sensitive Stomach
Bloating is too common in Great Danes especially to those who have a sensitive stomach. Excessive Eating may cause bloating to these lovely companions and becomes the common cause of death in this breed. This is the reason the pet owners should choose the dog food for their Danes considerately. Here are some tips for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- Make sure that your dogs food does not contain certain proteins, Fats, Fiber and Vitamins that are not easy to digest.
- If you Dane show stomach sensitivity, Switch to the other dog food that contains different digestible ingredients
- Always feed high-quality food sourced from farm-raised Animals and Plants.
- Switch to homemade food for your dog if the problem persists.
Calcium & Phosphorus Ratios In Great Dane Puppy Food
The ratio of calcium to phosphorus is a key consideration when choosing food for your puppy.
Calcium must be at or below 1.4% and the Phosphorus should be CLOSE behind it.
However, even foods with correct calcium and phosphorus ratios may not be appropriate! There is a lot more to nutrition than just that. Amino acids, the source of those nutrients , and ultimate bioavailability of the finished product are incredibly important. A typical CA/PH analysis might look like this below, or similar. Do feed foods that dont have this information: Calcium 1.2%
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Wellness Core Puppy Large Breed
- Grain-free formula.
- No corn, wheat, or soy.
- 387 Calories per cup.
This recipe is made with deboned Chicken, Chicken meal, and Turkey meal, and these ingredients can be found right at the top of the ingredients list, so you can rest assured that lean protein and healthy muscle growth is a key factors in this recipe.
Salmon oil and ground flaxseed support a healthy coat and provide him with DHA for brain and eye development. Superfoods such as bananas, spinach, and blueberries also ensure that his immune system is supported with all the nutrients it needs.
We love that each kibble piece is covered in acticoat, which is a unique probiotic solution that contributes to a healthy digestive tract.
Is Large Breed Dog Food Ok For Great Danes
Some science-backed food companies make Giant Breed specific formulas, and those are fantastic!
The Royal Canin Giant Breed line is perfect.
However, many giant breed formulas have been phased out or are hard to find.
Large Breed foods from Purina, Hills, Science Diet and Royal Canin are formulated and tested for dogs over 70+lbs, and this includes our giant breed dogs.
Therefore, both giant and large breed formulas are ideal and can be correct for Great Danes!
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Can My Great Dane Have A Sensitive Stomach
Since every dog is different, concerns regarding a Great Danes stomach sensitivity may be valid. However, if your dog is one of them, the symptoms are pretty evident including vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, blood in stool, nausea, excessive gas, and hypersalivation. Often, these sensitivities are related to your dogs diet, so if you want to fix this issue, you must pay closer attention to what you are feeding your Great Dane. Also, make sure you visit a vet.
Purina Plan Pro Large Breed Puppy Food
The Purina Plan Pro Puppy Food is perfect for your growing Great Dane, made for the largest breeds of puppies to help them grow strong. The real chicken and rice recipe in the food provides vital nutrients that your growing pup needs. Glucosamine supports joints and cartilage as they grow older.
- Food is made for largest breeds of puppy
- Real chicken is main ingredient alongside rice for healthy food
- Glucosamine supports bones for additional healthy when they age
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I Dont See A Popular Food Recommended Here Why Not
Popular foods seen in the Great Dane community include Victor, 4Health, Diamond Naturals, Costco, Fromm, Zignature, Nulo, Nutro, Solid Gold, Orijen, Acana, The Farmers Dog, Honest Kitchen, Canine Caviar, Liberty, and Holistic Select .
These are all boutique foods.
They do not employ DACVN Board-Certified veterinary nutritionists to formulate their foods. They do not participate in well-run nutrition research and food trials for their brand or for the greater good of dogs.
For example, Fromm foods are formulated by a chemical engineer.
Contrary to popular belief, boutique food brands are not inherently higher-quality.
We recommend sticking with science at this time and feeding only the highest quality, heavily researched diets that were substantiated in actual feeding trials, not just looked over by a nutritionist on paper.
Dietary Requirements For Great Dane Puppy Foods
Great Dane puppies thrive on a diet whose foundation is meat-based. Whole proteins are best however, meat meals are also an excellent source of quality protein.
Great Dane puppies can eat grain-free or grain-inclusive formulations with no ill effects. The ideal diet for a Great Dane pup includes carbohydrates that are rich in fiber and easy to digest whether they are derived from fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. This emphasis on ease of digestibility is an important component of the best dog foods for Great Dane puppies.
Healthy fats are an important part of a diet for the Great Dane puppy. It is from these oils that the pup maintains consistent energy levels and develops healthy skin and coat. These fats are best obtained from animal sources such as chicken fat or oily fish like mackerel, herring, salmon, or anchovies.
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What Human Foods Are Dangerous For A Great Dane Puppy
As the owner of a Great Dane, you must understand that while there are human foods that can be consumed by your dog, there are also those that can harm him.
He may end up with diarrhea or an upset stomach, but he can also be seriously injured or even die if he consumes the wrong food. Some of these foods are listed below:
- Alcohol and Raw Bread Dough The ethanol that is in alcohol can be a poison to your Great Dane. Raw bread dough can cause serious damage to your dogs stomach because when consumed it may expand and cause difficulty in breathing as well as stomach expansion.
- Chocolate This is a famous item that many people know about. Chocolates are definitely harmful to your dog and can cause serious health problems. You may notice signs such as seizures, muscle tremors, and sometimes your dog can die.
- Caffeine Your dogs system cannot handle caffeine as it is toxic to them. Caffeine can be found in many items that are commonly used, so this is why you shouldnt feed your dog snacks because there may be caffeine in them.
- Grapes and Raisins Grapes and raisins are harmful to some dog breeds, but it is not exactly clear on which ones. You do not want to take the chance on your precious pooch, so stay away from grapes and raisins as it can cause kidney failure.
- Onions and garlic All the herbs of the onion family are also toxic to your dogs system including shallots so stay clear of these because they are toxic.
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