Can I Feed My Medium Dog Large Breed Food

Tips To Help You Get The Right Small Breed Dog Food

Due to the above specifications for small breed dog food, consider using the following tips for your next food purchase:

Be on the lookout for grains in your dogs food. Small dogs are at risk of getting hypoglycaemia due to their low sugar and body fat reserve, not to mention their high metabolism. Due to this, grains can help keep their glucose levels stable as they are slowly digested into their bodies, avoiding any spikes or falls in the glucose levels. This will especially be important for puppies until their glucose levels become more stable as they mature.

Fat will be another essential ingredient to include in your small dog breed food. Fats will be crucial in helping your dog get healthy skin, a coat, and enough energy supply to keep its energy at the proper levels. Ensure that the dog food contains a healthy amount of omega 6 and omega 3.

Choose kibble that comes in smaller sizes as it will be easier to chew, allowing your dog to avoid any choking incidents.

Look for food with quality meat protein. Some examples of these include chicken and beef meat.

What To Feed A Giant Breed Dog

• Whats the cheapest dog breed?

Large and giant breed pups should consume diets that contain at least 30% high quality protein and 9% fat . Remember that protein quality varies with the source, so high quality foods may cost more. If you give your pup treats, consider the calories they add to the diet.

Protein In Puppy Food

A protein level approximating 26% in these formulas promotes healthy body condition and balances the protein with the reduced number of calories in the food. Research has shown that

• Dietary protein levels from 15 to 32% have no adverse effect on skeletal development.1
• Body condition decreases as protein gets too low.

The protein in our large-breed puppy formulas supports normal skeletal and muscular growth.

You May Like: Can You Buy Dog Food With Snap Benefits

What Is The Healthiest Dog Food For Small Breeds

The Best Dog Food for Small Dogs June 2021

• Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Adult.
• Canidae Pure Small Breed Dog Food.
• Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Adult Dog Food.
• Halo Grain Free Small Breed Wet Dog Food.
• Diamond Naturals Small Breed Chicken and Rice.
• Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Adult Chicken.

Weight And Dimensions Of Medium Dogs

This group of dogs encompasses around 50 different breeds. Their size, shape, and weight can vary. However, there are several features that mark this diverse group.

When it comes to their height, when fully grown, they reach between 16 to 22 inches.

There is a wide array of other characteristics when these dogs are in question. They can either be taller or lower, with legs of different length.

Their bodies can be of different shape, from round to slim and muscular. They can have shorter or longer hair and tails.

Also, different levels of activity are present among these pups.

Recommended Reading: Can You Use Ebt To Buy Dog Food

Safe To Feed Medium Sized Dog Small Breed Food

Dog Food AdvisorForumsDiet and HealthSafe to feed medium Sized Dog Small Breed Food?

• Kait BMember

  My dog is a Pitbull Mix. Shes 35 pounds. I have found that she has trouble chewing the regular to large size kibble in most foods. I had her try a few samples of food for small breeds, which has smaller kibble and she loves them and has a much easier time chewing. Are these foods scientifically formulate for tiny bellies? or is it ok for her to eat the small breed food on a regular basis?

  pugmomsandyModerator

  She can eat small breed kibble on a regular basis. Numerous brands have small sized kibble or small bites. Some of the small/toy breed kibble will have more protein and fat but so will alot of puppy foods or all life stage foods. For instance, if the front of the bag says puppy and you turn and look at the back of the bag and it says all life stages.

Ideal Levels Of Calcium And Phosphorus

While calcium and phosphorus are necessary for proper development of bones, too much can cause rapid growth, which can lead to problems such as hip dysplasia. It is a concern medium puppies share with larger breeds.

Ideally, the calcium and phosphorus that puppies get from their food should be enough. If, however, you notice signs of deficiencies, you can either change their formula or, after consulting your vet, start feeding them additives.

Read more:5 Top Rated Dog Food for Hip Dysplasia

Don’t Miss: Dr Pol Dog Food Reviews

What Is A Medium Sized Dog

Defining medium breed: Before dishing out the cash, its probably a good idea to see if your dog falls into the medium breed category. Wouldnt you agree?

Lets find out, just what it means to be medium sized dog?

Medium sized dog weight: Midsize dogs are between 23-40 lbs. Medium sized ones between 40-60 lbs. Therefore, in this article, when we say medium breed, we mean: a dog whose standard average weight is between 23-60 lbs.

How big is a medium sized dog: Midsize dogs are on average between 16-18 inches in height. Medium sized dog breeds are on average 18-22 inches in height. Therefore, in this article, when we say medium breed, we mean: a dog whose standard average height is between 16 inches and 22 inches.

Heres a mini-chart to summarize:

Large Breed Food Nutrition

On the surface, youll notice that large breed dry food comes in larger pieces of kibble. Its simply more comfortable for dogs with bigger mouths to eat bigger kibble. However, the more important differences are inside the food. Large breed food aims to control the balance of nutrients in a dogs diet so that he grows and develops at the right speed. Puppies of all sizes grow rapidly in their first twelve to eighteen months. A large breed puppy might grow to be eighty pounds or more in one yearthats much faster than humans!

Controlling the rapid growth of large breed puppies requires special attentionthis is where large breed food is important. Commercial large breed foods, such as AvoDerm® Large Breed Formula, contain different amounts of certain nutrients and minerals than regular dog foods. Using a food formulated for large breeds takes the guesswork out of nutrition for your dog.

Protein is important for many functions of a healthy canine body. Its a source of energy and helps maintain a strong immune system. And, just like in humans, it helps build muscles by providing essential amino acids.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are both beneficial nutrients that are present in large breed dog foods. These fats will promote healthy skin and a soft, shiny coat for your canine best friend. They also support a healthy cardiovascular system. Fish oils and avocados are rich sources of Omega-3 fatty acids while flaxseed oil is a major source of Omega-6 fatty acids.

Recommended Reading: Is Caesar Dog Food Healthy

Can You Feed A Medium

Contrary to what most first-time dog owners might think, not all dog food is created equal. Just as there exist multiple dog breeds, with America alone having over 100 distinct dog breeds, dog food will also have different specifications. This means considering factors such as your dogs body type, shape, and individual tastes. With this in mind, choosing the right kind of dog food will be an essential part of your dog ownership journey. Below, we tackle the most commonly asked questions when it comes to dog food.

What Dog Food Is Killing Dogs

Midwestern Pet Foods expanded its recall of dry dog and cat food following reports that dozens of dogs died after eating the Sportmix dry kibble, the FDA said. A pet food recall is widening after the Food and Drug Administration announced that more than two dozen dogs died after eating Sportmix brand dry kibble.

Read Also: Canned Dog Food Expiration Date

Nutrition And Ingredients Matter

Yes, even ingredients in dog food are different based on your pets size. For example, some food for large breeds will contain extra calcium, which helps with their bone development. Other brands will include supplements that larger breeds may need.

Some dog foods have specific nutrition to help keep the joints of larger dogs healthy and mobile. Others might contain additional fiber, along with pro and prebiotics to help maintain a healthy gut.

Studies have shown that improper nutrition for large breeds of dogs can lead to severe conditions like low bone development, which can cause lameness.

Hip And Elbow Dysplasia

Although more common in large dog breeds, hip and elbow dysplasia can be found in medium pups, too.

In this condition, the hip joint does not develop properly. Instead of smooth movement, friction and rubbing in the joint cause a great deal of discomfort.

It can cause a lot of pain and limit the range of your pups motion. It can eventually lead to chronic arthritis.

Elbow dysplasia often accompanies hip dysplasia. It results from the mismatch in growth in two bones of the forelegs. It might affect negatively on your pups willingness to exercise or even walk.

See more:

• Best Dog Food For Joints

Read Also: Does Dog Food Expire

Nutritional Needs Of A Small Breed Dog

Small breed dogs have an incredibly high metabolic rate, so they burn through calories very quickly. Small dogs require an average of 40 calories per pound, while large dogs only require an average 20 calories per pound. So it is not recommended you feed your small breed and your large breed dogs the same food. Small breeds need a caloric dense food. They also may require larger serving sizes. If a small breed dog does not have a high enough caloric intake they can develop hypoglycemia which can lead to weakness, seizures, and muscle tremors. So it important to feed them a dog food specifically tailored to their needs.

VIDEO: Best To Worst Foods For Dogs And Cats

What Affects How Often A Dog Should Eat

Veterinarians recommend feeding a dog at least twice per day. Dogs with medical issues or dietary needs may require specialized feeding schedules or restrictions on what they eat. Talk to your veterinarian about your dogs eating habits to make sure youre meeting their nutritional needs and healthcare requirements.

Breed plays a large role when deciding how often to feed your dog. Common large breed dogs, for instance, will often require more feedings and more calories per day than medium and small breed dogs. Age is also another important consideration. The caloric requirements for a two-month-old Yorkshire Terrier varies greatly compared to a two-year-old Yorkie.

Read Also: Does Iams Have Grain

Changing Your Dogs Food

What we have come to call mans best friend has had a major digestive overhaul throughout the evolutionary process! For more than a century, dogs have grown accustomed to the commercial dog food they eat. Todays dog has a much more sensitive digestive system than dogs had a couple of hundred years ago.

For this reason, when its time to switch your dog from a food formulated for puppies to adult dog food, or if you simply want to change dog food brands, it should be done in a way that is easy on his digestive system. Since diarrhea is one symptom of stomach-upset, a gradual switching of dog foods is as beneficial to you as it is to your dog!

How To Introduce A New Dog Food Gradually

Follow This Simple Procedure:

For two days, mix 75% old food with 25% new food

For two days, mix old and new foods 50% and 50%

For two days, mix 25% old food with 75% new food.

Day 7 will be 100% new food

DID YOU KNOW? Dogs can get bored with their food flavor, even if the dog food is an excellent nutritional food choice! Feel free to experiment with different flavors for your dog to enjoy, just make the change gradually, as you just learned to do.

Recommended Reading: Pedigree Vs Purina Puppy Food

Aim For Steady Not Rapid Growth

Some pet parents mistakenly believe that feeding extra food to their large breed puppy so that they grow as much and as fast as possible is best for the puppys development. While large and giant breed puppies have the potential for rapid growth, it really isnt healthy for their bones and joints. And extra body weight can stress the immature and developing skeleton. When large breed puppies are overfed, they are prone to developing bone and joint problems such as hip dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans or panosteitis .

So whats a pet owner to do?

Feed your large breed canine companion a puppy food thats complete and balanced to promote a steady, healthy growth rate. Ideally, youll want to feed a large breed puppy formula. Studies show too many calories and inappropriate amounts of calcium can negatively affect the development of the skeleton. Feeding your large or giant breed pup for steady growth instead of maximum growth still lets them reach their full size, because adult size is primarily determined by genetics. It just may take a little longer when done at a slower pace that allows healthy bone development.

Can I Feed My Puppy Small Breed Dog Food

While every breed of puppy will start small, not all puppies should be fed small breed dog food. The recommended food will be puppy food that is formulated for their breed type. Puppy food for large breeds should, for instance, be lower in calories than other formulas created for other dog breeds. By sticking to this food, your puppies can keep up with their recommended growth rate, allowing them to get enough nutritional support for their joints.

In addition to this, puppy food for large breeds contains the right amount of calcium needed for healthy bone development. It will also include a proper mix of lean proteins, vitamins, and minerals designed to keep their weight in check. Getting the right food for your puppy also means sticking to the correct rates to avoid larger food portions that could lead to obesity in their later stages.

Other problems related to overfeeding your puppy include inflammation in the cartilage and bone, hip dysplasia, and the development of long leg bones. Avoiding hip dysplasia in larger dogs also means getting the proper calcium to the phosphorous ratio when they are still young, allowing them to prevent excessive weight gain.

Also Check: Does Food Stamps Pay For Dog Food

Best Dog Food For Goldendoodles

• Made for large dogs
• No corn, wheat, or soy

Overall Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles Formulated especially for large dogs, Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food contains guaranteed levels of glucosamine and chondroitin for hip and joint health. The right amount of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals help big dogs maintain strong bones. This formula has slightly less fat and fewer calories to help keep your large Goldendoodle slim and trim another way to reduce stress on bones and joints.

Deboned chicken and chicken meal are the first ingredients, providing good sources of meat protein. Contains no meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives. And, the food contains no corn, wheat, or soy. It does include guaranteed levels of probiotics to support healthy digestion.

Available in 15-lb and 30-lb bags.

Pros:

• Save 30% on New Autoship Only valid on New Autoship orders for Wellness items. Must select Autoship at checkout for offer to automatically apply. Limit 5 per customer. Can be combined with First Autoship offer.

• Good sources of animal protein from chicken and chicken meal
• Contains guaranteed levels of probiotics
• Contains chondroitin and glucosamine for hip and joint support
• No corn, wheat, soy, meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives
• Made especially for large dogs

Cons:

• Adult maintenance dog food
• Grain-free

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Pros:

Pros:

Cons:

How Do I Know If Im Feeding My Puppy Enough

Your puppy should be eating enough to grow and gain weight at a steady, healthy rate. Puppies that grow too quickly or become overweight are more prone to develop orthopedic problems, so it is important not to over-feed your puppy. Ideally, your puppy should maintain a healthy lean body weight. Your veterinarian evaluates this using a numerical scale called the Body Condition Score.

The Body Condition Score is determined by evaluating the fat deposits over the dogs ribs, hips, and spine and assigning a number on a scale from 1 to 5 or from 1 to 9, with 1 being extremely underweight and 5 or 9 being obese. An ideal Body Condition Score is a 3/5 or a 5/9, depending on the scale your veterinarian uses.

To determine whether you are feeding your puppy enough, ask your veterinarian to evaluate your puppys Body Condition Score, or learn how to evaluate the Body Condition Score at home. If the number is too low, you may need to increase the amount of food you are feeding your puppy. If the number is too high, your puppy is overweight and you will need to decrease the amount of food you are feeding to reach an ideal score.

Recommended Reading: Dog Food With Food Stamps

Medium Breed Feeding Summary

Feeding medium size dogs and medium breed puppies is not difficult. The hardest part is selecting a quality diet that works well for your dog. Once you get this down and figure out a feeding schedule it should be pretty smooth sailing.

Your medium breed puppy should be fed a quality medium breed puppy formula with approximately 30% protein and 20% fat content max. Try to source a Kibble Formula with real meat as the first ingredient and avoid foods with calcium additives. Keep your medium breed puppy lean and ideally, just heavy enough so you can always see a trace of the last rib.

While medium size dog breeds wont go through such an extreme change in physical size as large & giant breeds, their bodies will still experience major physiological changes over the first year of life. The rapid growth phase for medium size dogs is typically from 3 to 10 months with final skeletal size being achieved by age 1.

Energy, activity level and appetite will absolutely fluctuate during this period so keep a watchful eye and stay in-tune with your dog to monitor their weight. Tweak feeding amounts and frequency to the best of your ability and maintain a nice lean evenly energetic dog.