The Best Gentle Giants Dry Dog Food for 2022

Key Facts

• The #1 Best Overall Gentle Giants dry dog food is GENTLE GIANTS Real Beef & Bacon.
• Former actor Burt Ward and his wife Tracy created Gentle Giants to prolong the life of giant breeds, but it’s appropriate for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and life stages.
• These recipes contain meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, grains (except for the salmon recipe), and vitamins.
• They also include New Zealand green mussels, a superfood that provides glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.

You don’t often hear about dogs that live to 26 years of age. However, that’s the case with dogs owned by the creators of Gentle Giants dry dog food, former actor Burt Ward and his wife Tracy.

They originally created Gentle Giants to prolong the life of giant breeds through better nutrition. But they want you to know that these nutrient-rich, flavor-packed recipes are appropriate for all dogs, regardless of their size, breed, or life stage. They include meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, grains (except for the salmon recipe), vitamins, and all the nutrients dogs need. It’s hard to believe that you can feed the same food to an adult Pomeranian, a Newfoundland puppy, and even a senior Great Dane. If you own multiple breeds in one home, having one go-to food that’s proven healthy for dogs can help you save both time and money.

Gentle Giants is transparent about what they incorporate into each of their recipes, and they make it easy for pet parents to choose the best food for their pets. As dog owners and animal right’s activists themselves, the founders of Gentle Giants renowned for their love and dedication to their pets and to all animals. Their dogs regularly outlive dogs of the same breeds that are on different diets.

Gentle Giants offers three dry dog food recipes. The first we highlight in this article is the “quality of life feast” for meat lovers which contains real beef with real bacon. This is the obvious favorite for many dogs because of the meaty flavors and the alluring aroma of beef and bacon. For dogs that love a chicken recipe, there is a nutritious option with natural, non-GMO ingredients. Finally, we highlight a salmon recipe that’s packed with protein, omega fatty acids, and joint-supporting ingredients. No matter which recipe you select, you’re getting high-quality dog food with all-natural ingredients that support your dog’s overall health.

#1 Best Overall: Gentle Giants with Real Beef & Real Bacon Dry Dog Food

The #1 best overall dry dog food from this brand is Gentle Giants with Real Beef & Real Bacon Dry Dog Food. This formula includes chelated vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and supplements like vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, taurine, and niacin. All these ingredients work together to improve digestion, increase absorption of nutrients, maximize nutrition, and support optimal health. Another wonderful feature of this dry dog food is that it’s always non-GMO. In fact, Gentle Giants is careful to avoid fillers, corn, wheat, soy, and any artificial flavors or preservatives. Dogs don’t need any of these extras in their food and most commercial dog food is packed with it. Gentle Giants skips the bad stuff and sticks with ingredients you know and trust.

The beef and bacon are farm-raised and other nutritious ingredients include pearled barley, brown rice, oatmeal, and a medley of eight nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, including sweet potatoes and blueberries. Along with all these whole food ingredients, your pup is also getting a superfood functional ingredient that supports his joints, reduces inflammation, and delivers glucosamine and chondroitin. The secret? New Zealand green mussels.

Some reviewers reported that their dogs ate less and stayed satiated longer with Gentle Giants recipes. This is a clear indication of quality over quantity. Two reviewers reported that their dogs experienced digestive issues after eating this food. And one pet parent said that their dog wouldn’t eat it.

Pros and Cons of Gentle Giants with Real Beef & Real Bacon Dry Dog Food

Best Overall

GENTLE GIANTS Real Beef & Bacon

• Filled with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and supplements
• Non-GMO, and no fillers, wheat, corn or soy
• Made with farm-raised beef and bacon
• Nutritious ingredients like pearled barley, brown rice and oatmeal round out the ingredients
• Hearty ingredients keep dogs fuller for longer

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2. Best Chicken Recipe: Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken Dry Dog Food

Recommended by veterinarians, Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken Dry Dog Food includes 12 whole fruits and vegetables like beets, blueberries, cranberries, and apples (remember, these whole foods are never genetically modified). Added prebiotics and probiotics improve digestion and also help your dog better absorb the nutrients of all these delicious foods. It’s a natural formula that is fortified with vitamins and antioxidants to support your dog’s health, no matter his life stage. Along with the New Zealand green mussels, which provide glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, this formula also includes chicken, brown rice, spinach, peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

You can give this food to your dog, no matter his breed or age. And because the recipe is natural with added prebiotics and probiotics, it’s perfect for dogs with sensitive digestion that don’t do well on other food brands. The guaranteed analysis for this recipe is a minimum of 22% crude protein, a minimum of 9% crude fat, a maximum of 4% crude fiber, and a maximum of 10% moisture. Your dog is also getting vitamin E, vitamin C, glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega six and three fatty acids.

One reviewer reported that their two Great Pyrenees had tried over a dozen food brands over the last two years. Some of the dry dog food they would eat, but only if it was smothered in alluring wet food or leftover scraps, but when it was plain, they just wouldn’t pay attention to it. With Gentle Giants dry dog food recipe, these two dogs go absolutely nuts. Even the pickiest of the two that would sniff her kibble and walk away now lays with her belly on the floor and paws around the food bowl, eating it until it’s completely emptied (the way she used to when she was a puppy). What an awesome review from a picky pup!

While most reviews were overwhelmingly positive, a few customers did have complaints. Some said that their dogs experienced digestive issues, including loose stools, with this food. A few reported that their dogs didn’t like this recipe. And a couple of pet parents said that the kibble was too small.

Pros and Cons of Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken Dry Dog Food

Best Chicken Recipe

GENTLE GIANTS Canine Nutrition Chicken

• Vet-recommended
• Ingredients include whole fruits and veggies
• Includes pre- and probiotics to aid with digestion
• Recipe includes vitamins and minerals, including fatty acids

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3. Best Salmon Recipe: Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Salmon Dry Dog Food

The final dry dog food recipe that the brand offers is Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Salmon Dry Dog Food. It’s grain-free and poultry-free, is fortified with added prebiotics and probiotics, vitamins, and antioxidants, and delivers perfect nutrition for dogs of all breeds and sizes. This recipe contains a minimum of 24% crude protein, a minimum of 10% crude fat, 5% crude fiber, and a maximum of 10% moisture. For dogs between 15 and 30 pounds, all you need are 2 cups per day while larger dogs between 75 and 100 pounds can eat 4 1/2 to 6 cups per day.

There are feeding instructions for dogs less than 15 pounds and even for dogs over 200 pounds as well. Gentle Giants encourages you to help your dog maintain good body condition by monitoring his food intake, providing plenty of exercise, and visiting your vet regularly. Pair this dry dog food with a clean bowl of fresh water to keep your dog healthy and happy.

One reviewer was a little apprehensive about trying the salmon formula. He wanted to be able to smell it first because some fish formulas have an offensive scent that doesn’t just fill up the home with a fishy smell but also stays trapped in his dog’s beard. He loves cuddling with his pup, but he doesn’t like having to inhale the overwhelming smell of fish. After he got the salmon formula, he was relieved. The aroma is acceptable, the kibble is easy for his dog to chow down, and they both love it.

Most reviews for this product were positive, but a few reviewers reported that their dogs didn’t like this food.

Pros and Cons of Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Salmon Dry Dog Food

Best Salmon Recipe

Gentle Giants Canine Salmon Dry Dog Food

• Grain- and poultry-free
• Added pre- and probiotics as well as vitamins and antioxidants
• Ideal nutrition for all breeds and sizes of dogs

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

Gentle Giants is a food brand that’s easy to trust. They lay it all out for their customers and use their own pups as examples of what optimal nutrition can create: longevity. No matter how long your dog lives, it’s never enough time. But being able to increase your dog’s lifespan by setting the foundation for him with high-quality foods is just the beginning of what you can do to keep your pup healthy and thriving. Plus, knowing that you’re providing real, whole foods without any fillers or preservatives helps you breathe easier and feel better about how you’re caring for your beloved best friend. When deciding on the best recipe, always consider the following:

Ingredients

Just look at the salmon recipe. It’s 100% pure salmon, never mixed in with other, less expensive fish to reduce cost. All three formulas are suitable for your dog from his puppyhood into his senior years. Every ingredient this formula is carefully selected to provide your dog with a delicious meal filled with the complete nutrition he needs. If you ever see at an ingredients list that isn’t as clear and straightforward as the one below, just put the bag back on the shelf.

Salmon Meal, Whole Dried Potatoes, Whole Dried Peas, Tapioca, Salmon Oil, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Natural Flavors, Whole Flaxseeds, Dried Carrots, Dried Celery, Dried Kelp, Dried Tomatoes, Dried Beets, Salt, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Dried Cranberries, Dried Blueberries, Dried Apples, Dried Parsley, Dried Lettuce, Dried Watercress, Dried Spinach, Dried Chicory, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Chondroitin Sulfate, Zinc Methionine Complex, Manganese Methionine Complex, Copper Lysine Complex, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Beta Carotene, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, Folic Acid, Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols (a source of Vitamin E), and Rosemary Extract.

Company Reputation

Everyone loves a good deal. But not if it comes as a detriment to your pup! There are many commercial dog food brands you can find but if you do a little digging on the company, you may find information that’s useful but that you’d probably rather not know. We love how Gentle Giants has retained its “mom and pop shop” feel. It’s obvious that Burt and Tracy are true animal lovers, having so many themselves. They’ve dedicated their lives to their passion and, as a result, pet parents throughout the USA and Canada are able to feed their pups nutritious foods that help them live far longer lives than they may have lived otherwise.

Best Deals

Check out Chewy and Amazon to find the best deals! The more you buy at once, the higher your savings. Chewy also offers auto-ship as an option to help you save extra. It’s a convenient option that ensures you never run out of dog food and that saves you money over time.

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