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Like all breeds of dog, Rottweilers have specific dietary requirements you need to keep in mind when choosing good food for them.
Rottweilers need a lot of food to fuel their big bodies, so you might be tempted to use inferior or low-quality dog food to save on cost. However, your Rottweiler’s food is definitely something you shouldn’t cut corners on.
Low-quality dog foods often contain ingredients that are not very healthy or nutritious for your Rottweiler. They are also typically low in protein and high in fat, which are both things you don’t want in your furry friend’s diet.
The dog foods listed further down in this article are good examples of what to feed your adult Rottweiler or puppy, so if you’re in need of some recommendations, you’ve come to the right place!
Rottweiler Nutrition – Everything You Need To Know
The main component of a Rottweiler’s diet should be meat, like all dogs. Meat is vital for keeping your Rottweiler healthy and at a good weight.
When looking for good dog food for Rottweilers, you should look at the ingredients first. Either whole meat or meal meat should be the first ingredient. If the dog food you’re checking does not use meat or meal meat as the first ingredient, then you should try to avoid feeding it your dog.
Rottweilers need a hefty amount of protein in their diets as it prevents them from becoming overweight. For adult Rottweilers, 22% to 26% protein is sufficient, whereas puppies will need between 24% to 28%. Rottweiler puppies need higher levels of protein in their diets to help them grow and build muscle mass.
Dog foods that are not too high in fat are also recommended for Rottweilers. Make sure the fats listed in the ingredients of the dog food are named, such as chicken fat. Avoid anonymous fats as their sources are unclear.
Adult Rottweilers only need 12% to 14% of fat in their diet. Rottweiler puppies require between 16% to 18%. As Rottweilers are prone to obesity, monitoring the amount of fat in your furry friend’s diet is necessary.
The best dog food for Rottweilers should include wholesome grains and easily digestible protein like chicken and lamb. You should try to avoid dog foods that contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or unnecessary fillers. Dog food formulated for giant or large breeds is also advisable as Rottweilers are big dogs!
Senior Rottweilers will need a slight adjustment to their diets to keep them healthy. Dog foods higher in protein, lower in fat, with the inclusion of antioxidants, joint supplements, omega-3 fatty acids, and digestible fiber are beneficial. Rottweilers are classed as seniors when they are around the age of five as their life expectancy is between eight and 12 years.
Rottweiler puppies need a food that is targeted for puppies. The best dog food for a Rottweiler puppy should contain good levels of calcium and phosphorus to help them grow and develop into a big dog. Rottweilers are slow-growing and are not fully mature until they are between 18 months and two years old, so it is essential they are given a nutritious diet from an early age.
The Importance Of Portion Control
Overweight or obese Rottweilers are at risk of a lot of health problems, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and a shortened lifespan. This is why it is important that you feed your Rottweiler a healthy and well-balanced diet.
Proper portion sizes will also reduce the likelihood of your Rottweiler becoming overweight. How much you feed your Rottweiler will depend on their age, size, activity levels, and their overall health.
Rottweilers with high activity levels will require more food than ones who are not very active. Additionally, adult Rottweilers will typically need less food than puppies.
Most adult Rottweilers will benefit from two meals a day: one in the morning and one in the evening. Puppies under the age of four or five months should be fed three meals daily that are split up over the day.
Quick Links For The Best Dog Food For Rottweiler
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Dry Dog Food
- Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food
- Nutro Whole Essentials Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
- Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Dry Dog Food
- Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
- Chicken Soup for the Soul Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
- Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
The Best Dog Food For A Rottweiler – Reviews!
Here are seven good foods for Rottweilers. These products have been picked as they meet the dietary requirements for this breed
Product Name | First 5 Ingredients | Features | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Dry Dog Food | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley |
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Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Cracked Pearl Barley, Peas |
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Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Split Peas, Whole Grain Sorghum |
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Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Barley, Peas |
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Chicken Meal, Rice, Oatmeal, Oats, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols) |
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Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Cracked Pearl Barley |
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Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Oats, Whole Grain Sorghum, Corn Gluten Meal |
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1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Dry Dog Food
This dog food from Blue Buffalo is one of the best dry dog foods for Rottweilers. It contains 22% protein from real deboned chicken (as the first ingredient), as well as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. These ingredients are great for your Rottweiler’s digestive system and their overall health.
Blue Buffalo’s large breed dog food is designed for big dogs, so the kibble size should be plenty big enough for your Rottweiler.
A precise blend of antioxidants is included in this food to give your Rottweiler’s immune system a bit of a boost. Glucosamine and chondroitin help support your dog’s joints, whilst L-Carnitine keeps your furry friend’s muscles lean and strong.
Calcium, phosphorus, and other vitamins have been added to this dog food to keep your Rottweiler’s bones and teeth healthy.
There is also a good amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in this dry dog food to nourish your Rottweiler’s skin and coat. Zero wheat, soy, corn, or chicken by-products meals are used in this dry dog food, which is a plus!
One of the best features of this dry dog food from Blue Buffalo is the huge range of healthy ingredients it uses. A lot of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients have been added to make sure your Rottweiler’s dietary needs are being met.
However, this dry dog food could cause flatulence or minor digestive issues, especially when initially switched to. To help counteract this, you should mix in your Rottweiler’s old food with their new one for at least a week to make the transition easier.
Additionally, some dog owners have found that their pooches took a while before they warmed up to this food.
Pros
- Good amount of protein (22%)
- Deboned chicken as the first ingredient
- Lots of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
Cons
- Could cause digestive issues when initially switched to
2. Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food
With protein levels of 23%, this dry dog food from Diamond Naturals is a great choice for Rottweilers. Cage-free chicken is listed as the first ingredient, followed by whole grain brown rice and fruits and vegetables like kale, peas, and blueberries.
All of these provide your Rottweiler with the nutrients they need to thrive. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are included in the recipe to keep your pooch’s skin and coat healthy and shiny.
The kibble size is large enough for Rottweilers, so your dog should have no trouble eating it.
As well as using easily-digestible protein (chicken) in the formula, a blend of probiotics has also been added to keep your Rottweiler’s digestive system functioning properly.
To support your Rottweiler’s joints, chondroitin and glucosamine are included in the formula. No wheat, corn, filler, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives are used either!
This is a good food for Rottweilers as it contains the proper amount of protein, antioxidants, fiber, and other essential nutrients that they require. A lot of dog owners agree that Diamond Naturals are a great brand that creates high-quality and wholesome dog food.
One of the downsides with this dry dog food is it can cause flatulence, especially when first switched to. Gradually changing your Rottweiler’s food by mixing in their old food with the new one could help this.
Some dog owners have also found that their picky eater pooches take some time to adjust to this dry food.
Pros
- Good amount of protein (23%)
- Cage-free chicken as the first ingredient
- Packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
Cons
- Could cause flatulence
3. Nutro Whole Essentials Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Rottweiler puppies need a dog food that is targeted for puppies, and this one by Nutro is a great option. It contains 26% protein from farm-raised chicken (as the first ingredient) that provides your young dog with essential amino acids.
This puppy food also uses glucosamine and chondroitin to support your Rottweiler puppy’s joints to help them develop.
This is one of the dog foods for Rottweiler puppies as its protein and fat levels are well-balanced. There is also a good amount of fiber from whole brown rice and oatmeal to help your pup’s digestion.
Zero artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are used in the formula, which makes it a natural and nutritious dog food for your puppy.
A lot of positive reviews praise this food’s effectiveness at treating digestive issues in puppies. Fellow dog owners have found that the consistency of their puppy’s stools improved when they switched to this dog food from Nutro.
If your Rottweiler puppy has a sensitive stomach or digestive issues, then this puppy food could work well for them.
However, a few reviews for this puppy food show that some pooches are not too fond of the taste and take a while to become accustomed to it.
Pros
- Good amount of protein (26%)
- Farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient
- Added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
Cons
- Possible lack of flavor
4. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Dry Dog Food
This food from Wellness is one of the best foods for a Rottweiler as it contains 26% protein and a good amount of phosphorous and calcium for healthy bones.
Chicken is listed as the first ingredient, with four sources of protein to keep your Rottweiler’s muscles lean and strong. Mixed tocopherols in the formula help protect your pooch’s eyes from disease, whilst Yucca Schidigera Extract helps reduce odor in your dog’s stools.
This dry dog food is free of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
A highlight of this dog food is its wholesome and high-quality ingredients. These have helped a lot of dogs with digestive issues by firming up their stools.
A couple of reviews do mention that this dog food caused gas in their pooches, so this is something to bear in mind. Additionally, some owners found their dog was reluctant to eat this food when first introduced to it.
Pros
- Wholesome ingredients
- Good amount of phosphorus and calcium
- Works well for digestive issues
Cons
- Could cause flatulence
5. Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
The Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed dry dog food is ideal for Rottweilers as it contains 24% protein, alongside fruits and vegetables like papaya and pumpkin. The latter is full of fiber that helps your Rottweiler’s digestive system work properly.
Probiotics, taurine, and L-Carnitine are also mixed into the formula for good digestive and heart health. To support your Rottweiler’s joints, glucosamine has been added.
This dry dog food contains sources of protease, cellulose, and alpha-amylase (digestive enzymes). Protease helps break down proteins, whilst cellulose and alpha-amylase help break down cellulose and starch.
Holistic Select don’t use any artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or other chemicals in any of their dog foods.
A lot of dog owners have found that this dry dog food has worked very well for their large breed pooch by firming up their stools and keeping their bowel movements more regular. This is most likely due to the probiotics and high levels of fiber in the recipe!
However, despite this dog food being targeted for large and giant breeds, some owners have found the kibble size is still a bit on the small side. Additionally, if your Rottweiler is a picky eater, then they may take some time to get used to this food.
Pros
- 24% protein
- Lots of probiotics and fiber for digestive health
- Good amount of vitamins and minerals
Cons
- Kibble size is a bit on the small side
6. Chicken Soup for the Soul Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
With protein levels of 27% from real chicken and turkey (as the first two ingredients), this puppy food is ideal for Rottweiler puppies. It contains DHA for proper eye and brain development, as well as calcium and phosphorous for healthy teeth and bones.
Chondroitin and glucosamine are included in the recipe to keep your Rottweiler puppy’s joints in tip-top condition. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for great skin and coat health have also been added.
No wheat, soy, corn, by-product meal, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives are used in this puppy food, so it is a healthy and nutritious diet for your furry friend.
Reviews for this dry dog food are extremely positive, which shows this is a good dog food for Rottweiler puppies. Dog owners have noted that their pooches seem to enjoy the taste of this recipe and thrive on it.
The only downside with this puppy food is that some picky eaters may take a while to get used to it based on a couple of comments by dog owners.
Pros
- 27% protein
- Good levels of DHA, calcium, phosphorus
- Chicken and turkey as first two ingredients
Cons
- Possible lack of flavor
7. Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
This puppy food from Hill’s Science Diet contains 26% protein, which is a good amount for Rottweiler puppies. Glucosamine, chondroitin, and well-balanced levels of calcium are used in the recipe to keep your puppy’s joints, bones, and teeth strong.
A blend of antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin C are included in this puppy food to give your furry friend’s immune system an extra boost.
This puppy food is suitable for puppies whose adult weight will be over 55lbs, so it is ideal for young Rottweilers. Zero artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are used in the recipe, which is a bonus.
Large breed puppy owners have found this food works well at firming up their pooch’s stools and improved their digestion overall. If your Rottweiler puppy suffers from frequent loose stools and digestive problems, then this puppy food is worth giving a try!
It is important to note that some puppies, especially if they are picky eaters, might take some time before they get used to this food. However, this seems to be largely due to the formula change, which shouldn’t be an issue for puppies who haven’t eaten the food before.
Pros
- 26% protein
- Good amount of vitamins and minerals
- Works well for puppies with digestive issues
Cons
- Possible lack of flavor
Final Thoughts
Feeding your Rottweiler a balanced and nutritious diet is essential to their wellbeing and their health. The dog foods listed above are some of the best foods for Rottweilers as they meet their dietary requirements.
As well as containing the correct amounts of protein and fat, these dog foods are packed with vital nutrients and supplements that are beneficial for your Rottweiler.
Whether you own an adult Rottweiler or a puppy, any one of these dog foods is worth trying out. Based on the reviews, a lot of dogs do extremely well on these foods, so hopefully, your furry friend will too!
Top Picks For Our Dogs
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We Like: Calmeroos Puppy Toy w/ Heartbeat and Heat Packs - Perfect for new puppies. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. - BEST DOG CHEW
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We Like: The Farmer's Dog - A couple months ago we started feeding Raven fresh dog food and she loves it! Get 50% off your first order of The Farmer's Dog.
For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining.com blog.