Large dogs come with an enormous responsibility.
As you may already know, large dogs need much room and can’t live a good life in a small apartment. They need to run, explore, etc., for which they need much space and energy. So, good dog food for large dogs must fulfill all the required activities.
Finding good food for your large dog isn’t an easy task. There are a lot of brands available, but not all of them are high quality and made from premium ingredients. Some even contain filler ingredients that aren’t at all useful to dogs.
In this blog post, I will go over the top 10 dog food brands for large dogs and go through every one of these brands in as much detail as possible so you can make a fully informed decision.
So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!
Let’s start.
A Little About Large Dog Breeds
Dogs that weigh over 50 pounds as adults come under large dogs. This includes the Great Dane, Labrador, etc. But not all dogs in this category are the same.
Some may barely fit the criteria and be just over 50 pounds, while others are well over 100! So, good dog food will provide adequate nutrition only if you feed it the right amount.
I recommend that you visit your vet and figure out the ideal daily caloric intake for your furry friend and the macronutrients he might need. While one dog may require 700 kcal daily, another may require 2100 kcal!
Medium-Large Dog Breeds
As I mentioned, some dog breeds in the large category are on the smaller side; dog food companies usually list dogs between 50 to 70 pounds as ‘medium-large.’
This includes breeds like:
- Airedale Terriers
- Afghan Hound
- Australian Shepherds
- Boxers
- Basset Hounds
- Chow Chow
- Chinese Shar Pei
- Collies
- Dalmatians
- English Springer Spaniels
- German Wirehaired
- German Shorthaired
- Norwegian Elkhounds
- Pointers
- Siberian Huskies
- Vizslas
- Weimaraners
True Large Breed Dogs
This category includes dogs that weigh 70 pounds. This is usually specified in the packaging of the food as well.
This includes the following breeds:
- Alaskan Malamutes
- Borzois
- Bouvier des Flandres
- Bloodhound
- Bullmastiffs
- Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
- Doberman Pinschers
- German Shepherds
- Giant Schnauzers
- Golden Retrievers
- Great Pyrenees
- Labrador Retrievers
- Old English Sheepdogs
- Rhodesian Ridgebacks
- Rottweilers
Giant Dog Breeds
Dogs that weigh over 100 pounds as adults are included in this category. This consists of the following breeds:
- Akitas
- Great Danes
- Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs
- Irish Wolfhounds
- Mastiffs
- Newfoundlands
- Saint Bernards
While some dog foods are designed for all these three categories, others are not. So, it is always a good practice to read the labels carefully to determine which dog food best suits your furry friend.
Feeding a Large Breed Dog
The large category has three subcategories, and all the dog breeds are different regarding activity level, size, metabolism, etc. So, what may be suitable for one dog may not be a good choice for the other. Unless you own an active dog, your large dog might spend most of his time sitting and napping. So, that also needs to be factored in.
Ideally, feeding your furry friend twice a day would be best. This will ensure maximum absorption of the nutrition compared to dogs fed once a day. This is because the body doesn’t optimally absorb nutrients in one go.
You also need to factor the treats in!
Dogs love to have their treats throughout the day; it helps brighten their day! This is one mistake that most dog owners make, and they tend to overfeed their dogs, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. Obesity comes with a few other conditions harmful to your dog’s health.
So, you should follow the 80-20 rule.
According to this rule, 80% of your dog’s nutrition should come from the kibble itself, and the rest 20% can come from treats. For example, if your dog is allowed to eat 2000 calories per day, 1600 calories should come from the kibble, and the rest 400 should be allotted to treats.
Best Dog Food Brands for Medium Dogs
In this blog section, I will briefly overview all the top dog foods available for medium dogs and share all essential details.
I’ll cover each dog’s food in detail in the following section and review them.
Take a peek at the top 10 dog food brands for medium dogs:
| Food Name | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Our Rating | Prices |
| Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Duck Formula Dog Food | 34 | 17 | 41 | 5 Stars | Check Prices |
| Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
|
36 | 39 | 25 | 5 Stars | Check Prices |
| Taste of the Wild, Canine Formula | 44 | 17 | 31 | 4.4 Stars | Check Prices |
| Blue Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Food | 34 | 17 | 41 | 4.5 Stars | Check Prices |
| Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food: Large Breed | 38 | 13 | 41 | 4.5 Stars | Check Prices |
| Hill’s Science Diet Active Longevity Chicken Meal | 20 | 15 | 58 | 4.5 Stars | Check Prices |
| Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Dry Dog Food | 20 | 15 | 58 | 4.5 Stars | Check Prices |
| Eukanuba Adult Dry Dog Food | 28 | 16 | 46 | 4.4 Stars | Check Prices |
| Orijen Original Dry Dog Food | 43 | 21 | 28 | 4.4 Stars | Check Prices |
| Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe
|
41 | 22 | 29 | 4.3 Stars | Check Prices |
Let’s take a detailed look at these dog foods and figure out which is the best for your furry friend.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Let’s begin.
Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Duck Formula Dog Food
The Wilderness Blue, Buffalo Duck Formula is one of the best dog foods for large dogs. The kibble contains real meat and has deboned chicken, fish meal, and chicken meal.
The high-protein kibble also contains fruit and vegetables that give your furry friends essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The kibble doesn’t contain wheat, soy, or corn.
This kibble comes out to be an above-average one when you consider the quality of ingredients used in it.
Let’s take a peek at the micronutrients as well.
The dog food contains:
- 34% of protein, which is near-average
- 17% of fat, which is above-average
- 41%of carbohydrates, which is below-average
This kibble also has a notable amount of meat in it.
Let’s talk pros and cons, shall we?
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains real meat such as deboned chicken, fish meal, and chicken meal
● Contains fruit and vegetables that provides your furry friends with essential vitamins, minerals, as well as antioxidants ● Has a notable amount of meat |
● May cause diarrhea
● Below average carbs
|
On to the next one…
Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
The Merrick Grain-Free Dog Food is a good pick as it is high in protein. This dog food contains naturally deboned beef, and the grain-free formula is a good choice for pets with grain sensitivities.
This kibble helps improve your dog’s gastrointestinal health and is easily digestible. The Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids promote the dog’s skin and fur and provide the dog with loads of energy. The kibble doesn’t contain wheat, soy, or corn.
This kibble comes out to be an above-average dog food product.
We should talk about the macros.
The dog food contains:
- 39% of protein, which is near-average
- 17% of fat, which is near-average
- 36%of carbohydrates, which is below-average
Thod dog food also contains a lot of meat, which is always a plus point for large dogs.
Now, it’s time to weigh the pros against the cons.
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Helps improve your dog’s gastrointestinal health
● Contains natural deboned beef ● A Significant amount of meat ● A good choice for pets who have grain sensitivities ● Doesn’t contain wheat, soy, or corn |
● Can cause bloating and gas |
On to the next one…
Taste of the Wild, Canine Formula
Taste of Wild Canine Formula is made from roasted bison, has an optimal amino acid profile, and is rich in protein, which helps build lean and strong muscles. The natural dog food contains added vitamins and minerals.
This grain-free dog food is easily digestible for medium-sized dogs and sprinkled with probiotics that help maintain gut health. This kibble comes out to be an above-average one in terms of the quality of ingredients used to make it.
Let’s take a peek at the macros…
So, this dog food contains:
- 44% of protein, which is above-average
- 17% of fat, which is below average
- 31%of carbohydrates, which is near-average
This kibble also contains a significant amount of meat, which is fantastic for highly active dogs, fussy eaters, and those who need a protein-rich diet.
Now, let’s weigh the pros against the cons, shall we?
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
● Contains added vitamins and minerals ● Easily digestible ● Contains probiotics |
● Can cause stomach upsets
● Allergic reactions such as redness, itching, sores, etc. |
Moving on to the next one…
Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Adult Dog Food
The BLUE Wilderness Adult Grain Free Salmon Dry Dog Food is a good choice for active, ample dog food that contains deboned salmon, chicken, and fish for optimal dog nutrition.
The grain-free kibble also contains vegetables and fruits to ensure your furry friend gets all the nutrients he needs, including essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help keep your furry friend looking and feeling young. This dog food comes out to be above-average concerning the quality of ingredients used to make it.
Let’s take a look at the macronutrients.
This dog food contains:
- 34% Protein, which is near-average
- 17% Fat, which is above-average
- 41% Carbohydrates, which is below-average
This kibble also has a notable meat content suitable for large dog breeds.
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains deboned salmon, chicken meal, and fish meal to give your dog optimal nutrition
● Contains vegetables and fruits ● Notable amount of meat |
● Below average carbs
● May cause diarrhea |
On to the next one.
Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Dog Food
This dog food is one of the best for large breeds. The grain-free formula provides your dog with a balanced meal. It contains only premium quality ingredients, such as chicken, turkey, glucosamine, chondroitin, etc., that help meet the needs of larger dogs.
The kibble has all-natural ingredients and doesn’t contain wheat, soy, corn, artificial flavoring, colors, or preservatives.
This dog food comes out to be an average one regarding the quality of ingredients used to make it.
Let’s look at the macros.
This dog food contains:
- 20% Protein, which is below-average
- 15% Fat, which is near-average
- 58% Carbohydrates, which is above average
This kibble also contains a significant amount of meat suitable for large dogs.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Provide your dog with a balanced meal
● Contains only premium quality ingredients ● An above-average protein ● Made of all-natural ingredients |
● May cause vomiting |
A good option.
Is SciHill’siet Active Longevity Chicken Meal
The Hill’s SciHill’siet Active Longevity Chicken Meal is a good choice for large dog breeds. The kibb e contains an exclusive blend of omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and other nutrients that help nourish your dog’s skindog’scoat. These results can be seen in 30 days.
This dog food is recommended for adult dogs within the age range of 1 to 5 years, ideally weighing around 110 pounds. His dog food supports and nourishes the dog’s immune system as well.
This dog food is above average regarding the quality of ingredients used to make it.
Let’s take a look at the macronutrients this kibble contains.
This dog food contains:
- 20% Protein, which is below-average
- 15% Fat, which is near-average
- 58% Carbohydrates, which is above average
This dog food has a limited amount of meat in it.
Now, it’s time to look at the pros and cons.
So, here’s the here’s
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains an exclusive blend of omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and other nutrients
● Recommended for adult dogs within the age range of 1 to 5 years that ideally weigh around 110 pounds |
● May cause gastrointestinal upset
● Some dogs may not like the taste ● Limited amount of meat
|
Moving on…
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Dry Dog Food
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Dry Dog food contains all-natural ingredients sprinkled with added minerals and vitamins. The dog’s food doesn’t have additives or artificial flavors and uses only high-quality premium ingredients.
The kibble supports healthy fur and skin and helps build your dog’s immune system. It helps keep your dog’s energy.
When looking at the ingredients used in the Nutro Wholesome Essentials Dry Dog food, it is an above-average dry dog food product.
Let’s take at the macros, shall we?
This dog food contains:
- 24% Protein, which is near-average
- 16% Fat, which is near-average
- 42% Carbohydrates, which is above average
This dog food is a good choice for active dogs.
This dog food also contains a moderate amount of meat in it.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons, shall we?
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains a good amount of meat
● It is made of premium ingredients and doesn’t use corn, etc. ● Good for the dog’s skindog’scoat ● Contains a healthy amount of fat |
● Can cause an upset tummy or diarrhea in the initial phase |
Moving on…
Eukanuba Adult Dry Dog Food
Eukanuba Adult Dry Dog Food is a lamb and rice formula that gives your considerable breed dog energy. The kibb e helps maintain the lean muscles and offers a specialized fiber system for better digestion.
The kibble contains chondroitin and glucosamine, which are sourced naturally and help support your dog’s join dogs and keep them healthy. This dog food contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help support healthy joints.
The Eukanuba Adult Dry Dog is an average kibble in terms of the quality of ingredients used to make it.
Let’s now Let’sa look at the macronutrients.
The food contains:
- 28% of protein, which is near-average
- 16% of fat, which is near-average
- 46%of carbohydrates, which is near-average
This kibble also has a moderate amount of meat, which is so less active for older dogs.
Let’s look at the pros and cons now, shall we?
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains chondroitin and glucosamine that help support your dog’s joints
● contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help support healthy joints ● Helps maintain the lean muscles ● Specialized fiber system for better digestion |
● Can cause stomach upset
● Contains corn |
On to the next one…
Orijen Original Dry Dog Food
This grain-free dry dog food is made from premium ingredients and uses a single source of protein. The limited ed-ingredient diet helps keep your pup happy, healthy, and satisfied.
The small food bits help remove plaque from your furry friend’s teeth.
Quality of ingredients to make it, the kibble comes out to be an above-average dog food.
Let’s take a look at the macros.
So, this dog food contains:
- 43% of protein, which is above-average
- 21% of fat, which is above-average
- 28%of carbohydrates, which is below-average
This kibble also contains abundant meat, which is excellent for large dogs as they need more protein for their muscles.
Following are the pros and the cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Made from premium ingredients
● Food bits are small and help remove plaque ● Contains an abundant amount of meat |
● May cause an allergic reaction |
Moving on…
Nature’s Variety Nature’sst Grain-Free Recipe
Nature’s Variety Nature’s Grain Free Dog Food is high in protein. The nutrient-rich meal provides a balanced diet for your furry friend. The kibb e has added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for vitality.
The probiotics aid digestion, and the dog food is free of preservatives, artificial coloring, flavors, etc. Kibble is a complete diet for all large dogs.
This dog food is above-average when assessed by the ingredients used to make it.
Let us go over the macronutrients.
This dog food contains:
- 41% of protein, which is above-average
- 22% of fat, which is above-average
- 29%of carbohydrates, which is below-average
This dog food also has an abundant amount of meat in it, which is a good thing for large breeds.
Following are the pros and the cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for vitality
● Provides a balanced diet ● Probiotics in the food aid the process of digestion |
● Can be inconsistent
● May lead to bloating |
Final Words: Top 10 Dog Food Brands for Large Dogs
The ‘large dog breed category is divided into three categories: medium-large, large, and giant breeds. While so many dog food manufacturers stick to this, others don’t. It would be best to figure out your dog’s optimal daily caloric intake by consulting a vet and feeding it accordingly. This differs from dog to dog—so, so it may not necessarily be the same for adding dogs in one breed.
What you also need to know is that calories from treats also count!
Never give your dog too many treats as they account for weight gain—don’t give into t don’tpuppy-dog eyes! I recommend you consult your vet before making any tweaks or changes to your dog’s diet, as the dog shows what’s best for your friend.
Did you find the right dog food for your large dog? Let me know which was the right fit for your furry friend in the comments section…
Still have any questions? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll get back to I’llas soon as possible.
