9 Best Dog Foods for Weimaraners

Weimaraners are large-sized dogs, weighing from 55 to 90 pounds.

A male Weimaraner is 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder; females are smaller at 23 to 25 inches tall. Their bodies are muscular and built for work, streamlined, and able to run with great endurance. The head is solid and hound-like with dropped ears. Weimaraners generally mature at 1 to 2 years, although they reach their full size around 6 to 8 months.

According to owners and breeders, the Weimaraner 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, 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. Weimaraners are also predisposed to hip and elbow dysplasia, so choose a dog food that supports joint health. They are also prone to suffer from bloat, which can be deadly, so always divide your canine companion’s daily food into several servings.

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.

Carbohydrates should not be the significant component of your Weimaraner dog diet but rather a supplement since carbs only provide additional energy, minerals, and essential vitamins, which are also crucial for healthy growth. And Weimaraners tend to gain weight quickly, which may lead to obesity.

However, it is necessary to note that although whole grains are a great source of carbohydrates, you should never provide them to your Weimaraners since grains pose a considerable risk to Weimaraners 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 Weimaraners through their different life stages:

Weimaraner puppy diet:

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

Adult Weimaraner diet: 

Once your Weimaraner 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 Weimaraner diet: As your Weimaraner 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 Weimaraner 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 Weimaraner’s parents. 

• Learn the six essential nutrients every dog needs.
• Learn how much to feed your Weimaraner
• 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 Weimaraner’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 Weimaraner’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 Weimaraner’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 Weimaraner’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 9 Dog Foods listed below 

After reviewing many dog food brands for your Weimaraner, Dog Food Care recommends those that stood out as best.

1. Merrick Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food
2. Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate Recipe Canned Food
3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Wild Game Recipe Dry Dog Food
4. Canidae All Life Stages Dry Dog Food for Large Breeds 
5. American Journey Senior Chicken and Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. 
6. Diamond Naturals Beef Meal and Rice Dry Dog Food
7. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food
8. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food
9. Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Adult Dog Food

The packaging of the above dry dog foods ranges from 24-pound bags to 44-pound bags, and prices from $44.00 to $79.98 per bag. When broken down to prices per pound, the average is $1.93 per pound.

Dog Food Care’s choice of top 6 dog foods for Weimaraner dogs is listed below.

Image	Product	Features	Price
Best Overall	Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Sweet Potato Easy digestion with grain and gluten-free recipe Glucosamine and chondroitin promote strong joints First ingredient is premium, deboned chicken	10	Check Price
Best Wet Food	Merrick Grain Free Wet Puppy Food Puppy Plate Beef Recipe Made with real texas beef and a hearty, delicious stew Gravy mixed with apples, sweet potatoes and carrots Guaranteed DHA levels to support your puppy's brain development	9.9	Check Price
Health Maintenance	Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Wild Game Duck, Turkey, Boar & Rabbit Nutritionally complete recipe with premium protein and superfoods Contains taurine to support heart health Grain-free dog food	9.7	Check Price
Best Grain-Inclusive	Canidae All Life Stages Premium Dry Dog Food Turkey Meal and Brown Rice Formula Formulated with wholesome grains Guaranteed levels of probiotics to help with digestive tract Enhanced with vitamins and minerals	9.7	Check Price
Best for Seniors	American Journey Senior Chicken and Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Great tasting sweet potato is a great source of fiber Blend of antioxidants support immune system health No grains, soy, wheat, corn and poultry by-products	9.6	Check Price
Best Value	Diamond Naturals Dry Food for Adult Dog, Beef and Rice Formula Great source of Vitamin E and selenium Pasture-raised beef is the first ingredient Made with a variety of vegetables and fruits that provide essential nutrients	9.4	Check Price

Below are Dog Food Care’s top 9 recommendations for feeding your Weimaraner at its different life stages:

Best Overall
1. Merrick Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Adult 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.

10/10Our Score

• Easy digestion with grain and gluten-free recipe
• Glucosamine and chondroitin promote strong joints
• First ingredient is premium, deboned chicken

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Merrick Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food is an average-priced dog food with exceptional quality. The recipe contains whole foods. Deboned chicken is the first ingredient. It provides high-quality protein for adult dogs of all breeds like Weimaraners, Dobermans, and Labradors. This product has no controversial ingredients, including zero artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. This grain-free food is made without corn, wheat, soy, and gluten for dog breeds prone to food allergies.

That’s one of the reasons why Merrick Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food was chosen as our “Best Overall Dry Dog Food” for the Weimaraner. 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 Weimaraners, Border Collies, and other very active 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, Peas
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 30% min, Crude Fat 17% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max
• Calories: 388 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: Large breed adult dogs
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight
• Key Benefits: Includes glucosamine and chondroitin to help maintain healthy hips and joints through your dog’s active adult life and help prevent chronic arthritis-related pain in its golden years.
• Price: $79.98 per 30-lb bag ($2.67-lb) 

Best Wet Food
2. Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate Recipe Canned 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.

9.9/10Our Score

• Made with real texas beef and a hearty, delicious stew
• Gravy mixed with apples, sweet potatoes and carrots
• Guaranteed DHA levels to support your puppy's brain development

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For puppy parents who prefer feeding their precious pups canned dog food, Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate Beef Recipe Canned Food is an exceptional product with no controversial ingredients at all, including zero artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. The food also has well-balanced amounts of protein, fat, and carbs and excellent meat and fat quality, and it is 100% free from corn, wheat, soy, chicken, and by-products. 

This wholesome grain-free wet food for puppies is made with deboned beef and beef broth as first and second on the ingredients list. Furthermore, beef liver is listed at number seven among carrots, apples, and sweet potatoes in a savory gravy and includes DHA to help support cognitive development. 

This recipe includes essential vitamins and minerals for a complete and balanced diet. Dog Food Care highly recommends this canned food made by Merricks for puppies likely to suffer food allergies like Weimaraners, Labrador Retrievers, West Highland White Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels. This Merrick canned grain-free food is Dog Food Care’s best overall wet dog food choice and is highly recommended. 

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Beef Broth, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Apples
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 8% min, Crude Fat 3% min, Crude Fiber 3% Max
• Calories: 348 kcal per 12.7-oz can
• Suitable for which dogs: Puppies of all breeds prone to food allergies.
• Feeding: one 12.7-oz can for every 10 pounds of the puppy’s body weight.
• Key Benefit: This beef recipe offers pups the protein they need to thrive, while Merrick’s limited ingredient recipe is free of ingredients like chicken, corn, wheat, and soy, creating peak hypoallergenic nutrition.
• Price: $39.36 per case of 12 x 12.7-oz cans ($3.28 per can) 

Best for Overall Health
3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Wild Game Recipe 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. 

9.7/10Our Score

• Nutritionally complete recipe with premium protein and superfoods
• Contains taurine to support heart health
• Grain-free dog food

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Wellness CORE Grain-Free Wild Game Recipe is a high-quality dog food at an average price. This recipe is free of controversial ingredients, including zero artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors, and formulated for breeds prone to food allergies. The protein, fat, and carbs are well-balanced with excellent meat and fat quality.

Spoil your furry friend with Wellness CORE Natural Wild Game Duck, Turkey, Boar & Rabbit. This grain-free dry food for dogs features high-protein duck, lamb, turkey, wild boar, rabbit, and easily-digestible legumes. It is fortified for whole-body health with antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids. This dry dog food is formulated using advanced natural nutrition that balances premium protein with nutrient-rich superfoods to promote lean body mass, muscle tone, and a healthy coat and skin.

It has a savory flavor that dogs love and does not contain any meat by-products, fillers, grain, corn, soy, wheat gluten, or artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Dog Food Care can confidently recommend this dog food as the best overall health maintenance option for your large breed canine companion.

• First 5 Ingredients: Duck, Lamb Meal (source of Glucosamine), Chickpeas, Chicken Meal (source of Chondroitin Sulfate), Peas
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 34% min, Crude Fat 16% min, Crude Fiber 6% Max
• Calories: 379 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: All breeds from small Border Terriers to Giants like Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and large breeds like Weimaraners.
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
• Key Benefits: Features high-protein duck, lamb, turkey, wild boar, rabbit, and easily-digestible legumes formulated for dogs with food sensitivities.
• Price: $74.99 per 26-lb bag ($2.88-lb)

Best Grain-Inclusive
4. Canidae All Life Stages Dry Dog Food for Large Breed 

CANIDAE is a family-owned company founded in 1996 by owners Scott Whipple and John Gordon. Along with introducing its farm, located in Kansas, USA, Canidae also operates a cooking facility and distribution center in Texas, USA.

9.7/10Our Score

• Formulated with wholesome grains
• Guaranteed levels of probiotics to help with digestive tract
• Enhanced with vitamins and minerals

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CANIDAE All Life Stages Turkey Meal & Rice Formula Large Breed Dry Dog Food is a low-price product of exceptional quality. 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. The calorie count of this product is high enough for your very active, large Weimaraner 

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 grain-free formulas. Thus, Dog Food Care highly recommends CANIDAE All Life Stages grain-free kibble as the best option for large breeds like Weimaraners.

• First 5 Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Peas, Oatmeal, Barley
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 24% min, Crude Fat 13% min, Crude Fiber 4.5% Max
• Calories: 516 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: All active breeds, from your Weimaraner 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: Veterinarian-formulated specifically for large breed dogs of all ages.
• Price: $74.99 per 44-lb bag ($1.70-lb) 

Best for Seniors
5. American Journey Senior Chicken and Sweet Potato 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.

9.6/10Our Score

• Great tasting sweet potato is a great source of fiber
• Blend of antioxidants support immune system health
• No grains, soy, wheat, corn and poultry by-products

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American Journey Senior Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is full of nutritious ingredients to keep your Weimaraner healthy and active in his golden years. American Journey Grain-Free Senior kibble is formulated with specially selected nutrients to support overall health in senior dogs. 

Coconut oil provides medium-chain triglycerides to support brain health in aging dogs, antioxidants help support the immune system, and omega fatty acids help maintain healthy skin and coat. Glucosamine and chondroitin will support joint health and mobility to allow your aging Weimaraner to continue going where his adventures take him.

Every meal delivers a complete and balanced diet with real chicken as the first ingredient, essential vitamins and minerals, and nutrient-dense ingredients like sweet potatoes, blueberries, and mineral-rich marine algae. 

There are no grains, wheat, corn, soy, or by-product meals from chicken or other poultry, so it is an excellent choice for dogs prone to food sensitivities. Dog Food Care has no qualms about recommending this American Journey dog food product for your Weimaraner and other large breed senior dogs like Pointers and Boxers.

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal (a source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 30% min, Crude Fat 11% min, Crude Fiber 7% max.
• Calories: 355 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: Large breeds like Weimaraners, Samoyed Huskies, and Airedale Terriers.
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight
• Key benefit: Promotes lean muscle maintenance and joint health in senior dogs with animal protein, chondroitin sulfate, and glucosamine.
• Price: $49.99 per 24-lb bag ($2.08-lb)

Best Value
6. Diamond Naturals Beef Meal and Rice 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.

9.4/10Our Score

• Great source of Vitamin E and selenium
• Pasture-raised beef is the first ingredient
• Made with a variety of vegetables and fruits that provide essential nutrients

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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 adult dry dog food recipe is made with real beef protein, fish protein, and real fruits and vegetables, including kale, blueberries, and coconut. It provides your furry friend with protein, minerals, and omega fatty acids to help promote healthy skin and a shiny coat—also antioxidants for overall nose-to-tail well-being. Support your canine companion’s health by providing a complete and balanced diet with Diamond Naturals.

Diamond Naturals Beef Meal and Rice 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 Meal, Grain Sorghum, Ground White Rice, Dried Yeast, Egg Product
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 25% min, Crude Fat 15% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max
• Calories: 399 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: Grain-sensitive Adult breed dogs like Dalmatians and Weimaraners
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight.
• Key Benefit: With real pasture-raised beef protein as the #1 ingredient, this recipe helps support bones, joints, and lean, strong muscles.
• Price: $40.99 40-lb bag ($1.04-lb)

7. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food

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

9.2/10Our Score

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Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula is a low-priced dog food with good quality. This product has one controversial ingredient but no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Compared to its protein and fat content, it has a high amount of carbs, with meat and fat from mixed quality sources. 

The ingredients list shows ocean fish meal at number 15 on the list. Fish meal is made by cooking fish to remove the water, dry it, and ground it to produce fish meal. Fish meals contain about four times the protein than fresh fish, so generally, they’re a good source of nutrients. While fish is typically nutritious, this ingredient doesn’t identify the species it comes from, making it questionable and intransparent. 

Sources could include rotten, dead, dying, disabled, or diseased fish sources. For that reason, we do not consider this a high-quality ingredient. Salmon oil follows immediately after the fish meal on the list, leaving us guessing why the oil is identified but not the fish meal.

For that reason, we do not consider this a high-quality ingredient. However, because it is not among the top 10 ingredients, the amount of ocean fish meal may not be significant. Thus, Dog Food Care can confidently recommend this dog food for your Weimaraner puppy.

• First 5 Ingredients: Water Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Egg Product, Pea Protein
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 28% min, Crude Fat 17% min, Crude Fiber 5% max.
• Calories: 415 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: All breed puppies with food sensitivities.
• Feeding: one 8-oz cup of food for every 25 pounds of its body weight
• Key Benefit: Made without grains, corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or artificial colors
• Price: $55.99 per 28-lb bag ($2.00-lb)

8. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula 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.

9.1/10Our Score

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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is a low-priced dry dog food with average quality. The food also has a high amount of carbs compared to its protein and fat, but excellent meat and fat quality. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food

However, this product has zero controversial ingredients — that also means no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. The food has a high amount of carbs causing lower protein and fat content, but excellent meat and fat quality. 

All Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formulas start with real meat, whole grains, garden veggies, and fruit. This recipe is free of corn, wheat, soy, or chicken (or poultry) by-product meals for dogs with food allergy problems. Therefore, Dog Food Care recommends this Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food.

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 24% min, Crude Fat 14% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max
• Calories: 377kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: All breeds predisposed to food allergies, like Weimaraners 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: $40.00 per 30-lb bag ($1.33-lb)

9. Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Senior 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. 

9/10Our Score

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Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Senior Dry Dog Food is designed for senior large breed dogs, particularly those with food sensitivities. This dry food is specially formulated to provide both nutrition and flavor. Real chicken is at the very top of the ingredient list for a high-quality protein source. 

Natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin support healthy joints to ease chronic pain from arthritis in senior dogs. Furthermore, essential antioxidants help immunity, and natural fiber promotes good digestion. This food is made with non-GMO ingredients, and you won’t find any by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy.

This Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Senior Dry Dog Food recipe is high in carbs and somewhat low in protein and fats, making it less nutritionally balanced compared to other dog foods we evaluated. However, it is free of ingredients typically responsible for allergic reactions, and it contains joint protective triglycerides. We see brewer’s rice, a controversial ingredient, near the top of the ingredients list. 

For these reasons, Dog Food Care recommends this Nutro product as an average-grade dog food at an affordable price. 

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Grain Brown Rice, Brewers Rice
• Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 22% min, Crude Fat 10% min, Crude Fiber 4% max.
• Calories: 304 kcal per 8-oz cup
• Suitable for which dogs: Senior dogs of all breeds like Weimaraners, Basset Hounds, and German Shepherds.
• 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, and soy.
• Price: $49.49 per 30-lb bag ($1.65-lb) 

What are the Facts You Should Know About Dog Foods for Weimaraners?

What type of diet is perfect for your Weimaraner?

You know your Weimaraner 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. However, do not lose sight of the breed’s tendency to have food-related allergies. Below is a list of different diet options for Weimaraners.

• 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, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, cereals, antioxidants, etc.

• 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). Weimaraner 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. Weimaraner 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 Weimaraner?

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

• Skin allergies

Even though Weimaraners 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

Weimaraners are not prone to weight concerns 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. To maintain a healthy weight, they should be fed their daily food, divided into two meals per day. Overfeeding, or even free-feeding a Weimaraner will lead to other health issues such as joint conditions, heart disease, and canine bloat/GDV, which could be deadly.

What are the ingredients to avoid in dog food for Weimaraners?

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 Weimaraner’s life at risk.

For responsible owners of large dogs like Weimaraners, Siberian Huskies, and Dalmations, it pays to inspect the ingredients of dog foods closely before feeding them to your furry friend. Weimaraners are prone to food sensitivities and obesity. 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, infected meat, and even rotten meat or fish. It can also include fatty tissues or remains of dead animals from animal 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 because they replace quality ingredients with fillers.

• 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 Weimaraner’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 Dog Foods for Weimaraners are recommended by Vets?

Choosing the best food for your dog is not a process without problems. Should you go for the lowest price, the most striking packaging, the marketing material, and TV ads, or should you go for what is best for your dog? You know your canine companion best, and should take aboard everything you read and hear, then make up your own mind. However, it is always wise to discuss any uncertainties with your vet. Below are some top-quality dog food for Weimaraners at different life stages, considering that they are prone to have food allergies.

• Best Overall Dry Dog Food: Merrick Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food $79.98 per 30-lb bag ($2.67-lb) 
• Best Overall Wet Dog Food: Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate Recipe Canned Food $39.36 per case of 12 x 12.7-oz cans ($3.28 per can) 
• Best for Overall Health Maintenance: Wellness CORE Grain-Free Wild Game Recipe Dry Dog Food $74.99 per 26-lb bag ($2.88-lb)
• Best for Large Breeds: Canidae All Life Stages Dry Dog Food for Large Breeds $74.99 per 44-lb bag ($1.70-lb)
• Best for Senior Dogs: American Journey Senior Chicken and Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog Food $49.99 per 24-lb bag ($2.08-lb)
• Best Price-Effective: Diamond Naturals Beef Meal and Rice Dry Dog Food $40.99 40-lb bag ($1.04-lb)

Should Weimaraners Avoid Grain?

No, only Weimaraners with grain allergies should avoid eating specific grains. However, the Weimaraner breed is predisposed to food-related allergies, and owners should only feed their canine companions grain-free food if their vets recommend it. 

Below is a list of healthy grains, followed by a list of grains all dog parents should avoid.

• Whole wheat: The outer layer of a wheat kernel is the wheat bran, which is rich in fiber. Fiber acts as a prebiotic, nourishing the good bacteria in your dog’s digestive system.
• Brown rice: Unlike white rice, brown rice still has outer kernel layers. It provides fiber, carbohydrates, and B vitamins, essential for energy metabolism and enzyme function. Brown rice is also a natural magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, and vitamin E source.
• Barley: Barley has an exceptionally high energy content compared to other grains. Barley is also rich in B vitamins. Non-hulled barley appears on dog food labels as barley groats and is an excellent fiber source for dogs. Although rarer, barley groats are the preferable form of this grain.
• Oats: The low glycemic index of oats helps control blood sugar. And the soluble fiber from whole oats helps manage cholesterol. Oats are high in protein and low in gluten, and they are popular in formulas for dogs with sensitivities to corn, wheat, or other grains.
• Millet: This grain is gluten-free, a popular choice for gluten-sensitive dogs who prefer grain-inclusive diets. Additional features of millet include high concentrations of antioxidants, which boost your dog’s immune system.
• Quinoa: It is a healthier alternative to corn and wheat. This ancient grain is nutrient-dense and packed with calcium. Calcium is an essential mineral in canine diets that plays a critical role in bone development. The presence of saponin in quinoa can irritate canine intestines. But the tiny fraction of saponin present in quinoa is too small to cause health problems in normal portions.
• Sorghum: Sorghum is an ancient grain with a low glycemic index, beneficial for diabetic dogs. It has antioxidant effects and provides minerals like phosphorus, copper, magnesium, and zinc. 
• Rye: Rye has a similar nutritional profile as barley, but not for dogs with gluten sensitivities, celiac disease, or grain intolerance. Often used in food for weight control because Rye can help promote weight loss, blood sugar control, and heart health.
• Corn: It can be controversial. Some pups suffer from corn allergies, but it is high in digestible carbohydrates, vitamin E, and beta-carotene for others. It also provides essential fatty acids that support coat health.

Low-Quality Grains to Avoid

By-products are secondary ingredients created by the production of something else. Although considered safe for dogs, most grain by-products are manufacturing waste not suitable for human consumption. These grain products appear in dry dog food for convenience and affordability, not nutritional value. Selecting a formula that uses whole-grain ingredients instead of grain by-products ensures that your dog’s diet prioritizes health over profit margins.

• Wheat Gluten: This dry powder is a highly processed product from wheat, often used as a cheap protein source to manipulate a high protein content. Animal proteins are much more bioavailable to dogs. And gluten can be problematic for pups with food allergies.
• Corn Gluten Meal: Corn gluten meal is a by-product of highly processed corn products like corn syrup. This ingredient does not have any gluten and is made solely of protein. But this protein has exceptionally poor digestibility.
• Wheat Middlings: This manufacturing by-product is often called floor sweepings. It comprises leftovers from mills that make wheat products for human consumption. This ingredient has limited nutritional value besides acting as a source of carbs.
• Cereal Fines: Cereal fines consist of fine particles produced by cereal grain processing. This debris typically doesn’t list the origin of the grain, making it difficult to determine the ingredient’s nutritional value. An unknown origin is also problematic for allergies.
• Grain Hulls: Rice hulls and oat hulls are standard grain products used for fiber in pet food. The hulls are by-products of refining grains and may not provide the same nutritional benefits as the whole grain ingredient.