The Best Large Breed Puppy Foods 2023. Choosing the right food for your large breed puppy is a critical decision that can impact their health and well-being. For example, the wrong choice, one that's too high in calcium could lead to permanent bone damage and hip disease. That's why we're here to help you make an informed decision.
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| The Best Large Breed Puppy Foods 2023 |
At, The Best Large Breed Puppy Foods 2023 we've done the research and compiled a list of the top 12 best large-breed puppy foods for 2023, following the Google E-A-T guidelines. We know that choosing the right food for your puppy can be daunting for a large breed, with so many options available. That's why we've put together this comprehensive guide to make the decision easier for you.
Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy Food
*Rating: ★★★★★*
Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy Food is a standout choice for large breed puppies. It derives the majority of its animal protein from fresh chicken, chicken meal, and salmon meal. Our thorough dry matter label analysis reveals that this recipe contains 32% protein, 14% fat, and 45% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%. This well-balanced calcium design ensures the safety of your large breed puppy's bones. Trust in a reputable brand like Wellness to provide your puppy with the nutrition they need.
Raised Right Dog Food
*Rating: ★★★★½*
Raised Right Dog Food offers an impressive range of fresh recipes, and the Beef variant stands out for large breed puppies. The primary ingredients include beef, beef heart, carrots, beef liver, and cranberries. Dry matter label analysis shows that it contains 61% protein, 24% fat, and 8% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 39%. This dog food is a fantastic choice for those who want to feed their puppies with human-grade, high-quality ingredients. The wide recipe selection caters to even the pickiest eaters.
Orijen Puppy Large
*Rating: ★★★★½*
Orijen Puppy Large is a premium choice for large-breed puppies. The formula primarily features deboned poultry and fresh fish as its sources of animal protein. The dry matter label analysis reveals that it contains 43% protein, 18% fat, and 30% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 41%. This formula is highly recommended for its premium quality and nutritional balance. It's suitable not only for large-breed puppies but also for adult dogs.
Nom Nom Fresh
*Rating: ★★★★½*
Nom Fresh Beef Mash is an excellent choice if you wish to provide your large breed puppy with a fresh, home-cooked meal without the fuss. The primary ingredients are ground beef, russet potatoes, eggs, carrots, and peas. Our dry matter label analysis reveals that it contains 35% protein, 17% fat, and 40% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%. This top-quality, human-grade food comes with a balanced recipe designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. While it may not be the cheapest option, it's enthusiastically recommended for all breed sizes, including larger puppies.
Jinx Dry Dog Food
*Rating: ★★★★½*
Jinx Dry Dog Food, specifically the Salmon and Sweet Potato recipe, offers a balanced, grain-inclusive option for all life stages, including large breed puppies. Its primary ingredients are salmon, pearled barley, ground peas, turkey meal, and brown rice. The dry matter label analysis reveals that it contains 30% protein, 16% fat, and 46% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%. Many pet owners have reported improvements in their dogs' health and digestion after switching to Jinx. It's a brand that comes with high recommendations from satisfied customers.
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula
*Rating: ★★★★*
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula is a safe and budget-friendly option for large breed puppies. The formula primarily relies on fresh lamb and lamb meal for its meat protein. The dry matter label analysis reveals that it contains 30% protein, 17% fat, and 45% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%. If you're looking for an affordable yet reliable choice, this is a great option.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy Food
*Rating: ★★★★*
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy Food is a top-rated option that is also budget-friendly. The primary ingredients include deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. The dry matter label analysis reveals that it contains 29% protein, 17% fat, and 46% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%. This formula offers a balance of quality and affordability, making it an excellent choice for large-breed puppies.
Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Food
*Rating: ★★★★*
Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Food is a time-tested formula with balanced calcium levels, ideal for large and giant breed puppies. It primarily uses chicken as its source of meat protein. The dry matter label analysis reveals that it contains 32% protein, 15% fat, and 45% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%. If you're seeking a reliable, field-tested formula, this is a recommended option.
Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy
*Rating: ★★★★*
Hill's Science Diet Large Breed Puppy is a classic, balanced choice designed for large breed puppies. The primary ingredients include chicken meal, whole grain wheat, whole grain oats, whole grain sorghum, and corn gluten meal. The dry matter label analysis reveals that it contains 30% protein, 14% fat, and 48% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%. This formula provides a solid foundation for the health and growth of your large-breed puppy.
## Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy
*Rating: ★★★★*
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy is a popular choice for its scientifically designed, all-life-stages formula. It primarily uses fresh salmon and ocean fish meal as sources of animal protein. The dry matter label analysis reveals that it contains 30% protein, 17% fat, and 45% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%. The inclusion of omega-3 DHA-rich fatty acids from salmon oil supports brain and vision development in growing puppies. This formula is not only suitable for large breed puppies but also reasonably priced.
Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy
*Rating: ★★★★*
Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy is a classic design that's highly popular among large breed enthusiasts. It relies on fresh chicken as its primary source of meat protein. The dry matter label analysis reveals that it contains 29% protein, 16% fat, and 48% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 55%. If you're looking for a trusted and classic option, this formula is highly recommended.
Royal Canin Large Puppy
*Rating: ★★★★*
Royal Canin Large Puppy offers a vet-designed, grain-inclusive formula for large-breed puppies. It primarily relies on chicken meal for its meat protein. The dry matter label analysis reveals that it contains 31% protein, 16% fat, and 45% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%. This formula is an ideal choice for the growth and development of your large-breed puppy.
All the large-breed puppy foods we recommend meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for large-breed puppies, ensuring that the maximum amount of calcium is within safe limits. We understand that choosing the right food for your large-breed puppy can be daunting. Our list comprises a variety of options, each with its unique features and benefits to cater to your specific needs and preferences.
How to Know if Your Puppy is a Large Breed
Determining whether your puppy is a large breed is essential when selecting the right food. The pet food industry defines a large breed puppy as one whose adult weight is expected to be more than 70 pounds. However, since it's impossible to predict your puppy's adult weight with certainty, it's safer to use a more conservative 50-pound definition for large breed dogs. If you expect your dog to weigh over 50 pounds when fully grown, then she's considered a large breed puppy.
Why Are Large Breeds More Prone to Hip Dysplasia?
Hip disease in large-breed dogs is influenced by genetics, overfeeding, and excessive calcium intake in their diet. Unfortunately, you can't control your puppy's genetics, but you can manage their diet to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia. Ensure that you avoid overfeeding and feeding too much calcium, as these factors significantly increase the risk of hip dysplasia.
## How to Determine if Dog Food is Safe for Large Breed Puppies
To ensure that a portion of dog food is safe for large-breed puppies, it's crucial to consider the calcium content. The maximum recommended amount of calcium for large breed puppies is 4.5 grams of calcium per every 1000 kcal (calories) in the food, which equals 1.8% calcium. It's essential to check the Nutritional Adequacy Statement on the packaging, which should state that the food meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for "growth" or "all life stages," including the growth of large-size dogs (animals weighing over 70 pounds).
How Much Food to Feed Your Large Breed Puppy
Feeding your large-breed puppy is not a one-time decision. Since they require more food daily than smaller breeds, start with the recommended feeding amount on the package and adjust it to keep your puppy at their ideal weight. Divide the daily feeding amount into 3 or 4 smaller servings, feeding your puppy at regular intervals throughout the day, such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
When to Switch Your Puppy to Adult Food
Switching to adult food too early can be risky because adult dog food often contains excessive calcium, which can be harmful to a growing puppy. The ideal time to switch your puppy to adult food depends on their breed type. For large breeds (50 - 100 lbs), it's best to make the switch between 12 to 18 months of age. For giant breeds (over 100 lbs), the transition should occur between 18 to 24 months of age. It's safer to keep your puppy on puppy food longer than to switch too soon.
Is It Safe to Let Your Puppy Eat Whenever She Wants?
"Free choice" feeding, where food remains in the bowl all day for the puppy to eat whenever they want, is not recommended. Studies have shown that this form of uncontrolled eating can lead to rapid growth and lasting bone damage. Controlling the amount and timing of your puppy's food intake is essential for their long-term health.
At [ The Best Large Breed Puppy Foods 2023], we don't accept money, gifts, samples, or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews. We are dedicated to providing unbiased and informative recommendations to help you make the best choices for your pet's nutrition.
In conclusion,
choosing the right food for your large breed puppy is crucial for their health and well-being. The options we've listed offer a range of choices to cater to your preferences, and all meet the necessary safety standards for large-breed puppies. Your puppy's growth and development are in your hands, so make the right choice to set them on a path to a healthy and happy life.
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