Best Puppy Food for Large Breeds: Nutrition for Healthy Growth
Did you know that the food you give your large-breed puppy could affect your pup’s entire life? Choosing the best puppy food for large breeds sets your dog up for a long, healthy life, whereas low-quality food could cause your dog a lifetime of pain and a shorter lifespan.
Let’s look at the components of the best dog food for large-breed puppies, how to find the best large-breed dog foods and puppy foods, and why raw is the best large-breed puppy food and the best large-breed dog food (so you don’t need to change foods when your puppy becomes an adult).
Introduction to Raw Food Needs of Large- and Giant-Breed Puppies
What are large and giant-breed puppies, and why do they have specific nutritional requirements?
Generally, dog breeds that reach an adult weight of at least 50-60 pounds are considered large-breed dogs, while pups that will reach an adult weight of more than 90-100 pounds are considered giant breeds.
Although large and giant-breed dogs reach maturity at a later age (1.5 to 2 years old) compared to small breeds (which typically mature by 1 year of age), they still grow at a significantly faster rate than small dogs. Growing too quickly can cause or contribute to numerous bone and joint problems, including:
•Hip dysplasia
•Elbow dysplasia
•Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)
•Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
•Panosteitis
•Retained ulnar cartilage core
As a result, it’s no exaggeration to say that the wrong puppy food could cause your large or giant-breed dog a lifetime of pain and suffering.
The Importance of Choosing the Best Large-Breed Puppy Raw Food
The best large-breed puppy food helps young dogs grow at an appropriate rate so that their bones and joints can develop properly. A nutritionally complete raw diet helps puppies build strong muscles without the high carb content of kibble that can contribute to a puppy growing too quickly.
We Feed Raw is nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs of all life stages, including the growth of large-breed puppies. That means you can feed your pup our food from the time you bring them home until the day they cross the rainbow bridge.
Because our food is balanced, it’s easy to serve your puppy the perfect portions every day without any weighing, portioning, or additional supplements necessary. We send you precisely pre-portioned patties and tell you how much to serve each day. You simply thaw and feed.
What Makes the Best Large Breed Puppy Raw Food Stand Out
When you’re searching for the best puppy food for large breeds, choose food with:
•High levels of muscle-building protein and low levels of obesity-causing carbohydrates
•A maximum calcium level of 1.8%
•High-quality protein from animal (rather than plant) sources
•Plenty of fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
If you specifically choose a raw puppy food, pick one that:
•Is nutritionally complete and balanced for the growth of large-size dogs or dogs of all life stages
•Uses a kill-step like high-pressure processing (HPP)
Benefits of High-Quality Best Dog Raw Food for Large Breed Puppies
Benefits of feeding We Feed Raw, the best large-breed puppy food, include:
•Strong, healthy bones and joints
•More quality years
•Smaller, firmer, less-frequent, less-stinky poop
•Cleaner teeth
•Stronger immune system
•Better weight control
•Softer, healthier skin and coat
•More mealtime excitement
Navigating Feeding Guidelines With the Best Large-Breed Dog Foods
Just as important as WHAT you feed your large-breed puppy is HOW MUCH you feed them. Even the best large-breed dog foods can only do so much if you under- or over-feed your puppy.
While most commercial dog foods simply give you a chart based on weight and expect you to figure out portions yourself, We Feed Raw asks a bunch of questions about your puppy, including their breed, age, weight (or expected adult weight for puppies), activity level, and body condition. We then tell you exactly how much of our food to give your puppy each day.
Our customer service team also keeps in touch with puppy owners to see how the young dog is growing and to determine whether their daily dose of food needs to be adjusted.
If you want to make sure your puppy gets the perfect portions of the best puppy food for large breeds, choose We Feed Raw.
A Closer Look at Raw Diets: Are They the Best Large Breed Dog Food Option?
A raw diet is the best food for large-breed puppies and dogs because:
•Raw dog food is species-appropriate. Dogs’ digestive tracts are still designed to thrive on raw muscle meat, organ meat, and bone rather than plant matter.
•Raw food for dogs is high in protein and low in carbs, which helps large-breed puppies grow at an appropriate rate.
•Puppies fed a raw diet are proven to have fewer ear infections, better digestion, and less trouble with skin allergies than kibble-fed puppies.
Weight Management Strategies with Large Breed Dog Food
In addition to rapid growth leading to bone and joint problems in large-breed dogs, obesity can shorten a dog’s life by an average of 2 years or more, making it even more important for your puppy to maintain a healthy weight throughout their entire life. How can you tell if your puppy is an appropriate weight?
While puppies do tend to have more of a “roly-poly” look to them compared to adult dogs, you should still be able to easily feel their ribs under a thin layer of fat. You can use the below body condition scale to determine whether your puppy is an appropriate weight.
Supplementing the Best Large Breed Puppy Food with Natural Options
If you choose to feed your puppy 100% We Feed Raw, you don’t need to add any supplements or anything else to their food to ensure they get all the nutrients they need. However, you might choose to feed kibble as a base and then supplement the kibble with We Feed Raw and other natural options, and that’s OK, too, if that’s what your budget demands.
If you choose to add fruits or vegetables to your puppy’s diet, our PhD animal nutritionist recommends that they make up no more than 5-8% of your puppy’s total diet. Also, treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.
Making the Transition: From Puppy to Adult Large Breed Dog Food
When you choose food that’s nutritionally balanced for the growth of large-breed puppies, you eventually need to transition to food that’s formulated for adult dogs. This should be when your puppy has finished growing, usually between the ages of 18-24 months.
We Feed Raw is formulated to meet the AAFCO nutritional requirements for dogs of all life stages, including the growth of large-breed puppies, so you can feed it to your pup for their entire life without needing to change when they grow up.
Conclusion: Commitment to Excellence in Large Breed Puppy Raw Nutrition
At We Feed Raw, we care deeply about every dog, and we want every puppy to grow up strong and healthy. Our food is nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs of all life stages, and we use a cold-pressure process to inactivate potential pathogens, making our food safe for even sensitive puppy tummies.
Take our quiz now to find out how much it would cost to start your puppy on the life-changing benefits of a raw diet for large-breed puppies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best large-breed dog food for my German Shepherd or Golden Retriever?
The best large-breed dog food for a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever is a nutritionally balanced raw dog food like We Feed Raw that uses high-pressure processing to inactivate potential pathogens.
How do I choose the best large-breed puppy food for my growing dog?
To choose the best large-breed puppy food, pick one that’s rich in animal-based protein, low in obesity-causing carbohydrates, nutritionally balanced for the growth of large-breed puppies, and doesn’t contain too much calcium.
Can raw feeding be considered the best dog food for large-breed puppies?
Yes, a nutritionally complete and balanced raw dog food like We Feed Raw that uses a cold-pressure process to inactivate potential pathogens is the best dog food for large-breed puppies.
What are the best large-breed dog foods to prevent common health issues?
The best large-breed dog foods to prevent common health issues like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and obesity are raw diets that are rich in protein and low in carbs.
What should I look for in a large-breed dog food?
Large-breed dog food should contain plenty of protein from animal (rather than plant) sources, few carbohydrates, and plenty of fatty acids.
Is there a difference between large-breed dog food and large-dog-breed food?
The terms "large breed dog food" and "large dog breed food" can be used interchangeably and both refer to dog food formulas designed for dogs that will weigh more than 50-60 pounds in adulthood.
The Best Puppy Food for Large Breeds? We Feed Raw!
Are you ready to ensure your large-breed puppy has the best start in life? We Feed Raw offers the optimal nutrition solution designed to help your canine companion thrive right from the start. By choosing our raw diet, you sidestep potential health issues associated with poorly balanced meals. Our food supports proper growth and development for lifelong benefits, including stronger bones and joints, better weight control, and an overall happier, healthier pup.
With We Feed Raw, the guesswork of feeding is eliminated. We understand that every puppy is unique, so we provide personalized portion recommendations based on your furry friend's specific needs. Our carefully crafted, pre-portioned meals are delivered straight to your door—just thaw and serve for convenience without compromising on quality.
Don't risk the pitfalls of inappropriate nutrition. Embrace the wealth of benefits from a raw diet and provide your large-breed puppy with the strongest foundation for a vibrant and energetic life. Take the first step towards a healthier, more joyful future for your pup. Visit wefeedraw.com now and complete our simple quiz to determine the perfect plan for your growing puppy.
Make the switch to We Feed Raw and watch your beloved pet flourish.
Complete & balanced raw meals.
Portioned out, packaged up, and cold-shipped (for FREE!).
