Top 10 Best Dog Food for Dalmatian

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Dog Food for Dalmatians

As dog owners, we are inundated with a plethora of dog food choices. However, in making the decision to purchase a specific type of dog food, you must consider your Dalmatian’s life stage and genetically inherited health issues. Dalmatians require different levels of protein, fat, and other nutrients in order to maintain their health. They do not have the same nutritional requirements as other dogs. Read on to find out all the information you need on the factors that go into choosing the right type of dog food and its benefits for Dalmatians.

What Foods Exacerbate This Issue?

Diets high in animal proteins and low in vegetables and other sources of dietary fiber cause Dalmatians to suffer from urinary stones. Too much protein and purines in their diet result in high levels of calcium and urates in their urine. To reduce the risk of stone formation, it is important to provide them with a diet consisting of a variety of vegetable-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Dalmatians have a low thirst reflex, which also predisposes them to urate crystallization.

Why Do Dalmatians Develop Urinary Stones?

Dalmatians are the only breed born with a defect that affects their urine production. Normally, uric acid gets processed into allantoin, but in Dalmatians, it instead stays in an insoluble state that the dog has to excrete in their urine and consequently develops into crystals and stones. Dalmatians are more likely to have urate problems if they’re male due to anatomical differences.

What is Purine?

Purine is a type of protein found in some red meats, some poultry, game, offal, and yeast products, all of which have very high levels of purine in them. Some Dalmatians may have problems with these purines, so they should be avoided.

When Should I Introduce Low Purine Foods to My Dalmatian?

Complete low purine foods are available without a prescription. There is a food made specifically for Dalmatians by Royal Canin, which we have reviewed above, that is made with egg protein and is very low in purines. The other prepared foods are made by Hills and other manufacturers. Many owners generally only use these after a vet has diagnosed and treated a stone-forming Dalmatian but it’s your choice as to whether you feed your Dalmatian normal, higher protein, higher purine dog food and wait to see what happens, or whether you feed them more expensive lower purine kibble from puppyhood.

This is a choice that only you can make, and obviously, price and convenience are major factors to be considered when weighing up the risks. In practice, most Dalmatians that have not been diagnosed as stone-forming may be able to tolerate some of the lower protein, non-specialized formulations.

It’s Important for Dalmatians to Always Have Access to Clean Water

Whatever food you choose for your Dalmatian, please remember that they should have access to clean water and be allowed to go outdoors so that they can urinate regularly. Dalmatians with a genetic mutation will have a life-long risk of urinary tract stones. These dogs are prone to renal failure, bladder stones, dehydration, and even death from uremia. In order to prevent these serious conditions from developing, these dogs need an increased intake of fluids.

What Kinds of Snacks Are Best for Dalmatians?

Pre-made dog snacks and goodies are often made with offal and cheap cuts of meat that are high in purines. Many owners have found that changing a dog’s diet to lower purine food reduces behavioral problems. Dalmatians seem to like simple food best. High purine dog treats filled with colors, sodium, and additives should be avoided. The following treats are low in purine and make great treats while training your Dalmatian:

Why Is Low Sodium Dog Food Important for Dalmatians?

Sodium is often added to food to extend its shelf life and to give it flavor. Too much salt is bad for humans and dogs, especially Dalmatians. Low sodium dog food is an excellent option for dogs with high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart issues. It helps regulate the amount of sodium within the dog’s body to avoid an overload. When you are selecting dog food for your pet, you may notice “low sodium” options. Dalmatians are susceptible to kidney disease and you should consider low sodium foods to reduce the risk of your dog developing problems in the future.

Why is Offal Found In Most “Normal” Dog Food?

Offal is the term for the parts of an animal that is not typically eaten by people. Offal in pet food consists of the minced stomach, lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, spleen, and intestines. It really can be anything from chicken feet to pig brains and is often found in dog food as a way of using up lower quality ingredients that would otherwise go unused. Offal is generally delicious (to dogs at least) and incredibly cheap and nutritious. However, being so high in purine, offal-based foods are not suitable for Dalmatians. We recommend simpler, single-source protein dog foods for Dalmatians.

What Foods Are Highest in Purines?

The worst offenders when it comes to purine include ​sardines in oil, calf’s liver, ox spleen, pig’s heart, and brewer’s yeast. It’s safest to avoid most types of offal completely.

Why Are Omega Fatty Acids Important for Dalmatians?

Dalmatians have beautiful coats, so you want to give them a good balance of omega 6 and 3 fatty acids to keep them glossy and sleek.

How Does Activity Affect a Dalmatian’s Diet?

Due to their high levels of activity, Dalmatians may need joint protection depending on how they use their energy. They may need a higher level of nutrients and energy from their diet if they are participating in sports such as agility or flyball. When stamina is needed for activities such as tracking or obedience trials, use slow-releasing carbohydrates.

Why Should I Feed My Dalmatian Simple Food?

Their skin is prone to allergies, and you will normally see hives appearing on their body when they are having a reaction. You should know that most skin allergies are caused by airborne allergens, while only around 10% are caused by food allergies. Food allergies usually cause other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and sneezing. It can be much more difficult to identify food allergies, which require investigations into individual ingredients in order to identify the cause so work with your vet to narrow this process down.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, there are many different foods that are suitable for feeding a Dalmatian. It is important to consider their parentage, health history, and individual needs when selecting the appropriate diet. The overall best dog food for Dalmatians is the Ollie Fresh Lamb Dish With Cranberries. It’s ideal for pups with food sensitivities or sensitive stomachs and contains no chicken, corn, wheat, or soy. We also really recommend the Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey & Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food because it has a reduced set of ingredients which plays well the Dalmatian’s propensity to suffer from allergies. Whatever dog food you choose, if you give your Dalmatian excellent nutrition, adequate hydration, and lots of attention, they will reward you with unconditional love for a lifetime