In our research for the top food for Rhodesian Ridgebacks we have found there is no one “best” dog food for every Ridgeback. Which one is right for your dog depends on your budget, your dog’s activity levels, overall health and age.
We have compiled a list of pet foods suitable to feed your adult Ridgeback and puppy that doesn't use fillers, by-products or rendered “meat meals” – just high quality US-raised poultry and meats, and real veggies you can see.
So, let's get started!
Best Dog Food for Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Best Dog Food Overall: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free or Wholesome Grains
Blue Buffalo is a favorite brand of premium dog food.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness offered is in both grain-free and with wholesome grains. It is a high-protein dry dog food that uses real chicken as its main source of protein. This recipe has an excellent mix of quality meat and healthy fruits and vegetables, in addition to BLUE’s exclusive LifeSource Bits, a precise blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants meant to give dogs everything they need to be strong and healthy.
This recipe is made with just the right balance of carbohydrates and calories to make sure that your Rhodesian Ridgeback’s dietary needs are being met. Some of the main, wholesome ingredients used in this formula include sweet potatoes, peas, blueberries, cranberries, and carrots.
We also like it because it has all these other great benefits which helps keep dogs healthy.
If you’re seeking the perfect all-around dog food for your Rhodesian Ridgeback, this is your best bet, without having to sacrifice on quality or nutrition.
Best Affordable Dog Food: American Journey Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato
The American Journey brand is manufactured in house by Chewy's pet experts and nutritionists. This is their own in house brand and offers high-quality pet foods made with premium ingredients. Fortunately, American Journey offers quality nutrition for dogs at a more affordable price point.
This recipe is grain-free food and deboned salmon is it's first listed ingredient. You can feel good about feeding your Rhodesian this grain-free fish diet since deboned salmon is a high quality protein, offers ample Omega fatty acids and is a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin.
Along with deboned salmon, chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes and chickpeas make up the rest of the primary ingredients. It's also supplemented with flaxseed and salmon oil for a balance of skin- and coat-supporting omega fatty acids. Dogs on this formula have benefited from healthy skin and coats, cleared up skin allergies and itchy skin, firmer stools and weight maintenance. It has only 390 kcal/cup, is for dogs in all life stages as well as different breed sizes.
This affordable Rhodesian Ridgeback food diet is only available at Chewy in a 4-lb, 12-lb or 24-lb bag.
Best Sensitive Stomach Dry Food: Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream
This is a very popular brand dog food that's got some rave reviews from other Rhodesian Ridgeback owners.
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream, is available in both grain-free or with ancient grains and is made with real smoked salmon and sweet potatoes, tasty sources of protein that dogs go crazy for.
It also includes healthy fruits and vegetables and antioxidants to support a healthy immune system. You can choose from either grain-free or with grains if your pup has a sensitive stomach.
This recipe offers important Omegas 3 and 6 fatty acids that help protect dogs’ skin and coats. Other notable ingredients include salmon, ocean fish meal, sweet potato, garbanzo peas, blueberries, tomatoes, and rasberries.
Probiotics is added in the formula which aids with digestion and helps strengthen the immune system.
One thing we don't like about this formula, is that despite its low calorie count, it contains a higher amount of carbs but offers moderately high protein which is good to see.
Other features we like about this brand:
This formula is another great food choice for Rhodesian Ridgebacks suffering with allergies or those that tend to have sensitive or upset stomachs.
Best Holistic Dog Food: Solid Gold Wolf King
Solid Gold Wolf King Holistic Dog Food for adult dogs quite often comes up as one of the top rated foods that you could possibly feed your dog. It's using wholesome ingredients in order to achieve a complete and balanced diet for dogs.
What we like about this holistic recipe is that it is specifically formulated to meet the metabolic needs of active large breeds so it's ideal for a Ridgeback. On the plus you will find no wheat, corn, by products or soya beans and comes sugar-free!
Primary meats include fresh and deboned Bison and Ocean Fish Meal, reliable starches include: brown rice, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, an army of fruit (apples, cranberries, blueberries) and vegetables (lettuce, celery, beets, watercress, spinach, etc.) and nutritious proteins with Omega 3,6 fatty acids.
Other key facts that are pertinent to this formula which are important to note are:
If your Rhodesian suffers from skin irritations, Solid Gold is among the best holistic dog foods with some solid reviews. It is very low in calories compared to others so another good choice for weight control.
Best Food for Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppies
For owners who want to start feeding their Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy with quality dog food look no further then our recommendations below. Our research indicates these brands and formulas are ideal for puppies of large breeds and we recommend feeding these brands until they around 5-6 month mark after which switch to one of the adult formulas above.
We recommend checking out Eagle Pack as the top choice of large breed puppy food that offers great overall taste, quality and affordability. Here are great options to feed your Rhodesian puppy.
- Best Overall Large/Giant Breed Puppy Formula: Eagle Pack Lamb, Chicken & Fish
- Top Rated: Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Smoked Salmon
- Popular Choice: Wellness CORE Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey
Rhodesian Ridgeback Nutritional Guide
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are one of those breeds that always seem to be hungry. It is up to you to make sure that your dogs are fed based on the feeding guidelines recommended and going from there. Owners can adjust based on their dog’s weight, age, and energy levels in order to keep his weight in check and avoid becoming overweight.
Rhodesian Ridgeback Food Requirements
Rhodesian Ridgebacks aren’t known for being picky eaters, so their owners need to make sure they are feeding them premium dog food that is not full of harmful fillers and unnatural ingredients. Holistic dog food brands will have everything a Rhodesian Ridgeback needs for great skin and coat health and minimal allergic reactions (which are sometimes common in this breed).
Premium dry dog food blends like Blue Buffalo, Taste of the Wild, and Solid Gold are a few options that come highly recommended by pet owners. These dog food brands know what it takes to keep dogs healthy and include only the best ingredients in their formulas. Look for a dog food brand with meat and produce as the first ingredients and owners will find their dogs are in great shape
How To Feed a Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Breeders recommend to feed Rhodesian Ridgebacks twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening. After they have established a schedule, try and stick to it to make sure your dog is getting the proper nutrition it needs.
Don’t leave food out for them all day, otherwise they are certain to over-eat. You can give them healthy snacks in-between meals and make sure there's always a fresh, cool bowl of water available.
Health Concerns and Dietary Aids for Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Dermoid Sinus
A skin defect that is caused by incomplete separation of the skin and nervous system during the dog’s prenatal development. Symptoms include an opening on the dog’s back with a swirl of hair. Mild discharge of abscesses may form because of this condition. Unfortunately, this condition is treated with surgery and there is little that owners can do to mitigate the issues that arise from dermoid sinus.
Bloat
As a deep-chested breed Rhodesian Ridgebacks are among the higher-than-normal risk for the emergency gastrointestinal syndrome most commonly known as bloat. When dogs develop bloat which is often related to swallowed air (however fluids and food can also be present), their stomachs become distended and then begins to rotate on their axis.
The ingredients used in your Ridgeback's diet also appear to factor which correlates to bloat. Best ways we found in our research to help prevent dog bloat is to feed your Ridgeback Rhodesian dog with foods containing no grains or other fermentable carbohydrates and since this is a high risk breed it is also advisable to feed them two to three smaller meals a day as opposed to one big feed for the whole day.
Using a puzzle feeder bowl will help with fast eating, preventing bloat and obesity while also providing mental stimulation enriching your dog's life.
As a large breed, Rhodesian Ridgebacks will need high quality dog food that gives them the calories and nutrients they need to support their active lifestyle.
Final Verdict
Blue Buffalo and Taste of the Wild are two trusted dog food brands whose formulas include everything that dogs need to be healthy and energetic. Rhodesian Ridgebacks love these brands because they contain delicious protein and fruits and vegetables that dogs love.
