Choosing food for your new Great Dane puppy can be confusing! While you may be able to glean helpful advice from a rescuer, breeder, or veterinarian, there are many differing opinions as to what food is best for your puppy and what you can do with it. may receive conflicting advice. We asked our community of 800,000 members on facebook the following question: “What food did you feed your Great Dane?” We received hundreds of responses and summarize the top answers below.
Remember to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your Great Dane puppy’s diet. iHeartDogs is reader powered so some of the links below may be affiliate links where we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The 20 best foods for Great Dane dogs
Victor’s Beef and Brown Rice Recipe….meets all the correct protein, fat and phosphorus ratios….no puppy food…this is Lil Stevie…5 years old…. have been eating that food all my life…. remember to grow them slowly!!……they will get there…..if your vet doesn’t know….find a new vet!!!…. good luck to you and your puppy
Author: Martin W.
Prefer: 25
Diamond large breed puppy It’s been great for my last 2 days.
Author: Steve S.
Prefer: 14
I know puppy food has too much calcium and protein which makes them grow fast and cause hip problems. I still feed myself Purina pro plan lamb and rice. She is 8 years old and still very healthy and active.
Author: amber W.
Prefer: twelfth
Never feed a giant breed dog (Danish) puppy food from 8 weeks onwards.. adult and under 24% we try to keep it at 21% _ 23% and feed 4 times a day. Also need probiotics and Vitamin C.. Dandelions have been bred for over 20 years for health and shape and temperament!! Proper feeding is a must. Worked for me and I have Danes who live 10-13 years old and do and do great…
Author: Renee K.
Prefer: 7
I always just use Puppies Purina Chow… also give him Mother’s Milk
Author: Nat R.
Prefer: 4
We cook for hours and he gets chicken, carrots, broccoli, green beans, sweet potatoes, we put in the pot and simmer like a soup or stew and that’s what he gets. He has no problem with chicken. He is very healthy. Also, sometimes we give him some brown rice mixed with it
Author: Antoinette DiDio Z.
Prefer: 6
We just used nutrition with all our wonderful Danes!! My last one lived 13.5 years.
Author: Christie M.
Prefer: 2
We’ve got 5 Great Danes and always feed them Scientific diet….Puppy Food big breed until about 6 months of age and then move on to a large adult breed
Author: Mile B.
Prefer: 3
I used to feed Royal Canin, but when they changed the recipe a few years ago, my show dogs’ coats really took a hit, among other things, so I switched to Fromm four stars and I’ve been very happy with it ever since.
Author: Deanna Peter G.
Prefer: 0
we use a all diamond life stages brand food. Because it’s good for our puppies and our older Danes, they don’t need to eat two separate foods. When we have a puppy brand, the oldest will want to eat it and the younger will want his food. Too much trouble to keep it separate and our local feed and seed recommended it. The oldest most popular brand names become picky and eventually stop liking them and don’t eat them. But she loves this brand.
Author: Sam J.
Prefer: 3
My great Dane was picky, she just passed away of old age. But I noticed such an improvement in her energy, coat and all her health when I put her on. Gentle giant.
Author: Shane T.
Prefer: 0
Purine Pro Plan puppy, then pro plan sport when they grow up. Been using it for years with some Great Danes with great results!
Author: Liz D.
Prefer: 2
Every Dane is different, start slowly, adjust. It also depends on how much you can afford as well as what’s good for your child. We will go through a messy bowel movement and lose weight. We all have great Dane meal plans, but where do you want to start with a long-term eating plan? You will have conflict of suggestions, if the rescue is for a large breed, I will work more closely with them if they have puppies. Your vet sees your dog for a few seconds of its life, the rescuer spent time working with the puppy. sorry if that annoys some people, but that’s what one vet told me. Good luck, be patient and slow down and do your homework.
Author: SD Heimbigner
Prefer: 3
Government. It’s the petsmart brand. They have large breed adult puppies and adult large dog breeds. It’s appreciated for its gluten-free options and is always available. The price is also quite good. My Ludo dane is 11 years old and has had no problems all his life.
Author: Alisia B.
Prefer: 0
Comprehensive selection giant breed puppies
Author: Liz Y.
Prefer: first
We have a lot of success with 4 health Brand from Tractor supply co. Their large breed food has one of the higher protein and glucosamine chondroitin I have found. 45lb bags aren’t too expensive either ~$50-55 depending on region/sales.
Author: Kimberly G.
Prefer: 0
We used different stages of wild blue and combine a fish like salmon with chicken or duck. She has been eating that food since she was 10 weeks old and is now 10 years 7 months old. Whenever we changed that diet, Bella had stomach problems.
Author: Stephanie J.
Prefer: 0
Me and my neighbor use Purina A large breed puppy. Combined, we have 4 Great Danes, German Shepherd and 2 mixes. Also used with my last Dane puppy. Never had a problem.
Author: Angelia T.
Prefer: 0
I’ve spent weeks researching in stores and online and accompanying Wellness CORE Grain-free large breed puppies. Feed it until it is about 6-7 months old, then move on to the adult version of the breed.
Author: kristen S.
Prefer: 0
We use Iam big breed chicken scraps. We got him at eight weeks and he refuses to eat any puppy food. Checked with the vet, he said the protein level is fine. He is 4 years old now and weighs 180 lbs. we feed it for free so it’s there when he wants it. No canyon that way.
Author: Mike M.
Prefer: 0
As always, be sure to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your Great dane’s food. iHeartDogs is reader powered so some of the links above may be affiliate links where we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
