How to Compare Large Breed Dog Food

Dogs need quality nutrition to maintain good health. Large dogs have special needs due to their heavier weights and faster growth cycles. Choosing the right dog food can help to contribute to an active, healthy and long life for your large breed dog. Although quality food costs more, this will likely balance out, due to your dog needing less frequent trips to your veterinarian.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog food ingredient lists
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Consult with your veterinarian about the best food for your large breed dog. Ask about the dog's nutrition requirements, determined by his age, activity level and breed. Request the names of several different brands to compare.

    • 2

      Determine if your dog has any allergies or special health concerns that will need to be considered when you compare the large breed dog foods. Dogs with allergies may be affected by wheat or soy in their food.

    • 3

      Visit your local pet products store. Health food stores are also a good place to shop for quality dog foods.

    • 4

      Check the labels for protein content. Large breed dogs need a food high in quality protein. Make sure the protein source is listed at the top of the ingredient list. These can include chicken, lamb, turkey, salmon and beef.

    • 5

      Scan the ingredient list to see if there are grains and corn listed. If they are included, they should be far down on the list. Often these ingredients are added as a filler. They pass through the dog's system quickly, causing frequent loose stools and offering little nutrition.

    • 6

      Look at the added ingredients. Many quality foods contain added vitamins and minerals to ensure that the dog is receiving balanced nutrition. Fish oils are added to maintain skin health and as an antioxidant. L-Carnitine is added for lean muscle development.

    • 7

      Establish that the ingredients in your dog's food are certified to be human grade. Cheaper dog foods will often use ingredients that are by-products and poorly sourced. Items found in poor quality foods can include: cellulose filler, corn cobs and carcasses of diseased or euthanized animals.

    • 8

      Look for glucosamine and chondroitin in the food. These supplements are added to the food to aid in joint health. Larger dogs are particularly susceptible to joint problems due to their heavier weight.

    • 9

      Determine the fat level in the large breed dog foods. Lower fat levels are desired to fuel the larger dog's energy needs without the added calories. According to Top Dog Foods, too much fat can lead to damage in a large breed puppy's fast growing bones.

    • 10

      Check the source of the ingredients in the dog food. The ingredients should be locally sourced from a manufacturing plant that undergoes regular quality checks for freshness and storage conditions. Ingredients obtained from sources outside the United States are often not inspected or subject to any standards or regulations.