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Large-Breed Puppy Food: What To Look For 

“Large-breed puppies grow extremely fast, and therefore require specific nutrients in their diet to ensure that they don't encounter developmental orthopedic diseases,” says Heather Zarrella, DVM, a veterinarian at Chewy.

Special diets help regulate a puppy’s growth so that their bones won’t grow too quickly, avoiding health issues like hip and elbow dysplasia as well as osteochondritis dissecans, an inflammatory condition that occurs when cartilage separates from the bone. 

The biggest thing to look out for—present in all our “best of” choices—is a large-breed puppy formula with a carefully designed calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. Along with vitamin D, which aids in calcium uptake, these two minerals work together to fuel bone growth, helping to prevent the conditions above.

“There is a lot of misinformation about large breeds and what their requirements are, and many pet parents fall into the trap of purchasing certain products because they believe their large-breed puppy needs extra protein or calcium,” says Tiffany Tupler, DVM, a Chewy veterinarian. “This isn’t always true. If you have a large-breed puppy, it’s best to choose a diet balanced by a veterinary professional, especially during growth and development.” 

If you’re feeding your puppy a fortified food, you probably won’t need added supplements. Look for labels that advertise DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) for brain and eye health, glucosamine and chondroitin for joints, antioxidants to support immune system development, and pre- or probiotics to support a healthy gut.

Lastly, your dog’s food should be specifically labeled for a “large-breed puppy”—not an adult. Since every dog is different, check with your vet to be sure your pick is one they agree with.  

How We Evaluated These Products

PetMD’s Vet Verified program offers unbiased, in-depth product reviews from vets and other animal health experts. The products in this article were selected by a panel of PetMD editors and veterinarians based on a few factors:

Popularity with pet parents

Cost 

Availability 

Personal experience 

Once we selected the products, our panel of vets relied on their clinical experience and real-world feedback to evaluate each large-breed puppy food on a series of parameters including the balance of nutrients, supplemental vitamins and minerals, and the quality of ingredients. 

Opinions and product recommendations in this article belong solely to the review panel of veterinarians and animal health experts. Manufacturers and vendors cannot pay for placement in Vet Verified articles or exert influence on our panelists as they evaluate products. Our sole goal with this program is to provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your pets.