Large dog breeds are known to be the most loving and loyal. Compared to other dogs, large breeds require more in terms of living space, food, grooming and much more. As a dog parent, you will have to consider several factors as age, size, breed and health issues before giving your pup a meal. In whichever case, an ideal dog’s meal has to be complete and balanced. On this post we want to explore the best senior dog food for large breed that you should consider buying for your dog.
When feeding this breed of dogs for example, special considerations need to be put in mind. Avoid feeding your large breed friend on human food as it is often too rich and seasoned and can cause digestive tract uneasiness or even pancreatitis which can be fatal. These dog breeds are more prone to joint and bone problems hence the best food for them has to have the right balance of nutrients that strengthen and protect bones, joints and muscles.
If you adopted or you just happen to be a new large dog breed parent, it is important to visit a vet to determine whether your dog has any allergies before feeding them. It is also helps to observe the reaction your dog has towards a specific type of food before buying it in bulk. Buying your dog’s food in bulk ensures that you always have enough to make a meal for your four-legged friend. It could also mean that your dog already accepts the food and knows exactly what to look forward to at every meal.
Best 10 Senior Dog Food Large Breed
There is no knowing what the best dog food is due to the many brands in the market. Some marketing strategies might even be used to convince you that a specific product is meant for large breed when in reality it does not contain the necessary nutrients required by this kind of dogs.
However, we came up with the list below after a research for the best 10 senior dog food for large breeds, considering all nutritional value and amazon reviews.
#1) Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural dog food provides you with a delightful taste and a natural combo for your dog’s dish. The package is made up of small, easy-to-eat, crunchy bites and tender morsels to give your dog a delicious taste. Real beef, which is the number one ingredient lets you feel good about the quality of food you serve to your furry friend. This dog food is a skin and coat formula that is highly digestible and provides easily absorbable nutrients. The food includes zero fillers to allow each and every high-quality ingredient incorporated to swerve the purpose.
Each serving of Purina ONE is packed with protein to promote strong muscles and a healthy heart and natural sources of glucosamine to promote good health of your dog’s joints.
Features
- Comes in a bag of 8 pounds
- It is made of real beef
- It provides a natural sources of Glucosamine for promotion of healthy joints
- Consists of an Antioxidant blend to support the development of a healthy and strong immune system
- Calorie content (FED): 4046 kcal/kg, 388 kcal/cup
- Omega-6 Fatty acids present in the food help support healthy skin and coat
Pros
- Highly digestible
- The small pieces are easy to chew with a great taste and crunchiness that keeps the dog excited and coming back for more
Bottom line– the blend of beef protein and vitamins E&D promote for a strong and healthy immune system that helps with fighting diseases.
#2) Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded Blend with Probiotics Adult Dry Dog Food
This Purina Pro Plan SAVOR contains real chicken main ingredient. Rice, which is an excellent source of carbohydrates is added to provide energy thus creating a wholesome meal with great flavor. The hard, kibble and tender shredded pieces provide a texture that keeps your pet engaged. This formula will leave your dog satisfied with 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for maximum growth and good health.
Each serving of this Purina Pro Plan contains high levels of protein and fat to help your dog maintain an ideal body condition. It contains vitamin A and linoleic acid, an omega 6 fatty acid, to promote healthy skin and coat to keep him/her looking great. It is rich in guaranteed live probiotics and natural prebiotic fibers that help with the digestive health and antioxidants to support your dog’s immune health.
Features
- The food is made with high quality protein such as real chicken as the number 1 ingredient
- Also contains real beef, lamb, turkey or salmon
- 100% complete and balanced nutrition
- Fortified with guaranteed live probiotics to support digestive and immune health
- Natural Prebiotic Fiber
- It has crunchy kibble and tender meaty pieces that create a delightful texture that is exciting to your dog
- Age range description: adult
- Flavor: chicken and rice
- Weight: 18.5 pounds/ bag
- Vitamin A and linoleic acid (an omega 6 fatty acid) promote good skin and coat
Bottom line– Real chicken is used as a number 1 ingredient for maximum protein supply. This formula offers rice carbohydrates which are essential energy providers.
#3) Amazon Brand – Wag Dry Dog Food, 35% Protein, No Added Grains
Wag dry dog food is made with real Australian lamp as the main ingredient, to provide enough proteins that help in keeping your dog actively growing and healthy. It is formulated with healthy proteins and fats with no added grains.
This dog food also consists of nutritious vegetables such as lentils and peas that provide additional vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Each serving contains 35% protein to keep your furry friend energized, active and strong.
Salmon oil and flaxseed are used to provide omega-3 fatty acids like long-chain DHA. This high quality ingredients are all blended in the USA and each batch tested to ensure it meets the required high quality standards.
Features
- High quality ingredients
- Real meat is used in this formula to provide your dog with essential proteins
- Wag dry dog food contains no added artificial colors, flavors or chemical preservatives neither does it contain added grain, corn or wheat.
- Made in California, USA
- A trial-size bag allows your dog to try the food without bulk buying. You can later buy a full- size bag.
- Satisfaction Guarantee: up to 1 year return allowed if the product is not satisfactory for you
Bottom line: it is important to give your dog time for gradual transitioning from one meal to another to avoid dietary upsets. You can allow around 7-10 days for your dog to transition from their current food.
#4) Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Dog Food
Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Dog Food is manufactured with simple ingredients such as real US all-natural beef, which is the number one ingredient. This high quality protein provides essential nutrients necessary for maintaining healthy organs and lean muscles. It also combines wholesome brown rice which is a carbohydrate and vitamin B source and other additional vitamins and minerals.
Features
- Flavor: Beef pea and brown rice
- 1 bag of dry food weighs 40.71 pounds
- No poultry product, wheat or wheat gluten ingredients are used
- No added artificial flavors or artificial preservatives
- Natural prebiotics help support healthy digestion
- Added minerals and vitamins
- Made in USA
Pros
It is made with delicious, wholesome ingredients that are highly beneficial to your dog
A portion of proceeds go to the Rachael Ray Foundation that helps animals in need
It comes in various sizes, up to 40 pounds/bag
Cons
The hard kibble may need to be mixed with water for older dogs to chew with ease
Bottom line– just like human food, Rachael Ray specially prepare this dry dog food considering all nutritional requirements. The simple ingredients used provide a balanced nutrient value for your dog’s benefit.
#5) Diamond Naturals Dry Food for Adult Dog, Beef and Rice Formula, 40 Pound Bag
Diamond pet foods are specially formulated with the highest quality ingredients to keep your dog active and healthy. The levels of protein, fat and other essential nutrients are carefully determined and balanced in the pet formula so as to support the ideal body condition. The formula consists of antioxidants and fiber that maintain good digestive and immune system health.
This Diamond dog formula is enhanced 80 million colony forming units (CFU) of K9 Strain probiotics per pound. This is a beneficial bacteria which aids maintain healthy digestion and immune systems of your dog.
Features
- Proprietary Probiotic Technology
- Contains levels of vitamin E and selenium.
- Enriched with super foods that are particularly high in nutritional value e.g. kale, chia seed and pumpkin
- Digestive Support
- The formula contains powerful antioxidants and phytonutrients from superfoods such as blueberries, oranges, spinach and carrots which help support the immune system and a healthy lifestyle
- Contains Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is important for brain and vision development
- It has insoluble fiber for hairball control
- Guaranteed levels of Glucosamine and Chondronitin for healthy joints
Bottom line– Diamond Naturals dry food is formulated to provide the best nutritional value to your old dog.
#6) IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Minichunks Dry Dog Food, Chicken
IAMS PROACTIVE Health Minichunks Dog Food is made with real ingredients and is veterinarian recommended. Real chicken meat is the number one ingredient accompanied by wholesome grains and veggies. These quality ingredients are easily digestible to help improve your dog’s immune system, healthy skin, coat, metabolism as well as strong bones. The formula is made in form of crunchy kibbles that scrub your dog’s teeth with every bite and help in reducing plaque and bad breath.
IAMS dog food contains high quality animal protein with no artificial preservatives, fillers or flavors. These high-quality, premium dog food is made in the USA with the world’s finest ingredients for a wholesome meal that promotes good health and nutrition for your pup.
Features
- First ingredient is real, farm-raised chicken
- Strong proteins help with development of strong muscles
- 100% Complete and balanced nutrition
- Promotes healthy digestion with a tailored blend of wholesome fibers and prebiotics
- Quality protein from real chicken helps build strong muscles
- Supports a strong immune system with antioxidants
- Veterinarian recommended
Bottom line– IAMS helps bring out your dog’s better self no matter the age. The formula provides a perfect fit for their specific needs.
#7) Diamond Naturals Premium Large Breed Formulas Dry Dog Food
Diamond Naturals Premium Large Dog Food is made with quality ingredients that offer complete and balanced nutrition for your dog. The formula is made with real pasture raised lamb intended for large breed dogs with amino acids for strong lean muscles. It is improved with superfoods and probiotics for maximum digestion and nutrition support. The formula lacks corn, wheat, filler, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
Diamond Naturals food contains superfoods; unique foods that are high in nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and proteins. Superfoods include kale, chia seed, pumpkin and blueberries. This formula is made with K9 Strain probiotics which is a beneficial bacteria that helps with digestive and immune systems and also helps keep the dog active.
Features
- Pasture-raised lamb protein, seed and quinoa provide proteins and energy
- Contains super foods
- Proprietary probiotics technology
- Made with scientifically advanced food safety protocols
- Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat
- High level of glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
- Nutrient rich and highly digestible
- Proper nutrient levels ideal for large breeds
- MADE in the USA
Pros
- Affordable
- All natural and true ingredients
- Great on your dog’s skin and coat growth
Cons
The package is large hence might not be suitable for trial
Bottom line– made with true lamb protein and proper fat levels that provide the essential nutrients needed to maintain a large breed dog body while maintaining good body condition.
#8) Taste of the Wild High Protein Real Meat Recipe Dry Dog Food
This protein recipe is grain-free but has sweet potatoes and peas for highly digestible energy for your active dog. It is made with real roasted meat and supplemented with vegetables and fruits to deliver antioxidants for your dog’s healthy lifestyle. This food contains dried chicory root that is high in prebiotic fiber that favors beneficial probiotic bacteria in the digestive system. Roasted bison and venison provide your dog with highly digestible proteins that have a roasted flavor.
K9 Strain Probiotics that are developed specifically for large dogs are added in to this formula after the cooking process to ensure viability. The formula also features high levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and shiny coat.
Features
- Gluten Free
- Real lamb meat is the number 1 ingredient
- Optimal amino acid profile and protein rich for strong muscles
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Superfoods such as fruits and vegetables are added for antioxidants
- Highly digestible
- Calorie content: 3,719 kcal/kg (370 kcal/cup)
- Made in USA
Bottom line– this protein-rich formula is made using trusted ingredients from sustainable sources all over the world. It contains no grain, corn, wheat or preservatives making them ideally healthy for senior dogs.
#9) Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Dog Food
Grain Free dog food offers a nutrient-rich and delicious sermon as the number one ingredient. It is made with nutrient-high carbohydrate sources such as sweet potato and pumpkin to create a flavorful dry food for your dog. Sweet potatoes and pumpkin ingredients create a grain-free, easy-to-digest dog food that doesn’t get in the way of all that delicious salmon.
This formula offers dietary fiber provided by sweet potatoes for healthy digestion as well as omega fatty acids in salmon for great brain and muscle development of your dog. Every ingredient is well chosen for the benefit of your four-legged friend.
Features
- Salmon is the 1st ingredient.
- Grain-free recipe
- No corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-product, or artificial flavors and preservatives
- Added vitamins, minerals and nutrients
- Healthy and easy-to-digest
- Weight: 24 Pounds
- Nutrient-dense carbohydrate sources are easy-to-digest energy sources to help your dog stay active and healthy.
Bottom line– this 24-pound bag contains a variety of essential nutrients and minerals that help provide specific nutritional or functional benefits.
#10) Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Large Breed Dog Food
BLUE Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Dog Food consists of glucosamine and chondroitin to help support joint health.it contains no extra calories so as to help dogs achieve and maintain a healthy weight. This dry food is a premium-quality pet product made with real meat and wholesome brown rice. This ingredients provide your senior dog with enough energy to stay active. It has added fruits and vegetables and has a calorie Content of 3,516 Kcals/kg.
Features
- Protein and carbohydrates: it is made with real meat and rice
- Low calories allow your dog to maintain a healthy weight
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin that maintain healthy hips, joints and aid in mobility
- Carefully selected antioxidants, vitamins and minerals build the immune system health and maintain a healthy oxidative balance.
- No poultry by-product, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.
Bottom line– Real easy-to-chew meat is the first ingredient to offer your dog with the protein he needs to help maintain healthy muscles. It is supplemented by sweet potato and pumpkin for maximum energy provision.
Conclusion
Take care of your senior large breed dog with quality and healthy food. We understand that choosing the best food may be difficult especially with the many types available in the market. Feel free to try out one of the senior dog foods mentioned above for your dog.
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Dr. Candy, a holistic veterinarian and certified raw dog food nutrition specialist, graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2009 with a DVM and has since specialized in companion animal nutrition, advocating for species-specific diets. With a background in wildlife rehabilitation and oil spill response, she combines holistic health and conventional medicine in her unique approach to treating chronic diseases, allergies, and autoimmune conditions in pets. As the owner of a veterinary practice in Colorado and an author, Dr. Candy is dedicated to educating pet parents and improving the health and happiness of animals.
