Rottweilers are alert, fearless, and courageous; but they can be extremely calm, obedient, good-natured, and devoted to their families, too. Rotties are very playful and they require plenty of exercise time for the simple fact that their energy levels and intensity are exceptionally high. Rottweilers are not immune to health problems. The combination of high energy levels, muscular build, and the presence of health issues that are very common to Rottweilers necessitates the giving of only the right kind of nutrition for these dogs. That is why we’ve come up with this list of the best dog food for Rottweilers to help you narrow down your choices.
The 5 Top-Rated Dog Foods for Rottweilers
1 Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
- Brand: Blue Buffalo
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Protein, Menhaden Fish Meal
- Primary Protein Source: Salmon & Chicken
- Calories: 415 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Salmon, Seafood & Fish
- Life Stage: Adult
It’s not difficult to see why a lot of pet parents love giving the Blue Wilderness Nature’s Evolutionary Diet High Protein Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food to their respective Rottweilers. It has one of the highest protein content in this list sourced primarily from deboned salmon and then beefed up with chicken meal and complemented by the amino acids supplied by peas. It’s complete grain-free, but that doesn’t mean your Rotty will be relying on proteins for its energy needs.
The Nature’s Evolutionary Diet comes with healthy vegetables and fruits, wholesome starches, and a variety of botanicals, prebiotics, and probiotics to help guarantee optimum health for your growing Rottweiler. The amino acids and essential fatty acids supplied by its ingredients can really help pump up your Rotty’s overall wellness.
Check out our Blue Buffalo Dog Food Review.
Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine), Peas, Pea Protein, Menhaden Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Tapioca Starch, Dried Tomato Pomace, Pea Starch, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Egg Product, Flaxseed (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, DL-Methionine, Potatoes, Dried Chicory Root, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable Juice for color, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), L-Carnitine, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Taurine, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.
2 Taste of The Wild Roasted Duck Dry Dog Food
- Brand: Taste of the Wild
- First 5 Ingredients: Duck, Duck Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes
- Primary Protein Source: Chicken & Duck
- Calories: 375 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Chicken, Duck, Turkey, Poultry
- Life Stage: Adult
The Wetlands variety of Taste of the Wild features the same goodness of other TOTW formulations, but with substantially more ideal proportions of calories, proteins, and fats for your growing Rottweiler. In addition to duck as its principal protein, Wetlands also come with duck and chicken meals as well as proteins from other sources to give your Rotty the best nutrition that closely resembles what it would feed in the wild. There’s quail, turkey, and ocean fish to go along with the poultry-based proteins.
And if that’s not enough, your Rottweiler will surely benefit from the beneficial bacteria that are incorporated into the mixture. Healthy fruits, prebiotics, and vegetables work synergistically together to help improve Rottweiler health.
Duck, Duck Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Ocean Fish Meal, Potato Protein, Roasted Quail, Roasted Duck, Smoked Turkey, Tomato Pomace, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Raspberries, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid. Contains A Source Of Live (Viable), Naturally Occurring Microorganisms.
3 I and love and you Dry Dog Food
- Brand: I and Love and You
- First 5 Ingredients: Pork, Beef Meal, Herring Meal, Peas, Chickpeas
- Primary Protein Source: Pork & Beef
- Calories: 350 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Pork Meat
- Life Stage: Adult
You’ll never guess what is mixed into the Nude Food Red Meat Medley Grain Free Dry Dog Food. It has one of the most fascinating combinations of protein sources both from animals and plants, giving it a protein profile that is the same with the Nature’s Evolutionary Diet, but with substantially fewer calories so as not to court obesity and diabetes for your dog.
Unlike most dog foods that contain either chicken or beef as its principal protein source, Nude Food highlights the proteins obtained from pork in addition to herring, lamb, wild boar, and eggs. This is topped with the essential fatty acids delivered from a mixture of fruits, veggies, and other aquatic food ingredients. It may not have as many beneficial bacteria as the other products in this list, but it sure can help improve your dog’s digestion, especially since Rottweilers are especially prone to bloating.
Pork, Beef Meal, Herring Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, Pea Protein, Dried Egg Product, Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Pea Starch, Wild Boar, Sweet Potatoes, Pork Liver, Dried Carrots, Whole Ground Flaxseeds, Ground Miscanthus Grass, Natural Flavors, Olive Oil, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Apples, Yeast Culture, Sodium Bicarbonate, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Trichoderma Longbrachiatum Fermentation Product, Dried Candida Rugosa Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidphophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Coconut Oil, Fish Oil, Dried Chicory Root, Salt, Pumpkin, Mixed Tocopherols (As Preservative), Rosemary Extract, Turmeric, Yucca Schidigera Extract.
4 Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food
- Brand: Merrick
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas
- Primary Protein Source: Chicken
- Calories: 387 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Chicken, Poultry
- Life Stage: Adult
With just nine key ingredients including quality chicken, Merricks Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food boasts an impressive 38% protein, making it a great meal for your larger dog. The limited ingredient list means it is grain, soy and dairy free and so a good bet for pets with allergies or a sensitive digestion. Boosted by vitamins and minerals, as well as omegas and probiotics, you also get a meal that helps to boost their all-round health, as well as supporting their joints, energy, gut health and immune system. The limited formula means you will be able to more easily pinpoint the food that trigger your dog’s stomach upsets. However, despite the reduced ingredient list, you certainly get no reduction in taste, creating a super-digestible dog food your rottie will love.
You may also like this guide of Merrick Dog Food.
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, Chicken Fat, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Potato Protein, Pea Protein, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Calcium Iodate), DL-Methionine, Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Citric Acid for freshness.
5 Royal Canin Rottweiler Adult Breed Specific Dog Food
- Brand: Royal Canin
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Chicken Fat, Brown Rice, Corn, Brewers Rice
- Primary Protein Source: Chicken
- Calories: 366 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Chicken, Poultry
- Life Stage: Adult
Tailored to the specific needs of your Rottweiler, the Royal Canin recipe contains everything your powerful dog needs to keep their gut, joints and coat healthy. There’s L-carnitine to support their muscle bulk and taurine, EPA, and DHA to keep their heart healthy. To help with the strain that can be exerted on the joints of larger dogs, there is fish oil and the beet pulp helps to maintain a healthy digestion.
The kibble has a variety of shapes to suit your dog’s jaw and helps to scrape plaque off teeth and maintain dental health. It is suitable for dogs over 18 months of age and has a useful feeding guide included.
Take a look at our Royal Canin Dog Food Review.
Chicken By-Product Meal, Chicken Fat, Brown Rice, Corn, Brewers Rice, Wheat Gluten, Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Natural Flavors, Fish Oil, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Vegetable Oil, Sodium Silico Aluminate, Powdered Cellulose, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, L-Tyrosine, Vitamins [Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin A Acetate, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Potassium Citrate, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Salt, L-Carnitine, Dl-Methionine, Trace Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate], Marigold Extract (Tagetes Erecta L.), L-Lysine, Magnesium Oxide, Green Tea Extract, Chondroitin Sulfate, Rosemary Extract, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid.
Best Dog Food for Rottweilers: Buying Guide
Rottweilers are incredibly kid-friendly dogs that require our utmost care as they have always been placed negatively in the limelight. They are very affectionate with their families and are quite friendly to strangers, too. They are also not prone to many serious health issues. As such it is important to choose the best dog food for them as good quality Rottweiler nutrition is important in maintaining a healthy and well-balanced Rotty. Here’s a guide for you to consider when purchasing your Rottweiler dog food.
Nutritional Needs of Rottweilers
Rottweilers are a highly intelligent breed of dog that requires plenty of exercises as their energy levels are also quite higher than most other breeds. The level of their intensity, as well as potential for playfulness, also highlights the need for a diet that is highly specific for this breed. As such if you have a Rottweiler in your home, here is a rundown of the nutrients that it needs.
Proteins
Like all dog breeds Rottweilers require protein to help build and maintain muscle mass while also facilitating the continuing development of other organ systems in its body. However, while going for a very high protein diet is almost always advised, it is best to stay within the ideal range between 25% and 35%. Unlike other large breeds, Rottweilers typically grow slowly. Whereas you can see some large breeds of dogs that reach their full maturity upon reaching 12 months, the Rotty will require another 6 months or so to reach its full development potential. Giving it too much protein undermines this natural growth rate of the Rotty so it’s best to keep the proteins well within 25% to 35%.
Find out more about Large Breed Dog Food and High Protein Dog Food.
Calories
We already mentioned that Rottweilers are very athletic, energetic, and have the tendency to be really playful. As such it will require tremendous amounts of calories to help provide the energy. However, it is crucial not to go overboard since too many calories can make your Rotty obese and expose it to a variety of health problems. On average, an adult male Rottweiler weighing in at 120 pounds can require as much as 2,200 calories per day. If your Rotty happens to be the very active type, then this can significantly increase.
Fats
All dogs require fat to provide the necessary elements for the production of certain hormones as well as maintain the integrity of cells. On the macro level, fats are important for healthier skin and coats. However, caution should be exercised since fats are exceptionally-concentrated forms of energy. Keeping the fats under 20% should be ideal. Invest more in healthy fats such as essential fatty acids.
Carbohydrates
While canine diet purists will say that dogs don’t need carbs in their diets, there is really good reason to believe that they do. While the majority of their calorie needs should also come from proteins, relying solely on this nutrient may rob your dog of the building blocks for optimum growth. Furthermore, carbs can be converted into energy molecules a lot faster than proteins so they are your Rottweiler’s primary source of energy. Go for wholesome grains as these provide your dog with easily digestible carbs without the worry inherent in gluten.
Vitamins
B vitamins are important for a variety of metabolic processes. The fat-soluble vitamins should be given in moderation since these vitamins carry a much higher risk for toxicities especially if your Rottweiler has liver problems. Vitamin A is always good especially in preventing one of the most common health problems of the breed, progressive retinal atrophy which can lead to blindness.
Minerals
Calcium and phosphorus remain crucial minerals for Rottweilers because of their body weight. Bones need to be as strong as possible without necessarily causing an overgrowth in the bones. This can also help prevent the occurrence of another Rottweiler disease, osteochondritis dissecans as well as hip dysplasia. Together with the nutraceuticals glucosamine and chondroitin, these conditions can be avoided or at least minimized.
Check out our latest review of Calcium Supplements for Dogs.
What Makes the Best Dog Food for Rottweilers?
Putting your knowledge of the nutritional requirements of Rottweillers, you can easily discern a good-quality Rottweiler dog food from one that is of poor quality. Reflecting on the points we have presented in the preceding section, here are the things that make the best dog food for Rottweilers.
High-quality, easily digestible proteins
Animal proteins offer the best when it comes to both the quality and digestibility of proteins. These can help provide for readily-available amino acids that your Rottweiler will need to build tissues, produce hormones and other substances, and improve the immune system functioning of your dog. While it is okay that the dog food will contain proteins from plant sources, these should not be the principal source since plant-based proteins often lack certain amino acids. Additionally, you might want to go for more novel proteins such as turkey, lamb, duck, bison, and other ‘meats’ that are not usually found in dog food. Chicken and beef are great choices, but if your Rottweiler happens to have food allergies, these ingredients are often two of the culprits.
You may also like our review of the Best Dog Food for Allergies.
Low to moderate fats
Look for ingredients that do not have added fats from sources other than those already found in animal meats. You see, meats like chicken, beef, and the like do not only contain proteins, they also contain fats. Fish oil is always a good choice since it provides EPA and DHA for your Rottweiler, significantly improving its immune systems.
Wholesome grains
Stay away from gluten sources if you’re wary of food allergies. Wholesome grains like sorghum, barley, and brown rice just to name a few are always a good choice. Lentils like peas and chickpeas are also excellent.
Presence of micronutrients
Rottweilers need nutraceuticals, especially for their bones and joints. As such looking for chondroitin, glucosamine, and calcium in the product ingredient list should be mandatory. This is especially true if you have a Rottweiler that is quite heavier than usual.
Nothing artificial
Steer clear of food products that contain artificial preservatives, seasonings, and flavorings. It is best to go with all-natural ingredients for your dog’s sake.
Rottweiler Eating Schedule
When it comes to the frequency of feeding, the current recommendation is to feed your adult Rottweiler twice a day. This is better than giving your dog a single meal since it increases the risk of bloating. It really is important to check with your veterinarian the best approach for your Rottweiler.
How Much Food Do I Feed My Rottweiler?
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the actual amount of food that your dog should be fed on a daily basis. This is where a veterinarian can help so he can advise you on just how much food you need to give to your Rottweiler depending on its age, activity level, prevailing health condition, and the type of dog food that you are going to feed your dog.
However, there is a guideline that most veterinarians and animal lovers adhere to when determining the right amount of dog food to give to their pets.
This guideline postulates that you should give your pet dog food that is about 2 to 3 percent of its ideal body weight. For instance, if you already have a fully grown male Rottweiler weighing 120 pounds, then 2% of this is 2.4 pounds and 3% is 3.6 pounds. These are the amount of food that you can give to your Rottweiler on a daily basis. If your pet is more of the not-so-active type, then you can go with the 2.4 pounds. If your Rotty leads a very active lifestyle, then you can go with the 3.6 pounds per day.
What About Rottweiler Puppies?
Rottweiler puppies between the ages of 3 and 8 weeks should be fed 4 times a day. If your Rotty pup is between 2 and 6 months you should feed it three times a day. The recommended feeding schedule is once every 5 to 6 hours during the day. So you can start at 8 am, followed by 2 pm, and the last feeding at 7 or 8 pm. It is also critical to get dog food that is designed specifically for Rottweiler puppies. You need a puppy diet that contains 23-25 percent proteins, 12-15 percent fats, and 1.2-1.5 percent calcium.
Feeding your Rottweiler with only the best dog food specifically designed for such a breed is crucial to ensuring optimum nutrition for better health. With these best dog foods for Rottweilers, you can now embark on your journey to become the best Rottweiler pet parent on the planet.
Sources:
- Feeding Your Rottweiler The Right Diet, Pets4Homes
