The Best Fromm Large Breed Dog Food

Written by Kristin Hitchcock
Updated: January 8, 2023
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Finding suitable food for your large breed dog can be challenging. Large dogs require food that is tailored to meet their unique dietary needs. Luckily, Fromm large breed dog food is suitable for most bigger canines.

Most of their foods include all the nutrients that larger dogs need to thrive, including joint-supporting supplements and Omega fatty acids. Plus, their large breed food is formulated according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials‘ (AAFCO’s) guidelines for large breed dogs. Their formulas aren’t “generalized.” They’re designed specifically for larger dogs.

However, that doesn’t mean that just any large breed dog food made by Fromm is a good option for your dog. There are slight differences between the recipes that may be important for some dogs.

Below, we’ve reviewed all of the major Fromm large dog breed foods. These range from adult foods to puppy foods, so be sure that you choose the food that best fits your dog’s needs. We’ll take a look at each food and then explain how to go about choosing the best option for your canine.

  1. Fromm Gold Nutritionals Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
    • Specifically designed for dogs that are over 50 pounds
    • Added probiotics support your dog's digestive system
    • Contains omega fatty acids to improve joint health
    • Whole grains included
    Check Amazon
  2. Fromm Family Foods Gold Large Breed 15 Lb Puppy Dry Food
    • Designed for puppies specifically
    • Features duck as the first ingredient
    • High in proteins
    • Several strains of probiotics included 
    Check Amazon
  3. Fromm Heartland Gold Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy
    • Designed to make puppies grow slower, to support skeletal development
    • Contains mostly red meat
    • Includes probiotics to improve digestion
    • Grain-free
    Check Amazon
  4. Fromm Family Foods 727068 Prairie Gold Large Breed Dry Dog Food
    • Grain-free
    • The first two ingredients are beef and pork meat meal
    • Contains peas, lentils, potatoes, and dried sweet potatoes
    • Include probiotics
    Check Amazon

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for Fromm Large Breed Dog Food

#1 Best Overall: Fromm Gold Nutritionals Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

For most dogs, you’ll likely want to choose our #1 Best Overall pick: Fromm Gold Nutritionals Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food. This recipe is specifically formulated for dogs that are over 50 pounds. It includes a variety of nutrients that larger dogs need to thrive, making it a good choice for many larger canines. You can also use this formula for dogs that are almost considered large breeds, as these dogs may also benefit from the added nutrients.

Probiotics are added to support your dog’s digestive system and aid in digestion. Plus, they may also help your dog’s immune system. On top of this, salmon oil is included for extra Omega fatty acids, which can help support their coat and fur. Plus, omega fatty acids may also improve joint health, which is necessary for most larger dogs.

Chicken is the main ingredient in this dog food. However, it is included in many different forms. For instance, whole chicken, chicken meal, and chicken broth are all included to raise the protein content and add extra flavor.

This formula is not grain-free. That makes it a good choice for dogs that aren’t sensitive to grains. Most of the grains included are whole grains, which are very nutritious. However, white rice, which is not a whole grain, is included further down the list.

Many users have reported that this food is great for those with sensitive stomachs. Their dogs seem to thrive on it, even if they have more sensitive stomachs.

Amazingly, we were unable to find any negative reviews for this product.

Pros and Cons of Fromm Gold Nutritionals Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

ProsCons
This dog food is formulated specifically for dogs weighing over 50 pounds.None
Probiotics are included to support dogs’ digestive systems and aid in digestion.
Salmon oil provides Omega fatty acids for skin and coat health. They may also improve joint health.
The main ingredient in this recipe is chicken, for protein and flavor, in the form of whole chicken, chicken meal, and chicken broth.
This recipe includes grains, most of which are whole. It also includes white rice further down the ingredients list.
Reviewers who have dogs with sensitive and very sensitive stomachs reported that their dogs thrive on this dog food.
Best Overall Grain-Inclusive
Fromm Gold Nutritionals Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
  • Specifically designed for dogs that are over 50 pounds
  • Added probiotics support your dog's digestive system
  • Contains omega fatty acids to improve joint health
  • Whole grains included
Check Amazon

2. Best for Puppies: Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy Dry Food

Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy Dry Food is very similar to the adult formula. However, it is designed for puppies specifically, which means that it includes more protein and fat. Puppies need more protein and fat because they are growing, while adults don’t necessarily need as much.

Like most dog foods, this one includes many of the nutrients that puppy. The ingredients are a bit different from those used in the adult formula. For instance, it includes duck as the first ingredient, followed by chicken meal and then whole chicken. Duck is a bit fattier than chicken, which is why it is included as the first ingredient.

There are also other sorts of proteins included, such as fish meal and lamb. All of these ingredients help add specific nutrients to the food that puppies need. Plus, they also add amino acids to the food that your dog needs to thrive.

Salmon oil is included as well, as it adds Omega fatty acids to the food. These fatty acids can help improve the dog’s overall health, including its joints. Joints are extremely important for older dogs, as they are carrying around more weight, to begin with.

Of course, probiotics are also included. This nutrient is essential for puppies since their gut is starting from scratch. There are several strains of probiotics included as well, which is always helpful.

A sole reviewer said that their dog got diarrhea from eating this food.

Pros and Cons of Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy Dry Food

ProsCons
This recipe is similar to the adult formula, but it includes more protein and fat, which puppies require for optimal growth.One reviewer said that their dog got diarrhea from eating this food.
This recipe features duck, which is fattier than chicken, as the first ingredient, followed by chicken meal, and then whole chicken.
It also includes fish meal and lamb for the additional protein and amino acids that puppies need to thrive.
Salmon oil is included for Omega fatty acids, which support a puppy’s overall health, including their joints,
Probiotics and prebiotics are included, as well.
Best for Puppies
Fromm Family Foods Gold Large Breed 15 Lb Puppy Dry Food
  • Designed for puppies specifically
  • Features duck as the first ingredient
  • High in proteins
  • Several strains of probiotics included 
Check Amazon

3. Best Grain-Free Puppy Recipe: Fromm Heartland Gold Large Breed Puppy

If you’re looking for a great puppy food that is less expensive, your best bet is to choose Fromm Heartland Gold Large Breed Puppy. This formula is specifically designed for puppies that are going to weigh over 50 pounds as adults. It’s formulated specifically to support their joints and help them grow slowly, which is necessary for these bigger breeds. If a large breed puppy grows too quickly, they are more likely to experience skeletal issues when they are older, such as hip dysplasia and arthritis.

This formula is specifically advertised as containing mostly red meat. Therefore, it is a good option for puppies that are sensitive to chicken. However, it isn’t completely chicken-free, as it does contain eggs. Therefore, it isn’t a good option for puppies that are seriously allergic. Instead, it only works for mildly sensitive dogs.

Staying true to the advertising, the first ingredient in this dog food is beef. This is followed by pork meat and bone meal. While generic “meat and bone meal” is not a good ingredient because it is unnamed (and therefore a bit like mystery meat), this meal is labeled as pork, which lets us know that it is coming from a quality animal.

The bones included with the pork meat is likely to increase the nutritional content of the food and provide a “whole prey” diet for the puppies.

Other sources of meat are also included, such as pork liver and pork fat. These improve the taste of the food and increase the overall protein content. Pork fat makes the food extremely tasty and adds the fat that puppies need to grow.

On top of the meat, this formula also includes probiotics to improve digestion. Like most Fromm dog foods, salmon oil is also added to increase the Omega fatty acid content.

Some veggies are also included, such as peas and lentils. While these are nutritional, peas have been linked with certain health conditions in dogs. Therefore, you may wish to avoid feeding this food exclusively, especially if your dog, or its breed, is prone to heart conditions. Unlike the previous puppy formula, this one is grain-free.

Two reviewers indicated that this product is too expensive.

Pros and Cons Fromm Heartland Gold Large Breed Puppy

ProsCons
This grain-free recipe is formulated for puppies that are going to weigh over 50 pounds as adults.Some reviewers felt that it is too expensive.
It supports their joints and helps them to grow slowly, which is essential for large breed puppies.Peas have been linked to certain health conditions in dogs.
The formula mainly contains red meat, but it does contain eggs, so it may not be appropriate for puppies that are allergic to chickens or eggs.
The first ingredient is beef followed by pork meat and bone meal. It also includes pork liver and pork fat.
It includes probiotics and prebiotics for digestive health, and salmon oil to increase the food’s Omega fatty acid content.
Some veggies are included, such as peas and lentils.
Best Grain-Free For Puppies
Fromm Heartland Gold Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy
  • Designed to make puppies grow slower, to support skeletal development
  • Contains mostly red meat
  • Includes probiotics to improve digestion
  • Grain-free
Check Amazon

4. Best Grain-Free: Fromm Family Foods 727068 Prairie Gold Large Breed Dry Dog Food

If your dog requires a grain-free diet, consider Fromm Family Foods 727068 Prairie Gold Large Breed Dry Dog Food.

Most dogs don’t require grain-free food. In most cases, dogs can digest grains just fine, and they are even an important part of a dog’s diet, because of the nutrients they provide. Whole grains are more healthful than refined grains, just like they are in people.

However, some dogs are sensitive to grains. In this case, you’ll want to consider choosing this grain-free adult food by Fromm. It provides everything that your larger dog needs to thrive without the grain that our #1 Best Overall choice includes.

The ingredient list of this adult food looks a lot like the previous puppy food we reviewed. The first two ingredients are beef and pork meat meal. Both of these ingredients provide the protein and fat your canine needs to thrive.

Because this formula is grain-free, it leans on veggies to complement the meat ingredients. Specifically, peas, lentils, potatoes, and dried sweet potatoes all appear directly after the meat ingredients. While these foods are healthy in small amounts, peas can contribute to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in larger amounts, which is a deadly heart condition in canines.

The FDA is currently investigating the link between these grain-free diets and heart conditions. However, in the meantime, you will likely want to choose a grain-inclusive recipe like the first one we reviewed over this formula unless your dog is sensitive to grains.

Of course, like all Fromm foods, this recipe does include probiotics. These work just like human probiotics, supporting your dog’s immune system and providing digestive support.

No negative reviews were available.

Pros and Cons of Fromm Family Foods 727068 Prairie Gold Large Breed Dry Dog Food

ProsCons
If your dog requires a grain-free diet, this recipe is a good choice.Peas have been shown to contribute to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a deadly heart condition, in larger amounts.
The first two ingredients are beef and pork meat meal, which provide essential protein and fat.No negative reviews were available.
The recipe includes peas, lentils, potatoes, and dried sweet potatoes.
It includes probiotics for digestive and immune system support.
Best Grain-Free
Fromm Family Foods 727068 Prairie Gold Large Breed Dry Dog Food
  • Grain-free
  • The first two ingredients are beef and pork meat meal
  • Contains peas, lentils, potatoes, and dried sweet potatoes
  • Include probiotics
Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

There are several points to consider when choosing from the four Fromm large breed recipes. However, if you’ve already narrowed down your decision to Fromm large breed dog foods, then you only have a few more decisions to make, including life stage, proteins, and grain inclusion.

Life Stage

When choosing a dog food, you typically have two choices to consider: puppy or adult. In many cases, this decision may seem pretty obvious. If your dog is still growing, it needs a puppy option. However, if they are done growing, then an adult option is necessary. However, some large breeds can grow very slowly as they approach adulthood, so you may need to ask your vet about switching them to puppy dog food.

It is always better to keep dogs on puppy dog foods for too long, rather than take them off too early. However, leaving them on puppy food forever can lead to obesity, as this sort of food has higher fat and protein content than adult food. So, you will have to switch them eventually.

Your vet can let you know when your puppy can switch over to adult food.

Proteins

Another key feature that the Fromm large breed dog foods differ on is the proteins they include. Their usual recipe focuses mostly on chicken, while their heartland recipes include beef as the primary ingredient. The normal gold options also include more kinds of meats.

While more kinds of meats typically mean that the food is more balanced and complete, too many different protein sources can also upset some dogs’ stomachs. Therefore, if your dog has a sensitive stomach, you should probably choose the heartland variety, since it only includes two different proteins.

However, this isn’t always a clear-cut decision. If your dog is sensitive to beef, then you should select the chicken option instead. You’ll need to consider your whole dog and its needs when making a decision.

Grain Inclusion

The main differing factor between all these different foods is whether or not they include grains. Two of the options we reviewed are grain-inclusive, while two are grain-free.

Grains have a bad reputation, but they are typically a decent option for many dogs. Whole grains do include some nutrients that are vital for your canine. Many dogs can digest grains just fine, since their ancestors’ digestive systems developed to digest starches because they lived near humans, who farmed and ate grains. Grains are a great source of carbohydrates, which are an instant energy source for dogs that are not allergic or sensitive to them.

With that being said, some dogs are sensitive to grains. However, these allergies are quite rare. Instead, allergic reactions to chicken, beef, and dairy are more common.

Plus, grain-free foods do not usually include more meats. Instead, they include lots of veggies like peas, potatoes, and lentils. Generally speaking, these foods aren’t necessarily a great option for our dogs. While they do have some nutritional value, they are also associated with some health conditions.

Therefore, it is often best to choose a grain-inclusive food unless your dog has a grain sensitivity.

Our Criteria: How We Chose the Best

Typically, users mostly complain about the cost of this food. After all, large dogs do eat a lot. It is expensive compared to other options, but you are getting what you pay for. Compared to lots of other dog foods, this food has better ingredients and fewer fillers. It seems to include more meat, which is typically better for dogs.

However, this brand just simply isn’t in the budget for many people, which needs to be considered if you’re looking at purchasing this food.

With that being said, we were pleased that this brand is owned and manufactured in America. Plus, it has great customer service; questions are usually answered immediately.

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About the Author

Kristin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering dogs, cats, fish, and other pets. She has been an animal writer for seven years, writing for top publications on everything from chinchilla cancer to the rise of designer dogs. She currently lives in Tennessee with her cat, dogs, and two children. When she isn't writing about pets, she enjoys hiking and crocheting.

The Best Fromm Large Breed Dog Food FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Does Fromm source ingredients from China?

Fromm does not source ingredients from China. According to their website, they made this decision because, historically, there have been concerns about the safety and quality  of ingredients sourced from China. For example, in 2007 there were pet food recalls that had to do with melamine contamination and resulted in the deaths of thousands of pets.

Moreover, there are reports of food safety violations, undeclared additives, hormones, and pesticide residue in ingredients from China.

 

Have any Fromm dog foods been recalled?

On October 1, 2021, Fromm issued a voluntary recall of approximately 5,500 cases of Fromm Shredded can Entrée dog food due to potentially elevated levels of Vitamin D.

Similarly, their first recalls on March 18, 2016, had to do with unacceptable levels of Vitamin D. All lots of the following 12 oz. Fromm Gold canned dog foods were recalled at that time:

  • Chicken Pate, Code #11893
  • Chicken & Duck, Code #11895
  • Salmon & Chicken Pate, Code #11891

 

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