5 Best Dog Foods For Weimaraners

How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Weimaraners

The distinctive Weimaraner is a dog of great elegance and sophistication. A dog breed sometimes referred to as the “grey ghost,” the Weimaraner traces its roots to Germany where its primary role was serving alongside its owner on hunts for animals such as deer, boar, and bear. Over time, as those animals became more difficult to locate, the breed was further developed to hunt birds and other small creatures.

Today, the Weimaraner is considered to be a gun dog and is highly prized by hunters seeking canine companions for field work. A dog with swift movement and high intelligence and versatility, the Weimaraner is in high demand as both a working dog and a family companion.

The Weimaraner is considered to be a large breed dog. This dog type is very energetic and requires daily exercise to remain physically and mentally well. For this reason, they are best suited to active families and are not prone to becoming overweight.

Loving and affectionate, the Weimaraner makes for an excellent family friend. They can be very gentle and friendly with children, but this breed does possess high prey drive, meaning they are not always the best fit in a multi-pet home.

Weimaraners follow a longer growth trajectory, reaching full maturity at slightly over two years of age. Because of this, this breed should be transitioned to the best dog food for adult Weimaraners after the dog reaches one year of age or 75 percent of its adult size. The ideal food for the Weimaraner contains a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.

Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Weimaraners

The Weimaraner is a large breed dog with very high activity requirements. To fuel this dog to maintain performance, it is essential to feed only the best dog food for Weimaraners. Determining how much of this food to give per meal can be challenging. The suggested serving sizes on the bag are an excellent place to start with adjustments made until the correct portion is found.

Since the Weimaraner can be predisposed to bloat, it is very important to feed a food designed specifically for large breeds if possible. These types of food contain large pieces of kibble that encourage chewing and prevent the dog from eating too rapidly, one of the factors believed to contribute to the development of bloat.

Free feeding is strongly discouraged though the Weimaraner is not a breed that is known for gaining weight easily. In fact, it can be difficult to keep weight on this exceedingly active dog.

Dietary Requirements for Weimaraner Dog Foods

The Weimaraner is a breed with energy to spare. To help keep this dog well-fed and primed for performance, it is a good idea to select a premium quality food that is well-balanced and derived from the finest ingredients available. The best dog foods for Weimaraners include a meat-based protein as the basis for the diet.

Whole meats are the preferred protein option. Meat meals also offer a concentrated source of protein and are desirable in a diet for the active Weimaraner. Plant-based proteins such as corn, wheat, and soy are common allergens for many dogs. In addition to this, they can be difficult for the Weimaraner to process and utilize effectively. These foods should be avoided.

Chemicals, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives add no nutritional benefit for a dog. Foods containing these items are best left on the shelf.

The Weimaraner is not known to suffer from allergies or skin problems. As a result, this dog can eat a diet that is grain-inclusive or grain-free with no ill effects. The main priority of any carbohydrate included in a food for the Weimaraner, whether it is a whole grain, fruit, or vegetable, is that it be easy to digest and rich in antioxidants.

No diet is complete without the inclusion of healthy fats. Healthy fats fuel energy and provide support for coat and skin health. These are best obtained from animal sources such as chicken fat or oily fish but can also be found in plant-based oils such as canola or safflower.

It is always a good idea to select a food that also includes supplements in its formulation. The most desirable supplements to look for in a food for the Weimaraner include glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.

Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Weimaraners

Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a Weimaraner:

• Meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list

Dogs are carnivores, and thus, do best on a diet that includes meat. Look for a food that takes a meat-based protein as its main ingredient. Whole meats are preferred, but meat meals are also excellent.

Plant-based proteins and by-products should be carefully avoided. 

• Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients

Chemicals, fillers, artificial flavorings and colorings, and mystery ingredients provide no nutritional benefit to the Weimaraner. Any food that contains one or more of these items is not appropriate for this large and active breed.  

• Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements

The best dog foods for Weimaraners also include supplements in their formulations. The most beneficial supplements to look for are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics. 

• Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food

All foods appropriate for the Weimaraner should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.