Who doesn’t love the adorable Chow Chow dog breed? Chow Chows are medium-sized and sturdy, with thick bearish fur and short pointed ears. This particular dog breed is believed to have come from Siberia or China and has a close DNA connection to wolves.
Chows were bred by the ancient Chinese aristocrats and farmers to be versatile work dogs. They assisted with hunting, herding animals, assisting in wars, and providing loyal companionship. These muscular dogs could also be pulled on sleds and were even raised and farmed for human consumption.
They were originally bred to be working dogs. However, they aren’t overly energetic or aggressive. Though they can be housed in apartments or townhouses, they require at least one daily walk to burn off extra energy. That being stated, these medium-sized dogs require a diet high in protein, fats, and carbs to
A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Royal Canin Giant Adult Dry Dog Food
Full nutrient profile
Great for larger breeds
Has omega fatty acids and glucosamine
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Best Value
Merrick Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food
Made with deboned salmon
Healthy whole grains
Omega fatty acids
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Premium Choice
American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Has deboned salmon
Packed with amino acids
High in antioxidants
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Best for Puppies
Royal Canin Puppy Canned Dog Food
Contains antioxidants and minerals
Portioned ready-made trays
Easily digestible
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Vet’s Choice
Annamaet Medium & Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Supports cognitive function
Great for a shiny coat
Has essential nutrients and antioxidants
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The 10 Best Dog Foods for Chow Chows
The meal contains a healthy mixture of fibers and easily digestible proteins, which is important for medium and large dogs with stomach problems or other digestive issues. This heart-healthy meal will satisfy your Chow Chow and give it enough protein to support muscle growth. The Royal Canin Giant Adult Dry Dog Food is our overall best pick for Chows and contains a unique combination of antioxidants that can help repair damaged cells and improve cellular health.
Main ingredients Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Chicken Fat, Brown Rice
Protein content 26.0% min
Fat content 18.0% min
Calories 3958 kcal/kg
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This formula was specifically designed for large breeds, and though Chows are considered more of a medium-breed dog, they can get rather big. The formula also supports bone and joint health, plus it contains chondroitin as well as glucosamine and omega fatty acids. It’s the best overall dog food for Chow Chows.
Pros
Full nutrient profile
Great for larger breeds
Has omega fatty acids and glucosamine
Cons
Expensive
In Merrick Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food you’ll find a mix of healthy protein and satiating carbohydrates made from grains. This meal supports digestive health but is free of lentils, potatoes, and peas. It also has deboned salmon which is great for helping to retain and build solid muscle tissue–something Chow Chows have a lot of.
Full nutrient profile
Great for larger breeds
Has omega fatty acids and glucosamine
- Full nutrient profile
- Great for larger breeds
- Has omega fatty acids and glucosamine
Expensive
- Expensive
Main ingredients Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice
Protein content 2.0% min
Fat content 16.0% min
Calories 3739 kcal/kg or 396 kcal/cup
You’ll find that this recipe is also packed with omega fatty acids to support healthy skin and a shiny coat. This is essential as Chows are a double-coated breed and dry skin can cause them to shed more than a little bit. If you need a formula that’s best for the money, here’s one to consider.
Pros
Made with deboned salmon
Healthy whole grains
Omega fatty acids
Cons
Pricey
Few flavor options
American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is perfect for Chows that are having digestive issues. It’s made with nutritious vegetables and fruits including carrots, blueberries, and salmon. It’s full of amino acids to help build and maintain muscle mass and it also includes a healthy mix of omega fatty acids and flaxseed.
Made with deboned salmon
Healthy whole grains
Omega fatty acids
- Made with deboned salmon
- Healthy whole grains
- Omega fatty acids
Pricey
Few flavor options
- Pricey
- Few flavor options
Main ingredients Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas
Protein content 34.0% min
Fat content 14.0% min
Calories 3,740 kcal/kg, 390 kcal/cup
Not only can this meal help your Chow Chow maintain moisturized skin and a shiny coat, but it will give it a daily supply of healthy protein, fat, antioxidants, and minerals. This amazing formula is also grain-free and contains no soy, weed, corn, or additives that may upset your pet’s stomach.
Pros
Has deboned salmon
Packed with amino acids
High in antioxidants
Free of corn, wheat, & soy
Cons
Pricey
Few flavors
- Royal Canin Puppy Canned Dog Food – Best for Puppies
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Main ingredients Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken, Pork By-Products
Protein content 7.5% min
Fat content 1.1% min
Calories 684 kcal/kg, 103 kcal/5.2-oz can
Royal Canin Puppy Canned Dog Food is made specifically for pups, so if your Chow is less than a year old, this recipe may be worth taking a look at. It contains highly digestible proteins and has fish oil and beet pulp to help support easy digestion. It also has taurine, lutein, and vitamins C and E.
Has deboned salmon
Packed with amino acids
High in antioxidants
Free of corn, wheat, & soy
- Has deboned salmon
- Packed with amino acids
- High in antioxidants
- Free of corn, wheat, & soy
Pricey
Few flavors
- Pricey
- Few flavors
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Main ingredients Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken, Pork By-Products
Protein content 7.5% min
Fat content 1.1% min
Calories 684 kcal/kg, 103 kcal/5.2-oz can
To give your Chow a day’s worth of essential nutrients. This formula is a perfect size kibble for small pups and makes for a great daily meal. Specifically made for puppies that are up to 22 pounds and 10 months old. Young Chows are full of energy, and this formula is sure to help support their daily energy needs along with their protein requirements. It’s also made in the USA.
Pros
Contains antioxidants and minerals
Portioned ready-made trays
Easily digestible
Cons
Not ideal for mature dogs
Perishable
Annamaet Medium & Large Breed Dry Food is perfect for medium-sized and larger Chows. It contains marine microalgae and it’s packed with essential omega-3 fatty acids. It also has L-Carnitine to assist with cognitive functioning and help maintain lean muscle mass. On top of that, this formula is full of probiotics and prebiotics to help your Chow keep a healthy gut microbiome.
Contains antioxidants and minerals
Portioned ready-made trays
Easily digestible
- Contains antioxidants and minerals
- Portioned ready-made trays
- Easily digestible
Not ideal for mature dogs
Perishable
- Not ideal for mature dogs
- Perishable
Main ingredients Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Millet, Rolled Oats
Protein content 25% min
Fat content 14% min
Calories 3887 kcal/kg
This specific recipe is full of high-quality ingredients, made with real chicken, and includes wholesome grains for an all-around well-balanced meal. It’s also free of wheat, soy, and corn, which may be ideal if your Chow has stomach issues.
Pros
Supports cognitive function
Great for a shiny coat
Has essential nutrients and antioxidants
Cons
Pricey
Few options
Blue Buffalo Adult Life Protection Chicken Dry Dog Food contains chondroitin as well as glucosamine–both of which support the digestive tract and promote the building of strong cartilage in the joints. The meal is easy to chew and contains a long list of B vitamins, as well as Vitamins C, D, and E. Blue Buffalo is one of the best dog food brands available in the marketplace and this meal is a testament to that. It’s made with real chicken and has healthy grains including brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. So, if you’re looking for a healthy dog food formula for an older Chow, this one it’s definitely worth taking a look at.
Supports cognitive function
Great for a shiny coat
Has essential nutrients and antioxidants
- Supports cognitive function
- Great for a shiny coat
- Has essential nutrients and antioxidants
Pricey
Few options
- Pricey
- Few options
Main ingredients Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal
Protein content 24.0% min
Fat content 14.0% min
Calories 3,618 kcal/kg, 377 kcal/cup
Pros
Full of antioxidants and minerals
Great for picky eaters
Well-balanced recipe
Cons
Expensive
May cause gas
Full of antioxidants and minerals
Great for picky eaters
Well-balanced recipe
- Full of antioxidants and minerals
- Great for picky eaters
- Well-balanced recipe
Expensive
May cause gas
- Expensive
- May cause gas
Main ingredients Chicken, Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Poultry By-product Meal
Protein content 26.0% min
Fat content 16.0% min
Calories 4,038 kcal/kg, 387 kcal/cup
Pros
Contains real chicken
Good for digestive health
Supports skin & coat
Affordable
Cons
May contain additives
Few options
Canidae All Life Stages Dry Dog Food is formulated for all dog breeds in all stages of life. It can work as a well-balanced meal all on its own or you can supplement it with wet food options for larger Chows. It contains a healthy amount of protein sourced from turkey, chicken, fish, and lamb. The formula is also full of healthy antioxidants and omega fatty acids to reduce inflammation and support healthy skin and a shiny coat. It’s a veterinarian-formulated recipe that contains all the vitamins and minerals that your Chow Chow needs for a well-balanced diet. The recipe is also free of wheat, soy, and corn.
Contains real chicken
Good for digestive health
Supports skin & coat
Affordable
- Contains real chicken
- Good for digestive health
- Supports skin & coat
- Affordable
May contain additives
Few options
- May contain additives
- Few options
Main ingredients Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Peas
Protein content 24% min
Fat content 10% min
Calories 3,425 kcal/kg, 506 kcal/cup
Pros
No soy, corn, or wheat
Helps support obesity
Has omega fatty acids & antioxidants
Cons
Few flavors
Not specialized for ages
Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dry Food develops dog food recipes that are specifically formulated to provide a well-balanced diet, and this meal doesn’t disappoint. It’s made with real chicken, and whole grains, and it’s full of nutrition from A to Z.
No soy, corn, or wheat
Helps support obesity
Has omega fatty acids & antioxidants
- No soy, corn, or wheat
- Helps support obesity
- Has omega fatty acids & antioxidants
Few flavors
Not specialized for ages
- Few flavors
- Not specialized for ages
Main ingredients Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Wheat
Protein content 20.0% min
Fat content 11.5.0% min
Calories 363 kcal/8-oz cup
It has a potent antioxidant plan which includes vitamins E and c and helps support strong immunity and everyday health. All of Hill’s recipes are made in their US-based manufacturing plants and contain no preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors. So if you’re looking for a dog food brand that offers high-quality ingredients and state-of-the-art formulas, look no further.
Pros
High-quality ingredients
Packed with antioxidants
Well-balanced meal
No artificial colors/preservatives
Cons
Expensive
Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food is particularly high in protein and it’s also grain-free. So, if you have a large or particularly active chow, here is one recipe to try. It’s packed with Omega fatty acids, probiotics, and antioxidants. This particular formula is crafted with premium proteins, vegetables, and fruits for an all-around well-balanced meal.
High-quality ingredients
Packed with antioxidants
Well-balanced meal
No artificial colors/preservatives
- High-quality ingredients
- Packed with antioxidants
- Well-balanced meal
- No artificial colors/preservatives
Main ingredients Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Dried Ground Potatoes
Protein content 34% min
Fat content 16% min
Calories 3,698 kcal/kg or 417 kcal/cup
It contains absolutely no by-products, corn, fillers, or soy. It’s truly designed to provide a great way for your dog to build lean muscle and maintain healthy skin and coat at the same time. So, if you’re looking for a whole-body formula, look no further.
Pros
High-protein formula
Helps with constipation
Contains antioxidants and minerals
Cons
May cause eye irritation
Contains small amount of garlic
High-protein formula
Helps with constipation
Contains antioxidants and minerals
- High-protein formula
- Helps with constipation
- Contains antioxidants and minerals
May cause eye irritation
Contains small amount of garlic
- May cause eye irritation
- Contains small amount of garlic
Conclusion
To wrap things up, we listed Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Giant Adult Dry Dog Food as our overall best pick for Chow Chow dog food due to its nutrient density and high amount of antioxidants. In the second place, we have the Merrick Healthy Grains Real Salmon & Brown Rice formula which is made with real salmon and healthy grains.
Our third runner-up is American Journey’s Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free recipe, which is full of amino acids and great for dogs with digestive issues. In fourth place, we have another recipe by Royal Canin, the Puppy Appetite Stimulation Canned Dog Food formula. This recipe is made with easily digestible proteins and is perfect for small pups that need a well-balanced diet.
Our fifth pick is the Annamaet 25% Medium & Large formula which is made specifically for larger dogs. It contains omega fatty acids and other nutrients to help cognitive function and lean muscle mass development. It shouldn’t be difficult to find a good formula for your Chow Chow, as there are many to choose from.
However, if your Chow has specific diet requirements, it’s best to find a recipe that can cater to its needs specifically. But overall, Chow Chows in generally good health simply need a meal that’s high in lean protein, fat, and carbs.
Featured Image Credit: Ivan Marjanovic, Shutterstock
