Grain Free Dog Food Vs Regular Dog Food Which Should I Choose For My Pet
The journey to better health in our pets is super inclusive of the food they consume. Though we humans consume a typical type of food, feeding our pets might not be a good idea. Typically, human food involves the intake of large amounts of sodium drugs. Such a diet is too much for our pet dogs and can lead them to health issues. Therefore, it is important to feed them with the right type of diet. Good quality food made with feed-grade ingredients which fulfil their nutritional requirement should be chosen. Here comes the need for gluten free dog food and also check the benefits of grain free vs grain dog food.
Now Fresh Grain Free Large Breed Puppy Recipe Dog Food
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Wellness Complete Health Dog Food
Rating:
Wellness Complete Health Adult Lamb and Barley is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Lamb, lamb meal, oatmeal, ground barley, menhaden fish meal
- Type: With grain
- See all 13 available recipes
This Wellness Complete Health adult formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from lamb and lamb meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 13% fat and 52% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
A fully-balanced, grain-inclusive dog food. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewSo far so good, as both of my dogs love their new Wellness Complete Health Lamb & Barley. They have been on Wellness Original Grain Free for many years, but because of the recent scare on grain free food, I decided to change. So glad I did because their stools are firmer and both my rescued 12 yr old German Shepard/Malmute & 8 yr old Schipperke are very happy and energetic.
Also Check: Best Dog Food Puppy Large Breed
Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Dry Dog Food
Protein 29%, Fat 13%, Fiber 5%, Moisture 10%
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Peas, 4. Ground Brown Rice, 5. Salmon Meal
Due to a faster potential growth rate and a longer growth cycle, your large breed puppy requires complete nutrition to support its physical composition.
The Wellness Large Breed Complete Health dry dog food offers balanced everyday nutrition prepared with delicious deboned chicken and includes added DHA and regulated calories for a healthy brain, bone, and eye development. This formula is one of the best puppy foods for large breeds.
How Do I Know If My Puppy Is A Large Breed
The pet food industry3 defines a large breed puppy as one whose ADULT weight is expected to be more than 70 pounds.
However
Since its not possible to know your puppys adult weight before shes fully grown
Its far safer to use a more conservative 50 pound definition for large breed dogs proposed by others.45678
If you expect your dog to weigh over 50 pounds when fully grown then shes considered a large breed puppy.
Read Also: Is It Cheaper To Make Your Own Dog Food
Hills Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Lamb Meal, 2. Brown Rice 3. Wholegrain Wheat, 4. Wholegrain Sorghum, 5. Corn Gluten Meal
Carefully formulated with natural DHA and controlled levels of calcium, Hills Science Diet Puppy recipe is a complete and balanced diet, highly recommended for growing pups.
The kibble contains only natural and high-quality ingredients to ensure perfect support and conditioning for large breed dogs in during their growing stage. Give your pooch the nutrition they deserve for optimal health and development.
Can Large Breed Puppies Eat Normal Puppy Food
While dog food specifically formulated for large breed puppies is definitely the best option, in a pinch, its totally fine to feed your dog food formulated for smaller pupsas long as its from a reputable brand. Puppy food that is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials is safe to feed large breed puppies, says Fulcher.
But just because the food is formulated for smaller dogs doesnt mean your pet is entitled to an all-you-can-eat-buffet. Large breed puppies should not be fed as much as they want. They need portion control, no matter what diet is being fed, to avoid growing too rapidly or gaining too much weight, says Fulcher.
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What To Look For In A Large
The best thing to do when you’re looking for puppy food is to make sure that the dog food label states formulated to meet Association of American Feed Control Officials dog food nutrient profiles, Dr. Claudine Sievert, a Kansas-based vet who works with Stayyy.com, told The Dodo.
Dr. Sheen said that, rather than focusing on ingredients, you should find a puppy food brand that meets the guidelines established by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association , which cover quality control, caloric content, information on who makes the food and more.
If you want to do a quick scan of the nutrition facts on a large-breed food label, then look for nutrients including calcium, phosphorus, DHA and EPA for healthy brain and eye development, and fats, fiber and carbohydrates from veggies, fruits and grains.
Consulting your vet on their opinion of which nutrients, ingredients and formulas are best for your puppy and his unique needs is a great place to start on your search for the best food.
Controlling Size Through Diet
Like it or not, a proper and balanced large breed puppy diet is one that will keep their growth in control. If those pups grow too fast, they often fall victim to several health issues.
So, this guide is all about how to keep control over their size without suppressing their appetite.
What you need to understand is how your puppys food actually affects growth. Roughly, half the calories consumed by pups are used up in muscle and skeletal development. However, that is only when the calories are coming from healthier sources such as protein. Calories that come from fat do not impact skeletal development. This means your puppy will grow in size but the bones wont be strong enough to support the weight.
If you feel your pup is gaining too much weight, too fast, you need to take it to the vet to get a BCS check. Body Condition Score BCS is like BMI for dogs. Your vet will be able to give you an accurate number and tell you whether your pup needs to lose or gain some pounds.
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American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Grain
Most Affordable Grain-Free Puppy Food: If youre on a budget, you dont necessarily need to sacrifice your puppys nutrition. American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Puppy Food is a great option that is also very affordable. This recipe is loaded with nutritious ingredients including deboned lamb, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas. It is packed with animal protein to provide the amino acids your puppy needs to build strong muscles with plenty of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. It is supplemented with chelated minerals to ensure optimal nutrient absorption and contains dried fermentation products for probiotic support. This formula is also made with fresh fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources for key nutrients, but also contains vitamin and mineral supplements as needed to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.
- Pros: Real deboned lamb first ingredient, high in protein , digestible grain-free carbohydrates, rich in omega fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables, chelated minerals, probiotics
- Cons: Contains some plant protein , not a single-source protein recipe
Best For Weight Control: Hills Prescription Diet Metabolic Dog Food
If your dog has put on a few extra pounds and youre concerned about his health, Dr. Burch recommends changing his diet to one with fewer calories and an extra dose of fiber from fruits and veggies. This Hills Prescription Diet Metabolic formulation will do the trick. It has a proprietary blend of fiber, which helps keep dogs feel full and satisfied long to prevent overeating, she says, noting that the blend includes pea fiber, dried beet pulp, dried tomato pomace, and flaxseed. Its formula also helps to improve a dogs ability to burn fat, which aids in weight loss.
Highlights:
via solidgoldpet.com
Also Check: Can I Feed My Medium Dog Large Breed Food
Merrick Classic Dry Dog Food
Rating:
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Real Beef and Brown Rice is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned beef, pork meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal
- Type: With grain
- See all 13 available recipes
This Merrick Classic formula derives the major share of its animal protein from both fresh beef and pork meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 17% fat and 46% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
As its name implies, this recipe is an excellent example of Merricks time-proven, classic designs rich in meat and low in plant-based protein substitutes.
A nutritious, grain-inclusive kibble. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewI spent days researching food for my dog. He is allergic to chicken and turkey and his stomach is so so sensitive. Ive experienced with many food brands and they didnt work. This has worked wonders for him! He doesnt have rash or upset stomachs anymore. He loves the flavor! This lasts us way longer than other foods we have bought in the past. Its high quality and works for our little sensitive pup.
About Nutro Ultra Large Breed Dry Dog Food
The Nutro Ultra combines a trio of proteins with a variety of superfoods to create a nutrient-packed kibble specifically designed to support the growth and development of large breed puppies.
Orijen Large Puppy Dry Dog Food
This grain-free recipe is packed with high-quality protein for your large puppy.
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Whats The Difference Between Large Breed Dog Food And Regular
Large breed dog food is different than regular kibble in both size and composition. Here are some of the differences:
- Big Kibble Size. Dry dog food made specifically for large dogs features larger kibble, which supports chewing. Chewing the food is important because it helps with nutrient breakdown and absorption.
- Joint Health. Large breed dog food often contains higher amounts of joint-friendly nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin. Regular food is rarely supplemented as small, and medium-breed dogs are less prone to joint issues.
- Calorie Content. Large breed dog food, especially large breed puppy food, is made to be slightly less energy dense. This is to enable the puppy to grow at a healthy pace its bones can keep up with. If the food is too calorically dense, it may encourage the dog to grow too fast and cause or contribute to health issues.
- Digestive Supplements. Large breed dogs can have digestion issues. Large breed dog food is often supplemented with e helpful to have prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. They support a healthy gut biome and digestion.
Nutro Ultra Dry Dog Food
Rating:
Nutro Ultra Small Breed Adult is an example of one of the 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Nutro Ultra product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain sorghum, whole grain oats, whole grain brown rice
- Type: With grain
- See all 9 available recipes
Nutro Ultra Small Breed Adult derives the lions share of its meat protein from both fresh chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 19% fat and 44% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 65%.
A reasonably priced, nutritionally-balanced containing a healthy mix of healthy cereal grains. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewWe have three Maltese mix dogs ranging from 5 years to 7 months. Our 5 year old was starting to gain weight and moving slow like he was stiff and sore on the food we were using . After doing some research we came across the Nutro Ultra. We have used the Nutro hard dog treats for years and the dogs love them so we decided to give the food a try. The dogs love it and our oldest has started to slim down and be more active. No fillers and a great mix of meat and veggies. Enough calories and protein for small dogs without loading them down with a bunch of junk.
Recommended Reading: Wellness Core Digestive Health Dog Food
About Wellness Natural Pet Food Dry Puppy Food
Not only does the Complete Health Large Breed puppy food from Wellness Natural Pet Food contain a balance of nutrients essential for the health of your large breed puppy , but it also has a larger kibble size than your typical puppy food optionsperfect for your puppys bigger teeth.
Nutro Ultra Large Breed Dry Dog Food
While chicken is the #1 ingredient in this recipe, lamb and salmon also make this a well-rounded dry dog food.
Feeding Large Breeds Grain Free
Being honest, when feeding grain free high quality kibble, or any dry dog food, large and giant breeds really don’t require specific nutrients that can’t be found in a food for mid-size or small breeds. As long as they’re done growing that is.
Heed this warning with, especially with GIANT breed dogs! Great Danes as an example can take nearly two years to complete their growth period. Mm, then sadly, four years later they’re senior citizens!
Caveat regarding large and giant breed puppies: Calcium and phosphorus levels in dog food are extremely important! Disregard this page if you’re growing a puppy and check out our Best Large & Giant Breed Puppy Food reviews. You can open your eyes when that page loads:)
One suggestion however with adult large breed dogs, is to keep joint maintenance in mind. Most dogs in this breed class, or any active or working breed, can do an a number on their joints with orthopedic stress. Some of the best large breed grain free and large breed dry dog food includes supplements such as chondroiten and glucosamine, this is always a plus.
As extra security for a healthy dog and to assure joint health, many of our top dog food review picks include glucosamine and chondroitin, plus antioxidants and good fatty acids. Finally, some large and giant breeds have sensitive digestive tracts, so we’ve included formulas that contain digestive enzymes, prebiotic & probiotics.
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Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula
Most Popular Grain-Free Puppy Food: If youre not sure what to buy for your puppy, you cant go wrong with a popular choice like this Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula. It features a nutritious blend of high-quality animal proteins including real buffalo, bison, venison, and beef. It is naturally grain-free, with digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, peas, and potatoes. This recipe contains a rich blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat with plenty of fiber that works with the probiotic supplements to ensure healthy and regular digestion. This formula contains fresh fruits and veggies as well which act as natural sources for key nutrients to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.
- Pros: Variety of premium animal proteins, rich in omega fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables, probiotics for digestion, chelated minerals, rich in fiber, nutritionally balanced
- Cons: Contains some plant protein
Monge Natural Puppies Large Breed ‘ 12
270.00
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Taste Of The Wild Grain
If you are looking for the one of best grain free puppy foods for your pooch, you need to take a look at Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Prairie Dry Dog Food for Puppies. This grain free dog food delivers plenty of energy that is easily digestible for your puppy.
It has a blend of much needed protein sources, and has a taste that puppies are proven to love.
Taste of the Wild grain free dog food has the fruits and vegetables that a puppy needs as they provide anti-oxidants that support their developing immune systems.
> Taste of the Wild High Prairie Large Breed Puppy Formula
Puppies who eat this grain free large breed puppy food have harder and more consistent stools, and shinier coats, with healthier skin. This is, by far, our favorite Taste of the Wild puppy food, as evidenced by our full write-up here.
Concluding Thoughts
Your dog is your best friend, and deserves the best you can give them. Grain free puppy foods feed their wild side, while giving them exactly what they need to grow up without some of the health problems that are known to plague larger breeds of dogs. Any of these three brands would be a good choice, and are worthy of you looking into to see which is the right choice for your dog.