If you own a dog, you already know the struggle of picking a good dog food. However, as you continue to look around at different options, you may begin to question your choice. Are the more expensive brands better? Is it more nutritious with more or fewer ingredients? Often, the wording on the packaging can leave you confused and deceived.
With so many people talking about 4health and Purina Pro Plan, we’ve decided to compare the two and help you understand what makes the one stand out above the other. Although they may have similarities, there are also many differences between these two dog foods. There’s always one winner, so keep reading to find out who it is!
#3 4health Large Breed Formula Adult Dog Food
This food is suited to typical large breed dogs, such as German Shepherds, who do an hour or less of exercise a day. If your large breed dog is very active, she will need a food with a higher protein and fat content.
I recommend this food for large breed dogs already suffering from painful joints or hip dysplasia, as this formula contains high levels of glucosamine (1,200 mg/kg) as well as some chondroitin (400 mg/kg).
In my opinion, there are a lot of carbs in this recipe, which come in the form of white rice, brown rice, cracked pearled barley, and rice bran. Therefore, this formula will not suit dogs sensitive to grains, nor dogs who are carrying excess weight, as they will need a lower-carb diet.
While not a food specifically for large breeds, I chose Merrick Classic’s recipe here because of its very high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin (1200 mg/kg each) for dogs already suffering from joint problems.
It is a touch higher in protein (30%) and fat (15%), but lower in carbs (about 33%), so it should be suitable for typical dogs.
#4 4health Small Bites Formula Adult Dog Food
This dog food is specially formulated to meet the needs of toy and small breed dogs.
If your dog is active (does more than an hour of exercise a day), the fat content here is likely to be too low. In my opinion, it better suits typical toy and small breed dogs, and could even be a good choice for overweight dogs who need to shed a few pounds.
The protein comes mainly from chicken in this recipe, and there are good sources of fat (chicken fat and flaxseed.) Having said this, the omega-3 levels are fairly low, so I recommend this food for short-haired breeds.
Lastly, this recipe contains some glucosamine and chondroitin, so it is a great choice if your little dog is prone to joint problems, like Chihuahuas, for example.
This recipe from Blue Buffalo Life Protection is a great alternative for small breed dogs. It is slightly higher in fat (15%), so could even suit more active dogs. It is also fairly high in omega fatty acids, so would be suited to long-haired dogs.
It contains a wealth of fruit and veg to support your little dog’s immune system throughout her life (and little ones do tend to live longer!) Finally, it contains some glucosamine for your dog’s joints, though this formula lacks chondroitin.
What dog food has no ingredients from China?
The Honest Kitchen 100% human grade pet food for cats and dogs is made in the USA. The Honest Kitchen pet foods contain no ingredients from China, and are soy free, GMO free, wheat free, and corn free.
FAQ
Is Tractor Supply dog food good for dogs?
Is 4Health dog food good for dogs with allergies?
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Does 4Health dog food cause heart problems?