Everyone wants to feed their dog good food that meets their nutritional requirements. Large breed dogs have some specific needs, and we will explain them in this article. We will also give you our 11 tips on the best dry dog food for large dogs and describe them a little further.
What to look for when you choose
If you are looking at biology, large dog breeds have a slower metabolism than smaller breeds, and therefore need fewer calories per pound of bodyweight. Food made specifically for large breed dogs tend to have fewer calories per cup and include the specific needs of nutrients of a large breed dog.
As with all adult dogs, you’ll need a food that provides a balance between carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Make sure your food includes all of this when you choose. After that, you can start to look after the specific nutrients a large dog needs. Larger dogs have a higher risk for some health problems, such as issues with bones and joints or obesity.
With all this in mind, what is the best dog food for large dogs? When looking for food, you should always make sure that it contains nutrients that help the joints and bones, for example calcium and glucosamine. You should also look for a food with limited fat and fewer calories to prevent your dog from gaining unhealthy weight. Another tip from us is to keep the price of the food in mind. Big dogs eat larger portions, which also means more costs connected to dog food. A better food almost always costs more due to the expenses of quality ingredients, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune!
What is the best dry dog food for large breeds may differ depending on what breed your dog is or if it has issues like stomach problems or allergies of some sort. Our list is based on the general adult large breed dog and not the specific needs of a senior dog or a puppy.
Large Breed Dog Food
1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed
Information: This recipe is filled with protein from deboned chicken and fruit and vegetables with antioxidants for the immune system. It also contains chondroitin and glucosamine that your large breed dog needs for its bones and joints.
The first 6 ingredients on the list: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Tapioca Starch, Fish Meal & Pea Starch.
Contains calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine: Yes.
Calories: 377 kcals per cup.
Type of food: Grain-free.
Suits: Large breed adults.
Blue Buffalo Large Breed food
2. Chicken Soup for the Soul Classic Large Breed
Information: With real beef as a first ingredient this dry dog food provides high-quality protein for your large breed dog. It also has omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for the coat and skin, antioxidants for the immune system, and prebiotic fiber for healthy digestion.
The first 6 ingredients on the list: Beef, Beef Meal, Turkey Meal, Pearled Barley, Rye Flour & Millet.
Contains calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine: Yes.
Calories: 369 kcal per cup.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: Large breed adults.
Chicken Soup doe Large Bread Dog
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3. Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult
Information: This is a very good option if you want to give your dog dry food that is something other than chicken. It contains the optimal levels of nutrients for a large breed dog. The recipe includes superfoods full of antioxidants, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, and guaranteed probiotics.
The first 6 ingredients on the list: Lamb Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, Oatmeal, Grain Sorghum & Dried Yeast.
Contains calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine: Yes.
Calories: 350 kcal per cup.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: Large breed adults.
Large Breed Adult Dog Food
4. Hill’s Science Large Breed Adult
Information: Hill’s Science Large Breed Adult is specifically made to fulfill the needs of a large breed dog and has easily digestible ingredients for your dog’s gut-health. It has high-quality protein as a first ingredient and contains omega-6 and vitamin E.
The first 6 ingredients on the list: Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Corn, Whole Grain Sorghum & Corn Gluten Meal.
Contains calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine: Yes.
Calories: 363 kcal per cup.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: Large breed adults.
Hill’s Science Large Breed Adult
5. Merrick Grain Free Large Breed
Information: This recipe has 80% of its protein from animal sources. It contains real whole foods and has easily digestible carbohydrates from potatoes and sweet potatoes. Packed with whole foods such as apples and blueberries it has the antioxidants and vitamins plus the minerals your large breed dog needs to live a long and healthy life.
The first 6 ingredients on the list: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes & Peas.
Contains calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine: Yes.
Calories: 382 kcal per cup.
Type of food: Grain-free.
Suits: Large breed adults.
Merrick Grain Free Large Breed
6. Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight Large Breed Adult
Information: This food is made specifically for large breed adults that need to lose weight. It’s lower in calories than other options on our list and has a recipe with protein and fiber for a healthy weight loss. The fiber supports digestion, and it has antioxidants for the immune system.
The first 6 ingredients on the list: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Sorghum, Rice Bran, Split Peas & Whole Grain Brown Rice.
Contains calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine: Yes.
Calories: 245 kcal per cup.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: Large breed adults that need to lose weight.
Healthy Weight Large Breed Adult Food
7. Orijen Six Fish
Information: Orijen Six Fish contains 85% of quality fish ingredients. ⅔ of the fish is either fresh or raw and the last ⅓ is dehydrated or dried. It has all the nutrients your dog needs and has freeze dried liver to make the taste irrististible. If you want to feed your dog something with fish and make sure it contains a lot of omega fatty acids, this is, in our opinion, the best dry dog food for large breed dogs.
The first 6 ingredients on the list: Whole Atlantic Mackerel, Whole Atlantic Herring, Monkfish, Acadian Redfish, Founder & Whole Silver Hake.
Contains calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine: Yes.
Calories: 445 kcal per cup.
Type of food: Grain-free.
Suits: All adult dogs including large breeds of all life stages.
Orijen Six Fish Large dog food
8. Purina Pro Plan Adult Large Breed
Information: Purina Pro Plan Adult Large Breed takes care of your large breed dog’s specific needs. With real chicken as a first ingredient, it provides high-quality protein for the muscles and is formulated to support optimal nutrient absorption. It has natural prebiotic fiber for digestion, antioxidants for the immune system and omega-6 fatty acids. This recipe is made to give your large breed dog balanced nutrition with all it needs.
The first 6 ingredients on the list: Chicken, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Poultry By-Product Meal & Whole Grain Wheat.
Contains calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine: Calcium and glucosamine – Yes. Chondroitin – No.
Calories: 407 kcal per cup.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: Large breed adults.
Adult Large Breed Dog Food
9. Taste of the Wild – Wetlands Formula Canned Dog Food
Information: This is a recipe that is usually liked even by the picky eaters. With duck as a first ingredient, it provides high-quality protein and an irresistible taste. The fowl in this wet food gives good amino acid nutrition and the added vegetables and fruits gives the vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals your dog needs. This can be used as a complement to your dog’s dry food or as a meal of wet food on its own.
The first 6 ingredients on the list: Duck, Duck Broth, Chicken Broth, Fish Broth, Chicken Liver & Chicken.
Contains calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine: Calcium- Yes. Chondroitin & glucosamine – No.
Calories: 334 kcal per can.
Type of food: Grain-free.
Suits: All breeds including large breeds.
Wetlands Formula Canned Dog Food
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10. Wellness CORE Large Breed
Information: This dry food is made with larger kibbles, so it is easier to eat for your large breed dog. The recipe contains chicken, turkey, fruits, and vegetables and is made to promote lean muscle mass and healthy coat and skin. It also has omega fatty acids, probiotics and all the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals your dog needs. This is one of the absolute best large breed dry dog foods.
The first 6 ingredients on the list: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Lentils, Peas & Dried Ground Potatoes.
Contains calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine: Yes.
Calories: 342 kcal per cup.
Type of food: Grain-free.
Suits: Large breed adults.
Wellness CORE Large Breed Dog Food
11. Wellness Super5Mix Adult Large Breed
Information: This recipe was made to ensure that the needs of your large breed dog is met in the perfect way. It includes high-quality ingredients with good protein from chicken and vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the fruits and vegetables. This is a completely naturally preserved product.
The first 6 ingredients on the list: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Barley, Peas & Oats.
Contains calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine: Yes.
Calories: 340 kcal per cup.
Type of food: Grain-inclusive.
Suits: Large breed adults.
Super5Mix Adult Large Breed Dog Food
Read more: Do you want to know more about the best dog food for small dogs or the best dog food brands? Click on the links!
Frequently asked questions
1. How do I know if my dog is considered a large breed?
Generally speaking, any breed of dog that weighs over (25 kilos) as an adult is considered a large breed. Common large breed dogs are for example Boxer, Collie, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever & Rhodesian Ridgeback.
2. When should I switch from puppy food to adult dog food?
Large breed dogs are generally considered adults when they are between 12 to 18 months old if you speak in physical terms. If you are unsure of when you should switch to adult food, speak to your breeder or your veterinarian for further guidance in your dog’s specific case.
3. Why should I choose dog food specifically for large breeds?
Large breed dogs tend to have problems with their bones and joints and need for example calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine. They also tend to get overweight more easily than smaller breeds due to their slower metabolism which means they need fewer calories per pound of body weight. That makes it important to buy food that meets those needs.
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