Best Dog Food For Irish Wolfhounds
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The Irish wolfhound originated in ancient Ireland, where they were used to hunt wolves due to their tall and strong bodies. They earned the nickname “the gentle giant” over time.
Today, Irish wolfhound dogs are beloved house pets due to their soft, sensitive, yet fierce, protective nature. They make a perfect furry friend, making them a great addition to any home.
Compare Best Dog Food For Irish Wolfhounds
BEST FOR SENSITIVITIES
2. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food |
||||
Protein
32% Min |
Protein
24% Min |
Protein
23% Min |
Protein
25% Min |
Protein
23% Min |
Fat
12% Min |
Fat
10% Min |
Fat
11% Min |
Fat
11% Min |
Fat
15% Min |
Fiber
6% Max |
Fiber
4% Max |
Fiber
5.5% Max |
Fiber
4.5% Max |
Fiber
4.50% Max |
Calories
3,464 kcal/kg or 402 kcal/cup ME |
Calories
350 calories per cup |
Calories
3475 Kcal/kg or 368 Kcal/cup |
Calories
328 calories per cup |
Calories
3718 kcal/kg or 454 kcal/cup |
Our Criteria
To choose the best dog foods for Irish Wolfhounds, consider AAFCO-approved, quality-controlled brands, veterinary nutritionists, and companies investing in nutritional research and testing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned about a possible link between grain-free dog foods and dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, and research is ongoing to include exotic meat proteins. While grain-free dog foods are not recommended unless a grain allergy or other health problem has been diagnosed, they are healthy, backed by research and science.
Best Dog Food For Irish Wolfhounds Reviewed
Your Irish Wolfhound deserves to have the best food that you can give it. Therefore, the first step in doing that is to know exactly what your dog needs. Lucky for you, we have already put together a list of recommended products with something for every stage of the dog’s life.
Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Large Breed Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 32% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 6% Max
- Calories: 3,464 kcal/kg or 402 kcal/cup ME
- High levels of protein for lean muscles
- Added calcium for strong bones
- Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Some customers felt that their dogs didn’t like this food
The different substances in this blend promote healthy joint and hip health and optimal digestive health. Furthermore, the omega fatty acids found in this food ensure that your dog’s skin and coat are as healthy and shiny as can be. Finally, this dog food blend features specific vitamins and minerals in order to ensure your dog’s immune system health.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 10% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 350 calories per cup
- Does not contain corn, wheat, or soy
- Contains prebiotic fiber to promote healthy digestion
- Made in the USA
- Cost is above market average
In addition, the Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids found in this mix keep your dog’s coat shiny and healthy. Finally, this mix doesn’t include any artificial ingredients, allowing you the confidence that your dog is constantly getting the best nutrition.
Fromm Family Foods Gold Nutritionals Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 23% Min
- Fat: 11% Min
- Fiber: 5.5% Max
- Calories: 3475 Kcal/kg or 368 Kcal/cup
- Promotes digestive health
- Support for bones and joints health
- A number of customers reported that their dogs enjoyed the taste
- A few dog owners reported that their dogs hated the taste of this food
Moreover, this blend features L-carnitine in order to assist your dog on their journey of weight loss, making it easier for them to lose the excess weight. Finally, this blend is formed in accordance with nutritional guidelines set by the AAFCO, ensuring you that your dog always has the best quality ingredients and the most nutritious meal.
NOW! Fresh Grain Free Large Breed Senior Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 25% Min
- Fat: 11% Min
- Fiber: 4.5% Max
- Calories: 328 calories per cup
- Added prebiotics and probiotics
- Promotes healthy digestion
- Contains healthy fats (Omega 6 fatty acids)
- Some customers found that their dogs had trouble chewing on the kibbles
In addition, the L-Carnitine found in this dog food helps assist your dog shed excess weight and improves cardiovascular activity. Finally, the prebiotics and probiotics infused into this blend help keep your senior dog’s digestive system healthy.
Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 23% Min
- Fat: 15% Min
- Fiber: 4.50% Max
- Calories: 3718 kcal/kg or 454 kcal/cup
- 0% fillers and artificial ingredients
- Made in the USA
- Contains real Lamb as the #1 ingredient
- A few dog owners complained of damaged bags of dog food
- Some dogs, according to their owners, simply didn’t like this food
Furthermore, this blend contains optimal levels of fat and protein in order to ensure that your puppy grows at a steady and healthy rate. Finally, this mix includes protease and amylase, in order to assist your puppy in the digestion process and ensure its healthy digestive health.
What Kind of Diet Should You Feed Your Irish Wolfhound?
Dogs, including Irish wolfhounds, require a balanced diet with good-quality, digestible protein from animal sources like meat, fish, and poultry. Adult dogs need a minimum of 18% protein, while puppies and pregnant or lactating females need a minimum of 22%. For active dogs, more protein is needed.
Protein is essential for hair, skin, tissue repair, muscle development, and other functions. Adult dogs need a minimum of 18% protein and 22% for growth and reproduction. Most dog foods exceed these levels, but it’s important to provide protein that can be easily digested and used. A grain-inclusive dog food with moderate protein levels between 22 and 26% is recommended.
Fat is essential for growth and reproduction, with a minimum of 5% fat and 8% for growth and reproduction. Moderate fat percentages are recommended, with 12-16% being the ideal range. Carbohydrates provide energy, fiber, and other nutrients, and sugar and starches from carbohydrates help your dog’s brain and other tissues function.
Fiber is also important for Irish wolfhounds’s diet, found in both soluble and insoluble forms. Most dry dog foods have between 3 and 5.5% crude fiber. Prebiotics and probiotics are also found in many dog foods, encouraging healthy bacteria growth in the gastrointestinal system.
Vitamins and minerals are added to most dog foods after cooking to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients. By incorporating these nutrients into their diet, you can help your dog maintain optimal health and well-being.
Irish Wolfhound Dietary Needs
Irish Wolfhound dogs are extremely large and active dogs. That requires them to have a good source of protein in order to keep them energized. However, it is also important to control the calorie level and protein intake of these puppies, as otherwise, these dogs grow fast in size. In order to ensure that your dog doesn’t develop joint issues during their growing years, it is best to keep them growing at a slower and more controlled pace.
Moreover, it is important that the food you feed your Irish Wolfhound is of high quality. That gives you confidence that your dog is receiving all the nutrients that it needs in order to lead a healthy and happy life.
How Much to Feed Your Irish Wolfhound According to Age?
Free feeding is a common practice among dog owners, but it is not suitable for Irish wolfhounds due to their weight gain potential. Instead, it is recommended to measure out food and give them a 30-minute period to eat it, preventing snacking and developing unhealthy eating habits.
Adult dogs should be fed small meals to prevent bloating caused by excess air intake.
Puppy meals should be provided up to four times a day to keep them healthy and nourished. Overfeeding can cause joint pain in the future.
Senior dogs should be adjusted to their new metabolism and activity level as they begin to gain weight in their senior years, which can worsen health conditions brought on by old age.
Food Allergies And Food Related Health Issues
Irish wolfhounds are prone to a fair amount of health issues, like cancer and heart disease.
So while the food they eat generally can’t cure or be directly linked to most of their health problems, there has been some research done to prove that perhaps food can help prevent unwanted diseases.
If your dog is on a healthy diet with foods that don’t include chemicals, preservatives, or any other artificial ingredients, then they are more likely to remain healthy and happy. These dogs are also susceptible to conditions such as bloating, requiring you to come up with a healthy meal plan in order to keep your dog safe and healthy.
Final Thoughts
Irish wolfhounds, once used as hunting dogs and warriors, are now loving home pets. They were once used alongside Celtic warriors around 2,000 years ago. To protect your dog from modern-day health issues, find the perfect food to keep them healthy, strong, and energized. This is the first step in loving and protecting your Irish wolfhound, just as they did in the past.