When a puppy appears in the house, the question arises from the owners: "How to feed him?" You can choose one of the options: natural food, dry or wet food. In any case, it is necessary to pay attention to ensure that the baby is provided with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Most dog owners choose dry food. For puppies of large breeds, many brands are produced. Therefore, it is very important to know which is better to choose.
Why is it better to feed the puppy with dry food
For the health of the dog, it is very important how she ate during puppyhood. Therefore, the owner should be more careful about what the baby is eating. Before feeding puppies caused certain difficulties. 5-6 times a day it was necessary to cook porridge, finely chop meat, cook cottage cheese and other dishes. Now it is most convenient to purchase dry food. For puppies of large breeds, this is also more profitable, as they often eat a lot. And if earlier dog handlers didn’t recommend such food for the baby, now quality feeds containing natural meat and all the components necessary for the baby’s health and normal development have appeared. It is very convenient to feed a puppy with such a product, as you just need to follow the dosage instructions on the packaging.
What are dry feeds
All food for dogs is divided into several groups. The main classification occurs at cost. True, such feeds differ not only in price, but also in quality. Therefore, before buying food for a puppy, it is worth studying its features and composition. What groups are the dry feeds divided into:
- Economy class. The food in this group contains the least meat and natural healthy ingredients, and many flavorings and artificial additives. They are sold at ordinary grocery stores and are usually not subdivided by age. Therefore, puppies are not recommended to give such food. This feed "Chappi", "Baron", "Dog Chow", "Pedigree" and others.
- The premium class is considered a better feed, although it is also inexpensive. These are Happy Dog, Doctor Alders, Brit, Bozita and others.
- The best dry food for puppies of large breeds is a super-premium class. This is “Pro Plan”, “Hills”, “Eucanuba”, “Bosch”, “Arden Grunge”. Producers have specifically developed a feed intended for a growing organism.
How to choose the right food
Many inexperienced dog breeders buy their puppy food that is advertised on TV and which is easiest to buy at the nearest store. Most often it turns out to be "Chappy" or "Pedigree." But veterinarians believe that this is not suitable dry food for puppies of large breeds. It does not provide the growing body with all the necessary nutrients. But how to choose the right food for the baby? What should I pay attention to?
- You need to buy dry food for puppies of large breeds in specialized stores.
- You should choose only those brands that have special varieties for the age and weight of the dog. Although they are more expensive, they will not need to buy additional vitamins and mineral supplements. For puppies under 5 months of age, feed labeled “pappi” is intended, and for older puppies, “junior”.
- Take those feeds that belong to the class of "premium" or "super-premium". It is also important to pay attention to which breed the food is intended. After all, all dogs differ in metabolism and developmental features.
- Be sure to read the composition on the pack. Meat should come first, it is better if it contains at least 20%. It is worth choosing those foods that do not include chicken, but lamb, rabbit or beef.
- Pay attention to other components. It is better if it is rice, wheat, barley, vegetables and fruits. It is worth remembering that puppies do not tolerate preservatives, flavors and artificial additives.
What qualities should a good puppy food match?
Large breed dogs have a good appetite. But if they move little, they are prone to obesity. Therefore, it is important that the food they eat is nutritious, but not very high in calories. The amount of protein should be at least 15%, and fat - as little as possible. Therefore, for the manufacture of feed lean meat is taken: chicken, turkey, lamb, veal. It is important that the baby food contains the optimal amount of calcium, phosphorus, vitamins and carbohydrates. Often large dog breeds include glucosamine and chondroitin, because such animals are prone to joint diseases. So that the baby ate more quickly, but did not overeat, food for such dogs is made from large pieces.
Dry feed rating for large breed puppies
Dog owners need to know which manufacturers produce the best food for dogs. Based on the feedback of the dog breeders and the recommendations of the veterinarians, you can make such a rating of feed:
- "Proplan" is considered one of the best in the middle price segment. For a reasonable price, puppy owners can buy him quality and healthy food. In addition, in this line there are different food tastes, age and weight of the dog.
- "Akana" - super-premium food. It contains a lot of meat, there are no artificial additives. Although this food is a little more expensive, but it provides the growing body with all the necessary substances.
- Hills dry food is also good for large breed puppies. This is a balanced diet made from quality products. The food contains antioxidants, healthy minerals, vitamins and fiber.
- The Belkando chrome is specially created for young dogs of large breeds. It contains 21% meat, as well as eggs, cereals and other useful additives.
- "Brit Kare" refers to hypoallergenic feed. It contains at least 40% meat, special additives to enhance immunity and maintain healthy joints.
Dry food for puppies of large breeds: reviews
Many dog owners are unhappy with the chosen brand. They note that they bought expensive, high-quality food, and the puppy does not eat it. Unfortunately, this also happens. Therefore, it is recommended first to purchase a small package and see if this food is suitable for the dog. The most positive reviews about feeds are “Akana”, “Bosch”, “Royal Canin”, “Hills” and “Proplan”. These are the brands that are available to any dog owner and are suitable for most animals.