Best Dog Food for Large Breeds
Any large breed dog owner can tell you that big dogs mean big personalities and even bigger appetites - but that's not just because of bigger stomaches. It ain’t easy being big. This can leave some owners stressing about whether they are providing enough nutritious food to meet their big dog’s special needs and keep them healthy. So, what foods are best for big dogs? How can you meet their big needs?
Key Takeaways
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Large breed dogs need controlled, balanced nutrition to support slow growth, strong bones and joints, and a healthy weight.
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Key nutrients include high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and joint-supporting compounds to maintain mobility and digestion.
Table of Contents
Classifying Large Breed Dogs and Giant Breed Dogs
There are multiple factors that determine if a dog is a large or giant breed, but the most common metrics are their weight, height, and development.[1]
Both large and giant breeds typically have a slow developmental maturity, often taking 18 - 24 months to reach their maximum size.
To be classified as a large breed, the dog must normally stand at around 24 - 27 inches (61 - 68.5 cm) or more at the shoulder and weigh between 55 - 100 lbs (25 - 45 kg). This can include common breeds such as Labradors, Rottweilers, German Shepards, and so on.
Giant breeds can weigh over 100 lbs (over 45+ kg), which typically means muscular and heavy breeds such as Great Danes, Newfoundlands, and some Mastiffs.
Large Breed Dogs and Specialised Diets
Some pet parents may feel like it's easy to feed large and giant breed dogs - just give them more food than a smaller dog, right? However, the truth is more complicated.
Large breed puppies have a different growth pattern to smaller dogs. Larger adult dogs are also much heavier and need to be kept at a healthy weight to lighten the already heavy load on their bones and joints. They will process and use the energy from their food differently than small or medium breeds.
Some breeds may also be more prone to joint health issues, bloating, heart problems, and other issues and require high-quality pet food and regular exercise to stay healthy.
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Life Stages: The Different Needs of Large Puppies
Providing complete and balanced nutrition for large breed puppies needs to start happening from a very early age.
Large and giant breed dogs need strong bones and joints. This means a balanced diet that is rich in calcium, phosphorus, and collagen. Most pet food brands will offer specialised puppy food, though it may not be a bad idea to speak to a vet to get the best balanced nutrition for your puppy’s breed.
Natural foods that contain calcium and phosphorus include[2].
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Ground bone meal
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Bony fish such as sardines and salmon
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Fish oil supplements (Can be mixed into a meal)
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leafy greens, such as kale and spinach.
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Eggs and eggshells (ground fine)
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Unsweetened dairy products, such as plain yoghurt, kefir, cottage cheese, etc.
However, be cautious about supplementing, as too much dairy can cause stomach upset, and bone meal and eggshells can hurt your puppy’s mouth if not ground fine.
Large breed puppies should also not receive too many high-calorie treats, as putting on too much weight too quickly can put a lot of pressure on their growth plates and cause problems in their adult life.
Using a breed-accurate growth chart can help you make sure your puppy is developing at the correct rate and not receiving too much or too little dog food.
Life Stages: Feeding a Large Breed Adult
You are still going to want to incorporate that calcium-rich food into your adult dog’s diet. Adult dogs can also handle meaty bones, which can now also be given to them as a source of calcium.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Large and giant dog breeds need a lot of Omega-3 fatty acids in their dog food. Most large breeds suffer from hip and knee problems, and bad joints can easily become arthritic, which can lead to a shorter lifespan. Dog legs are digitigrade (They walk on their toe bones) and struggle to carry excess weight for long periods.
Omega-3’s are one of the best nutrients for joint health. They also aid in digestion, heart function, and can treat and prevent skin and coat problems.
The best dog food brands already tend to use a lot of omega-3s due to their health benefits, but you can supplement more into your dog’s diet.
The best source of omega-3s is oily fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel. Other sources can include plant seeds such as chia seeds or flax seeds. However, since most of these are very fatty, overconsumption can sometimes lead to weight gain or loose stools.
Protein
The average large or giant dog needs muscles to support their large frame. This means that they often require a high-protein diet.
Many protein-rich large-breed dog foods are available, with some specialising in high-protein formulations. Protein also comes from many sources, such as boiled chicken, lentils, dairy products, and other foods.
Fiber
Many large dogs suffer from digestive problems, and some breeds like Great Danes are particularly susceptible to issues like Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), which is a bloating condition that can often be fatal.
A dog food with a good amount of fibre is essential when choosing which dog food brands to go for. You can also substitute fibre with pumpkin, leafy greens, green beans, and apples (without seeds).
Glucosamine & Chondroitin
While there is not as much evidence as Omega-3s, some studies suggest that Glucosamine & Chondroitin are both good for joint repair and support.
Life Stage Appropriate Nutrient Balance
Like all dogs, the needs of large and giant breed puppies are going to be different to adult dogs, pregnant dogs, or elderly dogs. Puppies and elderly dogs especially need the best dog food for their needs, so try to shop appropriately.
Ingredients to Look Out For in Your Dog Food
Whether you plan to buy your own wet and dry large breed dog food or if you plan on making it yourself, you will need to do some research on the ingredients you need for a complete and balanced diet.
If you are going to buy dry dog food, try to make sure it is approved by the American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines and has had animal feeding tests run on it.
Healthy Carbs
Look for dry dog food that uses healthy carbs to bulk the food, such as whole grain brown rice, oats, or barley. This will provide fibre and carbohydrates without the added calories of grains or soy to help maintain a healthy weight.
Most dogs need carbs to make up 10-30% of their daily diet, while working and active dogs may benefit from 25–30% to replenish. This is important to remember if you are making your own dog food.[3]
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Meat
When choosing dry pet food, meat should be the main ingredient. Looking for named meat (E.g. ‘Chicken’, or ‘beef’) may indicate a better quality meat. If you are making your own dog food, stick to unseasoned meat like chicken or mince. Organ meats like kidney or heart can also be a good ‘kibble-topper’.
Vegetables and Fruits
Domestic dogs are not obligate carnivores and benefit from healthy vegetables and fruits like sweet potato, peas, blueberries, etc.
How To Feed Large and Giant Dog Breeds
Once you believe you’ve found the best dog food for large breeds, you may have to rethink how you are feeding.
Changing diets
Any change in diet has to be done gradually to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach. This can normally be done by mixing the two types of food together in gradually changing portions (75 old/25 new - 50/50 - 25 old/75 new)
Small, Frequent Meals
Feeding your dog small, frequent meals allows you to control how many calories your dog is consuming while still helping them to stay full throughout the day. Smaller meals are also better for digestion and may help prevent bloating and other stomach problems.
Keep On the Watch
Continue watching for any changes to your dog’s weight and condition. Its easy to correct a problem if you catch it early, which will put less strain on their system.
Not all diets work for all individuals, so if you think your dog is struggling to adapt to his new diet, consider changing it to something else or consulting with a vet or a dog food advisor/nutritionist for the best options.
Conclusion
Large and giant breed dogs have unique nutritional needs due to their size, slower growth rate, and the increased strain on bones and joints. Their diets must be carefully balanced to maintain a healthy body weight and reduce the risk of joint, digestive, and heart issues.
The best food, whether wet or dry dog food, should include controlled calories, high-quality protein for muscle support, fibre for digestion, and nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus, omega-3 fatty acids, and supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin.
Getting proper exercise is also important for maintaining body fat and muscle growth. If you would like to see some harness options designed with large breeds in mind, check out Sparkpaws’ Comfort Control No-Pull Dog Harness.
FAQ
Do large-breed dogs need special food?
Yes, though large dogs can eat a variety of foods, they have special needs when it comes to nutrition and calorie density.
How often should I feed my large dog?
Twice a day is best for healthy digestion. Younger puppies may need to be fed small meals three to four times a day.
How much dry food should a large dog eat per day?
In terms of cups, a dog between 51 to 75 lbs should get 2-2/3 to 3-⅓ cups a day. 76 to 100 lbs should receive 3-1/3 to 4-¼ cups. Dogs over 100 lbs need 4-¼ cups, plus 1/4 cup for every 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs.
Ext Links
[1] https://www.petbarn.com.au
[2] https://www.lytteltonanimalhospital.com