6 Key Tips for Feeding a Large-Breed Puppy

Key points:

• Large-breed puppies (those who are expected to be around 70 pounds or more at full size) take longer to grow than others.
• Puppies need specific nutrients, so not every food is good for them. All recipes from The Farmer’s Dog are formulated by board-certified nutritionists to be complete and balanced for puppies—including large-breed puppies.
• Large- and small-breed puppies grow at different paces, and it’s crucial to feed them the right portions on the right schedule to help prevent orthopedic diseases and obesity.
• Because it’s pre-portioned according to each dog’s needs, The Farmer’s Dog makes it easy to keep your large-breed puppy in ideal body condition as they grow—and lean dogs can live up to 2.5 years longer than those who are overweight.

Proper nutrition is one of the most important parts of helping a large-breed puppy grow into a happy, healthy adult dog. Feeding these pups right is a big job, but it can be easy if you follow a few simple tips. Here are the essentials.

1. Know whether you really have a large-breed puppy

A large-breed puppy is one who is expected to be at least 70 pounds when they reach their full size (keep in mind that this weight range is approximate, and some sources may give you a slightly different figure). Knowing whether you have a large-breed puppy is important, because pups from those breeds need to stay on a food suitable for puppies longer—at least until they reach skeletal maturity. And, with The Farmer’s Dog, you can leave your large-breed dog on that same food throughout their life—even through their senior years.
Large-breed dogs typically take a longer time to grow than others. Medium-large dogs can take about a year to a year-and-a-half to reach adulthood, and giant breeds like Great Danes may not stop growing until they’re two years old. This growth must take place at a healthy rate—growing too fast can cause orthopedic diseases and obesity. 

2. Feed your large-breed puppy food that’s complete and balanced for their needs

You can’t feed a puppy just any food—it needs to be formulated to meet their specific dietary requirements. Our recipes are formulated by board-certified nutritionists to be complete and balanced for growing puppies, including large-breed puppies.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which sets guidelines for pet food, has requirements for which nutrients—and how much of them—need to be in foods for “adult maintenance” and “growth and reproduction” (the category that includes puppies). The Farmer’s Dog meets all of these guidelines. In particular, our food has the right amount and proportions of calcium and phosphorus to support the healthy growth of large-breed puppies.

Every recipe from The Farmer’s Dog meets the same nutritional requirements that puppy foods do—nothing is missing. This means you can feel secure that your puppy will get all the nutrients they need when they eat it. Our fresh, gently cooked food is also clinically proven to be highly digestible (dogs can easily absorb its nutrients). This gives your pup a healthy start and helps nourish them throughout their lives.

3. Feed them on a schedule

Puppies do not practice portion control, so free-feeding or ad-lib feeding is not advisable. Free-feeding can also make it hard to know when your puppy isn’t feeling well and skips a meal, which can be an early sign of illness. Stick to the daily portions recommended in your plan (in consultation with your vet), and divide those into at least two meals throughout the day.

As a general rule, the younger the puppy the more frequently they should be fed. From six to eight weeks old, puppies should be fed at least four times a day. From eight weeks until six months, it’s usually recommended that they be fed three to four times per day. After that, you can switch them to a twice-daily feeding schedule if you’d like. You may switch large-breed puppies to two meals per day sooner—and some adult dogs do well on one meal per day. If your dog is active, or is always clamoring for food between meals, you can consider switching back to feeding their allotted food in 3 or 4 smaller daily meals. Every dog is different, so talk to your vet about what meal frequency makes the most sense for your pup.

4. Feed them the right amount

Because it’s pre-portioned according to each dog’s needs, The Farmer’s Dog makes it easy to keep your puppy in ideal body condition as they grow—and lean dogs can live up to 2.5 years longer than those who are overweight.

Large- and small-breed puppies grow at different paces, and it’s crucial to feed them the right portions on the right schedule to help prevent orthopedic diseases and obesity. Vets usually recommend that large-breed dogs stay on the leaner side—a 4 on the 1 to 9 body-condition scale—to prevent unnecessary strain on their bones and joints as they grow.

During puppyhood, when your dog’s bones, brain, and other organs are developing, feeding fresh, balanced food in the right portions is the best way to give them a healthy start. Puppies thrive when they get the ideal mix of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Too much or too little of certain nutrients—like calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D—can cause health issues. And research shows that DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), a type of omega-3 fatty acid, can improve puppies’ memory and learning. Our fresh food contains human-grade salmon oil to provide this important nutrient.
 

And, though your large-breed puppy needs vitamins and minerals to get big and strong, don’t give in to the temptation to add supplements. Their complete and balanced food has everything they require to grow—and, as mentioned earlier, giving them too much of certain nutrients can cause serious health issues.

5. Remember that extras count

Puppies can eat some treats starting at six weeks old—but extras should make up no more than 10% of any dog’s total caloric intake. Otherwise, you risk nutritional imbalances and unwanted weight gain. So, even though treats are a vital part of training and building a bond with your pup, keep track of how many you’re doling out. If you need more treats than you’ve budgeted, you can consider allocating some of your dog’s regular, complete and balanced food to use in training.

6. Talk to your vet

Your veterinarian is the most qualified person to evaluate your puppy’s health and make recommendations about their specific dietary needs. So if you have any questions or concerns, talk to them and bring your pup in for an exam. 

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