Top 10 Best Dog Foods for Great Danes

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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

Best for Adults (Best Value)

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 TypeDry Kibble
Stage Adult
Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber %23%, 13%, 3.5%
First Five IngredientsChicken, 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

Best for Adults

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 TypeDry Kibble (Large)
Stage Adult
Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber %24%, 13%, 4%
First Five IngredientsChicken 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

Best for Puppies (High Protein)

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 TypeDry Kibble (Large)
Stage Puppy
Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % 32%, 11%, 3.9%
First Five IngredientsChicken 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

Best for Seniors

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 TypeDry Kibble (Large)
Stage Senior
Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber %20%, 10%, 37%
First Five IngredientsDeboned 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

Best for Adults (Allergies)

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 TypeDry Kibble
Stage Adult
Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber %27%, 13%, 5%
First Five IngredientsKangaroo, 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

Best for Adults

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 TypeDry Kibble
Stage Adult
Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber %26%, 12%, 5%
First Five IngredientsDeboned 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

Best for Adults (Grain-Free)

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 TypeDry Kibble
Stage Adult
Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber %25%, 15%, 5%
First Five IngredientsLamb, 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

Best for Adults (Allergies)

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 TypeDry Kibble
Stage Adult
Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber %22%, 12%, 4%
First Five IngredientsLamb, 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

Best for Adult (Breed Specific)

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 TypeDry Kibble (Large)
Stage Adult
Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber %21%, 23%, 4.2%
First Five IngredientsChicken 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

Best for Adults (Wet 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 TypeWet 
Stage Adult
Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber, Moisture %8.5%, 5.5%, 1.5%, 78%
First Five IngredientsChicken, 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.

AgeMin Cups Max CupsMeals/Day
2 – 4 weeks2 cup5 cups3
4 – 6 weeks4 cups7 cups2
5 – 6 months5 cups8 cups2
7 – 9 months6 cups10 cups2
10 – 11 months8 cups10 cups2
12 – 18 months (Females)6 cups9 cups2
12 – 18 months (Males)8 cups10 cups2

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). 

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Mother of three children and avid dog lover. I've had several dogs over the years including Border Collies, Pomeranians and Shih Tzus. We absolutely love our current Shih Tzu Fiona and I'm consumed with learning about all dog breeds, dog fitness and discovering new dog wellness tips!