How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Great Dane Puppies
Great Dane puppies are adorable balls of goofy energy. Comical by nature, this sweet-tempered breed has a zest for life and is a loving and affectionate family companion. To set the Great Dane puppy up for success, it is vital that this pup be fed a high-quality puppy food that is designed to meet the needs of large breed puppies.
Care must be taken to feed the Great Dane puppy a diet that supports the correct rate of growth. Too rapid a growth can negatively impact the dog’s adult structure permanently. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus is vitally important to ensure proper growth. The best dog food for the Great Dane puppy will be one formulated especially for giant breed puppies to meet these, and other requirements for healthy growth and development.
Any large or giant breed puppy food suited to the needs of the Great Dane puppy should contain 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat at a minimum.
Great Dane puppies can be plagued by a number of health problems that can be related to eating and/or their weight. These include hip dysplasia, arthritis, obesity, heart issues, and bloat. To prevent the development of any of these conditions, care should be taken to feed the dog in the correct amounts and to discourage eating too much food or too rapidly.
Feeding Great Dane Puppies
A puppy’s level of activity will help its owner to determine how much food is suitable for that particular Great Dane pup. Highly active dogs should eat more calories and those that are less active fewer. In general, the pup’s appetite and weight will serve as a helpful guide.
However, owners must take great care to ensure they do not overfeed their Great Dane puppy. Too much food can lead to obesity or even too rapid a growth rate. As a basic guideline, the food selected will provide recommended serving sizes which can be used as a helpful starting point. Further nutritional information can be obtained from your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.
To prevent hunger from occurring, feed the pup 3-4 meals of the best food for Great Dane puppies throughout the day.
Large breed dogs like the Great Dane do take longer to reach full maturity. Though the Great Dane pup will not become an adult until almost three years of age, this breed should be transitioned to adult food by the time the dog reaches mature body weight.
Dietary Requirements for Great Dane Puppy Foods
Great Dane puppies thrive on a diet whose foundation is meat-based. Whole proteins are best; however, meat meals are also an excellent source of quality protein.
Great Dane puppies can eat grain-free or grain-inclusive formulations with no ill effects. The ideal diet for a Great Dane pup includes carbohydrates that are rich in fiber and easy to digest; whether they are derived from fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. This emphasis on ease of digestibility is an important component of the best dog foods for Great Dane puppies.
Healthy fats are an important part of a diet for the Great Dane puppy. It is from these oils that the pup maintains consistent energy levels and develops healthy skin and coat. These fats are best obtained from animal sources such as chicken fat or oily fish like mackerel, herring, salmon, or anchovies.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Great Dane Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a Great Dane puppy:
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Whole proteins heading up the ingredients list
The main ingredient in any diet suited to the needs of the Great Dane puppy should be an animal-based protein. Whole meats are the ideal choice, but meat meals are also acceptable.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
All foods can benefit from the addition of probiotics and supplements. The most important ones to look for in a food for the Great Dane puppy are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, chondroitin, and DHA.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Great Dane puppy should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.