Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (15.5 lb)

Chicken and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food for Large Breed Puppies

Product Description

Designed specifically for large breed puppies expected to reach over 55 lbs as adults, Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe covers every key area of development. Optimal calcium supports controlled bone growth, ActivBiome+ Digestion looks after the gut microbiome, DHA from fish oil supports brain and eye development, and L-Carnitine with Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate keeps joints healthy and metabolism on track through 18 months.

Benefits

• Optimal Calcium for Controlled Bone Growth: At 1.16% dry matter, this formula delivers a precisely balanced level to support controlled bone development without disrupting healthy growth.
• ActivBiome+ Digestion: A breakthrough blend of prebiotic fibers supports the gut microbiome and promotes healthy digestion in large breed puppies throughout every daily serving.
• DHA for Brain and Eye Development: DHA at 0.083% dry matter from fish oil supports healthy brain and eye development during the large breed puppy's critical developmental period through 18 months.
• L-Carnitine for Metabolism: L-Carnitine at 401.6 ppm supports healthy metabolism and helps the body use energy efficiently throughout the extended growth period of large breed puppies.
• Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Joints: Glucosamine at 586 ppm and Chondroitin Sulfate at 1307 ppm support healthy joint development in large breed puppies whose frames carry significantly more weight as they grow.
• Lean Muscle Development: High-quality chicken as the first ingredient provides complete protein to fuel healthy lean muscle growth throughout the large breed puppy's extended first year and a half.
• Antioxidant Immune Support: Vitamins C at 197 ppm and E at 684 IU/kg support the developing immune system in large breed puppies throughout consistent daily feeding.

Variants

15.5 lb

Ingredients

Chicken, Brown Rice, Whole Grain Oats, Chicken Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Chicken Fat, Pea Protein, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Soybean Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken Liver Flavor, Ground Pecan Shells, Lactic Acid, Pork Liver Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Fish Oil, Iodized Salt, Dried Citrus Pulp, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Pressed Cranberries, Calcium Carbonate, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), DL-Methionine, L-Threonine, Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Tryptophan, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, L-Carnitine, Beta-Carotene.

Guaranteed Analysis

Calorie Content: 3628 kcal/kg | 391 kcal per cup (one 8 oz measuring cup contains 3.8 oz by weight).

How to Use

Recommended-Usage Chart

Disclaimer: Product information and usage guidelines are provided by the manufacturer. Always use products as directed on the label and consult your veterinarian before use if you have any concerns regarding your pet's health.

Directions for Use

• Adjust for Optimal Weight: Fine-tune daily amounts as needed to help the large breed puppy maintain a healthy body weight throughout each growth stage, and consult a vet if the correct daily amount is unclear.
• Transition Over 7 Days: When switching to this food, slowly increase the new food while reducing the old over a full week to prevent digestive discomfort during the changeover.
• Fresh Water Always: Keep fresh drinking water available to your puppy at all times throughout the day alongside every meal.
• Review at Every Vet Checkup: Large breed puppies grow over a longer period than smaller breeds, so checking in with your vet at every routine visit helps keep daily portions accurate and on track through 18 months.

Additional Information

Precautions

• For Large Breed Puppies Up to 18 Months: Made for large breed puppies expected to grow beyond 55 lbs as adults, this formula supports healthy development from weaning right through to 18 months. It is not intended for adult or mature adult dogs.
• Not for Small or Medium Breed Puppies: This formula is built around the specific skeletal development needs of large breed puppies. Small and medium breed puppies have different requirements and are better served by Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe.
• Not for Pregnant or Nursing Dogs: Unlike the standard puppy formula, this large breed formula is not verified by AAFCO for gestating or lactating dogs. Pregnant large breed dogs should be fed Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe during pregnancy and nursing.

Possible Side Effects

• Digestive Sensitivity on Transition: Switching to a new food too quickly may cause temporary digestive discomfort in some puppies, making the full 7-day gradual introduction important before fully replacing the previous diet.

Storage Information

• Store in Original Bag: Keep the food in its original bag after opening, as the bag provides a fat barrier that helps retain the best flavor and freshness.
• Cool and Dry Environment: Store in a cool, dry place below 100°F (38°C) to prevent vitamin degradation and oxidation of fats that can lead to rancidity.
• Keep Packaging Away: Store the bag and all packaging safely out of reach of both pets and children at all times to prevent potential suffocation hazards.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why does this large breed puppy formula have a lower calcium level than the standard puppy formula?

Ans: Calcium is set at 1.16% dry matter in this formula, which is lower than the 1.54% in the standard puppy recipe. Large breed puppies are prone to developmental bone issues if calcium intake is too high during rapid growth, so an optimally controlled calcium level is one of the most important nutritional adjustments this formula makes specifically for large breed skeletal development through 18 months.

Q2: Why does this large breed puppy food contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate?

Ans: Glucosamine at 586 ppm and Chondroitin Sulfate at 1307 ppm are included to support healthy joint development in large breed puppies. Large breed dogs carry significantly more weight on their frames as they grow, placing greater demands on developing joints throughout puppyhood. Including these joint-supporting nutrients from the early months helps build a healthy foundation for the joints before the dog reaches its full adult size.

Q3: How long should I feed my dog this large breed puppy formula before switching to an adult food?

Ans: This formula is recommended for large breed puppies from weaning through 18 months old, which is longer than the 12-month recommendation for standard-sized puppies. Large breeds take longer to complete skeletal and muscular development, so the extended feeding period through 18 months ensures the controlled bone growth and joint support nutrients are available throughout the full developmental window before transitioning to an adult large breed formula.

Q4: Is this large breed puppy food suitable for a pregnant large breed dog?

Ans: No, this formula is not verified by AAFCO for gestating or lactating dogs. Pregnant large breed dogs should be fed Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe, which is verified for both growing puppies and gestating or lactating dogs. Once the puppies are weaned and the mother's nursing period ends, large breed puppies from the litter can be transitioned to this large breed specific formula.

Q5: How does the L-Carnitine level in this formula benefit a growing large breed puppy?

Ans: L-Carnitine at 401.6 ppm is notably higher than in the standard puppy formula and supports healthy metabolism and efficient energy use in growing large breed puppies. Large breed puppies that grow too quickly or gain excess weight during development can experience bone and joint problems, making metabolic support through L-Carnitine a purposeful inclusion that helps maintain a healthy growth rate throughout the extended developmental period.

Q6: What breeds are typically fed this Hill's large breed puppy formula?

Ans: This formula is suitable for any breed expected to weigh over 55 lbs as an adult, from popular breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Boxers, and Huskies to giant breeds such as, Saint Bernards, Great Danes, and Mastiffs. The feeding chart covers puppies up to 200 lbs across all four growth brackets through 18 months.

Q7: Can I mix this large breed puppy kibble with the Hill's Puppy Chicken & Barley Entrée canned food?

Ans: Yes, pairing this kibble with the Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Barley Entrée canned food adds moisture and mealtime variety to the large breed puppy's daily routine. When mixing wet and dry formats, adjust the daily portions of each to keep total calorie intake within the appropriate range for the puppy's current weight and age bracket. The 15.5 lb bag provides a steady supply for this type of mixed daily feeding routine.