Best Dog Food For French Mastiffs
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French mastiffs are heavy, working dogs with a moderate energy level. So before you start looking out for dog food products for your French Mastiff, you must know certain key factors that closely impact your dog.
This includes factors such as weight, the veterinarian’s recommendations, and digestibility. Each of these is discussed in detail below.
At A Glance: Best Dog Food for French Mastiffs to Buy:
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below, where we have highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Dog Food For French Mastiffs
OVERALL BEST  1. Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR ALLERGIES  2. Rachael Ray Nutrish Limited Ingredient Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR WEIGHT LOSS  3. Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Reduced Calorie Chicken, Salmon & Duck Formula Canned Dog Food | BEST FOR SENIORS  4. Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR PUPPIES  5. Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food |
Protein 36.5% Min | Protein 20% Min | Protein 18% Min | Protein 29% Min | Protein 26% Min |
Fat 20.5% Min | Fat 13% Min | Fat 8% Min | Fat 14% Min | Fat 14% Min |
Fiber 3.5% Max | Fiber 4% Max | Fiber 8% Max | Fiber 5% Max | Fiber 3% Max |
Calories 524 kcal/cup | Calories 322 kcal/cup | Calories 324 kcal/cup | Calories 420 kcal/cup | Calories 379 kcal/cup |
Our criteria
Dogs have evolved over 15,000 years to eat a different diet than humans, and their digestive system is different from humans’. Dog food marketing often relies on pet food marketing instead of nutritional facts.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines for selecting dog foods include meeting AAFCO approval, having nutritional research, having canine and veterinary nutritionists on staff, and having strong quality control measures. Good nutrition is more important than clever marketing, and choosing the most nutritious dog food is crucial.
Best Dog Food For French Mastiffs Reviewed
Not all French mastiffs are picky eaters, especially if you feed them the right dog food at a young age. Depending on what you have already fed them in the past, they may like or dislike the new dog food. However, these dog food products are sure to appeal to your dog’s taste buds. Also, they contain nutrients that supply your dog with the required nourishment throughout the day.
Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 36.5% Min
- Fat: 20.5% Min
- Fiber: 3.5% Max
- Calories: 524 kcal/cup
- Animal proteins promote lean muscles
- A performance dog food that’s great for active and working dogs
- Supports healthy hips and joints with glucosamine and chondroitin
- Causes gastric issues in some dogs
Rachael Ray Nutrish Limited Ingredient Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 20% Min
- Fat: 13% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 322 kcal/cup
- Rich in lean animal protein
- Moderate fat content (13%) for energy
- Affordable
- Kibbles are too big for some dogs
Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Reduced Calorie Chicken, Salmon & Duck Formula Canned Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 18% Min
- Fat: 8% Min
- Fiber: 8% Max
- Calories: 324 kcal/cup
- Grain-free and made with complex carbohydrates
- Chicken as the #1 Ingredient
- Good for dogs who have liver problems
- Some dogs do not like the taste
- A little expensive than other brands
Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 29% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 5% Max
- Calories: 420 kcal/cup
- Formulated specifically for large breed dogs
- Has natural prebiotic fiber to promote digestive health
- Meets AAFCO guidelines with animal feeding trials
- More expensive than other formulas of the same brand
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 26% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Calories: 379 kcal/cup
- Formulated to support growth and development in large breed puppies
- Features farm-raised chicken, brown rice, and sweet potatoes
- No GMO ingredients or artificial additives
- Not a grain-free recipe, some puppies may be sensitive
It features farm-raised chicken, brown rice, and sweet potatoes in a nutritionally complete recipe for puppies.
Nutritional Requirements of French Mastiffs
French mastiffs, despite being a large breed, have a fairly ordinary range of nutritional requirements. This is because they are not as active as other dog breeds and thus do not require a special diet. Thus, they can be fed a balanced diet that consists of vegetables and meat. Below is a range of percentages of various nutrients in a dry dog food product that you can look for on a product’s labels.
- Protein: Although a large breed, French mastiffs do not require a high protein diet as they only need about 21 to 25 percent of protein. This is enough to help them maintain their muscle mass without putting on excess weight. A good helping of lean meat is appropriate for dogs of this breed. If your dog is allergic to common meats such as chicken and beef, you may feed it venison or rabbit.
- Carbs: French Mastiffs can eat a healthy serving of carbohydrates at about 40 percent. Though this is fairly high for some dog breeds, this is within a normal range for large muscular breeds. French mastiffs can still feed on grains, but they should not be fed that often. Preferably, the grains that they are fed must be gluten-free, especially if they are celiac.
- Fats: Just like any other dog breed, French Mastiffs require about 8–10 percent fat in dry dog food. Some dogs require a lower amount, especially if they are overweight. Most of them benefit from animal fat, such as fish fat, as most French mastiffs are not allergic to this. Fish fats are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids and can be good for their coats.
- Fiber: Depending on their activity levels, they may need about 5 to 10 percent of fiber. They can get this from vegetables such as carrots and green beans. Some sources of fiber, such as broccoli, should be sparingly fed to them. This is because too much broccoli can be bad for dogs.
- Minerals and Vitamins: French Mastiffs require a higher than average amount of minerals and vitamins. This means that they require about 15 percent per serving. They can get these from meats, fruits, and vegetables. Depending on their age, they may need specific kinds of minerals and vitamins to help them grow properly.
How Much Should You Feed your French Mastiff by Age?
A dog typically requires a specific amount of calories per day to maintain its weight. This applies to French mastiffs as well, because eating in excess makes them obese. In order to prevent such a disease, they should eat accordingly. Here is what a typical French mastiff should eat according to their corresponding age:.
- Puppy: Typically, a healthy puppy needs about 2800 calories per day. This is because they have the highest energy levels that are possible for the breed. This amount of calories should be spread into three separate servings. Once your French Mastiff gets older, they will need fewer calories.
- Adult: If your dog has a normal activity level, it will require 2300 calories per day. This is because French mastiffs have a big body that requires such energy to metabolize. Overweight French mastiffs would need about 1800 calories or less per day. On the other hand, very active French mastiffs would need about 2600 calories per day.
- Senior: Due to less activity, they only require 2000 calories per day. If we compare their energy levels to other dog breeds, senior French Mastiffs have a lower energy level. They would need about two servings of food per day. This means that they would need about 1000 calories per serving.
French Mastiff Food Allergies and Food-Related Health Issues
The most common food-related issue that can cause trouble for most French mastiffs is bloat. They can also develop skin allergies that are caused by such grains.
- Colitis: Colitis is the inflammation of the colon, which can result from numerous factors. Food allergies can cause colitis as well, which can result in chronic diarrhea. It is also common for French mastiffs to suffer from sensitive stomachs and colitis due to the allergic reaction caused by gluten. If colitis has resulted from food allergies, it will fade away if the dog is put on elimination diets.
- Elbow hygroma: This is a common issue faced by French mastiffs if they are overweight. Also, elbow hygroma can reoccur several times in your dog’s life if it constantly remains overweight without reducing the excess food intake. Elbow hygroma is not necessarily troublesome, but it is a cosmetic problem. In some cases, the dogs may get skin infections if the hygroma pops prematurely.
- Vomiting: Dogs that have digestive problems, usually puke out the food. Some dogs vomit as a result of food allergies, and that is common in puppies. However, if a dog keeps on vomiting uncontrollably, it can cause dehydration. Dehydration in dogs can be very hard, especially for puppies, because it may require them to get hospitalized.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right dog food can be quite a daunting task because these days, dog foods come in various forms. However, choosing the right kind of dog food for your Mastiff will save you from many problems. So as long as you have your veterinarian’s approval, that product is likely to be good for the dog.
