The Vizsla is a large and powerful breed. They do well on a highly-nutritious diet. Like most large, active, worker dogs, Vizslas’ food consumption and nutritional needs should match their level of activity. That is why you need to be careful about choosing the best dog food for Vizslas.
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Best Dog Food for Vizslas Comparison
- Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Food
- Purina Pro Plan Dry Dog Food
- Nutro WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS
- Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Vizsla Nurtition
Vizslas can be easily recognized by their golden colored coat and aristocratic bearing. Originally bred as hunters, their facial expression can be intimidating especially when they are in a hunting play mode. At home, this loving and sensitive breed can be a trusted companion. They form a tight bond with humans and are loyal to the members of the household.
Vizslas are average eaters. They can reach their optimal health and maximum potential if you feed them the right dog food for Vizslas. Choosing which one to buy is the struggle. With all the options available in the market today, how do you determine the best fit for your Vizsla? Ask yourself these questions before you put a particular brand in your cart.
1. Is this the best puppy food for Vizslas?
Simply put, puppies have different nutritional needs to support their growth process compared to an adult dog. You must ensure that the food is suitable for your dog’s age. If you love a particular brand and would want to get the same for a new Vizsla puppy, maybe you can find a “puppy” version of the same brand.
Usually, large breed puppy food has more protein than adult dog food because puppies require more nutrients to build muscle. It is not necessary that you buy dog food for Vizslas from the same brand. However, it is easier than introducing a new brand of dog food when they reach adulthood.
2. My Vizsla and I have an active lifestyle. Will this dog food satisfy his caloric needs?
If your Vizsla has an active lifestyle, you should carefully select dog food for Vizslas that boosts energy and immunity. This dog food should be highly nutritious and well-balanced to support your dog’s activity level.
3. What nutrients should I look out for to ensure the quality of the dog food?
When it comes to the ingredients, different brands mix different food sources like meat, fruits, and vegetables. The first thing to focus on is the presence of key nutrients and the flavor. This is because your dog may be allergic to a certain flavor or may prefer another. If that is the case, choose a dog food that has these key nutrients with the main flavor your dog loves.
Protein – It is imperative that protein is present in the food you are feeding your dog. This is a key nutrient that every puppy and adult dogs need to support the growth of lean muscle and to help maintain a healthy weight. Protein-rich sources include beef, chicken, lamb, and fish.
The main source of protein also determines the flavor of the dog food. So, if your Vizsla loves lamb better than chicken, choose a dog food with lamb as the main protein source.
Carbohydrates – This energy-giving nutrient usually makes up 30-70% of dry dog food. Its main function is to provide sufficient energy to your dog, especially a very active one like a Vizsla.
Fiber and sugar are also forms of carbohydrates. All three can be found in different food sources. Just make sure you stay away from grain. Grains usually cause allergic reactions and digestive issues to dogs.
FattyAcids – Essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 and 6 play an important role in keeping your dog healthy. They promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Antioxidants – Fruits and Vegetables are great sources of vitamins and minerals. A well-balanced diet should include fruits and vegetable sources in order to boost immunity and prevent diseases.
These are the key nutrients that should be present in the dog food for vizslas that you choose. Some brands add more to the list such as probiotics fiber and the likes. Whatever the additional nutrients are, it is crucial that these key nutrients are included in the formula.
4. Dog-specific issues. Will my dog like this flavor? Is my dog allergic to any of these ingredients?
No matter how nutritious your chosen dog food is, if the scent or the flavor does not appeal to your dog, he will not eat it. Some dogs are picky eaters. Some dogs have sensitivities and are prone to allergies. Choose something that would work for your dogs.
Consider the flavor and carefully check if there are ingredients that can be potential allergens. If you are unsure, consult your vet and ask for recommendations.
This will narrow down your options and make it easier for you to choose the best product that fits your dog’s needs and preferences.
5. Can I afford this?
High-quality dog food is not cheap. The saying you always get what you pay for also applies to your dog food choice. However, some high-quality brands offer more reasonable prices than others.
You can splurge if you only have one dog to feed, but what if you have more? How will a very expensive brand of food affect your finances?
It is best that you carefully select a not-so-expensive brand of dog food for Vizslas that has all the key nutrients, previously mentioned above, present in the formula. Expensive does not always mean quality. Some commercial brands only base their prices on their name and reputation.
Surely, there are smaller brands that can offer you a safe and well-balanced dog food formula at a price that won’t hurt your monthly budget.
These questions should be your guide when choosing dog food for Vizslas. It is easy to fall into the trap of buying dog food based on popularity, but it is not always the best choice. Consider the specific needs of your dogs, the quality of the formula, and the overall expense of your Vizsla in order to pick the best dog food that fits. Here are some of our recommendations.
Top 4 Dog Food for Vizslas
Purina Pro Plan Focus
● Weight management formula for adult dogs
● Made with shredded chicken and rice formula with 25% less fat
● A protein-rich formula that supports healthy muscle mass
The formula of Purina Pro Plan is rich in protein from real meat sources. Chicken is the main source of protein to support lean muscle growth. This dog food for vizslas is specially made for large breed adult dogs for a healthy weight management and those with sensitive skin and stomach.
Unlike its competitors, every serving of Purina Pro Plan Focus contains 25% less fat. This works best for large breed dogs that have tendencies to become overweight and for those who need to put their dogs on a healthy diet to shed some pounds.
Always consult your veterinarian first before putting your dog on a diet. It is crucial that you know the right way to transition your dog to a weight-loss formula dog food to avoid any digestive problems such as diarrhea.
The brand has more than 85 years of experience in making well-balanced food formulas for dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. You can also select other formulas from their long line of products that would suit the needs of your dog.
Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural
● Grain-free and gluten-free formula
● Made with high-quality protein
● Supports healthy skin and coat
● Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
● A balanced ration of fatty acids such as Omega 3 and 6
● Packaging is BPA free
Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural is grain-free and gluten-free. Main ingredients include chicken meal, turkey meal, and whitefish. All are rich in protein for the optimal health of your dog. Fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, cranberries, apples, carrots, peas, etc. are also included.
These food sources provide all the essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids such as Omega 3 and 6, and other antioxidants that boost your dog’s immunity, promotes healthy skin, aids digestion, and give your dog the energy boost he needs every day.
This product is also great for picky eaters and dogs that are highly sensitive. It is a high-quality food for an average price. The price is more attractive than its competitors that are also offering almost the same kind of ingredients and nutrients.
The brand cares for the environment and your dogs and made the packaging BPA-free. Each product undergoes a quality check to ensure the delivery of dog food with the highest quality of nutrients and food sources.
Hill’s Science Diet
● Suitable for large breed puppies
● Contains an adequate level of calcium for optimal growth
● Chicken meal and oats recipe
● Contains a slew of vitamins and minerals
● Kibbles are easy to digest
● No artificial flavors and preservatives
Hill’s Science Diet is specially formulated for large breed puppies. The main ingredients are chicken meal and oats that are great sources of protein and carbohydrates. The formula also contains calcium that supports the healthy growth of bones of large breed puppies. A slew of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants are also present in the formula that promotes a healthy immune system.
The vet approved formula will not cause any allergies and digestive issues. The brand is proud to include the expertise of food scientists, veterinarians, Ph.D. nutritionists, and technicians in creating the perfect formula of dog food.
There are no artificial flavors and preservatives added. The kibbles are small and highly digestible. See the back of the packaging for nutrition information, feeding guide based on the weight of your puppy, and the right way to transition your puppy to a new dog food.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials
● Specially formulated for large breed puppies
● Made with all natural and non-GMO ingredients
● Main ingredients include farm-raised chicken, brown rice, and sweet potato
● Contains calcium for healthy bone development
● With vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
Nutro Wholesome Essentials takes pride in crafting highly-nutritious dog food for vizslas with all natural ingredients and non-GMO ingredients. They used farm-raised chicken from trusted farmers and suppliers are used as the main source of high-quality protein. There is no chicken by-products included in the formula and is also grain free.
Brown rice and sweet potatoes are included as the main source of carbohydrates. It is enriched with calcium and omega 3 fatty acids such as DHA to support the growth of healthy bones and strong joints of puppies. It also promotes healthy skin and coat.
Other vitamins and minerals from other food sources are indicated on the back of the packaging including the feeding directions for your puppy. It is best that you ask your vet before feeding your puppy with any kind of dog food.
Out of all these choices, I recommend Hill’s Science Diet because of its effectiveness is promoting overall health for all dog breeds. Since a Vizsla needs all the nutrients they can get, Hill’s is an ideal choice for many owners who want a dog with healthy muscles, bones, and organ systems.
Check out these recommendations when choosing the best dog food for Vizslas, and refer to the things to consider to ensure that you are making the right decision. Feeding the right kind of food combined with proper training and exercise make up for a healthy and happy Vizsla that may live for about 12-15 years of age.
