Best Dog Food For Rottweiler: Top 3 Recommended Brands in 2019
Rottweilers are strong and sturdy in build and they need a special diet to help maintain that and provide the energy they need to lead the active lifestyle they are built for. Read more to learn about your Rottweiler’s unique nutrition needs.
We’ll also talk about common health problems and how to manage them as well as give you our recommendations for the best dog food for Rottweiler.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison: Best Food For Rottweiler
| Dog Food | Quality | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein | A | |
| EUKANUBA Breed Specific Dry Dog Food | A- | |
| Royal Canin Breed health Nutrition Rottweiler | A- |
* click on the product name to be taken to Amazon where you can check the current price and read customer reviews.
Below you’ll find in-depth reviews of each of the above products.
The Basic Nutritional Needs of Rottweilers
The average adult Rottweiler should be eating about 2,200 calories per day. An active dog (either working dogs or ones that expend a lot of energy in their day) should eat as much as 3,500 calories—that is if he is really, really active.
This is a high energy requirement compared to other dogs but they need it because they are such a large and active breed. To fuel that muscles Rottweilers need a high protein diet. A minimum of 30% of their calories should come from protein
In general, carbs should be low and the carb sources they eat should be nutrient rich (like sweet potatoes) rather than empty fillers (like corn). Because Rottweilers are prone to obesity, a high carb diet will worsen the problem.
So basically, you’re looking for extremely high protein and low carbs dog foods.
Common Health Problems in Rottweilers
Rottweilers are at higher risk for certain health conditions. Here are a few of the ones you should look out for:
- Bone problems: Rottweilers grow fast which can place strain on bones and joints.
- Cancer: unfortunately, Rottweilers seem to be especially prone to various kinds of cancer. No one is really sure why but it’s important to get your dog checked annually to detect it as early as possible.
- Gastric Torsion: large built breeds like the Rottweiler are prone to this painful and potentially fatal illness. When they eat too quickly or too much at once, their stomach distends and fills with gas or air. If the stomach then twists, that gas is trapped and unable to escape. Symptoms include bloating in the abdomen, attempting to vomit without anything coming up, and excess salivation among others.
Preventing Common Health Problems with Care and Nutrition
Here are some tips for preventing or managing these health problems:
- Make sure there’s plenty of calcium and glucosamine in your dog’s diet to promote strong bones and joints.
- Control portions (as suggested below) to prevent obesity (and thereby avoid excess strain on their bones and joints).
- Choose a kibble that takes more time to chew so your dog doesn’t eat too fast.
- Watch your dog’s water consumption as well. They need lots of water but they shouldn’t be allowed to slurp it down too quickly (this can also cause gastric torsion).
Basic Feeding Guidelines
Feed your dog based on calorie requirements discussed above. You should divide this into at least 2 meals (but we recommend 3). Do not leave the food out for your dog to eat at will. This can lead to obesity and gastric torsion.
When shifting from puppy to adult food, spread the transition over 3 or 4 weeks. Start with a mixture of about 20% adult food and 80% puppy food and gradually increase the adult food while decreasing the puppy food until the transition is complete.
This will help your Rottweiler’s digestive system adjust to the new food without experiencing discomfort.
If training your Rottweiler or otherwise trying to give it treats, fresh meat is a great option. You don’t want to feed your dog while you’re at the table because you’ll find it begging for a treat at every meal. Always feed it at its food bowl or keep chunks of meat in a baggy to use as treats during training sessions.
Editor’s Choice – Best Rottweiler Dog Food
Now that you know what you should be looking for, consider starting by checking out these 3 brands which we think are the best:
1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein
Blue Buffalo makes some of the best dog food out there. They use all natural ingredients and keep the list of ingredients short which is easier on your Rottweiler’s stomach and the best way to tell that you aren’t just paying for a bunch of fillers.
They’ve crafted the perfect blend of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and macronutrients. It’s pretty high calorie so make sure you are portioning your Rottweiler’s meals and not just giving it free access to the food.
2. EUKANUBA Breed Specific Dry Dog Food
This is a great dog food specifically crafted for the adult Rottweiler. It’s also able to reduce tartar buildup on the teeth so he’s cleaning his teeth while he eats!
Plus, it provides high levels of the vitamins needed to support a strong immune system which is important for Rottweilers. There’s a bit more starchy fillers than we would like to see but overall, it’s a great recipe.
3. Royal Canin Breed health Nutrition Rottweiler
This is also specifically made for Rottweilers. It provides taurine, EPA and DHA to help protect your Rottweiler’s heart since they are prone to cardiac problems. It’s also high in protein to help nourish the muscles of your Rottweiler.
However, it’s not intended for Rottweilers under 18 months old so if yours is still young, consider getting another dog food until it is old enough.