We all wish for our doggos to live a healthy and happy life, whether a small breed or a large breed. When we select the right dog food for them, we take the first step towards ensuring their health and wellbeing. Just like medium and small breeds, large dogs have specific nutritional requirements too. And, you should feed them meals that have been formulated correctly and are high quality. Keep on reading to find out more about how you can choose the right pet food for large breed dogs.

Nutrition for Large Dogs

All dogs need nutrition in its pure form which includes vitamins and minerals. This is why feeding a diet that is complete and balanced is most reliable. As a pet parent to a large breed dog, you must choose a dog food that is rich in vitamins, minerals, fibers, carbohydrates and proteins. All of the aforementioned nutrients must be in such a quantity that they can be broken down and digested easily.

There is a common myth that large breed dogs need a special diet. Their diet and nutrition requirements are more or less the same as a small or medium breed dog. However, they do need food that is enriched with calcium and phosphorus. Since large breed dogs are big, they have long bones and muscles, they need a diet that boosts their immune system and gives strength to their skeletal system to avoid orthopedic diseases. Large breed puppies are also susceptible to bloat and obesity.

If you wish to give your large breed pooch a home-cooked meal then you must speak to your vet to explore what you can give them.

Bow Wow Tip: You can always reach out to our expert veterinarians who are just a phone call away.

Understanding the Special Requirements of Large Breed Dogs

When we talk about the nutrition requirement of large breed dogs, a point that needs to be kept in mind is their metabolism. Small breed dogs have a faster metabolism and are able to burn more calories. On the other hand, large breed puppies need to be restricted in the number of calories they consume in order to prevent weight gain at a rapid rate.

The main reason behind this is that acute weight gain in the early years of life can put a lot of pressure on the bones and eventually lead to arthritis. This is why dog food that has been made for large breed dogs has fewer calories as compared to dog food for other breeds. Even the kibble size is bigger to suit their muzzle size.

Is Grain-Free the Way to Be?

While many big companies are making grain-free food, there have been certain experts who are of the opinion that large breed dogs should not be fed grain-free food. You must always consult your veterinarian before selecting the right dog food for your large breed dog. Avoid it completely if your pooch is allergic to grains.

What to See When Looking for Dog Food?

When you search for dog food for your large breed dog, you need to read the label on the food carefully. Mentioned below are a few points to be kept in mind:

Search for dog food with a label that says ‘complete and balanced’.
Always choose a dog food that has been put through clinical trials and tests.
Look for dog food designed especially for large breed dogs. Check if it contains glucosamine.

Bow Wow Tip: Joint problems are common amongst large breed dogs and therefore, they can benefit largely from a diet that includes glucosamine in a good quantity. Glucosamine is mostly found in sources of meat and poultry. It is a building block of cartilage, which helps in protecting your fur baby’s joints and bones from any kind of wear and tear. Whether for a puppy or a senior large breed dog, a food which is rich in glucosamine will benefit them greatly.

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