The Best Dog Food for Weimaraners in 2022

Now that you have a better idea of 10 of the best dog foods for Weimaraners available, we will now run through some of the things to look out for when you are trying to offer your dog a nutritious meal.

• Good Sources of Protein

As we mentioned in the opening paragraph, high-quality protein is an important dietary requirement of a Weimaraner. Meat, fish, and poultry all contain complete protein sources with all 10 essential amino acids included. Remember, your dog’s body is best-evolved to digest and metabolize animal products ahead of plant products. Find out more about high protein dog food here.

• Positive Fat Content

Fat is another main food group which needs to form a central part of your dog’s diet. A couple of good-quality sources include chicken fat and salmon oil, which are both easy for your dog to metabolize. Your dog can also get supplementary sources of fats from plants, which contain positive substances like omega-3 and omega-6 content. Take a look at our review of fish oils for dogs for more info.

• Additional Energy

While dogs don’t have the same nutritional need for carbohydrates like human beings, ingredients like fruits, whole grains, and vegetables can provide extra energy, fiber, and other essential nutrients. Bear in mind that while fiber encourages healthy digestion, an excess amount of it can lead to an upset stomach. Around 3-5% of crude fiber is a good guideline to follow.

• Age of Your Dog

The age of your dog also has an impact on their dietary requirements. Puppies need plenty of protein and fat to support their healthy growth and development. However, you need to avoid overfeeding to reduce potential issues directly associated with musculoskeletal concerns. Once they have reached their full size, adults still require plenty of protein to maintain their muscle mass and may also need higher levels of fat than other breeds to keep up their high energy levels. And just like all dogs, they are bound to start slowing down when they get older. This is time to consider switching to a specially formulated senior dog food. Alternatively, you could offer them a blend of food designed to maintain their health into old age.

Now, let’s examine the specific nutritional needs of Weimaraners in greater detail. While they don’t vary hugely from other types of dog, there are a few areas which are a little more specific, especially if yours is a hunting dog and not just a pet. So, here is a bit more about their specific nutritional requirements.

• High-Quality Proteins

Dogs are animals which thrive on eating high-quality protein, which generally needs to come from meat. While some plant foods provide protein as well, the main source should be meat-based. Unless your dog has any specific food sensitivities, chicken, pork, and beef are always great choices. However, there are a few other less conventional sources available such as salmon, turkey, and buffalo. Many of the best dog foods for Weimaraners list two or more of these protein sources in the first few ingredients.

One of the main jobs of protein is to build and develop muscles, which is especially important if you have a dog who hunts. Also, protein helps to boost the immune system, which is obviously central in helping to keep your dog healthy. Don’t settle for substandard protein sources such as meat by-products. You should also be wary of too much plant protein, which your dog cannot digest as easily as meat. So, always check the back of the packaging to get a better idea how much protein is coming from meat and how much from plants.

• Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals provide the added extras which your dog needs, especially if they regularly take part in high-energy activities. Calcium and phosphorous are both important, as they help to keep their teeth and bones strong, as well as warding off musculoskeletal conditions such as hip dysplasia. Also, vitamins A, C, and E are all important for the antioxidants, which help to prevent common issues such as entropion and corneal dystrophy. Check out our guide on dog vitamins for more info.

• Joint-Friendly

Substances like glucosamine and chondroitin play a big role in helping your dog’s mobility and flexibility, as well as relieving any pain issues which they may be having. All dogs can benefit from this, whether they are hunters or not, and especially if they are advancing in years. For a wider selection of choices, check out our dog joint supplements guide.

Having a better idea of what your dog should avoid eating is another important aspect of being a responsible pet owner.

• Common Food Irritants

There are plenty of irritants which can aggravate your dog’s sensitive stomach. Just a few of the most common include corn, soy, and wheat. So, you could make a special effort to steer clear of the dog food which contains these substances. If you have a pet who is especially sensitive to gluten and cereal grains such as wheat and cereal grains such as wheat and corn, these should all be avoided. There are plenty of high-quality, grain-free dog foods which we have already discussed in this blog post.

• Artificial Additives

Many dog foods center on their all-natural qualities, which are designed to keep their immune system strong. So, if you want to keep to this natural ethos, it makes sense that you avoid dog foods which contain artificial preservatives, colors, sweeteners, or flavors. Again, this is clearly labeled on many of the best dog food for Weimaraners which we have discussed above.

• Too Many Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are not as important for dogs as human beings, so you don’t need to offer too many to your dog. Many of the best sources of carbs come from sources such as sweet potatoes or brown rice. Carb-feeding of your dog should be kept at the low to moderate level.

While Weimaraners are tough and resilient dogs with a muscular build and sturdy frame, they can still suffer from a host of health conditions. So, let’s run through some of these in more detail, as well as what you can potentially do to help prevent them from becoming an issue.

• Bloating

Weimaraners are deep-chested and therefore more likely to suffer from bloating. So, you should avoid food which is going to fill up their stomachs too much. While the condition on its own is not overly serious, it can lead to more severe and potentially life-threatening issues such as gastric torsion. Ultimately, this leads to the inward twisting of their stomach, which can, in turn, cut off blood circulation and require emergency surgery to be performed. Therefore, small meals during the day instead of a single larger one are better for them. Another common suggestion is to limit the exercise that your dog gets just before or after eating.

• Skin Allergies

Skin allergies are another common issue amongst this breed of dog. Conditions which are directly caused by ectoparasites like ticks and fleas tend to be especially problematic. Often, these occur when your dog heads out on a hunting trip or a similar expedition into the wilderness. When they bite or scratch their skin, this can lead to perforations and more serious problems arising. So, you should make sure that you treat this issue as soon as possible, whether this is through using medicated dog shampoo or another similar treatment.

• Eye Trouble

This breed tends to be more prone to suffering from eye conditions such as entropion and retinal dysplasia, which leads to folds in the retina of your dog. As you can imagine, this can end up being very uncomfortable for them. While these are sometimes the result of viral problems, they can also be the result of a vitamin A deficiency, so make sure that they are getting plenty of this substance in their diet.

• Hypothyroidism

Medium and larger dogs are often more prone to suffering from hypothyroidism. A few of the common symptoms include hair loss, muscle depletion, tiredness, and a slow heart rate. Essentially, the issue is caused when the thyroid gland no longer produces the hormones as efficiently as it once did. If you suspect that this may be an issue, take your dog into the vet at the earliest possible opportunity.

• Hip Dysplasia

Just as it is in many larger dogs, hip dysplasia can be an issue in Weimaraners. If you have a dog who suffers from this condition or any other form of osteoarthritis, you should try to make sure that they stay slim and don’t get overweight. Extra weight can end up putting undue pressure on bones and joints. Dog food which contains calcium and other similar substances can help out with this issue as well

• Separation Anxiety

While this is not a specific health issue, some Weimaraner owners report that they have had issues with separation anxiety in their dog. One way that you can help to avoid this socializing your dog at a young age. Anxiety should be tackled as early as possible as it can lead to future digestive issues in your furry friend.

Our number one pick of the best dog foods for Weimaraners is this one from Orijen, which is a high-quality, grain-free, and nutritious source of energy. It only contains a limited number of ingredients, but this gives you a much better idea what is going into your dog’s body.

All the fresh ingredients are gently freeze-dried into the bag, offering the benefits of a raw diet whenever your dog is hungry. Ultimately, it is a great food for keeping your furry friend happy, strong, and healthy.