The Best Dog Food Brands for Vizslas

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November 6, 2022 / Dog Food / By: Krystine Therriault

vizsla puppy eating from dog bowl

Proper nutrition is the cornerstone for an active and healthy Vizsla and good dietary management has a profound positive impact for your pal in the long run. Dog food manufacturers spend millions of dollars in research and development to ensure they deliver superior dog food formulas.

Breeders and trainers on the other hand believe in the formulation of homemade dog food using meat and other natural raw ingredients. However, unless you enjoy putting in the time and effort to prepare your dog's meals, feeding your Vizsla homemade food has no advantages over feeding a high-quality commercial dog food.

But, finding a high-quality and nutritionally balanced premium commercial diet can prove to be challenging at first, but not impossible!

In this article you’ll find a good selection of some excellent dog food recipes, all of which your Vizsla bundle of joy will devour, so let’s take a look!

What Foods To Feed Your Vizsla?

Magyar Vizsla Dog Nutrition

Dogs need a diet that contains the right amount of energy as well as the right mix of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids.

Given their tall frame and love for physical exercise they do best on a high-protein diet given the high amounts of calories they burn off. Good brands to feed your Vizsla include Taste of the Wilde, Canidae, Merrick, Orijen, Blue Buffalo or Evo – these are all brands with very little grain if any and other cheap fillers.

Some owners prefer to feed them a raw diet, others prefer to feed them a mix of both.

Ensure that food and water bowls are sturdy enough not to tip over easily. Ensure you supply your dog with plenty of fresh and clean water and to maintain good a hygienic standard clean your dog’s bowl well, after each feeding.

How Much Food To Feed Your Vizsla?

For your Vizsla puppy feed them food that is the healthiest and least processed and is especially formulated for puppies. Shop for quality and not price when it comes to choosing the right puppy food for your growing Vizsla.

Feed them appropriate amounts of food two or three times per day and leaving their food down for around 10-15 minutes at a time to eat as much as they want to at which stage you can remove it and keep it for next time.

For adults they will require three to four cups of a high-quality dog food a day. These should be apportioned and fed to them twice a day.

For a happy and older Vizsla and to complement their slowing metabolism aim for a high-quality diet that is specially formulated for senior or older dogs but sticking to the same brand you have used as adults.

Whilst portion size does not reduce from adult size, their foods need to contain more fiber and less fat to ensure healthier bowel function.

So, Which Pet Food Brands Made the Cut?

In order to keep their Vizslas in great health, you should feed them high quality food with a lot of nutrients to support this breed’s high energy levels.

Vizslas do well on a raw diet whose first ingredient should be meat, especially chicken or lamb.

Since Vizslas tend to suffer from eye and stomach problems, dog foods that are designed to tackle these issues is a big plus.

EXPERT CHOICE

#1. Taste of the Wild High Prairie, Roasted Venison & Bison

Taste of the Wild is consistently top rated in the dog food surveys and this recipe has no grain, corn, wheat, or fillers, and provides complete nutrition for adult dogs.

Best Dog Food for hungarian vizsla dog

Taste of the Wild (TOTW) dog food is a high-quality brand and our own pups thrive on itThere aren't a lot of negative comments when it comes to TOTW and even some of the bigger brands can't make this claim. Nevertheless the manufacturers behind this brand consistently produce healthy and balanced foods and this formula is no different.

TOTW's High Prairie Canine Formula with Roasted Bison and Venison is very popular with us dog owners. We particularly like that it includes so many different quality animal meats that you wouldn't find in many other dog foods, like bison and venison. And the added health-boosting fruits and veggies knock this food right out of the park.

A quick look at their nutritional value show this food contains high protein and fiber content, moderate fat content and a great amount of Omega fatty acids and other vitamins and minerals for overall health.

  • Crude Proteins 32%
  • Crude Fats 18%
  • Crude Fiber 4%
  • Zinc 150mg/kg
  • Selenium 0.35 mg/kg
  • Vitamin E 150 IU/kg
  • Omega 6 Fatty Acids: 2.8%
  • Omega 3 Fatty Acids 0.3%

The only negative is that it is a pricier formula compared to other dog food brands on our list.  

Since this may not be what you would consider budget dog food, if you can afford to splurge a little bit more on quality dog food that is precisely balanced with your dog's specific needs in mind, we highly recommend this recipe for your Vizsla dog.

This USA made food has 370 kcal/cup and is free from grain, corn, wheat, filler, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

We consider TOTW a mid-priced food, but its use of quality ingredients is well-worth the investment for your Vizsla.  

TOP RATED

#2. CANIDAE All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula Dry Dog Food

Canidae pet foods contain high quality ingredients, and this recipe free from corn, wheat or soy and fully in line with nutritional guidelines for different lifestages. 

Best Dog Food for Vizslas

Canidae All Life Stages dry dog food is another winning choice for your furry child, because you can feed it to dogs of all sizes and ages, from puppies to older dogs.

This is the perfect solution for owners who also have multiple dogs and want high quality kibble without paying for different food for each pet. This formula also contains no corn, wheat, or soy that can cause allergic reactions in some dogs.

CANIDAE All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula Dry Dog Food uses four sources of animal protein in their dry dog food: chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish. The recipe includes probiotics to support healthy digestion, which is sometimes a concern for the Vizsla breed. It also includes Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to give pets healthy skin.

Antioxidants are added to ensure dogs who eat it have a healthy immune system. This food has 468 kcal/cup.  Canidae definitely exceeds all criteria.

BUDGET PICK

#3. American Journey Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry

If you're on a budget but still want quality dog food, this grain-free recipe is a favorite of ours.

Affordable Chicken Dry Dog Food

Don't be fooled by the budget price tag of this chicken and sweet potato recipe from American Journey. This premium quality food is made without grains, a common allergy trigger for dogs. Uses only complex carbs in the form of chickpeas and sweet potato and is plentiful in Omega fatty acids - with the addition of salmon oil and flaxseed

The American Journey dry dog food range covers many other options aside from chicken- including Beef, Lamb as the primary protein source. This particular recipe has real, deboned chicken, chicken meal and turkey meal. This is what I like to see in a pet food -  chicken “meal” and turkey "meal"  are a denser ingredient than regular chicken/turkey and ensures the food is high in animal proteins.

This is definitely a decent food for a Vizsla with an affordable price tag. As far as grain foods go this is one of the best especially if you have an active dog due to its higher protein levels.

FRESH HUMAN - GRADE

#4. Ollie Fresh Pet Food Delivery

Formulated with an animal nutritionist, Ollie's Healthy Turkey Feast is full of grain-free goodness for all life stages and delivered fresh to your door.

Cooked refrigerated dog food

Ollie Pet Food is a fresh food delivery service offering super premium dog food delivered monthly on subscription. The Healthy Turkey Feast formula is one of four available recipes to choose from including Hearty Beef Eats, Chicken Goodness and Tasty Lamb Fare in addition to customized foods if your dog has unique dietary requirements.

Their recipes exceed AAFCO standards for dog food formulation for all life stages and use real, whole food ingredients good enough for humans to eat. This high protein dry dog food contains ground turkey, brown rice, carrots, carrots, spinach, egg and fish oil

You'll find no cheap grains and corns in this grain-free and gluten-free goodness - just all the premium meat and vegetables they could ever need in the one box. A good option for Vizlas prone to allergies or stomach sensitivity.

ALSO POPULAR

#5. Merrick Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

Another daily food that's suitable for adult dogs of all sizes containing meat as the first ingredient and is free from artificial nasties.

Best Food for Active Vizsla Dogs

Merrick Grain Free Recipe Dry Dog Food is made with real chicken and sweet potato, both wholesome ingredients that dogs love.

The company proudly states that 70% of their recipe consists of poultry and fish ingredients, while the other 30% is made up of produce, vitamins, and minerals. This high protein dog food source has nutrients needed to support a Vizsla’s active lifestyle, whether they are an integral family member or at your side during hunt season. 

First five listed ingredients are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes and Peas.

This dry dog food recipe uses Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to support dogs’ coat and skin health, along with glucosamine for healthy joints and bones. This USA-made kibble is grain-free, and doesn’t contain any corn, wheat, gluten, or soy and has 402 kcal/cup.

This recipe is free from harmful fillers and by-products. Overall the feedback is positive - with many owners praising it for giving their pets healthy coats and helping with digestion, and is perfect for supporting larger breeds who need a lot of nutrients to support their energy levels.

Some owners have noticed that dogs with a lot of allergies and sensitivities also react well when switched over to this brand and recipe.

PREMIUM PICK

#6. Orijen Original

Orijen is a trusted brand with ingredients that owners love, which is why so many choose to feed their furry friends this food.

Dog Food for Vizsla dogs, puppies and older

Orijen Grain-Free Original Dry Dog Food is a high protein, low carb option to give dogs the best health possible. The ingredients in this recipe include a variety of fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables, and no plant oils. With a minimum of 70% protein in this kibble, owners can expect that this high quality dog food will keep up with their Vizsla’s activity levels.

Orijen is proudly made in Canada from responsibly sourced ingredients that pet owners love and trust. This recipe uses edible bone as a source of calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine and chondroitin for joint and bone health without adding any artificial ingredients.

The goal of this dry dog food is to provide pets with the type of food nature meant for them to eat, and it is great for dogs of all breeds, ages and sizes. Orijen’s sustainably farmed ingredients are delivered fresh daily, making them one of the highest quality pet food producers out there.

Owners have noticed that picky dogs love Orijen Original Dog, and that dogs with sensitive digestion in particular do very well with this formula.

Dogs who suffer with arthritis and weight issues have seen great improvements with this grain-free recipe since it is low in carbohydrates and the veggies used are low-glycemin. Owners love how their pets are so energetic after switching to this dog food, and how shiny their coats are.

BEST CANNED FOOD

#7. Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato & Venison Grain-Free

If you're looking for a really good wet food for your Vizsla dog this is a stellar option from a trusted brand.

Grain Free Canned Food

Natural Balance is a consistently top performer in both dry and wet pet food. One of the things that stands out about this recipe is that it was formulated with the help of veterinarians for pets with allergy problems and itchy skin. It's protein comes from novel sources such as venison.

Salmon oil is added for those essential fatty acids. Sweet potatoes are a good source of complex carbs and the recipe also has added vitamins and minerals like B6 and B12 and vitamins C and D.

This is a complete and balanced formula for both puppies and adults and free from corn, wheat, soy, peas - overall a great grain-free canned food option for your Vizsla pup.

Vizsla Health Problems and Dietary Solutions

Given their high risk of developing hip dysplasia it is vital that you don’t over feed your Vizsla causing them to gain weight. This adds pressure on their joints leading to joint problems and arthritis.

To ensure your Vizsla does not become obese, a quick check is to keep an eye on their mid-section, you should be able to feel their ribs and see a pronounced waistline. If not, cut back on their food intake and employ a consistent and rigorous exercise program.

To avoid bloating and swelling or twisting of the stomach avoid feed your Vizsla right after physical activity. Allow at least one hour before feeding.

A note of caution if your Vizsla’s activity level is more sedentary as opposed to fully active reduce their caloric intake by 35 – 40% so that you can avoid undesirable weight gain in your Vizsla.

Finally, have plenty of water available that is easily accessible especially for dogs with joint problems, poor eyesight and kidney issues or diabetes.

Take Note

A dog's metabolism changes over its life, and dietary intakes need to be adjusted as your pet ages. 

Vizsla Breed 101

Vizslas are a medium-sized dog breed kept as household pets and as hunting dogs. This breed is active and muscular, perfect for families with children and active singles

They have short but thick and silky coats that are fairly easy to groom and range from golden to rusty in hue. This breed is gentle, affectionate, and friendly. They often become very attached to and protective of their owners. Since they are a quiet breed they're also easy to train and love to please their master.

Here's a few other breed characteristic details:

  • Height: 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) 
  • Weight: 50-60 pounds (23- 27 kg)
  • Lifespan: Average 14 years
  • Pedigree: Vizsla bred with German Wirehaired pointer

This quick video does a great job of providing you with a quick overview on the Vizsla breed if you'd like to learn more.

As Vizslas are built for endurance and stamina it is important to provide them with a diet packed full with nutrients. There is a positive correlation between diet and a healthy Vizsla, the more quality foods you feed your dog their health increases.

As a breed they do well on a raw diet and equally on high-grade dry dog food with meat listed as its main ingredient, preferably chicken, lamb, venison or, turkey. All lean meats. You can also use a mix of those.

Age, weight and activity levels are some of the factors that dictate the food requirements of your Vizsla. First you need to establish the appropriate amount to provide, feed an accurately measured portion at regular intervals to help preserve their optimal weight.

Final Word on Hungarian Vizsla Dog Nutrition

Vizslas are beautiful, active dogs that make a great addition to almost any household that has the space to keep them occupied and happy.

To keep a Vizsla healthy, owners should feed them high quality dry dog food that is high in protein and packed with nutrients.  All of our recommended recipes above are grain-free, with responsibly sourced ingredients that are meant to optimize a dogs’ health and keep pets happy for years to come.

WRITTEN BY

Krystine Therriault

Krystine Therriault is an accomplished writer. With a passion for all creatures cute and furry, Krystine's life has been touched by many beloved dogs over the years. She is also a loving mother of two boys and an avid yogi.

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