What to Feed a Great Dane? Diet & Feeding Chart

Giant breeds like Great Danes are intimidating for some people, especially regarding dog food consumption. However, if you want to own a Great Dane, calculating how much food it will require could put any concerns at ease. Also, understanding this dog’s diet will ultimately result in the best care possible. So, just how much dog food do giant breed dogs require?

Here is a detailed feeding guide for Great Dane puppies and adult dogs.

How Much Should I Feed My Great Dane Each Day?

For a healthy weight and the best canine nutrition, understanding just how much dry, raw or canned food a Dane should eat is critical. So, how much should you feed this breed throughout its life cycle?

The amount of food your Great Dane requires is mainly dependent on the stage of life they’re in. So, from puppies to senior Great Danes, here’s how much you should be feeding them on a daily basis.

Puppies

Arrange some large-breed puppy food and start with small servings ranging between 3 to 6 cups of dry kibble dog food. Then, as your pup grows, you can increase its servings as needed according to the recommended Great Dane feeding chart for this hound. Here is a quick Great Dane puppy feeding chart to help you:

• 8 weeks: 2 to 3 cups (shared between two to three meals)
• 12 weeks: 3 to 5 cups (shared between two meals)
• 4 months: 4 to 6 cups (shared between two meals)
• 5 – 6 months: 5 to 8 cups (shared between two meals)
• 7 – 8 months: 6 to 9 cups (shared between two meals)
• 9 – 12 months: 7 to 10 cups (shared between two meals)

Adults

Getting the best adult food will be pivotal in your Dane’s growth and development. Such giant breeds require careful attention to what they eat, so ensure you have the best dog food and serve it in 6 to 12 cups, depending on your dog’s age and weight.

Seniors

Elderly dogs have less energy than younger dogs so a senior dog might require fewer calories each day for fair dinkum weight and joint health. Older dogs of this size might require just under 2500 calories each day.

Pregnant

Pregnant dogs can maintain their regular diet for about four weeks, and after that, they can switch to puppy food with a 15-20% increase in daily servings.
 

Raw, Fresh, or Commercial Food: Which is Best for My Dog’s Diet?

When cobbling up fresh or raw food, you can get the calorie intake or needed nutrients wrong. Therefore, with such a sensitive breed, consider getting commercial food designed for large and giant breeds.
 

FAQs

Can I give my Great Dane treats?

You can give your Great Dane treats as rewards during training or for good behaviour. Treats similar to jerky have premium animal proteins that adult Great Danes require for their growth. However, ensure you don’t feed them too many treats, as this could lead to over-feeding and result in obesity.

What should Great Danes not eat?

Soy-based proteins are not suitable for Great Danes, and dog food brands containing this kind of nutrient could cause some cancers and joint problems for this giant breed of puppies. Other foods that should be avoided are:

• avocado
• chives
• chocolate
• garlic
• grapes and raisins
• onions
• peaches and plums
• pecans, macadamia and walnuts
• xylitol

Are Great Danes fussy eaters?

Make no mistake: Great Danes could be fussy eaters because not all foods have healthy digestion for this breed. Their digestive system is quite sensitive, so you’ll need to be attentive to their diet.
 

Final Thoughts on feeding a Great Dane

Feeding Great Danes requires giant dog food for a happy and healthy doggo, and the task is not that complex. You just have to get it right at the beginning by getting high-quality pup food.

You can get the best Great Dane puppy food by targeting brands designed for giant breed puppies or large breeds in general for the best dog growth and development. Adult Danes should also be fed high-quality dog food without compromise to prevent potential health problems.