As a giant breed, the Great Dane grows rapidly and requires special attention when it comes to feeding. It is important to feed them with puppy food specially made for puppies of giant breeds, as this type of food promotes slow growth and allows bones and muscles to develop at their optimal level. Once weaned from breast milk, Great Dane puppies should be fed formula kibble for giant breed puppies, adult formula kibble or a quality raw diet. Hungry puppies can really pack food, so it's important to divide their meals into two or three servings per day. Be careful not to overfeed Danish puppies, especially in a large portion.
Great Dane puppy owners can choose between dry kibble, canned food, raw feeding protocols and homemade diets. Your giant breed puppy needs the right amount of food to grow big and strong. The best food for a great dane puppy is one that is designed for larger breeds. When shopping for Great Dane puppy food, look for an absolute minimum of 22% protein, but ideally something between 25% and 30%. The ideal fat range for puppies is approximately 12% to 18%; avoid going too high or excess calories could contribute to overgrowth.
Adult Great Danes can also benefit from the high protein content to maintain lean mass, but their fat intake should be slightly lower once they reach their full size and don't need as many calories for their development. This high quality Great Dane puppy food is grain-free and provides puppies with a solid and reliable foundation. You can extend the time a Great Dane puppy consumes puppy food. It is undoubtedly favored that not feeding on a puppy diet long enough. Therefore, it is recommended to feed Great Dane puppies until the puppy is between 15 and 18 months old.
After that, you can switch to a dry senior dog food for Great Danes from the brands mentioned above. In addition to animal proteins and digestible carbohydrates, your Great Dane puppy needs healthy fats in his diet. The best fats come from animal sources such as chicken fat and salmon oil, so look for products that contain one of these as the primary source of fat or a mixture of other healthy fats such as linseed or canola oil. The recommended fat content for Great Dane puppies does not exceed 16% raw fat. You'll also want a product with vitamin and mineral supplements, though fresh fruits and vegetables that provide natural sources of key nutrients are preferred. If you want to feed your Great Dane puppy a recipe made with quality ingredients but don't want to spend a fortune, the recipe for large breed puppies Simply Nourish Chicken & Brown Rice is a very affordable option.
This recipe includes boneless chicken and chicken meal as the two main ingredients, so you can be sure that it is rich in protein. However, it does not exceed the 26% mark and contains 13% fat that comes from both canola oil and salmon oil. This recipe contains digestible carbohydrates such as brown rice and oats with beneficial supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy bones and joints. Another option is Nutro ULTRA which includes fresh chicken and chicken meal as the main ingredients, so you can be sure that it is rich in quality animal proteins. However, it does not exceed the recommended 26% and contains 13% crude fat.
This recipe includes brown rice and brown oats for digestible carbohydrates with lots of healthy fat and beneficial supplements. Chicken meal provides a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support and chelated minerals ensure nutritional balance. You'll also be happy to know that, in addition to containing beneficial ingredients, this recipe does NOT contain harmful ingredients such as artificial additives. In simple words, Great Dane dry dog food is recommended if you don't want your Dane to be overweight. Feeding a Great Dane puppy a proper diet to encourage slow and steady growth ensures that they enjoy the best possible bone health in adulthood. Like all giant breeds and any large breed that is going through a stage of rapid growth, care must be taken when selecting the right diet when feeding the great Danes. From the moment you bring your Great Dane puppy home, he will be your best friend and the most faithful companion.
If your Great Dane puppy has a sensitive stomach, you may need to be careful about what you feed him; you'll need to make sure he eats only high-quality sources of animal protein and easy-to-digest carbohydrates. Protein levels of 25% and fat levels of 15% are on par for Great Dane puppies (slightly lower is fine). Rest assured that feeding the great Danes a premium dog food or BARF is the best choice for your beloved companion. Return the favor by providing him with the best dog food for the great Danes you can to give him a long and healthy life. Change your dog's diet from large breed puppy food to large or giant breed adult food when its growth begins to slow; this usually happens between 18 months for great Danes. When it comes to deciding how much to feed your Great Dane on a daily basis, you can find a great starting point in my puppy feeding guide.
Everyone who does Dane's rescue or had them for years told me not to feed them puppy food because it makes them grow too fast and end up with painful joint problems. Another health condition that Great Dane puppies are prone to is gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), more commonly known as gastric torsion or swelling.
