Vizsla Nutrition: Best Foods, Tips, and Guidelines

Vizslas need about the same nutrition as all other dogs. However, their active nature may translate to a higher caloric need. Luckily, they aren’t prone to many health issues requiring a special diet, so they typically find your average dog food.

That said, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind when choosing dog food for your Vizsla.

Vizsla Nutrition Tips

Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re selecting a food suitable for your Vizsla’s nutritional needs:

• Extra protein: Many Vizsla require extra protein to build and maintain muscle. You may choose a formula designed for “athletes” or “high-energy” dogs, as these tend to be higher in calories and have more protein. However, you should be cautious if your Vizsla isn’t actually that active, as a higher-calorie food can cause them to gain weight.
• Healthy fats: Vizslas should consume quite a bit of fat. Omega fatty acids are particularly helpful, as they can help improve their overall health and reduce shedding.
• AAFCO standards: You should choose a food with the AAFCO seal, which ensures it contains all the nutrients and vitamins your dog needs.
• Lifestage: The age of your dog is also important. Puppies need different nutrition than adult dogs, as they are still growing. Typically, their food must be more dense, as they require extra calories and nutrition. That said, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they need a senior formula when they are older, as senior dogs don’t always have different nutritional needs. If your dog is doing well on their adult food, don’t change it.
• Large Breed Food: We recommend selecting a large breed formula for your Vizsla, especially when they are growing. Puppy foods designed for larger dogs have different nutrition, as larger breeds often take longer to grow.
• Always measure: Do not free-feed these dogs. You should always measure the dog’s food according to your vet’s recommendation or the instructions on the food container. Free-feeding is a quick way to end up with an obese dog.
• Prove water: You should always provide your dog with fresh water, too. Just like people, dogs need water to stay hydrated.

Best Food for Vizslas

As we stated above, just about any quality dog food works well for a Vizsla. However, some dogs may do best with high-energy food, especially if they’re more active. Purina’s Sport Performance is high-protein and works well for more active dogs.

Consider the regular Purina Adult formulas for dogs that aren’t very active. Many flavors are available, allowing you to choose one that works best for your canine.

For puppies, always choose a formula for larger breeds, especially if your dog is a male. We recommend the Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Dry Dog Food. While many of their large-breed puppy foods do well, their salmon flavor is high in omega fatty acids, which can help reduce shedding.

Selecting the Best Food for Your Vizsla

Of course, dog food isn’t a one-size-fits-all option. Many different dog foods are on the market because some dogs do better on different foods than others. It’s important to consider your dog’s specific needs when selecting a food, though our suggestions above will work for most canines.

Consider your dog’s activity level, for one. Dogs that are very active require high-calorie food. Dogs that are less active likely need less. Vizslas tend to be pretty active, so more dogs are likely to fall into this first category than in other breeds. However, that doesn’t mean that all Vizslas need high-calorie food.

If you feed a less active Vizsla one of these foods, they’re likely to gain weight. If your dog is obese or overweight, you may want to consider a diet dog food. This isn’t always necessary, though, so be sure to check with your vet.

Puppies need a puppy formula, as adult food won’t meet their needs. Not feeding your puppy properly will increase their chances of health problems later on, including hip dysplasia.

Some dogs may benefit from supplements. Omega fatty acids can be helpful for many dogs. Many dog foods now add them in the form of fish oil. However, if your chosen dog food doesn’t, you may want to add some to your dog’s diet.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are great for supporting joint health, especially in more active dogs. Many large-breed formulas have these supplements added. However, you may want to add more.

Many dogs also benefit from probiotics. These improve digestion and gut health.

Vizsla Feeding Schedule

You should feed your dog two to three meals each day. Puppies do better with three meals, as they have smaller stomachs. However, adult Vizslas often do just fine with two.

Consistency is key, though. Your dog will learn when to expect food, and their stomach will follow suit. Divide the daily food rations into your chosen number of meals. Usually, dividing the food evenly is the best option. However, you can do it unevenly if it makes measuring easier.