Best Dog Food for Large Breeds

Many people fancy large dog breeds, mainly due to their intimidating presence that helps with security. Also, most giant dogs are gentle and excellent companions.

If you plan on owning a large breed, you should be ready for the responsibilities that come with it, primarily feeding it. You must get the best dog food to meet its nutritional requirements.

Which dog food should I get my big dog, and what should I consider when getting it? These are common questions among people who own giant furry friends or plan to get one. For your convenience, we guide you on getting the best dog foods and present you with notable selections.

What to Consider When Getting Dog Food for Large Dog Breeds

You should keep several things in mind when shopping for dog food for your big canines to get a suitable pick. They include:

Nutritional Value

Large canines have different nutritional needs than small and medium-sized ones. For instance, they need fewer calories due to their slow metabolic rate. Foods with excess calories expose them to risks of obesity and other associated disorders.

Furthermore, big dogs need food to address their typical problems, such as joint issues. They are prone to conditions like arthritis, which you may prevent by including known anti-inflammatory agents, like omega-3 fatty acids, in their diet.

Age of the Dog

Age is a crucial factor, as puppies and older dogs have varying needs. According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, puppies require almost twice the calories that adult dogs of the same breed will consume. This is due to their high level of activity and the nutrients needed for growth and development.

Dog’s Health Status

You should know your dog’s health status before buying its food. Sick dogs need nutrient-rich foods to help with their recovery. Go for foods with chicken and rice, as they are easy to digest. Some sick dogs may lose appetite; flavored dog foods are handy in such situations.

Underweight dogs need calorie-rich foods to regain their ideal weight, while overweight canines need to cut back on calories. Moreover, be keen on allergies. Your fuzzy buddy should not eat foods that can trigger allergies.

Common food allergens include chicken, seafood, soy, eggs, and gluten. Confirm with your vet if your pup has any allergies for its safety.

Pregnant dogs need high-calorie food, especially in the third trimester, to keep up with the energy requirements of the litter they are carrying.

The Additives

Dog food may contain several additives that serve various purposes. The food may be fortified with minerals and other nutrients to boost its nutritional value. Other additives enhance the flavor, color, or preservation of the food.

While some additives are beneficial, others, especially chemicals, can expose your dog to health complications, like stomach problems. Go for dog food with the fewest or no chemical additives, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach.

Your Dog’s Lifestyle

Not all large dog breeds are couch potatoes, as many assume. Some breeds are very active and need a lot of calories to serve their energy needs. On the contrary, lazy dogs need fewer calories to prevent them from getting overweight.

Price

When considering the price of the pet food, target value instead of availability. Also, go for a pick that translates to economic daily consumption. You may realize that your dog may eat 4 cups of particular dog food daily and 5 or 6 of another brand. Additionally, check on the brand and its reputation. Reputable brands give the best value most of the time.

Best Dog Food for Large Breeds: Our Top Picks

Finding the right dog food package for your giant canine can be stressful, especially for a first-timer. No need to worry as we narrow your search to the finest, showing you the foods’ suitability and appealing features.

Best Overall – Taste of the Wild High-Protein Dog Food

Our number one pick is Taste of the Wild high-protein dog food, which is ideal for gigantic canines due to its high protein content. Dogs are natural carnivores; thus, they get most of their nutrients from meat. This dog food’s primary composition is protein, derived from roasted bison and venison.

The 32% protein content in the meal is essential for proper functioning of the bones, joints, and other body tissues. The pasture-raised bison and venison are safe for your dog and easy to digest. It is ideal for adult dogs, boasting an incredible nutrient profile.

Besides proteins, the Taste of the Wild dog food is rich in fats, crude fiber, zinc, selenium, and vitamins. It is a full diet that meets the nutritional needs of mature canines, with the nutrients coming from natural sources. Other ingredients include lamb meal, chicken meal, egg products, sweet potatoes, peas, and dried chicory root.

Perhaps the most critical additives in this dog food are the live K9 strain, proprietary probiotics, and antioxidants. The live and natural probiotics include Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Enterococcus faecium. These additives aid in digestion and promote a healthy immune system.

Notable Features

• A high-protein food
• It is rich in crude fats, crude fiber, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
• A grain-free product
• It has a proprietary blend of good bacteria for good health
• The dog food contains natural ingredients like sweet potatoes, peas, and potatoes for vitamins and antioxidants
• The package has a label with feeding instructions

Click here to buy the dog food on chewy

Runner Up – American Journey Salmon and Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food

Related: American Journey Dog Foods – 2022

Grain-free foods are suitable for your dog if it has allergies, as grains can trigger a reaction. The American Journey salmon and sweet potato dog food is great if you want grain-free foods for your canine. Deboned salmon and sweet potatoes are the primary ingredients and are easy to digest.

This pet food also contains turkey meal, chicken meal, chickpeas, pea protein, and dried plain beet pulp. Moreover, it has probiotics in the form of a dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product, which is essential for a healthy gut and an enhanced immune response.

Salmon is rich in proteins, boosting the food’s protein content to around 32%. Your giant dog needs this nutrient to provide essential amino acids that promote healthy hair, skin, muscle development, and tissue repair.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are other crucial nutrients your dog will gain from salmon. The fatty acids are potent anti-inflammatory agents that fight allergies and arthritis, which are common in large adult canines.

Notable Features

• A grain-free meal
• A high protein content
• The food is a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
• It contains dried Bacillus coagulans, a probiotic that promotes gut health
• It is a dry food suitable for adult canines

Click here to buy the dog food on Chewy.

Best Value – Purina Pro Plan with Probiotics

The Purina Pro Plan with probiotics offers a decent value, considering it comes in a reasonably priced 35-lb package. It is a high-protein meal, with chicken and rice as the primary ingredients. As someone experienced with handling dogs, you know that chicken and rice are a nutritious combo. Additionally, it is an excellent remedy for tummy pains.

Other ingredients are whole grain wheat, soybean meal, dried egg product, fish meal, and calcium carbonate. They contribute to this dry food’s impressive nutritional profile, which is comprised of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorous, vitamins, and omega-6 fatty acids.

It is also rich in active probiotics, namely Bacillus coagulans, which support the growth of healthy flora in the gut. To add on, Purina Pro Plan contains several starchy foods, which makes it ideal for large, energetic canines, as it satisfies their energy needs.

Notable Features

• A 26% crude protein content
• The chicken and rice component will help with stomach upsets
• Contains Bacillus coagulans, a probiotic for immune and gut health
• Rich in starch, which is suitable for energetic and active dogs
• Zero artificial flavors

Click here to buy the dog food on Chewy.

Best For Large Breed Dog Puppies- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Natural Dog Food

You should give large-breed dog puppies the best food for their growth and development. The Blue Buffalo Life Protection natural dog food is the go-to package for puppies. It is entirely natural, without any additives that can harm your pup.

Its flavor is chicken and brown rice, and it features real meat and not extracts like other products. The protein from the chicken is essential for your puppy’s muscular development and provides amino acids that contribute to skin and hair health and tissue repair.

This puppy food contains DHA and ARA, which are critical fatty acids present in the mother’s milk and are handy for brain and eye development. The blend of calcium, phosphorous, and vitamins is perfect for bone development and strength. The food’s vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants ensure your pup has a boosted immune response and is less susceptible to illnesses.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection dog food kibbles are easy to chew, and their shape promotes tartar removal from the teeth.

Notable Features

• It is fully natural with no artificial additives
• The chicken is 100% meat and without by-product meals
• The food contains DHA and ARA, fatty acids present in mother’s milk for cognitive development.
• Easy-to-bite kibbles with a form that promotes tartar removal from the teeth
• A chicken and brown rice flavor that is nutritious and suitable for tummy pain

Click here to buy the dog food on Amazon

Best Wet Dog Food – Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Filet Mignon Flavor

Compared to dry food, wet dog food is an ideal pick due to its irresistible scent and ease of digestion. The downside is that it can be messy to handle. The Pedigree chopped ground dinner filet mignon flavor is our recommendation if you are looking for wet dog food.

An amazing feature of this dog food is that it is soft, making it easy to chew. It is suitable for dogs with dental issues or sick dogs that have lost their appetite.

It contains ingredients like chicken, animal liver, brewer’s rice, meat by-products, dried yam, and vitamin supplements. It also contains optimal levels of oil and minerals essential for skin health and a shiny coat.

This dog food pack contains no added sugars or artificial flavors, meaning it is safe for your canine. Additionally, the ingredients, like the meat, are 100% natural.

Notable Features

• 100% natural with no artificial additives
• Soft and easy to chew
• A high moisture content
• It contains decent levels of oil, minerals, and vitamin supplements
• A rich meaty taste from its composition of chicken, animal liver, and other meat products

Click here to buy the dog food on Chewy.

Best For Active Dogs – Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Dog Food

Active adult dogs need food that will sustain their energy needs. The Eukanuba adult large breed dog food is an excellent pick if you have a large dog that is very active. This meal’s optimal carb and fat content will supply your dog with the required energy to keep up with its activity levels.

Eukanuba dog food contains high-quality chicken that provides your canine with protein, essential for healthy lean muscles and agile joints. This dog food’s DHA and vitamin E components contribute to your doggo’s cognitive development.

It is a balanced meal, suitable for dogs older than 15 months and weighing more than 55 pounds. Furthermore, it has a 3D DentaDefense formulation that will reduce tartar at an average rate of 46%.

Notable Features

• Optimum carbohydrate and fat content for energy provision
• High-quality chicken for protein supply
• The dog food is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for muscle development.
• Contains DHA and vitamin E for brain health
• Suitable for adult dogs weighing more than 55 pounds
• The 3D DentaDefense formulation reduces up to 46% of tartar

Click here to buy the dog food on Amazon.

Best Veterinary Diet – Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Low Fat Dog Food

As its name hints, a veterinary diet food is recommended by vets to help alleviate certain conditions. The Royal Canin low-fat dog food is our pick for the best dog food, especially if your dog has a sensitive gastrointestinal system.

This canine meal is low in fat and suitable for dogs that are intolerant to high-fat diets. It contains highly digestible proteins that are gentle on the digestive system and provide your canine with essential amino acids.

The Royal Canin veterinary diet is rich in soluble and insoluble fibers that aid digestion. Its prebiotic content maintains the balance of good gut bacteria, suitable for a healthy gut.

This dog food contains omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, which are significant for a functional gastrointestinal system. They help fight inflammation that can affect the body’s systems.

Notable Features

• Contains natural flavors
• It is low in fat
• Suitable for large dog breeds prone to long-term and short-term gastrointestinal upsets
• Its prebiotic content supports the growth of good gut flora
• Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA, are potent antioxidants that prevent several conditions

Click here to buy the dog food on Chewy.

A Decent Vitamin Source – Rachel Ray Nutrish Real Chicken and Veggies

Related: Best Dog Food With Vitamins And Minerals In 2022

While dogs are carnivores, they need greens for vitamins and minerals. You can consider the Rachel Ray Nutrish real chicken and veggies for your giant dog breed’s balanced diet needs.

The chicken is real and gives the food some flavor suitable for dogs not used to pet food, plus it is a great source of protein. The veggie part of this dog food includes brown rice, peas, beet pulp, soybean meal, and whole corn. Besides supplying your canine with vitamins and minerals, they are a source of dietary fiber, which is critical for a healthy gut.

Rachel Ray Nutrish dog food has vitamin supplements and no artificial additives. It is ideal for canines with tummy upsets, courtesy of its brown rice and chicken content.

Notable Features

• It contains real chicken and zero artificial additives
• A high protein content
• Suitable for dogs with tummy upsets
• A decent vitamin composition, coming from the veggies and vitamin supplements

Click here to buy the dog food on Chewy.

Best Dog Treat – Stewart Beef Liver Raw Dog Treats

Dog treats are the canine version of snacks, and most contain only one major nutrient, depending on the primary ingredient. Stewart beef liver raw dog treats are freeze-dried snacks that are 100% beef liver, which is rich in nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

The treat is easy to serve and breakable into smaller pieces if you want to use it for training. Freezing locks in the nutrients and preserves the treat’s fantastic taste.

The Stewart beef liver raw dog treat is free of gluten, grains, and artificial flavors. Thus, it is perfect for pups with allergies or a sensitive tummy.

Notable Features

• The treats are 100% natural beef liver
• Free of gluten and grains
• Easy to break into smaller pieces
• The freezing locks in the flavor and nutrients
• Zero artificial additives or fillers like soybean extract

Click here to buy the dog food on Chewy.

Conclusion

A crucial part of keeping a dog is ensuring that you meet its nutritional needs. If you own a large dog breed, you should know that its diet differs from that of regular dogs. You should get dog food with fewer calories to prevent conditions like obesity. Nonetheless, this is not always the case, as active and pregnant canines need more calories.

This article presents you with the best dog food for giant breeds, plus a shopping guide for your convenience. Confirm with your pet doctor to see if your large fuzzy buddy has any allergies to know the right food to get them.