Best Large Breed Dog Food
Once your big pooch has finished growing, its time to start transitioning him to an adult formula. Adult large breed dogs still need a little more protein and less fat than small and medium-sized doggos, but they dont need as many calories as a puppy.
An adult formula will offer many of the same benefits as the large breed puppy foods will, but with subtle differences to the formula. While adults and puppies all need the same nutrients, they require them in different quantities.
Added Joint Supplements For Seniors
Dogs are more likely to develop arthritis as they age, especially if they are overweight or obese. Supplementing with glucosamine and chondroitin, both precursors for cartilage, may reduce the symptoms of arthritis in dogs after a few months according to some studies. Research offers even more definitive evidence for the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, both of which have been shown to reduce inflammation in the joints and the symptoms of arthritis .
Unfortunately, many diets marketed for seniors advertising glucosamine, chondroitin, EPA, and DHA do not contain effective amounts of these substances. To get results, you may need to add them to your dog’s food unless it is one specifically labeled for joint health.
What Should I Feed My Overweight Senior Dog
Choose a calorie-control formula without compromising on the nutrition. You cannot deny the fact that your aging dog needs a certain amount of nutrition for health maintenance. Fortunately, you can find some options in the market that claims to help with the weight management of senior dogs. Compare your options. Also, control the portion size you are feeding your dog. Eliminate all the excess food and treats and stick to a routine meal with controlled calories.
Related: Best Dog Foods for Weight Loss
Don’t Miss: Gluten Free And Dairy Free Bread
When People Find Out We Make Our Own Dog Food At Home They Always Ask Us What About A Raw Diet So Let’s Get That Out Of The Way First
There are LOTS of thoughts and theories on feeding your dog a raw diet especially a dog that is living with kidney disease. Our vet however, was personally opposed to feeding a raw diet due to the fact that dogs, just like us, are very susceptible to food poisoning. Besides that, a raw diet can be tricky to get just right! You run the risk of giving your dog a horrible belly ache by mixing a raw diet with cooked treats, so if you decided to go raw it is important to have both raw meals and raw treats planned for your pup at all times. NO MIXING the two! Since raw and cooked foods digest at different rates any combination of the two can wreak serious havoc on your pup’s gut which can lead to some pretty unpleasant situations for you – if you get my drift.
Buyers Guide: Selecting The Best Senior Dog Food
You have enjoyed your dogs company for years, and now, heading into his golden age, it is time to give him back some of the mounds of love and loyalty he has always shown you. The problem is, what goes into choosing the best dog food for seniors? Before this, it might have been so much easier to pick a well-reputed dog food and maintain it for years. Its time to switch, and below we have listed things you should look out for when choosing a senior dog food.
You May Like: Pizza Pie 2 Langhorne Pa
How Many Calories Should My Senior Dog Consume
One of several feeding quandaries associated with older dogs is do they need more, or fewer, calories? Well, just try squeezing yourself into that prom tux, wedding dress, or honeymoon bikini, and lets hear how that pizza and doughnut diet is working for you. The same is true of our dogs. Its not necessarily that we get lazy as we age. Changes in metabolic rate cause fewer calories to be burned and more to be stored as fat. A recent study showed that mature dogs require 20 percent fewer calories in order to maintain the same weight as younger ones. Dogs entering old age may benefit from eating a food with less fat and fewer calories. Research also suggests that L-carnitine, a vitamin-like compound made from amino acids found in red meats, fish, chicken, and dairy products, may may help the body use fat for energy.
But its not that simple. Chances are most of the really old people you know are thin. The same goes for dogs. As dogs progress from old to very old, they tend to stop gaining weight and instead start losing weight, actually requiring more calories. In those cases, they often have a decreased appetite, possibly related to a decreased sense of smell or taste, and may even have difficulty chewing or swallowing. Increasing the fat content of the diet can increase palatability and calorie content, and may improve protein efficiency.
At The End Of 2019 During Our Yearly Vet Check We Received The Devastating News That Our 11 Year Old Dog’s Blood Work Showed That He Was In Stage 4 Kidney Failure
Honestly, I was a basket case, how on earth did we miss this? He seemed like he was just dealing with some symptoms of getting older – frequent urination, sometimes excessive water drinking. It definitely didn’t feel like life-threatening symptoms. As much as the diagnosis was a shock, the price tag of the prescription diet he would need to eat for the remainder of his life was pretty horrifying too!
Also Check: Where To Buy Not Your Mom’s Apple Pie Beer
When Is A Dog Considered A Senior
Not all dogs get grey hair around their muzzles. In fact, many are as playful as a puppy for their entire lives.
In fact
You may have noticed that small dogs seem to age more slowly than large dogs. Its true. A small dog can live to be as old as 20 years. But a large dog can reach maturity much sooner.
So, how do you know when your dog has entered her golden years?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association2
small dogs are generally considered senior at 7 years of age. Larger breed dogs tend to have shorter life spans and are often considered senior when they are 5 to 6 years of age.
Of course, all dogs are different. A healthy diet, regular exercise and good dental care can help extend your dogs middle age phase.
Best Senior Dry Dog Foods For Large To Giant Breeds
30% Off + Free Shipping
Holistic Select large and giant breed
Like all other Holistic Select foods, this food has a unique blend of probiotics, fiber, and enzymes for healthy digestion. The protein and fat content make it perfect for an active large senior dog.
Hills science diet adult healthy mobility large breed dry dog food
This kibble has the right balance of fat and protein to make sure your large dog maintains a healthy weight. However, it does contain fillers like wheat, so if you want to avoid these, look elsewhere.
Nutro max natural adult dry dog food
If you are looking for an affordable, nutritious dog food for your large breed senior dog, consider Nutro max.
Now fresh grain free large breed senior dog food
This nutritious kibble takes into consideration the needs of large breed dogs and the needs of senior dogs. If your dog struggles with weight, this food features added L Carnitine amino acid for weight control!
Canidae Under the Sun Grain Free Large Breed Dog Food
With farm-fresh ingredients and only one animal protein to go down smoothly, this dog food is a good option for large breed senior dogs.
Read Also: Maker’s Mark Pecan Pie
American Journey Senior Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
American Journey Senior Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe is a grain-free dry dog food that supports healthy aging. It’s made with real chicken, fruits, vegetables, and a targeted blend of nutrients. The antioxidant blend supports immune health while omega fatty acids keep your pup’s coat and skin flawless.
To encourage an active lifestyle and mobility, this formula also contains glucosamine and chondroitin. What’s unique about American Journey Senior recipe is that it contains coconut oil, which has shown to support brain health and cognition.
This formula contains no corn, soy, wheat, grains, poultry by-product meals, or artificial ingredients such as flavors or preservatives.
First five ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, and peas
Calories: 355 kcal per cup
Price: $49.99 for 24-lb bag
When To Switch To A Senior Dog Food
The general recommendation is that a dog is considered senior around the age of seven. The rate at which dogs age varies, though based on their breed, life expectancy, genetics and overall health.
For example, some small breeds may live up to 20 years, so they arent considered seniors until about age 10. Large breeds, on the other hand, may only live 12 to 15 years, so theyre considered seniors by age 6 or 7.
Your veterinarian can help you determine the right time to switch to a senior dog food based on your dogs health, breed size and other factors.
Also Check: What Is In Shepherds Pie
What Do I Feed My Skinny Senior Dog
Do not hesitate to give a rich diet to your skinny senior dog and provide him great nutrition with a calorie-dense meal. However, do not go overboard with the calorie count because your older dogs daily activity level is likely to decline. Regularly feeding too much can cause severe weight gain or obesity which can be fatal at this life stage.
How Much And How Often Should I Feed My Large Breed Dog
It is important to remember that just because you have a sizable dog, the contents of their food bowl doesnt have to be super-sized. When it comes to how much to feed your large breed dog, their age, health and activity levels should be taken into consideration.
But as a rough guide for dog owners, large breed adult dogs should be fed around 300-410g of food in total per day to keep your dog healthy. And this should also take into account any in-between meal dog treats.
Two meals a day is also sufficient for most large breed dogs, or you could split the daily quantity between three if your doggo prefers more frequent meals.
Don’t Miss: Gluten Free Pie Crust Walmart
Feeding Mature And Senior Dogs
The population of mature and senior dogs is increasing. Better nutrition, safer lifestyles, and improvements to preventive health care have contributed to this trend.
While old age is not a disease in itself, the body changes associated with aging make older dogs more vulnerable to medical problems and disease. Cancer, kidney disease, and heart disease are the most common causes of non-accidental death in dogs, but proper nutrition may help mitigate the risk of developing certain diseases and chronic conditions.
Best Large Breed Dog Food For Seniors
Dog food designed for senior dogs is relatively new. There is no senior stage approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as of yet, which means that the senior dog foods marketed in pet stores have not undergone the same rigorous tests as food for the other life stages. That does not mean, however, that they are not a good option for your senior dog. Adult formulas, all life-stage formulas, and senior formulas can all be appropriate foods for senior dogs.
Senior dogs often develop other health problems that require veterinary attention and maintenance. Sometimes a prescription diet is the best dog food option for large breed seniors, as these veterinary-approved foods are specifically formulated to address your dogs needs. Talk to your vet about the best food for large breed senior dogs.
Also Check: Emile Henry Pie Dish Blue
What Is The Best Food For Large Breed Dogs
As you can surely imagine, large breed dogs require much different nutrition than their smaller counterparts. From their much quicker growth to slower maturity to higher weight, large breed dogs have very unique nutritional needs and there are different things youll need to look for when searching for a complete and balanced diet for your large and giant breed dogs.
How To Buy The Best Senior Dog Food According To Veterinarians
Select independently determines what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
As your dog gets older, finding the right senior dog food is an important part of keeping your stay-at-home buddy happy. Weve previously covered the best dog food to consider, as well the best dry dog foods and even dog treats but how do you decide whats best for an older dog?
Pets age at different rates than humans age, says KT Boyle, DVM, of the Banfield Pet Hospital, noting that large breed dogs like Great Danes can be considered senior at six years old but smaller breeds like miniature poodles may not become seniors until they turn 10 years old. While age is a factor, Boyle suggests keeping an eye on your dogs energy level, whether or not they have white hair on their face and whether you notice a blue haziness or cloudiness, known as nuclear sclerosis, in their eyes. Talk to your vet if you notice your dog slowing down or exhibiting physical changes to determine if a change in diet could help. To that end, we consulted animal experts on how to shop for senior dog food and compiled some of the best senior dog foods available now.
Don’t Miss: Slice Of The Pie Pizza
Large Breed Senior Dog Food
Just like puppies, senior dogs have their own list of things you should be looking for when it comes to their food. Things like lower metabolism, aging joints, and more can contribute to senior dogs nutritional needs, but what is the best senior large breed dog food?
Typically when searching for a senior dog food, there are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Calorie content
- Glucosamine and chondroitin
With senior dogs of any size, calorie content is something youll always want to look out for. As your dog ages their metabolism tends to slow down. This means that their bodies arent processing calories as quickly as they once were. If you continue to feed a relatively high-calorie food to a senior dog as they age, you could start to notice intense weight gain and even obesity.
If you throw the fact that you have a large breed dog into the mix, you could start seeing serious problems like joint issueswhich are already a concern for senior dogsbecome a major concern for your large breed. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is important no matter their age or size, but its especially important if you have a large breed senior dog.
Fat content is closely related to calorie content. In any large breed or senior dog food youll want to make sure it has a relatively low fat content. Similar to calories, fat content can also contribute to weight gain if youre not careful and balancing your dogs diet and exercise.
What About Wet Food Versus Dry Food
While some dogs with dental issues may find wet food easier to eat, dry food is more convenient and doesnt spoil easily. A call to the vet will help line up your dogs needs with the right food and Boyle recommends letting your dog try both wet and dry options. Switching from dry to wet food or vice versa can be more difficult if they are picky eaters, Boyle says. So it can be a good idea to expose pets to both types of food during their lifetime.
Recommended Reading: Purina Small Breed Dog Food
The Results From Feeding Our Diy Dog Food
Back to the story of Bug
After only a couple of weeks of feeding her a homemade diet, the hubby and I were blown away by how much her mental and physical health improved. And we wholeheartedly believe she was able to bounce back because of her new food.
She went from an ailing, exhausted, incontinent, tail-down dog to a happy, energetic, curious, communicative pup. While she isnt miraculously walking again, her hip dysplasia also hasnt progressed or caused her any pain.
Weve learned to watch for signs that she needs to relieve herself as weve realized she knows when she has to go, she just cant get there without our help.
We feed both of our pugs the same food, with the hope that we can stave off any potential health problems for our older one.
When we travel, well bring their homemade food on the road in a cooler. On occasion, weve even ordered their dinner from a restaurant when we ran out of food .
If were camping, well usually just feed them whatever were cooking in camp they love corn on the cob, hobo packs , and the whole assortment of tri-tip, sausages, and ribs that weve usually got going on.
As you might imagine they lovecamping trips!
Homemade dog food gives us the flexibility to fine-tune their diet as needed. Im forever grateful for the extra time we were given with our beloved Bug as a result of the food we chose to feed her.
What To Look For In The Best Large Breed Dog Food
When shopping for the best dog food for large dogs, there are several things to consider:
1. Life Stage
One-size-fits-all dog food solutions may not be the best option as different life stages have varied requirements when it comes to large and extra-large breeds. In this case, it is best to buy dog food that is exclusive for large breed puppies, adults, and seniors so that all their different life stage nutritional needs can be met in a more precise way.
2. Protein Content
It is imperative to ensure that you are buying a well-balanced diet. The first ingredient for a large breed dog should be a lean animal protein such as deboned chicken, duck, turkey, salmon, fish, and so forth. Meat meals are also good as a first or secondary ingredient, as they reinforce the protein content in the formulation for better muscle development and stronger bones.
3. Prebiotics
These not only help in digesting food in your pooches stomach but also in promoting good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract for a healthier gut. They occur naturally in ingredients such as dried beet pulp and chicory root.
4. Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are vital in large breeds, as they help to boost the immune system. Omega-3 and -6 richly exist in ingredients such as salmon, flaxseed, fish oil, and so forth. They help in keeping your poochs skin healthy and maintaining or developing a shinier coat.
5. Balanced Diet
6. Allergies
Also Check: Diamond Pecan Pie Crust Recipes