If you have a large breed pup, then feeding them an appropriate large breed formula is always a smart choice.
Not only are these large-breed-specific products designed to deliver all of the key nutrition that a growing large breed puppy needs in their early stages of life, but they also go a long way towards supporting their growth into an adult dog as well.
One of the most popular and reliable large breed formulas on the market right now is the Orijen Large Breed Puppy Formula. In this guide, we are going to take a closer look at some of the unique features it has to offer, as well as learn more about what real dog owners have to say about it. So, without any delay, let’s get started.
Why Choose A Large Breed Formula?
First of all, you may be wondering why it’s a good idea to pick a formula that’s been specifically designed for a large breed puppy.
While there are several notable reasons, one of the key ones is that large breed puppies can be at risk for a variety of developmental issues that wouldn’t ordinarily affect an average-sized dog. For example, they can be prone to skeletal issues during their early development, and they can also be prone to various joint conditions, as well as hip dysplasia in the worst-case scenarios.
Importantly, a large breed puppy blend will give your dog all of the necessary energy they need to fuel their day, but without providing too many excess calories that could cause your pup to grow too fast, and thus increase the risk of developing joint-related health issues later on down the line.
Furthermore, a large breed puppy needs the right levels of calcium and phosphorus to ensure these conditions aren’t encouraged to develop in the first place, and slight changes to the carbohydrate composition can also have an effect on your dog’s calcium absorption abilities.
At the end of the day, it’s best for a large breed puppy to grow smoothly and steadily throughout their younger life stages, without encouraging any huge bursts of weight gain that could stress their joints too much.
Fortunately, the Orijen large breed puppy option manages to tick all of the right boxes in this regard, but let’s also take a closer look at some of the key features that this blend offers.
High-Quality Ingredient Selection
There’s no denying that this Orijen Large Breed dog food offers an excellent range of quality ingredients, and most important of all, you won’t find any low-grade fillers here whatsoever.
Instead, the formula primarily relies on boneless chicken, chicken meal, chicken liver, herring, and boneless turkey to give your dog a tasty and enjoyable blend of proteins that make the food very appetizing indeed, as well as providing the key protein-based nutrition they’ll need to thrive in the puppy stages.
Furthermore, it provides a selection of organ-sourced protein that tends to be very nutritionally-dense, as well as approximating the kind of diet your dog would experience in their natural habitat. In fact, this is partly what the “biologically appropriate” label is referring to.
Key Puppy-Focused Nutrition
It’s important to note that you’ll have slightly different criteria in mind when you’re shopping for a puppy formula rather than a product that’s been designed for adult dogs. Specifically, you’ll need to make sure that your puppy is getting a high-quality source of protein, along with the key vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy development.
In particular, it’s nice to see that the Orijen Large Breed Formula has appropriate levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, both of which are supplied from natural sources, thanks to the high quantity of fresh poultry and fish that’s used in the blend.
Of course, the blend has an impressive level of protein to offer overall, with the protein level resting at around 38% according to the nutritional analysis.
You’ll also find healthy sources of DHA and EPA which come from the fresh fish, and these ingredients will go a long way towards boosting your dog’s immune system and helping them to develop into a strong, healthy adult dog.
Finally, the blend includes several healthy fats that come from the fish, poultry, and egg, and these ingredients help to give your dog a complete and well-balanced diet that they’ll enjoy eating.
No Low-Grade Additives For Fillers
One of the most important features of this formula is actually what’s left out of this product. For example, you won’t find any corn, wheat, or soy in this formula, which means you will be left with only the best sources of nutrition from the protein, fats, and nutritious carbohydrates (which include a range of dog-friendly fruit and vegetables).
Interestingly, the blend can be considered somewhat of a limited ingredient formula due to the fact that it doesn’t come with the usual grain or additives that could upset a sensitive dog’s digestive system.
In general, sensitive dogs seem to cope quite well with Orijen products, but if your dog has particular allergies it’s always best to check the label thoroughly, and perhaps seek further advice from your vet before you pick a new brand of dog food.
Who’s It Best For?
Just as you’d expect, the Orijen Large Breed Puppy Formula is best suited for large breed puppies, so you won’t want to use it for an older dog who’s no longer in the puppy stage, nor will you want to use it for a small breed dog.
But when it comes to large breed puppies this is a great choice to consider, and it’s currently one of the best options on the market, making it difficult to beat.
What Are Dog Owners Saying About It?
You can expect to see a great deal of positive feedback when it comes to this particular formula, and even though the Orijen brand often receives positive reviews for most of its products, the large breed puppy formula certainly doesn’t let the side down at all.
Additionally, many independent review sites highly rated this blend, so it’s rare to see a bad word said about it.
Perhaps the only drawback is that the blend is on the somewhat costlier side, but given that it uses only the best ingredients, this is a price that many people are willing to pay in order to give the best possible start in life to their large breed puppy.
Ultimately, a quality brand will go a long way towards supporting your dog’s overall health, and it can also mean that less food is needed to meet their nutritional requirements, as there’s no unwanted filler here that’s used only to bulk out the formula.
Our Final Thoughts
In summary, it’s easy to say that the Orijen Large Breed Puppy Formula is currently one of the best choices on the market if you’re specifically catering for a larger breed dog during their all-important puppy stage.
While some people aren’t happy with the price, there’s no denying that it gives you a fantastic formula that contains all of the key nutrition your dog needs to be healthy, and it’s ultimately a small price to pay to ensure you are using the top-rated brand that won’t let you down with low-grade additives.
Importantly, many dogs quickly take to the formula, perhaps due to the high levels of protein that come from the fresh, regionally sourced ingredients. So it’s definitely an appetizing meal choice that’ll get your dog excited about their dinnertime.
