Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Dry Dog Food Review

Our Recommendation

Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Health Chicken and Oatmeal offers a flavor combination that dogs are sure to love. I know this because I have noticed a difference in how well our dogs like foods with a little oatmeal in them. Holistic Select is affordable for a high-quality dog food. Remember that when you buy a food that has dense nutrition and the highest quality ingredients, dogs tend to need fewer cups to feel satisfied and maintain good body condition and muscle tone.

I recommend this dog food to those that need a quality adult formula that is made to support the long-term health needs of large dogs. It is a great food for dogs that have sensitive stomachs. While there is both brown and white rice in this formula, there is a lot more other good stuff that makes up for the grain component. Even if your dog doesn’t tolerate corn, wheat, or soy very well, there’s a good chance that they can eat a rice and oatmeal dog food just fine, especially when all the ingredients are top notch!

• Pumpkin and papaya help promote healthy digestion so your big pooch gets the most out of their dog food on every level. 
• Taurine and L-Carnitine encourages a healthy heart.
• No artificial colors or flavors.
• No by-products or cheap fillers like corn, wheat, and soy.
• Probiotics and digestive enzymes in every bite make this a perfect dog food for those with very sensitive stomachs or allergies. Probiotics also help your dog get more vitamins and minerals out of each meal.
•  Sources of protease help your dog break down cellulose and proteins while alpha-amylase encourages the break down of starches so your dog has less chance of major gastrointestinal distress.
• A big variety of proteins. This dog food has egg, chicken, pork, anchovy, and sardines. I like that some fish is included because this is a major source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that help promote good brain development and function as well as a shiny coat and great skin.

I have no problem recommending this food to any parent of a giant lovable adult dog! The attention to ingredients also makes it appropriate for senior dogs but you may want to soak it in broth or water at least some if they are old enough to not have the best teeth.

Ingredients

Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground White Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat
(Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Beet Pulp, Pork Meal, Anchovy
& Sardine Meal, Dried Egg Product, Flaxseed, Pumpkin, Carrots,
Cranberries, Tomato Pomace, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Potassium Chloride,
Apples, Peas, Organic Quinoa, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement,
Beta-Carotene, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12
Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine
Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin
Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid], Minerals [Zinc Polysaccharide Complex,
Iron Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Polysaccharide Complex, Manganese
Polysaccharide Complex, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Potassium
Iodide], Papaya, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Dried Kelp, Taurine,
Blueberries, Pomegranate, L-Carnitine, Inulin, Mixed Tocopherols Added
to Preserve Freshness, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dl-Methionine, Ground
Cinnamon, Ground Fennel, Ground Peppermint, Dried Lactobacillus
Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation
Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried
Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis
Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product,
Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Lecithin, Choline
Chloride, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract.

Nutritional Analysis

Pet food ingredients, nutritional values, and the way they are labeled for consumers are monitored by several organizations in the United States including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the NGO, Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Each year the AAFCO publishes two sets of nutritional minimum standards for dog food intended to help specify if a food is suitable for:

1. Dogs in the growth & reproduction phases of life
2. Adult dogs maintaining a healthy weight and activity level

Caloric Content

3,686 kcal/kg, 392 kcal/cup

Guaranteed Analysis

* – indicates not yet analyzed

Transition Instructions

To transition, gradually mix in the new food over a 5-7 day period, increasing the amount of Holistic Select each day, so that you are feeding 100% Holistic Select by day 7. Dogs that are very sensitive or picky may need up to 10 days to make a transition. This formula is very easy to digest so it is rare that a dog needs more than the standard 5-7 days.

Feeding Amounts

Feeding Instructions

This is a very concentrated dog food so if you are switching from another brand you should take care to follow the Holistic feeding guidelines and not assume your previous brand is the same. This will help ensure that a healthy weight is maintained. Of course, if your dog is struggling with their weight, you will want to reduce the ration. Pregnant or nursing dogs may need 2-3 times the amount shown in the chart above.

The Bottom Line

Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Health Chicken Meal and Oatmeal is an impressive dog food that contains a great mix of ingredients suitable for dogs that have very sensitive stomachs and dietary restrictions. 

This is a complete and balanced ration that offers a big range of flavor for your dog. The variety of proteins and healthy fats combined with probiotics and protease mean your dog gets the most out of their food while avoiding stomach and digestive issues. 

This food is a bargain compared to a lot of specialty and prescription only dog foods. If you are paying a lot for limited ingredient foods at your vet, this formula is something to consider and may very well be higher quality than what you are paying so much for.