Great Danes Puppy Food Buyer’s Guide
Great danes are very unique dogs with their massive builds and almost comically paradoxical tender personalities. When they are pups, Great Danes have very special dietary requirements. After all, it does take a lot to build a literal giant. Here are some of the special considerations so you know what to look out for when shopping for Great Dane puppy food.
They grow very large, very fast
Great danes are considered among the fastest growing dogs in the large breed family. To help put things into perspective for you, during their growth spurt months they can grow as much as 2 inches every week. Most of this growth is seen during their puppy years and they need as much nutrition as possible to achieve their full potential.
With this in mind, you cannot afford to go for pup feeds that skimp out on the nutrients. Of most importance here are proteins, fats and carbohydrates that form the literal building blocks which form the dog. It is therefore very important that you factor in nutritional content and balance when making your choice.
The best way to do this is to go for dog foods specifically formulated for large dog breeds. If you can get an option like our top pick that have great danes in mind then you would be better off. These dog foods have just the right amount to ensure that your Great Danes have all they need to grow to full potential.
Their bones need a little help
The fast growth when it comes to great danes is not always a fun experience for the dog. This is particularly the case when the bones are unable to keep up with the spurt and end up having to carry more than they can physically bear.
This leads to several bone and joint problems for the growing pup. A lot of these affect the vertebrae as well as the limbs. As a result, your little one’s mobility may be hindered and in really bad cases, this could persist into their adult years.
The solution is to ensure that you settle for feeds with very high levels of minerals. The most vital in this case are phosphates and calcium. High vitamin D levels also help as they facilitate better absorption and utilization of these bone-building minerals, which are crucial for large breed dogs like the Great Danes.
The brain is also growing
A lot of times, pet owners focus so much on muscle and bone growth for the puppy that other aspects of their development get forgotten. One of the most crucial here is brain development. Great danes are naturally very playful and curious. They therefore need optimum cognitive and sensory functions in order to truly thrive.
The best way to ensure that they get this much needed boost is by offering them food fortified with healthy fats and other compounds meant to help with brain development. These include DHA, EPA and omega 3 and 6 fats. These help not only with brain growth and development but also with day to day functions.
The benefits come in particularly handy with Great Dane puppies when it comes to training them. With these nutrients, they are better able to understand and remember commands and consequences. That way, you will end up with a grown up dane that is not only large and lovable but also smart.
They are prone to developing obesity
Great dane puppies are very vulnerable to developing obesity for 2 main reasons. The first is because of their fast growth. This leaves a lot of weight to be carried by slower-growing bones. As a result, they progressively get less agile and thus burn through fewer calories as they continue to grow. Great dane puppies also have slower metabolism than small breed pups. This means that excess calories are more likely to be stored as fat than they are to be broken down.
As a result, it is always essential that you watch not only how much and how often you feed the puppy but also what you feed them. Remember that they are rapidly growing so starving them of much needed nutrients would not be ideal. The best solution then becomes finding food options that are low in calories without compromising on nutrient values.
This could be anything from low carb and fat-free formulations to grain-free options that ensure your Great Dane gets just the right amount of what they need.
They bloat easily
Another factor unique to these puppies is their likelihood to develop bloating. This is due to their anatomy and how their frame interacts with the digestive tract. The bloating can be a serious problem with complications ranging from abdominal discomfort and constipation to serious issues like torsion of the actual gut.
There isn’t a lot that you can do about the anatomy but what you feed could help solve the problem. One great tip is to avoid excessively large or small kibble. Large kibbles take a lot of effort to chew. In the process, your beloved little Great Dane puppy will be swallowing a whole lot of air which makes the situation significantly worse. Small kibble on the other size do not fit the mouth right leaving room for swallowing gases. It is therefore best to go for foods with bite-sized pieces specifically designed for large breed puppies.
The content of the dog feed also determines whether or not your little one will develop bloating. If there is too much grain in the food, they may end up with more gas in their digestive system. You could therefore help reduce the bloating by picking alternatives with low carbohydrate content.
They can be fussy eaters
Great dane puppies can be really fussy about the food that they want to eat. One of the best ways to ensure that they actually get what they need is by making flavor a priority when choosing your dog food. They do really well with flavorful meats like bison, lamb and chicken so any formulation with these ingredients should be a hit.
Raw foods are also better received by most Great Dane puppies so it is worth considering as an option. Finally, dog food with natural additives like chicken or pork fat could also help you win over your fussy eater for their own sake.
