Is breed-specific food necessary?
Can my Great Dane eat dog food made for Terriers or French Bulldogs?
You are not alone if you have ever asked any of these questions.
Many pet parents are in the same dilemma.
This article will put all your worries to rest.
Let’s dive in.
Will Breed-Specific Dog Food Help My Pup?
Yes, high-quality breed-specific dog food may benefit your dog with specific health issues. However, breed-specific food is not a substitute for therapeutic diets. The best way to select the right food regardless of the breed is your dog’s age, size, food sensitivities, and activity levels. Some pet food manufacturers only brand their food as breed-specific as a marketing gimmick.
How Important is Breed?
Breed plays a vital role in how you treat your dog. It helps you know the health issues your dog is predisposed to, interaction levels, dietary needs, and function. This means a dog with a sturdy build and high activity levels needs more calories than a less active shorter dog.
Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Royal Canin is well-known for its breed-specific recipes. Their vet recommended formulas are popular with pet parents with purebreds or pups with specific health conditions. The company has been in the pet food industry since 1968, and they are still competitive.
Benefits of Royal Canin dog foods
It takes into account the unique needs of your dog’s breed: Each purebred formula is biologically crafted with the nutritional and health needs of the specific breed in mind. Here are examples of breed-specific dog food from Royal Canin:
- Royal Canin Dachshund Adult Health Nutrition Breed Dry Food: Dachshunds are prone to back and joint problems due to their stature. This formula has calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, and chondroitin to lower this risk. The kibble is uniquely shaped to accommodate their narrow and compact jaws while the calorie and fat values match their energy needs.
- Royal Canin Rottweiler Adult Health Nutrition Breed Dry Food: The specialized kibble is designed to help Rottweilers pick and chew it easily. It has taurine, EPA, and DHA to support cardiac wellness since Rottweilers are susceptible to heart issues. The calorie, fat, and protein contents match your Rottweiler’s energy needs and activity levels. L-carnitine reduces the risk of obesity as it breaks down excess fat into energy.
- Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier Adult Health Nutrition Breed Dry Food: The kibble has a unique shape, texture, density, and size to make your Terrier chew and lower plaque and tartar build-up. This meal is highly palatable to suit your fussy eater. In addition, it has EPA, DHA, and vitamin C for your Terrier’s vitality.
- Royal Canin Great Dane Adult Health Nutrition Breed Dry Food: The specialized kibble helps Great Danes pick, chew, and reduce their food intake. Great Danes are prone to joint and bone problems, and this breed-specific formula has EPA, DHA, glucosamine, and chondroitin that work together for strong and healthy cartilage.
- Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult Health Nutrition Breed Dry Food: The kibble is designed for your Shih Tzu’s short muzzle and underbite. Consuming this formula ensures your Shih Tzus coat and skin sparkle with biotin, omega 6, and omega 3 fatty acids. The protein, fat, and calorie contents suit your Shih Tzu’s energy needs.
Royal Canin has breed-specific dog food for other breeds, including
Royal Canin is great for dogs that need specialized diets for different health conditions.
Royal Canin has partnered with vets across the globe to make therapeutic diets for specialized health issues. The company has prescription formulas for urinary tract issues, liver problems, bone, and joint problems, allergies, sensitivities, heart problems, diabetes, and weight management.
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Glycobalance Adult Dry Food is crafted for dogs with diabetes. It has a moderate fat content for healthy weight and reduced starch levels.
For heart problems, you will find
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Early Cardiac Adult Dry Food. This recipe includes EPA, DHA, carnitine, taurine, arginine, and moderate sodium levels for optimal cardiac wellness.
Once your dog is back to normal health, you can safely switch to non-prescription diets.
Why does Royal Canin have breed-specific food?
Royal Canin believes that every dog is unique. The company researches breed-specific traits and combines scientific and nutritional research to create formulas that meet the special needs of every dog breed.
Do different breeds of dogs need different food?
Yes, different breeds of dogs need different foods. This is because dog food for each breed has essential nutrients unique to that breed. However, the crucial trait to look out for is food quality.
Is small breed dog food necessary?
High-quality small-breed dog food is necessary. However, caution is needed as most pet food manufacturers falsely label their food best for small breeds. Go for well-recognized companies like Royal Canin.
Is large breed dog food necessary?
Yes, large breed dog food is worth your money. Look for foods with optimal omega 3 fatty acids ( EPA) from fish, as those from flaxseed are not easy to break down.
Can a medium dog eat small breed food?
Yes, your medium dog can eat small breed food. Small breed food has more proteins, fats, and calories for muscle health and stamina. However, this should be an infrequent practice.
Should I only feed my dog one type of food?
No, your dog needs a variety of foods to derive all the essential nutrients that support optimal growth and development. Relying on one type of food may lead to nutritional imbalance.
Is it OK to feed small dogs large breed food?
No. Small dogs have smaller muzzles and may choke on large kibbles. Small dogs are susceptible to gastrointestinal and dental issues and need a unique kibble size, texture, and density.
What’s the difference between a large breed and regular dog food?
Large breed dog food has less fat and calories and slightly lower calcium and phosphorus levels. Their calcium-to phosphorus ratio is carefully balanced. These features reduce the risk of obesity and bone problems.
How do I know if my puppy needs large breed food?
Your puppy needs large breed puppy food if its expected adult weight is between 55-100 lbs. The vet can help with this. Large breed puppies grow rapidly and need large breed food.
Does a lab need large breed food?
Labs can thrive in any high-quality dog food. However, feeding them large breed food is a plus as it lowers the risk of permanent hip and joint issues with balanced calcium and phosphorus levels.
Is Breed Specific Dog Food Better?
Breed-specific diets have an important role when dealing with breed-related issues. However, over-reliance on breed-specific diets may not augur well with your dog as they are not a substitute for therapeutic diets.
When selecting breed-specific foods, quality is crucial. Most pet food producers use breed-specific labels to attract customers. Their diets lack the essential nutrients for specific breeds. Proper research is key. Royal Canin is the leading company for breed-specific foods. They have unique diets for different dog breeds, from the tiny Terriers to the giant Great Danes.
This is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Always consult the vet before introducing any new food to your dog.
