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Important information on feeding Great Danes

When feeding Great Danes and fast growing giant breeds, certain aspects of canine nutrition come into play. This is especially important with puppies in order to "grow them slow". Considerations should be given to the style of feeding, i.e., kibble, canned, or raw. Nutritional quality of the food you choose, protein & fat levels are also very important. We believe high quality premium natural dog foods, or raw foods are the best choice and will explain with this article.

When feeding Great Danes..

A quality, natural premium dog food or raw dog diet and the way in which you feed is extremely important! And, Let's not overlook the basics, like the use of an elevated dog feeder to lessen the risk of digestive issues. Or the "quite time" before & after meals to help reduce the chances of bloat!

Great Danes are capable of amazing growth! they will grow like weeds through the first 8 months and continue to grow rapidly through the first 18 months.

It is crucial to "grow them slow", slow steady growth is key to proper development!

Lite and lean is the general rule of thumb until about 2 years old. Don't try for the biggest Dane in town, you will only run into problems. Your Great Dane will grow naturally and reach its full potential around 3 years of age.

Proper protein levels are a must when feeding Great Danes. This will help avoid possible health problems such as Pano and Wobblers Syndrome. Most knowledgeable Dane owners will agree, feeding Great Danes a premium dog food with protein levels no greater than 24%, and fat levels between 12% to 14%, is key to proper development. Some excellent insight on how to choose dog food is published here.

So what dog food brands are considered appropriate for Feeding Great Danes?

They vary by opinion and personal preference so we put together a list of popular premium dog food here, along with additional information on ingredients. One thing is certain, going with a quality food will assure proper nutrition and increase the quality of life for your Great Dane.

Never feed your Great Dane puppy food!

Feeding Great Danes puppy food, even large breed formulas can have serious consequences. The protein and fat levels of most brand puppy foods are way too high for a growing Dane. There is an exception however, use the link in the paragraph above and refer to the, "dog food industry is evolving", section.

Our Companions

For most of us, our furry friends are not dogs at all, they are family members. Would you put a dinner on the table that consisted of fillers, beet pulp, corn meal and other non-nutritional garbage? That's like offering a nice evening meal of cereal!

Certainly we want our families to eat nutritiously, stay in shape, live long, and stay healthy. Our canine companions should have the same opportunity, the next topic will explain further.

What you read may shock you, what you will find are many interesting aspects of dog nutrition and how feeding Great Danes natural premium dog food will keep them happy and healthy throughout the years.

The Truth About Commercial Dog Food

Stroll through the pet section of your local market or pet store, see all those bags of dog food? Check out the picture on the front of the bag, probably fresh meats or chicken, looks tasty doesn't it? O.K., turn the bag over and read the first five ingredients, what's listed?

I'll take a guess, some type of byproducts, meal, Corn Meal, Grain, Beet Pulp, ground something or other, etc., and so on. Read a little further, probable some type of chicken or poultry fat (to make it taste better), you get the picture. Wow, are we feeding a dog or a cow?

Compare the ingredients to a natural premium dog food, just the first five ingredients for now. Turkey, Chicken, Chicken Meal, Barley, Brown Rice, potato and so on. I think we're onto something!

Typically the first 5 ingredients are a good indication of the foods quality, the first 3 ingredients are the primary protein sources. Are there meats listed in the important "first 3" spots, if not, your dog is not getting protein from meat, sad but true.

Interested In Learning More? Read about poor quality pet food ingredients and the threat to your fur kids here.

So What Can We Do?

If your dog is suffering from dry skin, allergies, shedding, dull coat, lack of energy and so on, you should consider a natural premium dog food. Your dog's nutrition plays a vital role in its health and longevity.

Weigh the options, hopefully this page has sparked your interest. Whatever dog food you choose, remember, feeding Great Danes a quality premium dog food is the smart choice.

Yet Another Interesting Option

Recently, many health minded dog owners have chosen a raw dog diet for feeding their dogs. BARF, bones and raw food, or biologically appropriate raw food, has increased in popularity for feeding Great Danes.

The premise is that any dog is ancestor to the Wolf. It's a known fact that wild carnivores who kill and eat their pray. They do not cook, or add anything to their meals, simply eat it, bones and all.

Wolves have survived and flourished this way for centuries, certain health minded dog owners have begun to feed there pets the same way.

Raw feeding is controversial to some and many Veterinarians object all together. Some advantages of a Feeding Great Danes a raw dog diet are you can prepare meals at home with ease, less pet waste, increased dental health (all the yummy bones) and assurance your dog is eating healthy, just like its ancestors.

However, not all dogs will accept raw foods, while others may take a while to acquire the taste. Like always, make the switch to a new diet slowly, this will cause minimal stress on your friend's digestive system and help to avoiding any potential problems, loose stool, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.

Lastly

From time to time, your Great Dane may require dog medicines and nutritional supplements during its life, even while eating a premium dog food. Every dog is different, some may need help with shedding, joint health, digestion and more. Rest assured, feeding Great Danes a premium dog food or BARF is the best choice for your cherished companion.

Our intent for this page is to provide information to those concerned about the health and well being of their loving companions:)

Still uncertain about your Dane's diet?, we'd be happy help:) Simply send us a note using the email form on our Contact Page.

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