The feeding of the Great Dane (or German Mastiff), whether it is an adult or a puppy, must be specific for giant-sized dogs and is that its specific nutritional needs must be taken into account, as well as some extra beneficial supplements for the breed.
In this article on our site we will inform you about the growth of the breed, the different food options and we will help you to know the amount of daily food for a Great Dane Find out below how the diet of a German Bulldog should be.
Great Dane Growth Chart
The Great Dane is among the largest breeds in the world, which is why it is considered a giant-sized dog The table of growth shows how, in a short time, he reaches a considerable weight, which means extra work for his bones and joints.
The rapid development of the Great Dane means that care must be taken with its diet, especially when it is a puppy. Caring for him correctly during the first months of life will be essential for optimal he alth.
It should also be noted that the dog's diet will vary depending on the stage it is in and that the nutritional needs of a puppy, an adult dog or an elderly dog are not the same.
The height and weight of an adult male Great Dane is between 80 and 90 cm at the withers and around the 54 or 90 kg., while females are around 72 and 84 cm at the withers and 45 or 59 kg.
Homemade food or feed?
Currently we can find very different types of food for dogs, such as homemade recipes, feed or the BARF diet. There are also those who choose to combine a feed-based diet with homemade recipes or occasional canned wet food. There is no "best" choice, they can all be valid.
The calorie needs of the Great Dane are especially high, around 2,480 kilocal/day in males and 1,940 kilocal/day in females. But how do you know which is the best food for a Great Dane? We can assess pros and cons general of each type:
- Homemade food: this type of diet is very advantageous because if you choose quality products it is reflected in the coat and he alth of the dog, in addition, it usually has very good acceptance by the dog. However, considering caloric needs, this type of diet can be very expensive. Blood tests are also required every 6 months to detect any nutritional deficiencies early.
- Raw diets or BARF: they differ from homemade diets due to the absence of cooking, although there are those who lightly brown meat and fish to avoid possible viruses and bacteria. The main advantage is the same as in the previous case, with the addition of needing less time to prepare. As in the other case, it is expensive and requires follow-up by the veterinarian.
- Pienso: This type of food, as long as it bears the "nutritionally complete" label, is considered to be formulated to meet the needs of a dog However, there are products of better or worse quality, and I even think specifically for the German Bulldog, which is a huge advantage. Economically it is more profitable, especially if we buy in large quantities.
- Wet food: This commercial preparation could also be considered correct in the case of containing the "nutritionally complete" label, however, continuous consumption of pâtés and wet foods can cause diarrhea and tartar build-up.
Each owner is free to choose one type of diet or another, however, it is not advisable to mix feed and another type of food in the same feeding, since they have different digestion times.
Amount of food for a Great Dane
The daily intakes of food vary according to age, since puppies need to eat evenly throughout the day, while adults two will suffice. Below we explain the approximate amount of food for a German Bulldog.
Amount of food for a Great Dane puppy
Puppies need constant feeding, especially when they are very young. Following the feeding guidelines will be very important to ensure good growth and not create he alth problems.
Puppies from 2 to 3 months old will be fed 4 times a day, those between 4 and 5 months old will be able to receive 3 feedings and from 6 months of age they will be able to eat two or three times a day, as they will in their adult stage. The food servings may vary depending on the product chosen, so we recommend always consulting the manufacturer's information.
Amount of food for an adult Great Dane
Around 18, and even 20 months, the Great Dane is considered to be a young adult so his caloric needs will be slightly reduced. We will continue to offer him two or three feedings a day and, in terms of quantity of food, we will once again follow the manufacturer's instructions, which are always shown on the productpackaging, through a nutritional table.
Don't forget that the German Mastiff must always have fresh and abundant water, essential for staying hydrated. We recommend you use quality containers and clean them regularly to avoid the accumulation of dirt and bacteria.
Food related care
As we have already mentioned, the Great Dane is a dog that needs to take care of its joints and bones as it is susceptible to ailments typical of its size, such as hip dysplasia. In addition, being overweight could lead to the onset of these problems, so it is important to control your weight and not become overweight.
Choosing a diet that favors the care of muscle mass and bone structure is very beneficial, it is even advisable to consider the use of supplementsin the case of offering homemade diets, always consulting with the veterinarian.
Due to its morphology, gastric torsion is another problem that can affect the breed, so we will avoid feeding it before going out for a walk. We can detect this condition if we observe nausea, a swollen abdomen and difficulty breathing.
