In Overview: Best Dog Food For Bernese Mountain Dog
Hello Bernese Mountain Dog owners!
As dedicated pet lovers and food reviewers, we’ve teamed up with certified veterinary advisors to help you find the best food for your Bernese Mountain Dog.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their impressive size and strong work ethic.
When choosing the ideal nourishment for your Bernese Mountain Dog, we’ve taken the initiative to extensively evaluate the leading options available.
Our review will guide you in finding the Best Dog Food for Bernese Mountain Dogs, ensuring your beloved canine companion receives the nutrition they deserve.
Let’s work together to keep your Bernese Mountain Dog healthy and happy!
Research
Vetted
Reviewed
Picks
– The Paw Paw Pick –
JustFood-ForDogs Pantry Fresh Wet Dog Food
– The Paw Paw Pick –
JustFood-ForDogs Pantry Fresh Wet Dog Food
- Each JustFoodForDogs variety box features four of their most popular, whole food recipes—see which one your pup likes best!
- Formulated to support your dog’s overall health, including improved digestion, healthier skin and a shinier coat, increased energy, easier weight management and more excitement at mealtime.
- Crafted with 100% fresh, human-grade ingredients and no fillers, preservatives, growth hormones, BHA, BHT or artificial colorings.
Iams ProActive Health Adult Large Breed
Iams ProActive Health Adult Large Breed
- This adult dog food is formulated to support the nutritional needs of large breed dogs.
- Features real farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient.
- Premium-sourced protein helps your pooch maintain strong muscles.
- Formulated to provide bone and join support—important for active large-breed dogs.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy
- Made from fresh, human-grade meat & vegetables
- Vet-formulated to exceed AAFCO standards
- Four recipe options made in USDA-approved kitchens
- Two week trial plan available
- Free shipping & edit your subscription any time
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE
- Made from just 10 real food ingredients for great nutrition without complication.
- Grain-free and free from corn, wheat, soy and other fillers for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- Contains no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
- Fortified after cooking with Canidae’s HealthPLUS blend of probiotics, antioxidants and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.
Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free
Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free
- Boosted nutrition for puppies with high-protein kibble + freeze-dried raw.
- Cage-free chicken is the first ingredient so it’s packed with animal protein to support the energy needed for growth and play.
- Balanced mix of poultry, fish and meat for a healthy dose of protein plus natural DHA from chicken eggs for brain and eye development.
Taste of the Wild: Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
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Great for puppies and adult dogs, this recipe is high in calcium and phosphorus, which help promote healthy bone and tissue growth. And since JustFoodForDogs’ meals are frozen, you can have peace of mind knowing that they are completely free from preservatives and other harmful materials.
JustFoodForDogs Venison & Squash Recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from venison. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33.3% protein, 18.8% fat, and 39.9% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
Made with 100% human-grade ingredients, JustFoodForDog’s fresh frozen meals are free from fillers, preservatives, growth hormones, BHA, BHT, or artificial coloring.
Pros
- Crafted with fresh, human-grade ingredients.
- Great for active, underweight, or picky Dogs.
- Nothing artificial.
Cons
- Some dogs don't like it.
Iams ProActive Health Adult Large Breed
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Feeding a big dog like a Bernese Mountain Dog can strain your wallet, especially if your pup needs up to six cups of dry dog food daily due to their size. Premium foods designed for your dog’s well-being often come at a higher cost, adding to the financial challenge. However, the Iams ProActive Health Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food offers a solution that balances your budget without compromising your dog’s nutrition.
For larger breeds like the Bernese Mountain Dog, joint problems are a common concern. Fortunately, this food packs a generous amount of glucosamine and chondroitin, which play a vital role in cartilage repair and can alleviate discomfort associated with hip dysplasia.
One aspect where this food falls slightly short is its protein content, clocking in at a minimum of 22.5% crude protein – somewhat lower than our preferred level. Nevertheless, given its cost-effectiveness and the option to purchase it in larger quantities, we believe this dog food represents the best value for Bernese Mountain Dogs, ensuring your dog stays healthy without emptying your wallet, this dog food is the second best dog food for Bernese Mountain Dog on our review.
Pros
- No wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives
- It contains 18% fat to keep weight on active dogs
- Real, wholesome ingredients
Cons
- Some customers reported that it caused their pets to have loose stools
- Some dogs do not like it
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy
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Tailored specifically for the needs of large breed puppies, the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Dog Food is a prime choice for ensuring your Bernese Mountain Dog’s optimal growth. Right from the ingredient list, you’ll notice that deboned chicken takes center stage, contributing to this food’s crucial minimum 26% crude protein content.
Beyond protein, this formula offers a wealth of essential nutrients. Notably, it’s enriched with omega fatty acids, nurturing brain development in growing pups and fostering healthy skin and coat. Moreover, it’s fortified with vital minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and manganese.
Blue Buffalo achieves this nutrient-packed profile by incorporating whole-food ingredients such as blueberries and cranberries. Notably, they’ve omitted corn, wheat, and soy, recognizing their potential digestive challenges for dogs. Regrettably, large dogs typically required joint supplements are missing from this formula. However, it compensates with a generous dose of vitamins and antioxidants.
In conclusion, the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Dog Food is a solid choice for your Bernese Mountain Dog’s early stages, offering a well-rounded nutritional profile while bypassing potential digestion issues. Though it lacks joint supplements, it remains a wholesome option for your pup’s overall well-being, this dog food is the third best dog food for Bernese Mountain Dog on this list.
Pros
- Made specifically for large-breed puppies
- Fortified with the nutrients that growing pups need
- Contains no corn, wheat, or soy
- Packed with vitamins, chelated minerals, and antioxidants
Cons
- It's missing critical joint supplements.
Instinct: Raw Boost
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The CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Dry Dog Food boasts an impressive lineup of wholesome ingredients that cater to your dog’s well-being. However, it’s worth noting that this food comes with a notably high price tag. It might have secured a top position on our list if it had been more budget-friendly.
A glance at the ingredients list immediately sets this food apart. Bison and lamb meal take the lead, ensuring a diverse range of protein sources beyond the usual chicken.
Notably, this food incorporates glucosamine and chondroitin, essential for maintaining your dog’s joint health as they age. Additionally, it provides omega fatty acids, minerals, antioxidants, and a generous array of vitamins.
The nutrient-rich blend of this formula relies on natural, whole-food ingredients like bison, sweet potatoes, lentils, and carrots. Being grain-free, it’s gentle on your dog’s digestive system and offers ample benefits for large breeds. However, considering the substantial appetite of a Bernese Mountain Dog, this food may not be the most cost-effective choice. Plus, it packs an impressive 462 calories per cup, ensuring your furry companion receives the energy they need, this product is the fourth best dog food for Bernese Mountain Dog.
Pros
- Contains a diverse selection of protein sources
- Loaded with joint-supporting supplements
- Made with natural, whole-food ingredients
- Each cup contains 462 calories
Cons
- Exorbitant pricing
Instinct: Raw Boost
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Pros
- Natural dog food plus freeze dried raw piece
- Grain-free dog food with freeze-dried raw cage free chicken
- Made in USA
Cons
- Some dogs dislike it
- The kibble may be too large for some dogs.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Food for Your Bernese Mountain Dog
We embarked on a journey, testing various dog food options for our Bernese Mountain Dogs. Some pleased our taste buds, while others earned our dogs’ approval. Some even managed to satisfy our furry companions and us, and those stood out.
But if you’re curious about our criteria for ranking these foods, this buyer’s guide is tailor-made.
It’s not just about taking our recommendations at face value; it’s about using them to make well-informed choices for your beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. That’s our aim. This concise buyer’s guide provides all the essential information you need to select the Best Dog Food For Bernese Mountain Dog.
Caloric Density
Feeding a large breed dog differs significantly from providing a smaller one primarily because of the required food. Large dogs need more calories. If you offer a large dog the same food as a smaller counterpart, the more giant dog will need to consume more to meet their energy needs.
For Bernese Mountain Dogs, depending on their size, they typically need around 1500-1900 calories per day. This equates to approximately 3-6 cups of dry dog food daily. As you can imagine, feeding your dog six cups daily means you’ll quickly go through sizable bags of dog food.
However, many foods designed for larger breeds are more calorie-dense to address this issue.
Caloric density refers to the number of calories in a given amount of food, often measured in cups when discussing dog food.
Let’s illustrate this with two hypothetical dog foods. Food A provides 300 calories per cup, while Food B offers 500 calories per cup.
If our dog requires even 1500 calories, we must serve them five cups of Food A daily. In contrast, they only need three cups of Food B to meet the exact calorie requirements. Assuming both bags contain the same food, Food B will last nearly twice as long.
Joint Support
Two common health concerns that affect large-breed dogs are hip and elbow dysplasia. These conditions can significantly diminish your dog’s quality of life and mobility. Giant breeds, including Bernese Mountain Dogs, are more susceptible to these issues.
That’s why we strongly recommend looking for joint support supplements in foods designed for large-breed dogs. The most crucial supplements are glucosamine and chondroitin.
These supplements aid in rebuilding damaged cartilage and are often prescribed to dogs with arthritis, as they help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
Providing your Bernese Mountain Dog with a diet rich in these beneficial supplements’ll help them combat common joint problems like arthritis and dysplasia, enabling them to lead healthier, longer lives.
Protein
Large breed dogs grow faster than smaller breeds, necessitating a higher intake of essential nutrients, especially protein. Proteins consist of amino acids, the fundamental building blocks of the body.
Large breeds require a substantial amount of protein to support the growth of bones, muscles, organs, and more.
For this reason, we prioritize foods with a higher protein content. Ideally, we look for a minimum of 24-25% crude protein. Anything below this may not give your Bernese Mountain Dog the necessary protein levels.
Some of our favored foods contain as much as 37-38% crude protein, ensuring they meet your growing dog’s nutritional demands.
Final Verdict
After reviewing our reviews, you should know the Best Dog Food For Bernese Mountain Dog. We rigorously tested many options and narrowed it down to three excellent recommendations.
First up is Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, our top overall choice. It features lamb as the primary ingredient, deviating from the standard chicken-based options. Plus, it’s loaded with various healthy whole-food ingredients to provide your large dog with essential nutrients without including hard-to-digest grains.
On the more budget-friendly end, we recommend Iams ProActive Health Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food. It comes in substantial quantities suitable for the hearty appetite of a Bernese Mountain Dog. Moreover, it includes essential joint supplements crucial for larger dogs.
For puppies, consider Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Puppy Food. This formula is explicitly tailored for large breed puppies, offering ample vitamins, chelated minerals, antioxidants, and none of the common allergens like corn, wheat, or soy.
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