Isn't it adorable when your dog is excitedly and enthusiastically wagging its tail in itching anticipation. Meanwhile, you hold the bowl full of deliciousness and wait for them to perform a 'sit' or a 'lie down' before you offer up their nutritional dinner? No dog owner wants to be put in the position where they are unsure of the ingredients in the food they are preparing for their pup, unsure of what they are actually consuming. You want to give your dog the best pet food tailored to their needs. Whether they have hip dysplasia and need joint support, a delicate digestion system and need gut health support, or you just want them to have healthy teeth, bones, skin or coat. Whatever your reason, you'll want to investigate the best dog food for Irish wolfhounds on the market today.
If you are looking for a new type of food for your dog or happen to have found yourself cuddling a new fluffy member of the family, then you naturally want to provide your Irish wolfhound puppy with the very best nutrition. It's natural to feel cautious if this is your first dog pet, but relax; we have you covered! This is the very reason why we have provided this buying guide to make sure your wolfhound gets the best dog food for large breeds on the market.
About Wolfhounds
Originating in Ireland (unsurprisingly), this breed is a historical one, inspiring mythology, poetry and literature throughout the ages. They were originally used as hunting dogs because of their speed and also used as protection against wolves.
Wolfhounds come in all types of personalities. They tend to be sharp and, despite their large size, are not usually boisterous or destructive.
Irish wolfhounds are graceful, large, calm with an incredible amount of patience. They are sweet and quiet in nature, spending most of their time lounging around. And although large breeds can be a significant commitment, there are also tremendous rewards making them an excellent addition to the family.
Diet and Nutrition for Irish Wolfhounds
On average male Irish wolfhound dogs should be around a minimum of 32 inches tall, measured at the shoulder with a weight of 120 loos. Females weigh a slightly lighter 105 lbs should and measure 30 inches at the shoulder. These measurements only apply to Irish wolfhounds who are over 18 months in age.
It is important to note that different sized dogs and different breeds need different nutritional requirements. For example, giant breed dogs tend to be pretty active and therefore require a food that requires a lot of protein.
So, let's look into this world of dog nutrition and find out what kind of dog food your brown Irish wolfhound pappy s adult or senior may need.
Protein in Pet Food
Why is protein good for dogs? What does it even do? Ever wondered what gets your pup up in the morning growing into the dog they will eventually become?
Well, the answer is protein.
Dogs can't survive properly without protein in their diet. This is because protein is essential for muscle growth, hair growth, nail growth, skin health, and joint health. In addition, it provides amino acids which contribute to all of these things.
Examples of great sources of protein are deboned chicken, turkey, duck, pork, fish and beef.
Carbs in Dog Food
The most important thing about carbohydrates is that they provide energy. Carbs are the spring in their step, the wag in their tail and the twitch in their leg when you itch the right spot!
Dogs will naturally convert certain carbohydrates into easy to absorb simple sugars and turn them into playing a game of fetch in the park or swimming to get the ball in the sea.
Examples of good sources of carbohydrates are brown rice, barley, oats, whole wheat, whole corn, sweet potato or potato.
Fats in Dog Food
Fats are concentrated sources of energy and can provide your wolfhound puppies twice the amount of energy as carbohydrates or proteins. This is because fats are the first nutrient the body uses for energy and are highly digestible.
Fats are built up from fatty acids, which are essential to your Irish wolfhounds' diet. There are two groups of essential fatty acids; Omega-6 and 3.
Good sources of omega-6 fatty acids in your potential dog food are chicken fat, pork fat, sunflower oil and safflower oil. Omega-3 fatty acid sources include fish oils, flaxseed oil and canola oil.
Some Common Health Conditions in Irish Wolfhounds
All purebred dogs have the potential to develop health conditions passed down through genetics. Irish Wolfhounds are associated with some genetic health conditions that any Irish wolfhound puppy parent should be aware of.
The health conditions you should look out for and be aware of are elbow and hip dysplasia, osteosarcoma, cardiomyopathy, liver shunt, von Willebrand's disease, autoimmune thyroiditis, progressive, retinal atrophy and gastric torsion.
Some of these conditions can be tested for, but many may not appear until later in life or cannot be tested for.
Irish wolfhounds have a tendency to suffer from bloating. This is a condition where your Irish wolfhound suffers from its stomach twisting in on itself, which cuts off the blood flow. Bloat and torsion can be very sudden. Watch out for any restlessness, pacing, excessive drilling, pale, gums, and lip licking as well as trying to throw up without being able or any signs of pain.
Irish wolfhounds have also been known to have a high rate of bone cancer in the breed. This is known as osteosarcoma, and it commonly occurs in a leg. Again, this is most likely a genetic trait.
An Irish wolfhound can also be at risk of heart problems such as cardiomyopathy, which is a condition that causes an enlarged heart. We recommend an annual heart exam to catch these kinds of problems early for these kinds of worries.
What Dog Food Ingredients Can Help Some of These Health Conditions?
Dysplasia
Large breed dog foods usually contain joint supplements like glucosamine or chondroitin, which will help with hip and elbow dysplasia. Other things to look out for in your Irish wolfhound's dog food.
Bloat
To avoid the risk of bloating, be sure to feed your wolfhound dog food in smaller portions throughout the day and avoid rigorous exercise directly after a meal.
Cardiac Issues
To help prevent cardiac issues, it may be best to avoid foods using peas or potatoes in the top listed ingredients.
The first ingredient should always be whole meat, such as whole deboned chicken. However, watch out for ingredients such as meat meal as it's not as good quality and will not help as much with your Irish wolfhound's overall muscle tone and weight.
Healthy fats will help with joint health, skin health and brain health. Make sure your chosen dog food has plenty of good fats such as omega-3 to provide your dog with the most benefits.
Vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables can provide support for eye health and the immune system.
Try to avoid cheap filler ingredients and artificial flavors, as they can mess with your Irish wolfhound's digestive system. Irish wolfhounds need densely nutritious ingredients in their food which is why the cheap fillers aren't great.
Some wolfhound parents go grain-free and if you're thinking about doing the same, then be aware that some grain-free foods use peas and potatoes, which can have the potential risks of an enlarged heart.
The 7 Best Dog Food for Irish Wolfhounds!
Now that we know what your Irish wolfhound puppy needs to eat, let's find you the best dog food for Irish wolfhounds available today!
1. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Natural Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food
The Blue Buffalo freedom grain free large breed dog food is a dry dog food made using fresh deboned chicken as one of its main ingredients. The recipe also includes flaxseed which helps with healthy skin, and a luscious coat, carrots, potatoes, cranberries and many more. This dog food also includes ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which is good for supporting joint health, which is very important for a giant breed like an Irish wolfhound as they often suffer from joint pain.
Another good feature of this dog food is it's grain-free, corn-free, wheat-free, soy-free and chicken by-product-free. It also has taurine in the recipe, which is good for heart health, LifeSource Bits, which supports a healthy immune system, L-Carnitine and high-quality proteins to help with lean muscle growth.
This is a great dog food brand for Irish wolfhounds because it is exceptionally anti-allergenic and doesn't contain any common fillers you often find in cheaper dog foods.
Solid Gold Wolf King is perfect for giant breed dogs. The recipe includes lean fresh bison meat as its primary protein. The following ingredients on the list are brown rice and sweet potato. In addition, the Solid Gold recipe contains 20 Superfoods, which include ingredients that improve muscle strength and growth, digestion, healthy skin, and a luscious coat. These superfoods include pumpkin, broccoli, cranberries, almond oil, and kelp.
The Solid Gold Company has actually been around for over 40 years, which means they have plenty of experience developing pet food you and your dog will love! It doesn't use any animal by-products and only uses the best filler ingredients like brown rice and sweet potato. These are great ingredients because they are complex carbohydrates and, therefore, slow energy releasers. In addition, they have made sure that you as an owner feel confident in their product and feel great feeding it to your giant breed pup.
Solid Gold comes vet recommended and helps any large breed dogs that may be struggling with digestion issues. It also uses only high-quality natural ingredients, which makes it an excellent choice for any Irish wolfhounds prone to allergies.
This is considered one of the best dry food for Irish wolfhounds.
Now fresh grain-free large breed puppy food is an excellent option for Irish wolfhound puppies because it offers premium quality nutrition to keep large breed puppies happy and healthy.
This particular brand has tried to tailor their dog food to be the best food for Irish wolfhound among other giant breed dogs. The main protein is deboned turkey which is a great protein to use because this lean meat is easy on wolfhound puppies' tummies. In addition, it's easy to process and utilize efficiently. This protein also makes this dog food for Irish wolfhound puppies an excellent choice for any wolfhound puppies with skin issues or sensitive stomachs.
This dog food is also an excellent option for any puppies struggling with allergies as it's grain-free, wheat-free, corn-free, soy-free, and by-product-free.
On top of all that, this food for dogs includes both prebiotics and probiotics to encourage good digestion in large breed puppies.
This is a good puppy food for any large breed Irish wolfhound puppies with allergies.
If you're concerned about feeding your Irish wolfhound well while maintaining an average wolfhound weight, then this might be the best dog food for you and your dog!
This recipe is protein-rich which will support lean muscle mass. The mix features protein-packed kibble, which is lovingly mixed with freeze-dried raw pieces which provide 33% lean protein with only 11% fat.
The first ingredient listed in this dog food is cage-free chicken which is perfect for strong lean muscles. The recipe also includes L-Carnitine, which helps burn fats and supports a healthy metabolism while providing ideal amounts of fiber to leave your Irish wolfhound feeling fuller for longer.
The best food for allergy-prone giant breeds is dog food without classically allergenic ingredients. This recipe is grain-free, potato-free, corn-free, wheat-free, soy-free, by-product-free and artificial colors and preservatives-free, which will put your mind at ease when it comes to giant breeds allergies.
If you're looking for the best food that will keep your Irish wolfhound happy, lean and healthy, then perhaps this is the best dog food for you!
Do you want to feed your Irish wolfhound a recipe made using whole foods and protein sourced from trusted farmers? Well, perhaps Merrick real Texas beef and sweet potato dry dog food is the best food for you and your Irish wolfhound.
Merricks dog foods are natural dog foods made with 65% protein and plenty of healthy fat ingredients. The first listed ingredient is deboned beef. This lean protein will help maintain healthy lean muscle tissue and support energy levels. The other 35% is made up of produce, vitamins, fiber, minerals, and other great natural ingredients to make this protein-rich dog food tasty for your Irish wolfhound.
This nutritious dry dog food includes leading levels of fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6, which helps with a shiny, luscious coat and healthy skin. The recipe also includes glucosamine and chondroitin, which is perfect for any dog struggling with joint pain or hip dysplasia.
Don't worry about allergies because this mix is free from grains, corn-free, wheat-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and artificial preservatives-free so that you can feel confident about what you're feeding your Irish wolfhound.
If your Irish wolfhound needs probiotic support and gut health maintenance, then this may be the best dog food for your Irish wolfhound.
Provide your Irish wolfhound with the best pet food for them by giving them the nutrition they need. This Lamb and brown rice recipe's no.1 protein happens to be pasture-raised lamb listed as the first ingredient that will provide your Irish wolfhound with lean muscle growth and support and overall health and well-being support. The recipe also includes rich sources of fiber such as brown rice and pearled barley which include vitamins and minerals which are very good for your Irish wolfhound.
This dog food has a unique quality blend of functional superfoods, rich omegas and living probiotics to help support gut health as well as build strong muscles and enhanced immune system.
Irish Wolfhound puppies grow a lot and at a fast pace. This is why you must make sure your Irish wolfhound is getting the best nutrition it can get from a young age. This recipe is designed to provide whole-body nutrition for your large breed Irish wolfhound to help it grow up big and strong.
The recipe is made using a mix of high quality, carefully chosen ingredients that include a variety of premium proteins and whole grains as well as essential fatty acids like DHA, omega 3 and omega 6, essential vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, probiotics and glucosamine.
The recipe is meant to encourage bone and teeth strength, overall health, healthy brain development, energy, vitality, healthy muscle growth and optimal nutrient absorption.
It does not include any GMOs, meat by-products, fillers or artificial colorings or preservatives, so you can feel confident that you are giving your wolfhound the best kind of dog food for its breed.
FAQs
How much does it cost to feed an Irish Wolfhound?
When they are fully grown, Irish wolfhound dogs weigh on average somewhere between 105-120 lbs.
Irish Wolfhound Puppy food on average per year - $310-$615
Average $450
Irish Wolfhound Full Grown Dog Food average per year - $205-$675
Average $450
Keep in mind there can be a massive difference in cost depending on how premium or budget your choice of dog food brand is.
How much do Irish wolfhounds eat?
So, how much does an Irish wolfhound eat a day? Well, it is a difficult question to answer because not all pupperinos are the same.
However, the average growing puppy and young adult pup use a lot of energy. This means they require a diet with high levels of good quality protein. For example, an active Irish Wolfhound weighing around 140 lbs needs an average caloric intake of around 2839 calories. Dogs that have been neutered or spayed or senior dogs which are older may need fewer calories as they aren't using as much energy.
Growing puppies food consumption tends to have more calories than adult dogs in relation to size because they are exuding so much energy and growing constantly.
For example, a young adult Irish wolfhound weighing around 100 lbs is estimated to consume around 2451 calories per day.
Something else to consider is how much exercise your dog is doing and whether it surges at certain times. For example, if you take them on a short walk every weekday, but when you get to the weekend, you take them on a hike or run or even just a longer walk, the calories may need to be increased. You may need to feed your pup 3154 kcal or more to keep up.
These are all essential factors to keep in mind, but at the end of the day, read the back of your dog food, and it will guide you as to how much is a healthy amount to feed your dog so that you can keep them happy and healthy!
Our Top Pick for Best Irish Wolfhound Dog Food!
Now that we've nibbled the kibble and taken everything home in a doggy bag, so let's get down to the dog's dinner, shall we and find out what the best dog food for Irish wolfhounds on the market today!
We think the best pet food for Irish wolfhounds is the Wolf King with Real Natural Bison and Brown Rice by Solid Gold!
The Solid Gold Wolf Kind dry dog food is a perfect recipe for Irish wolfhound dogs. With ingredients like bison meat, brown rice and sweet potato, this dog food is perfect for keeping your wolfhound lean and healthy.
It's specially crafted for large breed dogs just like your Irish wolfhound and featuring probiotic support and nutritious whole grains, omega fats, fiber, B vitamins and much more it's an excellent option for your pet.
It's also allergy conscious and free from soy, corn, wheat, artificial colors, and preservatives.
Solid Gold gets a thumbs up from us and an enthusiastic belly rub from us!
