Whether your puppy is a large or small breed, your furry friend needs the right nutrients to suit their fast metabolism and speedy growth. Larger breed puppies will need more food as they grow when compared to smaller breed puppies to accommodate for their size, so it is important to get their diet worked out early. Dry dog food for large breed puppies could be a great choice for convenience as well as growth, ensuring your dog gets all the nutrients they need.
Explore our guide to discover the considerations to make when choosing dry dog food for puppies, the possible ingredients to avoid feeding your pup, and the best dry dog food options for puppies stocked here at Fetch.
- Do Large Breed Puppies Need Specialised Puppy Food?
Discover whether puppy food is necessary for growing dogs
- What Considerations Should I Make When Choosing Large Breed Dry Puppy Food?
Pay attention to these factors when choosing dry food for your puppy
- Are There Any Ingredients I Should Avoid in Dry Large Breed Puppy Food?
Although there are plenty of food options perfect for your dog, there are also ones to avoid
- How Can I Tell my Large Breed Puppy is Thriving on Their Diet?
Here’s how you can identify whether your pooch is on the right diet
- What is the Best Large Breed Puppy Food?
Browse our selection at Fetch
- Large Breed Puppy Food at Fetch
Here’s how we can assist
Do Large Breed Puppies Need Specialised Puppy Food?
Food that is specially tailored to puppies and their needs is the perfect choice for all kinds of breeds, large or small. Feeding a puppy adult dog food could lead to nutritional deficiencies and developmental issues further down the line; to give your puppy the best start in life, opt for puppy-specific dog food. Other benefits include:
- Nutritional Formula: puppy-specific food ensures it is packed with higher levels of protein, calories and fat to support muscles growth and energy levels
- Supports Digestive Health: as your puppy’s digestive system develops, puppy food will be kinder to their gut, and be more digestible. Cold pressed dog food is a great choice for puppies, as it is easier to chew and digest, and mimics their natural diet.
- Boosts their developing immune system: puppy-specific food contains ingredients that can help your puppy’s immune system grow
- Breed-specific options: certain breeds, whether small or large, have unique nutritional needs. Puppy food for large breeds, for example, will often control their growth and help prevent common joint problems.
You can browse our collection of dry puppy food in stock here.
What Considerations Should I Make When Choosing Large Breed Dry Puppy Food?
When looking for dry dog food tailored to larger breeds, it is important to look for options that are high in protein (such as chicken and turkey) and calories. However, when large breeds become fully grown, their calories must be monitored to avoid excessive weight gain.
Large breed puppies should have their portions controlled to avoid obesity; although their high energy levels and metabolism will usually keep them fit and happy, they can still be overfed. Also, look for food that contains Omega-3 fatty acids to support joint health. Larger breeds, such as Great Danes and Rottweilers, are prone to joint problems, so they need to be protected from an early age.
Getting your puppy’s diet just right can seem daunting; our canine nutrition specialists at Fetch provide bespoke consultations, creating a diet plan that is perfect for your dog’s needs and breed, as well as your own personal lifestyle and preferences.
Are There Any Ingredients I Should Avoid in Dry Large Breed Puppy Food?
When choosing dry puppy food for large breeds, avoid these common ingredients:
- Artificial preservatives, colours and flavours
- Filler ingredients, such as rice – opt for healthier carbohydrates such as sweet potato instead
- Overly processed meat
- Rendered fat
Always check the label before purchasing dog food, and try to opt for natural sources.
How Can I Tell my Large Breed Puppy is Thriving on Their Diet?
To ensure your large breed puppy is happy and healthy on their diet, consider:
- Monitoring their weight: as previously discussed, large breed puppies burn a lot of energy and calories, so even if you think you’re feeding them enough, it may not support their rapid growth. Routinely weigh your pup to make sure they’re appropriately fed
- Checking their body condition: does your dog have a trim waist? Can you see their ribs as well as feel them? Dogs should have a slim waist with ribs that are easy to feel but not see. However, it is normal to see a puppy’s stomach swell after drinking or eating!
- Looking at their coat: a healthy dog has a shiny coat with a bright colour and soft feel (unless their coat is naturally rougher).
- Checking for signs of itchiness or hair loss: a balanced diet for a large breed puppy will support healthy skin, leading to minimal itching and hair loss.
- Testing their energy levels: if your large breed puppy is active and playful, this is a good sign that they are thriving on their diet. Larger breed puppies tend to have a seemingly endless supply of energy, but the wrong diet could leave them feeling lethargic.
Noticed any signs of an unhealthy diet in your pup? Get in touch with our wellbeing consultants today.
What is the Best Large Breed Puppy Food?
Here are our top dry dog food picks for large breed puppies:
Nourish Rite Grain Free Large Breed Puppy Food – Salmon
This grain free option is specifically tailored to large breed puppies, taking into account their rapid growth and development. As well as containing fresh salmon, this large breed puppy food contains sweet potato rich in B vitamins and prebiotics, as well as carrots to help vision.
Nourish Rite Premium Large Breed Puppy – Salmon
For a more premium option, this dry puppy food choice supports the development of growing large breed puppies. It is highly palatable, making it ideal for fussy eaters, and contains vitamins and minerals to help maintain a healthy immune system.
DARF Cold Pressed Puppy Food
Cold pressed dog food retains more nutrients than regular dry food, making it perfect for protecting your puppy’s wellness. It is easier on the stomach and much easier to digest, ensuring it causes less bloat than regular kibble.
Ydolo Semi Moist Cold Pressed Puppy Food
Ydolo prides itself on providing “quality without compromise,” with all ingredients fully researched to provide your puppy with the best diet. The puppy formula contains 75% meat such as pork, anchovies and sardines, the latter providing fatty acids to support a healthy coat and skin.
Large Breed Puppy Food at Fetch
At Fetch, we stock a wide range of dry puppy food perfectly suited to larger breeds, supporting their growth and ensuring they thrive with their diet. We also provide wellbeing consultations to help you find the very best diet for your pup.
Get in touch with a member of our team today.