Best Puppy Food Large Breed Review

What is a large breed puppy? A large breed puppy will grow to 50 to 100 pounds. A pup that is expected to weigh more than 100 pounds as an adult dog is considered a giant breed dog. Both are a lot of dog to love and choosing the best food for your large or giant breed puppy is a huge responsibility.

The large breed and giant breed puppies have a lot of growing to do and it happens really fast. This newborn pup is expected to double his birth weight in the first week of life and triple his weight at three weeks. At one month old, these pups may weigh more than four times their birth weight. The mother dog does an excellent job providing the necessary nutrition that this early growth demands -- a diet that is naturally nutrient dense and high in fat and protein.

Phase One - Rapid Growth

The responsibility for nutrition during this delicate growth phase shifts to the human hand at weaning time. It is imperative that the food you choose is scientifically formulated to support steady growth and controlled weight gain. This is when the pups' skeleton is developing and protein, calcium, and phosphorus levels need careful consideration. If this baby canine is to gain as much as 2 pounds a week, the quality of the food you feed is very significant.

This is not a time for trial and error. You will want to fill their small bellies with more than calories. Feeding a young puppy a food that is formulated to be easily digested and nutrient rich will make a big difference during this period of rapid growth.

In other words, you will want to fill your pup with only good stuff he can use to fuel his healthy development. If a giant breed pup is to reach half his adult weight at five months, this is a big job for both of you!

Phase Two - Healthy, Controlled Growth

The second growth phase, between five and six months for large and giant breed puppies, is when muscle development starts. For the next few months, it is up to the puppy parent to recognize that growth is slowing. Although the pup's energy needs will decrease at this time, his digestive system is maturing.

This can result in a demand for more food. You will want to satisfy this increasing appetite, but always with food that he can use -- not wear or waste.

Too much weight gain can overload his still immature joints and put him at risk. These puppies, who often engage in an active lifestyle, are prone to hip or elbow dysplasia and premature osteoarthritis, if they carry too much weight. And, on a young dog's still growing frame, excess weight can cause strain or even injury. For these reasons, it is best to keep large and giant breed puppies nourished for steady growth, but lean.

What to Look for in the Best Natural Puppy Food Large Breed

Each breeder and puppy parent will do their own review before choosing the best natural puppy food. All will want to look for a formula with correct ratios of protein, calories, calcium and phosphorus. Chicken is a far better protein than corn. Multiple protein sources will make for an even more complete nutrition profile. Brown rice and oat groats are superior energy sources for a growing large breed pup.

New science is teaching us that calcium and phosphorus ratios are critical to controlling the steady growth of large breed puppies. Gluten is a common allergen to avoid because it can cause itchy skin. Artificial and inferior ingredients can cause digestive issues, including diarrhea and lethargy and that can lead to big troubles. A large breed puppy food that includes natural-sourced Omega 3 fatty acids for skin and coat and the antioxidant power of vitamins C & E is a good choice.

When you find a quality puppy food for your large breed that is moderately priced, you can feel even better about this important investment in your pup's lifelong health. I hope that you found this Puppy Food large breed review helpful. As the science of pet nutrition explodes, dog breeders and puppy raisers can now be better prepared to make good choices for complete and age appropriate nutrition outside those brightly colored bags with superficial claims that line the shelves of those big box stores.