Best Dog Food for Dalmatians in 2024

This is our review of the best dog food for Dalmatians in 2024.

Dalmatians are graceful and muscular dogs that need plenty of TLC. This medium breed requires unique kibble to keep them from forming kidney or urinary stones — a harmful disease.

So, what’s the best dog food for dalmatians, and can a specific diet help keep them healthy?

Royal Canin Dalmatians Adult is my top choice.

It’s low in purines, which cause uric acid build-up and stones in the urinary tract. And, it’s formulated for Dalmatian’s protein and fat needs. 

However, there are also other options out there for your furry friend, and they’re listed here. Each is low in purines, but fits different lifestyles and age ranges — so you can have the perfect food no matter your dog’s needs. 

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall – Royal Canin Dalmatians Adult Dry Dog Food
• Best Budget Food – American Journey Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dog Food
• Best for Urinary Health – FirstMate Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dog Food
• Best for Puppies – Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health Dog Food
• Best for Seniors – Merrick Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food
• Best for Active Dogs – Purina Pro Plan 30/20 Dry Dog Food
• Best for Allergies – Go! SENSITIVITIES Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dog Food
• Best Wet Food – Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Canned Dog Food
• Best Fresh Dog Food – My Ollie Fresh Food
• Best for Weight Loss – Country Vet Naturals 24/14 Healthy Diet Dry Dog Food

10 Best Dog Foods for Dalmatians Reviewed 

The dog food formulas listed below follow the AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines. Before switching your Dalmatian’s food, please consult with your veterinarian. 

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Royal Canin Dalmatians Adult Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Wheat, Corn, Chicken Fat, Egg Product
• Guaranteed Analysis: 20% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 3.5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 375 kcal/cup
• Diet: With Grain, Specialized Nutrition
• Life Stage: Adult
• Key Feature: Low purine dry dog food formulated for Dalmatians with EPA and DHA

Royal Canin Dalmatian Adult dog food is a breed-specific diet formulated with your beloved spotted pup in mind. 

The specialized kibble is slightly flatter and larger — perfect for a Dalmatian’s strong jaw and scissor bite. Since Dalmatians are prone to uric acid build-up, this food is also low in purine. This can help prevent urinary and kidney stones.  

Chicken fat and egg product offer 20% low purine protein, and also include taurine to help maintain a healthy heart. There is no beef or fish meal in this formula since they are higher in purines. 

Fish oil includes EPA and DHA, supporting skin and coat health, and brewers rice and wheat offer nutrients like calcium for strong bones. Plus, these ingredients also provide fiber for easy digestion. 

Royal Canin Dalmatians Adult is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Dalmatians 15 months and older.

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American Journey Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas
• Guaranteed Analysis: 25% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 6% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 324 kcal/cup
• Diet: Sensitive Digestion, Limited Ingredient Diet, High-Protein, No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy, Grain-Free, Chicken-Free
• Life Stage: All life stages
• Key Feature: Grain-free and low purine dry dog food that’s budget-friendly 

Finding a budget-friendly dog food that’s low in purines can seem complicated.

Many value commercial brands add fillers, fish meal, and by-products to their formulas to cut costs. But these ingredients can be detrimental to your Dalmatian’s health and wellness. 

American Journey Limited Ingredient recipe offers a protein rich diet that’s also low in purines. Your pup will enjoy natural and high-quality ingredients without you burning through cash. 

This formula starts with real deboned turkey as the first ingredient. It provides a single source of animal protein and 25% protein for lean muscles. 

Peas and sweet potatoes offer grain-free fiber. This is ideal for dogs who may have food sensitivities, and they also include vitamins and minerals like vitamin E for healthy skin and a shiny coat. 

Flaxseed provides omega-3 fatty acids for gut and joint health, while sunflower oil supplies omega-6 fatty acids, helping with growth and immune function. 

This recipe is made without corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-product meals. It’s also free of artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors.

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FirstMate Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Burbank Potato, Norkotah Potato, Chicken Fat, Whole Blueberries
• Guaranteed Analysis: 25% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 537 kcal/cup
• Diet: Sensitive Digestion, Limited Ingredient Diet, Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Pea-Free
• Life Stage: All life stages
• Key Feature: Limited ingredient and low purine dog food for urinary health

Did you know that antioxidants can help improve urinary health? For dogs like Dalmatians that are prone to urinary stones, the more help, the better. 

FirstMate’s Limited Ingredient formula includes plenty of health benefits to keep your dog’s urinary health on track. 

It starts with free-run chicken meal as a single source protein, providing omega fatty acids for joint and muscle maintenance. It’s also on the list of low purine foods that can keep kidney and urinary stones at bay. 

Fresh blueberries provide natural antioxidant benefits, and they promote a healthy immune system and urinary tract.

This formula is grain-free, though it does include potatoes as an easy-to-digest carb source. Plus, these provide extra vitamins like folate and fiber, which can aid in gut health. And yeast extract is also added for energy and an umami flavor that dogs love. 

All FirstMate formulations are manufactured at their plant in Chilliwack, B.C. Canada.

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Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Barley
• Guaranteed Analysis: 25% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 4.5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 433 kcal/cup
• Diet: Sensitive Digestion, With Grain
• Life Stage: Puppy
• Key Feature: High-protein puppy food with DHA for brain development 

While Dalmatians are medium-sized, they do grow significantly during the first 12 months of their lives. Because of this, a large breed dog food is essential to protect their muscles. 

Holistic Select Large Puppy Health offers a high-protein and moderate fat formula. This is important for pups like Dalmatians who need joint support and help with muscle growth. 

It starts with lamb meal and chicken meal. These ingredients provide taurine, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Each nutrient helps with heart and joint health and helps maintain lean muscle mass. 

Salmon oil and flaxseed offer omega-3 fatty acids for brain and eye development, and oatmeal and brown rice support digestive health with prebiotics and fiber content. 

L-carnitine and probiotics are supplemented as well. L-carnitine helps break down fats and turn them into energy, while probiotics help with sensitive tummies. 

Holistic Select is made in the US with high-quality ingredients that have been ethically sourced. 

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Merrick Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Turkey Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 3.5% Crude Fiber, 11% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 370 kcal/cup
• Diet: Grain-Free, No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy, Gluten-Free
• Life Stage: Senior
• Key Feature: High-protein and grain-free dry dog food with omega fatty acids for senior Dalmatians

Your Dalmatian will reach seniorhood at around 7 years of age. Once they reach their senior years, it’s crucial to give them food made for older dogs. 

Merrick Grain-Free Senior dog food offers a balanced diet for senior dogs that need extra support. 

It starts with real deboned chicken — a high-quality protein that’s easy for older dogs to digest. Chicken also has essential vitamins like taurine and glucosamine to maintain healthy hips and a strong heart. 

Sunflower oil and chicken fat supplement L-carnitine to support a healthy metabolism and brain function. And, they also have amino acids for extra joint support. 

Sweet potatoes and peas help keep your pup regular. They provide a natural source of fiber and include a plethora of vitamins, including vitamin E for coat health, B vitamins for energy, and zinc to reduce inflammation. 

This grain-free recipe is made without corn, wheat, soy, gluten, or artificial preservatives.

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Purina Pro Plan 30/20 Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Corn Gluten Meal, Rice, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols, Poultry By-Product Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Crude Protein, 20% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 484 kcal/cup
• Diet: High-Protein, With Grain
• Life Stage: All life stages
• Key Feature: High-protein and high-fat dry dog food for active dogs

Is your Dalmatian full of energy? Are they a working dog? If you answered yes to either (or both!) of these questions, you need a high-protein and high-fat formula to keep them energized all day. 

Purina Pro Plan 30/20 includes 30% protein to promote strength and endurance. And, it contains 20% fat for all-day energy. 

It starts with real chicken — providing a natural source of glucosamine for mobility. Then, fish meal and egg product are added for extra protein for healthy muscles. 

While fish meal can be high in purines, it’s not of as much concern since it’s lower on the list of ingredients. 

Beef fat and fish oil provide DHA and EPA for cognitive function and to lower blood pressure. The fish oil also has omega fatty acids for joint and metabolism support — perfect for working dogs. 

This formula is fortified with live probiotics to support a healthy immune and digestive system.

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Go! SENSITIVITIES Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: De-Boned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Tapioca, Peas, Lentils
• Guaranteed Analysis: 26% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 451 kcal/cup
• Diet: Sensitive Digestion, Limited Ingredient Diet, Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy
• Life Stage: All life stages
• Key Feature: Grain-free and limited ingredient dry dog food made for dogs with food allergies

Dalmatians are prone to both food and environmental allergies. If your pup is sensitive to specific ingredients, you’ll need to meet their unique dietary needs.

Go! SENSITIVITIES Grain-Free dog food is a limited ingredient diet free from beef and soy — two common allergens for Dalmatians. It’s also formulated for dogs who have sensitive stomachs. 

This formula features one premium-quality animal protein — cage-free turkey. It provides glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints and muscles. 

ASC + MSC certified marine microalgae oil is rich in omega fatty acids for healthy skin and healthy brain development. And, the oil is sustainably sourced, so you can be sure it’s safe for your dog and the environment. 

Lentils and chickpeas offer easy-to-digest carbs as well as prebiotic fiber, which helps soothe sensitive tummies and encourage healthy digestion. 

This recipe is made without added grains, gluten, chicken, potato, wheat, corn, or soy. It’s also free of by-product meals and artificial preservatives. 

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Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Canned Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Carrots, Peas
• Guaranteed Analysis: 8% Crude Protein, 6% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 421 kcal/cup
• Diet: No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy, With Grain
• Life Stage: Adult
• Key Feature: High protein and limited ingredient wet food for medium breeds

There are many reasons why a dog may need to switch to wet food. They include allergies, weight gain, or age. Or, sometimes, your pup may just be picky, so switching to canned food will help them eat their recommended diet.  

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Adult dog food offers a high-protein diet that’s easy to eat. It starts with high-quality turkey, helping support lean muscle mass and providing iron for energy. 

Brown rice and oatmeal offer healthy fiber for digestion health, and help reduce inflammation and soothe sensitive tummies. 

Carrots, peas, and sweet potatoes provide healthy carbohydrates. They also offer vitamin C for immune system support. Blueberries are added as well, as a natural antioxidant and for an energy boost. 

This formula doesn’t contain by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. You can feed your dog this wet food exclusively, or mix it with kibble to entice your dog to eat.

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My Ollie Chicken Recipe

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Carrots, Peas, Rice, Chicken Liver
• Guaranteed Analysis: 10% Crude Protein, 3% Crude Fat, 2% Crude Fiber, 73% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 1298 kcal/kg
• Diet: Human-grade
• Life stage: All life stages
• Key Feature: Fresh and premium dog food customized for your Dalmatian

High-quality and fresh food can be inconvenient to make for busy dog owners. Choose Ollie if you want to feed your dog a human-grade diet but don’t have the time to make it yourself. 

Ollie creates a customized plan for your Dalmatian after you answer the questions in their 5-minute quiz, regarding your dog’s weight, height, activity level, and if they’re spayed or neutered. 

After you complete the quiz, Ollie calculates the perfect diet, calories, and other needs for your pup. 

They offer four different recipes — including chicken, beef, lamb, and turkey. For Dalmatians, chicken and turkey will most likely be the best options. But, you can also get a combination of all the recipes. 

Once you place your order, the fresh food is made in small batches and shipped right to your door. It also comes with a feeding guide, storage container, and scoop. These make feeding time and clean-up easy. 

And, the feeding guide will tell you the exact portions to feed your Dalmatian for proper nutrition. 

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Country Vet Naturals 24/14 Healthy Diet Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Brown Rice, Rice Bran, Brewers Rice
• Guaranteed Analysis: 24% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 402 kcal/cup
• Diet: Sensitive Digestion, Weight Control, No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy, With Grain
• Life Stage: Adult
• Key Feature: Low-calorie and low-fat dog food for overweight Dalmatians

While Dalmatians are active, they can be prone to weight gain. Getting older or having lower activity levels can make your dog lose their trim figure. 

Country Vet Naturals Adult 24-14 dog food contains plenty of protein (24% to be exact) for lean muscles. But, it’s also lower in calories and only has 14% Crude Fat to help prevent weight gain or help your pup lose a few pounds. 

This formula starts with real deboned chicken and chicken meal. These offer lean protein for healthy muscle growth and maintenance, and they also contain glucosamine and chondroitin to protect the joints. This is especially important for overweight dogs since obesity can make joint issues worse. 

Brown rice and pearl barley provide pre and probiotics for digestive health. And they also help boost the metabolism to support weight loss. Plus, chicken fat offers taurine and omega fatty acids for heart health. 

This formula is made without fillers like corn, wheat, and soy.

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How to Choose Food for Your Dalmatians

Dalmations have unique dietary needs and should follow a strict regimen. Here’s how to choose the best food for your dog.

Nutritional Requirements

A proper diet for Damlatians starts with a balanced ratio of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

High Protein Content

Your dalmatian will need a diet that’s high in protein to keep them fit and healthy, with animal sources always being the first choice. 

The best options include chicken, beef, turkey, and even boar. Your dog will also need between 18% to 20% protein content to fulfill their daily requirements. 

Healthy Fats

Essential fatty acids protect your Dalmatian’s coat and skin, and help provide them energy. Seeds like flaxseed and fish-based oils like salmon offer these benefits, as well as joint support. 

Deficiencies in fatty acids can cause issues like vision impairment or impaired brain function. Fish oils, chicken fat, and even coconuts can provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Complex Carbohydrates

Like fats, complex carbohydrates provide a source of energy. Choose healthy carb sources like brown rice, spinach, barley, and sweet potatoes as these offer prebiotic fibers to aid in digestion and vitamins for immune support.

Fiber

Your Dalmatian will need a high-fiber diet for better digestion. Dog foods that offer vegetables, fruits, and grains will give them all of the fiber they need. 

And, if your Dalmatian has a sensitive tummy, fiber can help with discomfort and encourage better bowel movements. 

Vitamins and Minerals

Commercial dog food already supplements the nutrients your pup needs regularly, so you shouldn’t need to give them any extra vitamins or minerals. 

But, choosing dog food high in vitamin A and E can be beneficial. Vitamin A helps with eye health and nervous system support, and vitamin E helps nourish your dog’s coat and can ease allergy symptoms. 

Diet Low in Purines

Your Dalmatian needs quality protein and carbohydrates for healthy muscles and joints. But it’s vital to choose low-purine foods. 

Purines break down in the body and change to uric acid. The kidneys usually filter uric acid, but Dalmatians can’t process it well. This leads to a build-up — causing urinary stones, kidney problems, and even kidney failure. 

Purine-rich foods like meat by-products, mussels, and livers should be avoided. Instead, find a dog formula that includes poultry, eggs, corn, potatoes, and even wheat. 

Ingredients to Avoid

Fillers and chemicals are legal to add to dog food, but aren’t usually best for your dog’s health.  In worst-case scenarios, these additives can cause health problems like cancer or kidney disease. 

It’s essential to avoid fillers like artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. A few examples include BHT, ethoxyquin, and even MSG. 

While many Dalmations can eat corn and wheat, some may be allergic to gluten. If that’s the case for yours, be sure to avoid that ingredient as well. 

Common Dalmatians Health Issues 

Dalmatians can live up to 13 years, which is great for larger breeds. But, they have a few genetic conditions and health issues that you need to be aware of. Here’s what you need to know. 

Allergies

Dalmatians are prone to both environmental and food allergies. Main allergens include pollen, beef, soy, and dust. 

Common signs of allergies include dry skin and your dog licking their paws. Allergies are genetic, and you can test your dog for them during puppyhood. 

It’s important to buy dog food that doesn’t include ingredients your dog is allergic to, and to choose foods with omega fatty acids that help nourish dry skin. 

Urinary Stones 

Hyperuricosuria (also called HU) is a genetic condition that many Dalmatians have. This disease causes a higher concentration of uric acid in urine. The uric acid builds up to form urinary stones and even kidney stones.

These stones usually have to be surgically removed. 

The best way to help your dog avoid them is to feed them a diet low in purines. This includes eliminating ingredients like liver and limiting ingredients like fish. Instead, a diet with poultry and potatoes can be helpful. 

Hip Dysplasia 

Hip dysplasia is common amongst large breed dogs like Dalmatians. This disease affects the development of the hip joint and causes a loss of joint function over time. 

To avoid damage to your dog’s joints, regular exercise and maintaining their weight is essential. Feeding them a diet that has amino acids and glucosamine can help protect joints as well. 

Deafness

Deafness is one of the most common inherited diseases for Dalmatians. An analysis showed about 2 in 10 Dalmatians will be deaf in at least one ear. 

There is no cure, but there are plenty of ways to keep your dog safe if you find that they can’t hear well. 

Dalmatians Feeding Guide

When it comes to feeding your Dalmatian, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, adults will need about 25 calories per pound that they weigh. 

The average 60-pound Dalmatian will need about 1,500 calories a day. Puppies will need around 30 calories a pound, and seniors will need about 22 calories a pound. 

It’s also important to feed your puppy 2 to 3 times a day. As they get older, they can eat twice — once in the morning and once at night. 

Dalmatian puppies can switch to adult dog food once they reach around 14 to 16 months of age. And, once your dog reaches about 7 years old, you can change them to senior dog food. 

Our Verdict

Dalmatians are active and loyal dogs who deserve to have food that promotes wellness and keeps them healthy. 

Royal Canin Dalmatians Adult is an excellent choice. It has low purine protein content and adds DHA for healthy cognitive function.

But every food on this list can fit your dog’s needs, no matter where they’re at in life. From puppyhood to their senior years, you can find dog food that works for them. 

FAQ

Curious about what your Dalmatian needs in their food to thrive? Here are some frequent questions and answers.