How are Marleybones' meals made?

We only use high quality, freshly prepared ingredients, which are sealed raw in their aseptic packaging and slow-cooked, reaching temperatures of over 100°c for just a few minutes. This method not only locks in essential nutrients, moisture and natural flavours, but also keeps our meals as fresh as possible without the need for preservatives or freezing. Marleybones is the easiest way to feed healthy!

Is Marleybones suitable for puppies?

All our meals have been specially formulated for all life stages, taking the issue out of having to switch your dog's food as they grow. Our quiz algorithm adjusts so that puppies between the ages of 2-12 months receive extra nutrition to ensure they grow strong and healthy!

Do I need to freeze the food?

One of the benefits of Marleybones meals, is that you don't need to clear your freezer of ice-cream and just need to store them in a cool, dry place. As a bonus, they take up much less space than traditional food, and they're easy to stack and store. At Marleybones, we are proud to offer pantry fresh meals that remain fresh for up to 18 months when stored in a cupboard. Unlike other products that use preservatives, additives, or other undesirable ingredients that compromise the nutritional balance of the food, our innovative packaging and cooking methods help us achieve a shelf-stable product without sacrificing quality.

Can I easily stop my subscription?

Marleybones subscription service is easy to manage. You can both push your delivery date or stop your subscription altogether. You're of course welcome back anytime.

Best Large Breed Puppy Food (UK)

The best large breed puppy food has controlled calcium and phosphorus levels, moderate fat, and a calorie density that supports slow, steady growth rather than rapid weight gain. This matters because large breed puppies are far more prone to joint and skeletal problems if they grow too fast. Look for food labelled specifically for large breed puppies, or complete food with FEDIAF-compliant mineral levels for their expected adult weight.

Marleybones , Team

Jul 14, 2026

At a glance

Large breed puppies are dogs expected to weigh over 25kg as adults, and they need slower, more controlled growth than smaller breeds.
Calcium should sit between 0.8% and 1.2% of dry matter, with a calcium to phosphorus ratio close to 1.2:1 to 1.4:1.
Overfeeding calories during the growth phase is the single biggest cause of developmental joint problems like hip dysplasia.
Large breed puppies stay in the puppy growth phase for 15 to 24 months, much longer than small breeds who mature by 12 months.
FEDIAF, the European body that sets nutritional standards for pet food, has specific guidelines for large breed growth that responsible brands follow.

What should I feed a large breed puppy?

A large breed puppy needs a complete food formulated specifically for large breed growth, with controlled calcium, moderate fat, and calorie levels that avoid rapid weight gain. This isn't about restricting nutrition. It's about pacing growth so bones and joints develop at the rate they're designed for, rather than being forced to keep up with a puppy that's gaining weight too quickly.

Large breed puppies, generally those expected to weigh 25kg or more as adults, are structurally different from small breed puppies. Their bones grow for longer and their joints carry more weight throughout life. Feeding them a standard puppy food, or worse, an adult food that hasn't accounted for their size, raises the risk of skeletal problems that can affect them for the rest of their lives. The right approach to feeding across every life stage starts with understanding what makes large breed growth different in the first place.

Why does calcium matter so much for large breed puppies?

Calcium controls how fast bone grows, and too much of it in a large breed puppy's diet accelerates bone growth faster than the joints and cartilage can keep up. This mismatch is directly linked to developmental orthopaedic diseases, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and osteochondrosis, a condition where cartilage doesn't develop properly and can crack or detach.

Large breed puppy food should contain calcium at 0.8% to 1.2% of dry matter, with a calcium to phosphorus ratio between 1.2:1 and 1.4:1. Adult dog food or standard puppy food formulated for small breeds often carries calcium levels that are too high for a large breed's slower, longer growth window. This is precisely why large breed specific formulas exist rather than a single puppy food for every size.

Complete puppy food in the UK is required to meet FEDIAF nutritional guidelines, the European Pet Food Industry body that sets minimum and maximum nutrient levels for different life stages and breed sizes. Any large breed puppy food worth buying will state that it meets these guidelines, and ideally will have been formulated or reviewed by a vet or veterinary nutritionist.

How much should a large breed puppy eat and how fast should they grow?

Large breed puppies should grow slowly and steadily, not quickly. A useful rule of thumb: they should be lean enough that you can feel, but not see, their ribs, and should never look rounded or overweight during the growth phase. Rapid weight gain in the first six months is one of the strongest predictors of joint problems later in life, independent of genetics.

Portion sizes need to adjust regularly because large breed puppies can put on several kilograms a month during peak growth. Age-appropriate portioning explained in detail is worth reading properly rather than relying on generic feeding guides, because a Labrador at four months needs a very different portion to a Labrador at ten months, even though both are still puppies.

Growth stage	Approximate age	Feeding focus
Rapid growth	2 to 6 months	Frequent small meals, strict calcium control
Steady growth	6 to 12 months	Transition to fewer, larger meals, monitor weight closely
Slow growth	12 to 18 months	Approaching adult size, gradual move towards adult food
Growth plate closure	18 to 24 months	Full skeletal maturity reached, safe to fully transition to adult diet

Large breed puppies shouldn't move to adult food until their growth plates have closed, usually between 18 and 24 months depending on breed. Moving too early risks the same calorie and calcium imbalances that large breed puppy food is designed to prevent.

What ingredients should I look for in large breed puppy food?

Look for a named animal protein as the first ingredient, moderate fat content around 12% to 16% of dry matter, and controlled minerals rather than

Best Dog Food for an Overweight Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

A practical, vet-informed guide to helping a Cavalier lose weight safely and keep it off.

Best Dog Food for a Senior Havanese

What changes in your Havanese's bowl once they hit their senior years, and why it matters.

Best Dog Food for Working & Sporting Dogs (UK)

How to fuel working and sporting dogs properly, without guesswork

Best Dog Food for a Senior Akita

What changes in your Akita's bowl once the grey starts showing around the muzzle.

Best Small Breed Dog Food (UK): A Complete Buying Guide

What small dogs actually need from their food, and how to choose well

About the author Marleybones , Team

Marleybones is a team of passionate dog lovers on a mission to transform the way we feed and care for our dogs. Every article we create is rooted in science-backed research, expert insight, and real-life experience - whether it's from our in-house team or trusted partners. We believe in a holistic approach to canine wellbeing, combining high-quality nutrition with behavioural support to help dogs thrive at every stage of life. Our content is designed to educate, empower, and support pet parents in making informed, confident choices for their four-legged family members.