Guide To Dog Food For Adult Dogs
In an effort to provide a balanced and well-rounded diet for their beloved dog, many people switch from a puppy formula to a food designed for adult dogs. Dogs reach adulthood at around 1 year of age, depending on breed and size, but what happens after that? When do you make the transition to senior dog food?
The life stages of your Bichon Frise/poodle mix or Labrador retriever may vary slightly from those recommended here. If you have adopted an older rescue dog, please check with his veterinarian about specific feeding requirements during each stage of his life.
Blue Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food
Grain-free Dry Food for the More Active Canine
Courtesy of Blue Wilderness, the Blue Buffalo dog food is designed for the more active adult dogs. It contains salmon meat which is ideal for dogs who prefer fishy flavors. It also has chicken meat as its secondary ingredient, making it an excellent choice if you want a unique combination of flavors.
Since its a grain-free formulation, its safe for consumption for dogs who are allergic to grains. It has a 1% Omega-3 which is ideal for long-coated dogs. Aside from that, Omega-3 is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, dogs with an itchy skin can benefit from this foods soothing effect.
Lastly, it has some glucosamine which is perfect for dogs who are prone to joint diseases.
Why We Like It:
Natural Balance Dog Food Reviews
Natural Balance is a dog food brand;that has been on the market since 1989. It is one of the most popular types of;dog foods around the world.
The main credo of the Natural Balance food producers is to make a product that contains only;purely natural and nutritious ingredients that will suit even the most;vulnerable and sensitive dogs. They believe in high-quality ingredients chosen;by nutrition experts, safety testing and system of choosing the right product;for each individual dog.
Natural Balance brand products are the best choice for;dogs with allergies and other reactions to food, as well as digestive problems that;arise when fed with other types of dog food. There is a great choice of;different foods with different ingredients for every dogs taste. It mostly includes:
- Wet and dry;food
- Food suitable for both young and older dogs
- Vegetarian formulas
Of course there are many other types that will feed even the most picky and;delicate dogs. This producer is well-known for grain-free, high-protein,;vegetarian and healthy digestion and healthy weight products.
Read Also: How To Know If Your Dog Is Allergic To Food
Talk To Your Vet Before Choosing Any New Food For Your Dog
Weve selected some great dog food options for your large-breed dog. But before introducing any new foods into your dogs diet, we suggest consulting with your vet. Your veterinarian can help you understand any health issues your dog may be experiencing, and can recommend dog food thats going to best support his specific health needs.
Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey & Potato Recipe Puppy Food
Best Puppy Food to Prevent Gas: All dogs have the same basic nutritional requirements, but puppies need a little extra protein and fat to fuel their growth and development. If your puppy is already having digestive issues, you may want to switch to a limited ingredient puppy food before things get too bad. This Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey & Potato Recipe Puppy Food is a great option because it comes from a trusted brand and it is nutritionally complete and balanced for puppies. Plus, it contains a limited number of main ingredients including a single source of animal protein. This recipe does contain grains, but they are digestible whole grains so, unless your puppy has an allergy to grains, it should be digestible. This formula also contains fresh fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources for key nutrients as well as dried fermentation products to add probiotic support.
- Pros: Formulated for puppies, limited number of main ingredients, single source animal protein, rich in omega fatty acids, digestible carbohydrates, probiotic supplements, fresh fruits and veggies
- Cons: Contains grains , contains plant protein
Recommended Reading: What Dog Food Is Comparable To Nutro
Understanding Yeast Infections In Dogs
The first thing you should know is that your dog did not contract an overgrowth of yeast from an infected dog or even person. It is not contagious at all.
A yeast infection can occur in any damp or moist area, such as the ears or skin folds. It can cause the leaky gut syndrome, which can aggravate yeast infections.;
Pedigree Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food
- First 3 ingredients: Ground whole grain corn, meat and bone meal, corn gluten meal
- Best for: For all adult dogs
- Price: $$
Pedigree is a household name in the dog food vertical with just cause. This Complete Nutrition formula is dry dog food at its very best, and its priced firmly in budget territory. How does it stand and fall, then?
This dry food is the chicken, rice, and vegetable flavor, designed to appeal to a broad base of dogs.
The kibble is designed to slide smoothly down, and your furball shouldnt have any problems digesting this stuff either.
The formula is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, ideal for promoting skin and coat health in your fur baby.
This is a 36-pound bag, offering an ample supply for a single dog for perhaps a month. If you have several dogs at home, youll need to consider buying more than one bag.
Recommended Reading: What Dog Food Is Best For Dogs With Itchy Skin
Purina Pro Plan Focus Dog Food
Rating:
Pro Plan Large Breed Adult is one of 18 kibbles featured in our review of the Purina Pro Plan Focus product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, brewers rice, whole grain wheat, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Other recipes: Puppy, small breed, sensitive skin and stomach, senior, weight management and more
- Price: $
Focus Large Breed Adult derives the majority of its animal protein from fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 14% fat and 49% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 46%.
Pro Plan is one of the dog food brands most frequently mentioned by breeders and veterinary professionals.
Each recipe has been expertly formulated by a team of board certified veterinary nutritionists.
In addition, the entire Pro Plan product line is designed and manufactured according to rigorous guidelines recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.
Purina Pro Plan is one of the very best brands youll find on this or any list. And its easy on the budget, too. Highly recommended.
Actual buyer reviewMy black lab loves this food. Her coat is beautiful, her energy is high, and she digests it easily. My vet recommended this food and I couldnt be happier. I saw a noticeable difference within days of feeding this to her. My dog eats the dry food with a little bit of the PPP wet focus for large breeds. Do not hesitate to feed this to your pups.. its a game-changer!
Eliminate Extra Food Items
Not all dogs are walking garbage disposals. Some dogs, just like some people, suffer from sensitive stomachs that are easily irritated or upset. This can be challenging for owners struggling to find a way to make their dogs more comfortable at mealtimes. One possible cause of your dogs sensitive stomach is his diet. Sometimes, finding the best food for dogs with sensitive stomachs can reduce your dogs symptoms and get his GI tract back on track.
Finding out if your dogs food is the issue is easy, although it might require some willpower on your part. Start by eliminating any extra food items from his diet. This includes table scraps, treats, and anything else your dog might enjoy nibbling on throughout the day. You should also check to see if your dog is sneaking into the trash, litter box, or any other forbidden treasure trove of things that make dogs sick. Not only will this help his stomach, it could also save him from a trip to the veterinary emergency room. If your dogs stomach is still upset after a few days without treats and scraps, and you are positive that he is not breaking into the trash while you are away, then it is time to examine the food itself.
Recommended Reading: What To Feed Dogs Without Dog Food
Are You Feedinga Puppy Or An Adult
Large breeds puppies dont reach adulthood until 12 to 18 months.
Yet giant breeds can weigh over 100 pounds and take up to 24 months before theyre considered adults.
If youre feeding a large breed puppy
- Options:See all available recipes
Wellness Core Large Breed formula is a grain-free, high protein recipe with substantial kibble size to promote proper chewing time in larger mouths. Increased amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin also supports bone and joint health in these larger sized dogs.
This recipe contains the perfect amount of fat and calories to help maintain a healthy weight for a dog of this size. A higher quality food with an abundance of animal protein and nutrient-rich vegetables like spinach, kale and broccoli.
Key Facts |
---|
No meat by-products or fillers |
Grain-free. Absolutely no corn, wheat or soy |
High protein recipe for strong muscles |
No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives |
Wellness Core Grain-Free Large Breed is recommended by 94% of actual buyers on Chewy.com and is highly recommended for large breed adult dogs.
- Options:See all available recipes
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Chicken is a great option for those looking for higher protein and an optimal blend of calcium, phosphorus and essential vitamins to help keep bones strong.
Key Facts |
---|
Glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints |
Antioxidants to boost dogs immune system |
100% Grain-free |
- Options:See all available recipes
What Sort Of Fat Content Is The Optimum In Dry Dog Food
You should avoid feeding your dog a diet thats too high in fat as this can easily lead to obesity, doubly so in smaller breeds. Obesity in dogs can trigger a raft of serious health conditions. Look for dry dog food with a fat content of roughly 15%. This will give your dog enough fat to promote a healthy, shiny coat, and this will also serve to fuel his energy needs alongside the protein and carbs he takes on board.
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Worst Dog Food Brands To Avoid In 2021
Unfortunately, not all dog foods are created equal!
Thats why its essential to learn about the worst dog food brands and discover the best dog foods of 2021 to ensure your furry friend is getting the nutrition they deserve.
The list is based on factual data regarding the percentage of all the ingredients used in the various dog foods.
What makes the dog food brands on this list worth avoiding is that they fail to provide many -if any- of those nutrients your dog needs to stay healthy. Instead they use a variety of low-quality ingredients and types of filler.
These can be harmful or unnamed ingredients that make them bad choices.
Dog Food Brands Rated By Customers
As well as ratings for individual aspects, we’ve given each brand an overall customer score, based on customers’ overall satisfaction and likelihood of recommending it. ;
If you’d like to see how your dog food scored or interested in which brand does best, look through the table below.
If you’re not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.
Dog food brands customer satisfaction survey ratings |
Brand |
Winalot |
Also Check: Why Grain Free Dog Food
Different Types Of Dog Food
All it takes is a quick stroll down the dog food aisle at your local pet store to realize that there are many different options to choose from. Not only do you need to pick a brand, but you have to think about what type of food is right for your dog.
Here is a quick overview of the different types of dog food and their benefits so you can make a smart decision in choosing a food to buy for a dog:
Eagle Pack Dry Dog Food
Rating:
Eagle Pack Power Adult is one of 7 dry kibble recipes included in our review of the Eagle Pack product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, pork meal, ground brown rice, peas, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Other recipes: Puppy, small breed, large and giant breed, lamb, pork and more
- Price: $
- See all 7 available recipes
This Eagle Pack recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and pork meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 21% fat and 38% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
A superior kibble at an affordable price. Made by the same trusted company that also produces Wellness. Exceptional value. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewShe seems to be shedding much less on Eagle Pack, and her coat condition is much better than it was. She has always been prone to itches and allergies, and she is no longer scratching herself all the time and gnawing the hair off of her paws. Im happy that this is a food that agrees with her. I wonder why I hadnt heard of Eagle Pack earlier, as I feel that it is a great food at a much more affordable price than other popular high-quality brands.
This Wellness Core formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh turkey, as well as turkey and chicken meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 18% fat and 36% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
Also Check: Where Can I Buy Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food
Check For Balanced And Complete Label
This label can further simplify your hunt for the best dry dog food. Complete and balanced nutrition means that the diet contains everything your four-legged friend needs to be fit, healthy, and happy. It contains enough protein, carbs, fats, and other micronutrients such as minerals and vitamins that could help your dog maintain optimal health. To earn this badge and to flaunt it off as a label, the manufacturing companies must match the AAFCO standard nutrient profiles. These standards are set by the canine nutrition authorities and the badge guarantees that it has passed the set feeding trial.
If the nutrient profile of a certain brand is higher than the set standard by AAFCO, it is considered even better. So make sure you cross-check for this label.
Evangers Dry Dog Food
Evangers Chicken Dry Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutrition levels determined by the AAFCO dog food profiles for all life stages.
Fresh chicken is the first and main ingredient. There is zero corn, soy fillers or wheat.
Other quality ingredients are oatmeal, dried egg, carrots, Vitamin A supplement, d-calcium pantothenate , chicken, chicken meal, dried kelp, cranberries, blueberries, brown rice, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, watercress, spinach, potassium chloride, Vitamin E supplement, Vitamin B12 supplement, Niacin supplement.There is no doubt this product can be considered a good diet plan for your dog.
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Iams Proactive Health Large Breed
Rating:
Large Breed Chicken and Whole Grains is one of 14 dry recipes covered in our review of the Iams ProActive Health product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain barley, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, chicken by-product meal
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for:Adult shepherds only
Iams ProActive Health Large Breed derives the majority of its meat protein from chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 25% protein, 14% fat and 53% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
This classic, grain-inclusive large breed design has been made by Iams for years and is a nutritious fit for adult German shepherds. Calcium levels are a bit high for shepherd puppies. Easily recommended.
Sample buyer reviewIAMS is a product that I have turned to for complete nutrition for my dog as well as my cats! In fact, I have been feeding IAMS to my cats for over 20 years! Sure there are higher priced pet foods, but why would you want to pay more when you get the proper nutrition and a quality product at a reasonable price!
Eagle Pack Natural Dry Dog Food
- First 3 ingredients: Chicken meal, pork meal, ground brown rice
- Best for: For all life stages
- Price: $
Eagle Pack serves up some of the best budget-friendly dog food out there, so what do you get for your money?
Firstly, youll be buying into a brand with decades of experience helping pet owners just like you.
The ingredients in this formula are balanced to support whole body health in your dog without costing a fortune.
Protein and carbohydrate levels are in perfect proportion, giving your dog the muscle growth support and the energy he needs without overloading him with calories.
As with all dog foods, whats not included in this stuff is just as important as what makes it into the ingredients list. Here, you get no cheap fillers or additives, no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
As an added kicker, there is glucosamine for joint health and omega fatty acids to bring out the sheen in your fur babys coat.
Made in the USA, you can buy with complete confidence from a brand you can trust. Your dog would thank you if he could.
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