Best dog foods for Great Danes are explored in this informative article. Great Danes are somewhat playful, very affectionate, social and are good family dogs. Their imposing size provides a well earned reputation as an excellent guard dog. Great Danes are “gentle giants” that are quiet and confident dogs. These dogs are also devoted and friendly.
These moderately active dogs are long and muscular. Great Danes consume a large amount of food daily and require a moderate calorie, moderate protein diet.
Below are some of the best dog foods available that are most appropriate for this muscular, long and moderately active giant breed dog.
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#1 Diamond Naturals Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula is a great overall choice for Great Danes
This formula contains real cage-free chicken as its #1 ingredient and includes real fruit as well as superfoods
Contains proprietary probiotics, prebiotics and antioxidants for healthy digestion, immune support and overall wellness
Made in the USA
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 23%, 13%, 3.5% |
| First Five Ingredients | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, Ground White Rice |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Glucosamine and Chondroitin (Joint Care), Vitamins A & E (Antioxidants), Taurine (Blood Flow, Brain, Heart), L-Carnitine (Metabolism, Heart), Prebiotics – Chicory Root (Digestion) |
#2 Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Chicken Meal & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food
Holistic Select for Large & Giant Breed Dogs supports good digestive health and has a solid nutrition profile
Larger kibble size for easy eating is well suited for large and giant breeds to help prevent bloat
Formulated with no meat or poultry by-products, fillers, wheat / wheat gluten, or artificial preservatives, colors or flavors
| Food Type | Dry Kibble (Large) |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 24%, 13%, 4% |
| First Five Ingredients | Chicken Meal, Rice, Oatmeal, Oats, Chicken Fat |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Glucosamine and Chondroitin (Joint Care), Vitamins A & E (Antioxidants), Taurine (Blood Flow, Brain, Heart), L-Carnitine (Metabolism, Heart), Prebiotics & Probiotics (Digestion) |
#3 Royal Canin Puppy Giant Breed Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin’s Puppy Giant Breed Dry Dog Food is made specifically for extra-large puppies (reaching adult weight of over 100+ lbs) to avoid excess weight gain
Promotes strong immune system as well as bone/joint supports + antioxidants
Supports digestive health with prebiotics and highly digestible proteins
| Food Type | Dry Kibble (Large) |
| Stage | Puppy |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 32%, 11%, 3.9% |
| First Five Ingredients | Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Wheat Gluten, Brewers Rice Flour, Corn |
| Key Features: | Glucosamine and Chondroitin (Joint Care), Vitamin A& E (Antioxidants), DHA (Brain Development), Prebiotics (Digestion) |
#4 Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Senior Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Large Breed Senior Formula is specifically designed for larger breeds and their special needs
Easy to digest, supports bone and joint health and heart health
Large dry kibble for large/giant breeds to help prevent bloat
| Food Type | Dry Kibble (Large) |
| Stage | Senior |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 20%, 10%, 37% |
| First Five Ingredients | Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal, Chicken Meal |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Glucosamine and Chondroitin (Joint Care), Taurine (Blood Flow, Brain, Heart), Vitamin E (Antioxidant), DHA (Brain Development), L-Carnitine (Metabolism, Heart) |
#5 Zignature Kangeroo Limited Ingredient Formula Dry Dog Food
Zignature’s Kangeroo Limited Ingredient Formula Dry Dog Food features real kangeroo as the first ingredient, which is naturally low in fat and rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Fortified with probiotics to help support gut health
Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 27%, 13%, 5% |
| First Five Ingredients | Kangaroo, Kangaroo Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Sunflower Oil |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Taurine (Blood Flow, Brain, Heart), L-Carnitine (Metabolism, Heart) |
#6 Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food
Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is especially formulated for the full range of nutritional needs for large breed dogs
Contains no GMOs, meat by-products, fillers or artificial preservatives
Made in the USA, with high-quality globally sourced ingredients
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 26%, 12%, 5% |
| First Five Ingredients | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Barley, Peas |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Glucosamine and Chondroitin (Joint Care), Taurine (Blood Flow, Brain, Heart), Vitamins A & E (Antioxidants) |
#7 Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is made with high quality real lamb and its proprietary K9 strain probiotics, developed specifically for canine digestive support
Real lamb as a primary ingredient and grain-free
Made in the USA with the finest ingredients
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 25%, 15%, 5% |
| First Five Ingredients | Lamb, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Egg Product, Lentils |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Taurine (Blood Flow, Brain, Heart), Vitamin E (Antioxidant), DHA (Brain Development), Chicory Root (Digestion), Probiotics (Digestion) |
#8 Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Large Breed Dry Dog Food has real lamb in this formula and is made with a shortened list high quality of ingredients
Single animal protein source (lamb), healthy grains and no soy, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Recipe specifically designed to support the unique nutritional needs of large breed dogs and made for sensitive stomachs, irritable skin and allergies.
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 22%, 12%, 4% |
| First Five Ingredients | Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Rice Bran |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Taurine (Blood Flow, Brain, Heart), Glucosamine (Joint Care), Vitamins E (Antioxidant) |
#9 Royal Canin Great Dane Adult Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin Great Dane Adult Dry Dog Food is designed for purebred Great Danes 24 months and older
Large kibble for Great Danes to easily chew, and slow down food intake
Highly digestible proteins and fiber to support this breed’s important need for digestive health
| Food Type | Dry Kibble (Large) |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 21%, 23%, 4.2% |
| First Five Ingredients | Chicken Fat, Chicken By-Product Meal, Tapioca, Brewers Rice, Corn |
| Key Features: | Glucosamine and Chondroitin (Joint Care), DHA (Brain Development), EPA (Arthritis and Inflammation) |
#10 Blue Buffalo Homestyle Chicken Dinner Recipe Canned Dog Food
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Chicken Dinner Recipe contains premium all natural ingredients
Real chicken as first ingredient. Single source of high quality protein
No wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products or artificial colors, flavors and preservatives
| Food Type | Wet |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber, Moisture % | 8.5%, 5.5%, 1.5%, 78% |
| First Five Ingredients | Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas |
| Key Features: | Amino Acids (Lean Muscle & Heart Health), Vitamin E (Antioxidant) |
Important Note: For wet dog food if you’d like to convert the protein on a “dry matter” basis (to compare it to dry kibble) you’ll need to do a quick calculation. Take the amount of protein in the wet food by the total amount of dry matter in the can. In the case of the Instinct and Wellness wet dog foods above, that amount is (100% – 78% = 22%). As you see, these wet foods are very high protein.
Blue Buffalo Canned Chicken Dinner Wet Dog Food
Dry Matter Protein Content = (8.5/22) x 100 = 38.6%
More About the Great Dane
The Great Dane is a long, muscular dog breed of German origin, dating back more than 400 years. They are descendants from crossbred the English Mastiff and Irish Wolfhound. These powerful dogs were bred by German nobility to protect country estates and hunt wild boar. Known for their stature, strength, and loyalty, Great Danes are guardians who form strong bonds with their families. Today, the Great Dane is mostly a family dog. Great Danes have become popular with city dwellers, who admire this breed for its strength, loyalty, and affectionate demeanor.
Great Danes require about 2 hours of exercise daily to burn off excess energy and to keep them in shape. Cropping of the breed’s ears used to be more popular, when they were primarily used for hunting – to prevent injury and infection, Today, Great Danes in Europe typically don’t have their ears cropped, although this practice is still fairly common in the United States.
Great Danes, when full grown, can weigh a whopping 110 – 180 lbs. Males usually grow to 30 – 35 inches tall and females usually grow to 28 – 33 inches tall. This breed tends to have a dog lifespan between 7 – 10 years.
Great Dane Dog Food Feeding Guide
Great Danes have relatively high energy levels for larger working dogs. The breed’s long, muscular build requires a significant amount of calories for their large size and relatively high activity level.
The table below is a decent proxy for the typical dry kibble and number of feedings for the Great Dane by age.
| Age | Min Cups | Max Cups | Meals/Day |
| 2 – 4 weeks | 2 cup | 5 cups | 3 |
| 4 – 6 weeks | 4 cups | 7 cups | 2 |
| 5 – 6 months | 5 cups | 8 cups | 2 |
| 7 – 9 months | 6 cups | 10 cups | 2 |
| 10 – 11 months | 8 cups | 10 cups | 2 |
| 12 – 18 months (Females) | 6 cups | 9 cups | 2 |
| 12 – 18 months (Males) | 8 cups | 10 cups | 2 |
However, always also consider the specific dog’s activity level to prevent weight gain. A very broad estimate for the caloric needs of and average adult Great Dane is about 2,500 – 3,000 per day.
Top-Quality Proteins
Top-quality protein should be first on your list when selecting a dog food. Dogs in general require a decent amount of protein. While most breeds are good with a diet that includes 22% protein, the minimum recommended by the Association of American Feed Controls (AAFCO) for an adult Great Dane is more like 25% – 30% protein, to support this breed’s large size and relatively high activity level.
It’s not just the amount of protein you need to look for. The type of protein matters, too. Whole premium, identifiable meats such as chicken, salmon, beef are great examples. Multiple sources of protein also provide a range of amino acids. Steer clear of by products with unidentifiable or mystery meats!
Complex Carbs
High-quality, complex carbs such as sweet potatoes, quinoa, peas, oatmeal are much more preferable versus simple carbs like corn, wheat and soy. While simple carbs can provide a nice energy boost, they can also cause your dog to crash.
Higher-quality complex carbs have a low glycemic index. They absorb more slowly to provide steady energy through the day.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats like fish oil, flaxseed and olive oil are loaded with omega-fatty acids and antioxidants. The numerous benefits include fighting free radicals, supporting the joints, improving heart health, and much more.
Most adult dogs need a diet with about 12 – 15% fat, Great Danes require a slightly higher 12 – 18% fat. Steer clear of low-quality fats as they lead to weight gain with much less nutritional benefits.
Important Micronutrients
Finally, vitamins and minerals in dog food can provide some great added benefits. Only a small amount is needed and they can help with gut health (probiotics), boosting the immune system (Vitamin A) and antioxidants (Vitamins C & E). It’s also a good idea for Great Dane owners to look for glucosamine and chondroitin, for joint health, due to a common health issue called hip dysplasia.
For more information on this topic please see our article on nutrition for dogs.
Ingredients to Avoid
Just as there are many beneficial ingredients to look for, there are also (unfortunately) several to sidestep.
Here’s are some common ingredients to avoid:
- animal by-products, mystery meats
- can contain hormones, chemicals and other bad stuff and often lack nutritional value
- chemical preservatives, colorants and other needless additives
- BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin can cause health issues over time such as kidney issues, cancer, blindness and other health problems
- artificial colors and flavors, top-quality dog food doesn’t have either
Also be aware of common human foods that dogs can not eat.
Common Cane Corso Health Problems
Gastric Torsion. Gastric Torsion, also known as canine bloat, is the #1 killer for Great Danes. This condition is something to be very aware of as it can lead to loss of blood circulation and stomach tissue dying.
Hip Dysplasia. An inherited condition that can lead eventually lead to lameness and arthritis. This health issue is very common in larger dog breeds.
Cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy causes the heart to enlarge and is most likely genetic.
Tricuspid Valve Disease. Tricuspid valve disease is a congenital condition where the heart valve doesn’t function correctly. As a result, the left side of your dog’s heart may fail.
Cancer. Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, is commonly diagnosed in Great Danes.
Speak to your vet about recommended dietary changes to support optic health for this condition.
Other health issues that Great Danes experience include Addison’s Disease, Wobbler Syndrome and Cruciate Ligament Tears.
To Sum It All Up
Sticking to a top-quality dog food will help you keep your Great Dane healthy for many years to come. These great dog food picks will keep your dog happy and help to bypass many of the common breed health issues (at least prematurely).
