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What’s the best dog food for Catahoula Leopards?
Catahoulas are the only breed of dog to have originated in the state of Louisiana, near to the Catahoula Lake, hence the breed’s name.
They are known for their many varied coats and eye colors and patterns. The coat can be spotted and the main colors of this breed are yellow, black, brindle, red and blue, or mouse (grayish). Any of these may also include white points and a white collar.
Historically they were used as multi-purpose working dogs, used for hunting, herding stock.
They benefit from foods made specifically for medium-large breeds with high protein levels for energy and added taurine and vitamin A to protect eye health and vision.
A diet rich in high-quality animal protein sources such as chicken, beef, or fish, is vital so look for a dog food with named meat protein sources at the top of the ingredient list.
As with many larger breeds, Catahoula Leopards are prone to skeletal issues such as hip dysplasia. It is, therefore, crucial to choose a dog food that has appropriate and balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus to support healthy bone growth. Look for recipes which contain glucosamine and chondroitin also.
However, remember each dog is an individual, and their nutritional requirements may vary. It’s always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian to create a personalized and balanced diet plan.
Below, you can see our recommendations of the best foods for Catahoula Leopard Dogs to help you choose the right food for your pet.
You’ll find the Dog Food Advisor’s best dog and puppy foods for Catahoula Leopard Dogs.
Find out more information about Catahoula Leopards, on our breed page.
Best Dog Food for Catahoula Leopards February 2025
Here are The Dog Food Advisor's best dog food brands for Catahoula Leopard Dogs for February 2025.
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Best Dry Dog Food For Catahoula Leopards
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 35.6% protein, 27.8% fat and 28.7% estimated carbs, providing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 78%.
This recipe is one of 13 dry foods included in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.
Cage-free chicken provides great taste and nutrition, boosting levels of protein and fat — 91% of the protein comes from chicken and egg ingredients. Our pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, likes the fact this recipe contains glucosamine and chondroitin to boost joint health, as well as being enhanced with superfoods and guaranteed probiotics. Overall, a great dry food choice for Catahoula Leopards.
Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Chicken-based protein
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
- Includes probiotics
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, chicken, ground white rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), cracked pearled barley Texture Dry Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 35.6% AAFCO Standards Adult Maintenance Best For Adult Catahoula Leopards Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"We switched from a much more expensive feed when he was about a year and a half. He liked Extreme Athlete a lot more and it provided him with plenty of energy for hunting all day in hot and cold weather. We feed him this all year. Add a little more when he is going to be super active. Great product for a good price."
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Best Wet Dog Food For Catahoula Leopards
Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Adult Chicken
Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Adult Chicken contains real chicken as the first ingredient, providing high protein levels for Catahoula Leopards. It features omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for optimal coat and skin health.
The recipe also does not contain any by-product meats, corn, wheat or soy and no artificial flavors or preservatives, making it a recommended wet dog food choice.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals this food contains 36.4% protein, 27.3% fat and 28.4% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 75%.
Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Adult Chicken is one of six wet recipes included in our review of the Blue Buffalo canned product line.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Dog Food (Canned) range here
Things we like
- Chicken-based protein
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids
- Grain-free
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, carrots, peas Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 36.4% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Catahoula Leopards Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Great quality food that was recommended by my dogs’ vet. The dogs loved the food and left none in their bowls."
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Best Fresh Dog Food For Catahoula Leopards
Ollie Fresh Beef Dish With Sweet Potatoes
For a high-quality fresh dog food for Catahoula Leopards with no by-products or fillers, we recommend Ollie Fresh Beef Dish With Sweet Potatoes. It’s made with 100% human-grade ingredients and, in addition to beef, includes sweet potatoes for dietary fiber, protein-packed chickpeas and spinach to boost vitamins A, B, C and K.
Ollie Fresh Beef Dish With Sweet Potatoes is one of five fresh recipes included in our review of the this fresh product line. It gets its meat protein from beef and our dry matter label analysis shows this recipe contains 32.1% protein, 25% fat and 34.9% estimated carbs, comprising a fat-to-protein ratio of 78%.
Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Things we like
- 100% human-grade ingredients
- Beef-based protein
- No fillers or artificial ingredients
Main Ingredients Beef, carrots, beef kidneys, potatoes, peas Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 32.1% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies & Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at MyOllie.com"My little Rookie loves his Ollie!! He knows when he sees that orange container come out if the fridge that he’s in for a treat!"
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Best Dog Food For Catahoula Leopard Puppies
Stella & Chewy Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties make a great choice for Catahoula Leopard puppies. It contains responsibly sourced cage-free chicken, with a complete and balanced level of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, plus added taurine to cover all their nutrition needs as they grow and develop.
Made with 100% organic-certified fruits and vegetables, this food is also grain-free and does not contain gluten, fillers, artificial preservatives or colorings.
Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties is one of 13 raw recipes included in our review of this product line. Our dry matter label analysis reveals this food contains 56.5% protein, 32.9% fat and 2.6% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of around 58%.
Things we like
- Cage-free chicken protein
- No grains, gluten, fillers, artificial preservatives or colorings
- 100% organic-certified fruits and veg
Main Ingredients Chicken with ground bone, chicken liver, chicken gizzard, pumpkin seed, organic cranberries Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 56.5% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies & Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Of all the Stella & Chewy products I have bought this puppy, this is her favorite. Sometimes, I break it in half, and other times, I just give her the whole piece. She runs away to eat it."
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Best Affordable Dog Food For Catahoula Leopards
Acana Free-Run Poultry Recipe Grain-Free
Acana Free-Run Poultry Recipe Grain-Free is a recommended affordable dog food for Catahoula Leopards. It’s one of six dry recipes included in our review of the Acana dry product line.
This recipe includes naturally occurring omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to boost skin and coat health and added vitamin E for a healthy immune system.
The first two ingredients are fresh or raw chicken and turkey; nutrient-dense and high in protein. It also includes fresh vegetables and fruit including whole pumpkin, collard greens, apples, and pears. In addition, there are no added grain ingredients, soy, corn, wheat or tapioca.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 19.3% fat and 39.7% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 59%.
Read our review of the full Acana Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Chicken and turkey-based protein
- Contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and added vitamin E
- No grain, soy, corn, wheat or tapioca
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, chicken meal, whole red lentils, whole pinto beans Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies & Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Very good price great. Quality ingredients and my dog loves this food. He can't wait to eat every time now."
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Best Dog Food For Catahoula Leopards With Allergies
The Farmer’s Dog Pork Recipe
The Farmer’s Dog Pork Recipe contains no artificial preservatives or by-product meal, but does include health-boosting ingredients such as sweet potato, USDA pork liver, fish oil, vitamin B12 supplement, and taurine.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals this recipe contains 36% protein, 28% fat and 28% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 78%.
The Farmer’s Dog uses human-grade meat and vegetables to create fresh and balanced recipes and personalized plans specifically for your Catahoula Leopard, so if your dog has specific allergies or requires a limited-ingredient diet, the plan can be designed around that.
This food is one of four fresh recipes included in our review of The Farmer’s Dog product line.
Read our review of the full The Farmer’s Dog range here
Things we like
- Pork-based protein
- Personalized meal plans
- Made from human-grade meat and vegetables
Main Ingredients Pork, sweet potatoes, potato, green beans, cauliflower Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies & Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at TheFarmersDog.com"The Farmers Dog has cleared up all of my dog`s allergies and Pip just absolutely loves his fresh food"
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Here are the most frequently asked questions we get about feeding Catahoula Leopard Dogs:
Frequently Asked Questions
How big are Catahoula Leopard Dogs?
Adult male Catahoula Leopard Dogs typically stand between 22 to 26 inches (56 to 66 cm) at the shoulder and weigh around 65 to 90 pounds (29 to 40 kg). Females are smaller, usually measuring 20 to 24 inches (51 to 61 cm) and weighing 50 to 65 pounds (23 to 30 kg).
What is the temperament of a Catahoula Leopard Dog?
Catahoula Leopards are intelligent dogs that can be reserved and aloof with strangers but never shy. They are loving and protective towards their family with affectionate and playful personalities. They don’t always get along with other household pets, including dogs, due to their territorial nature and prey drive. But they sometimes can coexist with dogs when raised together from a young age.
Are Catahoula Leopards easy to train?
Due to their independent qualities, the Catahoula is not the easiest breed to train. Make sure to use positive reinforcement when training.
An important factor to consider when training your Catahoula is socialization. Introduce them to different people, places, sounds, and experiences at a young age. The earlier you familiarize your pup with different things, the more comfortable they will feel on a day to day basis. This is especially important when you are trying to get your Catahoula to get along with other dogs.
How much exercise does a Catahoula Leopard dog need?
The Catahoula Leopard Dog needs space to expend their copious amount of energy and always needs a job to do. Exercise could include play time in the backyard or several walks a day. Outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, and retrieving balls or flying discs can also provide a good outlet.
What health conditions can affect Catahoula Leopard Dogs?
Issues such as hip dysplasia, deafness, and eye problems have occasionally occurred in the Catahoula Leopard dog. However, for the most part they are a healthy breed with a relatively long life expectancy for their size.
Final word
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