You may have noticed special advice on feeding small or large dogs, but what about your in-between sized buddies? Look no further for wholesome, nutritious dog food for medium dogs of all breeds.
Help keep your medium sized dog happy and healthy with any of the following recipes.
As you might expect, the exact definition of ′′medium′′ varies, depending on who you ask. But across the board, the weight range is wide.
For the purpose of recommending dog food for medium dogs, we consider this category to include dogs that weigh anywhere from 25 to 49 pounds as healthy adults.
A wide variety of dogs can be considered medium sized, including countless mixed breeds. Well-known examples of medium sized breeds include border collies, bulldogs, cocker spaniels, keeshonds and Icelandic sheepdogs, among others.
While (much like humans) no two dogs are exactly the same, all adult dogs need the same basic kinds of nutrients, as explained below. Certain other nutrients are only needed at a particular life stage, or to address special individual needs. Toy, small or large breed dogs may also benefit from tweaks to the amounts of specific essential nutrients. But on average, across the range of adult dogs considered ′′medium sized,′′ the required nutrient ratios are generally the same.
For starters, any dog food should feature the minimum amounts of essential nutrients recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). That includes a balance of specific proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.
If a recipe provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs according to AAFCO standards, that means your adult dog can eat that same food and nothing else every day, and his or her basic nutritional needs will be met.
But the best dog food — for medium dogs or any other size — goes further than that, providing those vital nutrients from sources you can feel good about.
That′s why Nature′s Recipe® dog food is made with high-quality, purposeful ingredients, and none of the stuff you′d rather avoid: no added corn or wheat, no artificial flavors or preservatives, and no poultry by-product meal.
Since any of the Nature′s Recipe® options above would be a healthy adult dog food for medium dogs, how should you choose? A lot of it comes down to taste and preference.
For instance, some dogs prefer the taste of a certain protein source, such as chicken, lamb or turkey, while some can′t tolerate specific protein sources. Some pet parents simply prefer a grain free dog food or vegetarian dog food.
You may also want to choose based on specific benefits that some recipes prioritize over others. For example, certain Nature′s Recipe® dog foods are made to be especially easy to digest. Check packaging to compare benefits.
Both wet and dry dog food recipes can meet your dog′s nutritional needs. The choice is largely about what you and your dog prefer, and what your vet recommends. Here are a few reasons you might pick one kind over the other.
Pet parents sometimes prefer wet dog food for the following reasons:
Of course, there are tradeoffs to consider:
Many dog owners choose dry dog food because of these upsides:
Potential drawbacks depend on your dog:
The product suggestions and information above are focused on full-grown dogs specifically. Growing puppies (as well as pregnant or lactating female dogs) need different levels of nutrients compared to their average adult counterparts, including a higher percentage of protein and fat. This means they simply can′t thrive on regular adult maintenance dog food. That′s why we offer dedicated puppy food recipes.
Senior dogs, on the other hand, don′t always need a specialized food, although some may benefit from a change in diet as they age. If your vet recommends switching your mature dog′s food, consider one of our senior dog food recipes, which tend to be well-liked by older dogs.
Since the range of sizes considered ′′medium′′ varies significantly, so does the amount of food these dogs need. As a starting point, always check the daily feeding guidelines on the back of your Nature′s Recipe® dog food package.
Feeding more than one furry family member? Check out our full selection of healthy dog food recipes
Our Commitment to You
Due to ongoing national supply chain challenges and unprecedented demand, we recognize some of your pets' favorite foods may be difficult to find. We assure you we are working tirelessly to ensure we can deliver our trusted products to you without disruption. We appreciate your patience and the continued opportunity to meet the needs of your furry family members.