Owning a dog entails responsibilities that don’t just include giving him a safe and loving place or essential pieces of training. The need requirements will start to vary depending on which dog breed you go for and this includes choosing the right dog food to provide.
If you are a fan of big dogs like the Neapolitan Mastiff in particular and you have just brought one home either from a shelter or a reputable breeder, one thing that you can show your care is by being meticulous on what he would consume daily. Here’s how to feed him right…
Why Should Dog Foods Be Size-Appropriate?
Different breeds would have different needs. Large dogs like the Neapolitan Mastiff require a wide range of nutrients. This is why most dog owners go for commercial products since they are more convenient and most brands offer a complete and balanced diet. Certain products that are meant for dogs like your Neapolitan Mastiff aid them in their growth process.
Moreover, although of course, all dogs deserve high-quality dog food while considering their proportions, one major thing that sets apart the needs of large dogs would be the added benefits that would help decrease the risk of them developing developmental orthopedic diseases. These include the following:
- Hip dysplasia
- Osteochondrosis
- Arthritis
Moreover, the large frame of your Neapolitan Mastiff makes him susceptible to obesity and bloat. All these reasons are just a few things to remember as to why you have to be careful in choosing what dog food to give to your pet. In addition, giving him meals that are meant for a Chihuahua or a Toy Poodle will insufficiently support his health.
Do Neapolitan Mastiffs Do Well in a Grain-Free Diet?
There is so much hype in the market these days regarding dog foods that are grain-free or diets labeled as BEG. In case you are not aware of this term yet, a BEG diet consists of boutique, exotic, and grain-free foods. Currently, the US Food and Drug Administration has not released any statement yet that would tell how safe grain-free diets are for dogs. However, there have been several reports that show how the mentioned kind of diet can cause serious heart conditions.
Due to these incidents, pet experts are openly against feeding dogs grain-free diets. Your Neapolitan Mastiff should never live by such standard or quality of food unless otherwise recommended by your veterinarian.
On another note, vets emphasized that BEG diets don’t provide all the needed nutrients your dog would need.
Top 5 People Food That Are Not Safe for Your Neapolitan Mastiff
We understand how you value the health and growth of your Neapolitan Mastiff. Perhaps, you are one of those who care to do home-cooked meals instead of purchasing commercial dog food for your buddy. By going for this option, you are in control of what your pet consumes! This includes what flavor or texture to add on.
Let’s face it. Some dog food brands also lack certain vitamins and nutrients which your Mastino would highly require. A home-cooked meal can remedy this by adding various kinds of food to his bowl. However, this has to be done with extreme caution. You can’t just add in anything and everything. What is edible for you might not be good for your Neapolitan Mastiff.
So, what food should you never include in your dog’s meal?
- Chocolate: Whether it be chocolate-flavored ice cream or a small chunk of pure chocolate, this should never be given to your dog. Chocolate contains methylxanthines which can affect your Neapolitan Mastiff’s metabolic process which may eventually cause diarrhea or vomiting.
- Garlic: No matter how many benefits we, humans, can get from garlic, this doesn’t give the same effect on your buddy. Garlic can cause anemia with side effects such as pale gums, weakness, or a rapid heartbeat.
- Macadamia nuts: These types of nuts are poisonous to dogs. Eating this can lead to vomiting, lethargy, or inability to walk. If you have this in your home, be sure to hide it in a secure cupboard.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is not toxic for your Neapolitan Mastiff. However, this can cause mouth irritation due to its oils. When this happens, discomfort and sickness may occur.
- Salty Foods: Avoid giving your pet salty snacks or chips. Large amounts of salt intake can cause sodium ion poisoning, excessive thirst, and urination. Some common signs that also indicate excessive salt consumption are diarrhea, tremors, depression, and vomiting.
Top 9 Ingredients to Avoid in Large Dog Food
Commercial brands are just as good as home-prepped meals! We often check the label of every food that we buy from the grocery and the same should be done when it comes to choosing the right dog food for your Neapolitan Mastiff. No matter how prestigious a product is, checking what the ingredients are is still necessary. This is because some contain elements that can be unhealthy for your pet.
The two main reasons why some manufacture products that contain ingredients that can be unsafe for puppies are:
- They are cheaper.
- They help keep the food stay fresh for longer periods.
Consuming these on a daily basis will eventually become too toxic for your dog. So, before you put the bag of food in your shopping cart, review the label and put it back on the rack if you see any of these ingredients below:
- Melamine
- Propylene Glycol
- Meat Meal
- Food Dyes
- Corn Syrup
- MSG
- Sodium Hexametaphosphate
- Carrageenan
- BHA, BHT, and Ethoxyquin
What Should I Look For in Choosing the Right Dog Food?
Take into consideration first your Neapolitan Mastiff’s age, health, activity level, metabolism rate, and size. Since he’s meant to be massive, as a puppy, you have to look for those which are high in protein. If you feed him dry food, protein should take up to 30% and fat, at about 9%. Calcium should be up to 1.5% and phosphorus, 0.8-1%.
Once he reaches maturity, he’d need a more balanced amount of the necessary components in his food. Talk to your vet and ask which ones would he recommend when it comes to commercial dog food or you may consider adding these bestsellers to your cart now:
- Hill’s Science Diet: Considered to be an excellent overall choice for many! This contains real chicken, glucosamine, chondroitin, antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-6 fatty acids without artificial coloring and preservatives.
- Purina Pro Plan Dry Dog Food: Your Neapolitan Mastiff will do great with Purina’s formula! Not only will he be able to maintain a healthy weight, but the food also contains oatmeal which is good for those who have a sensitive stomach. Probiotics are also on the list and it helps in digestion. Other than that, there is sunflower oil, omega-6 fatty acids, and omega-3.
- Royal Canin Giant Puppy Dog Food: Suitable for puppies of large breeds. Royal Canin contains 32% protein content which helps in aiding your dog to not grow up too fast. This formula also has fiber sources such as beet pulp, essential for sensitive digestive systems.
