Large And Giant Breeds
As Ive been saying throughout this article, large and giant breed puppy nutrition requires some special consideration. Dogs from breeds such as Great Dane, Mastiff, Bloodhound, Golden Retriever, and Bernese Mountain Dog continue to grow longer than small and medium-breed dogs.
These big guys wont reach 80% of their adult weight until they are around 18-24 months old. So keep feeding them their large breed puppy food until theyre 1.5 to 2 years old to give them the best chance of avoiding orthopedic problems.
Ive heard the recommendation from breeders to transition large breed puppies to adult dog food at one year of age. Veterinarians do not recommend this practice. Adult maintenance food has a different energy concentration and inappropriate calcium and phosphorus concentrations for large and giant breed puppies. Please just use a large breed puppy food until your pup is at least one and a half years old.
Its not absolutely required that you transition your puppy to adult maintenance food at these exact times. Its OK to keep feeding puppy food longer than this as long as the pup is not becoming overweight.
Antioxidants And Omega Fatty Acids Support Senior Pups
Chewy.com
Senior dogs may spend more time in their dog beds than younger pups, but this makes proper nutrition even more important. This American Journey Active Life Formula Senior Dry Dog Food has everything your aging companion needs . It combines real chicken with antioxidant-rich ingredients, like sweet potatoes, blueberries and marine algae to help support healthy aging. It also has a handful of specially selected nutrients, like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and mobility, vitamin A for healthy vision and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
Is Wet Or Dry Dog Food Better For Puppies
When it comes to the best dog food for puppies, wet puppy food is often considered better.
However, this is a debatable topic that depends on the personal preference of your pup. While wet food has lesser carbs which are often difficult for dogs to digest, they do have more water content.
On the other hand, dry foods are relatively easy to digest but contain little water. Additionally, dry foods also promote chewing so that it is easy on your dogs digestive system.
To choose which option is best for your pup, consult a vet to figure out the perfect nutrition plan for your growing puppy.
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What Kind Of Food Does A Puppy Need
You will want to purchase a good quality product for your pet to stay happy and healthy, they will need the correct nutrition. Not all foods contain the correct amounts of protein and fats that are needed in diet. You will need to spend some time fully researching the great product that you plan to feed your pet.
While there are many great diets on the market, your puppies will need more protein than adult food. When trying to find the perfect diet, you should try to find at least 22% protein. You should always look at the ingredient list on the back. The first ingredient should always be a protein. If it is the whole protein, it is a better choice than a protein meal.
Customers Choice: Purina Pro Plan With Probiotics
Tasty AND healthy, this vet recommended dog food might be just the thing for picky dogs. The secret of Purina Pro Plan with Probiotics is that it combines hard kibble with tender shredded pieces so their food has an appetizing texture that dogs seem mad about . This dry dog food boasts a high protein formula with real chicken as the first ingredient and rice as a healthy source of carbohydrates, so its a good choice for most pooches. It is also fortified with essential fatty acids for dander-free skin and a glossy coat, as well as live probiotics to promote better digestion. All in all, this is a solid choice for most dogs without any health issues or dietary preferences.
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Best For Sensitive Dogs: Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed For Food Intolerance
Allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities to food are common among dogs and require a special diet to avoid irritation and reactions. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance is a medical vet recommended dog food that uses hydrolyzed protein to eliminate potential allergens from the formula. This type of protein is easy to digest and contains all the necessary nutrients without the potential for irritating your pets sensitive tummy. To boot, this formula also excludes grains that could have your pet itching and having digestive issues, so the chances of a reaction are minimal. Enriched with essential fatty acids, vitamins E and C, and antioxidants, this vet recommended food will boost your pets immune system and help with their food allergy symptoms.
The 14 Healthiest Dog Foods: Nutritious Noms For Your Pet
Now that you know some of the things youll want to look for when picking some meals for your mutt, well share some of the healthiest dog foods on the market today. Well detail the main features of each, provide you with a sample ingredient list, and lay out the the pros and cons of each choice.
Just remember: The healthiest dog food choice will vary from one dog to the next.
There is no single healthiest dog food brand that works well in all cases, as each individual dog has unique needs, which will be best met by different dog foods.
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Best Fresh Food: Justfoodfordogs Pantryfresh Dog Food
What do vets recommend for dogs that dont eat dry food? Not all dogs love eating kibble, but that doesnt mean that there arent any healthy alternatives. There is plenty of vet recommended wet foods out there, even fresh ones such as JustFoodForDogs PantryFresh Dog Food that are vetted by experts. If you want your pet to eat natural, homemade meals but lack the time or the skill to prepare them, this is a fantastic alternative. Made from human-grade ingredients in a USDA kitchen, it is gluten and grain-free , as well as free of artificial preservatives and colors or any feed-grade ingredients.
Your pooch can choose between a few tasty options, including beef and russet potato, chicken and white rice, lamb and brown rice, and turkey and whole wheat macaroni. This food is a good choice for active, large dogs that burn off a lot of energy- it could cause a weight gain in a couch potato, so be careful.
Why Does My Dog Keep Having Accidents Or Throwing Up
People tend to assume that a dog is being spiteful or intentional with marking, but there are less malicious reasons behind these types of behaviors. Peeing on objects around the house is often a sign of anxiety, or even a potential medical condition that is affecting your dog.
Dogs can also manifest anxiety in the form of digestive problems, so while it is easy to blame the food your feeding your dog, one of the worst things you can do to try and improve the problem is switch their food right away.
The important thing to remember is not to lose hope. As your dog starts to get more comfortable at home, and your vet has eliminated any potential health problems, you can work on reinforcing the good habit of doing their business outside with lots of praise.
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Kirkland Signature: Nature’s Domain
Our fifth and final recommendation is Kirkland Pet Foods. Kirkland Pet Foods is Costco’s brand. However, it was created by Diamond Pet Foods which created Diamond Naturals, Taste of the Wild, and 4health.
The ingredient panel for this brand is consistently heavier on protein vs carbohydrates which is always a good thing unless your dog has a renal condition.
How Much Food Should I Feed A Puppy
Many people recommend that you follow the feeding instructions that are on the back of the bag. A good rule to follow is about 1 cup of food per 15 pounds a day. It is the right way to split these feeding into a few different feedings each day. When your puppy is young, most vets worry about small breeds being able to regular their blood sugar. By feeding them multiple meals a day, this will help keep their blood sugar at optimal levels.
As your puppys baby teeth are erupting through the skin, they can have trouble eating solid food. Giving them a mixture of wet and dry type can help with this. Once your pup has all their baby teeth, you can switch them from a mixture to only dry type. Also, limit the amount of dry food that you are feeding them if you are also feeding wet food. You do not want your puppy to be overweight.
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Firstly Whats A Puppy Food
For the first year or two the nutritional needs of your puppy are really important. They need more protein, more fat, and more nutrients in this phase of life to give them the best start.
Thats why choosing the best puppy food is so important youre giving them the best start in life, and it should pay off for years to come.
Puppy foods differ from adult foods because they have more meat, more fat, and less carbohydrates. Basically, theyre better than adult dog foods.
You dont want to feed any dog food labelled as Adult, as this wont meet the nutritional needs of your puppy.
Some dog foods are labelled All Life Stages which means they meet the nutritional needs of puppies as well as adults.
Good tip for when your pup grows up All Life Stage dog foods usually have better ingredients than regular Adult dog foods!
Canidae All Life Stages Big Bag
Canidae All Life Stages is definitely a great choice if youre on a budget, coming in at $0.52/100g which is under half the price of ACANA Puppy as the #1 pick!
The reason for this is Canidae All Life Stages comes in one bag size the 20kg Big Bag!
That makes it a great option if you have a large breed puppy or a more active breed.
For smaller or less active puppies this isnt for you, and the kibble will likely spoil before you feed it all .
The tradeoff with Canidae All Life Stages is it doesnt have as much meat as youd think.
It has three meat ingredients to 7 non-meat ingredients which are mostly rice, oats, barley, peas, and potato.
That said, its good to have a mix, and theres nothing stopping you adding in some fresh meats, organs, or other puppy foods.
Canidae has consistently shown positive consumer feedback for years. In fact, I was feeding it to my dog over 10 years ago it was good then, and still is.
Benefits:
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Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Dry Dog Food & Wet Dog Food
Stella & Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties
Focus is a Purina Pro Plans specially developed line of dog foods made for adult dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs. It will help any dog of a small breed develop properly, stay active and in good shape, no matter how sensitive his stomach is. It will allow you to balance your dogs diet with both dry and wet dog food to help your dog digest, support healthy joints, and to improve and prolong his mobility while also maintaining his good, healthy looks.
Quick Glance At Our 13 Vet Recommended Dry Dog Food Brands
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Top Dog Tips have done a complete breakdown of the pet food market and picked the best dog food brand that’s holistic, human-grade, and completely natural. I can’t say I disagree with their top dog food choice pick.
The Honest Kitchen is on my veterinarian recommended dog foods list as well.
However, it’s also very expensive, which may not be ideal for many pet parents.
Further in the article, I mention why vets consider these dog foods best for their pets. Scroll down for more details on my picks of ten vet recommended dog food brands.
The nutrition that your dog requires is based on a lot of variables. It’s affected by his breed, size, age, weight, skin and coat condition, medical history, and overall health, to name a few.
Your veterinarian knows your pet and understands his specific health needs. They will give you a list of vet recommended dog food brands that will best meet your dog’s needs and suggest any additional pet supplements that he may require that can’t be met by dog food alone.
Actually, because the dog food market is so huge today, many great vets recommended dog food brands offer blends for dogs with sensitive stomachs, skin allergies, and other special dietary requirements.
For more on commercial dog food safety and humanization of pet food, I recommend you these two podcast interviews:
Dog owners can purchase commercial dog food recipes with certain supplements and vitamins for dogs added to them.
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Easy Homemade Dog Food Recipe
Jump to RecipeMy easy homemade dog food recipe combines lean ground sirloin, wholesome brown rice, fresh vegetables, hard boiled eggs, and tender herbs
***Please note, I am not a veterinarian, just a very passionate dog owner! The information in this blog post documents our own personal experiences, research, and the recipes that we feed our dogs under our veterinarian’s careful supervision. Please, consult with your vet and use your own personal judgment when considering transitioning to a 100% human-grade food diet for your pup. This post was updated with video August 16, 2020, updated with additional recipe links 9/14/2020, updated 1/7/2021 with metric measurements, updated 1/3/2022 with recipe links for hydrating meals.***
What If My Dog Chews On Everything
Dogs experience their whole world through their mouths. Its no wonder that they find chewing on different objects a way to relieve stress or show anxiety. Another possibility is that your dog is just bored! There are a number of ways to correct this behavior over time, so be patient and remember to explore all your options.
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What Is A Vet Recommended Dog Food
In simple terms, the vet recommended dog food is recommended by a veterinarian. The veterinarian recommended diet is tested and is considered the best for the dogs. These foods are carefully tested and have all the nutrients that are necessary for the dogs.
Veterinarians are the pools of knowledge. They know so much about the kind of food that is best for canines, we suggest that you consult them to know about the food that is best for your dog.
Instead of choosing any dog food brand blindly, make sure that you have communicated with your veterinarian and read the food label carefully. To know about what vets feed their dogs or consider the best choice for canines, stay with us.
Hills Prescription Diet I/d Best For Sensitive Stomachs
Hills i/d is one of the top leading diets for dogs with acute and chronic gastrointestinal problems. Veterinary clinics everywhere use this food as a post-surgery diet, because its easy to digest and sensitive on the guts. In other words, post-surgical explosion is rare! I so rarely get reactions to this food, its my standard go-to for any dog that I dont know.
If your dog does have a sensitive stomach, it has some great gut-saving benefits. This diet is high in soluble and insoluble fiber from mixed sources, which makes it ideal for gut health. This fiber can correct acute and chronic diarrhea by absorbing excess water and acting as a probiotic for the good gut bacteria. It also contains added B-vitamins to replenish those lost when an animal suffers diarrhea. Both the protein and fat are from easily digestible sources, allowing your dog to get the nutrients he needs, easily.
- Quite high in fat low fat version available
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Key Features Of Healthy Dog Foods: Ingredients & Other Considerations
While each owner may have his or her own preferences when it comes to choosing a dog food, there are several important factors to take into consideration to ensure that your canine companion is getting the nutrients he needs.
When it comes to dog food, there are three absolute essentials you should always look for when making a choice:
1. The dog food is formulated to meet AAFCO guidelines for your dogs life stage. These guidelines are designed to ensure your furry friend gets the nutrition he needs.
2. Your dog food of choice addresses any of your dogs unique health conditions. Whether your dog has a specific food sensitivity or needs a weight loss dog food to shed a couple of pounds, your dog food of choice should address any of your dogs specific health ailments.
3. You select a dog food in collaboration with your veterinarian. No one understands the needs of your furry friend better than you and your veterinarian. Your veterinarian should approve of your choice and provide you with specific serving recommendations based on your dogs needs.
Once these criteria are met, you can look for other key indicators of healthy dog food, such as:
Basic Criteria For Selecting A Dog Food
Does it meet AAFCO standards for balanced nutrition?
AAFCO stands for the American Association of Feed Control Officials.
This is not a government regulatory agency but a voluntary quality standard group that sets nutritional standards for each stage in a pets life.
Most commercial dog food companies formulate their dog foods for puppy, adult, and senior/mature life stages based on AAFCOs standards.
I use AAFCO’s and FDA’s recommendations to go by, including for this list of best vet recommended dog foods. I think you should too.
Look for the AAFCO statement on the bag or can of dog food if its there, its a sign of quality.
Commercial raw diets and freshly prepared diets should also meet AAFCO requirements or NRC standards.
All of my vets recommended dog food brands meet AAFCO standards.
How reputable is the dog food company?
On the other hand, in an era of Salmonella contamination scares and the 2007 melamine pet food recall, it is hard to know which big brand you can trust these days.
It seems that every food company out there has had problems with bacterial contamination at some point or another, so there is always a risk that dog food brands will be recalled.
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Going with a boutique raw diet or freshly-prepared diet wont necessarily prevent food contamination either.
Some food companies have had more problems than others , and those companies are not included on my list.
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