Best dog foods for Newfoundland
Choosing the best food for your Newfoundland is key to their health.
A balanced diet should include six essential nutrients: water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Water is crucial for hydration, digestion, and body functions like temperature regulation.
Proteins provide amino acids for tissue building, with high-quality meat or fish being ideal sources.
Fats, including Omega-3 and Omega-6, are important for energy and coat health.
Carbohydrates provide energy and support digestion, while vitamins and minerals are essential for immunity, bone health, and nerve function.
When checking dog food labels, look for real meat as the first ingredient. Fillers like corn or soy should be minimal.
If a “meal” is listed, ensure it specifies the source, such as chicken or beef meal, which is nutrient-rich.
Avoid vague “by-product meals” as they indicate lower-quality ingredients. For “Beef Dog Food,” beef must make up 95% of the product, while terms like “Beef Dinner” or “Beef Recipe” only require 25% beef, indicating less protein.
Avoid dog foods labeled “with” or “flavored” (e.g., “beef-flavored”) as they contain minimal real meat.
Watch for ingredients listed under different names (e.g., corn syrup, sugar) to hide high levels of certain components. Additionally, steer clear of artificial colors and flavors.
Fillers, commonly found in dog food, are starchy ingredients that offer little nutritional value.
These fillers, such as corn, wheat, and unspecified by-products, can cause sensitivities or allergies in some dogs.
While some consider them unhealthy, others find them acceptable in moderation.
By focusing on high-quality ingredients and minimizing fillers, you can make informed choices for your Newfoundland diet.
Best Dog Food for Newfoundland
- Best Overall: VICTOR Classic Multi-Pro Dry Dog Food $54.99 per 50-lb bag ($1.10-lb)
- Best Price-Effective: Diamond Naturals Premium Large Breed Formulas $40.99 per 40-lb bag ($1.02-lb)
- Best for Active Dogs: Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food $55.99 per 28-lb bag ($2.00-lb)
- Best for Senior Dog Mobility: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food $52.99 per 30-lb bag ($1.76-lb)
- Best for Weight Management: Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food $62.98 per 30-lb bag $2.10-lb
VICTOR Classic Multi-Pro Dry Dog Food
VICTOR Classic Multi-Pro Dry Dog Food offers high-quality beef, chicken, and pork meals, ideal for moderately active dogs.
Made with gluten-free grains and fortified with essential nutrients, it’s a balanced, affordable option.
While high in carbohydrates, its excellent meat and fat quality make it a top choice for Newfoundlands.
- First 5 Ingredients: Grain Sorghum, Beef Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Chicken Meal, Pork Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 22.5% min, Crude Fat 10% min, Crude Fiber 3.8% Max
- Calories: 359 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Fairly active dogs of all breeds who need a moderate amount of daily calories
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
- Key Benefit: Victor Multi-Pro is an excellent quality dog food at a low price.
- Price: $54.99 per 50-lb bag $1.10-lb
Diamond Naturals Premium Large Breed Formulas
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula offers superior nutrition for large dogs with real cage-free chicken, whole-grain brown rice, and superfoods.
While it has a high carbohydrate content, its excellent meat and fat quality, along with no artificial additives, make it a top budget-friendly choice.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, Ground White Rice
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 23% min, Crude Fat 13% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max
- Calories: 397 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Large breeds like Bassets and Giant dogs like Black Russian Terriers
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
- Key Benefit: Glucosamine and chondroitin support healthy joints, omega fatty acids support skin and coat health and superfoods, including fruits like blueberries and oranges provide your large breed dog with vitamins and minerals.
- Price: $40.99 per 40-lb bag ($1.02-lb)
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Taste of the Wild offers a grain-free recipe featuring novel proteins like buffalo and bison, along with peas and sweet potatoes for digestible energy.
While it includes ocean fish meal—raising some concerns about sourcing—its overall quality remains high.
We confidently recommend it for Newfoundlands.
- First 5 Ingredients: Water Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 32% min, Crude Fat 18% min, Crude Fiber 4% Max
- Calories: 422 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All breeds from small Border Terriers to Giants like Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Newfoundlands.
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
- Key Benefits: Contains several real meat sources within the first 12 ingredients.
- Price: $54.99 per 28-lb bag ($2.00-lb)
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
Founded in 2003, Blue Buffalo honors the memory of their family dog, Blue.
Their Life Protection Formula for adult dogs features real meat, whole grains, and a blend of nutrients.
While it has no controversial ingredients, its high carb content leads to lower protein and fat levels, earning it an average quality rating.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 24% min, Crude Fat 14% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max
- Calories: 377 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All breeds, from the Scottish Terrier to the massive Neapolitan Mastiff.
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
- Key Benefit: Essential, high-quality protein for healthy muscle development, and excellent fat quality.for energy for an older adult Newfoundland.
- Price: $46.99 per 30-lb bag ($1.57-lb)
Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
Founded in 1926 and acquired by Mars in 2007, Nutro Natural Pet Food offers dry recipes for large-breed adult dogs, featuring real chicken as the main ingredient.
With no artificial additives or fillers like corn, wheat, or soy, this grain-inclusive food is recommended for its high-quality protein.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of glucosamine and chondroitin), Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Sorghum, Whole Grain Barley
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 22% min, Crude Fat 13% min, Crude Fiber 4% Max
- Calories: 350 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Large and giant breeds like Dalmatians and Newfoundlands
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
- Key Benefit: Protein-rich formula features chicken, lamb, and salmon—and chicken as the first ingredient.
- Price: $59.99 per 30-lb bag ($2.00-lb)
ACANA Singles Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food
Founded in 1985 and based in Alberta, Canada, Champion Petfoods produces Acana and Orijen.
Their ACANA Singles + Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe features 60% quality lamb, whole pumpkin, and fiber-rich grains, offering complete nutrition. Its high-quality, named ingredients earn our recommendation.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Oat Groats, Whole Sorghum, Lamb Liver
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 27% min, Crude Fat 17% min, Crude Fiber 6% Max
- Calories: 371 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All breeds, from the small Shetland Sheepdogs to the Doberman Pinschers and the giant Dogue de Bordeaux.
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
- Key Benefit: Perfect for picky dogs, this ACANA recipe provides the nutrient-dense diet your canine needs with protein from a single animal source and zero peas or plant-protein isolates
- Price: $86.99 per 22.5-lb bag ($3.87-lb)
Chicken Soup for the Soul Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Founded in 2004, Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food offers premium dog food made from high-quality ingredients.
Their Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food features real chicken and turkey for lean muscle support, glucosamine for joint health, and prebiotic fiber for digestion. we recommend this grain-inclusive, affordable option.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Meal (Source Of Glucosamine Hydrochloride And Chondroitin Sulfate), Turkey Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 23% min, Crude Fat 12% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max
- Calories: 374 kcal per 8-oz cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Large and giant breeds like Bluetick Coonhounds and Newfoundlands, ideal for senior dogs..
- Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
- Key Benefit: It Includes glucosamine and chondroitin for optimal joint health and is formulated to support the joints and bones as your senior dog enters its golden years.
- Price: $42.01 per 28-lb bag ($1.50-lb)
What You Should Consider While Buying Dog Food for Newfoundlands
Despite their large size, Newfoundlands don’t require significantly more food than other breeds.
It’s vital to monitor their weight to avoid joint and health issues related to overfeeding.
Keep in mind that feeding guides on dog food bags are merely suggestions; your dog’s activity level, metabolism, and overall health play crucial roles in determining the appropriate food amounts.
Puppy food differs from adult food, so ensure you provide the appropriate life-stage diet.
Feeding Guidelines:
- Puppies:
- 15-23 oz (weaning, 6-8 weeks)
- 25-28 oz (3-6 months)
- 28 oz (6-12 months)
- 30 oz (12-24 months)
- Adults:
- 32-40 oz (four to five 8-oz cups) daily, adjusting based on health and activity. Use one 8-oz cup for every 25 pounds of body weight.
What Type of Diet is Perfect for Your Newfoundland?
You know your Newfoundland best. A high-quality, nutrient-dense diet means you don’t have to overfeed for benefits. Here are some diet options:
- Kibble Diet: Processed dog food that meets legal nutritional standards, typically containing animal protein, grains, vitamins, and minerals.
- Raw Diet: Comprises organ and muscle meats, bones, raw eggs, and dog-friendly vegetables. Types include dehydrated, freeze-dried, BARF (biologically appropriate raw food), and PMR (Prey Model Raw). It’s best to have this supervised by a knowledgeable nutritionist.
- Home-Cooked Diet: Made with various animal proteins and vegetables tailored to your dog’s needs, often requiring supplements like Balance IT. This diet should ideally be managed by a veterinary nutritionist.
What Health Conditions Should Be Considered When Feeding Your Newfoundland?
Newfoundlands are prone to several health conditions that should influence food choices:
- Skin Allergies: Their thick coats make them susceptible to food and environmental allergies, leading to skin issues like hot spots, chronic ear infections, and digestive problems.
- Heart Issues: Newfoundlands are at risk for genetic heart conditions, particularly DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy). They may struggle to process taurine, an amino acid essential for heart health, found in meat and fish.
- Obesity: Like other large breeds, Newfoundlands can become overweight, often due to misconceptions about their food intake. They should receive 4 to 5 cups of food daily, divided into two meals, to avoid obesity-related health problems.
What Ingredients to Avoid for Newfoundlands?
Not all dog food ingredients are suitable for your Newfoundland. Some provide little nutritional value or can be harmful. Responsible owners of giant breeds should inspect ingredients closely. Here are the ingredients to avoid:
- BHA: A chemical preservative linked to liver and kidney damage; considered a carcinogen.
- White Flour: A starchy filler that can spike blood sugar levels, increasing obesity and diabetes risk.
- Unspecified Meals: Vague sources may contain low-quality or expired meat, posing health risks.
- Artificial Food Colorings: These have no nutritional benefits and can lead to allergies or hyperacidity.
- Corn Syrup: A cheap flavoring that can cause blood sugar spikes, increasing diabetes risk.
- Rendered Fat: Poor-quality fat from unidentifiable sources, potentially harboring toxins.
- Vegetable Oil: May cause excessive omega-6 intake, leading to inflammation and joint issues.
- Farmed Salmon: Less nutritious than wild salmon and may contain harmful chemicals and toxins.
- Melamine: A plastic filler that can lead to kidney failure if ingested.
- Taurine: Newfoundlands may struggle to process it, potentially contributing to heart issues like DCM.
When Should You Feed Your Newfoundland?
Feed your Newfoundland twice daily to prevent tummy upset and bloat. Splitting meals into morning and evening helps manage their slow metabolism and reduces the risk of gulping food.
What Is the Caloric Requirement of a Newfoundland?
Large breed puppies, like Newfoundlands, require more protein than fat for healthy joint and muscle development.
A balanced diet should consist of 30% high-quality protein and only 9% fat to prevent joint issues.
A 6-month-old Newfoundland puppy needs 1,210 to 1,511 calories daily for optimal growth.
