Hi again Jennifer-
As far as I know, there are no actual studies or research on a nutrient profile specificially for large and giant breed adult dogs. Each company kind of just decides what a large and giant breed adult formula should look like. Most of the time what that formulation looks is lower protein, lower fat and lower calories to try to keep weight off them. For the most part I can agree with that formulation, though personally because I have unaltered dogs I find I can feed them higher calorie, higher fat foods (but just feed them for a less active dog) and they don’t gain weight.
Dr. Rebecca Remillard ACVN recommends switching a large/giant breed puppy to a weight management or “light” formula once they hit maturity to keep weight off them, but I personally don’t feel a weight loss formula is needed to keep them lean, though I’m sure some may benefit from it for various reasons.
