How Much Food Should a Great Dane Eat Every Day?

Great Danes are large, majestic dogs that require a lot of food to maintain their size and energy levels. But how much food should a Great Dane eat every day? On average, adult Great Danes need 6 to 10 cups of food per day, while puppies need 3 to 8 cups. However, the exact amount of food your Great Dane needs will depend on its size, sex, activity level, and other factors. In general, you can expect your Great Dane to eat 8 to 10 cups (1.89-2.3L) of dog food every day.

This is especially true during its accelerated growth phase. Adult Great Danes typically need 4 to 5 cups of food per day, while puppies need 3 to 8 cups. However, if your Great Dane seems too thin, you may need to increase its food intake. Pregnant females will need more food than non-pregnant females.

You may need to adjust the amount of food your dog eats several times throughout its pregnancy and for at least three months after giving birth. Even with the increased food intake, pregnant females often lose weight during pregnancy and while nursing their puppies. A 5-month-old Great Dane puppy is expected to weigh between 60 and 85 pounds, depending on its natural size. There are several options when it comes to feeding your Great Dane, including dry or wet food.

Keep in mind that Great Danes are known for having sensitive and weak stomachs and being prone to diarrhea, so don't change their foods too quickly. When a Great Dane has achieved around 80 to 90% of its overall growth, it's a good indicator that it's time to switch up its diet. The breeder may suggest raw food as an option for feeding your Great Dane. On average, a female Great Dane eats 6 to 8 cups of food per day, which is equivalent to about 160 to 225 cups per month. Due to their massive growth, one of the biggest challenges when feeding Great Danes is preventing the development of orthopedic diseases (DOD). It's theorized that one of the triggers of bloating is when Great Danes exercise vigorously without rest after a meal. Understand that Great Danes can become overweight if they don't follow a proper diet and exercise regimen, so be careful what you feed them.

A Great Dane requires more food than many other breeds, which means you'll need more money to sustain the Dane's diet.