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.
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:
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Grain-free options are all the rage at natural pet food stores. Is a grain-free diet for dogs healthier than something with rice, corn, oats, or wheat? Should you feed your dog grain-free? Does grain-free food resolve allergy symptoms such as itching, ear infections, and hot spots?
Feeding grain-free foods to dogs has gained significant popularity in recent years, driven by human diet trends of eliminating grains from the diet. Many pet owners are drawn to this trend, thinking it aligns with a more natural and ancestral canine diet. However, the decision to go grain-free should be made with careful consideration and an understanding of the potential implications.
In this article, we will dig into the concept of grain-free diets for dogs, exploring the reasons behind this dietary choice (including going grain-free for allergies), the pros and cons, and the essential factors to keep in mind when deciding if it’s the right choice for your pet.
Is Grain Free Dog Food Lower Carb?
Contrary to common belief, grain-free dog food is not necessarily low in carbohydrates.
While the term “grain-free” suggests the absence of grains like wheat, corn, or rice, it doesn’t guarantee a reduction in carbohydrate content. In many cases, grain-free dry dog foods replace grains (and often some of the meat, too) with alternative carbohydrate sources such as peas, lentils, or potatoes. These ingredients can be just as, if not more so, carbohydrate-rich.
(Authors note: we realize the DCM “debate” is a controversial one. We are a science-backed blog and cite resources, not propaganda on this topic).
This means that a grain-free diet might not be the solution for pet owners seeking to provide a low-carb or “keto” option for their dogs.
Not only that, but there is this misguided belief out there that grain free dog foods, in removing the grains, have more meat. This is a myth that could not be farther from the truth! Grain free dog foods have the same, or less meat content than kibbles that contain grains.
Understanding the ingredients and nutritional content of grain-free dog food, as well as how pet food formulation works, is essential to make informed choices that align with science, research, and your dog’s dietary needs.
Grain-Free Diet for Dogs 101
Grain-free dog food can come in many forms, and won’t contain common grains such as corn, oats, wheat, or rice:
Grain-free kibble
Freeze-dried raw
Grain-free canned food
Raw-coated grain-free kibble
Air-dried dog food
“Fresh” dog food
Home-cooked pet recipes
Prey-model raw
Grain-free kibble dog food diets became popular in the early 2000s. At that time, there was a lot of debate surrounding the benefits and drawbacks of grains for both animals and for people.
Canine health and dog food trends tend to closely follow human diet trends! For example, in 2022 we are seeing a huge rise in the popularity of “fresh”, “keto”, “paleo”, “vegan”, “cricket-based”, and “whole foods” dog food diets.
Oftentimes, our scientific understanding of these trends is way behind our actual use of them; which can be dangerous and devastating for a dog’s diet.
Remember when eggs and avocados were considered ‘unhealthy foods’? That’s a trend we now know was wildly incorrect and damaging. Just take a look at human diet trends and toxic diet culture in general!
Tread cautiously with trends.
What are common grains in dog food?
Common grains in dog food include:
Rice, brewers rice, brown rice
Corn
Wheat
Oats
Barley
Sorghum
Quinoa
Other “ancient grains” such as amaranth, millet, and rye
Grain-free foods will not contain those items. All kibbles require a starch of some kind to bind the ingredients together, whether the starch is grain-based (rice), or not (lentils). All dry kibbles contain carbohydrates, in other words.
It is a myth that ingredients such as corn or rice are “fillers”. This unfortunately misunderstanding is driven by profit driven social influencers, pet stores, and small food brands that make their money by generating fear and anxiety about pet food through misinformation.
Corn, often a subject of debate in pet food ingredients, is actually be a quality component in many pet food formulations. First and foremost, it is a highly digestible source of carbohydrates, which can provide a steady supply of energy for dogs and cats. It is more digestible than beef (truth!) and is a good source of essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
To respond to the “grain-free” trend, pet food manufacturers figured out how to replace common grains with grain-free carbohydrates such as lentils, garbanzo beans, peas, and potatoes. Many grain-free kibbles are literally loaded with these ingredients.
Unfortunately, the carbs included in grain free kibbles have much less data, research, and studies associated with them. On paper they seem to work from a ‘nutritional’ standpoint, but in practice there seems to be problems.
Biovailability and the complex interplay of nutrients in dog food make a big difference on whether or not a food is truly healthy for your pet.
Do dogs need grain in their diet?
There is a lot of conflicting information about whether or not dogs need grains in their diet at all.
If a dog is offered a whole prey animal to eat, it will rip into the meat, bone, cartilage, and organs (yes, the by-products!) and consume everything, including the contents of the stomach.
Dogs by nature are scavengers and opportunists: they can and will eat just about anything offered to them. Modern pets are FAR removed from their wild ancestors; their digestive system has actually evolved and changed to process foods more commonly seen in the human diet (grains, for example).
Grains provide energy in the form of carbohydrates, not to mention they fulfill important dietary needs such as omegas, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Because kibble MUST contain some kind of starch or carbohydrate for binding, grains are a solid and nutritious choice.
Some people believe that their dog has grain or chicken allergies, however, this is rarely true.
Most of the time there are other factors at play and veterinary advice is recommend. In reality, true grain allergies in dogs are quite rare. Allergies in dogs are more commonly associated with proteins, such as those found in meat or poultry (though, chicken allergies are also a bit of a wild social media driven myth).
It’s essential to differentiate between true allergies and food sensitivities, where certain ingredients may cause gastrointestinal discomfort but are not true allergies involving the immune system. If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, it’s crucial to consult with a veterinarian to accurately diagnose the issue. While some grain-free diets may have their place for specific dogs with dietary sensitivities, it’s important to base feeding choices on individual dietary needs rather than assuming that grains are the primary culprit behind canine allergies.
It’s important to note that only a veterinarian-monitored food elimination diet can definitively diagnose food allergies in dogs. Scientific study shows that blood and saliva allergy tests are wildly inconsistent and inaccurate. Save your money.
For pets that have been scientifically diagnosed with a legitimate grain allergy, choosing a well-researched food or working with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist will be key.
I did a google search with two different search terms. Each one gave me WILDLY different results.
The first one was “Is grain-free dog food bad for dogs”. This phrase produced a slew of scientific articles and information from reliable sources, including articles and studies written by highly educated people in veterinary medicine.
Every single one stated that “grain-free kibbles can be dangerous for dogs to eat” and that dogs can digest grains without any problems at all.
So, because I like to look at science and evaluate both sides of the coin, I searched again.
The second term I tried was “Is grain an inflammatory ingredient in dog food”. This produced a bunch of inflammatory (catch my drift here?) and alarmist blog posts written by bloggers with no credentials, including ‘nutritionists’ who obtained their “certification” from online correspondence courses.
They all said grains are bad, of course. But does their unscientific opinion have merit?
I think not.
As above, grain allergies are exceptionally rare. It’s been scientifically proven that dogs are easily able to digest and obtain nutrients from grains.
This is one that confuses a LOT of dog owners! I’ve even seen self-proclaimed nutrition experts have absolutely no understanding regarding this topic.
So here it is: just because a food is labeled as ‘grain-free’ does NOT mean that it is low in carbohydrates.
Grain-free dog foods are, in theory gluten free, but they are not carb free! Gluten contamination is possible unless you choose a veterinary prescription diet.
Fact: many dog foods manufactured without grains are high in legumes, peas, beans, and potatoes; all of these things are high in carbs!
If a “nutritionist” or other “expert” is telling you that “dogs don’t need carbs, choose a holisticgrain-free dog food”, RUN far away.
I said what I said.
How Grain-Free Dog Food is Made
As you may have noticed above, I mentioned how kibbles must be manufactured with some kind of carbohydrate. This is how the the final kibbles are held together. Without it, the food would just turn to dust.
Certain diets such as air-dried and ‘fresh’ foods can be made without grain or carbohydrate sources, but these diets aren’t well-researched and may lack the full spectrum of nutrients and amino acids that pets need.
Ingredients in grain-free dog food
In grain-free kibble foods, rice, oats, wheat, or corn is replaced by peas, potatoes, garbanzo beans, lentils, and other similar plant-based proteins and carbohydrates.
Legumes, peas, and potatoes have very different amino acid and digestibility profiles than other more researched carbohydrates such as rice, corn, and oats. It’s not a cup-for-cup replacement.
Here are some examples of common inclusions in ‘fancy’, ’boutique’, grain-free or grain-inclusive dog foods:
Deboned meat. This can include things such as ‘fresh deboned chicken’, ‘roasted deboned lamb’, or ‘deboned fish’, which appeal to American dietary tastes. While these ingredients are not harmful and sound healthy, it’s important to keep in mind that dogs need bone, organ and cartilage in their diet.
Not just muscle meat, which contains only a small percentage of the actual nutrition dogs get from other parts of the animal (the ‘by-products’).
But wait, there is more!
Deboned fresh meats are 70% water. By law, companies must list ingredients by weight before extrusion.
So if you see that “fresh chicken is the first ingredient” on the label, you are likely being fooled. Especially when it comes to grain-free diets that use a lot of starchy carbs!
After extrusion, how much fresh deboned meat is really there? Around 70% less than you think.
PRO TIP: You want to see meat meals and meat by-product meals in the first ingredients. This dry, rendered product is heavy before and after extrusion, not to mention chock full of protein, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
What about veggies?
Pumpkin, Squash, Blueberries, etc. Ingredients like this are often considered to be nothing more than ‘fairy dust’ by board-certified veterinary nutritionists.
Like fresh meat, these ingredients are mostly water. By the time they are extruded there isn’t much left. Plus, they may displace room in the composition of the kibble for vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from better sources.
Why grain-free dog foods are not healthy
Because so many grain-free dog diets have replaced a significant amount of meat with peas, potatoes, lentils, and other pulses, the diet may be lacking in the correct balance of trace nutrients and amino acids.
These starchy ingredients contain protein and as a result can, in some ways, replace meat. The final kibble will still meet AAFCO nutrient profile minimums on paper.
Unfortunately, the pet food industry is a sketchy place, and not for the reasons that you think.
What is ingredient splitting?
Ingredient splitting is a common practice, for example!
This is when companies will take an ingredient such as peas and split it up on the ingredients list.
Peas, pea protein, pea fiber, pea flour, and pea starch are things you may notice. Or green lentils, red lentils, yellow peas, green peas.
This splitting allows manufacturers to trick you into believing the food has more meat in it than it actually does, and is a COMMON practice of boutique and grain-free dog food brands.
Some people believe that grain-free dog diets contain more meat than what is seen in grain-inclusive diets.
They believe this because of marketing, and because of the assumption that the grains taken out of the food are replaced with meat.
Oops! Grain free diets are actually quite often loaded with pulses and legumes to replace the grains, not meat.
Dogs need meat, bone, organ, tissue, fat, skin, and cartilage in their diet. Many of these things are considered ‘by-products’. By-products are great in a dog’s diet, but marketing has made them into a dirty word.
Grain-free dog foods are not, in fact, higher in meat nor are they necessarily healthier for your dog.
We believe that correctly balanced kibbles will have meat meal and meat by-product meal as a primary protein source, paired with well-researched healthy grains such as rice, corn, and oats for energy and nutrients.
Here is our list of grain-inclusive foods for large breed dogs:
This belief is backed by science coming from board-certified veterinary nutritionists and the top veterinary institutes and organizations in the Country.
Heart disease is just one proven complication of feeding a poorly formulated diet. You may have heard this from people and veterinarians who tell you to stay away from grain-free foods because of the risk of DCM!
The nutritional relationship to DCM is well documented. Many pet food manufacturers have had to adjust their formulas in the past.
For example, once veterinary nutritionists learned that cats couldn’t reliably synthesize their own taurine, an essential amino acid, it was added to food and the problem was solved.
Taurine deficiency causes heart disease in dogs and cats. However, the veterinary community does not currently see taurine deficiency as the primary cause of the current nutrition-DCM speculations.
Dog breeds genetically prone to canine dilated cardiomyopathy include Great Danes, Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, and Cocker Spaniels.
Secondary DCM can be caused by unbalanced nutrition, and as above, it is well documented.
Several board-certified veterinary cardiologists have reported an alarming increase in dogs with no known genetic predisposition to DCM showing up with the disease.
Many of these dogs diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy dcm presented with very few symptoms!
Dilated cardiomyopathy is often a silent killer and will take the lives of dogs who had been playing, eating and enjoying life normally just minutes before.
Adding grains or taurine does not fix this problem; as they say, you cannot supplement your way out of a bad diet!
It is believed that the consequences of feeding poorly balanced diets are grossly under-represented, and that many more dogs would have been diagnosed with heart disease had they lived long enough or had a post-mortem autopsy completed.
90% of the dogs reported with DCM, following scientific observation and diagnosis by a board certified veterinary cardiologist, were eating grain-free dog food, indicating a strong potential dietary link.
It doesn’t matter what you hear and from whom, there absolutely is a problem here. Heart disease is terrifying, and we believe that dog owners should be cautious and base their opinions here on the most up to date science.
An FDA investigation was launched, and since then the discussion has become hotbed of misinformation.
The FDA actually released a statement citing that grain-free diets may not specifically be the issue. People misinterpreted this statement as a resolution of what they believed to have been financially biased, corporate-driven data and ran with it.
This happened despite the fact that 1000’s of reports submitted by veterinarians and dog owners around the Country indicate that BEG diets (boutique, exotic, grain free) foods are causing health problems and heart failure.
Naysayers often cite that the “original studies were bonk” and that “grain free and BEG diets are safe and healthy” as a result, furthering the divide with statements that are not backed by facts or science.
That doesn’t mean there is no problem, however.
The correlation is now believed to be within dog foods where no on-staff board-certified veterinary nutritionists formulate the diet, and/or where a significant nutrient source includes peas, legumes, potatoes, beans, or pulses.
Both grain-free AND grain-inclusive diets are to blame, in other words!
Commonly implicated brands include:
Fromm
Victor
Orijen/Acana
Diamond (including Costco and Nutra-Nuggets)
Earthborn and Unrefined
4 Health
Taste of the Wild
Solid Gold
Rachel Ray
Nutrisource
Nutro
and many others
FACT: None of those brands have a qualified individual formulating, testing, and researching their diets.
Fromm, for example, has a chemical engineer creating recipes. Victor uses a guy with an online certification in dairy cattle nutrition. Diamond uses proprietary software to spit out a formula, and has the results checked off by a team of consultants.
That is where the problem ultimately lies.
Nutritional DCM is the direct result of ‘health’ food marketing and pet food shaming, which was designed to turn people away from the big-5 science-backed brands and promote the sales of poorly balanced, untested, and grossly under-researched boutique diets.
Think about this for a moment. We’ve all be scammed by the dog food industry.
Keep in mind that there is a difference between a ‘nutritionist’ and a ‘board certified veterinary nutritionist’.
The former are generally people who obtained certifications from online nutrition courses and smaller pet food manufacturers.
The later are veterinarians who obtained several years of additional study and then a board certification in small animal nutrition. Personally, I trust science and people who are highly educated.
Veterinary nutritionists recommend a grain-inclusive diet from a company that has a full-time veterinary nutritionist on staff to formulate, test, and research the diets, participate in peer-reviewed research, and prove their formulas in feeding trials.
As of this writing, only five manufacturers meet this standard.
We believe that the best food to prevent nutritional DCM based congestive heart failure is a grain-inclusive diet from an established, science-backed company. These foods have been proven to reduce and at times eliminate heart disease in dogs that had been diagnosed with nutritional DCM!
Here is our list of the best foods for giant breeds, including Great Danes.
Learning how to use home remedies for arthritic dogs can be one of the best things you can do for your pet. Arthritis is a common condition in dogs, and it can be painful and debilitating. But with the right home remedies, you can help your dog feel better and ease his pain.
There are a number of home remedies for arthritic dogs that you can try that can help with joint pain associated with dog arthritis.
Do home remedies for arthritic dogs actually work?
Do you have an arthritic dog? If so, you know just how painful and debilitating the condition can be. Dogs with arthritis often have trouble getting around, climbing stairs, and playing fetch. Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies that can help ease your dog’s pain and improve his mobility.
How do I know if my dog has arthritis?
The most common signs of arthritis in dogs are:
Limping or lameness
Difficulty rising from a lying down position
Decreased activity level
Reluctance to jump, run or climb into the car
Stiffness or acting ‘sore’
Dogs have a keen ability to mask pain, so it is important to be aware of any changes in your dog’s activity level or mobility. If you notice any of the above signs, make an appointment with your veterinarian. They will be able to confirm whether or not your dog has arthritis and recommend a treatment plan.
There is no cure for arthritis, but there are a number of treatments that can help ease your dog’s pain.
What home remedies can I give my dog for arthritis?
Pain relief and pain management is something that pet parents always want to work on with their dog’s joints. If your dog has arthritis pain, there are natural remedies that can help provide pain relief at home.
YOUR DOG’S DIET
One of the most important things to help decrease pain and treat arthritis is a healthy diet.
A diet that is rich in omega-three fatty acids can help to decrease inflammation and pain. Foods like salmon, flaxseed, and pumpkin seeds are all great sources of omega-three fatty acids. You can also give your dog a fish oil supplement. Just be sure to talk to your vet before giving your dog any supplements.
Raw dog food has been known to provide aminos, nutrients and vitamins to ease pain associated with joint disease.
We recommend finding a balanced raw dog food like Raws Paws. Use code HELLODANES10 for 10% off your entire purchase.
Older dogs tend not to move as often or as much as younger, more spry dogs. Joint inflammation happens more in dog’s muscles when there is less movement, less blood flow, and less muscle.
In order to relieve pain, increase blood flow and help with chronic pain, work on stretches and movement as often as you can.
It is always better to move frequently and for small periods of time with large breed dogs struggling with joint pain, rather than once a day for a long time. A healthy joint needs blood flow to help with chronic pain and keep the area healthy.
WHAT BED IS BEST FOR A BIG DOG WITH ARTHRITIS?
The Big Barker bed is clinically proven to help support dog’s joints. Dogs should not ever rest their legs/joints/shoulders/elbows on the hard surface for extended periods of time.
This can create joint pain and issues like Hygromas.
Big dogs, especially, need a supportive sleeping surface.
We love the Big Barker bed for any dog predisposed to arthritis or joint problems.
Just like people, dogs need exercise to maintain their health, even if they have arthritis. Exercise is important for all dogs, but especially those with arthritis because it helps increase blood flow to the joints and muscles. It also helps maintain muscle mass and flexibility.
In order to reduce pain, you should always monitor your dog’s body weight. Aging dogs will have a slowing metabolism.
An overweight dog will have severe pain and pressure on their affected joints.
Relieving pain could be as easy as keeping your dog at a healthy weight. Finding a weight management plan is easy, but sticking with it to keep your dog at a healthy weight is not always easy. Choose a healthy diet and limit your dog’s food to the necessary amount.
Your dog’s health is in nobody’s control but yours.
Between a proper diet, acupuncture treatment, underwater treadmill, gentle massages, anti inflammatory drugs, herbal remedies, pet parents are flooded with ways to treat joint pain for their dog’s arthritis.
There is not one single best remedy to treat joint pain.
However, the best part is that many natural remedies are free or VERY affordable, which means that pet owners can try them out until they find what works for their dogs arthritis.
FREE OF COST NATURAL REMEDIES FOR DOG’S JOINTS:
Doing physical therapy at home
Managing their dog’s diet and weight
Choosing their dog’s food wisely
Providing massage therapy after a long day
Taking their dog for short, frequent walks on a variety of surfaces
Making homemade bone broth
Taking their dog swimming
Experiment with your dog’s joints and see what works to provide the best pain relief.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to treating your dog’s arthritis at home. With a little bit of creativity, you can come up with a plan that works for you and your dog. Just be sure to talk to your vet first before trying any new treatments.
What is the best thing to give an older dog for arthritis?
If you are trying to help increase joint function in a senior dog, the best thing to give them is pain medications in conjunction with any other natural remedy that your dog might take well to.
There are many different types of herbs and supplements on the market that have anti inflammatory properties, so it is important to talk to your veterinarian about which one would be best for your dog. However, for a senior dog, sometimes they need traditional veterinary medicine to help the pain.
Some joint supplements contain glucosamine and chondroitin, which can help to lubricate the joints and decrease developing arthritis.
Our favorites are here:
What natural supplement can I give my dog for arthritis?
Traditional Chinese medicine offers a variety of joint health options.
With traditional herbal medications, you will need to speak with a holistic veterinarian. There are cervical powders that can increase joint health and help joint mobility.
What can I give my dog for joint problems?
Great Dane looking back over his shoulder outdoors at the park in the fall.
If your dog is struggling with joint mobility, consider the following options:
Fish oil: This is a popular supplement for people and dogs. It can help to reduce inflammation in the body and improve joint health.
Glucosamine and chondroitin: These supplements are often used together to improve joint health. They can help to lubricate the joints and decrease developing arthritis.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): This is a sulfur-containing compound that can help to reduce inflammation and pain.
CBD oil: This is a popular natural remedy for many different conditions, including joint pain. It can help to reduce inflammation and provide relief from pain.
Turmeric: This spice is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It can be given to dogs in supplement form or added to their food.
Dog stairs: Dog’s bones bare up to 6x the weight of their body when the dog lands from an upward position, jumping downward. Include options for your dog’s treatment plan that help them not have to jump downward out of the car or off of beds/couches.
Rugs/Runners: Slippery floors are detrimental to dog arthritis pain.
There are many different options available when it comes to giving your dog joint supplements. Speak with your veterinarian about which one would be best for your dog based on their individual needs.
What diet can I give my dog for arthritis?
For dog arthritis pain relief, you should look for a diet that is going to improve joint mobility.
Nutrients that have been proven in dog’s meals to help dog arthritis pain:
Omegas: These are found in fish oil and can help to reduce inflammation in the body.
Glucosamine: This is a compound that can help to lubricate the joints and decrease developing arthritis.
Chondroitin: This is a compound that can help to lubricate the joints and decrease developing arthritis.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): This is a sulfur-containing compound that can help to reduce inflammation and pain.
CBD oil: This is a popular natural remedy for many different conditions, including joint pain. It can help to reduce inflammation and provide relief from pain.
Turmeric: This spice is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Golden Paste: Golden paste is a combination of turmeric, black pepper, and coconut oil. It can be given to dogs in supplement form or added to their food.
Raw Foods: Raw foods contain enzymes that can help to reduce inflammation.
Vegetables and Greens: These are a great source of antioxidants and vitamins that can help to reduce inflammation.
Supplements: There are many different types of supplements on the market that have anti inflammatory properties, so it is important to talk to your veterinarian about which one would be best for your dog.
Dogs with arthritis pain should also be on a diet that helps them maintain a healthy weight.
Should you walk a dog with arthritis?
Many dog owners will notice that as their dog ages they begin to experience pain. In turn, they often LOWER the amount of quality exercise their dog receives.
However, this practice is actually counterintuitive because exercise is an excellent way to combat the effects of arthritis.
The benefits of exercise for a dog with arthritis include:
Weight management
Joint lubrication
Strengthening muscles around joints
Increased blood circulation and decreased inflammation.
So, yes – you should continue to walk your dog, even if they have canine arthritis! Dog arthritis is a common issue, and can be managed with remedies such as physical therapy, human massage therapy, and pain relief supplements and medications. Exercise is an important part of any dog arthritis treatment plan.
Arthritis in dogs is a common condition that can lead to pain and joint deterioration. While there is no cure for arthritis, there are ways to manage the pain and slow the progression of the disease. With proper management, dogs with arthritis can live long and happy lives.
What home remedy can I give my dog for arthritis pain?
One of the best things you can do for arthritis in dogs is weight management. If you see your dog develop arthritis or joint pain, it is crucial to eliminate any excessive weight that they may be carrying.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WEIGHT MANAGEMENT IN DOGS WHO DEVELOP ARTHRITIS
Overweight dogs are more likely to develop arthritis and other joint problems. Excess weight puts additional stress on the joints, which leads to pain and inflammation.
Not only does weight management help to prevent arthritis, but it can also help to relieve pain in dogs who already have the condition.
There are many different ways to help your dog lose weight, including:
Reducing the amount of food you feed them
Increasing the amount of exercise they get
Feeding them a weight-loss dog food
Adding supplements to their diet that help to boost metabolism or suppress appetite.
Feeding them the RIGHT amount of food and not giving excessive treats
Figure out what their ideal weight is so that you know what your goal is
Monitor all things that they eat, even if it’s just a treat or snack
Feed more vegetables
If you are unsure about how to best manage your dog’s weight, talk to your veterinarian. They can help!
What can I do for my dog for a natural pain reliever?
Natural remedies are in abundance to work to treat dog arthritis. Although dog arthritis is a prevalent problem, there are things you can do for your dog to help them not feel as much pain.
Laser therapy, acupuncture and other at-home treatment methods are all helpful.
Read more about laser therapy here.
Now, there are even laser therapy machines that can be used at home to help your pup feel their best.
If you are feeling as if your pup is in pain, do not think that you have to let them live that way forever. Talk to your veterinarian and find a pain management plan that works for you both!
There is a lot of misinformation out there about Great Danes and chicken. Some people seem to think that Great Danes are susceptible to chicken intolerances. So what is the truth? Are Great Danes allergic to chicken?
Let’s put this to rest, once and for all. We’re covering the Great Dane dog food allergy debate today with a heavy dose of controversial information, paired with some real veterinary science!
In this blog post, we will take a look at the truth about dog food allergies, and we will also provide some information about what foods are safe and healthy for Great Danes to eat!
Are Great Danes Allergic to Chicken
The quick answer is no.
Despite what you may have heard, Great Danes are not often allergic or intolerant to chicken. A real poultry allergy is actually incredibly rare!
In fact, chicken is a common and well-researched ingredient in many dog food formulas, and it is generally considered to be a safe and healthy option for most dogs.
Among the list of common food allergens, chicken is not actually a prime suspect.
Many pet parents have diagnosed their dog at home with chicken allergies based on anecdotal evidence, speculation, and information they heard from other dog owners.
They believe their Great Dane has a food allergy based on this alone!
Many will then change their dog’s diet without recognizing that there are many other factors at play.
Social media groups have perpetuated the myth that Great Danes are sensitive to chicken!
It’s not that so many dogs are intolerant or allergic to chicken, it’s that so many dogs have been subjected to assumptions and misunderstandings about allergies.
Anytime a dog is itching or has a loose stool, people immediately jump to the food. Because most dog foods contain chicken in some form, it takes the blame.
Managing a dog’s food allergies can appear particularly daunting to people who believe, based on poor health, social media, marketing, and questionable allergy tests (more on this below), that their Great Dane is allergic to chicken, beef, oats, rice, and barley, lentils, corn, or otherwise!
Here are some common reasons why a dog may appear to have a chicken allergy:
The dog has not often been exposed to chicken before and is suddenly introduced to a new food that happens to contain it. This sudden change in diet can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea, which is often mistaken for an allergic reaction to chicken.
The dog is being fed poorly balanced food and is suffering from nutritional imbalances that cause dry coats, itching, and chronic loose stools.
The owner is adding a lot of toppers and/or switching foods often, trying to “find something that works” and resolve allergy symptoms, destroying gut health in the process
The dog is suffering from environmental allergens that cause itchy skin, ear infections, goopy eyes, and other skin issues.
Medical causes for chronic loose stools or skin problems can also include:
Parasites
Mites
Mange
Cushing’s
Addison’s
Poor gut health
None of these have anything to do with chicken and yet, time and time again, chicken in dog food is what takes the blame!
To summarize, most dogs with ‘chicken allergies’ are actually suffering from nutritional imbalances, poor gut health, medical problems, or environmental allergies.
How are chicken allergies diagnosed in dogs?
The only way to definitively diagnose a chicken food allergy is through food trials using an elimination diet and allergy testing, both of which should be done under the care of a veterinarian.
A food trial involves switching your dog to a new diet that does not contain any chicken or other common allergens for at least 12 weeks. This means avoiding all treats, toppers, and counter surfing which may skew the results of the testing.
Participating in a food trial requires dedication and attention to detail.
Hydrolyzed protein diets are often used for food trials because they contain proteins that have been broken down into such small pieces that they are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.
If the dog’s symptoms improve on the new diet, then it is likely that they were caused by a food allergy. It could have been chicken OR another ingredient in their old food, and additional tests are warranted.
Food trial elimination diets are a lot of work, but they are the gold standard for diagnosing food allergies!
Allergy testing involves a blood test or taking a saliva sample from your dog and sending it to a laboratory that will test for antibodies to common allergens, including chicken.
These allergy tests can often be done at home or through your veterinarian.
However, most blood and saliva allergy tests are a waste of money as they are wildly inaccurate in dogs! So much so that some dogs will receive different test results from the same sample.
A more accurate and scientific option looks for reactions to common allergens by introducing them to the sub-dermal layer of your dog’s skin.
This is helpful when ruling out environmental allergies, which are MUCH more common than food allergies.
This is called an intradermal allergy test and, while it is more accurate than blood or saliva tests, it still isn’t perfect.
These tests can be painful for your dog and may be expensive, so they are not usually recommended as the first line of testing.
The best way to diagnose a chicken allergy is through a comprehensive plan that includes food trials and allergy testing, all of which should be done under the care of a veterinarian.
Not by diagnosing your dog at home.
If your dog has allergy symptoms or symptoms that make you suspicious of food intolerance, it’s important to work with your veterinarian.
Try to recognize that there may be much more to the story than a simple intolerance of chicken.
The Truth about Chicken in Dog Food
Chicken is one of the most common ingredients in dog food, and for good reason!
It’s an excellent source of protein that is easily digestible for most dogs, especially when presented as chicken meal or chicken by-product meal.
In fact, chicken is often used as the main protein source in many hypoallergenic diets because it is so unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.
Have you ever seen people give their sick dogs chicken and rice? There is a reason for this practice (even though it’s now considered dated advice). Chicken is a gentle, quality form of protein.
The fact that so many people believe that chicken allergies are common is a direct result of social media, speculation, and anecdotal evidence.
When one person claims that their dog’s chronic loose stools or itching firmed up by switching to a food that didn’t contain chicken, people eat it up.
However, nine times out of ten the dog had been switched to a more appropriate diet, or one that had a better fiber content or didn’t contain something else the dog was actually intolerant of, and chicken had literally nothing to do with it.
A veterinary-prescribed elimination diet is the only way to definitively find food allergies.
Many dogs that have been diagnosed at home with a chicken allergy are actually allergic to things in the environment!
Their immune system may be struggling as a result of too much food switching or because of genetics and environmental factors.
Switching foods often as a means to ‘diagnose the problem’ and resolve allergy symptoms can actually cause things to be worse.
Some of the most common causes of adverse reactions such as itchy skin and goopy eyes are, you guessed it, good old pollen, grass, weeds, and dander in your home.
When this happens, food intolerance is often blamed! The truth is that these dogs need support to help their gut and digestive system heal.
Symptoms of allergies in dogs
If you are concerned about your dog’s overall health and believe they may be suffering from environmental or food allergies, here is a list of common symptoms:
Severe allergic reactions including difficulty breathing, hives, and swelling
Skin rashes and redness
Digestive issues including loose stools and diarrhea
Goopy eyes
Chewing on paws
Ear infections
Secondary skin infections such as hotspots that often result from chewing, licking, rubbing, and redness
Turning off essential oil and scented diffusers, scent warmers, and plug-ins
Reducing the use of irritating cleansers such as bleach, scented laundry detergents, or carpet sprinkles which can irritate skin, eyes, and paws
Rinsing the dog off daily using a damp towel to wipe dander and allergens from the face, paws, and body
Occasional baths using a gentle itch-relief shampoo. Don’t bathe your dog too much, as it can dry the skin out and make it more susceptible to irritation
Seeing the vet to rule out mites, fleas, mange, parasites, and other common skin irritants
Apoquel and prescription foods for dogs with serious, verified allergies
Many people whose dogs are sensitive and suffering from itching and chronic loose stools will turn to grain-free diets.
This is one of the worst choices that can be made.
How grain-free dog foods are made
All kibble dog foods require starch of some kind to bind the meat and other ingredients together. This is why you often see things such as brewers’ rice, brown rice, or oatmeal in dog food.
Grain-free dog foods replace those ingredients with other starchy foods such as potatoes, peas, or lentils. These items sound healthy to the consumer, and also contain protein.
As a result, they become an easy way for dog food companies to reduce their reliance on real meat to meet AAFCO nutrition minimums.
Many grain-free kibbles are nothing more than meat-flavored legumes. This is true even if you see “meat as the 1st ingredient”, because most ‘fresh’ or ‘deboned meats’ are 70% water.
Fresh meat will weigh a lot at first, but once it is turned into kibble there isn’t much left.
Dogs need meat, bone, organ, and cartilage in their diet, which they cannot get from a grain-free diet that is formulated with fresh muscle meat and peas or lentils.
As a result of nutritional imbalance, many dogs are needlessly suffering from an enlarged heart, digestive upset, low energy, and other health problems.
Are you noticing a trend here, yet? These health problems are often blamed on ‘chicken’.
Certain amino acids, proteins, and nutrients will be missing in poorly formulated diets.
This is why we recommend feeding a grain-inclusive foodwith meat meals and meat by-product meals making up the bulk of the finished kibble.
Read on…
Grain-free diets and DCM
Grain-free and other poorly-formulated food brands have been implicated, on repeat, for causing DCM (enlarged heart) and sudden death in otherwise healthy dogs.
Many of these dogs’ conditions are reversed through a diet change.
The FDA has released multiple warnings about the connection between certain diets and DCM.
They have not, however, been able to pinpoint a specific ingredient, brand, or formulation that is causing this condition. Doing so will take years of research.
The DCM – Food link is thought to be a combination of factors such as high legume content and poorly formulated foods from companies with no board-certified veterinary nutritionist on staff.
Nutritional DCM has been seen in dogs being fed both grain-free and grain-inclusive diets, so it stands to reason that this is a formulation problem more than anything else.
Dogs need organ meats, bone, fat, and cartilage tissue in their diet.
Despite this, a lot of expensive “natural” food companies will choose fresh meat (such as ‘roasted lamb’ or ‘deboned chicken’) for their product because it makes the label seem more appealing to dog owners who are spending their money.
Nutritional DCM is essentially the result of serious marketing problems in dog food.
If a food company is trying to appeal to your human taste, instead of what your Great Dane actually needs, you need to ask more questions.
The best food for a Great Dane is going to be a large or giant breed formula that is well-researched, backed by peer-reviewed science, and formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
Rendered meat meals (such as beef meal or chicken by-product meal) were shown to reduce the risk of bloat!
This nutrient-dense rendered meat ingredient is biologically appropriate and exactly what you want to see in a Great Dane’s diet. Meal meal of some kind should be in the first ingredients.
We also like to see balanced calcium and phosphorus ratios.
What is the best kibble with no chicken?
If you do have a Great Dane that is suffering from allergies, the best kibble with no chicken is going to be Pro Plan Large Breed Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon Flavor.
When choosing food for Great Dane puppies under 24 months, choose from our puppy list.
Dogs are known as “man’s best friend” for a reason. They are loyal, loving, and always happy to see you. What’s not to love? One of the best things about dogs is that they are always excited to eat, no matter what time of day it is. This means that you can get away with feeding them delicious soft dog treats without feeling guilty! In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best soft dog treats on the market. We’ll also give you a few tips on how to choose the right treats for your pup.
WHY DO MANY PET PARENTS PREFER SOFT DOG TREATS?
Although many dogs prefer crunchy treats, chewy dog treats are the better option for some dogs due to a few reasons.
First, dog treats can be hard for senior dogs or dogs with dental issues to chew with their crunchy texture. The best treats for senior dogs are soft and easy to chew so they can still enjoy a delicious treat without hurting their teeth.
Second, some dogs simply prefer the taste of softer treats over crunchy ones. If your dog is picky about his treats, then soft ones may be the way to go in order to get him to eat them.
Third, soft dog treats are often more nutrient-rich than their crunchy counterparts. This is because they generally contain more meat and vegetables as well as moisture, which are packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
Last, puppies and small dogs do better with dog treats that you can break apart into smaller pieces. This way, they can enjoy the treat without choking on it.
Merrick Power Bites Natural Grain Free Gluten Free Soft & Chewy Chews Soft Dog Treats
These ‘power bites’ are some of the best soft dog chews as they are made with real meat and come with both a beef recipe and a chicken recipe. The grain free treats allow you to spoil your pup without worrying about any allergies, and they are also gluten free. Some dogs can get nasty ear infections or chin acne from grain, so having this option is VERY helpful! In addition, they are packed with vitamins and minerals that will keep your pup healthy and happy.
Stewart Freeze Dried Dog Treats, Beef Liver, Healthy, Natural, Single Ingredient, Grain Free Dog Treat, Liver Treats for Dogs, Resealable Tub Or Pouch
Stewart has low calories which makes these treats great for training sessions. These treats are not as soft as some of the other options, however they are dehydrated liver, which break apart excellent for puppies or seniors. (Treats for puppies). If your dog is experiencing dry skin, adding in some organ like this Beef Liver can also be very beneficial!
If you are looking to transition a puppy from soft chewy foods to dry foods, these low calorie treats would make a great food form. But, be careful not to overdo it, as too many calories at once can cause an upset stomach.
Who doesn’t love chicken and waffles? Your puppy will love these high value treats- and it will be sure to improve your dog to some good behavior!
These treats are soft for your canine companion. Most dogs can chew these treats up very easily. The flavors are not the best part- the fact that Farm-Raised American Chicken is the #1 ingredient shows that these treats are filled with more than just flavors, but quality ingredients.
Spot Farms Chicken Apple Sausage Healthy All Natural Dog Treats Human Grade Made in USA 12.5 oz
If you are wanting a treat with human grade ingredients, packed with flavor, no artificial colors, then your dog might like Spot Farms Chicken Apple Sausage Healthy All Natural Dog Treats.
These treats are made in the USA with chicken that is raised without antibiotics on family farms. These all-natural dog treats contain no corn, wheat, soy, or animal by-products and are filled with healthy ingredients like apples and sweet potato. This organic option can help sooth your dog if they are having an upset stomach or make for a wonderful training treat for your puppy.
Nootie PROGILITY Daily Soft Chew Supplements for All Size Dogs – Calming Chews, Hip & Joint Chews, Multivitamin Chews, Urinary Chews, Skin and Coat Chews for Dogs – 90 ct
Not only will these treats help your dog with anxiety, but they will also improve their coat and nails. These chews are for all size dogs and are a great way to give your pup his daily vitamins. The ingredients in these chews are human grade, which is always a bonus when it comes to your furry friend.
If your dog or puppy has anxiety, has a hard time staying calm or relaxed, or needs a little bit of relaxation help, you may consider adding in this soft and chewy treat for them. Remember that some of the best dog treats are those that pack vitamins and nutrients into our dogs!
Cloud Star Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Chewy Low Calorie Dog Training Treats, Made in The USA Wheat & Corn Free, Soft Puppy Bites
Some chewy dog treats are packed with wheat and corn, but the Cloud Star Tricky Trainers are wheat and corn free! These low calorie treats make for a perfect training bite for your puppy or small dog.
The Cloud Star Tricky Trainers come in a resealable pouch, which is great to keep them fresh and moist. If you have a picky eater, these treats might not be for them as they have a strong smell. But, most dogs will love the taste of these yummy, soft and chewy treats made with real meat!
Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Dog Food, Turkey Mini Nibs 16 oz
Vital Essentials soft and chewy dog treats are some of the best soft dog treats for small breeds or puppies, dogs who need small bites, or even big dogs who need a grain free option of soft treats to do their training with.
Not only do they taste great, but they ‘re packed with nutrients and vitamins that your dog needs to stay healthy. These freeze-dried turkey mini nibs are a great way to give your pup some extra protein in their diet while also getting them used to new flavors and textures.
Not all dental treats are created equal. But it is equally important to eliminate tartar buildup on all pets, puppies and dogs, no matter what their stage of life is!
Pedigree’s Dental Treats are clinically proven to reduce tartar buildup by up to 83% and freshen your dog’s breath. These chewy dental treats have a patented X-shaped design that helps clean even hard-to-reach teeth, and they’re also low in fat.
While most treats used for dental reasons are a bit on the hard side, these tasty treats remains full of flavor AND soft. So if your dog wants to clean their teeth with some chewy treats, opt for this choice!
So, it really depends on your dog’s individual needs as to whether soft treats or hard treats are best for them. However, all dogs can benefit from a little variety in their treat selection!
If you’re looking for the best treat and aren’t sure if your pet should have a hard treat or a soft treat, ask your veterinarian during your next visit. They will be able to help you make the best decision for your pup!
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.
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:
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)!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
“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.“
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Deformitiescan 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.
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.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
IS YOUR GREAT DANE PUPPY KNUCKLING?
Check out our science-based and constantly growing knuckling resource page.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Do you like modern positive+balanced off-leash dog training, science-based information, life with Danes, educated ownership and chatting with other like-minded people?
False pregnancy dog issues can not only be annoying, but they are very dangerous and can cause major problem- even death.
If you’re a dog owner, then you may have heard of false pregnancy. This is a condition that can occur in female dogs who have not been spayed. False pregnancy can cause the dog to exhibit many of the same symptoms as pregnant dogs, including lactation and nesting behavior. In this blog post, we will discuss what causes false pregnancy in dogs, how to spot the symptoms, and how to treat it.
FALSE PREGNANCY DOG ISSUES: WHAT IS A FALSE PREGNANCY?
False pregnancies occur in female dogs who have not been spayed (intact female dog). (READ MORE)This is because they still have their ovaries and uterus, which can produce eggs and allow for implantation. However, in a false pregnancy, the eggs are not fertilized and there is no fetus present.
Despite this, the dog’s body will go through many of the same changes as if she were pregnant. This is because the hormones associated with pregnancy (estrogen and progesterone) are still present in her system. These hormones can cause the dog to exhibit many of the same symptoms as a pregnant dog, even though she is not actually carrying puppies.
PREGNANCY IN DOGS
Most female dogs should not get pregnant, despite producing puppies being a natural and healthy thing for a female dog.
Backyard breeding of an unspayed female dog who has not been health tested for genetic issues like hips, heart, eyes, or more can cause puppies to be born with congenital defects. These defects can range from mild (like a cleft palate) to severe (like heart abnormalities). They can also be expensive to treat and cause short life spans.
Additionally, pregnancy and childbirth are risky for the mother dog. Some risks include infection, uterine rupture, retained placenta, and more. For these reasons, it is best to spay your female dog before she comes into heat (usually around six months of age but varies by breed as large breed dogs should not be spayed until age 24 months). This will also help to prevent false pregnancy.
UNSPAYED DOGS AND RISKS
Unspayed female dogs face risks that other female dogs do not face such as pyometra, mastitis, and mammary cancer. (LEARN MORE ABOUT SPAYS HERE)
PYOMETRA
Female dogs that are not spayed have a high risk of developing pyometra, which is an infection of the uterus. This can be a life-threatening condition for dogs and often requires emergency surgery to remove the infected uterus.
MASTITIS
Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary glands that can occur during false pregnancy or lactation. This can cause the dog to produce milk even if she is not pregnant, and can be very painful for her. If left untreated, mastitis can lead to sepsis (a potentially fatal condition caused by infection).
BREAST CANCER
Unspayed female dogs also have an increased risk of developing mammary gland tumors, which is Cancer of the mammary gland. This is a type of cancer that affects the mammary glands and can be fatal if left untreated. Pet owners who notice mammary gland enlargement should take note of the physical signs, their dog’s symptoms, and take a vet visit for a blood test and medical treatment.
SYMPTOMS OF FALSE PREGNANCY IN DOGS
False pregnancy can cause the dog to exhibit many of the same symptoms as dogs who are experiencing an actual, true pregnancy. Signs of false pregnancy can vary from dog to dog.
False pregnancy symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
Nesting behavior (preparing a “nest” for her puppies)
Trying to carry around soft toys
Increased appetite
Lactation (milk production)
Abdominal enlargement
Mothering behavior towards other animals or inanimate objects
Some dogs lose weight and some experience weight gain
In mild cases of false pregnancy, a dog may only exhibit one or two of these symptoms. In more severe cases, a dog may exhibit most or all of these symptoms. If your dog is showing any signs of false pregnancy, it is best to take her to the vet for an examination.
Additional supportive exercise, enrichment, engaging toys and activities will help to keep your dog’s mind off of their hormone surge. Here are some ideas:
CORRELATION BETWEEN A FALSE PREGNANCY AND HEAT CYCLE
A heat cycle is when a female dog is in “heat” or able to mate and produce puppies. The average heat cycle lasts about three weeks, with the first week being the time when the female is most fertile. Having an estrus cycle is a normal part of a female dog’s life. Some dogs will go into heat every few months- while most is breed dependent.
A false pregnancy can occur any time after a heat cycle has ended. This means that a false pregnancy can happen even if the dog was not actually mated during her heat cycle.
Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to false pregnancy than others. These include:
WILL A PSEUDO PREGNANCY IN DOGS CAUSE THEM TO PRODUCE MILK?
Producing milk seems like an unusual thing when your pup is not actually pregnant. However, producing milk is actually a somewhat common on the list of clinical signs of a false pregnancy.
WHAT NOT TO DO IF YOUR DOG IS PRODUCING MILK
Although it is common knowledge that ‘milking’ a lactating breast will cause the hormones to prepare more milk, it is not recommended to ‘leave the milk’ inside of the dogs.
MAMMARY GLAND DEVELOPMENT
During puberty of a pregnant dog, the hormone levels are rapidly changing, causing an increase in estrogen and progesterone. These high hormone levels stimulate the development of milk-producing cells in the mammary glands.
Many people simply do nothing to help their pup experience these hormone changes- and that CAN be okay. However, there are also risks involved with doing nothing to get the milk out of the mammary gland.
MASTITIS RISKS
During a false pregnancy, the hormonal changes are already present and too much milk could cause the dog’s mammary glands to become engorged, which could lead to mastitis. If your dog is lactating, it is best to express only enough milk to relieve the discomfort and then discontinue milking.
So, yes, by milking your dog, you will create more milk production. But, in doing so for a few weeks you will also be preventing swollen mammary glands and infection which can be life threatening to a dog producing milk.
By gradually ‘weaning’ the milking, you will also help to ‘dry up’ the milk production by decreasing the amount of times your dog’s mammary glands are stimulated.
PYOMETRA
Pyometra is a uterine infection that can occur in dogs who have not been spayed. This infection can happen at any age but is most common in older, unspayed female dogs.
A dog with pyometra will often show signs of a false pregnancy, including:
Severe Pyometra will have bloody discharge and a fever. If your dog is showing any of these signs or if your dog appears physically ill, it is important to take her to the vet immediately as Pyometra can be life-threatening.
HOW TO HELP A DOG GO THROUGH A FALSE PREGNANCY
If your dog is going through a false pregnancy, there are some things that you can do to help her through it.
First, it is important to understand that a false pregnancy is USUALLY not dangerous to your dog and does not require treatment. However, it can be VERY dangerous- even life threatening.
However, if your dog is exhibiting signs of a false pregnancy, it is best to take her to the vet for an examination. This will help rule out any other possible causes of her symptoms and ensure that she is healthy, not facing any potential womb infections, and examine whether your dog is truly not pregnant.
Once you have ruled out any other possible causes of her physical changes, there are some things that you can do to help your dog through a false pregnancy:
If your dog is going through a false pregnancy, the most important thing that you can do is to be there for her. Show her extra attention and love, make sure she is getting enough exercise, and provide her with a safe place to nest. By doing these things, you will help your dog through this difficult time.
False pregnancy in dogs is relatively common, but unfortunately can be very dangerous. If you have a dog experiencing clinical signs of false pregnancies, you should monitor them closely.
FALSE PREGNANCIES AND GETTING YOUR DOG SPAYED TOO YOUNG
It is important that your dog be allowed to produce hormones.
Depending on their breed, hormones prepare the dog’s body for more than just pregnancy.
Male dogs rely on testosterone for their health, while female dogs rely on progesterone and other reproductive hormones for theirs.
Progesterone has been linked to bone health, heart health, and a healthy immune system in dogs. Testosterone is important for male dog’s libido, muscle development, and red blood cell production.
Both hormones are proven to be a beneficial and crucial aspect in the joint development of dogs. Below you can see images of breeds, with comparison of pediatric spay development and the same dog who was allowed to develop normally.
Once your dog has had a Phantom Pregnancy, it is possible that they might have another one. Phantom Pregnancy in dogs is caused by a hormonal imbalance and unfortunately, there is no way to prevent future episodes.
The best way to prevent future false pregnancies is to have your dog spayed at the right time. Spaying your dog will remove her ovaries and uterus, which will eliminate the possibility of her ever having another false pregnancy.
Not only will spaying your dog prevent future false pregnancies, but, when done at the right time for your breed, it will also help to keep her healthy. Spaying your dog will reduce her risk of developing certain types of cancer and other health problems.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON FALSE PREGNANCY IN DOGS
False pregnancy in dogs is a relatively common condition that can be caused by a hormonal imbalance.
If your dog is exhibiting signs of false pregnancy, it is important to take her to the vet for an examination. This will help rule out any other possible causes of her symptoms and ensure that she is healthy.
Once you have ruled out any other possible causes of her physical changes, there are some things that you can do to help your dog through a false pregnancy:
Provide her with a safe place to nest
Give her extra attention and love
Make sure she is getting enough exercise
Do not allow her to mate
Feed her a high-quality diet
Do not spay during false pregnancy
Talk to your vet about physical activity
If your dog is going through a false pregnancy, the most important thing that you can do is to be there for her. Show her extra attention and love, make sure she is getting enough exercise, and provide her with a safe place to nest. By doing these things, you will help your dog through this difficult time.
False pregnancy in dogs is relatively common, but unfortunately can be very dangerous. If you have a dog experiencing clinical signs of a phantom pregnancy, you should monitor them closely and consult with your veterinarian.
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Dog pills are SUCH a pain. Your dog needs them for their health, but they’re just so hard to get down their throat! And then you always have to worry about whether or not they actually ate the pill or if it’s just sitting in their food bowl.
Pet owners can agree on one thing, giving a dog a pill is not easy. You’ve done everything from hide dog pills in your dog’s mouth to giving your dog’s pills in something tasty, but your dog’s nose always seems to scout out the pill.
Giving a dog a pill is tough, but giving pills to a dog doesn’t have to be impossible.
Here are some solutions that many pet owners have found helpful in helping their dog happily eat their medication.
DOG PILLS: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT OUR DOGS CONSUME THEIR MEDICINE?
Dogs need medicine at various times throughout their life for many different reasons. Some pills are for daily medication such as vitamins or supplements, while others are for more serious conditions that require antibiotics or other treatments. No matter what the reason is that your dog needs a pill, it is important that they consume the entire pill so that their body gets the full dosage of medication required.
DAILY VITAMINS PER YOUR VET’S INSTRUCTIONS
There are a few reasons why a dog might need medicine. The most common reason is for daily vitamins or supplements. Dogs, just like people, can be deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. For example, many dogs are lacking in zinc which can lead to skin problems. Zinc pills are a great way to ensure that your pup is getting the nutrition they need!
ONGOING MEDICATIONS FOR CERTAIN CONDITIONS YOUR DOG MAY HAVE
Other times, your dog might need medication for a more serious condition. This could be anything from an infection to cancer. In these cases, it is even more important that your dog takes the entire pill so that their body can fight off the illness.
No matter what the reason is for your dog needing medication, it is essential that they consume the entire pill. Otherwise, their body will not be able to get the full dosage of medicine required and their condition may not improve.
There are a few different ways that you can give your dog a pill so that they consume the entire thing.
HIDE IT IN THEIR FOOD
One way to give your dog a pill is to hide it in their food. This method works best for dogs that are food motivated and will eat anything you put in front of them.
Simply take their regular food and mix the pill into it. Make sure that the pill is fully mixed in and not just sitting on top of the food. Once the pill is mixed in, give it to your dog and let them eat as usual.
This method works best with wet food or canned food but you can also use it with dry food. Just add a little bit of water or broth to the food so that the pill will mix in easily.
HIDE IT IN A TREAT
Another way to give your dog a pill is to hide it in a treat. This method works best for dogs that are treat motivated and love getting a special snack.
There are a few different ways that you can do this. You can either buy treats that already have a hole in the center or you can make your own. To make your own, simply take a regular treat and use a knife or your fingers to create a small hole in the center.
Once you have a hole, insert the pill into the treat and give it to your dog. They will be so focused on getting the treat that they won’t even notice the pill!
If your dog is extra food motivated, you can try wrapping the pill in bacon, cheese or peanut butter. This method works best for dogs that will do anything for a delicious treat!
To do this, simply take a strip of bacon or a spoonful of peanut butter and wrap it around the pill. Make sure that the pill is fully covered so that your dog doesn’t realize there is anything inside.
Once the pill is wrapped, give it to your dog and let them enjoy their special treat!
If you don’t have any of these items on hand for your pet, you can use this formula from PET MD, which is a ‘PILL PASTE’. Gently rub the medication on your fingers and then using the paste, smear the medication.
Now, the medication tastes just like cheese and bacon treats instead of medication! Now, place the pill inside of your dog’s upper jaw or lower jaw. Sometimes, when placed in a dog’s lower jaw, they will be able to spit it out more easily. So, work with your pet on where to hide the pill.
There are also a variety of commercial products on the market that make giving pills to dogs easier. Pill pockets are one of the most popular options.
Pill pockets are small, soft treats that have a pocket in the center. (SHOP HERE) You simply insert the pill into the pocket and give it to your dog. They will never even know there was a pill inside if you have tasty pill pockets!
If you are having trouble getting your dog to take a pill even if you are hiding pills in tasty things, you can also try using a syringe or pill giver.
To use a syringe, simply fill it with water and insert the pill. Then, hold your dog’s mouth open and squirt the water into their mouth. Make sure that they swallow the entire thing!
A pill giver is a small, handheld tool that is designed to help you give your dog a pill. To use it, simply insert the pill into the end and then place it at the back of your dog’s throat. Push the plunger down so that the pill goes into their mouth and then let them swallow.
Using foods like dairy products, a hot dog, cream cheese, ground beef, peanut butter, regular cheese, or ice cream is also an effective way to give your dog a pill.
Simply take the food item and insert the pill into it. You can hand feed your dog the food directly into their mouth to make sure that they get not only the taste of the cheese but also the medications in their mouth. The different flavors will make the pills taste the actual foods and your dog will swallow the real pill much easier.
Certain foods are safe for most dogs, but be careful of other foods that may not be safe.
SAFE FOOD FOR DOGS TO TAKE PILLS WITH
DAIRY PRODUCTS IN MODERATION
CHEDDAR CHEESE
MOZZARELLA CHEESE
YOGURT, AND SOUR CREAM CREAM
GROUND BEEF
HOT DOGS IN MODERATION
ICE CREAM IN MODERATION (NO XYLITOL)
NUT BUTTERS LIKE PEANUT BUTTER AND ALMOND BUTTER
When giving your dog pills, always put safety first. Make sure that the pill is the appropriate size and dose for your dog. You should also make sure that you are using human food items that are safe for dogs to eat. If you have any concerns, speak with your Veterinarian!
SOME HUMAN FOOD SHOULD NOT BE ADDED TO YOUR DOG’S FOOD
Some foods are not beneficial for your dogs to eat, and can even be dangerous to hide pills inside of due to their toxicity to your pet.
GRAPES
RAISINS
AVOCADOS
CHOCOLATE
MACADAMIA NUTS
XYLITOL S WEETENER
ONIONS
GARLIC
While there are a lot of human food items that you can use, you want to be careful what you give a dog. Stick with safe foods to for a dog to take like cream cheese, cheese, or actual dog treats. If you are ever in question, speak with your Veterinary Clinic, or use a treat like the one below that is formulated especially for your pet.
FUN WAYS TO GIVE YOUR DOG ORAL MEDICATIONS
There are fun ways to hide pills for your dog. Medications can be hard to give a dog. Why not make it fun?
These ‘Medi Crunch’ Dog treats taste like peanut butter but they have a little pocket where pills can fit. They are so easy for dogs to take, and dogs can eat them in one bite.
The simplicity of allowing dogs to swallow this cute little tasty treat in one bite allows the medications to stay safely inside the treats.
Certain medications come in liquid form. If your veterinarian has prescribed your pet a liquid form of medication, it is more difficult to use treats to encourage swallowing.
Instead, you can use your dog’s tongue to your advantage!
Pet parents can drip the liquid directly onto their dog’s tongue. If their pet gives a fuss about the taste, use a smelly and tasty dairy product or canned dog food to mix up the liquid into something more delicious.
Try not to give either capsule, solid, or liquid pills on an empty stomach, as it could cause your pup to feel sick.
Always speak with your veterinarian about any side affects your pup is feeling from any medication that they are taking. If they are feeling any adverse reactions, your vet may be able to prescribe other forms of the medicine.
Additionally, never allow your pup to eat human medication without the advice of a veterinarian. Some treatments that are safe for humans are toxic to our dogs. It is ALWAYS safest to consult with a Veterinarian before making drastic choices for our pups.
Hopefully you enjoyed these tips on getting your pup to eat their pill and stay as healthy as they possibly can. Using treats, foods, and even fun little gadgets can make the process of giving your pup their medication a lot easier on both you and them. Do you have any tips or tricks that help when giving your pup pills? Let us know in the comments below! Thanks for reading.
Have you ever wondered about male Great Dane weight, how much an adult Great Dane will weigh, the average weight of a male Great Dane, or what a healthy weight for large breed dogs is?
If you have, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll be discussing male Great Dane weight and all things related to it.
The average weight of a full-grown male Great Dane is 120 to 200 pounds. However, there are some individuals that may weigh more or less than this. Generally speaking, the larger the dog, the heavier they will be.
Great Dane on gray background
When it comes to large breed dogs like the Great Dane, their weight can vary greatly based on their height and build. A taller dog with a leaner build is going to weigh less than a shorter, stockier dog.
MALE GREAT DANE WEIGHT IN GIANT BREED DOGS
Healthy weight for large breed dogs is often determined by their body condition score (BCS). This is a scoring system that ranges from one to nine, with one being too thin and nine being obese.
A healthy weight for a male Great Dane would be somewhere in the middle of these two extremes, around a four or five on the BCS scale. If your dog is at either end of the spectrum, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian about ways to help them reach and maintain a healthy weight, which can impact the lifespan tremendously.
The average weight of a Great Dane depends on sex, height, age and build.
GREAT DANE BREED SIZE DEPENDS ON GENDER
There are a few things that will affect the average weight of a Great Dane. The first is sex. Males are typically going to be larger than a female Great Dane dog.
Males can grow, on average, to be about two to three inches taller than female dogs and can weigh anywhere from 15 to 25 pounds more. This is a significant difference and something you need to take into account when considering the average weight of your dog.
GREAT DANE ADULT FEMALE WEIGHT: The average weight for giant breeds who are male is 120 to 200 pounds.
GREAT DANE ADULT MALE WEIGHT: The average weight for an adult female Great Dane is 100 to 130 pounds. This is a 20 to 30-pound difference from the males of the breed.
Female dogs are going to be shorter and have a smaller frame than their male counterparts. Female dogs are also going to be much shorter than males.
HEIGHT OF GREAT DANES DETERMINES DANE GROWTH AND WEIGHT
Another factor that will affect the average weight of your Gentle Giants is their height.
The taller the dog, the heavier they are going to be. This is because they have more mass and more bones.
A Great Dane that is two feet tall is going to weigh more than a Great Dane that is only one foot tall. This is why it is important to know the average weight of your dog so you can be sure they are at a healthy weight.
THE AGE / WEIGHT CORRELATION OF GREAT DANES
The last factor that will affect the average weight of a Great Dane is their age. A puppy is going to weigh less than an adult dog. This is because they are still growing and haven’t reached their full size yet. An adult dog is going to be at their full size and weight.
Great Danes typically reach their adult height at about 24 months old because their growth plates remain open until 2 years.
However, all throughout the puppy stage and into both male and female adulthood (24 month+) giant dogs will continue to fill out and have ‘Great Dane growth spurts’.
GENETIC BUILD OF A GREAT DANE
Every giant dog has a genetic predisposition that they get from their parents. This will affect the size, weight, and build of your dog.
If you have a male dog breed that is from a smaller line of dogs, he is going to be smaller than a male dog breed that is from a larger line of dogs. This is something you need to take into account when considering the average weight of your dog.
Backyard breeding has majorly impacted the giant dog breed. Backyard breeders advertise Great Dane dogs as ‘EURO’, claiming that they will sell you a Great Dane puppy that is ‘thicker’ and ‘bigger’ than the average. The word ‘Euro’ is a major red flag.
Oddly enough, the standard for a Great Dane puppy and adult in America and Europe, looks strikingly similar.
See below for a photo of the breed standard for Great Danes in Europe.
EUROPEAN GREAT DANES AND GENETIC HEALTH PROBLEMS
Backyard breeders are are having a major, negative impact on Great Danes, and other dogs. Breed standard is getting lost, and it is causing MAJOR issues.
Backyard breeders are trying to sell Great Danes as ‘EURO‘ Great Danes, advertising them as ‘bigger’ Great Dane dogs. A Great Dane puppy should not be sold as a ‘EUROPEAN‘ Great Dane puppy unless it has proven lineage that traces back to Europe.
The word ‘EURO‘ is a major red flag and is often used by backyard breeders to sell Great Dane puppies that have not been health tested or cleared of genetic defects.
Backyard breeding has caused an increase in congenital and hereditary health problems in Great Danes, and other dogs. Some of these health problems include:
The best way to avoid getting a sick Great Dane puppy is to do your research, and buy from a reputable breeder who health tests their dogs. A reputable breeder will be able to provide you with health clearances for the parents of your Great Dane puppy.
There is NO competition for who’s Great Dane is biggest! The leaner, skinnier Great Danes are the HEALTHIEST, and least likely to develop conditions like hip dysplasia, arthritis, cancer, bloat, and others.
The best way to avoid getting an obese Great Dane is to feed them a high quality, breed appropriate diet, do not OVERFEED your Great Dane, make sure they are getting proper Great Dane growth, and to make sure they get plenty of exercise.
HOW MUCH DOES A GREAT DANE PUPPY WEIGH?
A Great Dane puppy is usually born weighing between two and four pounds.
Great Dane puppies grow at different rates, however the top most important thing to note is that the slower a Great Dane puppy grows, the better.
Fast growth in a Great Dane puppy causes many problems, including but not limited to:
Great Dane growth is one of the most important things during the critical first 12 months, and entire first 24 months. A Great Dane puppy has growth spurts all the way up until 24 months of age, when its growth plates will close. You can generally tell the health of a Great Dane and its growth by looking at its feet.
Knuckling is one of the most important things that can impact Great Dane growth. Unfortunately, when a puppy is between 0-24 months of age, their growth is extremely fragile.
Knuckling occurs anytime between about 3 weeks to about 24 months of age. Knuckling happens when rapid growth occurs and a Great Dane’s growth plates have not closed yet.
Painful movements, inability to hold their paws correctly
WHY DOES IT MATTER IF GREAT DANES KNUCKLE
The first 24 months of a Great Danes life are some of the most important. As the largest dog breed, Great Danes have a lot of growing to do- and they grow quickly.
When a Great Dane knuckles, it means that their bones are not growing correctly. This can lead to all sorts of problems later on in life. Severe knuckling in a Great Dane can even put too much pressure on a Great Danes bones, impacting the normal Great Dane growth and requiring surgery, permanent implants of metal into the bones, or even amputation.
However, every Great Dane owner likes to have a Great Dane growth chart for their dog’s age so that they can see if their gentle giant is maturing according to the ‘average’ or ‘normal’.
Growth charts should be used as a guide for large dogs, and if your Great Dane doesn’t fall within the Great Dane growth chart, you shouldn’t panic. Instead, you should examine your Great Dane and its body condition, rather than trying to make them fit into a growth and weight chart. Remember, it is almost impossible for a Great Dane to be too small, but very easy for Great Danes to be too big/overweight.
To view and read more about the growth chart of a Great Dane, including a growth and weight chart for you to print, click here. For more information about feeding a Great Dane, including a feeding chart, click here.
If your Great Dane is not falling into the Growth Chart, you should not worry. A growth chart is only meant to be a guide, and there are many factors that can impact a Great Dane’s growth. For example, if your Great Dane is not growing as quickly as the growth chart says he should be, it could simply mean he will be a smaller than average size for his breed, which is perfectly normal.
Use the weight chart as a resource for your Great Dane dog, not a bible.
On the other hand, if your Great Dane is growing too quickly, it could be a sign of something more serious, like a rapid growth issue. No weight chart should outweigh the opinion of a Veterinarian. This is a disease that can occur in any large breed dog, and Great Danes are no exception. If you think your Great Dane may have a growth disease, please take him to the vet immediately.
Click below for resources, including a Weight Chart:
A female Great Dane will be about 23.0-30.0 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh about 110-200 pounds when full grown.
The average weight of a female Great Dane is about 150 pounds, but some can be as small as 110 pounds or as large as 200 pounds.
Female Great Danes, like males, should be kept at their smallest healthy weight in order to be in optimal adult shape.
Any excessive adult weight can put extra strain on their joints, causing issues such as arthritis and hip dysplasia as they grow into their adult weight.
Female Great Danes are also more prone to obesity than males, especially after spaying, so be sure to keep an eye on your female’s weight and don’t let her get too heavy.
Feeding a Great Dane dog is one of the biggest priorities that a Great Dane owner should consider. A Great Dane dog requires specific dietary considerations during their typical growth phase (0-24 months) and their subsequent growth stages (24 months plus), as they are different than other breeds in the way that their bodies are formed, grow, and develop.
GREAT DANE PUPPY FOOD
A Great Dane puppy should be on a large breed puppy food, NOT just a regular puppy food. Great Dane growth is incredibly different than needs than small dogs. Large breed puppy formula will support the typical growth of a Great Dane and allow the growth stages to occur in a healthy, slow manner.
Puppy kibbles that we recommend for a growing Great Dane:
Great Dane temperament can be a difficult thing to predict, as it is not always clear what sort of temperament a particular dog will have until he or she is fully grown.
The best way to ensure that you are getting a Great Dane with a good temperament is to get your Great Dane from a reputable breeder who can guarantee that their dogs have been bred for good temperament.
Some things to look for in a Great Dane with a good temperament:
Even disposition
Calm around other animals and people, including children
Adding any dog to your family is a commitment and responsibility. But, getting a Great Dane is an even bigger responsibility because of the size of a Great Dane, the cost of a Great Dane, and the health issues sometimes associated with a Great Dane.
If you are looking into adding a Great Dane to your family, here are some things that you should consider:
Can you afford a Great Dane?
Are you prepared to deal with potential health issues?
Do you have the time to commit to training and socializing a Great Dane puppy?
Do you have the patience to deal with a dog that may be difficult to potty train?
Do you have the space for a dog that may grow to be over 100 pounds?
Do you have another dog that can handle living with a Great Dane?
Are you prepared to deal with potential damage to your home caused by a large, rambunctious puppy?
Do you understand the grooming needs of a Great Dane?
Do you have the time to commit to walking a Great Dane every day?
If you are prepared to deal with all of these things, then a Great Dane may be the right choice for your family. But, if you are not sure that you can handle all of these things, then you may want to consider another breed of dog.
There are many wonderful breeds of dogs out there and each one has its own unique set of needs. Be sure to do your research before adding any dog to your family.
What other things should I consider before getting a Great Dane? Are there any other breeds that might be a better fit for my family?
The best way to find out if a Great Dane is the right breed for your family is to talk to other Great Dane owners and get their input. They can tell you what it is really like to live with a Great Dane and help you decide if this is the right breed for you.
With big Great Dane responsibility, comes HUGE Great Dane love.
