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If you know nothing else about the Dalmatian breed, you certainly know that these dogs are easily identified by their white coats with black spots. Dalmatians are large-breed dogs that were originally bred for use as carriage dogs, though the ancestors of the breed were used as guard dogs and dogs of war. Dalmatians are an iconic breed, having a sleek appearance and an athletic build – they can be trained to perform a variety of jobs or kept as family pets. Dalmatians are smart and independent by nature, so they require a good bit of training and socialization from an early age.
In addition to making sure that your Dalmatian is properly trained and socialized, you also need to make sure that his energy needs are being met. The best way to do this is to feed your Dalmatian a commercial dog food diet formulated for large-breed dogs. In order to choose a diet for your dog you should familiarize yourself with the nutritional needs of the breed. Below you will learn the basics about the nutritional needs for Dalmatians – you will also learn about some special considerations to keep in mind when feeding your dog. You will also receive recommendations for three top-quality commercial dog food products that would be ideal for your Dalmatian.
Nutritional Needs for Dalmatians
The Dalmatian is an easy breed to identify, but many people know little else about the breed aside from its spotted appearance. Dalmatians are large-breed dogs that typically stand between 19 and 24 inches tall at maturity, weighing between 48 and 55 pounds – this puts them at the low end of the spectrum for a large-breed dog. For the most part, Dalmatians are a healthy breed, having an average lifespan between 13 and 16 years. In order to keep your dog healthy for as long as possible, however, you need to be intentional about feeding him a healthy diet. A healthy diet for dogs consists of a blend of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates as well as various vitamins and minerals. The best place to start in shopping for a dog food for your Dalmatian is with commercial dog food diets formulated for large-breed dogs.
Dogs require a balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates in their diet but the most important consideration is protein. For dogs, protein should come from high-quality animal-based sources like fresh meat, fish, and eggs rather than plant-based sources. Plant-based proteins like alfalfa and pea protein are less biologically valuable to dogs than animal-based proteins. Meat meals are another great source of protein because they have already been cooked down to a moisture level around 10%. Compared to the water level of 70% or 80% that most fresh meats have, this makes meat meals a more highly concentrated source of protein. Just be sure they come from named sources like chicken meal rather than byproduct meals or unnamed sources.
After protein, fat is the next more important nutritional consideration for Dalmatians because it is the most highly concentrated source of energy available to dogs. Like proteins, fats should come from high-quality animal-based sources like chicken fat or salmon oil – these fats are more biologically valuable than plant fats like flaxseed or canola oil. In addition to fats, dogs need some carbohydrate in their diet to provide dietary fiber as well as valuable vitamins and minerals. Dogs don’t have specific needs for carbohydrates but they should come from digestible sources like whole grains, sweet potatoes, or fresh fruits and vegetables. Other valuable additions to your dog’s diet would include chelated minerals, vitamin supplements, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Special Considerations for Feeding Dalmatians
When shopping for a dog food for your Dalmatian it is a good idea to start with a large-breed formula. Large-breed dogs have higher calorie needs than small-breed dogs in terms of total calorie requirements, but they have a lower requirement for calories per pound. For example, an 11-pound terrier might only need 450 calories per day while a 55-pound Dalmatian needs closer to 1500 calories. If you divide it out, however, you will find that the terrier needs about 41 calories per pound compared to the Dalmatian’s 27 calories per pound. Dog foods formulated for large-breed dogs typically contain moderate amounts of protein to maintain lean muscle mass with lower levels of fat to prevent overfeeding. Feeding your Dalmatian a large-breed formula will ensure that his energy needs are being met without giving him so many extra calories that he gains too much weight.
In addition to considering your Dalmatian’s energy needs, you also need to keep in mind that large-breed dogs are at an increased risk for gastric dilation volvulus, or bloat. This condition occurs when the dog’s belly becomes filled with air and the stomach actually twists on its axis, cutting of blood flow to the stomach and other vital organs. This condition is very dangerous and can actually be fatal if you do not seek treatment right away. Making sure your Dalmatian doesn’t eat too much at once can help to prevent this condition – you should also avoid strenuous exercise or large amounts of water within an hour of a meal.
Top-Recommended Foods for Dalmatians
If you need some help in finding the right food for your Dalmatian, consider one of the commercial dog food brands discussed below. Be careful when considering a breed-specific formula for your dog – do not just assume that the formula will meet your dog’s needs without evaluating the product for yourself. Consider the ingredients list to make sure the product is of high-quality before offering it to your dog.
1. Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Large Breed Bites Formula
The Natural Balance pet food company was started in 1989 and it has become a leader in natural pet foods. This company produces all of their formulas based on sound scientific principles and nutritional truths to ensure that the nutritional needs of dogs and cats are being met. To ensure that your Dalmatian gets the nutrition he needs, consider the Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Large Breed Bites Formula as an option. This formula is made with chicken, brown rice and chicken meal as the top three ingredients followed by oats, potatoes, and dried peas. Other notable ingredients include cuck meal, chicken fat, and menhaden oil. Overall, this product provides a balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that will help to keep your Dalmatian in good health.
2. Fromm Family Four-Star Chicken A La Veg Formula
The Fromm Family Foods pet food company has been dedicated to the health and wellness of pets for more than a decade. This pet food company produced the first premium pet food in the world in 1949 using a unique process for cooking meat and grains together to form kibble. From Family Foods offers three different product lines of dog foods – the Four-Star line of gourmet diets, the Gold line of holistic formulas, and the Classic line of original small-batch recipes. If you are looking for a healthy diet for your Dalmatian, the Fromm Four-Star Chicken A La Veg formula would be an excellent choice. This formula is made with chicken, chicken meal and pearled barley as the top three ingredients followed by oatmeal, sweet potatoes and brown rice. This formula is packed with healthy proteins and digestible carbohydrates as well as animal-based fats like chicken fat. With high levels of protein and plenty of digestible carbohydrates, the Fromm Four-Star Chicken A La Veg formula is perfect for your Dalmatian.
3. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
The Wellness pet food company is devoted to providing pets with balanced nutrition to fuel healthy growth and development. Wellness offers a wide variety of products for dogs of all sizes and in all life stages, including the Complete Health line of dry dog food recipes. If you are shopping for a high-quality diet for your large-breed dog, the Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe would be a great option. This formula is made with deboned chicken, whitefish, and chicken meal as the top three ingredients followed by ground brown rice, oatmeal and peas. This formula is supplemented with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as chelated minerals and probiotics to support healthy digestion in your large-breed dog. It also contains optimal protein levels to help your Dalmatian maintain a healthy body weight.
The key to keeping your Dalmatian happy and healthy is to provide him with a healthy and nutritious diet. If you need help choosing a diet for your dog, consider one of the top-rated brands reviewed above.
