Is Your Big Dog Getting the Right Nutrition?
Large breeds carry more weight through their joints and grow at a different pace to smaller dogs, so it is worth checking whether their current food is really keeping up.
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Stiff hips and slowing down
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Carrying extra weight
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Loose stools and plenty of wind
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Dull coat and dry skin
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Inhaling dinner in seconds
What Large Breeds Need From Their Food
Large breeds have different needs to the average dog, from the growth phase right through to their senior years, and generic food does not always keep pace.
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More weight through every joint
Every extra kilo puts additional load on a large dog's joints, so weight management matters even more for bigger breeds.
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Controlled calcium and steady growth
Large breed puppies that grow too quickly or get too much calcium can be at higher risk of developmental bone and joint issues.
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Bigger meals, slower digestion and bloat risk
Large, deep chested breeds are more prone to bloat, so meal size and feeding pace matter as much as what is actually in the bowl.
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Shorter lifespans and earlier senior years
Large breeds tend to enter their senior years earlier than small dogs, meaning nutritional needs shift sooner than owners often expect.
Why Gently Cooked Meals Suit Large Breeds
Every 5 Hounds meal plan for large breeds is gently cooked and portioned to match their size, activity and life stage, so nothing is left to a generic bag size.
Meal plans are built around your dog's actual weight and activity level, not a one size fits all serving suggestion.
Real cuts of human grade meat support strong, lean muscle to carry a bigger frame.
Omega 3 fatty acids support joint health, which matters even more for large breeds carrying extra load through their hips and elbows.
Gently cooked meals paired with synbiotic support help keep digestion settled, which matters for breeds prone to loose stools and wind.
No lock in contracts, cancel any time
Vet-Formulated for Large Breeds by Dr Will
"Large breeds carry real load through their joints, and that starts as early as puppyhood with how quickly they grow. I formulated our large breed plans to support steady growth, healthy joints and a weight that suits their frame."
Dr Will Maginness, Veterinarian and Founder, 5 Hounds
How Your Large Dog's Meal Plan Works
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Step 1: Take the 2-minute meal plan quiz
Tell us about your dog's breed, age, weight and activity level, so we understand exactly what a bigger frame needs.
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Step 2: Get portions matched to their weight and build
We build a meal plan around their size, activity level and any joint support they need.
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Step 3: Fresh meals delivered to your door
Portioned meals arrive fresh and ready to serve, sized properly for a bigger appetite.
No lock in contracts, cancel any time
How to Switch Your Large Dog to Fresh Food
Large breeds can be prone to loose stools and wind, so we recommend transitioning gradually over a week to help their gut adjust smoothly to fresh food.
Days 1 to 2
25% New Food
Mix a quarter fresh food with their current diet to gently introduce new ingredients.
Days 3 to 4
Half and half
Increase to an even split as their gut adjusts to the change.
Days 5 to 6
75% new food
Move to mostly fresh food, keeping a small amount of their old diet.
Day 7 and beyond
Fully Fresh
Splitting daily food into two smaller meals rather than one large one can help ease digestion and reduce bloat risk in large, deep chested breeds.
Real Results From Large Breed Dogs
Our mastiff Lenny absolutely loves his dinner
He used to be fussy and leave a bit but now he scoffs every bite. His coat is super shiny. We mix it with fresh kangaroo or beef which works well.
Highly recommend!!
My 11 year old dog has never looked so young! He absolutely loves the food!! Dr Will is so amazing with his customer service you can tell he really wants the best for your pets!!
Fresh smelling food
It took a while, but my 10-year-old German Shepherd dog has more energy, actually wants to play now! Her coat is glossy and she seems much happier. I tried a couple of raw foods, but I couldn't stand the smell. With 5 Hounds there is no foul smell, and you can see the fruit and veggies in the food. And of course, my Jaffa loves it!
from refusing food to devouring
So relieved to have tried 5 Hounds. My year old Shepsky was getting fussier and fussier with her butchers dog meals she had been on since a pup. It got to the point she flat out refused to eat it for four days. Decided to give this a shot and she has licked the bowl clean since. Her coat has also become insanely silky since switching. Such awesome food, thank you!!
Large Breed Dog Food FAQs
What is the best dog food for large breeds?
What is the best dog food for large breeds?
The best dog food for large breeds supports steady growth, healthy joints and a weight that suits their bigger frame. Look for fresh, human grade meals with real protein, controlled calcium and omega 3s.
5 Hounds meal plans are vet formulated and portioned around your large dog's individual size and activity level.
What is considered a large breed dog?
What is considered a large breed dog?
Large breed dogs are generally considered those with an adult weight of around 25 kilograms or more, such as Golden Retrievers, Labradors and German Shepherds. Giant breeds, like Great Danes and Mastiffs, often exceed 45 kilograms.
These weight ranges matter because large and giant breeds have different growth and nutritional needs to small and medium dogs.
How much should I feed a large dog each day?
How much should I feed a large dog each day?
How much to feed depends on your dog's weight, age and activity level, since large breeds have different energy needs per kilogram compared to small dogs.
Our meal plan quiz factors all of this in, so you get a portioned plan built around your individual dog rather than a generic guide on a bag.
Do large breed dogs need different food to smaller dogs?
Do large breed dogs need different food to smaller dogs?
Yes, large breeds generally need controlled calcium and steady growth support as puppies, along with joint support and portion control as adults, since they carry more weight through their frame.
Smaller dogs tend to have faster metabolisms and different dental needs. Choosing food formulated with your dog's size in mind can make a genuine difference over their lifetime.
Can food help support my large dog's joints?
Can food help support my large dog's joints?
Diet can play a supporting role in joint health, particularly through omega 3 fatty acids and maintaining a healthy weight, since extra kilos add real strain to hips and elbows.
It cannot reverse existing joint damage. If your dog is already showing signs of stiffness or reduced mobility, it is best to speak with your vet about additional support.
How do I lower the risk of bloat at mealtimes?
How do I lower the risk of bloat at mealtimes?
Feeding smaller, more frequent meals rather than one large meal, avoiding vigorous exercise right before or after eating, and using a slower feeding approach can all help reduce bloat risk in large, deep chested breeds.
Bloat is a medical emergency, so if you notice a swollen abdomen, restlessness or unproductive vomiting, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Big Dog, Better Food
Give your large breed the vet formulated nutrition their size, joints and growth actually need.
Cancel anytime, no lock in contracts.
