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  • Dietary DCM in Dogs Update

    Dietary DCM in Dogs Update

    We’ve been closely watching and monitoring information and studies in regard to dietary DCM in dogs. DCM is a deadly heart condition that often results in the sudden and unexplained death of otherwise ‘healthy’ looking dogs. This condition is often seen in relation to feeding grain-free or boutique dog kibbles.

    A new DCM dog food study came out this week (December 2022) and the results are unfortunately concerning.

    We are now several studies on nutritional DCM, and every single one has shown this same correlation: certain diets are causing heart disease in dogs.

    If you have a dog and are trying to find the healthiest and safest dog food to feed them, you need to read this update.

    Before we dig into the nitty gritty of this study, I will summarize the results with a quote directly from the abstract:

    “Healthy dogs eating nontraditional diets had lower indices of systolic function and larger left ventricular volumes compared to dogs eating traditional diets. Screening of apparently healthy dogs eating nontraditional diets might allow for early detection of diet-associated DCM.”

    In other words; dogs fed certain diets had alarming changes to their heart muscle. Whether we want to hear it or not, there are dog foods on the market that are causing heart disease in dogs, and you may be feeding one of them!

    The results of this study were published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine and can be viewed HERE.

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    Defining the ‘Non-Traditional’ Dog Food Diet

    To better understand this study, we have to define what a non-traditional dog food diet is.

    “Nontraditional diets were defined as those that contained pulse ingredients as main ingredients”

    Pulse ingredients may include:

    • Peas
    • Garbanzo beans/chickpeas
    • Lentils
    • Potatoes
    • Sweet potatoes
    • Beans

    Here is an example of an ingredient list with a lot of non-traditional ingredients, including lentils, pinto beans, peas, navy beans, and chickpeas.

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    hand putting dog treats on bowl Dietary DCM in dogs update

    Dietary DCM in Dogs Study Details

    For this study, they recruited 46 healthy adult dogs over the age of 3.

    They did not use dogs with a known genetic link to DCM such as Great Danes, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Irish Wolfhounds, Newfoundlands, or Portuguese Water Dogs.

    All 46 dogs chosen were determined to be healthy at the onset of the study. Dogs that were not chosen were excluded for a number of reasons, including existing heart issues and other health conditions. Those receiving medications or taurine supplements were also excluded.

    This means that at the beginning of the study, all 46 dogs had normal, healthy hearts.

    They tried to match breeds between the two groups.

    For example, if a Viszla was in the non-traditional diet group, they tried to place a Viszla in the traditional diet group as well.

    90% of the food that the dogs ate had to be provided by a single dry-extruded food, and the dog’s diets and the ingredients in them were well documented.

    This study shows that many efforts were made to ensure a clean, accurate, fair, and informational result. It’s important to note that there are ethical dilemmas associated with studying something that, based on current knowledge, could potentially harm one of the groups in the study.

    That makes dietary DCM difficult to study, because more and more evidence is showing an alarming correlation (note: likely causation). We also have to take note of the fact that studying something like this takes years! Each study can really only look at one small factor.

    At least 12 studies to date have shown that this is happening; nutritional DCM is real. It is not a scam cooked up by large dog food companies.

    If we are to think logically, feeding dogs diets that are heavy in peas, legumes, pulses, or potatoes isn’t going to be good for them…no matter how we spin it.

    smiling black lady training dog in green park

    DCM Study Results: Changes in Heart Function

    None of us here are veterinarians, but we can all agree that the following statement from the DCM study is alarming:

    “In this study of apparently healthy dogs, those eating nontraditional diets had lower systolic function compared to those eating traditional diets using 2D and 3D echocardiographic measurements of EF, as well as GLS.”

    In other words, 23 dogs who began the study with healthy, normal hearts in the “non-traditional diets” group ended the study with signs that their heart muscle and function had changed for the worse.

    Many Veterinary Cardiologists and veterinarians have been alarmed and concerned about a potential link between certain dog food diets and dilated cardiomyopathy. This study along with many others (which can be seen here) are collectively building a strong and concerning case that not all dog foods are created equal.

    So what makes a diet safe or not safe for your dog? Let’s dig in.

    greyhound dog watching elderly owner reading book

    Non-Traditional Dog Food Examples

    Here are some examples of the kind of non-traditional dog food brands that are similar to or identical to the foods fed in the study. Please note, that these are just a handful of examples in a dog food market with literally thousands of choices.

    This is not to say that these diets below are going to hurt your dog’s heart, but we highly suggest avoiding foods like this until additional information comes out regarding dog food and nutritional DCM.

    Please note that some companies use ingredient splitting to move pulse and non-traditional ingredients lower on the list. A food with peas lower on the list could still actually be very high in peas.

    In general, basing your dog food choice solely on the ingredients list is not the best way to make a decision, however, in this case, the ingredients list will provide valuable information.

    Note how the examples below:

    • May include multiple non-traditional or pulse ingredients, not just one
    • Might have ‘split’ ingredients into multiple forms (peas + pea protein + pea fiber + pea flour + pea starch)
    • May or may not include added taurine. Taurine does NOT prevent nutritional DCM.
    • Often present their food as “high-quality”, “holistic”, “natural”, and “free of fillers and by-products”
    • Are often sold at a premium price point

    NOTE: by intentionally splitting single ingredients into 2 or more parts (peas + pea protein + pea fiber + pea flour) or using multiple different pulse ingredients (lentils, peas, potatoes), food companies can make the recipe appear to be meat-focused.

    Add those ingredients up, however. If you put them all together in a bowl, it’s likely they actually outweigh the meat that was included in the formula.

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    Ingredients in Wellness Core Large Breed Dog Food:

    Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine), Turkey Meal (source of Chondroitin Sulfate), Lentils, Peas, Dried Ground Potatoes, Tomato Pomace, Ground Flaxseed, Pea Fiber, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Chicken Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Spinach, Broccoli, Carrots, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Kale, Choline Chloride, L-Carnitine, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract. This is a naturally preserved product.

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    Ingredients in Blue Buffalo Large Breed Rocky Mountain Recipe

    Deboned Beef, Fish Meal, Peas, Pea Starch, Tapioca Starch, Pea Protein, Beef Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Potatoes, Flaxseed (Source Of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Canola Oil (Source Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Dried Egg Product, Fish Oil (Source Of Epa-Eicosapentaenoic Acid), Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Deboned Lamb, Deboned Venison, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Chicory Root, Dl-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Taurine, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin E Supplement, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, L-Carnitine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vegetable Juice For Color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil Of Rosemary.

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    Ingredients in Blue Buffalo Basics Large Breed

    Deboned Lamb, Potatoes, Pea Starch, Peas, Lamb Meal, Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch, Pea Fiber, Canola Oil (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Potato Starch, Fish Oil (source of EPA-Eicosapentaenoic Acid), Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Choline Chloride, Pumpkin, Dried Chicory Root, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, DL-Methionine, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Salt, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Chondroitin Sulfate, L-Carnitine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable juice for color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Copper Sulfate, L-Lysine, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.

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    Ingredients in Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream

    Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Lentils, Salmon Meal, Smoke-Flavored Salmon, Tomato Pomace, Natural Flavor, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Raspberries, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.

    a person with long wavy hair hugging a dog

    Grain-Free Foods and DCM

    Unfortunately, a large percentage of studies show a correlation between DCM and grain-free foods. This is because many grain-free diets have replaced grains with suspect ingredients such as peas, potatoes, and legumes.

    However, dogs fed grain-inclusive foods are also turning up with nutritional DCM. While it’s more commonly seen in dogs fed grain-free foods, the lack of grains itself is not necessarily to blame.

    This is 100% a formulation issue that is complex and likely has many factors.

    This information can be scary for pet owners who, understandably, aren’t sure how to choose safe and healthy dog food for their pets!

    Here is what we do know:

    • A shiny coat and good stools are nice, but, it’s not an indication that the food is healthy or safe.
    • Many dogs with nutritional DCM show few signs at all until one day, they have a “heart attack” and die. They may even have been ‘healthy’ just moments before their death.
    • Some dogs with nutrition DCM do show signs. We’ve shared the signs of DCM in dogs below.
    • IMPORTANT: adding grains or taurine to a poorly formulated diet does not prevent or treat nutritional DCM.
    • Many common signs of nutritional DCM are easy to write off as ‘aging’ or ‘laziness’.
    • Dogs with nutritional DCM typically have normal taurine levels.

    If you have been feeding a suspect diet, in particular a diet with a lot of pulse ingredients or legumes including peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, garbanzo beans, or lentils, it may be smart to see the veterinarian and request an echocardiogram. We also recommend changing your dogs diet.

    papillon licking face of woman stroking labrador retriever in nature

    What are the Signs of DCM in Dogs?

    DCM is primarily a genetic disorder, and yes, Great Danes are prone to it.

    That makes the nutritional aspect of DCM even more alarming: for dogs with a genetic risk, choosing the wrong diet effectively increases the chance that they may suffer from heart problems.

    While many dogs with DCM (especially secondary DCM, caused by nutrition) will show no signs at all (and may even appear healthy and shiny), many others will show symptoms. These symptoms can be subtle and mistaken for other things.

    Symptoms of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    • Low energy (including being “lazy” or the assumption that it’s normal because they are “getting older”)
    • Poor muscle tone, including a loss of muscle tone or even atrophy
    • Anorexia and weight loss
    • Intolerance to heat or exercise
    • Panting
    • Pale gums
    • Coughing
    • Irregular heart rhythm
    • Weak pulse
    • Distended abdomen
    • Collapse

    As a whole, nutritional DCM is considered “rare”. However it’s important to note that many cases of it are never officially diagnosed and documented. If an otherwise “healthy” dog dies randomly, it is most often considered to be caused by a heart attack.

    These cases are not often included in nutritional DCM statistics. Most people understandably do not pay to have advanced diagnostics done on their deceased pet. Documented, verified cases of nutritional DCM have to meet certain guidelines.

    (To see cases of nutritional DCM being documented in real time, as well as information regarding brands that were being fed at the time of diagnosis, visit the Diet Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy page HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1952593284998859)

    photography of three dogs looking up

    What Dog Foods Do Not Cause DCM?

    Because we don’t entirely yet understand why some foods cause DCM and not others (though, the picture is becoming more clear, as we’ve seen in the recent DCM study), it’s hard to say definitively whether one particular food will cause or not cause DCM.

    There is one common factor that is worth noting, however.

    Dogs being fed well-researched brands that have board-certified Veterinary Nutritionists formulating the diet are not turning up with Nutritional DCM.

    As a matter of fact, time and time again, dogs with nutritional DCM are recovering when they are switched to a properly-formulated grain-inclusive diet.

    Catching the disease early is a key element to treating N-DCM with a diet change.

    What is a properly formulated, grain-inclusive diet?

    It will meet the following guidelines:

    • They will have at least one Board-certified veterinary nutritionist formulating the diets (ideally several of them) and they should be employed by the company – not working as consultants
    • Those companies should also employ qualified staff focused on food science, toxicology, microbiology, and quality control
    • Have a commitment to peer-reviewed science and research, indicating that they are advancing our understanding of veterinary medicine, nutrition, disease, growth, and health; all knowledge that can be applied to nutritional formulations
    • Will do feeding trials, proving formulations and bioavailability in “real life”, not just on paper (which is the bare minimum)
    • Owned facilities, not co-packed
    • Strict quality-control procedures and guidelines
    • Traditional formulation containing meat meal, meat by-product meal, and traditional (well-researched) grains such as rice, oats, or corn

    The primary brands that check all of these boxes include:
    Purina, Hill’s Science Diet, Royal Canin, Eukanuba, and Iam’s.

    If you are unsure if your pet food meets these basic ethical guidelines, send them an email! Be a saavy consumer, watch for signs that they are intentionally misleading you.

    For example:

    • “We have a team of nutrition professionals” (Note the avoidance of the word ‘we employ’, implying that their team is likely made up of consultants who may do nothing more than check a box)
    • “Our food is packed in a USDA facility” (Making a co-packing situation sound good; this company doesn’t own their facilities and has less control over the final product)
    • “We do our research and feeding trials in-house” (This often means that they aren’t willing or able to have their research peer-reviewed and critiqued and thus, anything goes…including the ‘results’)

      You can also check some of the stats on your food brand at the Pet Nutrition Alliance.

    Additionally, here is a great video on how to choose a pet food for your dog:

  • How to Choose the Best Dry Dog Food for a Great Dane

    How to Choose the Best Dry Dog Food for a Great Dane

    When it comes to choosing the best dry dog food for a Great Dane, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

    Not all dog foods are created equal, and some will be better for your pet than others! In this post we will discuss:

    • A list of the best foods for Great Danes, by brand, and handpicked to make your job easy!
    • How to read a dog food ingredients label
    • Deceptive marketing tricks to watch out for
    • What to look for in a Great Dane food
    • How to choose a dog food that is healthy for your pet
    • Information about dog food recalls

    This post does not cover raw, freeze-dried, or air-dried diets. We support balanced fresh feeding, however, that’s not the purpose of the post today.

    Here we will be covering kibble + wet dog food diets, which are the most popular ways to feed a Great Dane!

    The best food for any dog will of course be the one that they do best on.

    Keep in mind that a shiny coat and good stools are only minor indicators of health. A perfectly ‘healthy’ looking dog can suffer from congestive heart failure or other devastating disorders if the nutrition isn’t correct.

    That said, there are some important things to consider when you are on the search to find the best canine nutrition among the thousands of dog food options on the market today. Let’s dig in!

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    What to Look for in a Great Dane Dog Food

    Great Danes are not like other dogs. They are a giant breed with specific nutritional needs. Choosing dog food is even more overwhelming when we throw that aspect into the mix!

    In order to grow and develop properly, Great Danes need a diet that has the correct balance of calcium, phosphorus, and amino acids.

    Many health problems can arise when Great Danes are not offered the right dog food for their needs, especially when they are puppies and growing rapidly. The food you choose must be formulated for the dog’s life stage, which, for giant puppies means large or giant breed puppy food (more on this below!).

    When it comes to choosing the best dry dog food for a Great Dane, look for a food that meets the following criteria:

    Professionally Formulated Dog Food

    This key factor will help eliminate literally thousands of options, making it much easier to choose good dog food!

    Did you know that Fromm, a popular brand, is formulated by a chemical engineer? Victor, another popular brand, is formulated by somebody who has an online certificate in dairy cattle nutrition.

    These people are, unfortunately, not qualified to formulate dry dog food.

    While on paper these foods (and thousands of others like them) meet AAFCO bare minimums, they may be deficient in important amino acids and nutrients over the long term.

    We would never dream of buying baby formula that was created by people who were less than qualified to do so, especially if that food wasn’t also heavily tested and researched before being sold.

    This is an unfortunate reality, though, of many expensive pet foods.

    Your pet’s health is closely related to the quality and formulation of the ingredients in their food!

    This is not an area where you want to cut corners. Keep in mind, however, that a higher price does not necessarily mean higher quality.

    For an adult dog or definitely for a puppy, I recommend choosing dry kibble diets that were formulated by Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists (DACVN), who are also directly employed by the actual brand itself for that purpose.

    Visit the Pet Nutrition Alliance HERE. ➡️

    Look up your brand and see! If they didn’t answer, refused to answer, or the food brand doesn’t directly employ a DACVN / ACVN or Veterinarian with a Master’s Degree in Nutrition, keep looking.

    Pro Tip: Having a ‘team’ does not count. Many times, what a statement like that actually means is that the brand pays an outside firm (consultants) to check boxes. Ask more questions.

    The Pet Nutrition Alliance has asked this question of hundreds of pet food manufacturers.

    Make sure that you verify that the name brand itself (Merrick, GO, or Earthborn, for example) has a qualified person formulating the brand of food, dedicated specifically to that brand, not the parent company.

    For example, Mars employs Veterinary Nutritionists that are dedicated to the Royal Canin brand, but not ones dedicated to the Nutro brand (also owned by Mars Pet care).

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    Meat Meal + Meat By-Product Meal to Reduce Bloat

    Meat meals are a nutrient-dense, high-protein, dehydrated form of organ meats and muscle, skin, and cartilage tissue that has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of bloat. Contrary to popular belief, they are a GOOD thing to see in your pets food!

    Bloat is a deadly condition in Great Danes and other large and giant breed dogs.

    Because meat meals are more likely to contain valuable nutrition such as liver, bone, skin, and cartilage, it makes sense that this ingredient can help keep your Great Dane healthy!

    Don’t be afraid of ‘By-Product Meal’. By-Products, such as liver, kidney, bone, and cartilage are commonly fed as part of a raw diet because they are SO nutritious.

    Animal byproducts are exactly what your dog needs in its diet. Not to mention, using the whole slaughtered animal is the ethical, economical, ecological, and responsible thing to do.

    Fresh ‘human grade’ meat, on the other hand, is roughly 70% water, so after it’s turned into kibble there may not be much meat or nutrition left. The nutritional value of muscle meat is much less than what is found in organ meats!

    Many pet owners have been misled by ‘fresh meat in kibble‘ marketing, and we think it’s time to change the narrative!

    It’s important to always choose dry food where meat meal (such as poultry meal) or meat by-product meal makes up the bulk of the nutrition.

    Grain-Inclusive vs. Grain-Free Diet

    Grain-free diets (kibble) replace grains and often some of the meat protein as well with ingredients such as lentils, peas, garbanzo beans, and potatoes.

    A grain-free kibble is NOT free of carbohydrates!

    While a ‘grain-free diet’ may sound healthier and may lead us to believe it has more meat, the truth is that it may have less meat, which could be devastating for your dog’s health.

    READ HERE for more information on how grain-free food and poorly formulated diets might cause sudden congestive heart failure in dogs.

    When choosing kibble, Great Danes should only be fed a professionally formulated grain-inclusive meat-based diet. Do not feed a grain-free diet to your dog without professional help from a board-certified veterinary canine nutritionist.

    You can find one HERE: https://acvn.org/directory/

    It’s important to note that many common grains used in premium dog food are good for a dog’s digestive system. They provide fiber which is great for reducing bloat risk and firming up stools!

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    Balanced Calcium + Phosphorus Ratios

    This is one of the most important factors to look for on a pet food label for Great Dane adult dogs and puppies, and one that is often overlooked!

    If the Calcium and Phosphorus levels are too high or too far apart from each other, it can cause nutrient imbalances that lead to weakness, tremors, heart palpitations, bone growth disorders (including knuckling, HOD, Pano, or Hip Dysplasia), or bone density issues.

    Studies show that giant breed puppies should NOT be fed excessive calcium. Many veterinary nutritionists (the experts on this topic) recommend keeping calcium at or below 1.2% and at 3.5g or less calcium per 1000kCal, especially for Danes under the age of two.

    This means that VICTOR foods are not safe or healthy to feed, as most formulas (Beef and Rice, Hi Pro, Professional) exceed this recommendation, often dangerously so!

    We recommend finding foods where the calcium and phosphorus are as close to a 1:1 or 1.3:1 ratio as possible, as well.

    Here is a common and acceptable dry matter analysis:

    1.1% calcium

    0.8% phosphorus

    You can also learn more about giant breed nutrition at The Giant Dog Food Project which displays the nutrient levels of over 600 brands and formulas.

    https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nutritional-requirements-of-large-and-giant-breed-puppies

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    Puppy Food vs. Adult Food for Great Dane Puppies

    Many people believe that Great Dane Puppies should never be fed puppy food, as it may cause them to grow too quickly.

    This is a truly odd practice, given the fact that giant breed dogs experience explosive growth and don’t mature until 2-3 years of age. If any dog should have puppy food, it’s a Great Dane!

    Thankfully, science and research have solved an age-old problem, and now Great Dane puppies should be fed a large or giant breed puppy food until age 2!

    “Adult only” is dated advice based on old, outdated, and poorly researched dog foods. Unfortunately, many teenage Danes are suffering from nutritional deficiencies that result from ‘adult’ foods, making them incredibly lanky.

    They often also have chronic loose stools (from overeating to compensate for the missed nutrition) and low muscle mass.

    Large or giant breed puppy foods are the way to go. Our dogs deserve to have the status quo changed on this one.

    Here are our favorite brands and formulas of food for Great Dane puppies. These have been well researched, properly formulated, and proven in feeding trials for slow, even growth:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

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    How to Read a Dog Food Ingredients Label

    It may be tempting to choose your dog’s food based on the packaging or on appealing marketing claims, but it’s important to understand how to read the label and the ingredients.

    Below we’re sharing information about what you should be looking for on a dog food label!

    AAFCO Statement

    This statement simply indicates that the food meets the nutritional minimums required to be sold as balanced dog food.

    Being ‘AAFCO Approved’ is not a badge of honor, nor is it an indication of quality and health. It’s pretty easy to make a dog food meet minimums for certain nutrients.

    That said, the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement is important, as it will give you valuable insight on the dog food label into what the food is formulated for.

    For example, some dog foods are formulated for growth, puppies, adults, large breeds, small breeds, or seniors. Life stages are important to consider when choosing dog food!

    We like to see statements similar to the one below:

    “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that (name of food) proves complete and balanced nutrition for (life stage).”

    https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/What-Is-AAFCO-and-What-Does-It-Do

    Guaranteed Analysis

    The guaranteed analysis is where you’ll find the minimum percentage of crude protein and fat, and the maximum percentages of fiber and moisture.

    You’ll notice that it’s slightly different with every single food.

    Contrary to popular belief, Great Danes can actually have food with higher protein levels. Too low protein can actually be detrimental to their muscle development and overall energy levels.

    The low-protein myth was debunked in studies, so you don’t have to worry anymore!

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    The Ingredients List

    Of course, you’ll want to look over the ingredients list too, but it’s not as important as some may have led you to believe. There are a lot of tricks companies use to make the ingredients list appealing and marketable, however, that doesn’t mean that the formulation is correct.

    Here are some things you want to look for:

    A food that contains a meat meal or meat by-product meal will almost always be the more nutritious choice.

    Watch out for ingredient splitting (see more below), which allows brands to tactfully, legally, and potentially dangerously reorganize the ingredients list to appeal to you and your wallet.

    Fancy additions such as spinach, blueberries, apples, or collard greens (for example) are there for marketing purposes and provide very little nutrition. If anything, they may be displacing meat.

    Fresh meat, deboned meat, and ‘raw’ meat in an ingredients list indicate ingredients that are roughly 70% water. Not only that, but once they are extruded (dried) into kibble they are no longer fresh and there isn’t much left, either. Think about this one for a moment.

    There is no such thing as fillers in dry dog food. (READ HERE)

    Logically, a company isn’t going to waste money on such things as it would increase shipping, manufacturing, sourcing, and formulation costs, not to mention kill dogs from malnutrition.

    Corn, for example, has a better nutrient profile than beef. Once it’s ground (for inclusion in kibble), it is 98% digestible and a fantastic source of linoleic acid (Omega 6).

    Of course, you want to choose a kibble with high-quality ingredients. This is where sourcing matters. Meat-based proteins from one company may not be held to the same standard as they are from another.

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    We recommend choosing a well-established dog food brand with solid and reliable quality control and sourcing practices.

    Recalls

    Recalls are actually a positive thing, indicating that a dog food company is willing to stand by their product and take it off the market if they find something wrong with it.

    Recently, Darwin’s pet food has been urged by the FDA to take some of its products off the shelves because of salmonella that was making pets sick. They refused...after all, recalls are bad for the marketing department.

    In another story, Victor pet food issued two recalls in 2023. Both of them were triggered by random 3rd party testing of their products, which is alarming. This is an indication that they weren’t testing for these things themselves. This has marred their “no recalls” record from the past, and caused many to realize that “no recalls” often means that the company is simply not looking for problems.

    I don’t know about you, but that’s not good.

    Just because dog food manufacturers claim “no recalls” doesn’t mean that they have a clean record. Ask more questions.

    https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-cautions-pet-owners-not-feed-certain-lots-darwins-natural-pet-products-due-salmonella

    Not only was Darwin’s caught avoiding recalls, Champion foods (the makers of Acana and Orijen) knowingly left food on the shelves that had been produced with contaminated beef tallow. The tallow tested positive for phenobarbitol (the euthanasia drug), and Champion chose not to recall the foods from that lot.

    “No recalls” is a shady marketing tactic. Don’t fall for it.

    12 2

    Deceptive Dog Food Marketing Tricks

    I’m going to outline some common deceptive marketing tricks that many dog food brands use to encourage you to make a purchase.

    I remember being very surprised by these the first time I’d heard them! After all, isn’t a fresh, holistic diet the better choice?

    Maybe not.

    The best dog food is not what you think. Read on…

    Ingredient Splitting

    With ingredient splitting, brands are able to effectively reorganize the ingredients list to be more appealing to you.

    The ingredient splitting trick makes it so that many foods can say ‘Real Chicken is the 1st Ingredient‘, even though the finished kibble is comprised mostly of peas.

    Yikes!

    I wrote a whole comprehensive blog post on ingredient splitting if you really want to dig in!

    Here are common ingredients that some dog food brands use, and how they might split them up.

    Pea Fiber, for example, on its own is ok. Where you want to be cautious is when you see 2 or more forms of the same ingredient:

    PEAS: Peas, Pea Fiber, Pea Protein, Pea Flour

    LENTILS: Green Lentils, Red Lentils, Yellow Lentils, Whole Lentils, Ground Lentils, Lentil Flour, Lentil Fiber

    POTATOES: Potatoes, Potato Flour, Potato Protein, Potato Fiber

    OATS: Oat, Oatmeal, Whole Oats, Oat Groats, Oat Fiber, Oat Flour

    The most nutritious dog food will be a meat-based diet focused on nutrients and amino acids, not one designed explicitly to sell you dog food at a premium price.

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    Unregulated Marketing Terms

    Many dog food companies are exceptional at marketing but don’t have qualified professionals or research to back up their claims.

    Not only that, it’s important to keep in mind that many common pet food marketing terms are unregulated and have no legal definition.

    This means that anybody can start a dog food company, have a company manufacture it for them, and then promote the food with any of the following terms:

    • Holistic
    • Super-Premium
    • Family-Owned & Operated
    • Biologically Appropriate
    • Species Appropriate
    • Healthy & Nutritious
    • Perfectly Balanced
    • Scientifically Formulated
    • Vet Approved

    Just because a food is labeled as “holistic and super premium” does not mean, in any way, that it’s actually better for your pet.

    As a matter of fact, the opposite may be true! Of course, we want to feed our dogs a high-quality diet. However, educated pet owners know how to sort out facts from marketing.

    False Claims

    Some dog food brands and influencers will use dubious and often false, unverifiable, or inaccurate claims that are designed to be misleading and confusing.

    By misleading and alarming you, they can easily generate profits for whatever brand of food, supplements, or education (books, courses, etc.) they are selling.

    Here are some common examples:

    • “Your pet will live longer on this food”
    • “This food prevents cancer”
    • “This food will eliminate allergies”
    • “Dry dog food has no nutrients”
    • “Kibble causes cancer”
    • “Corn is bad for dogs”
    • “Most dogs are allergic to chicken”
    • “Contains ‘fresh’ or ‘raw’ meat” (not possible after extrusion)
    • “Grains are bad for dogs and cause allergies and cancer”
    • “Purina, Royal Canin, Hill’s, Eukanuba, and Iam’s are junk foods full of fillers and diseased animals. They are not high-quality food”
    • “Recalls are BAD!”
    • “Kibble is full of fillers”
    • “Feeding kibble is like feeding your dog french fries or cereal for every meal”

    No food company should be making claims that their food will increase lifespan or reduce the risk of cancer, however, such statements are common.

    There are 300-400 new dog food brands each year in the United States. It stands to reason that they will say anything they have to in order to get your attention.

    It’s time for the dog community to stand up and learn to separate fact (science) from marketing buzzwords.

    Unfortunately, the veterinary community is weary. They want to help our pets, not harm them.

    4 4

    The Best Dog Foods by Brand

    When choosing food for your dog, I believe the following options are among the best nutrition you can get when choosing a kibble dry food diet.

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

    24

    How to Feed a Great Dane

    When feeding your dog, we recommend the use of stainless or ceramic bowls which, unlike plastic bowls, will not harbor bacteria that can cause irritation and zits.

    For reference on how much to feed your dog, check out our Ultimate Great Dane Feeding Chart post!

    Small, Frequent Meals

    Studies have shown that feeding your dog smaller, more frequent meals may help reduce the risk of bloat (GDV).

    Large, single meals are not safe for large and giant breed dogs.

    We recommend feeding your dog at least 2, if not 3 meals each day. Encourage slow, stress-free eating!

    Wet Food or Fresh Food Toppers

    Studies have shown that adding fresh foods or canned wet food to dry kibble can help reduce the risk of bloat in large and giant breed dogs.

    I always add canned food to my dog’s diet! Not only do they absolutely love it, but I feel good knowing that they are getting some variety in their diet. Wet dog food tends to be lower in carbohydrates, as well.

    Extruded dry food is not bad, but there is some logic to giving dogs wet food containing moisture.

    Make sure you feed your dog quality canned food that matches your dog’s dry food. It should be a complete and balanced formula, not one created only for supplemental feeding.

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    Supplements for Great Danes

    Don’t over-supplement your Great Dane!

    If you have chosen well-formulated dry food + canned wet food, you don’t need to go nuts with the expensive supplements.

    Here are some that you may need or want, depending on your dog’s needs!

    Esther C is commonly used for Great Dane puppies to help support their growth and reduce the chance of knuckling, HOD, or Panosteitis. While this is not well-researched, many people swear by it. Get Esther C HERE.

    Joint Support is ideal for dogs who are older (age 3+) or that are struggling with orthopedic issues, including poor structure, flat feet, arthritis, missing limbs, or dysplasia. I recommend GLYCOFLEX Stage III, get it HERE.

    Fish Oil can be helpful for dogs that struggle with dry or itchy skin and a dull coat.

    17

    Tips for Dogs with Allergies

    Some dogs have allergies. Most are environmental, but some are caused by a food allergy.

    The signs and symptoms of allergies and intolerances of any kind include:

    • Itching
    • Redness
    • Sore spots
    • Hair loss
    • Swollen paws
    • Hives

    These things can also be indications of other things, too. Not just allergies. Don’t immediately jump to food being the cause.

    All commercial dog food diets are likely to have been contaminated with grains or chicken, even if the ingredients list contains no grains or chicken. If your dog is truly allergic to those things, you need to feed your dog a hydrolyzed prescription diet from your veterinarian.

    Chances are, however, that your dog is not actually allergic to those things! Whole grains are very nutritious in dry dog food and don’t need to be avoided.

    Read HERE about how your Dane is not actually allergic to chicken.

    Blood and saliva allergy tests are NOT accurate and many times are nothing more than a money-grabbing scam. This is especially true of tests you can purchase and complete yourself.

    (Learn more about that here).

    A food trial elimination diet and careful monitoring of symptoms to identify triggers will be key. If blood or saliva tests are taken, repeat them with a different company for secondary results and use them as part of your treatment plan, not as the sole source of information.

    Many dogs with allergies actually have environmental intolerances. Constant food switching to ‘find something that works’ and bribery to encourage eating (which can unbalance the diet) will make these things worse.

    Instead, try this:

    • Talk to your veterinarian, have an open discussion
    • Choose a well-formulated food and stick with it for 4-6 months, minimum
    • Wipe dirt and dander from the fur and paws nightly using a damp towel
    • Ask about medicated wipes or shampoo
    • Talk about medications

    We recommend seeking veterinary advice for food allergies or anything related to your pet’s health for all dogs and pet owners.

    https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/01/food-allergies/
  • How Moldy Kibble Killed 2 Family Pets

    How Moldy Kibble Killed 2 Family Pets

    This is a heartbreaking post. I’m sitting here on a Sunday night and my newsfeed is flooded with this story about how moldy kibble killed 2 family pets.

    A family chose what they thought was high-quality, nutritious dog food. As a matter of fact, they paid a premium price for it, because they wanted something to support the needs of their working dogs.

    Hours later, one dog was dead. After a visit to the ER, the second dog couldn’t be saved, either.

    How did this happen? Why did it happen?

    I’m going to dig into the how and the why below, because I want you to protect your pet from this fate.

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    It’s important to note that the food looked completely normal when they fed it to their dogs.

    It was only after the dogs were dead that they stirred the dog food and found the mold.

    What you see above is horrifying, but the owners should not be blamed. Mold spores can be present in food even if you can’t see them!

    To get started, I’m also sharing the original post from the owner of the two beautiful dogs that were lost. If you aren’t aware of this tragic story, you’ll want to start there first.

    As long as the social media post on this topic is live, it will show up below:

    https://www.facebook.com/alicia.gutierrez.5477/posts/5450875231661866

    Editor’s Note it is incredibly important to me that I share this story in honor of the two dogs that were lost. We do not blame the owners. Nobody should.

    Their story should help save the lives of other dogs and we are sharing it for that purpose, not to shame the owners (as many of unfairly done).

    The images below are from the original public Facebook post.

    how moldy kibble killed 2 family pets

    How Does Mold Get Into Dog Food?

    There are three main ways that mold can get into your dog food (and potentially kill your pets, too).

    Some of these avenues and the information in them may surprise you.

    At this time we do not know what factors led to the deaths of these two beautiful dogs. It was likely a combination of factors, not any one single issue.

    Unfortunately, these are risks we take just by owning dogs. Kibble is not inherently dangerous or unsafe! This is a rare situation.

    Poor Quality Control & Food Science

    There are 4 key things to look for in a dog food manufacturer. These things can help prevent formulation, food science, and control issues that lead to toxic food.

    All four boxes must be checked below for a food company to be considered ethical, in my opinion:

    • Do they staff at least one board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN), or a veterinarian with a PhD in animal nutrition?
    • Do they have an extensive and strict quality-control process, starting with hand-picked ingredient suppliers and strict policies for sourcing, transportation, and production?
    • Do they own and operate their facilities, thus having full control over the process from start to finish? Where is the food manufactured?
    • Do they participate in feeding trials and peer-reviewed research? Is the nutrient analysis substantiated in trials or just on paper?

    Spoiler alert! I did a deep dive. The food brand that these dogs were being fed (Kinetic) could not check off a single one of those boxes, according to the information I was able to find.

    “No recalls” may mean that the market share, quality control, and company standards are so low that the company just doesn’t know, or worse, doesn’t care when things go wrong.

    The truth of the matter here is that there are 300-400 new dog food companies each year in the U.S. and only a handful of highly-qualified board-certified veterinary nutritionists, food scientists, and quality-control professionals to go around.

    You do the math.

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    These are healthy, beautiful-looking dogs.

    Poor Food Handling by Suppliers

    Of course, it doesn’t matter how the ingredients and food were handled from manufacturing to shipped if the end supplier mishandles the food.

    It could be a simple error; for example, a warehouse employee nicking a bag with a contaminated box cutter and then packing it to ship into a hot, humid area where it sits on a porch for a full day.

    Or perhaps the pet food store doesn’t unload food off the back dock for hours and it sits in the heat after shipping from a company with so-so quality control protocols.

    Of course, some things can go wrong from point A to point B, even when the food is made by the most diligent of manufacturers.

    Choosing reliable and reputable food companies, in addition to sourcing your food from dedicated and professional retailers is key to minimizing these risks.

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    Poor Food Handling by Pet Owners

    Another reason that mold can get into your dog’s food is improper handling at home.

    One of the biggest mistakes that pet owners make is to dump their dog’s food directly into plastic or metal bins!

    Here is a list of reasons why this common practice is dangerous:

    • If you dump new food on top of old food, the old food at the bottom of the bin may never be eaten (and will thus be festering)
    • Unless you are cleaning, sanitizing, and drying your bin between food bags, you risk contaminating your fresh bag of food with existing mold spores or parasites
    • Dog food companies put a lot of science into the bags, which are designed to keep the food fresh. Why throw that away?
    • Exposure to plastic may cause harmful chemicals in some plastic containers to leech into the food (especially when sitting in a warm garage, for example)
    • Plastic causes fats and oils to oxidize, which will expedite the process of the food going rancid
    • The residual and often then rancid fat and oils left inside of the plastic bin can cause all kinds of problems in new food dumped in later

    In short, if you are going to use a plastic bin to store your dog food, do two things! Keep the food INSIDE of the bag it came in, and store the food in a cool, dry place.

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    What Food Brand Had Mold & Killed 2 Dogs?

    It has become widely known that the owners of these two dogs were feeding Kinetic dog food.

    Here is what we know about this company:

    • They promote Kinetic as a ‘working dog’ brand and spend a lot of time supporting hunting dogs, sport dogs, and police K-9s by attending events to market their food
    • The company does not staff a board-certified veterinary nutritionist; as a matter of fact, it’s unclear who formulates the food.
    • The owners may be formulating the food. Their self-given job titles include things such as ‘sales, distribution, marketing, and nutrition‘.
    • They have given k-9 nutrition talks but, as above, it’s unclear what (if any) legitimate credentials these guys have.
    • They claim that the nutrition research and formulations they’ve created are a collab between dog trainers, breeders, kennels, and ‘nutritionists’. Again, where are the credentials? Was this research scientific?
    • We cannot verify if Kinetic owns and operates its facilities. Chances are this food is co-packed.
    • We can find no peer-reviewed research or feeding trials associated with their food or the claims that they make regarding its benefits.

    This company is very, very good at marketing.

    We’re talking, health nut wrapped up in a multi-level marketing company kind of marketing.

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    Tips for Choosing Quality Dog Food

    I’m a big fan of food that is backed by legitimate science and research, not marketing claims.

    If you can avoid the trap of being sucked into marketing, it becomes VERY easy to pick a nutritious, high-quality, and safe food for your dog!

    Marketing vs. Nutrition

    Ethical pet food companies will have a full-time veterinary nutritionist or at minimum, a veterinarian with a Masters in nutrition on staff to formulate the food. If you aren’t sure, call and ask.

    Keep in mind that small pet food companies don’t often (if at all) have the budget or resources to attract highly desired nutrition professionals, scientists, and quality control experts.

    These companies must rely heavily on marketing to sell their food because it’s all they have.

    A common practice of small manufacturers is to create a recipe on paper and then pay consultants (often marketed as a “team of nutrition professionals” to check a box indicating that the food, on paper, meets minimum requirements for keeping a dog alive.

    In other words, your dog is their feeding trial.

    Many common marketing terms are unregulated. These terms have no legal definition and can be used by any dog food company:

    • Holistic
    • Super-Premium
    • Wholesome
    • No Fillers
    • All-Natural
    • High Performance
    • Healthy
    • Species Appropriate
    • Biologically Appropriate

    Of course, none of these things are ‘bad’. A holistic, wholesome, high-performance dog food sounds awesome. The problem comes with the fact that lacking a definition, those terms may be intentionally misleading.

    Not to mention wild claims of longevity, or indicating that the food is anti-inflammatory or can prevent cancer.

    If it’s hard to find out who is formulating your dog food and what their credentials are, where it’s manufactured, or what research has been done, ask more questions.

    Look past the marketing and then choose something else.

    My dog is not eating. What can I do?

    So what is a good, sound alternative to Kinetic ‘performance’ food?

    Any 30/20 Sport Formula from Purina, depending on breed size and age, would be ideal.

    For example, Purina Pro Plan 30/20 Turkey, Duck and Quail Dog Food

    This was created by a team of veterinary nutritionists and was fully researched and developed soundly in collaboration with Ducks Unlimited.

    long coated brown dog on body of water
    Photo by Shane Aldendorff on Pexels.com

    How to Safely Store Dog Food

    I recommend storing your dog food in the original bag in a cool, dry place.

    That could be inside of a plastic bin, as long as the food stays inside its bag.

    Use bags of food up as quickly as possible, without overfeeding your dog, of course. The longer a bag is open, the more likely it is to go rancid or become toxic.

    Buy smaller bags if your dog doesn’t eat them fast enough.

    Lastly, seal the bag up each time you open it!

    Signs of Mold Poisoning in Dogs

    If you are concerned that your dog has mold poisoning, we recommend calling the pet poison hotline. You can find more information about this here: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

    Signs of mold poisoning in dogs include:

    • Coughing
    • Lethargy
    • Blood coming from the mouth or nose
    • Runny nose & discharge
    • Disorientation
    • Vomiting
    • Seizures
  • Royal Canin Giant Breed Dog Food Review

    Royal Canin Giant Breed Dog Food Review

    Today we’re going to do our Royal Canin Giant Breed Dog Food Review!

    Unlike other dog food review sites, we’re going to deep dive into the science of kibble-based nutrition and give you real information that will help you make a healthy choice for your giant dog.

    Giant breed dogs are prone to growth, joint, and heart issues, so it’s important to feed them a diet that will help them grow correctly and keep their joints and heart healthy.

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    Royal Canin has made a line of dry dog food geared specifically towards extra large dogs, with precise nutrition and balanced energy content to support healthy development during each of the three growth stages:

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    Feed until 8 months of age.
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    Feed from 8-24 months of age.
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    Adult formula from 24 months on.

    Let’s take a closer look at the Royal Canin size, health, and targeted nutrition food line and see how this dog food rates for giant dogs (especially Great Danes)!

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    Royal Canin Giant Breed Dog Food Review

    My Personal Review of Royal Canin Giant Food

    No good dog food review is complete without a personal touch! As you will learn below, it took me a while, as a “boutique dog food snob” to come around to Royal Canin, but I’m so glad I did.

    Pro Plan and Royal Canin are my personal top two picks for Great Danes.

    RC Giant Adult food SMELLS LIKE MEAT! Most kibbles are dry and smell like cardboard or sour milk.

    While we humans may not love the smell of this food for ourselves, we cannot deny that it definitely smells like something a dog should be eating.

    I like knowing that I’m giving my dogs meat, not dried-out stale-smelling kibble made primarily of peas, lentils, and rice.

    Why is Grain-Free Food Bad for Great Danes?

    What is DCM?

    Hip Dysplasia, Everything You Need To Know

    I’ve never seen a ‘sensitive’ tummy clear up so fast! RC giant formula foods are magic for dogs with chronic loose stools. Don’t believe me?

    Read the literal thousands of positive reviews. Many people indicate that they have had this same experience, after battling chronic loose stools and itching for years.

    My dog’s stools on Royal Canin foods are small and infrequent, and my super-sensitive male is no longer littering my lawn every other week with soupy poop bombs.

    I would compare Royal Canin growth formulas stools to what we see from raw-fed dogs.

    Optimal stool quality is one massive benefit of feeding RC foods with targeted nutrition to giant-sized dogs.

    By-Product meal likely contains a fair amount of bone: bone is known to help raw-fed dogs firm up loose stools.

    Between the by-product meal and the added fiber, it’s no surprise that sensitive tummies are a thing of the past for dogs fed this brand.

    Royal Canine Giant Kibble Size

    The adult formula from this line is made into huge kibbles. Each one is about 2/3 the size of a charcoal briquet!

    This promotes slow eating, healthy digestion, and correct chewing, which is good for digestive health and may reduce bloat risk.

    Our Danes absolutely LOVE the giant kibbles in Royal Canin giant formulas.

    I’ve read that some dogs are hesitant because the size is unusual; I recommend that you hand feed a few (as if they were treats) to get your dog started.

    I also recommend measuring this food on a scale. It will be much more accurate than scooping the large kibbles into a cup. Because this is so nutrient-dense, it is easy to overfeed! Less is more, with Danes.

    Tips & Tricks for Feeding Great Danes & Keeping them Lean

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    Is Royal Canin Giant Actually a Good Dog Food?

    Some people who wish to sell you boutique dog food (primarily natural foods pet stores) will say anything to convince you that what they sell is better quality.

    You may hear things such as “Royal Canin is full of fillers, trash, and carbs” or “you might as well feed your dog McDonald’s!” from pet owners, commission-driven salespeople, and people with no qualifications in canine nutrition.

    The truth is that Royal Canin is extremely high-quality dog food; they just don’t use fancy marketing buzzwords. Royal Canin foods are recommended by veterinarians and veterinary nutritionists worldwide.

    Every ingredient in Royal Canin’s foods is there for a good reason, including icky-sounding things such as “by-product meal” and “corn”, which we will dig more into the actual science of this below.

    Royal Canin hires Ph.D. veterinary nutritionists to formulate their recipes, which are based heavily on decades of peer-reviewed science and research.

    Compare this to many boutique brands, which don’t have veterinary nutritionists on staff at all and perform bare minimum (if any) feeding trials, testing, or peer-reviewed research.

    As you read our Royal Canin Giant food review today, we hope this information helps guide you towards a science-backed choice.

    We will be digging into those ‘nasty’ ingredients, the science of canine nutrition, what a natural diet for a dog actually looks like, and more. Read on, friends!

    Is Large Breed Food Necessary?

    Do Great Danes Need Grains?

    Should Puppies Eat Puppy Food or Adult Food?

    Scooby Doo PUCCI Cafe
    Great Dane on gray background

    Is a by-product meal bad in dog food?

    Many people mistakenly believe that meat meals and meat by-product meals are bad. Royal Canin uses a lot of them.

    By-Products are the parts of the slaughtered animal that dogs need and want in their diets.

    This can include bones, necks, cartilage, feet, tendons, and organs. All of these by-products are often included in natural raw diets for dogs.

    For example, look at the ingredients list from this Raws Paws Raw Dog Food Beef Blend:

    Beef Round, Beef Meat, Green Beef Tripe, Beef Bone, Beef Heart, Beef Tongue, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Beef Spleen, Beef Suet.

    These ‘leftovers’ are highly nutritious and contain necessary minerals, vitamins, proteins, amino acids, and even things such as natural Glucosamine for joint health.

    Compare that to fresh deboned chicken, which is 70% water.

    When processing ‘by-products’, very little of the slaughtered animal goes to waste. This is a win-win for your dog, for the environment, and for the animal who was farmed to be processed into pet food.

    The environmental impact of throwing out ‘by-products’ because “natural” food brands want you to believe that organs, cartilage, necks, fat, skin, and the remaining tissues are dirty, gross, and disgusting is, well, tragic.

    What are By Products in Pet food 2

    If a food company is marketing to what you want on your dinner plate (“Fresh deboned chicken, lentils, blueberries”) vs. what your DOG wants (“By-product” liver, cartilage, tissue, skin, and bone), ask questions.

    The reality is that by-product meals are highly digestible and nutritious, and they’re an important part of a giant breed dog’s diet.

    Dare we say that “by-products” are more biologically appropriate for dogs to eat than just “de-boned chicken” and some blueberries?

    If you read your dog food ingredients label and see things such as whole mackerel (which includes the head, eyes, tail, scales, bone, and organs), pork kidney, chicken liver, blood meal, or lamb tripe, you are seeing by-products that were purposefully named to appeal to your human taste.

    Fun Fact: foods containing rendered meat products (meals) in the first ingredients were shown to reduce bloat risk by 53%!

    You WANT to see meat meal and/or meat by-product meal in your dog food.

    How does dog food math work?

    By law, dog food companies must list ingredients in order of their weight prior to extrusion.

    So let’s do the math. Fresh meat is 70% water. It’s pretty heavy! Once you cook it, not much is left.

    If you see ‘deboned chicken’ or ‘fresh salmon’ (for example) at the top of the ingredients list, with no meat meals, chances are that the finished kibble may actually have a higher content of meatless products (such as peas or lentils) than it does real meat.

    Even if the bag says ‘meat is the 1st ingredient’!

    On the flip side, by-product meals and meat meals are already rendered and dehydrated before extruding, so if they are at the top of the ingredients list when they went in, they likely remain as the bulk of the nutrient profile and composition in the finished product, too.

    Meat meals and by-product meals contain a concentrated source of animal-based protein, nutrients, and joint support in other words. You actually WANT to see them in the first ingredients!

    Royal Canin relies on by-product meals because they are nutrient-dense and species-appropriate.

    By-products are regulated and no, they don’t contain “blood and guts scooped from the floor” or “euthanized animals“.

    Have you ever fed your dog a bully stick, pig ear, rawhide, chicken paw, or dehydrated liver training treat? You fed your dog a by-product!

    Is my Great Dane Puppy Knuckling?

    Gentle Giants Dog Food Review: Good or Bad?

    Is chicken fat bad for Great Danes?

    I will admit to being very alarmed seeing fat at the top of the ingredients list for both Giant and Great Dane Royal Canin dry dog foods.

    One study found that dogs who ate food with fat in the first 4 ingredients were more prone to bloat.

    What that study also revealed, however, is that foods with rendered meat meals lowered the risk of bloat.

    Tufts University Study

    Those studies did not differentiate between foods where fat was listed in the top four ingredients when fresh meats were used, vs. foods where meat meals and meat by-product meals were used, and how that might affect the “avoid fat in the first 4 ingredients” rule.

    It also did not discuss ingredient splitting, which can artificially adjust how and where fat shows up in the ingredients list.

    When a company uses a large amount of concentrated, high-protein meat meal or meat by-product meal there is nothing (such as water weight from fresh deboned chicken) to push the fat further down on the list.

    So in that case, fat may show up in the #2 or #3 spot, simply because they kept the formula meat-focused and didn’t also then utilize ingredient splitting to keep the fat lower on the list.

    If they used mostly or all fresh meat (70% water) and the animal fat lands in the top 4 spots, tread cautiously! Tread even more cautiously if you see ingredient splitting.

    After speaking with the Royal Canin directly about this, my mind has been put to ease here.

    Animal fat, before being cooked and extruded into kibble is a heavy product. It will weigh a fair amount compared to other ingredients but will make up much less of the diet once it’s been extruded. Especially when it’s paired with heavy meat meals.

    Fat IS a necessary part of the canine diet. It tastes good to dogs and is a great source of fats and omegas which are essential for skin and coat health, development, and a strong immune system.

    What matters the most is the nutrient profile of the food after it has been extruded and cooked. For this reason, it’s incredibly important to ONLY choose foods that were formulated by board-certified Veterinary Nutritionists.

    How Ingredient Splitting in Dog Food May be Harming Your Dog

    Veterinary Nutritionists understand what nutrition looks like going into the kibble and how each vitamin, mineral, enzyme, acid, or protein works with a dog’s live digestive system and can help or harm them.

    Their allegiance to formulating the product correctly is based on decades of science and research. They formulate for health, not what sells well because it “looks good” to the average, uneducated consumer reading a label.

    Dogs need 22 different amino acids to live a healthy life, 11 of which they can produce on their own. The other 11 must come from their diet, some of which are synthesized naturally from other nutrients in that diet.

    When we see meat by-product meals, meat meals, and chicken fat in the first ingredients, we can be assured that the diet is not only meat-based and high-quality but completely appropriate for canine health.

    The Best Foods for Great Dane Puppies 2022

    The Best Foods for Great Danes 2022

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    How Can Royal Canin be Healthy if it’s Full of Junk?

    This company chose these ingredients because they are the best for your giant dog’s health–not because they’re cheap or fillers.

    The concept of ‘fillers’ is a myth.

    “All our products are researched and developed not by trends in human nutrition or preferences of the pet owner, but through innovative nutritional science and the observation of cats and dogs.“

    Royal Canin

    Read about Royal Canin’s “Nutrition First” philosophy HERE.

    As a former ’boutique foods snob’ who was previously completely disgusted by Royal Canin foods, I have to say this:

    Royal Canin has chosen actual, science-backed canine health and nutrition over marketing an appealing and humanized ingredients list.

    I like that.

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    Feed until 8 months of age.
    63278 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1530030508
    Feed from 8-24 months of age.
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    Adult formula from 24 months on.

    Royal Canin Giant Dog Food Line

    When choosing this formula for your lovable giant dog, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions for transitioning between life stages.

    Royal Canin Giant Puppy – Up to 8 Months

    This formula is made for giant puppies that are under 8 months of age. It aids in healthy bone development, proper digestion, joint health, and energy levels.

    Many people are confused by the higher protein level in Royal Canin giant breed, which goes against common advice to “keep protein levels below 26%”.

    The protein myth has been debunked by many experts in the canine nutrition field.

    Puppies are growing at an exponential rate and their bodies are using amino acids (the building blocks of protein) to construct new tissue, including muscle, bone, hair, skin, and organs.

    Feeding a lower protein ‘adult’ food deprives them of the nutrition they need to thrive. We see this in play with young Great Danes who appear chronically malnourished and skinny or that may be slow and heavy with no muscle tone.

    Correct calcium to phosphorus ratios are much, much more important.

    Crude Protein 32.0% min

    Crude Fat 12.0% min

    Crude Fiber 3.4% max

    Moisture 10.0% max

    Calcium 1.1% min

    Phosphorus 0.92% min

    Vitamin E350 IU/kg min

    Glucosamine 371 mg/kg min

    Chondroitin SulFate 3.75 mg/kg min

    Caloric Content

    3,556 kcal/kg, 341 kcal/cup

    Royal Canin Giant Junior 8-24 months

    This formula should be fed from 8-18 or even 24 months. Royal Canin giant junior dry dog food was formulated specifically to meet the needs of dogs in the second growth phase.

    This is when rapid bone growth slows and the dog begins to develop more robust muscles and a mature stature.

    Royal Canine giant junior dry dog food is extremely palatable and correctly balanced for this second growth stage. Many giant junior dogs at this age become ‘picky’ and their appetite slows.

    This is normal! Giant junior dogs aren’t actually picky, they just have different nutritional requirements than a puppy does.

    Guaranteed Analysis

    Crude Protein 29.0% min

    Crude Fat 14.0% min

    Crude Fiber 3.4% max

    Moisture10.0% max

    Calcium 1.1% min

    Phosphorus 0.92% min

    Vitamin E350 IU/kg min

    Glucosamine 371 mg/kg min

    Chondroitin Sulfate 3.75 mg/kg

    Caloric Content

    3,649 kcal/kg, 307 kcal/cup

    Royal Canin Giant Adult – 18+ Months

    This formula should be fed from 18-24 months on.

    We recommend keeping Great Danes (among the largest of the giants) on the Royal Canin giant junior dry dog food formula until 24 months of age (or 18 months if neutered/spayed) and then transitioning to the adult formula.

    Crude Protein 26.0% min

    Crude Fat 18.0% min

    Crude Fiber 3.9% max

    Moisture 10.0% max

    Taurine 0.14% min

    Glucosamine446 mg/kg min

    Chondroitin Sulfate4 mg/kg min

    Caloric Content

    3958 kcal/kg, 427 kcal/cup

    Nutrition for Giant Dogs

    Raising a giant puppy and living with any 70+lb dog is a lifestyle that also requires some research.

    Here are our top nutrition tips for giant dogs!

    DCM & Nutrition, What You Need to Know

    Protein levels in Great Dane Food

    You may have heard that Great Danes should not have protein above 22-24%.

    This is a huge myth and old wives’ tale that was based on poor research and anecdotal speculation many years ago.

    Protein helps with lean muscle mass, and since Great Danes are a working breed, they need all the help they can get!

    Peer-reviewed studies have also put this myth to rest. Excess calories, unbalanced meals, and poorly formulated nutrition contribute to bone-growth disorders, NOT protein levels in dog food!

    CA/PH ratios, amino acids, and the overall formulation are where it’s at. Dogs NEED protein and starving them of it to “hopefully” prevent growth problems isn’t actually solving anything.

    Science, folks.

    All about Angular Limb Deformity, Often Misdiagnosed as Knuckling

    Do Great Danes Need a Lot of Exercise?

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    Adult food vs. puppy food for Great Danes

    Many people are confused about whether they should feed adult food or puppy food to their giant puppies.

    Puppies that are given too much nutrition in the form of calories, especially in kibble foods not correctly balanced by a veterinary nutritionist, may struggle with painful and debilitating growth disorders.

    Adult food, which is lower in protein and fat, has often been cited as the solution to this problem; however, giant puppies (including Great Danes) who are only fed adult foods may then be starved of the nutrition they need to support their muscle, skin, and brain development.

    Too little nutrition can make them scrawny, bony, and fragile looking.

    “Adult only” from puppyhood will make a dog more likely to develop a long and lanky teen body or even look malnourished as a result, especially during the second growth stage when hormones kick in and muscle development needs extra support.

    We recommend research-backed large and giant puppy foods that have been substantiated in feeding trials for the growth of 70+lb dogs.

    The veterinary community and veterinary nutritionists agree. We’ve done the research for you and feel that science is the way to go when it comes to this decades-old debate.

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    Should I Feed My Great Dane Puppy or Adult Food?

    Growth disorders from improper nutrition

    Great Danes and other giant dogs are prone to a number of developmental growth disorders that are made worse by incorrect nutrition.

    For this reason, it is essential that you feed your puppy a large or giant puppy diet that has been specifically tailored to meet their growth needs.

    Royal Canin Giant Puppy food is designed to support the health of your puppy and giant junior during their crucial first 8-24 months of life when knuckling, HOD, Panosteitis, and Angular Limb Deformities can easily form.

    It has the correct balance of nutrients, amino acids, calcium, and phosphorus and when you choose the correct formula for the life stage of your giant junior or puppy dog, the adapted energy intake will promote healthy bones and joints.

    My Great Dane is Not Eating, What do I Do?

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    Blue Great Danes: Read about this Beautiful Coat Color!

    What to look for when choosing food for a Great Dane

    You’ll see list after list of the ‘best foods for a Great Dane’, and information about protein levels, fat, meat meals, and calcium.

    Much of this information is important and true, however it’s important to keep in mind that countless dog food options are available to you as a consumer, and every single brand is trying to get your business.

    Pet stores, sales clerks, “natural pet food shops”, bloggers, influencers and the Dog Food Advisor all want your click and your purchase. They stand to gain from convincing you that they are the best.

    “Holistic”, “Human-Grade” and “Super-Premium” are common marketing terms with no legal definition. These are unregulated statements that any food company can apply to their labels.

    We recommend choosing only foods that meet the ethical standards outlined by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (below), to ensure that you are getting the best and most balanced nutrition for your dog.

    Is Large Breed Food a Gimmick?

    Life’s Abundance Dog Food Review

    What are the Best Foods for Great Danes?

    These basic ethics standards include the following 4 things you should ask every company before purchasing the food they sell:

    • Do they employ at least one full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist, and is that person formulating and testing the food I’m about to purchase? Can I see their name and credentials?
    • Do they own and operate their own manufacturing plants, and in doing so, do they have strict quality measures when it comes to product sourcing and the finished product?
    • Do they participate in and contribute to peer-reviewed research?
    • Do they utilize feeding trials and tests that substantiate their formulas in real life (not just on paper)? Were digestibility tests completed, or only palatability? Can I see the research results of those trials?

    See these questions in more detail below:

    https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Selecting-a-pet-food-for-your-pet-updated-2021_WSAVA-Global-Nutrition-Toolkit.pdf

    As of this writing, only 5 companies can legitimately say they are following WSAVA Guidelines for animal nutrition, without fudging the words to make it look like they are: Purina, Hill’s, Iam’s, Eukanuba, and yes...Royal Canin!

    What are By Products in Pet food 3

    Royal Canin Giant Supplements

    This food contains taurine (for heart health), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Biotin, and Chondroitin sulfate among others.

    Chondroitin provides joint support, in addition to the fish oil in this dry dog food. Remember, natural joint support like this literally COMES from animal by-products!

    Chicken paws and cartilage are naturally rich in joint support, for example.

    These added vitamins and supplements help support energy needs, joints, skin health, eye health, and more.

    Antioxidants and trace minerals boost immune support.

    omega 7105acfb0b8053ecf181cfcb58ca10a5
    health and shine pump
    salmon 35a247dc9508e2792c4e216150c7e17e
    Our favorite Fish Oil for Great Danes: Health and Shine Salmon and Krill and Omega-3 Fish Oil. Use code HELLODANES10 for 10% off.

    Royal Canin Giant Adult Dog Ingredients List

    We’ve posted the actual list below. Here is a breakdown of what you’ll see in this food:

    Chicken By-Product Meal – as above this is a high-protein and nutrient-dense meal made up of biologically appropriate tissue, cartilage, bone, and organ.

    Chicken Fat – provides fats, proteins, and amino acids. Plus, it’s tasty! Dogs love it.

    Pea fiber, corn gluten meal, wheat, and dried plain beet pulp aid in digestion and the production of healthy stool. This combination of substances may be one reason so many Great Dane owners claim that this Royal Canin food eliminates chronic loose stools so quickly. These ingredients also provide additional amino acids and nutrients to help balance the food.

    Brewer’s rice is chipped or broken rice that was sifted out during regular rice production. It’s a great source of fiber and energy and a smart place for the manufacturer to lower costs, without compromising quality, so they can put more money into the meat meals.

    Brown rice provides additional linoleic acid, omega 6, and fiber for healthy digestion.

    I LOVE that Royal Canin Giant Adult has so many different forms of fiber: studies have shown that fiber reduces bloat risk. It also creates optimal stool quality; that’s a win-win.

    The balanced energy content from different forms of fiber-rich ingredients is just one reason why dogs fed Royal Canin will have great stools, shiny coats, incredible muscle development, and tons of energy.

    Fish oil provides additional omegas for skin, coat, and eye health. Natural flavors make this food even more palatable.

    The highly digestible proteins in quality, properly sourced, well-researched by-product meals are a key to this formulation.

    Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Chicken Fat, Brown Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Wheat, Natural Flavors, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Pea Fiber, Wheat Gluten, Fish Oil, Vegetable Oil, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Choline Chloride, Vitamins [Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), Biotin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Niacin Supplement, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Trace Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate], Taurine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Gla Safflower Oil, Marigold Extract (Tagetes Erecta L.), Magnesium Oxide, L-Carnitine, Chondroitin Sulfate, Rosemary Extract, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid.

    5 Stars, HIGHLY recommend for giant breed dogs over 100lbs.

    63276 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1530038530
    Feed until 8 months of age.
    63278 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1530030508
    Feed from 8-24 months of age.
    62058 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1592946427
    Adult formula from 24 months on.
  • Is Large Breed Dog Food Necessary?

    Is Large Breed Dog Food Necessary?

    Providing balanced nutrition for our large canine companions is a topic close to the hearts of many pet owners. The question often arises: Is opting for specialized large-breed dog food a necessity, or can regular dog diets meet the needs of our large and giant breed dogs?

    In this discussion, we’ll navigate the unique nutritional requirements of large breeds, weighing the advantages of tailored food formulations and considering alternative dietary approaches.

    A few topics we will discuss:

    • Is large breed dog food a marketing gimmick
    • How large breed dog food is different than regular food
    • The nutritional requirements of large and giant breed dogs
    • The best foods for big dogs
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    Large Dog Nutrition 101

    As if choosing dog food wasn’t confusing enough, the truth is that large and giant dogs such as shepherds, Great Danes, and mastiffs have much different nutritional needs than a chihuahua.

    Large and giant formulated dog foods provide necessary and important nutrition that will support healthy growth, healthy joints, and energy for big dogs.

    What is the difference between large-breed dog food and regular dog food?

    A properly formulated large-breed dog formula will have a few key differences when compared to standard adult maintenance or regular puppy formulas.

    The first, and most important difference is the calcium to phosphorus ratio.

    This ratio is very important in growing large and giant breed puppies as it helps control the rate of skeletal growth.

    If this ratio is too high, rapid growth can cause growth deformities and pain from knuckling or panosteitis (growing pains).

    Nutrition for a growing puppy (especially a super-sized one) is a key consideration when it comes to preventing environmental hip dysplasia, poor muscle development, and other orthopedic disorders that are common in big dogs.

    Not to scare you here, but choosing the wrong food can be detrimental to muscle growth and the development of healthy bones.

    What is Knuckling in Puppies?
    Puppy Growing Pains: Does Nutrition Cause it?

    IMG 0416

    IS GRAIN-FREE FOOD DANGEROUS?

    Read more here ↗

    Is large breed dog food needed?

    Large and giant breed dog foods that are well-researched and formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists (DACVN) will also have the correct levels of fat and protein to support their size and energy needs.

    Many will also have added nutrients and supplements for gut health, joint support, and healthy skin such as additional vitamin d, DHA, EPA, Glucosamine, taurine, and the correct balance of fatty acids.

    Small breed dogs do not have the same needs; their bodies grow and burn energy in different ways.

    In other words, choosing an ‘all-life stages’ or ‘all-sizes’ dog food is like trying to fit your entire family into the same pair of one-size-fits-all pajamas – it might work, but is it ideal?

    The best way to ensure that your large or giant breed dog is getting the nutrition he or she needs in its food bowl is to feed a food that has been specifically formulated for its size, age, and activity level.

    9 Things All Puppy Owners Need

    Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    photography of three dogs looking up

    Can I feed large breed dog food to a small dog?

    While smaller dogs could eat foods that were formulated for bigger dogs, doing so long-term could be detrimental to their health.

    Small breed dogs have different nutritional needs that should be addressed with a scientifically formulated food that was designed to meet their specific requirements.

    We should also mention that large and giant breed kibbles are often larger in size, which could make it difficult, frustrating or even painful for smaller breeds to chew up.

    Lastly, small dogs typically have a higher metabolism and need more calories per pound than their larger counterparts.

    What is Hypocalcemia in Dogs?

    Can Dogs Have Fake Pregnancy?

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    Is grain-free dog food good for large breed dogs?

    Grain-free kibble is often marketed as being a healthier, more natural option.

    However, there is no evidence that grain-free diets are any better for dogs than those that contain grains.

    As a matter of fact, grain-free and boutique dog foods are tied to a significant increase in nutritional DCM heart failure, likely because many formulas are unbalanced and often heavy in peas and legumes.

    Nutritional DCM causes sudden congestive heart failure in dogs who often appear robust, shiny, and healthy just moments before their death. Dogs with undiagnosed nutritional DCM are a ticking time bomb.

    While many large and giant dogs may be prone to this condition for genetic reasons, incorrect nutrition is also to blame.

    You should never feed a grain-free or boutique kibble diet to your Great Dane or any other large or giant breed dog.

    Read about this dirty pet food trick

    Does Grain-Free Food Cause Heart Failure?

    What is DCM in Dogs?

    19 1

    Should I Feed My Great Dane Puppy or Adult Food?

    Understanding Dog Food Labels

    It’s important to understand that not all foods are created the same.

    Understanding this can help you simplify your search for the best nutrition for your pet.

    Many dog foods are created from a computer algorithm, created to meet nutritional minimums on paper and look appealing to the buyer.

    Occasionally, somebody with moderate nutrition credentials may help with the formulation, or a veterinary nutritionist may be commissioned temporarily to sign off on the food (indicating that it meets the basic legal nutrition requirements).

    These foods are sold at a premium price with eye-catching ‘natural’ and ‘holistic’ marketing. They often include ingredients such as squash, blueberries, and deboned meats.

    These things sound appealing to the consumer and will drive sales, but often have very little to do with your pet’s health.

    This can make it difficult and confusing for consumers to know how to choose a healthy balanced diet for their pets, especially when we consider the fact that 300-400 new premium boutique food brands hit the market every year!

    When you read labels and look at the ingredients in a bag of dog food, you must look past the marketing.

    “Holistic”, “super-premium” and “human grade” are unregulated terms that have no legal definition.

    Read on below to learn more about how to choose a dog food that was formulated correctly and ethically for your pet’s health and well-being!

    What is the WSAVA, and are they biased?

    How to STOP Overfeeding Your Dog!

    Is Your Dog a Picky Eater? Read Here for Tips

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    The Olly Backcountry treat pouch for Great Danes
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    The Olly smaller treat pouch

    Is the Dog Food Advisor a good source of information?

    The Dog Food Advisor is a click-bait affiliate income blog run by a human dentist. Take that for what it’s worth.

    Your veterinarian (and the board-certified Veterinary Nutritionists and journals that they get their information from) will be a much better source of nutrition information for your pet.

    We have made a conscious effort on our blog to be science-based when it comes to health and nutrition. However, you should still talk to your veterinarian.

    Many ‘highly rated’ foods on Dog Food Advisor were scientifically proven to be associated with multiple cases of nutritional DCM; a condition that can often be reversed in dogs that are put on a different diet.

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    THE HELLO DANES GREAT DANE PUPPY RESOURCE PAGE

    Everything you need to know! ↗

    Large Breed Puppy Food

    Large breed puppy food will be formulated with the correct levels of energy and nutrients to support proper growth and muscle development.

    Unlike adult dogs, puppies need more nutrition. However, it’s important to not overdo it! Don’t overfeed your puppy.

    Most importantly, large breed adult and puppy dog foods will have a calcium to phosphorus ratio that is lower than what you’ll find in many standard puppy foods.

    This is essential for preventing skeletal problems now and down the road. A dog’s risk of developmental growth disorders such as knuckling, pain, HOD, and limb deformities is much higher when a dog eats too much or is offered the wrong food.

    knuckling 8

    IS YOUR GREAT DANE PUPPY KNUCKLING?

    Check out our science-based and constantly growing knuckling resource page.

    KNUCKLING RESOURCES

    What is considered a large breed puppy?

    Large breeds are dogs that are going to weigh over 50 pounds as adults.

    Some popular large breed dogs include the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, and Boxer.

    Many research-backed dog food manufacturers consider giant breeds to be the same as ‘large breeds’, as their requirements for nutrition are similar. If you have a giant dog, ‘large’ foods will be appropriate as well.

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    When should I switch from large breed puppy to adult food?

    This largely depends on the manufacturer.

    Many brands will have you switch to adult food once your dog reaches 70-80% of his or her projected adult weight.

    Others may recommend waiting until your dog is a year old or even 18-24 months old before switching them over.

    The best way to determine when to make the switch to adult food is by following the manufacturer’s recommendation and the advice of your veterinarian.

    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon Puppy food, for example, should be fed until 18-24 months.

    Royal Canin has a line of foods formulated specifically for giant breed dogs (100lb + adults) with targeted nutrition based on age. Puppy for dogs up to 8 months, Junior for dogs 8-24 months, and adult for dogs 24 months and up.

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    Romp n Roll Red
    Get a FREE Jolly Ball with the purchase of a Big Barker bed.

    What are the best large breed puppy foods?

    Here is our list of the best large breed puppy foods.

    All of these are also appropriate for giant breed puppies, including Great Danes!

    Click on any to view on Chewy (our favorite place to auto-ship pet foods).

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

    Here is a great article on why dog food ingredients are misleading and aren’t always the best way to make educated decisions about your dog’s nutrition! https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/06/why-you-shouldnt-judge-a-pet-food-by-its-ingredient-list/

    photo of brown and white boston terrier puppy sitting on grass

    Giant Breed Dog Food

    Giant breed dogs have very similar nutrition needs as large dogs, however, special attention should be paid to their muscle development and orthopedic health.

    What is considered a giant breed puppy?

    A giant breed puppy is one that is going to weigh over 90 pounds as an adult.

    It’s important to note that an overweight large breed dog tipping the scales at 90 lbs is NOT considered a ‘giant breed’.

    Giant breed dogs include Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Great Dane, Mastiff, and Irish Wolfhound.

    Is there a giant breed dog food?

    As of this writing, there are only TWO research-backed formulas made specifically for giant breed dogs.

    Royal Canin Giant Breed

    This formula is a top-tier food choice for your dog and while it’s pricy, it’s also one of the best options. Because it is so nutrient-dense, you may find that your dog doesn’t eat (or poop) as much on this formula. RC Giant Breed contains by-product meal, which sounds scary, but is closer to being biologically appropriate for dogs than deboned muscle meat.

    Royal Canin is heavily researched and has created a series from puppyhood to adult that is perfect for giant breed dogs, providing correct nutrition for every stage of life.

    Many giant dogs absolutely thrive on this food.

    Royal Canin Giant Puppy (to age 12 months)
    Royal Canin Giant Junior (8-24 months)
    Royal Canin Giant Breed (from age 24 months +)

    Click on any below to view.

    63276 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1530038530
    Feed until 8 months of age.
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    Feed from 8-24 months of age.
    62058 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1592946427
    Adult formula from 24 months on.

    Purina Pro Plan Giant Breed

    This formula is hard to find and may have been discontinued or temporarily suspended (2022). It is for adult giant breeds only.

    Giant puppies should be fed one of the Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy formulas listed below until 18-24 months, and then can be transitioned to the giant formula (if available).

    If you cannot find Pro Plan Giant Breed for your adult Great Dane, consider the following alternatives:

    Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Large Breed (Salmon)
    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Shredded Chicken & Rice (Large Pieces & Chicken Shreds!)
    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Weight Management (Get the weight off)
    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Bright Mind Age 7+ (for Senior Great Danes)

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    Other options:

    Earthborn Holistic makes a giant breed dog food formula.

    Earthborn is not, however, backed by the same level of science, research, and dedication to qualified Veterinary nutritionists as Purina and Royal Canin.

    The Earthborn brand has multiple cases of nutritional DCM associated with it, and we don’t recommend feeding it. It also utilizes several forms of ingredient splitting, to trick you into thinking the food is more natural and nutrient-focused than it is.

    Blue Buffalo now also has a joint support food out with a Dane on the label that they claim is ‘science-based’.

    Unfortunately, Blue Buffalo does not have a good track record, and the veterinary community does not typically recommend this brand for numerous reasons.

    In sticking with actual science and research, we don’t recommend it either.

    19 1

    Should I Feed My Great Dane Puppy or Adult Food?

    How to choose food for your dog

    It’s actually very simple to choose a kibble food for your dog when you look at science and research instead of marketing!

    We only share brands that meet the following 4 basic ethics requirements for manufacturing dog food:

    • Utilizes at least one full-time on-staff board-certified veterinary nutritionist who formulates the food
    • Participates in peer-reviewed research and science for the greater good of companion animal health and to better inform their nutritional formulation decisions
    • Owns and operates their own facilities (no co-packing)
    • Utilizes feeding trials to substantiate their kibbles in real life, not just on paper

    Only a few brands legitimately meet these requirements: Purina, Royal Canin, Iam’s, Hill’s, and Eukanuba.

    https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Selecting-a-pet-food-for-your-pet-updated-2021_WSAVA-Global-Nutrition-Toolkit.pdf

    Harlequin Great Dane Puppy Standing 683x1024 1

    WHAT IS PUPPY CULTURE?

    Is your breeder making confident puppies? ↗

    The best foods for large breed puppies

    Here is our list of the best foods for large pups who will be over 50lbs as an adult. Click on any to view.

    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy
    Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Large Breed puppy – OUR TOP PICK
    Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy
    Purina One Large Breed Puppy
    Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed
    Iam’s ProActive Health Smart Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food

    Sad Puppy

    The best foods for giant breed puppies

    Giant puppies have similar nutritional needs to large breeds.

    Any science-backed food from the list below will be appropriate for dogs that will be over 100lbs as an adult:

    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy
    Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Large Breed puppy – TOP PICK
    Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy
    Purina One Large Breed Puppy
    Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed
    Iam’s ProActive Health Smart Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food
    Royal Canin Giant Puppy Dry Dog food (to age 12 months) – TOP PICK
    Royal Canin Giant Junior Dry Dog food (8-24 months)

    Never feed small breed foods to giant dogs.

    These formulas are generally higher in calories and carbs, plus the small kibble size may make it easy for them to eat too quickly (increasing their risk of bloat, a deadly disease).

    Additionally, the most current research indicates that giant and large puppies should be fed a science-backed large or giant breed PUPPY food!

    We do not recommend feeding adult food to puppies, especially dogs that will be 50-100 or more lbs as an adult.

    While it used to be said that giant puppies should only be fed adult food, this outdated advice was based on speculation and not science.

    Puppies need different levels of calcium, phosphorus, energy, and other nutrients than adults or any size.

    Feeding incorrect food, including adult formulas, to a giant breed puppy, can actually cause developmental orthopedic disease (DOD) due to too little calcium or too much calcium.

    Additionally, adult foods don’t have the calories, protein, and fat that a puppy needs for robust muscle development, brain development, and energy.

    Great Dane pups raised on adult foods are often hopelessly lanky with poor muscle tone. They are nearly malnourished until maturity because of this. We are so excited that new research gives Dane pups the nutrition they need to thrive!

    selective focus photo of three brindle puppies inside brown woven basket

    The best foods for large and giant breed senior dogs

    Senior dogs require lower calories and additional cognitive and joint support. Here is our list of the best foods for mature large and giant senior dogs.

    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Weight Management (Get the weight off)
    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Bright Mind Age 7+ (for healthy senior dogs)

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    Common Ingredients in Large Breed Dog Foods

    Here is some information about common ingredients in giant and large dog foods. We hope this helps you dispel some myths you may have read on social media!

    Meat Meals and Meat By-Product Meals

    Many people believe that meat meals and meat by-product meals are lower-quality.

    This is because many humans prefer choice cuts of meat, grilled to perfection…not the bones, organs, fat, and skin that dogs want and need in their diet.

    The truth is that meat meals and by-product meals are highly digestible sources of protein, containing all of the essential amino acids your dog needs.

    Meat meals of any kind, including meat by-product meals, will be closer, nutritionally, to a species-appropriate raw diet than fresh muscle meats will be.

    Meat meals and meat by-product meals are also great sources of calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, and other minerals. In fact, meat meals are often used as a natural source of these minerals in pet foods.

    Because meat meals are processed and dehydrated before cooking, when they show up at the top of an ingredients list, they stay there after cooking, too.

    So, if you see “chicken meal” or “chicken by-product meal” as the first ingredients in a food, that means there’s likely more meat and more species-appropriate nutrition in the food than if “fresh chicken” was used instead.

    Fresh muscle meat sounds appealing to humans, but it is 70% water and doesn’t contain the same nutrition, amino acids, and joint support that a dog should be getting from bone, connective tissue, and organs.

    Large breed puppies, adults, and giant dogs of all ages need meat and meat by-products in their diet.

    As a matter of fact, foods with meat meals have been shown to help reduce the risk of bloat in dogs!

    What is Ingredient Splitting and is it bad for my dog?

    What is bloat?

    5 Reasons to E-Collar train Your Dog

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    Chicken Fat

    Chicken fat is a necessary and high-quality ingredient for large breed dogs. It’s a natural source of omega-six and omega-three fatty acids, which are essential for your dog’s coat and skin health.

    Chicken fat is also an excellent source of meat-based energy for dogs. In fact, it’s one of the most calorie-dense ingredients in pet food.

    Remember, just because us humans think it’s gross doesn’t mean it’s bad for our dogs!

    Fish Oil

    Fish oil is a natural source of omega-three fatty acids, which are excellent for your dog’s coat and skin health.

    Fish oil is also a great cognitive support ingredient. It’s been shown to improve memory, learning, and attention in dogs.

    Many well-formulated large-breed puppy foods and adult foods contain fish oil.

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    Use this link to get a FREE Jolly Ball with the purchase of a Big Barker bed.

    Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate

    Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are natural ingredients found in the connective tissue of animals. Remember the ‘by-product’ meal? Yes, that.

    These ingredients are excellent for joint health. They’ve been shown to slow the progression of osteoarthritis and improve joint function in dogs.

    Many large breed puppy foods and adult foods contain added joint support, either added as a supplement or from the meat meals and by-product meals included in the formula. Look for a brand that tells you what balance of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate is in the finished dry product.

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    Overall, large breed dog foods are necessary for giant and large breed puppies, adults, and seniors.

    They contain more nutrients, calories, and protein than smaller breed dog foods. Additionally, they often have special ingredients for joint health and cognitive support. If you have a large or giant breed dog, be sure to feed them food that is formulated specifically for their life stage!

    We have a lot of articles on this topic and love sharing the most up-to-date research-backed nutrition information you’ll be able to find.

    READ MORE:

    Big Barker Dog Bed Review

    Off-Color & ‘Designer Color’ Great Danes

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  • How to Stop Overfeeding Your Dog: 5 Tips & Tricks

    How to Stop Overfeeding Your Dog: 5 Tips & Tricks

    Do you have a hard time knowing how much food to give your dog? Are you afraid of overfeeding them and making them obese? Or are you in the dark about how much food you really should be feeding your dog?

    We are here to help. Chances are, you may actually be OVERFEEDING your dog!

    Is your Great Dane struggling with pickiness and loose stools? Yeah, about that. We’ll cover it, too.

    In this blog post, we will discuss how to use a scale to measure your dog’s food and make sure they are getting the right amount. This is an important step in ensuring their health and wellbeing.

    Using a scale to measure your dog food can also save you money, resolve chronic loose stools, and put pickiness to bed, once and for all.

    Read on, friends!

    Stop Overfeeding Your Dog

    Here is our table of contents. The headings are clickable for navigation!

    Are you overfeeding your dog?

    Step One: Read the Kibble Bag…

    Responsible dog food companies will give you grams per cup and kilocalories per cup measurements right on the bag.

    Every food company will be different!

    BrandKCALS/CUPGrams Per Cup
    Royal Canin Giant Breed Adult337108
    Pro Plan Large Breed Shredded Chicken35396

    As you can see here, the actual weight of the food and the nutrition per cup can vary!

    A cup of dog food is not the same as a cup of dog food from a different bag, in other words.

    Pro Tip: this is a good reason to use the food chart on the back of the bag for reference, not necessarily generic Great Dane feeding charts!

    a person putting food on a dog bowl

    Using a Scale to Measure Dog Food

    As an avid baker and home cook, I know that weighing flour, sugar, and butter is the only way to create truly consistent and reliable results.

    My famous chocolate chip cookie recipe (I wish I could share them with you through the screen, they are amazing) is all done on a kitchen scale.

    170g of flour

    150g of brown sugar

    50g of white sugar

    and so on.

    Last week I was scooping massive amounts of kibble into bowls for my Danes and got an idea to weigh it out, instead.

    What I found, shocked me.

    Both my eyeball measurement and my cup-by-cup measurements resulted in significantly more food in the bowl for my dog than when I measured the food on a scale.

    As in, I have been way overfeeding my dogs…and you probably are too!

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    The Experiment

    I used two popular types of large/giant breed kibble for this.

    Royal Canin Giant Breed Adult

    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Adult Shredded Chicken

    For each one, I documented the information from the food bag regarding how many grams were in a cup of the food, and how many kilocalories were in a cup as well.

    I took two measurements of each food:

    First: I scooped out a cup using a 1 cup measure, as most of us do, and I weighed it on a food scale.

    Second: I used the scale to measure out exactly one cup of food by weight/grams (according to the data from the bag).

    Then I compared the two results.

    IMG 4253

    Royal Canin Giant Breed

    This kibble has LARGE pieces!

    According to the feeding chart on the bag, my 2-year-old moderately active Great Dane should have 5.5 cups of food each day.

    IMG 4259
    The measuring cup with dog food shown above is measured out the way most of us tend to do it.
    Scooped out and slightly full to make up for the airy space between kibbles.

    Royal Canin says (on the bag) that the Giant Breed Adult food contains:

    108G per 1 Cup. (Thus, 5.5 cups = 594g of food/day)

    I scooped up a single cup of the nuggets the way that most of us tend to do it: a loose scoop with some pieces sticking out (because they are huge and left lots of air between pieces). I weighed them in an empty bowl on the scale.

    The result? 130 grams. Not 108 grams, as a true cup of this should weigh.

    IMG 4261

    Meaning that my single sloppy cup measure was adding 22 EXTRA grams of the food.

    That was just one cup, not all 5. Now, it stands to reason that this is going to ADD UP quickly. ?

    For a dog that should be eating 5.5 cups, that could mean roughly 120 extra grams of food PER DAY!

    120 grams is a whole bonus extra cup of food, in other words. Which, considering that a cup is around 1/5th of the dog’s daily intake requirement, that’s a LOT.

    Not only that, but over the course of the week, my dog would be receiving 7-8 additional cups of calorie-dense food that they likely don’t even need.

    That is more than an entire day’s worth of nutrition added to their weekly diet.

    8 days of food in 7 days. ??

    Have you ever wondered why there are so many obese dogs? We’ve just found a major clue…

    Is My Great Dane Fat?

    The Best Foods For Great Danes

    7 Deadly Health Risks for Overweight Dogs

    30
    An overweight Great Dane

    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Shredded Chicken

    For fun, I did this with a second food.

    1 cup of Pro Plan Large Breed Shredded Chicken kibble should weigh 96 grams.

    I used a measuring cup to pull a scoop out of the bag, taking care to not overfill it.

    Then I weighed it on the scale and…don’t be surprised here, folks:

    110 grams!

    IMG 4257

    This means that every cup I scoop is receiving (average) 14 additional grams of the food.

    For a dog that should receive 6 cups of Pro Plan, that could mean that they are being overfed by 84 grams each day.

    Just like the Royal Canin, an 84-gram daily overage (almost a full cup of food) amounts to roughly 6-7 additional cups of food each week that the dog likely doesn’t actually need.

    IMG 4258

    The Problems with Overfeeding Dogs

    When we overfeed our dogs, we are not loving them. We are slowly killing them.

    We are shortening their life spans, and making them more likely to suffer from a myriad of health problems, including:

    Cancer

    Heart Disease

    High Blood Pressure

    Arthritis & Joint Issues

    Diabetes Mellitus & Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

    ‘Allergies’ and ongoing loose stools

    I’ve outlined some common ones below!

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    Chronic Loose Stools

    Chronic loose stools are a common symptom of overfeeding in Great Danes! When you provide too much nutrition or unbalanced nutrition, it literally goes straight through them.

    A lot of people misdiagnose chronic loose stools as ‘food allergies’ or ‘chicken intolerance’, however, most of the time these are actually related to poor gut health, too much food switching, unbalanced boutique dog foods and you guessed it, overfeeding!

    Veterinarians across the Country cite a massive increase in health problems in dogs, including loose stools, heart problems, and low energy that they attribute to the popularity of untested, poorly formulated boutique dog foods.

    Choose a well-balanced large or giant breed kibble instead, measure the food, and stick with it.

    I recommend the following formulas, which are heavily researched and thoroughly tested, for large and giant breed dogs:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

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    Should I Feed My Great Dane Puppy or Adult Food?

    Obesity in Dogs

    Weight gain is common, especially following spay or neuter surgery (which causes your dog’s metabolism to decrease).

    Allowing your dog to pack on the pounds can shorten its lifespan, on average, by about 2 years!

    Being a stocky, oversized ‘Euro’ Great Dane is no excuse for being overweight and heavy, either.

    Great Danes are a lean, muscular, athletic breed and it’s important, for their health and well-being, that we honor that.

    We’ve included some dog weight loss tips below, as well as the following resources:

    Is my Dog Filling Out or Getting Fat?

    Should I feed Grain-Free Food?

    The Health Risks of Obesity in Dogs

    16
    An active, healthy-weight dog

    Over-nutrition and Growth Disorders

    Growth disorders such as Pano (aka growing pains), HOD, flat feet, and knuckling are a direct result of over-nutrition, especially when feeding incorrect, unbalanced foods that have too much calcium or missing nutrients.

    Great Dane puppies, especially young ones, require a LOT of food and for many reasons, we recommend feeding young dogs on a loose free-feeding schedule so that they aren’t underfed. However, as they mature, you should transition to a 2-3x/day feeding schedule.

    You can learn more about this in our Ultimate Great Dane Feeding Chart post!

    Feeding too much of the wrong thing can and will harm them.

    We’ve included a list below of the only appropriate foods to feed a large or giant breed puppy, as well as some resources for understanding why those foods are highly recommended!

    What are WSAVA Guidelines for Dog Food, and Do They Matter?

    What is Ingredient Splitting in Dog Food?

    Is Life’s Abundance a Good Food For My Dog?

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

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    THE HELLO DANES GREAT DANE PUPPY RESOURCE PAGE

    Everything you need to know! ↗

    Pickiness

    Many Great Dane owners believe that their dogs have become picky because they are turning their noses up at their food.

    These dogs are most often actually just FULL!

    In the interest of getting them to eat more, people tend to switch foods and start adding toppers and other forms of nutritional bribery.

    The dog learns that if they ignore their food, interesting and fun things come to them.

    “Picky eating” is a bit of a popular myth that is literally caused by humans! It’s ok for a dog to not eat their entire meal.

    Picky dogs are not usually picky, they are literally just training you to give them treats. Many picky dogs are actually overweight and need less food, not more!

    A healthy dog will not let itself starve to death, and if it does? Switching foods isn’t going to help. That’s a dog that needs medical attention.

    Bloat and Gut Health in Dogs

    Is Gentle Giants a Good Dog Food?

    black and brown miniature schnauzer lying on green grass field

    ‘Allergies’

    Once a dog has been sent down the path of ‘picky eating’ where different kibble brands are changed often and treats and toppers are added to encourage eating, their gut health suffers.

    Poor gut health also means being intolerant to the environment and yes, symptoms may then show up indicating that the dog has allergies.

    These symptoms include loose stools, a dry coat, and itching.

    Dogs with lighter coats may be more prone, and some dogs will continue to suffer from environmental allergies no matter what (just like humans). It’s important to set all dogs up for success!

    Some allergies are legitimate and life-threatening to dogs. The ONLY way to diagnose these types of allergies in dogs is to complete a food-trial elimination diet with veterinary supervision.

    Legitimately diagnosed food protein and grain allergies are extremely rare. It’s important to note that blood and saliva tests are inaccurate and often a waste of money.

    Most dogs suffering from allergies are actually experiencing intolerance to environmental allergens, not food!

    PRO TIP: Use a wet towel to gently wipe dander and pollen off your pup daily, and wash their feet to remove irritants.

    Many health issues like this are made worse by constant food switching and the use of untested, poorly formulated boutique diets that lack the correct balance of micro-nutrients and amino acids.

    Stop food switching to “find something that works”, measure the food, and let your dog’s gut health heal!

    We highly recommend Olewo Carrots and Olewo Beets for added fiber and to soothe the tummy, in addition to Fortiflora or Probios Probiotics.

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    OLEWO CARROTS. See them on Amazon HERE.

    Weight Loss Tips for Great Danes

    If your dog needs to lose weight, there are things you can do!

    Vet check? Check!

    If you are concerned about your dog’s weight, it’s important to ask your veterinarian for advice!

    Some dogs have weight problems because of thyroid issues or other medical conditions that can be easily managed with medication or a change in diet.

    Be sure to rule out any possible underlying health issues, including heart problems and thyroid disease, before starting a weight loss plan for your dog.

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    Romp n Roll Red
    Get a FREE Jolly Ball with the purchase of a Big Barker bed.

    Change the diet

    The one time we DO recommend a diet change is when you are not feeding quality food, and when your dog needs to lose weight. The following weight loss formula is recommended for at-home use:

    Pro Plan Adult Weight Management Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula

    Your veterinarian may also be able to prescribe a diet from Hill’s or Royal Canin that will help your pooch cut the calories. Royal Canin has put together an amazing healthy-weight resource page for dog owners:

    https://www.royalcanin.com/us/dogs/products/weight

    Measure the food on a scale so that you don’t overfeed!

    Be aware of the fact that many boutique foods use ingredient splitting to make you believe their food is ‘meat first’, when the truth is you may be feeding your dog an expensive bag of ‘human grade peas’.

    It’s no wonder so many dogs are overweight and struggling with low energy!

    What is Ingredient Splitting?

    DCM in Dogs: What You Need to Know

    17 1

    Tread cautiously with toppers

    Toppers and treats can help your dog or they can hurt them.

    Too many can lead to over-nutrition (and thus, obesity).

    Some people say to add green beans or pumpkin to your dog’s bowl to offset some calories; while this can help your dog feel more full, it’s important to keep these toppers to 10% or less of the diet.

    We recommend well-balanced raw food as a healthy, fresh-foods topper.

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    Raw Grass-Fed Beef
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    Turkey

    Olewo Carrots, Olewo Beets, and Dr. Harvey’s are also fantastic choices for adding wholesome fibers to your dog’s diet; as above, keep these to 5-10% or less of the diet.

    Pro Tip: A little goes a long way! If you are helping your dog lose weight, take it easy on the Dr. Harvey’s.

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    Get ready to move…naturally

    An off-leash dog can burn up to 300 calories in an hour!

    That’s a significant amount! We recommend off-leash training for all large and giant breed dogs, including Great Danes.

    This will allow them to zip, zoom, run, spin, explore and gain enrichment and physical movement that they are not receiving on a leash, long-line, or in a harness.

    With this kind of activity, your dog will be building muscle, shedding fat, and working its brain!

    Many dogs will benefit greatly from receiving their exercise and enrichment this way, however, you must be smart about it.

    Dogs that are extremely aggressive, fearful, timid, or wild need professional help with this, and you should never let your dog off-leash unless you can fully rely on them not to approach people and dogs uninvited.

    E-Collar training and educated ownership is the best way to give your dog this freedom of movement outside of your fenced yard.

    If this isn’t for you, it’s still important to get your dog moving! Talk to your veterinarian about physical therapy, including the use of water treadmills and pools to help your dog burn calories.

    READ MORE:

    Off-Color & ‘Designer Color’ Great Danes

    Find a Great Dane Rescue

  • Ingredient Splitting in Dog Food: 5 Things you Must Know

    Ingredient Splitting in Dog Food: 5 Things you Must Know

    Ingredient splitting in dog food is the dubious practice of rearranging labels to make the ingredients list look ‘healthy’. Like most dog owners, you want to ensure that your pup is eating the best nutrition possible.

    How does ingredient splitting work? What does that mean, and should you be worried about your bag of pet food?

    Ingredient Splitting in Dog Food: a uniquely boutique problem

    The pet food industry is a growing multi-billion dollar franchise with new boutique diets popping up every single day. It is estimated that there are 300-400 new ones, each year!

    Every new brand wants a piece of the pie and will say what they need to in order to gain your trust – and your money.

    In this blog post, we’ll answer all of your questions about ingredient splitting in dog food and help you decide what nutrition is best for your giant breed dog!

    18 1

    What is Ingredient Splitting in Dog Kibble?

    Ingredient splitting is when a pet food company takes a whole ingredient (for example, peas, oats, salt, or corn), and then lists it under multiple different names on the ingredients list.

    This is a sneaky trick that makes the food look like it has more meat and high-quality, whole foods at the top of the ingredients list than it actually does.

    Common pet food ingredients subjected to splitting

    Below are some examples of common whole foods that may be split up on an ingredient list. Keep in mind that one single item, such as pea fiber, is ok. The problem is when a company uses multiple items from the whole ingredient, indicating that they are likely using splitting.

    Peas may be listed as:

    • Peas
    • Whole Peas
    • Pea Protein
    • Pea Fiber
    • Pea Flour
    • Pea Starch
    • Green Peas
    • Yellow Peas

    Corn may be listed as:

    • Corn
    • Corn Meal
    • Corn Gluten Meal
    • Corn Flour
    • Corn Starch
    • Whole Grain Ground Corn

    Potatoes may be listed as:

    • Potatoes
    • Potato flour
    • Potato protein
    • Dried Potatoes
    • Whole Potatoes
    • Potato starch

    Oats may be listed as:

    • Oats
    • Whole Oats
    • Oatmeal
    • Oat Groats
    • Oat Flour
    • Oat Fiber

    Additionally, food companies may choose to use multiple versions of the same food so that each one makes up a smaller weight. Examples include:

    • Yellow peas, green peas, split peas
    • Red lentils, yellow lentils, green lentils

    By turning a single, whole item into separate ingredients on paper, dog food manufacturers can artificially inflate the perception of real meat content in the food, even if it’s not the most abundant ingredient.

    How Pet Food Manufacturers Fool Dog Owners

    The FDA regulates what goes on pet food labels in the United States, but there are still ways for companies to manipulate their ingredient lists.

    For example, a company could put ‘chicken’ as the first ingredient on their food list. But because “fresh” chicken contains roughly 70% water, it could actually be of lower content than other ingredients (once the kibble is extruded).

    It would still be listed first, however, because labeling requirements state that ingredients must be listed based on their pre-cooked (water included) weight.

    Ingredient splitting further ensures that chicken stays at the top, even though most of its weight and bulk of it is lost during the cooking process. Read our section on by-products below to learn more!

    Water content is not required to be listed on pet food brand labels so that companies can get away with this.

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    Marketing in commercial dog food

    The dog food industry is a multi-billion dollar market with thousands of companies fighting for market share.

    To differentiate their products, pet food companies will use marketing tricks such as:

    -Attractive packaging, often with photos of vegetables, fruits, and skinless, boneless fresh, or roasted meats

    -Making bold claims of robust health and longevity

    -“Humanizing” their ingredients (“Farm Fresh Deboned Chicken”)

    -Placing large amounts of different fruits and vegetables in the ingredients list (which appeal to the consumer but do little for nutritional content)

    -Using celebrity and influencer endorsements, including viral pet owners on social media, “veterinarians”, and “nutrition experts”

    -Relying on unregulated marketing terms such as “holistic”, “human-grade” and “super-premium”

    These tricks are NOT actually an indication of a product being “higher quality”, though people perceive it that way.

    pexels jozef feher 2774140

    How Ingredient Splitting Math Works

    Let’s do the math!

    If I have 10oz of “widgets” and 8oz of Fresh Roast Beast in my kibble, by law I have to list “widgets” first (because they weigh the most, before cooking).

    My current formula looks like this:

    Widgets, roast beast, rice, lentils, roast beast fat, salt, vitamins & minerals.

    BUT I want people to believe that roast beast is the primary ingredient, so I break “widgets” up to keep it on the top of the list (and add some yummy-sounding ingredients in minute amounts to appeal to the customer)

    10oz of “widgets” becomes (for example):

    • 5oz of widget fiber
    • 3oz of widget starch
    • 2oz of widget protein

    Each one has smaller pre-cooking weights that add up to the original 10oz, but because they now individually weigh less than the roast beast, they can move down the ingredients list.

    Widgets as a whole, however, still outnumber the meat in the final extruded product…especially once all of the water is removed from the roast beast!

    My new more ‘appetizing’ looking formula might look like this, even though the ingredients are essentially the same:

    Fresh deboned roast beast, rice, widget fiber, roast beast fat, green lentils, widget starch, widgets, pumpkin, widget protein, red lentils, squash, green lentils, choline chloride, apples, fish oil, potassium chloride, vitamins & minerals.

    Companies that practice ingredient splitting are not being truthful to their consumers. Savvy consumers should ask questions and move well beyond the “holistic” and “super-premium” marketing labels.

    Ingredient splitting is one of the pet food industry’s biggest, most dirty marketing tricks.

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    Real-Life Example #1 – Ingredient Splitting

    Here is an example of a boutique dog food that uses ingredient splitting to make its formula look meat-focused. This brand uses ‘premium grade’, ‘organic’, and ‘biologically appropriate’ marketing terms. They also promote that their brand has ‘meat in the first ingredient’.

    Peas, pea starch, and pea protein all add up to…PEAS. We can reasonably assume that peas are ingredient #2, or even #1 by weight because both lamb tripe and fresh salmon are heavy in water (before cooking).

    They have also split salt into 3 different ingredients so that it’s lower on the ingredients list than the pumpkin, spinach, broccoli, and other ‘nutritious’ foods that were included in minuscule amounts for marketing purposes.

    Additionally, the heavy use of peas in dog food is the KEY suspect in studies showing that untested, poorly formulated boutique foods are contributing to an alarming increase of N-DCM and sudden death in dogs.

    The calcium/phosphorus ratio on this food is alarming and can cause damage to large and giant breed dogs (1.7% calcium to .08% phosphorus).

    This healthy-looking ‘holistic’ brand contains very little meat meal (meat+bone+organs) and no animal fats; two things that are, in fact, biologically appropriate.

    When you learn to look past the marketing and read labels correctly, the results are shocking:

    Screen Shot 2022 07 12 at 8.08.14 AM
    Pet Kind Tripe & Salmon Formula
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    Real-Life Example #2: Ingredient Splitting

    See below and note the use of multiple versions of the same ingredients (red and green lentils, green and yellow peas), which is a form of ingredient splitting.

    Also take note of the addition of kelp, collard greens, apples, pears, and pumpkin. These items are listed after salt on the ingredients list, indicating that they make up only a few grams per pound (or less) in the food.

    The marketing on the bag makes you think that this is a healthy, well-balanced meat feast for your dog. What you are really getting may be nothing more than a bag of meat-flavored lentils, beans, and vegetables.

    Lastly, in their effort to avoid the word ‘by-product meal’ (which has unfortunately negative connotations despite being incredibly nutritious), they have utilized multiple forms of kidney, liver, and tripe instead.

    All of those things are in fact, by-products.

    Screen Shot 2022 07 03 at 4.31.04 PM
    Acana Red Meat Recipe
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    Real-Life Example #3: Ingredient Splitting

    The next example is from Earthborn Holistics Large/Giant Breed formula. The blue bag with the Great Dane on it!

    This popular food in the Great Dane community is full of ingredient splitting. As you can see, this practice is not uncommon and has been made to mislead you!

    By now, you may start to see the splitting happening. If not, here is the run-down.

    Chicken meal is fantastic. It’s followed by rice, oatmeal and oats.

    But wait, aren’t oatmeal and oats the same thing!?

    They are. But by splitting them, this company effectively moved chicken fat down into the 5th spot on the ingredients list.

    Some studies have shown that chicken fat in the first 4 ingredients increases the risk of deadly bloat in dogs.


    EDITORS NOTE:

    The only acceptable forms of chicken fat high on the list in large/giant breed foods will be from companies who use a well-sourced by-product meal in the first ingredient. This is a biologically correct inclusion with meat, organs, tissue, and bone that even after cooking will still comprise the bulk of the food and nutrition.

    Royal Canin Giant Breed is a great example of this and is thus exempt from the “avoid chicken fat in the first 4 ingredients” rule.


    Earthborn Holistic below has also split the salt up into multiple ingredients; many companies do this and it’s not necessarily bad (there may be a nutritional reason for the two different forms).

    However, it’s important to note that this keeps marketing inclusions such as apples and cranberries higher up on the list – even though they likely make up less of the actual formula than salt.

    Screen Shot 2022 07 28 at 12.00.12 PM

    Pet Food Industry Myths Busted

    Several myths in the pet nutrition industry have been perpetrated by people with very little background in peer-reviewed, scientific canine nutrition.

    “Grain-free is better for dogs”

    “Kibble is full of by-products and slaughterhouse waste”

    “Corn is a filler”

    We will cover these myths in depth below.

    Are by-products in dog kibbles healthy?

    By-products (often seen on the label as ‘Chicken By-Product’ or ‘Meat By-Product Meal) are catch-all terms for anything that is left over after other parts of the animal have been used.

    This can include bone, beaks, feet, tendons, tissue, and internal organs; all things that some humans do not care to eat and may even find repulsive.

    Read more about by-products HERE!

    A meat by-product meal is the rendered version of this; all of the water and fat is removed and what is left is a nutrient-dense, pathogen-free product that, when added to pet food, can make up the bulk of the important nutrition.

    Beef meal, chicken meal, and fish meal are similar products (rendered meats) that you may have seen on a food label. By-product meal is similar, nutrient-wise, to a whole-prey model raw food diet and is much more protein-rich and nutritious than ‘fresh deboned meat’.

    Have you ever given a whole chicken to a dog? If you aren’t aware, dogs will eat the WHOLE THING. Eyes, feet, organs, bone, meat, blood, and yes, the beak.


    https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/05/dont-be-bothered-by-by-products

    These items are necessary for good health and nutrition in our canine companions.

    So don’t let the word “by-product” fool you. If you feed your dog pig ears, bully sticks, freeze-dried liver treats, or chicken feet, you are feeding your dog by-products!

    As a rendered item, by-product meals already have the moisture removed before extruding. So unlike fresh muscle meat, if they are heavy before cooking, they still will be after they become kibble, too.

    5 1

    Real-life example

    Below is a traditionally “scary-looking” ingredients list with a by-product meal as the first ingredient.

    Marketing has taught us to view this label as ‘garbage’ or ‘junk’.

    Influencers ‘flip the bag’ and teach us to be disgusted and alarmed.

    BUT:

    Each ingredient is different, from a different source, and has a different purpose. Because a by-product meal is a nutrient-dense dry product before cooking, it remains at the top of the list without any ingredient splitting needed to keep it there.

    It may be tempting to choose the Acana formula (from the real-life example above) that contains healthy-sounding lentils, kelp, pumpkin, and multiple meat sources.

    However, don’t be fooled! This Royal Canin diet below very likely contains more actual nutrition from meat than the Acana ‘Red Meat Recipe’ from above.

    The more you know!

    Screen Shot 2022 07 03 at 4.40.16 PM
    Royal Canin Giant Breed Adult
    14

    Does dog kibble contain slaughterhouse waste?

    This is a myth that has been perpetuated by people with very low actual credibility.

    The fact of the matter is that there are laws in place (regulated by the FDA) regarding the sourcing, control, and quality of ingredients that are processed into dog and cat food.

    The FDA has a zero-tolerance policy for any adulterated products (including drugs, cosmetics, and feed) that enter the marketplace. It’s time to lay this myth to rest.

    Should You Avoid Buying Dog Food That Contains Corn?

    Is grain-free healthier for my pet?

    Grain-free diets have become super popular because of, you guessed it, marketing.

    People see the words “grain-free” and think that it means healthier when in reality, it just means… grain-free.

    There is no nutritional evidence to support the claim that grain-free diets are any healthier for dogs than diets that contain grains.

    In fact, the FDA has identified a link between untested boutique dog foods (often “grain-free”) and an alarming increase in life-threatening heart problems in dogs.

    15

    How to Choose an Ethical Pet Food Company

    When looking for an ethical pet kibble company, look for these key things:

    -A full-time board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist (DACVN or ACVN) on staff (not “consults with” or “works with”, but employs)

    -The use of AAFCO food trials to substantiate their formulation in real life, not just on paper

    -Participation in peer-reviewed companion animal nutrition research (actually cares about companion animal health, doesn’t just claim to)

    -A commitment to transparency and education, not excuses and marketing buzzwords

    Take the Dog Food Advisor with a grain of salt. It is a clickbait affiliate income website, run by a human dentist, that uses a made-up rating system.

    Here are some helpful links:

    Every Ingredient Has a Purpose (By Purina)

    Advancing Science for Pet Health (Purina Institute)

    60
    HOW DOES YOUR DOG FOOD STACK UP?

    THE PET NUTRITION ALLIANCE

    Search for your food brand. Who formulated it? Does it meet standards? Are they transparent about their dedication to science and nutrition?

    FIND YOUR FOOD

    What is the WSAVA?

    The WSAVA is the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.

    They are an organization of over 200,000 veterinarians in over 100 countries who are dedicated to improving the health and welfare of companion animals worldwide.

    The WSAVA has a Nutrition Toolkit that provides comprehensive resources for pet owners and veterinarians on how to choose a pet food and what to look for on the label.

    The WSAVA does NOT endorse or approve any pet brands.

    What is the WSAVA? Read more…

    https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/06/why-you-shouldnt-judge-a-pet-food-by-its-ingredient-list

    15 1

    Best Foods for Giant Breed Dogs

    The list of foods below comes from companies that put their money into scientific research, feeding trials, nutrition sciences, veterinary support, and hiring highly qualified board-certified veterinary nutritionists to formulate the kibble.

    All of these are formulated correctly for giant breed dogs.

    Giant breed puppy food

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

    Giant breed adult food

    29

    Want more? Here are some great, comprehensive articles on food and nutrition, from a veterinary professional (not influencers or boutique food companies that stand to make money on your purchase):

    http://vetharmony.org/blog/2016/12/16/what-food-should-i-feed-my-pet?fbclid=IwAR3zf4n4sphyfKGo9KEejAmCvXG6sWlCyug4w2dzoIDgW2svgicobZ2cggU

    https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/06/a-broken-heart-risk-of-heart-disease-in-boutique-or-grain-free-diets-and-exotic-ingredients/
  • Misconceptions in the World of Dogs: Debunking the Myths

    Misconceptions in the World of Dogs: Debunking the Myths

    There is a lot of advice and marketing floating around in the world of dogs. A lot of it is dated and much of it is actually dangerous! Misconceptions in the world of dogs are rampant and we’re going to clear up some big ones today.

    These are 5 common ideas in the world of dogs that are actually a big fat scam! These misconceptions are meant to make you buy more things or do things that could actually hurt, frustrate or even kill your dog.

    Read on, friends.

    misconceptions in the world of dogs

    Allergy Testing for Dogs

    Many people whose dogs have loose stools, itching, and other symptoms of allergies will turn to blood or saliva allergy tests for answers.

    These tests prey on desperate dog owners!

    Here is how it goes down:

    The results will show a list of things the dog is supposedly “allergic” to. This list most often includes things like chicken, corn, grains, and grass or pollen.

    Feeling validated, the owner will then choose a boutique “Limited Ingredient” dog food and spend insane amounts of money on expensive diets, supplements, washes, and more.

    When that diet doesn’t work, the owner will switch the diet, again and again, further destroying the dog’s gut health (which of course, leads to more sensitivities, allergies, or even heart failure, YIKES!) while trying to find something that ‘works’).

    (See our post below about designer boutique dog food!)

    The truth about allergy testing in dogs

    There is no good evidence to support any type of blood serum or saliva allergy testing in dogs! As a matter of fact, studies have shown that these tests are wildly inaccurate.

    This article from Tufts University outlines the science behind this. https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2020/03/food-allergy-testing

    How to diagnose allergies in dogs

    So what is a pet owner to do?

    A food elimination trial using hydrolyzed protein diets is still the gold standard for diagnosing legitimate food allergies in dogs.

    This means taking your dog off of all food sources, including treats and counter surfing, except for a highly hydrolyzed protein diet (think Hills z/d or Purina HA) for at least 12 weeks.

    If the symptoms improve, then you can slowly add things back in one at a time to see if there is a true allergy.

    But beware, these diets are expensive and not all dogs will eat them!

    This is, of course, assuming that a food allergy is actually what is happening. Actual allergies to specific proteins in food are exceptionally rare, and there are more often environmental factors at play.

    Choosing an appropriate, well-balanced diet (correctly formulated raw and/or quality non-boutique kibble, see below) and addressing environmental allergies with robust gut health and possibly medications (including Benedryl) will be much more effective and healthy for your pet.

    Should I Feed Grain Free?

    Fish Oil for Great Danes

    Puppy Food for Great Danes

    8 Must Know’s for Great Dane Nutrition

    Great Dane Not Eating – What to Do

    32

    Is “Force-Free” Dog Training Ethical?

    The second discussion point in our ‘dog world myths’ series will likely bring us some heat, and that’s ok!

    Some dog trainers out there claim to be “Force-Free” and will use marketing to imply that they are the only “humane”, and “science-based” option.

    They often spend a lot of time bashing other dog trainers, tools, and methods, too.

    But here is the thing:

    It’s scientifically impossible to be “Force-Free” or to use only “Positive Reinforcement”.

    All dog trainers use some form of positive reinforcement (rewarding the dog for doing something) and negative punishment (taking something away from the dog to decrease a behavior).

    Whether it’s withholding a treat, keeping a dog on a long leash, or isolating a dog from socialization and the world to avoid bad behaviors, the reality is that force, punishment, and coercion are at play.

    The problem lies in the fact that a “Force-Free” dog trainer will always choose, without exception, no matter the situation, isolation and physical restraint (yes, force) in lieu of just saying NO.

    For many dogs, this becomes a compounding source of frustration that leads to anxiety, reactivity, frustration, and over-excitement.

    This is especially true when it comes to dangerous and rude (but easily correctable) behaviors such as running out of doors, chasing cars or wildlife, humping, ignoring recall, or jumping the fence.

    These are behaviors that “Force-Free” dog trainers will often choose to manage for months or years at a time with, you guessed it, force in the form of physical restraint and isolation.

    “Force-Free” is a marketing term that misleads dog owners into thinking they are doing something “positive and humane” for their pets.

    Positive Reinforcement in Dog Training

    We believe in and use positive reinforcement in dog training! That should always be the primary way to install new behaviors and guide dogs towards making the correct choice.

    Dogs should have fun learning and never be subjected to intimidation or harsh, forceful corrections.

    However, we recommend avoiding extreme, one-sided dog training methods such as “Force-Free” that are restrictive (and frustrating) to you and your dog.

    Communicating mostly YES with an occasional NO as needed is the most humane thing we can do for our pets!

    Puppy Training: 5 Mistakes in Training

    What is Balanced Training?

    Day Pouch Treat Bag Review

    Is the Gentle Leader an Abusive Tool?

    Things that are More Aversive Than an E Collar in Training

    The Best Collars for Great Danes

    34

    Boutique Dog Foods: Killing our Wallets AND our Pets!

    This is a big one, and I’m sorry I’m going to ruffle some feathers here.

    I’m talking about those “Grain-Free”, “Natural”, “Human Grade”, “Holistic”, and “Super-Premium” Boutique dog foods.

    Before we dive in, here are some simple facts about boutique dog foods:

    1. They are quite often formulated by people who are grossly under-qualified to do so (for example, FROMM foods are formulated by a chemical engineer. Yikes!)
    2. The nutritional minimums outlined by AAFCO are simply met on paper, but the foods themselves are not actually subjected to legitimate feeding trials or ongoing research
    3. There is very little if any, actual research and science being put into the formulations; it’s all made up to appeal to dog owners
    4. The belief that they are of higher quality is perpetuated purely by dog owners, influencers, pet store reps that stand to profit, and people with no credible background in canine nutrition

    Every day expensive new “holistic” dog foods hit the market. It’s a huge money-maker and influencers, pet food reps and dog food companies all stand to profit.

    Many (though not all) of these boutique dog food brands are manufactured in the same facilities that make and pack other “super-premium” dog foods. It’s often the same thing, with a different label.

    Here are some common boutique dog foods:

    59937 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1614009109
    47654 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1510679604
    354071 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1639147663

    They use a lot of marketing to make you feel that you are making a healthy choice for your pet, including the addition of “fairy dust” to make the ingredients list look healthy. (Fairy dust is the addition of fruits and vegetables that are unlikely to add any nutritional value).

    These marketing terms are unregulated and meaningless:

    • Human Grade
    • Holistic
    • Super Premium
    • High-Quality
    • Family-Owned

    What is ingredient splitting?

    Ingredient splitting in dog food is the process of splitting one ingredient (example, peas) into multiple ingredients on the label to make the diet look better on paper.

    For example, let’s say you have dog food that contains peas. The peas may be split on the ingredients list into peas, pea protein, and pea fiber. This is done intentionally to make it more difficult to determine how much of each ingredient is present in the diet.

    Ingredient splitting can make dog food look like meat makes up the bulk of the kibble (by pushing the meat product to the first thing in the ingredients list), when really, what you are buying is an over-priced bag of meat-flavored peas. YIKES!

    DCM and Boutique Dog Food

    There is a known link between boutique diets and the incidence of secondary (nutrition-related) DCM that is actively being researched.

    DCM is a silent killer that often results in sudden death where no prior symptoms had been seen. For this reason, it is unfortunately grossly underdiagnosed.

    It’s not just secondary nutrition-related DCM, though. Chronic loose stools, itching, bone growth disorders, and problems with the liver, kidneys, or pancreas are common.

    Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists agree that “holistic” boutique diets, sold to us at higher prices using unregulated marketing terms, are harming our pets.

    8 Nutrition Facts to Keep Your Dog at the Right Weight

    8 Must Knows for Great Dane Nutrition

    Great Dane: Puppy vs. Adult Food

    What is Bloat?

    Should I Feed Grain Free?

    IMG 0416

    IS GRAIN-FREE FOOD DANGEROUS?

    Read more here ↗

    Designer Dogs with Designer Price Tags

    Enter the Great Danoodle. The Bernadoodle. The Sheepadoodle.

    Designer dogs are mixed-breed dogs, marketed to you as the perfect family pet that is “hypoallergenic”, “great with kids” and “easy to train”. This is a huge scam in the pet industry right now.

    Here is the truth about designer doodles!

    • Mixing two dogs together does not guarantee that you will get the best traits of each. That’s not how genetics work.
    • Poodles are high-energy, intelligent working breeds that require a lot of mental and physical enrichment. Doodle puppies who take on more of the poodle genetics are often the same. They may become aggressive, nippy, destructive, or neurotic when lacking appropriate training, socialization, and enrichment.
    • Poodles have a much different orthopedic structure than Sheep Dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Great Danes. Breeding them together produces a mixed bag that can result in weak hips, roached backs, flat feet, and more.
    • Doodles are never bred from excellent breeding stock; no ethical preservation breeder will contribute their dogs to a mixed-breed doodle program.
    • Doodles are not hypoallergenic. They have a mixed coat type, each one is different, and some puppies will produce more dander and irritants than others.
    • They have intense grooming needs. Doodles require DAILY (yes, daily) brushing and regular trips to the groomer, which can run upwards of $125 or more every 4-6 weeks.
    • FUN FACT: Many groomers will no longer accept doodles because too many owners neglect their dog’s coat maintenance and then become upset when their doodle has to be shaved because of pelting and matting.
    • Very few, if any doodle breeders will fully health test the dogs they breed. Ethical testing would include doing all of the required tests on both parents, recommended by the respective breed club of each breed in the pairing.

    Why are Doodles so popular?

    Doodles have been made popular by, you guessed it, marketing and influencers! Look past the marketing before making a decision about purchasing a doodle for your family.

    Make sure that both breeds in the doodle mix have the temperament and coat type that you would want to live with, as your puppy could turn out either way.

    Off Color and Designer Great Danes

    Breeders: Shady Business

    What is OFA Health Testing?

    Is Embark a ‘Good Enough’ Health Test?

    Great Danoodle

    The Friendly Backyard Breeder in your Community

    We support and believe in ethical breeders.

    However, the average friendly backyard breeder is the biggest problem in the world of dogs right now!

    These breeders often do not know what they are doing, nor do they care.

    They mislead pet owners into believing they are ethical, and THAT is an issue.

    They will often have nice websites and adorable photos of puppies who appear to be well-cared for. You might hear them say that their dogs are ‘genetically clear’ or ‘vet checked and health tested’.

    These friendly backyard breeders, however, do not participate in full, proper health testing or screenings (choosing instead to cherry-pick one or two so they appear reputable). They don’t prove their dog’s structure or temperaments by obtaining titles and participating in the breed’s parent club, and many of them do not support puppy buyers for the life of their dog.

    For example, Great Danes should have hips, heart, eyes, and thyroid screened at a minimum, prior to breeding. A “friendly backyard breeder” may only do hips.

    These unethical breeders tend to breed dogs together based on their color or features, not because of temperament or correct structure.

    They will sell you a puppy who appears healthy, but may:

    • Be timid, shy, or even aggressive
    • Develop serious behavioral problems
    • Have problems with growth
    • Suffers from a poor orthopedic structure that could eventually lead to ACL tears or early arthritis
    • Die young from genetically linked disorders such as bloat, blood clotting disorders, DCM, or wobblers

    Don’t get scammed. Go through your breed’s parent club to find a truly responsible, ethical breeder.

    What is a backyard breeder? The AKC has 1000’s.

    Bad Breeders

    Scam Breeders: What to Look For

    Choosing a Dog From a Show Breeder

    134938850 695281657811797 8111659047787088021 n

    What other common scams in the world of dogs should we cover? Let us know in the comments below!

    And, don’t forget to share this post with your friends to help spread the word and keep everyone informed. After all, knowledge is power!

  • Great Dane Nutrition: 8 Must Knows for Feeding Your Dog the Best Diet for His Breed

    Great Dane Nutrition: 8 Must Knows for Feeding Your Dog the Best Diet for His Breed

    Both adult Great Danes and Great Dane Puppies require unique and proper Great Dane nutrition in order to be the best gentle giants that they can be. Giant Breeds can have body weight up to 200 pounds, and their metabolisms are different than smaller breeds.

    Great Dane Nutrition

    Here are eight must-knows that health minded dog owners of giant breeds should keep in mind:

    1. Food Matters. Feeding Great Danes proper nutrition plays a role in healthy digestion, joint health, hip dysplasia / arthritis, healthy growth, and the overall condition of large breeds. (Health Risks in Great Danes)
    2. Puppy Food is NOT Evil. Giant breed puppies should eat Great Dane puppy food. (Read more)
    3. Elevated Food Bowls are NOT Always a Plus. The argument remains amongst dog owners for whether to use an elevated dog feeder for their large breeds. Let’s discuss the pros and cons.
    4. Dog Food is Related to Bloat. Eating healthy and promoting canine nutrition can be the difference between life and death.
    5. There are pros and cons to both kibble and raw feeding. Knowledgeable Dane owners will get informed about the dog food requirements for their giant dogs with both raw food and kibble, and make a decision from there. (Bloat Risks)
    6. Chicken Fat is Dangerous. Giant breed owners should avoid fat for their Great Dane puppies and Great Danes.
    7. Free Feeding Can Have Serious Consequences. It’s all fun and games until your large breed puppies turn into overweight Great Danes.
    8. Grain Free Kibble is not the enemy. But the enemy does lie within. Get educated on the risk of feeding a Grain Free Diet. It may not be as simple as you think. Should I Feed Grain Free?

    FOOD MATTERS FOR GIANT BREED DOGS

    Our canine companions are like family to me. Everyone imagines their young Great Danes turning into Senior Great Danes, living long and healthy lives and fulfilling everything that they may want to do in life.

    Great Dane Nutrition

    But, without the right nutrition, Great Danes will seriously struggle during puppyhood and as Adult Danes.

    Your dog’s diet plays a role in just about every aspect of their life:

    • Can contribute to unhealthy rapid growth in Great Dane puppies. Rapid growth can lead to issues such as Panosteitis or HOD. Knuckling can also be caused by feeding the wrong dog food to your Great Dane puppy.

    Is My Great Dane Puppy Knuckling?
    How to Prevent Knuckling in Great Dane Puppies

    • Dog’s nutrition plays a role in healthy bones and joint disease. With a rise in arthritis and Dysplasia in Great Dane adult dogs and even Great Dane puppies, choosing the right Giant breed dog food has become of utmost importance.

    Arthritis in Great Danes
    Laser Therapy for Joint Pain
    How to Help a Dog with a Broken Leg
    Using CBD for My Dog’s Pain
    Canine Hip Dysplasia

    • Giving Great Danes the best dog food for their breed will help their digestion. Loose stool and digestion issues stem from a variety of issues, but most commonly from dog foods.

    Stomach Problems in Dogs
    Gut Health and Bloat

    GREAT DANE PUPPIES SHOULD BE FED GREAT DANE PUPPY FOOD

    Great Dane Nutrition

    Controversy in the Facebook group chat has led even the most knowledgeable Dane owners to believe the lie that Great Dane puppies should be eating adult dog food.

    The giant ‘Puppy vs. Adult Food’ argument.

    Unfortunately, this lie is outdated as (some) dog food companies have progressed and developed dog foods that ARE suitable for feeding a Giant Breed puppy.

    Most brand puppy foods are NOT suitable for big dogs. Look for brands that are WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) approved.

    Puppy resources for food:

    Puppy Food for Great Danes
    Is My Great Dane Puppy Knuckling?
    How to Prevent Knuckling in Great Dane Puppies
    Is My Great Dane Puppy Too Small?
    Great Dane Puppy Growth Chart

    ELEVATED BOWLS ARE NOT ALWAYS A PLUS FOR A LARGE BREED DOG

    Great Dane Nutrition

    Bloat myths float around more commonly than balloons.

    Owners are led to believe that by giving their dog an elevated dog bowl, they will prevent bloat. YAY.

    NOT.

    MYTH: Elevated bowls will prevent bloat when feeding giant breeds.

    TRUTH: In 1994 a study was done of over 1900 dogs with no prior history of bloat. They were surprised to learn that the dogs with raised bowls were 110% more likely to experience bloat than other dogs in the study that had bowls on the floor. Ruh-Roh.

    Want to see more information on this study? Read it HERE.

    Be sure to make an EDUCATED decision when choosing what bowl your Great Dane eats from, not an emotional one.

    Since it’s never healthy for Great Danes (or anyone) to scarf their food, opt for slow feeders instead!

    slow feeder dog bowls for large
    PETDURO dog bowl slow feeder for small medium breed maze puzzle
    PETDURO dog lick mat for anxiety slow feeder dog bowls bundle assembled
    PetDuro has creative ways to slow feed your dog in a standard slow feeder, an engagement slow feeder or a slow feeder licky mat.

    THERE ARE PROS AND CONS TO BOTH RAW FEEDING AND FEEDING KIBBLE TO GIANT BREEDS

    Great Dane Nutrition

    There are quite a few great kibbles out there for Great Danes.

    (Check them out here!)

    However, even large breed formulas (some of them) can have some risks depending on what formula you choose.

    Some owners resort to feeding their dogs raw food in an attempt to provide healthy alternatives to crummy dog foods on the markets.

    We like this one:

    e commerce turkey
    We Feed Raw provides complete mixes in a variety of proteins including Beef, Venison and Turkey.

    THE ISSUE: Owners who are looking for the best dog food neglect to realize that some large breed kibble formulas are perfectly fine for feeding Great Danes.

    THE OTHER ISSUE: Some kibble feeders are afraid to accept raw foods as apart of their dog’s diet.

    There is no one ‘best food’ when feeding Great Danes.

    Certainly there are some ‘worsts’ (like this one).

    However, both raw feeding AND feeding kibble can be done very positively when feeding Great Danes.

    As a matter of fact, when choosing the best dog food- why not do both!

    DOG FOOD IS RELATED TO BLOAT

    Great Dane Nutrition

    Taking this whole raw vs kibble debate one step further, did you know that adding wet food on top of dry food actually DECREASES your dog’s chance of bloating?

    Feeding Great Danes is so much more than what your Great Dane will eat or won’t eat because ‘they’re just too picky for their regular dog food’.

    What you choose to feed your Great Danes can actually save their life.

    Must Read Nutrition BlogsPuppy Food
    Great Dane Not Eating- What to Do
    A Tasty Top: The Top 11 Foods to Feed a Great Dane
    What Foods Help a Dog’s Upset Stomach?
    Great Dane: Puppy vs. Adult Food
    Questions You Might Have about NutritionHow Much Do Great Danes Eat?
    Should I Feed Grain Free?
    How to Treat My Great Dane’s Dry Skin?
    Why does My Great Dane Fart So Much?
    What Foods Help a Dog’s Upset Stomach?
    Supplement Resources7 Uses of CBD
    The Benefits of Mushrooms for Great Danes
    Fish Oil for Great Danes
    Supplements for Great Danes
    Adding CBD Into Your Great Dane’s Diet

    If feeding Great Danes a properly formulated kibble- opt to add some wet food, canned food, or raw food on top.

    Not only will this add healthy fats, but it could also save a life.

    omega 7105acfb0b8053ecf181cfcb58ca10a5
    health and shine pump
    salmon 35a247dc9508e2792c4e216150c7e17e
    Our favorite Fish Oil for Great Danes: Health and Shine Salmon and Krill and Omega-3 Fish Oil. Use code HELLODANES10 for 10% off.

    SPREAD OUT THE MEALS!

    Not only does the dog food matter when it comes to bloat, but the timing of when you are feeding Great Danes matters too.

    Great Dane owners who feed their dog’s one, large meal are more prone to having their dog bloat than those who spread out their Great Dane’s dog food into smaller, more manageable meals.

    Remember, not all dogs are going to be prone to bloat in their lifetime.

    But, since Great Danes are more prone to bloat than other dog breeds, it is important that their owners take extra care when feeding them.

    CHICKEN FAT IS DANGEROUS

    Great Dane Nutrition

    If you thought feeding Great Danes could not get any more complicated, it sure does!

    Dog food brands like to stuff ingredients into their kibble that sometimes just don’t make sense.

    When perusing the aisles looking for a bag for your Great Dane, avoid any bags that contain fat in the first four ingredients!

    Feeding a Great Dane any formula that has fat in the first four ingredients has been directly correlated to an increase in bloat.

    What is Bloat?
    Can You Prevent Bloat?
    Stomach Tacking: Pros and Cons
    Bloat and Gut Health
    The Scary Bloat Timeline

    Natural, premium dog food that has been tested and tried may have fat in the ingredient list, but it will be much lower on the list than the first four ingredients.

    Do your research when feeding Great Danes!

    FREE FEEDING CAN BE DANGEROUS

    289671795 5139646092787896 7256031267827805151 n

    Dog owners seem to love to brag about how their Great Dane is ‘free fed’.

    ‘My Great Dane is free fed- it just eats whenever it wants’. (Great Dane Not Eating- What to Do)

    Free Feeding is the process of leaving food out for your dog at all times and letting him eat whenever he wants.

    IT IS COMPLETELY FINE IF YOU PREFER TO FREE FEED YOUR GREAT DANES.

    However, as a responsible owner, you should STILL measure out your Great Dane’s food at the beginning of each day, to ensure that they are not binge eating and then binge eating again and then binge eating again. This practice leads to obesity.

    Without measuring the amount of food within the bowl, how do owners know what they are ultimately feeding their Great Danes?

    FAT GREAT DANES ARE GOING TO BE AT RISK

    Why does this matter?

    OBESITY! FAT GREAT DANES ARE NOT HEALTHY.

    Great Danes who are obese face HUGE health risks.

    Is My Dog ‘Filling Out’ or Getting Fat?
    Obesity in Great Danes: Fat Danes Face Serious Health Risks
    Supplements for Great Danes

    Cancer, diabetes, and joint problems are just a few of the issues that an obese dog faces during his lifetime.

    Our Great Danes are ALREADY huge, have huge joints to support and heavy weights to carry.

    The healthiest Great Danes are slim Great Danes! Keep your large breed dog slim- let them live long.

    GRAIN FREE DIETS ARE NOT THE ENEMY- BUT THE ENEMY DOES LIE WITHIN

    Did you know that Grain Free Diets are actually NOT linked to heart disease?

    Great Dane Nutrition

    When veterinary cardiologists noticed an increase in dogs with suspicious heart problems, they reported it to the FDA who then launched their investigation into grain-free diets.

    Grain-free kibbles from smaller companies such as Fromm’s, Orijen, Diamond, Victor, Nutrisource and Zignature are taking the brunt of this potential correlation.

    People really started to freak out about the correlation between feeding Great Danes a grain free diet, and heart disease.

    THE FDA CHANGED THEIR MIND- BUT NOBODY LISTENED

    However, there still was absolutely NO evidence that it was the lack of grains that was causing these dogs to drop dead.

    And guess what- THERE STILL ISNT!

    As a matter of fact, the FDA even came out and made a statement, which zero people listened to, because they were all talking too loudly about the lack of grain killing dogs!

    See quote directly from the FDA:

    It’s not the lack of grains that is likely the problem.

    It’s the replacement of essential meat-based amino acids and proteins with pulses, peas, potatoes, legumes and other plant-based carbohydrates, often done by boutique brands with no board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

    Research is ongoing and all of us should be alarmed, not defensive.

    THE HIDDEN AND VERY DEADLY INGREDIENTS

    Now, don’t go running off to buy yourself a bag of Grain Free Kibble just yet.

    Seeing the FDA state that they ‘Find no evidence that grain-free diets cause heart disease’ is nice to hear. But, unfortunately kibble companies are CHEAP. And if they aren’t filling their kibble with whole brown rice, white rice, or other digestible carbohydrates- they’re VERY TYPICALLY- filling it with peas, potatoes, legumes, corn etc.

    These plant based carbohydrates are a BIG issue.

    NEVER FEED YOUR GREAT DANE A KIBBLE WITH:

    • Peas
    • Pea protein
    • Potato Protein
    • Sweet Potatoes
    • Lentils
    • Potatoes
    • Garbanzo Beans/Chickpeas
    • Other similar non-grain ingredients including pulses and legumes

    It’s just not worth it.

    So, there you have it.

    8 things you need to know about Great Dane Nutrition! I hope this article was helpful in deciding what the best diet is for your Great Dane!

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    The collar you choose to buy REALLY matters. Click to see the devices we vouch for.

  • What are WSAVA Guidelines, and Why do they Matter?

    What are WSAVA Guidelines, and Why do they Matter?

    What is WSAVA, and what are WSAVA Guidelines? Why should I consider WSAVA recommendations and guidelines when choosing pet food? What are the WSAVA approved brands?

    This is a topic we recieve a lot of questions on, so I’m going to clear it up in one post! Before we begin, I want to make one thing very, very clear.

    WSAVA does not ‘approve’, ‘endorse’, or ‘recommend’ any brand of dog food. Any perception that they do is incorrect and likely misguided by other sources.

    What WSAVA does do, however, is provide pet owners with some easy to follow recommendations for choosing dog food.

    First, a little history:

    The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is a non-profit global veterinary association that was founded in 1994. It’s similar to the ADA as it related to toothpaste, for example.

    The mission of the WSAVA is to improve the health and welfare of small animals throughout the world.

    Today, the WSAVA has grown to include more than 200 member organizations in over 80 countries. Their collective efforts involve creating guidelines and recommendations that provide information, consistency, and standards between organizations and different countries.

    WSAVA is a non-profit organization that generates revenue from contributions, fundraising events, and activities. Anybody can contribute resources and financial support to help the cause.

    One way that they promote science and research is by developing guidelines for veterinarians and pet owners to follow. In this blog post, we will discuss what WSAVA is and how you can use their common sense guidelines to choose food for your dog!

    photo of person feeding dog outside
    Photo by Ricardo Esquivel on Pexels.com

    What are WSAVA Guidelines for Dog Food?

    The WSAVA has developed a set of guidelines to raise awareness for consumers who are looking to choose a quality, science-backed food for their pets. It’s important that I repeat this: the WSAVA does not endorse, certify, or recommend any single brand or formula of dog food.

    These common-sense WSAVA pet food guidelines offer pet owners a sense of security that they are making the right choice in pet food.

    Unfortunately, the pet food industry is complicated and many consumers have been misled by dubious marketing practices.

    I’m outlining the WSAVA Dog food recommendations below:

    #1 – Does the Dog Food Company Employ a Nutritionist?

    The most important thing to look for when choosing pet food is to find out if the company employs a legitimate nutritionist.

    You may be surprised to find out that the solid majority of pet food brands have NO nutritionist on staff at all! (More on this below).

    Appropriate qualifications for a dog food nutritionist are either a PhD in Animal Nutrition, or Board Certification by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) or the European College of Veterinary Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN).

    World Small Animal Veterinary Association

    It’s important to understand that not all nutritionists are created equal! There is a massive difference between somebody who took a short online course, and a Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist (with a Ph.D. in animal nutrition).

    Somebody with an M.S. in Animal Nutrition or Animal Science is NOT qualified.

    When a company has no nutritionist on staff, they often rely on outdated recipes or consultants to formulate their food. Oftentimes, the company may even state that they “work with a team of nutritionists”. While this sounds great, it’s code for “we hired a consulting firm to look over our recipe”.

    Some people may be ok with this corner-cutting practice, but it’s been proven time and time again that having a qualified nutritionists on staff is necessary to ensure safe, reliable pet food formulations.

    So be sure to check what ‘kind’ of a nutritionist is on staff, if there is one at all!

    Author note: nutritionists who carry certificates from places such as DNU or DNMU (Dogs Naturally Magazine) or other online blogs and course platforms are not legitimate. These people often spread dangerous misinformation and may even be practicing veterinary medicine (such as treating and diagnosing allergies or stomach problems) without a license.

    To be clear, however, just because a company employs a qualified nutritionist, doesn’t mean that nutritionist is being used to formulate the diet your pet is eating, which brings us to the next point.

    (Read here for some common dog food marketing gimmicks)

    short coated tan dog
    Photo by Helena Lopes on Pexels.com

    #2 – Who Formulates the Diet?

    Many consumers are surprised to learn that a lot of boutique dog foods are formulated by people with very few qualifications in small animal medicine and animal nutrition.

    When you are choosing puppy food or food for your adult or senior dog, verify that the company employs and is using a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist (DAVCN Diplomate) or a PhD in Animal Nutrition to formulate and test the food.

    Some companies employ a full team of DACVNs, who work in tandem with on staff companion animal veterinarians and professionals that have an M.S. or PhD in animal nutrition and related sciences.

    Other companies say they employ a “team of nutritionists” however what they really mean is that they only consult with people who don’t work for them. It’s important to read between the lines (read more about this HERE).

    Fromm family foods, for example, are formulated by a chemical engineer. It is only in 2023 that it seems they have hired somebody with an M.S. in Animal Nutrition (marginal qualification).

    Solid Gold “consults with” a nutritionist with a PhD (but doesn’t employ one).

    Diamond Naturals (also Kirkland/Costco, Taste of the Wild, Nutra Nuggest, and 4Health brand) “consults with” a nutritionist with an MS in animal nutrition (but doesn’t employ one).

    Victor Foods are formulated by somebody who has an online certificate in dairy cattle nutrition.

    When a company “consults with” or “works with” a nutritionist, what they are saying is that they have somebody only mildly qualified in their field being paid to formulate the food, or they are using a formulation software and then a consultant looks it over on paper.

    Many companies will respond to this question by indicating that they have a ‘team of highly qualified nutritionists‘. This is smoke and mirrors, as their ‘team’ is often comprised of off-site consultants who have no allegiance to the brand itself.

    Make sure the company actually has qualified people on staff and if they gloss over this answer? Look elsewhere…especially if the foods aren’t also being subjected to proper lab analysis and feeding trials to prove that they are safe, nutritious, and bioavailable.

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    #3 – What is the quality control process for ingredients & the finished product?

    When it comes to quality control, not all companies are created equal.

    The best companies have a rigorous quality control process that starts with sourcing the highest quality ingredients from suppliers that they trust.

    They then test the ingredients upon arrival to ensure that they meet their high standards.

    After the food is manufactured, they test the finished product to ensure that it meets their nutritional specifications. This is assuming that when the diet was originally formulated, it was also subjected to a range of labs, testing, and feeding trials.

    Only then is the food sent out to be sold in stores.

    The best companies have a comprehensive food safety program in place that includes regular testing of ingredients and products, as well as sanitation protocols at their owned manufacturing facilities.

    They are also ready and willing to issue recalls if something goes wrong. When a company says ‘no recalls’, we get nervous! Companies without recalls may wish to uphold that term regardless of safety, and may not have been established long enough to yet have a recall (new and inexperienced) in the first place.

    Don’t be fooled by unregulated marketing terms such as ‘made in our kitchen’, ‘family oriented company’, and ‘human grade’. These things are NOT an indication of whether or not the food is manufactured with strict protocols.

    Many companies now like to gloss over their formulation practices and lack of feeding trials and nutritional lab results by putting a big emphasis on how they use a 3rd party lab to test for things such as aflatoxins and salmonella. Make no mistake, that’s important, but is that really all they are doing?

    What is WSAVA and What are WSAVA Guidelines?
    Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

    #4 – What kind of product research or nutrition studies have been conducted? Is it published in peer-reviewed journals?

    The best companies invest time and money into research and nutrition studies to ensure that their products are of the highest quality, and that our understanding of small animal health is always getting better.

    They also make sure that this research is published in peer-reviewed journals so that other experts can review it, verify its accuracy and learn from it.

    When a company says “we do our own research“, we get skeptical (and you should too).

    Any food brand can conduct ‘research’ by feeding a dog some food and making anecdotal judgments about their health. That’s not proper research, and there is a reason that many ’boutique’ food brands do not submit their research for peer review.

    Many dogs who appear robust, healthy, and shiny die suddenly from nutrition-related (secondary) DCM. The appearance of ‘health’ is not an indicator of actual health.

    Secondary DCM is a problem that is exclusive to untested, poorly formulated boutique food brands.

    In addition to participation in the greater scientific nutrition and animal health community, food companies should also be participating in comprehensive lab analysis of the finished products and AAFCO feeding trials (or better) to prove their formulation in real life, not just on paper.

    If they did not substantiate their food in actual trials, YOUR dog is the guinea pig.

    (See below, the highly tested and researched Royal Canin Giant Breed line from Puppy through Adult)

    63276 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1530038530
    Feed until 8 months of age.
    63278 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1530030508
    Feed from 8-24 months of age.
    62058 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1592946427
    Adult formula from 24 months on.

    What to Look For on a Dog Food Label

    When you are looking at a dog food label, there are a few things that you should pay attention to:

    – The guaranteed analysis (GA)

    – The nutritional adequacy statement

    – The feeding instructions

    The guaranteed analysis is a set of minimums and maximums that must be met by law. We’ve included more information below!

    (Read about why you shouldn’t judge a pet food label by an ingredients list HERE)

    Many people look to the ingredients list when choosing a dog food, however, this is a practice that often results in owners choosing poorly researched low quality foods.

    What dog owners need to understand is that the ingredients list is used for marketing.

    If you ‘like’ the way an ingredients list reads, chances are, it’s been strategically developed to appeal to you. Tricks such as ingredient splitting and fairy dust (dried blueberries and spinach, for example) are often used.

    Not only that, but ‘real meat as the first ingredient‘ or ‘first 5 ingredients are meat’ are actually a marketing trick, and in many cases, meat may not actually be the predominant ingredient in the finished product.

    (Read more about ingredient splitting and by-product meat meals here).

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    Nutrition adequacy statement

    This is an important one to look for. This statement must be present on all pet food labels in the United States and it indicates that the food and its nutrient analysis have been formulated to meet, or substantiated in tests to meet AAFCO standards.

    For puppies, you want to see a statement that the food was ‘substantiated in feeding trials’ for growth, for example.

    ‘Animal feeding tests using AAFCO Procedures’ means that actual science and research (AAFCO feeding trials) went into proving the nutritional adequacy of the formulation.

    ‘Formulated to meet’ simply means the food meets the minimum standard, but was not subjected to AAFCO feeding trials.

    ‘Comparable in nutritional adequacy to foods substantiated in food trials’ is less common, but still occasionally seen from small ‘family’ food brands.

    Read more about AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements here.

    How many calories per gram or serving of food?

    This is another important piece of information that you’ll want to look for.

    You can use this information to determine how much food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight and activity level.

    Some foods are more nutrient-dense than others! A higher quality food will, in general, have more calories per serving.

    When you switch to a science-backed diet for your pet, you may find you have to feed much, much less, so watch your dog’s body condition!

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    Does the company provide contact information?

    You want to be able to reach the company if you have any questions or concerns about their food.

    A good company will have a customer service team that is ready and willing to help you with whatever you need.

    Look for signs that they are truly a science-based company, and not using fluffy marketing to make you ‘feel good’ about the food.

    Here are some unregulated, but common “feel good” marketing terms that can be used in misleading ways:

    • Holistic
    • Family-Owned & Operated
    • Super-Premium
    • No By-Products
    • Meat as the first ingredient
    • Home cooked
    • Fresh
    • Made in our ‘kitchen’
    • Tested in our ‘kitchens’
    • No Recalls
    • Ancient Grains
    • Formulated by veterinarians
    • We use a nutritionist
    • We have a team of ‘nutrition experts’ (but no DACVN or ACVN in sight)
    • Wholesome

    Who makes the food?

    The best companies will be upfront about who makes their food, and they should own and operate their own facilities, especially if they are producing prescription or specialty diets that require detailed protocols and strict attention to detail.

    Many boutique food companies use a co-packer and don’t own or operate their own manufacturing facilities.

    This is a red flag, as they won’t have as much say in quality control, testing, or nutrition protocols.

    There are a small handful of all-purpose, unbranded pet food manufacturing facilities in the United States. These companies make a huge amount of co-packed boutique pet food brands.

    It’s essentially a lot of the same food and same practices…with a different label on it.

    Ask questions. Boutique foods are one of the biggest marketing schemes in the pet industry right now, and many people are falling for it!

    photography of three dogs looking up
    Photo by Nancy Guth on Pexels.com

    What Dog Foods are Approved by WSAVA?

    The WSAVA does not approve or sponsor any dog food. However, they do have guidelines that they encourage companies to follow in order to ensure the safety and quality of their products.

    It is a myth that foods are ‘approved’ or ‘sponsored’ by the WSAVA.

    What Dog Foods Follow WSAVA Guidelines?

    Only a handful of dog and pet food companies actually meet and stringently follow all WSAVA guidelines.

    These manufacturers include and are limited to:

    • Purina Dog Chow, Purina One and Purina Pro Plan
    • Hills Science Diet
    • Royal Canin
    • Eukanuba
    • Iams

    Where most other companies fall short is in not owning their own manufacturing facilities, and not employing qualified nutrition professionals. There are a select few companies who DO come close to meeting guidelines, but aren’t on the list above.

    Boutique diets from companies who do not follow these simple guidelines have the smallest market share of pet food sales overall, but are responsible for 100% of diagnosed nutrition-related secondary DCM cases (an often silent killer).

    These are OUR favorite foods for large and giant breed ADULT dogs, that meet WSAVA Guidelines:

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    67519 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1649116932
    218811 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1649132230
    114165 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1605828408
    90755 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1635866247
    67470 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1649113309

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

    Does WSAVA Receive Kickbacks?

    The WSAVA does not receive kickbacks from any companies, because they don’t specifically promote any particular company.

    In fact, they are a non-profit organization with the mission to “advance animal health and welfare worldwide.”

    Food companies of any type (both those that follow WSAVA guidelines and those that don’t) may contribute science, research, time and financial resources to the WSAVA.

    Ask questions about why boutique companies do not participate in research or the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and the global community this way!

    Additionally, food companies can choose to follow (or not follow) the established guidelines. These guidelines are common sense, so when a food company doesn’t follow them or spins their marketing to make you think that they do, we should be asking a lot of questions.

    Here is our list of science-backed large and giant breed puppy foods that meet WSAVA guidelines:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

    Do Veterinarians Receive Kickbacks from Dog Food Companies?

    This is a common myth, but it’s not true! In the United States, it is illegal for veterinarians to receive kickbacks from any companies, including pet food companies.

    If a food company gives a veterinarian a doormat with its logo on it, they cannot force the veterinarian to recommend that food. That would be unethical. Giving veterinarians sponsored items and asking them to promote the food are two different things.

    Some veterinarians might have a wholesale account to sell certain foods in their lobby. They will often do this so they can offer highly researched and scientifically formulated prescription diets to pets that need them.

    The question is not actually about whether or not veterinarians ‘receive kickbacks’ then, but truly about why veterinarians promote certain brands and not others.

    For a number of reasons, most veterinarians promote science-backed brands such as Purina, Hills, and Royal Canin. They are approached often about promoting ’boutique’ food brands, but they tend to steer clear (because…science and well, laws).

    It is not, however, illegal for pet store employees, ‘nutritionists’ with weak credentials, influencers (us included) and brand reps to earn commissions and ‘kickbacks’.

    As a matter of fact, these people make TONS of money recommending dog food to you. Remind yourself that the next time a pushy Blue Buffalo rep at Petsmart is telling you about how ‘gross’ and ‘nasty’ Purina is.

    READ ABOUT SOME COMMON VETERINARY MYTHS HERE
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    Should I Feed My Great Dane Puppy or Adult Food?

    But, Veterinarians aren’t Nutritionists!

    No, they aren’t.

    But they did go to 4 years of undergraduate school, followed by 4 years of veterinary medicine where they studied companion animal health, surgery, nutrition, and welfare.

    They took upper-level nutrition classes, usually taught by veterinary nutritionists, and then went on to apply this knowledge to every facet of health from the endocrine system to healing, urinary health, thyroid disorders, diabetes, allergies, and liver and kidney function.

    That’s definitely more than most of us and definitely more than your dog trainer, an employee at a pet store, the ‘Dog Food Advisor’ (a human dentist), or somebody you met in a Facebook group who ‘read the ingredients list’.

    The information in those courses and textbooks are often coming from ‘the Big 5’ food brands (Hills, Purina, Eukanuba, Royal Canin, and Iams), because those food brands are the ones most dedicated to health sciences and research, and thus have a lot of important and relevant information to share.

    The Purina Institute, for example, has contributed an insane amount of peer-reviewed data that is helping animals all over the world with everything from bloat to hip dysplasia, cancer and diabetes.

    Some of the veterinarians go on to gain additional certifications in nutrition (MS or PhD). Most veterinarians then, as a result, tend to look up to the resources and information coming from their more educated veterinary peers.

    So when a veterinarian is giving advice about dog food brands, they are getting their advice from actual science.

    Pet store employees, on the flip side, are not veterinarians at all and receive the information they share from food companies that want them to sell their products for, you guessed it, kickbacks.

    We will say this often: look past the feel good marketing start asking big QUESTIONS about boutique dog foods! Have more questions about nutrition? Leave a comment below!