Breed Advisor is reader supported! This page contains affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, may earn a small commission. Find out more here.
In this guide we’ll take a look at the best dog food for Great Danes.
We’ve compared the quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money.
Our top recommended Great Dane dog food is Wellness CORE Large Breed Dry Dog Food.
Click the green button below to find the best price!
If you have a Great Dane puppy then you will want to do everything you can to keep him fit and well for as long as possible. Nutrition is an important part of that so selecting the right diet for your dog’s health is crucial.
Picking a giant breed-specific commercial dog food is a good starting point, but here are some specific things you should look for when choosing the best diet for your Great Dane.
As a giant dog breed, Great Danes are prone to joint issues including arthritis, so selecting a diet that is high in omega-3 fatty acids can help support them.
These are found in ingredients like fish or linseed oil and act as natural anti-inflammatories. Other nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin will help promote healthy cartilage, again supporting joint health particularly as they age.
Pick a diet that contains high-quality animal protein at the top of the ingredients list. Protein is essential for the growth and repair of muscles which is important for your athletic Great Dane.
Grain-free foods have risen in popularity but should only be chosen if your Great Dane has been diagnosed with grain allergies or sensitivities.
Grain-free diets have been associated with potentially increasing the risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This heart condition is something that Great Danes are already prone to, and it can be fatal.
The food you pick for a growing Great Dane should have carefully controlled calcium levels as puppies are unable to regulate calcium absorption, which could lead to skeletal malformations. Your dog’s diet should be around 1.5% calcium (or 3 grams/1000 kcal).
All of our dog food suggestions are carefully selected by professionals. We extensively research the products to check if they’ve been approved by governing bodies before making recommendations. You can read more about our stringent review standards here. And remember, always consult your veterinarian first, before changing your dog’s food.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Large Breed Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food hits all of the high points a Great Dane needs from its diet.
This food formulation includes both glucosamine and chondroitin to promote optimal joint health in this giant breed.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free, a diet that is considered to be among the best dog foods for Great Danes, is built on the foundation of fruits and vegetables that are packed with antioxidants and are known to be easy to digest.
A food that is rich in proteins, this recipe also includes vital healthy fats to ensure an adequate supply of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coat. The addition of probiotics assists with maintaining optimal digestion.
This food formulation contains no by-products or filler foods.
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food contains all of the high-quality nutrition that Great Danes need to achieve and maintain optimal health.
This food is rich in essential fatty acids and fiber to encourage optimal digestion and excellent coat and skin health.
Each piece of kibble is large enough to encourage giant breeds like the Great Dane to eat slowly while providing scrubbing action to help keep the breed’s teeth free from the accumulation of plaque.
With so many nutritional benefits to offer large-breed dogs, it is not difficult to see why Natural Balance is among the best foods for Great Danes today.
Nulo Freestyle Limited Grain-Free Dog Food provides all of the high-quality nutrition a Great Dane needs to thrive.
A food formulation founded on a single protein from animal sources, salmon is the first ingredient in this diet, a meat rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as DHA.
Powerful probiotics have been included in this food to ensure healthy digestion and a strong immune system.
Nulo Freestyle, one of the best Great Dane dog foods, is low in carbohydrates and contains no potatoes or tapioca, two ingredients that can be difficult for some dogs to process well.
This diet is free from chicken, eggs, peas, pea proteins, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Large Breed Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food is a food that delivers big on excellent quality nutrition at a price point that families can easily afford.
This diet was crafted specifically with the needs of large breeds in mind, making it well-suited to the Great Dane and its nutritional requirements.
Its primary proteins are chicken and turkey which are included in both whole and meal forms.
Chicken Soup for the Soul includes such powerful supplements as glucosamine and chondroitin to support the joint health of the Great Dane.
This diet contains no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, ensuring its place as one of the best dog foods for Great Danes.
Merrick Grain-Free Large Breed Food is a food of an excellent quality that has been specifically formulated to address the needs of large breeds like the Great Dane.
A diet that is high in protein, deboned chicken is the first ingredient in this recipe. The chicken has been deboned and included in its whole form.
Merrick is free from grains, taking its carbohydrates from antioxidant-dense fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, peas, apples, and blueberries.
This food, easily among the best foods for Great Danes, has also been enriched with flaxseed to ensure a healthy portion of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to support good skin and coat quality.
This diet is gluten-free. Glucosamine and chondroitin have been added to support optimal joint health and an excellent metabolism.
The Great Dane is truly a gentle giant. A dog of immense size, the Great Dane is soft of heart and a wonderful family companion.
A breed originally intended to hunt wild boar, today’s Great Dane is equally at ease cuddling on the couch with its family and renowned for being exceptionally good with children.
Great Danes can suffer from some serious health issues including arthritis, hip dysplasia, and heart conditions.
To ensure the Great Dane’s body is in good condition, it is vitally important to maintain a healthy weight as a precautionary measure against the development of some of these problems.
The best dog food for Great Danes should be carefully measured and the dog’s weight monitored to prevent this breed from becoming overweight. Adult Great Danes should receive four meals per day and should be fed only the right amount of food for their weight and age.
A high-quality adult food for Great Danes should consist of proteins and carbohydrates, such as whole-grain brown rice. High-fiber vegetables are also beneficial, as they help to keep weight gain in check.
Bloat is another ailment that can affect the Great Dane. Though it is not known exactly what causes this problem in dogs, experts recommend feeding a diet that is designed with large breeds in mind.
These types of food typically contain large pieces of kibble that encourage dogs to chew and swallow each piece, an important help in combatting bloat which is believed to be influenced by eating too much or too quickly.
Great Danes require a high-quality diet that is nutritionally balanced to meet the needs of a dog their size.
As a general rule, the best foods for the Great Dane should ideally contain a minimum of 23 percent protein and 9 percent fat.
Great Danes who are only moderately active will thrive on a diet of 2,200-2,500 calories per day. However, larger dogs that are exceptionally energetic and kept busy will require more calories to fuel their activity.
These dogs should be fed approximately 3,000 calories daily. The individual calorie count will also vary depending on factors like whether the dog is spayed or neutered.
The Pet Nutrition Alliance calorie calculator is an excellent guide but remembers to consult your veterinarian for more detailed nutritional information.
When selecting wet dog food brands to meet the needs of your Great Dane, it is important to consider the ingredients. Canned food that contains grain, such as grain brown rice, is a great source of complex carbs and vitamins.
In addition, wet food formulas should include high-quality proteins like chicken, fish, and lamb as well as omega oils for skin, coat, and joint health.
Great Danes thrive on a meat-based diet. Whole meats are preferable; however, meat meals also offer all of the nutrition the breed needs to support optimal health.
Great Danes are not particularly known to suffer from allergies. As a result, most dogs can enjoy foods that are grain inclusive.
Any puppy food selected for the Great Dane should contain carbohydrates that are easy to digest and full of fiber. These can be selected from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables.
Healthy fats are an important part of any food for the Great Dane. These fats help to keep the dog’s coat and hair in good condition and also provide the dog with vital energy to maintain its active lifestyle.
The best sources of healthy fats include chicken fat or oily fish such as mackerel, herring, anchovies, or salmon. Chicken by-product meal, brewers rice, and brown rice are not recommended in dog foods for Great Danes.
The best dog foods for Giant breed dog food should be properly nutritionally balanced and optimized with the correct vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to support the dietary needs of large breeds.
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Great Dane:
Great Danes thrive on a meat-based diet. Any food that is best suited to this breed’s nutritional needs should contain meat, preferably in its whole form, as one of its primary ingredients.
Since no food is complete on its own, the addition of probiotics and supplements can help it to become more well-rounded. The most important supplements to look for in food for the Great Dane include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
All foods appropriate for the Great Dane should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.
Before you go, save up to 50% on your pet supplies…
SEE TODAY'S BEST DOGGY DEALS ON AMAZON.COM! No Thanks
