When choosing the best puppy food for your pet, you should consider several different factors before picking the right food. Puppies are in need of more nutrition when they are young and growing, and larger breeds of dogs grow much faster than smaller breeds. The best food for your large breed puppy is one that allows your dog to grow at a healthy speed and provides a balanced and nutritious diet.
How Often Should Puppies Eat?
Until your puppy is about 4 months old, he should be fed two to three times a day. The amount of food you give him will depend on the recommended amounts on the label. When your puppy gets a little older, he should only be fed about two times per day. You should always feed your puppy at the same time every day and put him on a feeding schedule. Make sure there is plenty of water available for your pet as well.
Nutritional Needs of Large Breed Puppies
When it comes to puppy food, not every dog will need the same kind. Every breed of dog is different, and many have different nutritional needs. Puppies of larger breeds have a lower metabolism than small breeds, in general. Large breed puppies will reach their adult size 12 to 24 months of age, while smaller breeds can reach maturity as early as 8 or 9 months. The growth rates of large and small breeds vary greatly, and therefore, they will need entirely different diets.
Large breed puppies do not need as much calcium as a smaller breed. If fed too many calories or too much calcium, a large breed dog can grow too fast and this may cause damage to the bones and joints. Your large breed puppy should be growing at a safe, steady rate, but not too quickly. This makes it extremely important to find the right food for your pet that contains the proper amounts of nutrients, fat, calcium, phosphorus and other essential vitamins.
Food for Large Breeds
Your large breed puppy should be fed a nutritious food that has the following important features:
- Fish oils and vitamins for health reasons
- A controlled amount of calories to ensure a healthy growth rate
- A controlled amount of phosphorus and calcium for skeletal health
- Fiber, as it will help in the development of the digestive system
- Animal-based proteins for muscle, skin, organ and coat growth
- Essential minerals and vitamins for a healthy immune system
The best puppy food for large breeds is a high-quality food. Try to stay away from cheaper brands that use fillers as ingredients, because puppies need the best nutrition they can get when they're growing. Common fillers in dog foods include corn, wheat, gluten, potatoes, grains, starches and rice. Read the ingredients completely before choosing a puppy food for your large breed puppy, to make sure there aren't too many fillers included.