You know how the adage goes, ‘A home with a Great Dane is a happy home.’
Okay, I just made that up, but all Great Dane pet parents agree that it should be a thing😍.
They’re like big sweet teddy bears that can give actual hugs and kisses. Great Danes can grow up to 100 or even 200 pounds, so if you got a tiny great Dane puppy; it’s just a matter of time before they become giants.
Like any other large dog, you need to feed a Great Dane with a specific diet for them to stay healthy and have good joint & muscle health.
I know this is a lot to take in, and the good news is; you don’t need to understand your dog’s nutritional needs for now. I’ve prepared a list of the best dog foods for Great Danes that you can feed your canine.
What’s the Best Food for Great Danes?
What you feed your dog significantly contributes to their life span and quality of life. The foods in this list are highly vetted, and they’ll help you give your pup a quality life and avoid unnecessary vet visits.
Here are my top recommendations.
1. Hill Science’s Large Breed Dog Food
If you’ve read any of my dog food reviews, you know that I always include a Hill Science product.
They’re good at their job, and they also have a program that feeds pets who aren’t lucky to have a home and family, like your pooch.
As the name suggests, this food is tailored for large dog breeds, and it contains all the nutrients they need in their daily activities.
If you have a sensitive dog, you’ll be happy to know that this food doesn’t trigger any allergies.
It has a fat content of 16.4% and a protein content of 23%, which is the recommended level for your pup.
The food also contains glucosamine & chondroitin, which support your dog’s joint and muscle health.
It also contains vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids that keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy and shiny.
What we like
- It doesn’t contain wheat, corn, soy, or any other fillers
- It has a high-quality protein that’s crucial for large and energetic dog breeds
- It’s suitable for sensitive dogs
- It’s from a trusted brand
- It doesn’t contain any fillers
What we didn’t like
- It’s not ideal for pregnant or nursing dogs
Check the price of Hill Science’s Large Breed Dog Food on Amazon.
2. Nulo Adult Dog Food: Grain Free
If you’re a cautious pet mom who wants to make sure that your dog takes the proper nutrients, then this is the right brand for you.
Nulo adult dog food will also help if your dog has been suffering from food allergies or they’re having loose stools.
One of the company’s precautions to avoid any kind of digestion discomfort is eliminating chicken and eggs proteins in their foods. That said, it contains 81% animal-based products (you can go for turkey, lamb, or salmon).
The food also contains niacin and vitamin B6 that enhances energy production, probiotics to aid in digestion, and amino acids to ensure your pup has a healthy heart and lean muscle.
Lastly, the dog has wholesome fruits and vegetables that help dogs maintain optimum health. It also has omega-3 and omega 6 fatty acids to keep your dog’s coat shiny.
What we like
- It contains calcium and phosphorous that supports bone health
- It doesn’t have chicken or egg proteins
- It gives your dog a healthy coat
What we didn’t like
- It’s a bit pricey compared to other brands.
Check the price of the Nulo Adult Dog Food: Grain-Free on Amazon.
3. Royal Canin Great Dane Adult Dry Dog Food
I love this food because it’s specifically tailored for the Great Dane. It has the ingredients that your dog needs to stay healthy.
For starters, the kibble size is as large as a chicken nugget from McDonald’s to encourage your dog to chew and slow down their food intake. Your dog will also look forward to their meals because the kibbles have a fantastic flavor.
The top ingredients of the food include chicken by-products, chicken fat, brewers rice, and Tapioca. Thanks to the selective protein in the formula, the food gives your dog the energy they require for their daily activities.
The food also contains DHA and EPA from fish oil, which promotes bone and joint health. It also contains fibers to ensure your dog supports the digestive system liver-enriched inhibitory protein to maintain your dog’s optimum health.
What we like
- It’s specifically tailored for the Great Dane
- It maintains your dog’s digestive and immune system
- It supports your dog’s joint and bone health
- It has large kibbles
What we didn’t like
- Some pet parents don’t like the size of the kibbles
Check the price of the Royal Canin Great Dane Adult Dry Dog Food on Amazon.
4. Instinct Limited Ingredient Dog Food
When it comes to dogs with a sensitive stomach, it’s always best to go for foods with limited ingredients as it allows you to control what they eat.
That’s where the Instinct company comes in. Their food contains only one vegetable and one protein, so you can give your dog a happy meal while protecting them.
The top ingredients in the food include peas, turkey meal, canola oil, tapioca, turkey, and peas.
With the food, you’ll be sure your Great Dane has suitable antioxidants and natural omegas to protect their health and give them a pretty coat.
It’s also important to note that the food doesn’t contain any grain, fillers such as corn and wheat, or artificial additives.
What we like
- It’s easy to digest
- It only contains one protein and one vegetable
- It’s suitable for dogs with food allergies
What we didn’t like
- Nothing significant
Check the price of the Instinct Limited Ingredient Dog Food on Amazon.
5. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Large Breed Dog Food
The Wellness company is one of the most popular brands in the dog food industry. They’ve been showing up for years and providing quality products, and this one isn’t an exception.
As mentioned, the food is designed for large dog breeds, so you can be assured it has all the nutrients your dog needs.
The food contains high-quality protein (chicken) and wholesome grains like rice. It also contains glucosamine and calcium to protect your dog from future joint pains, vitamin E and A to support the immune system, as well as probiotics and prebiotics to support digestion.
Also, the crunchy kibble keeps your dog’s teeth clean as the calcium and phosphorous support their gum health.
Lastly, the food contains essential minerals and vitamins needed to give your dog healthy skin and coat.
What we like
- It’s filled with vitamins and minerals that your dog needs
- It has a reasonable kibble size
- It supports the digestive and immune system
- It leaves your dog’s teeth clean after meals
What we didn’t like
- It has an outdated bag design
Check the price of the Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Large Breed Dog Food on Amazon.
6. Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Large Breed
I’ve bought food from the Purina Company, and it worked pretty well for my dog, so I’m very excited to review it.
Coincidentally, it’s one of the most highly rated dog foods on Amazon, and from the reviews, pet parents love it.
The food’s first ingredient is chicken which ensures your dog’s muscles and heart health are taken care of.
For every serving your dog has, they get omega 6 fatty acids to support their skin & coat health, glucosamine for their joint health and antioxidants to support their immune system.
It’s further formulated with selenium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin E, and vitamin A to maintain the overall health of your dog.
What we liked
- It’s packed with essential vitamins & minerals
- It’s from a reputable brand
- It supports your dog’s immune system
- It has many positive reviews from buyers
What we didn’t
- It’s slightly pricey.
Check the price of the Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Large Breed on Amazon.
7. Solid Gold Hund-N-Flocken with Real Lamb
If your Great Dane is a picky eater who quickly gets bored with dog food, you should definitely try out this brand.
One amazon user says that her picky dog is now excited during meal times, and they’ve been eating the foods for months. Her dog is also on a strict allergy diet, and so far, they’ve not been any reactions.
The food contains high-quality protein that’s sourced from pasture-raised lambs to avoid any toxins. It also contains super whole foods that provide fiber to enhance the digestive system, and prebiotics to feed good bacteria. Additionally, it has living probiotics to support your dog’s immune system and essential fatty acids for a healthy coat.
The company takes a holistic approach to ensure that your dog’s gut health is excellent as it impacts their entire body.
What we like
- It supports your dog’s gut health
- The protein is sourced from pasture-raised farms
- Dogs love the flavor
What we didn’t like
- The packaging may vary, which can be very confusing to the buyer
Check the price of the Solid Gold Hund-N-Flocken with Real Lamb on Amazon.
8. Royal Canin Giant Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
I decided to end my list with the giant breed dry dog food from Royal Canin because it’s worth mentioning.
This food is for dogs who weigh 100 pounds and are above two years, so it has all the nutrients needed to support a large dog’s muscle and joint health. It also has the proper levels of chondroitin, calcium, glucosamine, and DHA for excellent mobility.
The food has dietary fiber and high-quality protein to allow easy digestion. It also has taurine combined with other nutrients to support your dog’s heart health.
What we like
- It has dietary fiber for easy digestion
- It enhances the immune system
- It protects your dog’s heart health
- It ensures your dog’s joint and muscle health is excellent
What we didn’t like
- It’s a bit pricey compared to other dog foods.
Check the price of the Royal Canin Giant Breed Adult Dry Dog Food on Amazon.
Best Dog Food for Great Danes Buyer’s Guide
This session will discuss what to look for when buying food for Great Danes. This is to help you shop for the right food for your pooch if you didn’t get a good fit from our list.
Here are the factors to consider when buying your dog’s food.
Glucosamine & Chondroitin
This is very important for large dog breeds like Great Danes because their weight puts a lot of stress on their bones, leading to joint pains.
Although dogs produce glucosamine and chondroitin, the production level reduces as they age. Therefore, to keep their joints oiled, strong, and moving; you need to supplement them.
This explains why you should always go for food with supplements. The GD’s add weight at a very tender age, so it’s crucial to start protecting their joint bones as early as possible.
Protein
Like any other dog breed, Great Danes need high-quality proteins in their diet. It helps in maintaining their optimum health and provides them with the energy levels they need.
And although people bad-mouth animal by-products, they’re not always a bad idea. However, only buy from companies that are transparent on their sources.
Kibble Size
Another thing you need to consider is the kibble size. Great Danes have large jaws, and if you give them food with tiny kibble, they’ll gulp instead of chewing it.
To avoid this, always go for foods with large kibbles. Some foods that are designed for GDs have the size of chicken nuggets for this reason.
Age & Weight
When buying food, always ensure you buy the package that matches your dog’s age and size.
The nutrients in dog food with 100 lbs and two years old are very different from the nutrients in food meant for a six-month puppy with 35 pounds.
Best Dog Food for Great Danes (Final Words)
Like you, I love the huge giants and their big hugs. However, with their size comes the risk of joint health and other health issues.
Luckily, you can prolong your dog’s life and improve their quality by giving them foods with the proper nutrients.
I hope you love our detailed product reviews on the best dog food for Great Dane in the market.
What have you been feeding your Great Dane, and how did it work out?