Whether you are a small breed dog lover or you enjoy cuddling with giant breeds, nutrition plays a crucial role in the development of the puppy regardless if it is a Chihuahua or a Maltipoo.
One of the all-time favorite large breed dogs is the English Mastiff and it is considered to be a wonderful companion with tremendous patience. If you are reading this article you are probably thinking about getting an English Mastiff or you already have one, and you want to know what the best puppy food for Mastiffs is.
Every dog breed has specific nutritional needs, and the English Mastiff is no different. Being a large dog breed, this giant ball of love will need puppy food that fulfills all its essential needs.
We have prepared a list of the four best puppy food for Mastiffs, and we have answered some questions related to nutrition that you may have if you are preparing for owning a dog like the English Mastiff.
What Food Should I Feed my Mastiff Puppy?
English Mastiff puppies are truly gentle and charming, and although they were originally meant to be guards, now they make the perfect family companion that creates a deep bond with its owners.
A growing English Mastiff puppy will need complete and well-balanced nutrition that will help it reach its full potential.
Proper Calorie Count for Growth Support
As your Mastiff puppy starts to grow you will have to adjust its calorie intake accordingly to help it develop and grow. The best puppy food for Mastiffs has suggested serving sizes, so if you don’t know where to start you can try following these instructions.
Furthermore, the amount will greatly depend on its size and its activity level. Take these into consideration when deciding on portion sizes.
Keep an eye on the amount of food you feed your giant ball of love because if it consumes too many calories, it can start gaining weight easily.
Macro Nutrients in the Best Puppy Food for Mastiffs
Mastiff puppies need well-balanced nutrition to thrive and develop in each stage of their growth. Ensure that you check the label and listed food ingredients to be certain that the puppy food contains everything your furry companion needs.
Puppy food with animal proteins based on whole meat or meat meals is the best option. A good quality protein source is of utmost importance for the development of giant breed puppies, and it should be the first on the ingredients label. By-products and plant-based proteins are not of acceptable quality. Also, ingredients like soy, wheat, or corn can be very difficult to digest and can cause allergic reactions.
Carbohydrates are extremely important for proper digestion and the strength of the immune system. In relation, vegetables, whole grains, and fruits offer good quality carbohydrates that can complement the dietary needs of your mastiff puppy. However, if your furry friend suffers from allergies, it may be best to go for grain-free puppy food.
Fat is the third macronutrient that is very important for your pup’s skin and coat health. But, you have to be very careful because some fat sources can be difficult for your puppy’s digestive system. Coconut oil, chicken fat, and fish oil are great sources of fat that support coat and skin health.
What Should You Look for in the Best Puppy Food for Mastiffs?
Besides good quality macronutrients like proteins based on lean meat, carbohydrates from vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and fat from suitable sources, there are other important things to look for in the best puppy food for Mastiffs.
It would be preferable if the puppy food is enriched with probiotics, prebiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin. These will further support and boost your pup’s overall health.
Moreover, calcium and phosphorus are beneficial for a pooch in development, so the right amount of these two minerals will support the formation of healthy joints.
Be Aware of Harmful Ingredients
Many puppy food brands contain all kinds of preservatives, sweeteners, artificial coloring, and flavors. These ingredients can be harmful and can cause allergies. Read the food label and ensure that your pooch gets the best nutrition that is necessary for its growth.
Furthermore, if your pup is sensitive and has an intolerance to a certain food, ensure that the food you are serving doesn’t contain anything related to that ingredient.
Can I Feed My Mastiff Raw Meat?
Given their large size, Mastiffs need a lot of protein, and there isn’t a better protein source than meat. These giant furry friends love meat and their stomachs can digest raw meat because they have the proper enzymes needed for processing it.
When feeding your Mastiff raw meat ensure that the larger portion is lean meat and that there isn’t much bone.
However, although raw meat contains a bit more nutrients than cooked, you should be very careful if you have small children around. There is a possibility of contamination and pathogens, so proper preparation and careful measuring of raw meat can pose a certain risk.
What Are the Best Times to Feed a Puppy?
At what time you feed your puppy is as equally important as how much you feed it. It is good to have set times at which you give it food, but this will depend on your schedule as well.
In relation, how old is your pup will also influence the number of meals you give to it each day. For example, if your pooch is two to four months old, then three to four meals a day will be most appropriate.
Look at the label of the food you are feeding to your pup, and read the recommended serving. Ensure that it gets the appropriate amount of food for the day, and divide it into three to four meals. You can leave the food out for some time and then remove it so that it receives training that food is available only during these times.
If your pooch is four to 12 months old then reduce the meal times to two to three times per day. Again pay attention to the amount of food it needs for the day.
Furthermore, when it comes to feeding times you have another option, and that is free-feeding. This means that you leave a bowl with the entire amount of food that your Mastiff needs for the day. But, with this kind of feeding, you risk that it overeats, and this can lead to vomiting and other digestive issues like bloating.
When to Take Mastiff off Puppy Food?
Yes, your Mastiff puppy will become a full-grown giant ball of love, and you will need to adjust its nutrition accordingly. The switch can be done gradually to ensure that it is getting all its necessary nutrients for its age and to avoid the risk of your pooch becoming overweight.
In general, Mastiffs should be fed puppy food until they are eighteen months to two years old. By this time your “little” furry friend will be fully grown and it won’t need the ingredients and nutrients that are in puppy food.
If you take your Mastiff off puppy food too late, it will be getting more calories than it needs and it can become overweight which will put excess pressure on its joints and cause other health issues. In contrast, if you stop giving puppy food to your Mastiff too early, it won’t get the nutrients it needs for development and it may not grow to its full potential.
The best thing to do is to consult with a veterinarian to be certain that you are switching the right way at the right time.
The Best Puppy Food for Mastiffs – Top Four Recommendations
Dry Puppy Food for Large Breed with Lamb, Chicken, and Fish by Eagle Pack
Eagle Pack has created this formula specifically for a large breed puppy taking into consideration its dietary needs. Its recipe contains the perfect blend of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that supports the health of large-breed puppies.
Glucosamine hydrochloride is present in the formula that supports joint health, while calcium and phosphorus will help your pup’s bones to become stronger.
Furthermore, your pooch will have a healthy brain and eyes thanks to the DHA content in the kibble.
The main ingredient in this puppy food is lamb meal which is an excellent choice for proteins, and it is easy for digestion as well.
Pros
- It contains high content of good-quality proteins
- It has omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, and DHA for overall health and growth support
- It doesn’t contain wheat, meat by-products, artificial flavors, preservatives and colors
Cons
- Some pups may not enjoy this kibble
Grain-Free Dry Food for Large Breed Puppy by Now Fresh
Now Fresh offers a recipe that is moderately processed, ideally balanced, and created by pet nutritionists. The ingredients used in its formula are mostly fresh and organic.
This gluten-free kibble contains a good amount of complete proteins from de-boned turkey as well as from whole dried eggs, fresh salmon, and duck.
In addition, it is rich in antioxidants from blueberries and broccoli, amino acids from whole eggs, DHA and EPA for brain and heart development, and prebiotics and fiber for healthy digestion.
Pros
- It contains all necessary nutrients for healthy bone, brain, and heart development
- Its formula consists of fresh ingredients that are cooked once to maintain their natural flavor and nutrition
- It doesn’t contain any by-products, meat meals, artificial coloring, or flavors
Cons
- Some picky eaters may not like this food
Grain-Free Dry Dog Food for Large Breed Puppies with Deboned Chicken by Wellness CORE
This is a grain-free large-breed puppy food that is formulated to support healthy growth and development. The ingredients of the kibble promote overall health while boosting muscle tone, lean body mass, and a lustrous coat.
The content of proteins is 35% and the main ingredient is deboned chicken. Your Mastiff puppy will digest and process this meat easily and effectively.
Furthermore, probiotics, taurine, omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and glucosamine encourage and support the health of the entire body.
Pros
- It contains a high amount of good quality protein that is easy for puppies to digest
- Its formula is enriched with all necessary ingredients for a healthy and strong immune system
- It is grain-free, and it doesn’t contain artificial colors and flavors
Cons
- The recommended serving size may be too much for some puppies, consult with a veterinarian
- Not all pups will enjoy this food
Raw Boost Grain-Free Dry Dog Food for Large Breed Puppy with Real Chicken and Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces by Instinct
With this kibble, Instinct offers boosted nutrition with high-protein content. Its first and main ingredient is cage-free chicken and the formula is further balanced with fish and chicken eggs.
This recipe supports the energy requirement your Mastiff needs for growth and play. The natural DHA from the eggs aids brain and eye development.
Pros
- The formula contains a high quantity of good protein sources which is essential for healthy growth and development
- It contains fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins to support overall health
- It is free from grains, corn, wheat, by-product meals, artificial coloring, and preservatives
Cons
- Some pups won’t touch this food
Your Mastiff Deserves the Best
The best puppy food for Mastiff is the one that meets all the nutritional needs of your pooch. So, when choosing the best for your dog take into consideration its preferences, its size, age, its activity level as well as its allergies or food intolerances.
Some pups may be okay with grains, while others may have digestive issues. It all depends on your furry friend. Get to know what it needs, consult with a veterinarian and choose the best puppy food for your giant ball of love.