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Chow Chows are an adorable dog breed known for their teddy bear appearance. These fluffy pups are a popular breed. Like all other dogs, they need a well-balanced diet to stay healthy throughout their lives. Chow Chows do have a few health concerns to consider when choosing their food. I’ll discuss what you need to know about feeding your Chow Chow, including dietary health concerns, and share my picks for the best dog food for Chow Chows.
| Best Overall | Human-Grade | Puppies | Adults | Seniors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
| The Farmer’s Dog | Ollie | Merrick Backcountry | Open Farm | Canidae |
| Visit Website | Visit Website | View on Amazon | Visit Website | View on Amazon |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Nutritional Needs & Feeding Guidelines For Chow Chows
Chow Chows have a few different health needs that affect their diet. Like all other dogs, they need a high-quality diet with animal proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more. These help support growth, provide energy, support the immune system, and keep that coat looking full and healthy. Nutritional requirements change based on each pup’s individual lifestyle, health, and age.
Lean proteins are best, including fish, chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, and beef. Look for dog food that uses fresh ingredients, no fillers, and healthy plant protein sources like barley, rolled oats, chickpeas, and peas. Stay away from unnamed meat meals and animal by-products, unnamed animal fats, corn syrup, and artificial additives and chemicals.
Health Conditions That Impact Chow Chow Nutrition
- Obesity – Chows are a breed that is prone to being overweight. They love to eat and are not one of the most physically active breeds. So, you must be careful with portion control, avoid free-feeding, and feed them high-quality dog food.
- Diabetes – Due to their low physical stamina and propensity to put on extra pounds, Chows have a higher risk of developing diabetes.
- Allergies – Chow Chows are prone to allergies, which can impact their skin and coat health as well as their digestive system.
- Bloat – Canine bloat, also called gastric dilatation volvulus, is a life-threatening condition commonly affecting larger, deep-chested breeds like the Chow. It comes on after they eat or drink too quickly, and the stomach fills with air, twisting in on itself. Healthy nutrition, easy-to-digest foods, and smaller meals can help prevent this.
*This is not a complete list; however, these health concerns often impact what kind of dog food a Chow Chow needs to eat. If you are concerned about your dog’s health and diet, always discuss this with your veterinarian prior to making significant dietary changes. These and other medical conditions need treatment from a doctor and cannot be solved by simply changing dog food.
Consider Pet Insurance
While pet insurance doesn’t usually pay for food, quality medical care is a must for your dog. Because the breed is prone to some health issues, it’s best to look for insurance when your pup is young. Learn more about what pet insurance covers and how it can benefit your dog.
Beyond Basic Ingredients
The Association of American Food Control Officials (AAFCO) is an organization that sets out guidelines that should be followed for all pet food. It is best to look for products that are AAFCO-compliant.
All dog food should include proteins, carbs, healthy fats, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. But many of the most nutritious premium dog foods are fortified with additional ingredients that can benefit your furry friend significantly. Here are a few things to look for and how they support your pup’s health. We’ve listed these premium ingredients in our dog food reviews for your convenience.
- Fruits & vegetables: excellent natural sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support immune health
- Fish oil and/or flaxseed (omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, including DHA & EPA): brain and eye development, skin and coat health, joint and immune support
- Glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate (often from chicken meal*): maintain healthy joints
- Prebiotics & probiotics: support digestion and a healthy level of good gut bacteria
- Taurine: supports cardiovascular, eye, and brain health, immune system function, and benefits many other body functions
- L-carnitine: an amino acid derivative that helps the metabolism of fats and may benefit dogs with heart disease (it’s particularly beneficial for older, less active dogs)
- Organ meats: an excellent source of premium quality protein and fat as well as vitamins A, B, D, and E, copper, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc
- Chia seeds: rich in plant protein, fiber, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, phosphorus
*A note about meat meal: Quality pet food brands often use meat meal in their recipes, which can be a very healthy source of protein for your pup (as long as the “meat” is named, e.g., chicken meal, lamb meal, etc.). A meal can be made from the meat, tissue, organ meat, bone, stomach, and intestines of the named animal. But meat meals do not include by-products like hair, feathers, beaks, heads, blood, hooves, hide trimmings, etc.
Best Dog Food For Chow Chows
Below, I discuss some of the best dog foods for Chow Chows at different stages of life. I reviewed multiple dog food brands and picked the ones with top-level ingredients and positive customer reviews. I also spoke with pet owners and members of the Canine Journal team to glean their experiences and results with these brands.
Best Overall For All Life Stages: The Farmer’s Dog Review
Due to the Chow’s high disposition to food allergies and sensitive stomachs, fresh dog food is one of the top choices for them. While it is also one of the most expensive, it can make a world of difference for your dog’s digestion, immune health, and overall well-being. One of the leading brands in the fresh dog food space is The Farmer’s Dog. Their human-grade recipes are cooked in USDA kitchens. Meals are cooked at low temperatures, then flash-frozen and shipped directly to you. All recipes are grain-free.
You can choose from four recipes, all of which have been developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists. Currently, protein choices are chicken, turkey, pork, and beef. All recipes use human-grade ingredients with no preservatives or fillers. You create a personalized plan for your dog, and meals will come with your dog’s name and portion size printed on the label.
The Farmer’s Dog’s recipes are simple and use ingredients from top-level human food suppliers and local farms. Because they use no preservatives, it’s essential to store the food properly and feed it to your dog within the appropriate time frame so that it doesn’t spoil. While this brand is currently only available by subscription, you can alter or cancel your subscription anytime. Ingredients vary by recipe. I’ve broken down the chicken recipe below.
- First 5 ingredients: USDA chicken, USDA chicken liver, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts
- Formula highlights: human-grade & whole-food ingredients, limited ingredients, organ meat, omega-fatty acids (from salmon oil), chia seeds, taurine, and chelated minerals
- Guaranteed analysis (wet food basis): crude protein 11% (min), crude fat 7.5% (min), crude fiber 1.5% (max)
- Calories: 295 kcal per 1/2 pound
Price
- Starts at $2.00 per day
Our readers have access to 50% off your first box. No code is needed; use this link, and the discount will be applied.
In-Depth The Farmer’s Dog Review
Learn more in our detailed The Farmer’s Dog review, in which we share our team’s personal experience. We also covered The Farmer’s Dog cost breakdown and interviewed the brand founder, Brett Podolsky, to learn what’s behind the label.
Our Personal Experience With The Farmer’s Dog
Our dog LOVES it! Gobbles it down fast and has had much more consistent bowel movements. Our picky eater has also lost and maintained a much healthier weight since switching (and their coat is noticeably more shiny and healthy). And since our trial, we’ve been paying customers for more than two years!”
– Sadie Cornelius, Rescue Dog Parent, Canine Journal Creative & Marketing
Best Human Grade: Ollie Fresh & Baked Review
Ollie is another human-grade dog food company that is available by subscription. Ollie offers two kinds of food: fresh meals and baked kibble. Both recipes are free from by-products, preservatives, and fillers. The fresh ingredients are incredibly high quality and help support a Chow Chow’s heavy frame and thick coat. Ollie’s recipes use only human-grade, whole-food ingredients and include superfoods. Recipes are formulated by veterinarians and cooked in small batches in the company’s kitchens in Minnesota.
Ollie offers five fresh recipes and two baked kibbles. You can set up a subscription meal plan that works best for your dogs’ needs. You can even pick a mixed fresh and dry option. Recipes are formulated for all life stages, so dogs of all ages can enjoy these tasty meals. Some are grain-inclusive, while others are not.
With no corn, wheat, or soy, all these recipes are easy to digest and are an excellent pick for dogs with allergies, sensitive stomachs, or needing weight control. This fresh, whole-food diet is developed to support your dog’s overall health. It’s a top choice for Chows of all ages. Ingredients vary by recipe; below, I detail the fresh pork recipe.
- First 5 ingredients: pork, pork livers, butternut squash, rice, sweet potatoes
- Formula highlights: human-grade & whole-food ingredients, limited ingredients, organ meat, salmon oil, taurine
- Guaranteed analysis (wet food basis): crude protein 9% (min), crude fat 7% (min), crude fiber 2% (max)
- Calories: 1540 kcal ME/kg.
Price
- Varies by plan and your dog’s needs. Plans start at $2 per day.
Our readers can get 50% off their first box. Use this link to take advantage of this offer (no discount code needed).
In-Depth Ollie Review
We discuss Ollie in more detail in our full Ollie dog food review and cost breakdown. We also share our interview with Ollie’s Head Of Food, Bridget Meadows.
Our Personal Experience With Ollie Dog Food
Our dogs love Ollie’s fresh food and gobble it right up! However, we found it a bit messier and slightly wasteful experience compared to what we’ve experienced with competitive products that come in individual servings or ships in plastic containers that you serve directly from. All of that said, the food quality is very high, and the price really cannot be beat.
–Michelle Schenker, Rescue Dog Parent, Canine Journal Co-Founder & Licensed Insurance Professional
Best Dog Food For Chow Chow Puppies: Merrick Backcountry Raw-Infused Grain Free Puppy Review
Puppies are growing quickly and using energy quickly, so they need food formulated to support that growth. While they benefit from a mix of wet and dry food, finding a high-quality kibble is helpful. Merrick Backcountry raw-infused recipe is a grain-free dry food formulated to support high-need growth and energy levels. The recipe is packed full of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to support puppies’ growth and development.
This kibble uses real meat, including chicken and salmon. Crunchy kibble is blended with freeze-dried raw meat pieces, providing a huge flavor and texture variety. Along with that, the recipe contains high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support your pup’s skin and coat health. Along with that, glucosamine and chondroitin support healthy hips and joints.
- First 5 ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and turkey meal
- Formula highlights: grain-free, organ meat, omega-3 fatty acids (DHA), salmon oil, flaxseed, taurine, glucosamine, and chondroitin
- Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 28% (min), crude fat 14% (min), crude fiber 3.5% (max)
- Calories: 462 kcal/cup
Price
Best For Adults: Open Farm Grain-Free Grass-Fed Beef Dog Food Review
View on Amazon | View on Open Farm
Open Farm is a healthy brand of all-natural pet food. They use ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients, including fresh, locally sourced produce. Ingredients are all non-GMO, and recipes are free from artificial preservatives and flavors. Open Farm’s recipes are formulated by a team of experts in animal nutrition, animal science, and food manufacturing. Additionally, every Open Farm pet food batch goes through independent third-party lab testing. Recipes are also antibiotic, hormone, and steroid-free.
Open Farm’s recipes include vegetables and fruits, high-quality animal proteins, and wholesome grains. Additionally, Open Farm is committed to clear transparency of all its ingredients and provides a detailed description on its website of what comes in every bag. Every single recipe starts with high-quality meat. This recipe can be used with all life stages, but it is a great pick for healthy adult Chows.
- First 5 ingredients: humanely raised beef, ocean whitefish meal, field peas, sweet potatoes, 100% animal welfare certified beef liver
- Formula highlights: grain-free, organ meat, flaxseed, fresh fruits, fish meal, taurine, sunflower oil
- Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 38% (min), crude fat 14% (min), crude fiber 4.5% (max)
- Calories: 430 kcal/cup
Price
In-Depth Open Farm Review
You can learn more about this brand and its different recipes in our full Open Farm dog food review.
Our Personal Experience With Open Farm
Open Farm sent me samples of their kibble and gently cooked dog foods in exchange for an unbiased review. My senior pup Sally can be a little ornery with eating her meals, so at times we’ve added wet food to her kibble to entice her to eat. There is no enticing needed to get her to eat her Open Farm meals. The girl inhales it! In fact, we may need to start using a slow feeder to slow her down some!
– Kimberly Alt, Senior Dog Parent, Canine Journal Insurance Expert
Best For Seniors: Canidae Grain-Free Pure Senior Limited Ingredient Review
This limited-ingredient formula is a good pick for senior Chows. This limited-ingredient recipe contains just nine real food ingredients. It is grain-free and has no corn, wheat, or soy, so it’s perfect for sensitive stomachs and senior dogs who may have trouble digesting recipes with more complicated ingredients. This recipe gets its protein from chicken, and it also contains whole vegetables, antioxidants, and probiotics to support digestive health.
One thing that makes this recipe stand out is that it’s formulated for dogs with food sensitivities. This makes it a top choice for Chows who often suffer from sensitive stomachs and food allergies. This limited-ingredient recipe is free of many common allergens but doesn’t skimp on flavor or nutrition.
- First 5 ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potato, garbanzo beans
- Formula highlights: grain-free, limited ingredient, chicken fat, taurine, gluten, corn, wheat, and soy-free
- Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 28% (min), crude fat 10% (min), crude fiber 5% (max)
- Calories: 409 kcal/cup
Price
Detailed Canidae Review
Our full Canidae dog food review describes this brand, its recipes, and its ingredients in more detail.
Best For Overweight Chow Chows: Natural Balance Fat Dogs Review
Because Chows are prone to packing on extra pounds, you may find yourself in need of a weight-focused dog food recipe. It’s important to keep your dog at a healthy weight because any extra weight adds pressure on their joints and can impact their overall health and shorten their lifespan. While fresh food is a top choice when dogs are trying to lose weight, there are several other options if that’s not right for you.
Natural Balance makes a high-quality, low-calorie formula high in fiber and developed to support healthy digestion. Natural Balance Fat Dogs is made specifically for overweight adult dogs. It is designed to offer balanced nutrition, full flavor, and fewer calories. A protein and fiber blend helps your dog feel full and promotes healthy digestion. The Fat Dogs formula comes in both a kibble and canned variety, so your pup can have flavor and texture variety.
- First 5 ingredients: chicken meal, salmon meal, chickpeas, dried peas, oat groats
- Formula highlights: high protein, healthy fiber, low fat, meat and fish meal, salmon oil, eggs, chicken fat, weight control, healthy grains, herbal extracts
- Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 26% (min), crude fat 7.5% (min), crude fiber 4.5% (max)
- Calories: 315 kcal /cup
Price
- Dry: $69.98 ($2.92 / lb)
- Canned: $47.76 ($0.31 / Ounce)
In-Depth Natural Balance Review
Our detailed Natual Balance dog food review offers more insight into the brand, recipes, and more.
Best For Sensitive Stomach: JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Review
View on Amazon | View on JustFoodForDogs
JustFoodForDogs prepares human-grade, all-natural food for dogs with a shelf-stable option. A team of over 10 veterinarians develops recipes, and the company keeps its chief medical officer on staff. These recipes are 100% USDA-certified for human consumption, and the company has embarked on extensive year-long feeding trials to determine the benefits of this diet for dogs.
JustFoodForDogs also offers a line of veterinary support recipes, and the nutrition team can formulate a custom diet for your dog if necessary. Of course, this service comes at an extra fee, but this can be a game changer for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
The company uses fresh, locally sourced vegetables and fruit, premium fish oils, and a proprietary nutrient blend of essential vitamins and minerals. JustFoodForDogs offers fresh-frozen and Pantry Fresh options. Pantry Fresh is a fantastic option because it uses the same fresh ingredients but takes up less room in your freezer. Additionally, the food lasts for a little longer and has a two-year shelf life.
Below, I break down the lamb and brown rice Pantry Fresh recipe. This can be a complete meal or mixed in as a food topper with your pup’s regular kibble.
- First 5 ingredients: lamb heart, long grain brown rice, cauliflower, carrots, spinach
- Formula highlights: superfoods, safflower oil, cod liver oil, just food for dog’s nutrient blend
- Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 6% (min), crude fat 5% (min), crude fiber 1% (max)
- Calories: 475 kcal ME/12.5oz
Price
Full JustFoodForDogs Review
Learn more about the different Pantry Fresh options and the other recipes JustFoodForDogs offers in our full review.
Best Affordable: American Journey Limited Ingredient Review
American Journey is Chewy’s in-house brand and a very affordable, high-quality option for dogs with sensitive stomachs and digestive issues. The recipe includes healthy meats, as well as fruits and vegetables. It is formulated to support skin and coat health and promotes healthy digestion. This recipe is grain-free and contains no wheat, corn, soy, fillers, or artificial additives that can be hard to digest.
This recipe gets its protein from deboned salmon, and as a single protein recipe, it is much easier for dogs with food sensitivities to digest. Easily digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes provide fiber, antioxidants, and energy. Additionally, this recipe is full of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support coat, skin, eye, and brain health. With no fillers like corn, soy, wheat, or poultry by-product meals, American Journey’s limited-ingredient kibble is easy to digest yet flavorful.
- First 5 ingredients: deboned salmon, salmon meal, peas, chickpeas, sweet potato
- Formula highlights: grain-free, limited ingredient, dried beet pulp, fish oil, sunflower oil, taurine
- Guaranteed analysis: crude protein 25% (min), crude fat 12% (min), crude fiber 6% (max)
- Calories: 327 kcal/cup
Price
- Starting at $40.94 (24-lb bag)
In-Depth American Journey Review
Our full review of American Journey dog food shares more information about their different recipes and our personal experience.
Our Personal Experience With American Journey Dog Food
Our dog Barley was suffering from anal gland issues, so we did an elimination diet and found he was allergic to poultry. When I was looking for poultry-free dog food for Barley, I also focused on higher fiber to further support anal gland health. So we landed on this food, which is fish-based and also 6% fiber (a little higher than average). Since switching to the American Journey food 6 months ago, Barley has had zero anal gland issues.
– Michelle Schenker, Rescue Dog Parent, Canine Journal Co-Founder
Don’t Forget Dental Health
Dental health is extremely important for dogs but often gets overlooked. Over 80% of dogs develop dental disease by the time they reach three years old. A healthy diet supports dental health, but dogs need more than that; high-quality kibble helps keep the teeth clean by scraping off plaque, but your pup needs regular teeth brushing a few times a week. A yearly dental cleaning and exams are also helpful to keep their mouths in top shape. Dental chews can also help clean teeth and freshen your pup’s breath. You can also learn more about dental insurance for your dog and how it can help keep them healthy.
What About Supplements?
There are a wealth of supplements out there that may be beneficial to your Chow’s health. However, not all supplements are created the same. So, just like dog food, it’s vital to read the label first. For Chows, consider supplements for skin and coat health, as well as supplements for joint health. Supplements are best for adult dogs, not puppies. It’s best to discuss adding them to your Chow‘s diet with your vet first, especially if your pup has any underlying medical conditions. We review the best joint supplements for dogs and the best probiotics to support gut health.
Our Methodology
We analyze hundreds of dog food brands and individual formulas to provide our recommendations for the best nutrition. Each of the following elements helps us determine the best dog food for any dietary need. Our in-depth research includes:
- Scrutinizing all ingredients included in every formula
- Having firsthand experience with our dogs for many of the foods we recommend
- Assessing the guaranteed analysis for every formula, including protein, fat, fiber, and caloric content
- Investigating the latest scientific studies on dogs’ nutritional needs and benefits of ingredients
- Researching the specific dietary needs for breed sizes and health conditions
- Reading hundreds of customer reviews
- Staying informed on every dog food recall
- Diving into every pet food brand’s history and reputation
- Keeping on top of pet food trends
Unlike many other review sites, we give unbiased reviews based on countless hours of research. Our goal is to provide our readers with the healthiest options for their pups.
Why Trust Canine Journal
Danielle has had a special bond with dogs since she was a young child. She has over 30 years of pet care experience. Danielle has worked as a professional researcher for many years and spends countless hours researching the latest science and data-backed research on pet care, health, nutrition, and training developments. Danielle has tested and researched over 75 pet food brands with the enthusiastic help of her two dogs, Daisy and Falkor. She works with a professional and experienced team to bring our readers the best, most accurate, and up-to-date information.
