Feeding your large breed dog the right food can make all the difference in its health and vitality. Before you make a choice, read the label and consider the following.
First, a meat-based diet is best for dogs. Therefore, be sure that a meat product, such as chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, beef, or venison, is one of the first ingredients listed on the label.
Second, the protein and fat content of the food should be relatively high.
Third, preferable preservatives include vitamin E or vitamin C.
Fourth, for the most part, nutritional quality is related to price. Low-priced food will satisfy less of your pet’s nutritional needs and, therefore, your dog will need to eat more of it to compensate for this shortfall. As a result, you will not be doing either your pet or your wallet a favor by cutting corners on dog food.
Large breed dogs (dogs of more than 50 pounds) have special needs. Here are five dog foods especially formulated for large breed dogs.
Innova Dry Dog Food – Large Bites. This Innova large breed dog food is made from only natural products and includes ingredients from all five food groups. The meat products in the Large Bites formula include chicken and turkey meat and skin with or without bone, as well as chicken meal. These chicken and turkey products are tested to be free of hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, and chemical preservatives. Innova Large Bites contains vitamin E as a preservative and live naturally-occurring micro-organisms found in a healthy digestive tract. Guaranteed nutrient analysis shows crude protein at a minimum of 24% and crude fat at a minimum of 14%. This large breed dog food is available in package sizes from 2.2 pounds to 30 pounds. It can be purchased at many pet stores. Go to www.naturapet.com to find one near you that carries it.
Innova Dry Dog Food – Red Meat – Large Bites. Like the Large Bites product discussed above, the Red Meat large dog formula is made from only natural products and includes ingredients from all five food groups. The meat products in this dog food include beef, lamb meal, lamb, buffalo, and venison. Innova Red Meat contains vitamin E as a preservative and live naturally-occurring micro-organisms found in a healthy digestive tract. Guaranteed nutrient analysis shows crude protein at a minimum of 24% and crude fat at a minimum of 14%. This large breed dog food is available in package sizes from 2.2 pounds to 30 pounds. It can be purchased at many pet stores. Go to www.naturapet.com to find one near you that carries it.
Iams ProActive® Health™ Large Breed. This dry food is formulated to maintain healthy joints in dogs larger than 50 pounds. Protein sources include chicken (the first ingredient on the label) and chicken by-products. This is a premium large breed dog food with no fillers or artificial preservatives. Guaranteed nutritional analysis shows protein at a minimum of 23% and fat at a minimum of 13% to 16%. Iams is often recommended by veterinarians. It can be purchased at pet stores and many grocery stores.
Iams ProActive® Health™ Active Maturity Large Breed. This dry food is formulated for dogs of over five years and more than 50 pounds. It has several ingredients and characteristics aimed at maintaining the health of older large breed dogs. First, it contains natural sources of glucosamine to maintain healthy joints. Second, it contains vitamin E and beta-carotene to help to boost immune system health. And, third, it contains easy-to-chew Iams Daily Dental Care™, which reduces tartar buildup. Protein sources include chicken and chicken by-product meal. This is a premium large breed dog food with no fillers or artificial preservatives. Guaranteed nutritional analysis shows protein at a minimum of 24% and fat at a minimum of 10% to 13%. Iams is often recommended by veterinarians. It can be purchased at pet stores and many grocery stores.
BLUE Buffalo Large Breed Adult Dog Food. This is a holistic chicken and brown rice recipe especially formulated for large breeds. Its balance of protein, whole grains and vegetables is supplemented with LifeSource® Bits containing vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. You can purchase this product at pet stores. Go to www.bluebuff.com to find a store near you that carries this product.
Sources:
www.thepetcenter.com, What is the Best Food to Feed a Dog...The PetCenter.com
www.2ndchance.info, What Should I Feed My Dog?
www.innovapet.com/Adult Dog Food, Large Bites, Pet Products – Healthy Dog Food, Natural Cat Food, Gourmet Dog Biscuits – Innova Holistic Pet Food
www.innovapet.com, Adult Dog Food, Red Meat, Large Bites, Pet Products – Healthy Dog Food, Natural Cat Food, Gourmet Dog Biscuits – Innova Holistic Pet Food
www.iams.com/iams/Large Breed Dog Food, Iams ProActive® Health™ Large Breed
www.iams.com/iams, Large Breed Dog Food, Active Maturity, Iams ProActive® Health™ Active Maturity Large Breed
www.petsmart.com/BLUE Buffalo Dog Food, BLUE Buffalo Large Breed Adult Dog Food – Food Center – Dog – PetSmart
