best dog food for rottweiler puppies
5 Best Dog Foods For Rottweilers (2024)
How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Rottweilers
Rottweilers are an incredibly beautiful breed known for their depth of intelligence, stamina, and power. A working breed, the Rottweiler is a dog that enjoys an active lifestyle and requires a high-quality diet to fuel its energy and daily performance.
Rottweilers can be prone to skin issues, and certain individuals may require a hypoallergenic novel protein/carbohydrate or hydrolyzed protein diet with limited ingredients. Your veterinarian should always be consulted in any cases of food sensitivity or allergy before changing the diet. The breed is also predisposed to bloat, and thus, care should be taken to select a diet with large kibble pieces to prevent the Rottweiler from eating too much or too quickly, two problems that experts believe may contribute to the development of the condition.
A breed that loves to eat, the best dog food for a Rottweiler should be carefully measured and all intake monitored to prevent weight gain. Obesity can be a big problem in the breed, and thus, free-feeding is strongly discouraged.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Rottweilers
The Rottweiler requires a lot of calories per day to provide it with the energy it needs. Moderately active dogs should receive approximately 2000 calories with dogs that engage in highly vigorous activity each day receiving around the 2500 calorie mark. The individual calorie count will vary depending on factors like activity level and if the dog is spayed and neutered. The Pet Nutrition Alliance calorie calculator is an excellent guide but remember to consult your veterinarian for more detailed nutritional information. The easiest means to provide this number of calories for the Rottweiler is through the selection of a diet that is comprised of high-quality proteins. Calorie-dense food formulations are best for this breed.
The total amount of the best food for Rottweilers per day should be divided between two to three meals fed throughout the day to prevent the Rottweiler from becoming hungry. Feeding one large meal may also increase the risk of developing bloat. The ideal diet for a Rottweiler contains a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Dietary Requirements for Rottweiler Dog Foods
The primary ingredient in any diet suited to the Rottweilers needs should be a high-quality protein. Meats in their whole form are the best choice; however, meat meals also provide a concentrated protein source.
Though grains can be problematic for some Rottweilers; in general, a diet that contains whole grains is perfectly acceptable for this breed. Carbohydrates can also come from easily digestible fruits and vegetables.
Healthy fats are an important component of any diet for the Rottweiler. The best sources for these items are from animals. Some of the most beneficial fats include chicken fat or oils from salmon, mackerel, or anchovies. Certain vegetable oils may also provide omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coat.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Rottweilers
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a Rottweiler:
Whole proteins heading up the ingredients list
One of the first ingredients in any diet suitable for the Rottweiler should be a high-quality protein. Whole meats are the preferred protein option, but meat meals are also excellent.
Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Since no diet is complete on its own, supplements help a food to be complete and balanced. Some of the more beneficial supplements for the Rottweiler are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Rottweiler should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.
Best Dog Food For Rottweiler Puppies
Best Dog Food For Rottweiler Puppies
By Karan French
Updated: April 22, 2024
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Whats the best dog food for Rottweiler Puppies?
Rottweiler puppiesare the young offspring of the Rottweiler breed, descended from the mastiffs of the Roman legions, they are a robust breed with great strength and a protective nature.
Rottweilers are relatively popular as pets in the United States. The American Kennel Club (AKC), which keeps track of dog registration statistics, reveal that Rottweilers have consistently ranked within the top 10 most popular breeds in the US over the past decade.
It is crucial to provide your Rottweiler puppy with a high-quality, balanced and nutritious diet to ensure proper growth and development into a strong adult dog.
This large breed benefits from a diet rich in high-quality animal protein sources such aschicken,beef, orfish, so look for a dog food with named meat protein sources at the top of the ingredient list.
Healthy fats are also crucial for Rottweilers to maintain optimal skin and coat health. Opt for dog foods that contain sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids such asfish oil,flaxseed, orchicken fat.
You should also avoid dog foods that contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Opt for natural and minimally processed options.Below, you can read our recommendations of the best dog food for Rottweiler Puppies.
Youll also learn the answer to each of themost frequently asked questionswe get about Rottweiler Puppies.
Nom Nom Fresh Beef Mash is one of4 fresh recipesincluded inour reviewof the Nom Nom Fresh product line.
Nom Nom Fresh Beef Mash derives the bulk of its meat protein frombeef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 34.8% protein, 17.4% fat and 39.8% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Every meat and veggie is gently cooked individually, then mixed in batches to seal in vital nutrients and maximize digestibility.
Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Ground beef, russet potatoes, eggs, carrots, peas Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 34.8% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies & Dogs Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is one of21 dry recipesincluded inour reviewof the Blue Buffalo Life Protection product line.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein fromchicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28.9% protein, 16.7% fat and 46.4% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
Formulated for the health and well-being of large breed puppies, BLUE Life Protection Formula starts with high-quality deboned chicken and features wholesome whole grains, antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies, plus essential nutrients like DHA to support healthy growth and development in larger puppies.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 28.9% AAFCO Standards Growth & Reproduction Best For Puppies & Pregnant or Lactating Females Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at BlueBuffalo.com"Our rottweiler has been on Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy food since she was 8 weeks old. She is thriving well on this food and loves it. Shiny coat , growing well, and never had a stomach upset."
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula is one of13 dry recipesincluded inour reviewof the Diamond Naturals Dry product line.
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula derives the bulk of its meat protein fromlamb. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 16.7% fat and 45.3% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
Appropriate nutrient levels to fuel larger growing bodies with calcium and phosphorus for bone and joint development, DHA for proper brain and vision development and L-Carnitine helps convert fat to energy. Enhanced with superfoods and guaranteed probiotics.
Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Lamb, lamb meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, grain sorghum Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 30% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies & Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at DiamondPet.com"My Rottweiler puppy Gyra loves this food, very picky eater. Well lets say was a picky eater until I started feeding her her this food she loves it!!!! Nice shiny coat I highly recommend feeding Diamond naturals!! Best thing about feeding this puppy food is they dont require a lot of it to maintain weight, so you save money, go Diamond!!!!"
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy Farm-Raised Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is one of19 dry recipesincluded inour reviewof the Nutro Natural Dry product line.
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy Farm-Raised Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Derives the bulk of its meat protein fromchicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28.9% protein, 15.6% fat and 47.6% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.
Made for large breed puppies up to 18 months old, this dry food supports brain and eye development with omega-3 fatty acids like DHA. Its formulated to support healthy joints, contains natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin, and provides essential antioxidants for healthy immunity.
Read our review of the full Nutro Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal (source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), whole grain sorghum, whole grain brown rice Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 28.9% AAFCO Standards Growth & Reproduction Best For Puppies & Pregnant Or Lactating Females Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Nutro.com"Dog food is a big deal to me, and this one is top of the line. My dog has much smaller poops when she eats it, meaning shes digesting the nutrients better. Plus she loves it!"
Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health is one of5 dry recipesinculded inour reviewof the Holistic Select Dry product line.
Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health derives the bulk of its meat protein fromlamb. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27.8% protein, 16.7% fat and 47.6% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
Lamb Meal & Oatmeal Recipe is specially formulated natural dry puppy food for large breed puppies with larger kibble for larger mouths, including active probiotics, healthy fiber and digestive enzymes.
Read our review of the full Holistic Select Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Lamb meal, chicken meal, oatmeal, brown rice, barley Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 27.8% AAFCO Standards Growth & Reproduction Best For Puppies & Pregnant or Lactating Females Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at HolisticSelect.com"Bitzy and her sister Minnie are big girls at 227lbs. Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Health Chicken Meal & Oatmeal dry dog recipe keeps them happy and healthy since puppyhood. Thanks for keeping my girls in great shape!"
Redbarn Grain-Free Sky Recipe is one of3 dry recipesincluded inour reviewof the Red Barn Grain-Free Dry product line.
Redbarn Grain-Free Sky Recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein fromTurkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31.1% protein, 16.7% fat and 44.2% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.
Probiotics, miscanthus grass & prebiotic fiber in this recipe support healthy digestion. Omega 6 & 3 fatty acids in chicken and flaxseed help support healthy skin and a beautiful, shiny coat.Methionine, taurine & L-Carnitine supports heart health and vitamins A & E help support a healthy immune system.
Read our review of the full Redbarn Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Turkey, chicken, chicken meal, duck meal, turkey meal Type Grain-Inclusive AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies & Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at RedBarn.com"Our girls love your food and we tell everyone to buy from RedBarn . Thank you for making such quality dog food we will continue to purchase from your RedBarn Family God Bless you all"
Jinx Jr. Puppy Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato is one of5 dry recipesincluded inour reviewof the Jinx Dry product line.
Jinx Jr. Puppy Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato derives the bulk of its meat protein fromchicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33.3% protein, 15.6% fat and 43.1% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
Puppy Chicken, Brown Rice, and Sweet Potato kibble recipe is formulated using high quality ingredients. Made with organic chicken to enrich your puppys growing muscles, whole grains for sustained energy and healthy digestion, and essential vitamins and minerals to support your puppys developing brain and heart function.
Read our review of the full Jinx Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Organic chicken, chicken meal, ground peas, pearled barley, brown rice Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 33.3% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies & Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at ThinkJinx.com"Kingston loved the Jinx Puppy Organic Chicken & Sweet Potato Kibble! I used it to train him and teach him new tricks, and he was always eager to earn more. What I liked about this product was that it was made with organic, non-GMO ingredients and was specially formulated for puppies. Compared to other puppy food brands Ive tried, Jinxs kibble was definitely one of the best. It had all the nutrients Kingston needed to grow and thrive, and he enjoyed every bite."
Merrick Classic Grain-Free Puppy Plate Beef Recipe In Gravy is one of10 wet recipesincluded inour reviewof the Merrick Classic Canned product line.
Merrick Classic Grain-Free Puppy Plate Beef Recipe In Gravy derives the bulk of its meat protein frombeef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 44.4% protein, 16.7% fat and 30.9% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 38%.
Merrick Grain Free Puppy Recipes start with real USDA-inspected deboned meat or chicken. This recipe is 96% meat or poultry with all the vitamins and minerals your puppy needs for complete nutrition.
Read our review of the full Merrick Classic Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned beef, beef broth, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 44.4% AAFCO Standards Growth & Reproduction Best For Puppies and Pregnant or Lactating Females Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at MerrickPetCare.com"My pups enjoyed Merrick Beef Grain Free Wet Puppy Food. We mixed it with dry food for them and they absolutely loved it!! An hour after they ate they were nudging their bowls for more. We have added merrick canned dog food to our feeding regime."
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
If you are considering getting a Rottweiler puppy, its essential to carry out thorough research, meet individual dogs, and interact with responsible breeders or reputable rescue organizations to ensure this is the right breed for your lifestyle and capabilities.
Here are the most frequently asked questions we get about feeding Rottweiler Puppies:
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is a Rottweiler puppy?
Rottweiler puppies can vary in size depending on factors such as genetics, diet and overall health. A newborn puppy would typically weigh around 1 pound (0.5 kilograms).
As a breed they grow and mature slowly. At around 8 weeks old, Rottweiler puppies can weigh between 13.5 and 15 pounds (6 to 7 kilograms) or more.
Rottweilers usually reach their full adult size and weight between 18 months and 2 years of age.
How to socialize and train a Rottweiler puppy?
Start training your Rottweiler puppy early. Basic commands like sit, stay, come are important for their safety and your control.
They are intelligent and trainable but require consistent and firm guidance.
Known for their loyalty, confidence, and protective nature, Rottweilers are generally calm and confident dogs but can be aloof and reserved with strangers. Early socialization and obedience training are important to ensure they grow up to be well-behaved and well-adjusted dogs.
How much exercise does a Rottweiler puppy need?
All puppies, including Rottweiler puppies, have growing bones and joints that are still developing. Excessive high-impact exercise, such as running on hard surfaces or jumping, can potentially lead to joint problems later in life. Until your puppys growth plates have closed (usually around 18 months of age), focus on controlled and moderate exercise.
For very young Rottweiler puppies, the general rule would be around five minutes of exercise per month of their age.
As your Rottweiler puppy grows, you can gradually increase the lengths of walks and playtime. Focus on controlled activities such as walking, jogging, or light training.
Is a Rottweiler puppy a good family pet?
Rottweilers are affectionate and do well with young children when introduced to them properly.
Remember that each dog is an individual, and while there are general breed characteristics, your Rottweiler puppys personality and behavior will also be influenced by genetics, upbringing, and environment. If youre dedicated to providing proper training, socialization, and care, a well-raised Rottweiler can be a loyal and loving companion.
