Best Large & Giant Breed Puppy Food Recommendations

I hate to joke about something so important so let's not kid ourselves, what you feed your large or giant breed puppy is crucial. Being involved with giant breeds for over a decade, I've witnessed first hand the dastardly health issues caused by improper nutrition in large & giant breed dogs. Hopefully, via the text on this page and best large and giant breed puppy food formulas we recommend, you'll never experience such problems.

TIP: Additional dry dog food related articles on our Feeding Dry Dog Food section offer a wealth on information about kibble.

How can nutrition affect growth of a large breed dog one may ask? What first comes to mind are developmental orthopedic diseases (DOD). Albeit more common to giant breeds, large breeds are not immune so playing it safe with large breeds is also your best bet. Conditions like HOD (Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy), Pano (Panosteoitis), OCD (Osteochondritis Dissecans), bowed or deformed front legs, knuckling over and swollen carpals. In addition, proper nutrition can reduce or delay the onset of diseases such as wobblers syndrome or hip displasia, even in breeds that are prone to such maladies.

Bottom line is an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to growing large and giant breed puppies. To achieve the most healthful outlook for our BIG dogs, the best large and giant breed puppy food should be selected to provide regulated nutrition. We've hand picked the best of the best, in our opinion, for nourishing and growing large and giant breed dogs.

All foods listed contain quality ingredients, correct protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus ratio, plus additional nutrients in the proper amounts and ratios to provide slow steady growth for large & giant breeds.

BEST LARGE AND GIANT BREED PUPPY FOOD SELECTION CRITERIA

• Only quality ingredients, see our Ingredient Analysis Page for more info.
• Moderate calorie content, 350 to 400 calories (Kcal) per cup.
• Main protein from a named meat source.
• A secondary named meat protein source.
• Ideal protein content between 23% & 29%.

TIP: Don't be surprised to see "ADULT" formulas as some of our picks. While there are "LARGE BREED PUPPY" formulas now on the market, many "ALL LIFE STAGES" formulas have correct nutritional make up for our large breed puppies.

• Ideal fat content ranging between 12% to 18%.
• All important calcium levels best for large breeds, between 1% to 1.3%.
• Phosphorus levels from 0.8% to 1.3% and calcium to phosphorus ratio between 1:1 and 1.4:1.
• Carbohydrates typical (for grain inclusive formulas) about 45%.
• Essential fatty acids (EFA's), digestive enzymes, probiotics & trace minerals.

Best Large and Giant Breed Puppy Food - Grain Based Formulas

Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy with 26% protein from Duck & Chicken, 14% fat, 1.08% calcium, 1.02% phosphorus, C:P ratio 1.06:1. Contains EFA's Omega 3 & 6, vitamins A,D,E,B12, minerals & taurine, 389kcal per cup.

Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy Duck & Chicken Additional Info

Wellness Complete Health LBP is 29% protein from Chicken & Salmon, 13% fat, 1.3% calcium, 1% phosphorus, C:P ratio 1.3:1. Contains EFA's Omega 3 amp; 6, vitamin E, beta carotene, minerals & taurine, 367kcal per cup.

Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy More Info

Holistic Select L & GB Puppy provides 23% protein from Lamb, Chicken & Fish, 12% fat, 1.10% calcium, .8% phosphorus, C:P ratio 1.375:1. Contains EFA's Omega 3 amp; 6, DHA's, vitamins & enzymes, 375kcal per cup.

Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Info

Horizon Complete LBP is decent with 28% protein from Chicken as only primary source (We prefer two). Formulated with 12% fat content, 1.1% calcium, .9% phosphorus, C:P ratio 1.22:1. Contains Omega 3 & 6 EFA's, Glucosamine & Chondroitin. 373kcal per cup.

Horizon Complete Large Breed Puppy Formula Additional Info

Castor and Pollux Organix Large Breed Adult (Good for puppies!). Only 1 primary protein from Free Range Chicken @ 27% (We prefer two). Formula has 14% fat, 1% calcium, .8% phosphorus, C:P ratio 1.25:1. Contains EFA's, vitamins plus Glucosamine & Chondroitin. 394kcal per cup.

Castor and Pollux Organix Large Breed Recipe More Info

Blue Life Protection Large Breed Puppy provides 28% protein from Deboned Chicken & Mehaden Fish Meal, 14% fat, 1.10% calcium, .8% phosphorus, C:P ration 1.375:1. Contains Omegas 3 amp; 6, DHA's, vitamins, amino acids, anti oxidants and digestive enzymes, 396kcal per cup.

Blue LP Chicken & Brown Rice Large Breed Puppy Info

Life's Abundance Large Breed Puppy Food provides 25% protein from Chicken and Eggs. Formulated with 14% fat content, 1% calcium, .8% phosphorus, C:P ratio 1.25:1. Contains Omega 3 & 6 EFA's, vitamins, DHA, EPA, Taurine & viable microorganisms. 407kcal per cup.

Life's Abundance Large Breed Puppy Formula More Info

Precise Holistic Complete Large Breed Puppy. Protein level of 23% from Chicken & Salmon. Formulated with 12% fat, 1.31% calcium, .98% phosphorus, C:P ratio 1.33:1. Contains Omega 3 &6 EFA's, vitamins, probiotics plus Glucosamine & Chondroitin. 400kcal per cup.

Precise Holistic Complete Large Breed Puppy Additional Info

Nutri Source LBP formula is decent but a bit higher in grains. Protein from Chicken & Turkey is stated @ 26% and fat @ 14%. Min Calcium is 1.2% and phosphorus 1%, C:P ratio 1.2:1. Mix contains EFA's Omega 3 amp; 6, DHA's, vitamins, and viable microorganisms. 400kcal per cup.

Nutri Source Large Breed Puppy Formula More Info

Best Large and Giant Breed Puppy Food - Grain Free

Caveat: Grain free formulas contain about half the carbohydrates but are higher in protein. Be cautious with young puppies as certain dogs with immature digestive systems can be sensitive to calorie dense, high protein foods and suffer gastrointestinal issues.

Orijen Puppy Large formula is a gold standard kibble dog food and expensive. Packed with multiple poultry & fish proteins, plus organ meats, this blend has 38% protein, 16% fat, 1.1% calcium, .9% phosphorus, C:P ratio 1.25:1. High 429kcal per cup, see caveat above.

Orijen Puppy Large Grain Free Kibble Additional Info

Blue Wilderness Large Breed Puppy contains 35% protein from Chicken & Turkey, 14% fat, 1.2% calcium, .9% phosphorus, C:P ratio 1.33:1. Slightly higher carbohydrates but provided by sweet potato, not grains, contains EFA's. Moderate 409kcal per cup but see caveat above.

Blue Wilderness Large Breed Formula Additional Info

Eartborn Holistic Meadow Feast is all-life-stages grain free that's good for L & GB puppies. Contains single source Lamb protein @ 26% which works well for dogs with sensitive digestive systems. Calcium level is 1.2% & phosphorus 1%, C:P ratio 1.2:1. 400kcal per cup.

Earthborn Holistic All Life Stages Grain Free More Info

Dry Dog Food Alternative

Believe it or not, a raw dog diet works awesome for feeding large & giant breed puppies! There are misconceptions about raw that nutrients like protein and calcium are way too high. To learn more about this wonderful way to nourish your large or giant breed puppy, take a look at our Raw Feeding Dogs section and related "raw feeding puppies" article.

Don't forget, go easy on activity, exercise and rough play when growing your pup. Ironically, our baby large breed dogs are fragile while growing as they're prone to injury leaving damage that can affect their lives as adults. Physical care, what we feed and yes, genetics, are the three most confirmed factors affecting the health giant breed dogs. Hopefully the tips provided here, plus our best large and giant breed puppy food recommendations offer leaps and bounds towards a lifetime of health for your new number one pal!