11 Best Dog Foods for Vizslas

The Vizsla is an all-around hunting dog that originated in Hungary. The breed is described as versatile and robust, but lightly built. Today, the Vizsla is still an excellent hunting companion, but they also make a wonderful family dog. The breed is loyal, gentle, affectionate, and smart. 

According to owners and breeders, the Vizsla breed is prone to food allergies and skin problems. You may have to consider this at some point in your dog’s life. If you have a dog with a high risk for food allergies, you can avoid some of the most common food triggers for dogs, like beef, dairy products, chicken, lamb, fish, chicken eggs, corn, wheat, and soy. Symptoms of food allergies include itching and scratching, which leads to redness, hair loss, damaged skin, and skin infections.

Dogs can also have food sensitivities that result in diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, and a generally upset stomach. If you suspect that your dog has a food allergy or sensitivity, it’s best if you work with your veterinarian to address it, unless the cause is self-evident.

All dogs, just like human beings, require carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in their diet for healthy growth. Proteins are essential in the foundation of lean muscles, while fats are the best-concentrated energy source. It is, therefore, vital to get premium animal proteins such as poultry, meat, and fish in addition to recommenced fats such as salmon oil and chicken fats.

Mostly, carbohydrates should not be the significant component of your Vizsla dog diet but rather a supplement since carbs only provide additional energy, minerals, and essential vitamins, which are also crucial for healthy growth. 

However, it is necessary to note that although whole grains are a great source of carbohydrates, you should never provide them to your Vizslas since grains pose a considerable risk to Vizslas due to their food allergies. Dog parents who don’t know the cause of the allergy can use limited ingredient diets to eliminate and identify the ingredient that causes allergic reactions.

Here is an overview of the nutritional requirement for your Vizslas through its different life stages:

Vizsla puppy diet:

Vizsla puppies require at least 23 % of protein and about 8 % fat in the entire diet for faster development and growth.

Adult Vizsla diet: 

Once your Vizsla reaches adulthood and full-size, ensure to feed him the large-breed adult meal comprising not less than 18 % proteins and 6 % of fats in the entire diet. Remember, more protein is needed for a lean body, while moderate fat contents ensure your dogs have an adequate reserve for high energy needs.

The Senior Vizsla diet: As your Vizsla gets older, its metabolism will slow down, increasing the risk of food allergies. In your furry friend’s golden years, a digestible, high-quality diet is the most important for him. However, avoid high-calorie diets for an older, less active canine companion.

Making a choice that will provide optimal health for your Vizsla is complex, and it takes time to research and gather information to help you make up your mind. Many professionals agree that variety is the key to giving your dog the best diet, and dog Food Care can guide you through the clutter. 

There are three primary questions for Vizsla’s parents. 

• Learn the six essential nutrients every dog needs.
• Learn how much to feed your Vizsla
• Learn what to look for on dog food labels

What are the six essential nutrients?

Many dog food labels say “Complete and Balanced,” but what is required for dog food to be complete and balanced? The product is formulated to meet the nutrient levels established by AAFCO for a particular life stage or all life stages.‍ It says you can feed only this food, and your dog will get all the required nutrients. The six essential nutrients are listed below.

1. Water: 70% to 80% of your Vizsla’s mature body weight is made up of water. It’s essential to ensure your dog has access to an adequate clean water supply daily. Dogs should drink approximately one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. Without sufficient water, your dog’s body will be unable to maintain critical bodily functions shown below.

• Dissolve and transport nutrients to cells
• Regulate body temperature, 
• Digest foods
• Flush away waste and much more.

2. Proteins: Your Vizsla’s body uses 23 amino acids to build tissues. However, your canine companion’s body can only produce 13 of those on its own. The remaining ten amino acids must come from proteins in the dog’s diet. To ensure your dog is fueling their day and body with enough protein, look for dog foods with natural, high-quality proteins as the first ingredient. Whole meats and meat meals are good because both provide excellent protein and nutrition. Whole meats contain more water before being processed (which cooks off), and meals are already cooked to remove their water, dried, and ground. So a mix of both on the ingredient label is a great thing.

Whole Meats

• Fish
• Meat
• Poultry

Meat Meals

• Chicken Meal
• Beef Meal
• Salmon Meal

Meat meals contain about four times the protein meats do, so generally, they’re a good source of nutrients, but only when they are named.

3. Fats: Fatty acids, as they are called when talking about dietary needs, are essential for energy and also for your furry doggo’s skin and coat health. Your dog’s body cannot produce essential fatty acids and relies on you to include them in its diet to maintain optimal health. Some essential fatty acids for your dog are:

• Linoleic acid
• Omega-6
• Omega-3

4. Carbohydrates: Carbs are necessary to power the tissues in your dog’s body and healthy digestion. Carbohydrates are plant-based, coming from grains, barley, brown rice, whole corn, potatoes, etc. It provides the dog’s body with

• Sugars
• Starches
• Fiber

5. Vitamins: Proper growth and health maintenance are impossible without including vitamins in your Vizsla’s diet. Vitamins support many critical roles in your dog’s diet. As long as your choice of dog food is a complete and balanced meal under AAFCO’s guidelines, your pup should be receiving many of the vitamins necessary to keep them healthy and happy. 

• Vitamin D helps to regulate calcium and phosphorus levels 
• Vitamin A helps to boost the immune system 
• Vitamin E and C serve as antioxidants 
• Vitamin K helps with blood clots and 
• Vitamin B12 helps maintain a healthy nervous system. 

6. Minerals: Like vitamins, minerals support several critical roles in your dog’s diet. While different minerals provide different benefits, some general functions include bone and cartilage formation, hormone regulation, oxygen flow, and nerve and muscle function. Recipes with chelated minerals promote mineral attachment to proteins for maximized absorption during the digestive process. Below are some specific attributes of essential minerals for your dog. 

• Calcium and phosphorus make up a large portion of bone matter 
• Iron helps to carry oxygen through the body 
• Zinc supports proper wound healing 
• Selenium helps provide antioxidant support 
• Sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium help with nerve transmission and fluid balance.

What to look for on your dog food labels

Like your food labels, your Vizsla’s food label shows what ingredients it contains and the percentage of essential nutrients in each bag. The ingredients are listed from highest to lowest content by weight and the percentage it represents, with 80% of the food made up of the first 5 ingredients. Studying the ingredients list will help you understand what you feed your dog.

Another part of the information on dog food labels is the Guaranteed Analysis (GA). It is the nutrient profile found on the back of the bag or can. GAs divulge the diet’s elemental nutrient composition regarding minimum crude protein, minimum crude fat, and maximum crude fiber. GAs let you know precisely what you are getting. 

The name game when decoding the label

The first five or ten ingredients on the list will give you a good idea about the quality of the ingredients. You always want to see the protein listed in the first position, and then it must be the real thing. If the list of a bag of Beef Dog Food shows the beef first, followed by whole-grain corn and then soybean meal, the percentage of whole-grain corn will be less than the beef, and the soybean meal will be less than the whole-grain corn.

So, if you buy a bag of kibble called Beef Dog Food, beef must be number one on the list, and as per the FDA, it must make up 95% of the product. In contrast, if that bag of dog food’s label says “Beef Dinner,” “Beef Recipe,” Beef Flavor,” or similar descriptions, the beef percentage need not exceed 25%. 

What are fillers?

In most dog foods, especially kibble, there are added ingredients to help your dog feel full but provide little nutritional value. Usually, fillers are bulky, starchy, and carbohydrate-rich ingredients that healthier, more natural ingredients could have replaced.

Typically, these products are cheap, and easy for manufacturers to keep costs low. Some common fillers in commercial dog foods are so cheap that they irritate your dog, causing allergies or sensitivities. There is no official list of fillers, and what some dog owners regard as fillers, others believe they are healthy. Examples include corn, wheat, rice, unspecified by-products, potato protein, pea protein, etc.

Dog Food Care reviewed the 11 Dog Foods listed below 

After reviewing many dog food brands for your Vizsla, Dog Food Care recommends those that stood out as best and informs you of the worst on the list below.

1. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Small Breed Dry Dog Food
2. Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Reduced Fat Dry Dog Food
4. Victor Purpose Ultra Grain-Free Dry Dog Food 
5. Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Beef & Sweet Potato Formula Dry Dog Food
6. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Lamb Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food
7. Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural Dry Dog Food
8. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
9. American Natural Premium Grain-Free Ocean Fish Meal & Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
10. Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Adult Large Breed Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
11. American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

The packaging of the above dog foods ranges from 12.5-pound bags to 40-pound bags, and prices from $41.24 to $79.99 per bag. When broken down to prices per pound, the average is $2.45 per pound.

Dog Food Care’s choice of top 5 dog foods for Vizsla dogs is listed below.

Image	Product	Features	Price
Best Overall	Merrick Lil Plates Small Breed Dry Dog Food with Real Meat Kibble size made specifically for smaller dog breeds Chondroitin supports healthy joints Grain-free recipe	10	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on Chewy
Best for Sensitive Dogs	Zignature Essentials Dry Dog Food, Turkey, Duck, Lamb & Salmon) Delicious, high-protein blend of lamb, chicken, turkey & salmon Perfect ratio of fruits and vegetables for complete nutrition Hypoallergenic, does not contain corn, wheat, soy, dairy or chicken	9.9	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on Chewy
Healthy Weight	Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Reduced Fat, 4-Pound Bag Made with premium proteins turkey and chicken meat Enhanced with taurine, glucosamine and antioxidants to promote a healthy heart Rich in omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed and salmon oil	9.8	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on Chewy
Best for Active Dogs	VICTOR Super Premium Dog Food – Ultra Pro Dry Dog Food Grain-free recipe with 42% protein Contains a proprietary VPRO blend that's formulated with supplements, vitamins & minerals Made for your active dog in all life stages	9.7	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on Chewy
Best Value	Diamond Naturals With Real Pasture Raised Beef Rich protein blend recipe Source of phytonutrients from blueberries, raspberries, sweet potato and more Prebiotic fibers aid in digestion	9.6	Check Price on AmazonCheck Price on Chewy

Below are Dog Food Care’s top 11 recommendations for feeding your Vizsla at its different life stages:

Best Overall
1. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Merrick Pet Care was founded over 30 years ago in Garth Merrick’s family kitchen in Hereford, Texas. That’s when Garth began home-cooking food for his dog to ensure she was eating the most wholesome and nutritious food possible. Merrick Pet Care was founded in 1988. Then in 2015, Nestle Purina PetCare Company acquired Merrick Pet Care in a buyout agreement. The company is a leading producer of natural and organic pet foods, and Merrick’s foods are made in the USA.

10

• Kibble size made specifically for smaller dog breeds
• Chondroitin supports healthy joints
• Grain-free recipe

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Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Puppy is a mid-priced dog food with exceptional quality. Although it is designed for small breed dogs, the smaller kibble is perfect for a Vizsla puppy’s mouth. This product has no controversial ingredients, including zero artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors.

That’s one of the reasons why Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato was chosen as our “Best Overall” dog food for the Vizsla. It will give your precious pup a healthy start. The food has a somewhat high amount of carbs compared to its protein and fat but has excellent meat and fat quality.

Diets high in protein and fat, with moderate to low carbs, are ideal for most Vizslas, Border Collies, and other very active medium and large dog breeds. It is Dog Food Care’s overall best choice and highly recommended. 

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 30% min, Crude Fat 12% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max
• Calories: 412 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: Medium to large breed puppies
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight
• Key Benefit: Grain-free dry food with chicken for puppy dogs
• Price: $59.98 per 20-lb bag ($3.00-lb)

Best for Dogs with Sensitivities
2. Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Zignature is a subsidiary of Pets Global, Inc., an independently owned holistic pet food company headquartered in North Hollywood, California. Zignature is a relatively new brand, launched in 2012. It was to create food that omitted common allergens and was made with low glycemic binders.

9.9

• Delicious, high-protein blend of lamb, chicken, turkey & salmon
• Perfect ratio of fruits and vegetables for complete nutrition
• Hypoallergenic, does not contain corn, wheat, soy, dairy or chicken

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Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a delicious dinner made with real, sustainably-sourced Turkey and Salmon, wholesome peas, chickpeas, and flaxseed. This meat-first recipe offers pups the protein they need to thrive, while Zignature’s limited ingredient recipe throws out troublesome ingredients like chicken, corn, wheat, soy, and potatoes, creating peak hypoallergenic, low-glycemic nutrition. Combine that with key antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and a complete spectrum of vitamins and minerals for a well-rounded meal that goes beyond nature to become your pet’s signature food for life.

Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is free of the most common potential canine allergens: corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and chicken, making this recipe ideal for breeds prone to food allergies like Vizslas, Labrador Retrievers, West Highland White Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels. Dog Food Care highly recommends Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula for dogs likely to suffer food allergies.

• First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Meal, Salmon, Lamb Meal, Duck Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 32% min, Crude Fat 18% min, Crude Fiber 4.5% Max
• Calories: 415 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: Dogs of all breeds prone to food allergies.
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
• Key Benefit: This meat-first recipe offers pups the protein they need to thrive, while Zignature’s limited ingredient recipe throws out troublesome ingredients like chicken, corn, wheat, soy, and potatoes, creating peak hypoallergenic, low-glycemic nutrition.
• Price: $41.24 per 12.5-lb bag ($3.29-lb)

Best for Healthy Weight
3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Reduced Fat Dry Dog Food

This dog food is manufactured by Wellpet LLC, headquartered in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, founded in 1926. Wellness uses minimum ingredients but aims for maximum nutrition while ensuring that its recipes care for those with sensitive stomachs. 

9.8

• Made with premium proteins turkey and chicken meat
• Enhanced with taurine, glucosamine and antioxidants to promote a healthy heart
• Rich in omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed and salmon oil

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Wellness CORE Natural Reduced Fat Dog Food is a great quality dog food at an average price. Free of controversial ingredients, including zero artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors. The protein, fat, and carbs are well-balanced with excellent meat and fat quality.

This balanced, grain-free dry food for dogs is specially formulated to help your Vizsla maintain a healthy weight using the power of protein and a reduced-fat recipe. It is developed using carefully chosen ingredients that include premium proteins, like turkey, chicken, and salmon oil, and fruits, vegetables, and wholesome grains fortified with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, taurine, vitamins, and minerals. This nutrient-rich, grain-free dry dog food encourages lean body mass and muscle tone.

Weight maintenance foods typically range from 340-380 calories, Thus, making Wellness CORE Natural Reduced Fat Dog Food with 366 calories per cup ideal for maintaining your Vizsla’s weight. Dog Food Care can confidently recommend this dog food as the best weight loss option for your canine companion.

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal (source of Glucosamine), Chicken Meal (source of Chondroitin Sulfate), Lentils, Peas
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 23% min, Crude Fat 12% min, Crude Fiber 12% Max
• Calories: 366 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: All breeds from small Border Terriers to Giants like Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and medium-sized Vizslas.
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
• Key Benefits: Specially formulated to help your Vizsla maintain a healthy weight using the power of protein and a reduced-fat recipe.
• Price: $63.14 per 25-lb bag ($2.52-lb)

Best for Active Dogs
4. Victor Purpose Ultra Pro Grain-Free Dry Dog Food 

Introduced in 2007, VICTOR offers super premium pet food in various recipes to appeal to both dogs and cats while helping to meet special dietary needs through grain-inclusive and grain-free formulas, a variety of protein offerings, and more. VICTOR is sold primarily in farm & feed and independent pet stores across the country and through select online retailers. With a commitment to offering high-quality nutrition at a common-sense value, the company manufactures all kibble in-house at its Mt. Pleasant, Texas facility.

9.7

• Grain-free recipe with 42% protein
• Contains a proprietary VPRO blend that's formulated with supplements, vitamins & minerals
• Made for your active dog in all life stages

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Victor Purpose Ultra Pro is a great quality dog food at a low price. This product has no controversial ingredients and does not use artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, and the meat and fat quality in the food is excellent. High-activity dog foods should have over 400 calories, making this Victor dog food perfect, with 414 calories per cup to energize your Vizsla.

This nutrient-dense dry dog food is crafted in the USA for highly active dogs and sporting dogs because it features higher protein and lower carb levels when compared to other Victor grain-free formulas. Thus, Dog Food Care highly recommends Victor Purpose Ultra Pro as the best option for your highly active Vizsla.

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Beef Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Peas, Blood Meal Conventionally Dried (Blood meal is a high protein, low ash, low-fat ingredient that provides a strategic source of nutrients and amino acids when used appropriately. Including blood meal in dog food maintains protein levels and meets calcium requirements)
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 42% min, Crude Fat 22% min, Crude Fiber 3% Max
• Calories: 414 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: All active breeds, from your Vizsla to the little Scottish Terrier and the massive Neapolitan Mastiff.
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
• Key Benefit: Essential, high-quality protein for healthy muscle development and excellent fat and meat quality for energy for your active adult Vizsla
• Price: $76.99 per 30-lb bag ($2.57-lb) 

Best Value
5. Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Beef & Sweet Potato Formula Dry Dog Food

Diamond Foods were established in Meta, Missouri, in 1970. All dry foods are manufactured at Diamond’s company-owned plants in South Carolina, Arkansas, California, and Missouri.

9.6

• Rich protein blend recipe
• Source of phytonutrients from blueberries, raspberries, sweet potato and more
• Prebiotic fibers aid in digestion

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Each Diamond Naturals dry formula is enhanced with superfoods and guaranteed probiotics to support your furry friend’s development and overall health. This grain-free recipe contains real beef as the first ingredient, real lamb protein, and real fruit and vegetables, including sweet potatoes, kale, blueberries, and raspberries. It provides your furry friend with protein, minerals, and omega fatty acids to help promote healthy skin and a shiny coat, plus antioxidants for overall nose-to-tail well-being.

Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Beef & Sweet Potato Formula Dry Dog Food is a good quality, low-priced dry dog food. This product includes no controversial ingredients like artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. However, the food has a high amount of carbs but excellent meat and fat quality at a price that deserves Dog Food Care’s Best-for-budget recommendation.

• First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Lentils
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 24% min, Crude Fat 14% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max
• Calories: 406 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: Adult dogs of all breeds like Dalmatians and Vizslas
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
• Key Benefit: Nutrient-rich and highly digestible recipe made with a proprietary probiotic blend to help support your canine companion’s digestive health at a reasonable price.
• Price: $47.99 per 40-lb bag ($1.71) 

6. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Lamb Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food

Instinct Pet Food was founded in 2002 and has been producing frozen and freeze-dried raw pet food in their company-owned Lincoln, Neb., facilities. The corporate offices are located in St. Louis.

9.5

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Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Lamb Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food is ideal when your dog has food sensitivities. It allows you to feed your Vizsla kibble with only the essential ingredients. Hence, the purposefully short ingredient list was made with just one animal protein and one vegetable.

A few points to mention include the lack of probiotics, and friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion. However, a benefit is the chelated minerals, which are typically found in good quality dog food. It means the minerals have been chemically attached to the protein, making them easier to absorb. Coconut oil also deserves mention. It is a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids, and medium-chain triglycerides are safe for dogs and improve cognitive function in older dogs.

Because of this Instinct product’s potential to help treat canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and chronic skin disorders, MCT can be considered a positive addition to this recipe. Dog Food Care recommends Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Lamb Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food with confidence, particularly for older Vizslas and other breeds who have food allergies. 

• First 5 Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Lamb, Tapioca, Peas, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid)
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 24% min, Crude Fat 21% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% max.
• Calories: 447 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: Large and medium breeds 
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight
• Key Benefit: Contains medium-chain triglycerides that have been shown to be safe for dogs, and improve cognitive function in older dogs
• Price: $79.99 per 20-lb bag ($3.99-lb)

7. Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural Dry Dog Food

Earthborn Holistic is a line of dog food products carefully crafted by Midwestern Pet Foods. They create their own nutritious recipes, selectively choose their ingredients and prepare the dog foods with care in their state-of-the-art family-owned kitchens located in the US. Midwestern Pet Foods was founded in 1926 as a small milling company and is now in its 4th generation of family leadership. They independently manufacture their dog foods and treats and do not specialty co-pack for any other brands.

9.4

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This Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural Dry Dog Food blends protein from land and sea animals as the first ingredients. Chicken and whitefish meal will give the ideal amount of protein and energy to your Vizsla to maintain muscle mass. The L-Carnitine decreases fat storage by converting it into energy and fuel for your canine companion’s active body. To offset the protein, fruits, and vegetables such as carrots, blueberries, apples, and peas balance out the recipe.

This recipe blends protein from land and sea animals as the first ingredients. Chicken and whitefish meal will give your Vizsla the ideal amount of protein and energy to maintain muscle mass and overall health. Dog Food Care recommends Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural Dry Dog Food as a high-quality dog food at a reasonable price.

• First 5 Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potato, Tapioca, Dried Egg
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 32% min, Crude Fat 18% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max
• Calories: 400 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: Formulated for medium and large breeds like Bluetick Coonhounds and Vizslas with food sensitivities.
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
• Key Benefit: It Includes carefully-chosen vegetables and fruits, such as peas, blueberries, cranberries, apples, carrots, and spinach contain antioxidants important for everyday optimal health
• Price: $63.14 per 25-lb bag ($2.52-lb)

8. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food 

Bill Bishop and his sons Billy and Chris founded Blue Buffalo in 2003 in Wilton, Connecticut, to honor their beloved family dog, Blue. The Bishop family became increasingly concerned with the quality of Blue’s food when Blue had a bout with cancer at a young age. On April 24, 2018, General Mills, Inc. of Minneapolis announced its acquisition of Blue Buffalo Pet Products, Inc.

9.2

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Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food is made from fewer ingredients and zero grains to support dogs with food sensitivities. All Blue Buffalo Basics recipes start with real meat from a single animal protein source not often used in dog food, plus pumpkin and easily digested carbohydrates. 

This dog food has a far below-average amount of protein. Although we can’t tell precisely how much of this food is meat-based, we can at least see the meat is coming from the named quality sources: deboned turkey and turkey Meal. 

From looking at the ingredients, we can assume that quite a bit of the protein comes from plant-based sources. Potatoes are listed in two forms, and peas in four varieties near the top of the ingredient list. While both are good sources, if combined, they might represent a more significant percentage than the turkey and turkey meal combined. 

While the meats provide a lot of the fat source, we see Fish Oil listed. We want to see exactly where it’s coming from with any meat or fat, and unfortunately, “fish oil” is not specific about which animal(s) it’s made of. This makes it a questionable and possibly lower-quality source of fat.

After our review, we grade Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food as an average quality dog food product. However, the food is free of controversial and harmful ingredients. Therefore, Dog Food Care recommends this Blue Buffalo dog food but warns that it might not suit dogs with weight problems. 

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Potatoes, Turkey Meal (source of Glucosamine), Pea Starch, Peas
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 20% min, Crude Fat 12% min, Crude Fiber 6% Max
• Calories: 352kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: All breeds predisposed to food allergies, like Vizslas and Huskies.
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
• Key Benefit: Blue Buffalo Basics is a limited ingredient, grain-free dog food that doesn’t contain any chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or eggs, making it a good option for dogs with food sensitivities.
• Price: $60.98 per 24-lb bag ($2.54-lb)

9. American Natural Premium Grain-Free Ocean Fish Meal & Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food 

American Natural Premium was founded in 1998 by Gene Large and Jennifer Burlo as a way to provide high-quality pet food at an affordable price. Both animal lovers, Gene and Jennifer, already owned and ran Riverview Kennel on the beautiful Milwaukee River in rural Wisconsin. They were disappointed with the existing selection of dog foods, and the foods seemed either overpriced or filled with inexpensive, unnatural products.

9.4

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American Natural Premium delivers a grain-free surf ‘n’ turf option with no chicken ingredients with Grain-Free Ocean Fish Meal & Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food. Dogs that have developed a sensitivity to chicken protein or grains can try this super tasty alternative. Made with whitefish meal and salmon oil, this beneficial formula helps avoid upset stomachs and contains anti-inflammatory properties, and provides skin and coat nourishment with healthy omega fatty acids. A rich blend of antioxidants from wholesome carrots and spinach offers immune system support.

American Natural Premium Grain-Free Ocean Fish Meal & Potato Recipe is a great quality dog food at an average price. It has no controversial ingredients and does not use artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, making it an above-average dog food for your Vizsla at an average price. Dog Food Care recommends American Natural Premium Grain-Free Ocean Fish Meal & Potato Recipe.

• First 5 Ingredients: Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas, Potatoes, Pea Flour, Pork Meat Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 28% min, Crude Fat 15% min, Crude Fiber 6% Max
• Calories: 397 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: All breeds, from the small Shetland Sheepdogs to the Vizslas, and the giant Dogue de Bordeaux prone to food allergies. 
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
• Key Benefit: Designed for dogs that have developed sensitivities to chicken protein or grains.
• Price: $49.99 per 28-lb bag ($1.79-lb)

10. American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

American Journey is exclusively made for and distributed by Chewy, who works closely with production partners to create and develop their own recipes and oversee production to ensure it adheres to their quality standards. American Journey’s dog food is produced in Chewy’s partner facilities, located in Kansas.

9.1

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American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is full of nutritious ingredients that fuel your pet’s everyday adventures. The Salmon & Sweet Potato formula features real, deboned salmon with the protein and amino acids dogs need for leaner muscles and the exceptional flavor they instinctively crave. Delicious sweet potatoes and chickpeas are included to give your pup energy that lasts. 

With wholesome fruits and veggies like carrots, dried kelp, and blueberries, your canine companion is getting beneficial fiber, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. Omega fatty acids are plentiful, including DHA, an omega-3 that supports the healthy development of the brain and eyes. These omegas come from several sources like salmon oil and flaxseed, and they help keep your fellow adventurer’s skin and coat healthy. 

This recipe is grain-free and has no corn, wheat, or soy, making it an excellent choice for dogs prone to food sensitivities. Dog Food Care has no qualms about recommending this American Journey dog food for your Vizsla.

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal (a source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 32% min, Crude Fat 14% min, Crude Fiber 5% max.
• Calories: 390 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: Medium breeds like Vizslas, Beagles, and Boykin Spaniels.
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight
• Key benefit: Promotes lean muscle development and joint health in active adult dogs with animal protein, chondroitin sulfate, and glucosamine.
• Price: $52.99 per 24-lb bag ($2.21-lb) 

11. Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Adult Large Breed Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food

Nutro Natural Pet Food, founded in 1926, was acquired by Mars in 2007. Mars Inc. was established in 1911 and is now based in McLean, Virginia. Mars Inc. has two dry pet food manufacturing facilities for NUTRO™ products located in Henderson, North Carolina, and Victorville, California. 

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Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Sensitive Support with Real Lamb & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food is designed for medium and large breed dogs, particularly those with particular food sensitivities. Nutro’s Limited Ingredient Diet Sensitive Support recipes are made without ingredients that commonly cause food sensitivities in pets, like corn, wheat, soy, dairy protein, chicken, and beef.

Nutro says it is formulated with just ten key, natural ingredients or less. However, the choice of 10 ingredients could be questioned. Although the first two are deboned lamb and lamb meal, the remaining eight include four plant-based proteins with a biologically lower value than meat proteins. They include chickpeas, lentils, sweet potato, dried potato, potato starch, and potato protein, all also loaded with carbs – clearly reflected in the calorie count.

Combine all the plant proteins, and they might exceed the amount of animal protein in the recipe. Furthermore, the two remaining ingredients in the first 10 are sunflower oil and canola oil, which raise even more concerns about the volume of plant-based ingredients compared to protein obtained from the two lamb ingredients. 

The brand features an average protein content of 23% and a mean fat level of 15%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 53% for the overall product line. And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 66%. This means this Nutro product line contains below-average protein, near-average fat, and above-average carbs compared to other dry dog foods. 

Although this Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Sensitive Support with Real Lamb & Sweet Potato Grain-Free recipe might prevent food-related allergic reactions, it might not provide the level of nourishment we found in other anti-allergy dog foods reviewed in this exercise. Therefore, Dog Food Care recommends this Nutro product as an average-grade dog food with a high-calorie count.

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Chickpeas, Dried Potatoes, Dried Sweet Potatoes
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 22% min, Crude Fat 13% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% max.
• Calories: 475 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: Medium breeds like Vizslas, Beagles, and Boykin Spaniels.
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight
• Key Benefit: Made without ingredients that commonly cause food sensitivities in pets, like corn, wheat, soy, dairy protein, chicken, and beef
• Price: $57.95 per 22-lb bag ($2.63-lb) 

What are the facts you should know about dog foods for Vizslas?

What type of diet is perfect for your Vizsla?

You know your Vizsla best, and as long as you understand that a high-quality diet is packed with nutrients, you don’t have to feed more to get the benefits. Below is a list of different diet options for Vizslas.

• Kibble Diet 

A kibble diet is a dog food that is processed and cooked and comes in many different varieties. It is supposed to be a balanced diet and meet the dog’s nutritional needs required by law. Dry dog foods should have necessary ingredients such as animal protein, grains, cereals, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

• Raw Diet

A raw diet usually consists of organ meat, muscle meat, whole or ground bone, raw eggs, and dog-friendly vegetables. It comes in many different forms: dehydrated raw, freeze-dried raw, pre-packaged raw, BARF (biologically appropriate raw food), and PMR (Prey Model Raw). Vizsla dog parents are advised to feed raw diets under the eye of someone knowledgeable in this area, such as a clinical nutritionist.

• Home Cooked Diet

A home-cooked meal prepared for a dog can consist of many different animal proteins and vegetables. It is based on the nutritional needs and health issues of the dog. Home-cooked diets require dietary supplements such as Balance IT to ensure that the dog’s nutritional needs are met. Vizsla parents feeding a home-cooked diet would be advised to do so under the care of a veterinary nutritionist.

What health conditions should be considered when feeding your Vizsla?

Vizslas are prone to several health conditions that should be considered when choosing the best dog food.

• Skin allergies

Even though Vizslas have single coats, they are predisposed to food allergies and occasional environmental allergies that cause skin conditions like repeated hot spots. If your gentle furry friend suffers from food allergies, it’s essential to remember that they will usually have additional symptoms. They could suffer chronic ear infections, digestion problems, and skin issues. 

• Obesity

Vizslas are not prone to weight problems that could lead to obesity. However, overweight dogs are often caused by owners who do not realize the dangers of over-feeding their precious pups. They should be fed their daily food, divided into two meals per day, to maintain a healthy weight. Overfeeding, or even free-feeding a Vizsla will lead to other health problems such as joint conditions, heart disease, and canine bloat/GDV, which could be deadly.

What Should You Avoid Feeding Your Vizsla?

Not all dog food ingredients are suitable for your canine companion. Some provide little to no nutritional value, while others only function as fillers or preservatives. And the dangerous part? Some pet food ingredients can put your Vizsla’s life at risk.

For responsible owners of medium-sized dogs like Vizslas, English Bulldogs, Bassets, Huskies, and Poodles, it pays to inspect the ingredients of dog foods closely before feeding them to your furry friend. Below is a list of some ingredients to avoid.

• BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is a chemical preservative added to fats and oils. The United States, Canada, and other European countries approve the use of BHA, but only in small doses. However, the CDC regards BHA as a carcinogen for humans, and it could be as deadly to dogs. Potential adverse effects include liver and kidney damage and skin and eye irritation.
• White Flour is a starchy ingredient, a simple carbohydrate used as a binding agent and filler in some dog foods. During the bleaching process, most of the nutrients from the wheat are stripped away. 

This ingredient can drastically increase or decrease the dog’s blood sugar levels, and it only keeps them full for a short time. When this happens, your dog consumes more food than usual, increasing the risk of diabetes and obesity.

• Unspecified Meals can be harmful if the source is not specified. While specified meals like beef meal, chicken meal, and salmon meal are excellent protein sources, meat meal, poultry meal, and fish meal, leave you guessing. It could contain low-quality, expired, or infected meat. It can also include fatty tissues or remains of dead animals from shelters.

When you see unspecified meals on the ingredient labels, you can be sure they are used as fillers. Their only purpose is to cut costs and benefit the manufacturers’ bottom lines.

• Artificial Food Colorings and flavors have no nutritional benefits. Instead, they can be harmful. Manufacturers add artificial colors to make the food appear more appetizing for dog owners, and artificial flavors are added to make low-quality food smell appetizing to dogs. Flavors like chicken liver flavor and pork liver flavor feature in several brands of dog food. Dogs care for taste, not color. Artificial colorings used in dog foods, known as Blue 2, Red 40, and Yellow 5, are linked to hyperacidity and extreme allergic reactions to food. Only get dog food that is naturally colored.
• Corn Syrup is often used as a cheap source of flavoring in pet treats. This concentrated sweetener has a thick, syrupy consistency once extracted and processed from corn. It’s highly addictive to dogs, so they keep coming back for more. It can cause an abrupt rise and fall in your dog’s blood sugar. Letting your dog consume corn syrup with their diet also puts them at risk of diabetes and obesity.
• Rendered Fat is a non-descript ingredient that enhances the flavor of some pet foods. However, it’s one of those dog food ingredients with poor quality, since it comes from unidentifiable sources. Because of this, rendered fat can become a breeding ground for mold and harmful microorganisms like salmonella. It also contains high toxin levels, such as heavy metals, highly concentrated in their fat content. What you want to see is specified fat, like chicken fat.
• Vegetable Oil may seem like a pretty healthy ingredient. However, the nutrient value of this type of oil depends on where it came from and how they were processed. Vegetable oil is derived from corn and soybean oils. It contains omega-6 fatty acids, which are considered healthy for dogs in limited quantities.

Added to other fatty ingredients in the recipe may cause excessive levels of Omega-6, which could trigger inflammation. It can negatively affect your dog’s joints and worsen their arthritis, hip and joint pains, and other related conditions.

• Farmed Salmon, unlike freshwater salmon, could harm your Vizsla’s health. Salmon is an excellent source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids for humans and dogs. But here’s the catch: the wrong kind of salmon can be toxic to your dogs. Unlike fresh salmon, farmed salmon are bred in artificial environments instead of wild waters. They are less nutritious than fresh salmon. Farmed salmon are typically shown on ingredient lists as “salmon meal” or “salmon oil.”

Furthermore, they could contain many harmful chemicals like mercury, pollutants, and other fat-soluble toxins. When ingested in huge quantities, these substances can be cancerous to your dog. Farmed salmon also contain 9 Nitrates/Nitrites that serve as preservatives for products like processed meats. Sodium nitrite is the most common preserving ingredient linked to cancer and a blood disorder called methemoglobin in dogs.

• Melamine usually serves as a filler ingredient to reach the required protein content for pet food. But in reality, it’s a type of plastic that contains nitrogen. This dangerous substance can contaminate your dog’s food.

Ingesting this is toxic for your canine companion. Depending on their size and the amount of melamine added, its consumption can lead to kidney failure. Melamine caused one of the worst pet food recalls in 2007.

What is the Feeding schedule for Vizslas?

How much should you feed your Vizsla?

Because of the Vizsla’s high activity needs, you should feed this breed a diet comprised of excellent quality proteins and well-balanced to meet its nutritional requirements. The best dog foods for Vizslas contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat, with higher amounts also acceptable for this energetic dog.

It would be best if you watched your Vizsla’s weight very closely. If you overfeed your furry friend, your dog will develop joint and other health problems due to its size.

It is essential to remember that feeding guides on dog food bags are precisely that – guides based on age and weight. However, your dog’s activity level, metabolism, and overall health are essential in determining how much to feed him. 

Also, keep in mind that puppy food is different from the food you will feed an adult Vizsla dog. Please buy appropriate food for your dog’s life stage. Adult dog food can be too big for puppies and can cause harm to their teeth and gums. Below are guides for feeding puppies.

Your Vizsla’s recommended daily quantities are listed below, and you can adjust those to meet your canine companion’s unique needs.

• 1 3/4 cups per day if they weigh 30 pounds
• 2 1/4 cups per day if they weigh 40 pounds
• 2 2/3 cups per day if they weigh 50 pounds

Calculate 1 to 1 ½ cups per 25 pounds of body weight if your dog weighs more than 50 pounds.

Remember that you must divide the total daily food allocation into several daily meals to prevent the deadly risk of bloat. Puppies should each three to four times per day, and twice per day is good enough for adult dogs.

When should I feed my Vizsla adult dog food instead of puppy food?

You can choose a puppy food that is made for all puppies or a large breed puppy food. Most breeders recommend feeding this food until your puppy reaches about 90 percent of his adult size, which is usually 10-12 months of age for this breed. Some breeders, instead, recommend puppy food for the first few months and then suggest switching to adult food by the time the puppy is about six months of age. You should talk to your breeder about the food they recommend for their puppies since they usually have experience with how their puppies grow and develop.

What ingredients to look for in Vizsla dog food?

What you want to see on your Vizsla’s dog food labels:

• Real meat is the first ingredient 
• Fillers, if any, (corn, wheat, soy) should be listed low on the ingredients list. 
• If a “meal” is listed, be sure it’s from a specific source like chicken meal, beef meal, or salmon meal. You don’t want to see a general “meal” like poultry meal, fish meal, etc., which leave you with a guess as to the source of the meal. The fact that it is a meal is not a bad thing. It is significantly more concentrated than the fresh product because the source product is dehydrated and worked into a fine meal, losing no nutrients in the boiling process. 
• Specific protein by-products like beef by-products are high in nutritional value and generally not an issue. However, watch out for general statements like by-product meals, as these are lower in quality. 

What you don’t want to see on your Vizsla’s dog food label:

• The name of the food contains the statement “with” or “flavor,” like “with beef” or “beef-flavored,” as this indicates a small percentage of real meat. 
• The same ingredient is listed multiple times using different names, such as high-fructose corn syrup, sugar, sucrose, and corn syrup. This tactic is often used to hide high levels of an unwanted ingredient by dividing them and using different terms on the ingredients list. The same goes for manufacturers trying to hide high filler contents like corn, cornmeal, and ground corn, which, if shown under one name, might even exceed the amount of the primary protein at number one on the ingredients list.
• Fillers in foods and treats or too many fillers in dog food may not be biologically appropriate for your Vizsla.
• Artificial colors and flavors