Edited by: Mike Powell
Reviewed by: Abby TexasLast Update:
The Rundown
Premium Option: Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food
“Match your Weimaraner’s high energy with a diet that supports his active lifestyle. The Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food contains optimum nutrients and supplements that your dog needs and it comes in a wide variety of flavors.”
Best for Immune System: Blue Buffalo Adult Dry Dog Food
“Keep your pooch healthy and well-protected with a dog food formulated to boost his immune system. The Blue Buffalo Adult Dry Dog Food contains top quality ingredients and packed with added supplements your Weimaraner needs.”
Best Value for Money: Diamond Naturals Dry Food for Adult Dog
“There’s no need to spend a fortune looking out for your beloved pet’s health and well-being. Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food has everything your Weimaraner needs for a surprisingly affordable price.”
These sleek, speedy dogs are known as “gray ghosts”. They were bred to be hunting and gun dogs. Even if you don’t actively hunt with your Weimaraner, he’s likely to have plenty of expendable energy.
Choosing the best dog food for Weimaraners is essential to keep these high-energy pups strong and healthy! It needs to nourish them, but also keep their joints strong and their skin moisturized.
The recipes we’ve chosen here are for the average, moderately active, non-hunting Weimaraners out there. Check out which products in this list are ideal for your Weimaraner’s needs.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- Best Dog Food for Weimaraners
- 1. Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 2. Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food
- 3. Diamond Naturals Adult Dry Dog Food
- 4. American Journey Puppy Dog Food
- 5. Blue Buffalo Senior Dry Dog Food
- 6. Wellness Core Natural Dry Dog Food
- 7. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
- 8. Diamond Naturals Athlete Dry Dog Food
- 9. American Journey Dry Dog Food
- 1. Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Weimaraners’ Nutritional Needs
- Weimaraner Diet and Feeding Guide
- Health Problems of Weimaraners
- Ingredients to Look For
- Ingredients to Avoid
- Wrapping Up
Best Dog Food for Weimaraners
Here are our top picks for the best dog food for Weimaraners:
- Premium Option: Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Best for Immune System: Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food
- Best Value for Money: Diamond Naturals Adult Dry Dog Food
- Best for Weimaraner Puppies: American Journey Puppy Dog Food
- Best for Weimaraner Seniors: Blue Buffalo Senior Dry Dog Food
- Best for Urinary Health: Wellness Core Natural Dry Dog Food
- Best for Sensitive Stomach: Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
- Best for Hunting Weimaraners: Diamond Naturals Athlete Dry Dog Food
- Best for Hypothyroidism: American Journey Dry Dog Food
1. Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Premium Option: High fat content for an active Weimaraner
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Key Features
- Variety of flavors available
- Sweet potatoes as a slow-burning carb source
- Contain glucosamine and chondroitin
- All unusually high in Omega fatty acids
This grain-free dog food from Merrick has 6 different flavors, so if your Weimaraner is a picky eater, he should find something from this recipe range to suit him.
They contain everything a high-energy dog needs. Although, some recipes, with the exception of the lamb, contain chicken in some form. So be sure to check the ingredients list before choosing one for your dog.
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All a High-Energy Dog Needs
Most of the recipes in this range contain 38% protein and 16 or 17% fat, which is great for a Weimaraner who doesn’t hunt but is still fairly active.
You’ll also find high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to support and maintain your dog’s joint health.
Interestingly, the duck flavor also contains DHA, which is a great supplement for puppies and seniors to keep their eye and brain health in check.
This grain-free dog food also contains some of the highest Omega fatty acids we’ve seen. This is wonderful for Weimaraners, who need extra skin and coat support.
2. Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food
Best for Immune System: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
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Key Features
- Various recipes available
- Varying protein and fat counts to suit every Weimaraner
- Added LifeSource Bits for immune system health
- All contain joint supplements
Our best choice for immune system health is Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food which is designed for large breed dogs and features some interesting supplements. It’s a good choice for moderately to fairly active Weimaraners.
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Great for Immune System Support
There are 4 grain-free recipes in this range – chicken, salmon, beef, and trout, venison, and rabbit. These are some great flavors, but be careful if your Weimaraner is sensitive to certain proteins. Every flavor except the beef contains chicken, and if your Weim is sensitive to both beef and chicken, you may need to find a different brand.
They all have protein levels in the low 30s, and the fat counts range from 13% to 16%. Every recipe contains glucosamine, and some contain L-carnitine too.
Life Source Bits are packed with vitamins and minerals to strengthen the immune system.
3. Diamond Naturals Adult Dry Dog Food
Best Value for Money: Full range of supplements for a budget-friendly price
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Key Features
- Extremely affordable, at less than a dollar per pound of food
- Added vitamins A and E
- High-quality superfood ingredient list
- Contains joint supplements
For Weimaraner parents who want a high-quality dog food that won’t impact your wallet, Diamond Naturals Adult Dry Dog Food is the best dog food to choose for your dog. There are 2 recipes available, beef and chicken, so you can avoid problem proteins. If you choose the chicken, be aware that you’ll need to buy a separate joint supplement.
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Affordable but Top Quality
At less than a dollar per pound of kibble, you really can’t beat this dog food for affordability. And it’s actually a highly nutritious food for Weimaraners who get a bit of exercise every day.
Each contains a single protein source, and healthy grains like white rice, brown rice, sorghum, and barley.
But it’s the fruits and vegetables that are the stars. Superfoods like kale, quinoa, chia seeds, blueberries, and coconut appear on each ingredient list. You’ll see kelp too, which helps with hypothyroidism.
4. American Journey Puppy Dog Food
Best for Weimaraner Puppies: Packed with vitamin-rich carbs for your active little pooch
Key Features
- Contains DHA and ARA
- Perfect calcium and phosphorus ratio
- Contains kelp to stimulate the thyroid from a young age
- Nutrient-dense ingredients
Although American Journey Puppy Dog Food isn’t specifically large breed puppy food, it still works well for Weimaraner puppies. It has a decent amount of protein and fat, and the necessary supplements a large breed puppy formula would offer.
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Affordable Puppy Food
This food contains 25% protein from chicken and chicken meal, so if your little one is sensitive to it, you’ll need to find a different dog food.
15% fat is a good number for moderately energetic Weimaraner puppies. Energy is also provided by healthy, slow-burning carbs, like brown rice, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal.
You’ll find joint supplements and a perfect calcium/phosphorus ratio to help your little one grow up at the right pace. High levels of fatty acids and DHA and ARA make this a great large breed puppy food.
5. Blue Buffalo Senior Dry Dog Food
Best for Weimaraner Seniors: Contains supplements to help your senior age healthily
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Key Features
- Senior-specific dog food formula
- LifeSource Bits promote healthy aging
- Remains high in protein with reduced fat count
- Contains helpful supplements
Blue Buffalo Senior Dry Dog Food is our choice for the best dog food for Weimaraner seniors. As dogs age, they naturally slow down. Although active medium large breeds like Weimaraners may remain fairly energetic, they still need a senior dog food.
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Immune Support for Older Dogs
With 30% protein, your senior’s muscles will be maintained despite the lowered fat count (12%) to account for less activity. Joint supplements keep them flexible and strong.
Good levels of DHA, EPA, Omega 6, and Omega 3 fatty acids, your senior’s coat and skin will remain well-nourished and moisturized.
L-carnitine helps to regulate metabolism, and the addition of kelp will keep the symptoms of hypothyroidism at bay.
If your senior can’t handle chicken, we suggest trying Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe (beef), or Nulo Freestyle Senior Dry Dog Food (fish).
6. Wellness Core Natural Dry Dog Food
Best for Urinary Health: Wholesome recipe with added vitamin A and E
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Key Features
- High in protein and fat for active dogs
- Whole grain or grain-free options
- High fatty acid levels
- Balance of vitamins and minerals
Weimaraners are prone to urinary infections and bladder stones. The good thing is, you don’t need to feed your dog a prescription dog food, which can be more expensive. Just having the right dog food in their diet can significantly improve their health. This recipe from Wellness Core is packed with good stuff to improve urinary health.
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Good Nutrition and Urinary Health
Active dogs will benefit from 34% protein and 16% fat. You can choose from grain-free or whole grain, both of which are healthy and wholesome.
They’re loaded with a good amount of glucosamine for large breed joint health. The Omegas are high, which will benefit your dog’s skin and fur.
Extra vitamin E and vitamin A help to improve urinary health and prevent bladder stones from forming. They’ll also provide a bit of an immune boost, so your Weimaraner’s health should improve overall.
7. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Best for Sensitive Stomach: well-rounded for Weimaraners of all life stages
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Key Features
- Single protein source recipes
- Variety of recipes available for every taste
- Suitable for all life stages
- Muscle and organ meat for amino acid boost
If your Weimaraner has a sensitive stomach and you struggle to find great dry dog food for them, these grain-free recipes from Acana are worth checking out. Five recipes with five different protein sources make it easy to avoid problem ingredients.
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Limited Ingredient Recipes Lacking Nothing
Each of these recipes has only one protein source, so you can feed your dog something that suits their stomach and most likely have a second option too so they don’t get bored.
With 31% protein and 17% fat, these are good dog foods for Weimaraners who are fairly active. The Omegas vary by recipe, so you can chop and change if your dog needs a skin and coat boost.
With joint supplements, DHA, and EPA, these recipes are also suitable for a Weimaraner puppy, as well as a senior dog.
8. Diamond Naturals Athlete Dry Dog Food
Best for Hunting Weimaraners: High fat levels for added energy
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Key Features
- High in protein and fat for active dogs
- Proprietary probiotics blend
- Rich in antioxidants from superfoods
- Joint supplements added
Dog food for Weimaraners who hunt needs to be able to provide energy for a highly active day. Diamond Naturals Athlete Dry Dog Food is not only affordable, but it contains everything necessary to keep your dog strong and ready for the hunt.
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High Protein, High Fat
The fat content in this dry dog food is 25%, which is perfect for hunting dogs but usually too much for regular dogs.
A nice 32% protein will also keep those muscles strong, while joint supplements keep them moving with good flexibility and stability.
In terms of digestion, it contains Diamond’s proprietary K9 probiotic blend to maintain a healthy gut. The dog food is also loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, thanks to its superfood-rich ingredient list.
9. American Journey Dry Dog Food
Best for Hypothyroidism: Contains ingredients for improved thyroid function
Key Features
- Avoids beef ingredients
- Contains kelp to stimulate thyroid function
- Suitable for all life stage dogs
- High in fatty acids for coat health
We’ve specifically chosen American Journey Dry Dog Food for dogs with hypothyroidism, as it avoids beef, contains kelp, and also has all the supplements necessary to nourish both a large breed puppy and a Weimaraner adult.
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Helps Alleviate Hypothyroidism Symptoms
32% protein and 14% fat is suitable for active Weimaraner puppies, adults, and even seniors. The calcium/phosphorus ratio is spot on if you want to feed this to a growing puppy, and DHA is added too.
High Omega levels and added joint supplements give your Weimaraner all the support he needs.
The ingredient list is filled with high-quality veggies and fruits which bring an array of antioxidants. Be aware that there is chicken meal in this dog food, even though it’s salmon flavored.
Weimaraners’ Nutritional Needs
Calorie Count
The recommended daily calories for a moderately active adult Weimaraner of approximately 70 pounds in weight is around 1700. That’s about 24 calories per pound of body weight per day.
However, if your Weimaraner is a hunting dog, they may need up to 3700 calories on hunting day, depending on how active they are.
A Weimaraner puppy needs about 30 calories per pound of body weight, up until about 12 months of age, when it’s considered an adult.
This of course varies depending on your dog’s lifestyle and daily activities, though. If your dog is very active but doesn’t hunt, they may do well on 2500 calories per day. If they’re more of a cuddly couch potato, then 1500 may be enough.
You’ll need to monitor your own dog and see how they’re doing on their calorie count, and increase or decrease as necessary.
Protein Needs
The best dog food for Weimaraner dogs will contain anything from 25% and upwards. More active dogs would benefit from more protein, so again, this depends on your particular pooch.
Dogs with kidney or urinary problems may do better on a lower-protein dog food. In these cases, 20 to 25% would be plenty of protein for them. Make sure the protein is made up of high-quality animal protein ingredients.
Fat Content
Fat isn’t what makes your dog pudgy! It’s what dogs use as their main source of energy in a dog food. The best dog food for Weimaraner adults who are moderately active should contain around 15% fat, give or take a few for less or more active dogs.
A hunting dog will need 20% or more fat on a hunting day. In fact, our recommended dog food for hunting Weimaraners contains 25% fat!
Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids are different, and don’t make up your crude fat count, so there’s no need to consider them here.
Joint Supplements
Weimaraners are naturally energetic dogs, but they’ve also got quite a thin frame. Their joints need a bit of support to stay strong and flexible, especially when they’re being used so often.
You’ll want to see glucosamine on the guaranteed analysis list. It’s a supplement that protects and strengthens joints against wear and tear. Sometimes it’s paired with chondroitin, but other times you’ll see it by itself.
If the dog food you’re feeding your Weimaraner doesn’t contain joint supplements, that’s okay! You can buy glucosamine tablets separately to add to your dog’s daily diet. As long as they’re getting a dose!
Weimaraner Diet and Feeding Guide
Weimaraners are prone to certain health issues.
1) Choose a Larger Dry Dog Food Kibble Size
The best dog food for Weimaraner dogs and other deep-chested breeds should have a larger kibble size.
Smaller kibble can contribute to bloating. When dogs eat too fast, they can ingest air with their kibble, and the stomach fills with air, cutting off blood supply. Larger kibble makes dogs eat slower, lessening the chance of that happening.
Most dog foods for large breed dogs will be of an adequate size. Make sure you’re never accidentally choosing a small breed dog food!
2) Feed Several Smaller Meals Throughout The Day
Bloating also increases if your dog is eating a large meal and they’re super hungry! This is why it’s a good idea to feed your Weimaraner a few small meals throughout the day.
Especially if you’ve chosen a nutrient-dense dog food with good quality ingredients, your Weim will stay full between meals, despite their meals being smaller. They won’t need to scoff their food and potentially take in air along with it.
If you can, split your dog’s daily calories between three or four meals. If you need to add more calories to a meal, consider adding a wet dog food or a nutritious kibble topper.
3) Pay Attention To How They React To Food
Weimaraners are prone to food allergies. But because they can’t tell us when they’re feeling bad, you have to pay close attention to how your dog’s body responds to their dog food.
The best dog food for Weimaraner puppies, adults, or seniors will nourish without causing digestive upset.
If your dog is eager to eat their food and settles down comfortably after they’ve eaten, it’s a good sign.
If they’re reluctant to eat their kibble and show signs of digestive distress (either constipation or diarrhea), you may need to consider choosing a new dog food.
Health Problems of Weimaraners
Weimaraners can be prone to food allergies, so whether you’re feeding them a wet dog food or a dry food, it’s important to ensure it contains ingredients they can handle.
They also suffer from separation anxiety more than other dogs, which can make other conditions worse.
1) Joint Dysplasia
Weimaraners are prone to dislocating joints. They have quite lanky frames, and with the amount of exercise they do, it can be easy for their joints to take strain.
Hip dysplasia is the most common, followed by knee and elbow dysplasia. If your dog dislocates a joint, never attempt to put it back in place yourself! There’s a chance of you trapping nerves and blood vessels between the bones.
The best dog food for Weimaraner and other large breed dogs will usually contain glucosamine, to strengthen the joints and reduce the chances of hip dysplasia.
2) Bladder & Kidney Stones
These bouncy pooches are also susceptible to urinary problems, like bladder and kidney stones. These can happen for a few reasons:
- When there’s too much calcium in your dog’s system.
- A diet that’s too high in purines (found mostly in beef products).
- A highly acidic diet.
Choosing the best dog foods for Weimaraners to reduce the chances of this happening is important! It’s not only extremely uncomfortable, but urinary stones can lead to complications and may require surgery if they’re severe.
3) Hypothyroidism
Low thyroid function is another common disease in Weimaraners. When the thyroid malfunctions and doesn’t produce enough of the necessary hormones, it causes your dog’s metabolism to slow down, which affects digestion, temperature regulation, weight, and overall health and wellbeing.
The symptoms can include:
- A decreased appetite
- Unexplained weight gain
- Weakness and lethargy
- Getting cold easily
- Skin and hair issues
Other signs that are less common but can also occur include seizures, dry eyes, and unusual thickening of the facial skin.
4) Eye Problems
Weimaraners are also prone to eye problems. Entropion and ectropion are common, which is when the eyelid either turns inwards and rubs against the cornea, or turns outward and is exposed to the elements, which can cause discomfort.
It’s important to pay attention to your Weim’s eyes and get them to a vet at the first hint of a problem, to avoid eye infections.
Sometimes, a Weimaraner puppy will be born with two sets of eyelashes. This isn’t a problem in itself, but can lead to other issues due to the position of the extra set of lashes.
5) Gastric Torsion
Gastric torsion, also known as bloat, is a potentially life-threatening condition. It happens most often to deep-chested dogs, and it’s when the stomach fills with gas (often air) and cuts off the blood supply to other organs.
This is why the best dog food for these large breeds has a larger pellet size. It gets them to eat slower, reducing the chances of accidentally ingesting air.
Ingredients to Look For
Weimaraner dog food should contain all-natural ingredients. Anything that’s not natural could aggravate their sensitive tummies.
1) Animal Protein
The best Weimaraner food will have a high quality protein that comes from an animal as it’s first ingredient.
Plant proteins are quite okay to see on an ingredient list, but they don’t contain enough amino acids to meet your Weimaraner’s nutritional needs alone.
The best dog food brands will have a high-quality ingredient list, beginning with an animal protein. Real meat and meat meal are both perfectly acceptable.
Remember to pay attention to your dog’s eating and avoid proteins that seem to be problematic for them.
2) Fruits & Vegetables
The best Weimaraner dog food, like any other dog foods, should contain good quality ingredients that release energy slowly into your dog’s system.
Sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and other squashes are great slow-releasing carbs that will provide energy over a longer period of time.
Fruits like blueberries, cranberries, and apples offer vitamins and antioxidants, as well as adding a bit of natural taste to the kibble.
3) Glucosamine & Chondroitin
Whether you’re looking at a large breed puppy formula or a large breed adult recipe, joint supplements in a dog food are a must.
Dog foods without joint supplements are acceptable if you’re willing to buy and give your Weimaraner separate glucosamine supplements.
4) Probiotics & Prebiotics
If your Weimaraner struggles with food allergies, probiotics and prebiotics are particularly important.
These are the naturally-occurring live bacteria in a dog’s digestive system, so adding them to your dog’s food helps the digestive system along nicely.
Probiotics and prebiotics may be mentioned on the packaging, or you may find them on the guaranteed analysis list with long names like Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract.
5) Kelp
Kelp helps prevent and alleviate the symptoms of hypothyroidism, which Weimaraners are susceptible to.
Kelp contains iodine, which boosts thyroid function. If your dog doesn’t have thyroid issues, then choosing a dog food with kelp could help avoid hypothyroidism.
If your dog already has thyroid problems, a kelp-rich food could improve their thyroid function and alleviate many of the symptoms.
Ingredients to Avoid
1) Corn, Wheat, and Soy
Corn, wheat, and soy contain gluten. Gluten doesn’t digest in a dog’s body. Therefore, corn, wheat, and soy aren’t good for your dog.
Across the life stages, no matter how hardy your dog’s stomach is, it’s best to avoid these ingredients in a dog food. The best dog foods for Weimaraner adults and puppies may contain gluten-free grains, but should contain nothing with gluten!
2) Artificial Colors, Flavors, and Preservatives
Weimaraner dog foods, or any dog foods, should avoid artificial ingredients. Not only are these unnatural, but they often trigger digestive upset and can lead to long-term health issues if eaten often.
3) Beef Products
Weimaraners can suffer from urinary stones and hypothyroidism, both of which are made worse by beef ingredients.
Beef contains purines, which are a compound that’s actually necessary in a dog’s body. But when there’s too much of it in the dog’s system, it can cause a build-up, leading to bladder stones. A low-purine dog food is the best way to go if you want to improve your Weimaraner’s urinary health.
Beef by-products can worsen the symptoms of hypothyroidism, and although most high-quality dog foods won’t contain by-products (certainly none that we review), it’s safest to just avoid feeding your Weimaraner beef products entirely, if you’re able to.
You’ll need to cater for your own Weimaraner here, though. They also tend to suffer from food allergies, so chicken may be a problem. It could be best to stick to a dog food containing proteins like salmon, turkey, or lamb, but you’ll need to pay attention to your dog to see what they respond well to and what dog food they seem to have a problem with.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the best dog food for Weimaraners is essential for their health and wellbeing! They’re high-energy dogs, even if you don’t hunt with them, and they need some very specific nutrients to stay healthy and strong.
If you’re not keen on any of the foods on this list, do some more research! As long as their sensitive stomachs are catered for, their joints are supported, their life stage is supported, and they have a healthy skin and coat, the Weimaraner food you choose should be all good.
Remember, every dog is different, so be sure to cater for your pup specifically!
