good brand of dog food for rottweilers

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 17, 2024

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Best Dog Food for Rottweilers: 5 Vet Recommended Brands

Rottweilers are amazing, beautiful dogs with personalities to match. These dogs are smart and easy to train, which is what makes them an excellent working breed.

Thebest dog food for Rottweilers will provide your pet with the nutrition required to build strong muscles, keep his energy up and give his body the nutrients that it needs to thrive.

Before becoming a favorite in the US, the Rottweiler also known today as Rottie was beloved in Europe as a guard dog as early as 1900.

Over the past century, the Rottweiler has fallen in and out of favor.

They have appeared on banned breed lists, but thankfully they are making a well-deserved comeback.

The author must show her bias, as I have had several wonderful Rottweilers in my life- both in and out of the veterinary clinic.

At the age of 8, my favorite playmate at the babysitters was a Rottie named Honda.

Rottweiler owners are dedicated and, more often than not, have the best-behaved dog in my waiting room.

The Rottweiler is a medium to large-breed dog with a compact, muscular body, floppy ears, and large expressive eyes.

They are one of the most recognizable breeds, showing off three color combinations a shiny black coat with either tan, rust, or mahogany points.

As they age, these dogs will begin to slow down. Their calorie intake needs to be adjusted so they do not begin to gain excessive weight.

Your veterinarian may also suggest adding supplements to your pooch's diet depending on his unique dietary needs.

Finding the best dog food for Rottweilers is a challenge because you'll have to alter their diet many times over the course of their lives.

Puppies, adults, and senior Rotties all have unique nutritional needs.

Your dog's weight, activity level, and health condition will also factor into his nutritional requirements.

I'll go into more details on the dietary requirements of Rottweilers in just a moment, but for now, here's a quick list of the 5 dog food brands I'll recommend later in this article.

In my opinion, these are some of the best dog food for Rottweilers on the market.

A Quick Glance at The Best Dog Food For Rottweilers

* Click on the Rottweilerdog foodbrand for informationand prices orscroll down below for more details.

Rottweilers are medium energy dogs and should have daily exercise.

They are very smart and often want to be where you are.

Rotties excel at obedience and are easily trained with consistency.

Wary with unfamiliar dogs and people, early socialization is essential for a well-balanced pup.

It is recommended to start their socialization before 16 weeks of age.

At home the Rottweiler doesnt know hes not a lap dog these gentle giants enjoy a good cuddle!

Rottweilers are loyal and loving but suspicious of strangers.

They excel as loyal family dogs, protection dogs, and military/police working dogs. They live about 10-12 years on average.

Rottweilers love to eat. They are bottomless pits and will put a dent in your pocketbook if you overfeed them.

Overfeeding is not just expensive, it can harm their health.

It is important to feed them just enough of the right balance of nutrients from the start.

ASK A VET:What's the Best Dog Food and Diet for Arthritic Dogs?

What's the Best Dog Food for Rottweilers?top 5 vet recommended brands

How To Feed A Rottweiler

Before switching your dog to any new diet, always consult with a veterinarian.

Remember that no article on the internet, including this one, can replace a consultation with a vet.

Puppy Rottweilers

Large-breed puppies like Rottweilers are more susceptible to malnutrition and developmental orthopedic disease compared to small-breed pups.

Many Rottie owners are familiar with these diseases, such as:

hip dysplasia
osteochondrosis dessicans (OCD)
panosteitis
hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD)

While there is a genetic component to these diseases, there are significant nutritional risk factors that play a part during puppyhood.

These risk factors(PDF) are rapid growth and excess dietary calcium intake.

To avoid these issues, veterinarians recommend feeding large breed puppy food until Rotties are 12-18 months of age.

Always feed per package instructions, as each puppy food is different.

My top pick for the best dog food for a Rottweiler puppy that is less than 12 months old is GO! Solutions Carnivore Grain Free Dog Food For Puppies.

Their formula has been tweaked over the years but provides consistent quality nutrition to promote healthy growth in Rottweilers and in adults. The first ingredient is chicken meal, which is a great source of protein

It is fortified with omega-3 fatty acids like DHA to promote a healthy brain, joint, and skin development.

Best Dog Food for AdultRottweilers

If you are looking for the best dog food for adult Rottweilersor are transitioning from puppy food to adult food, it is a good idea to consult with your veterinarian.

Your vet can help determine your Rottweilers current body condition score.

With this in hand, you can decide which maintenance adult diet is best.

Normal Body Condition Rottweilers

A great place to start for an active, normal body weight/condition Rottweiler is ORIJEN Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.

This adult formula is excellent for adults over 18 months of age.

Orijen provides the right balance of nutrients to optimize a lean body condition over a lifetime.

Rottweilers are predisposed to joint disease and heart disease.

Orijen includes anti-aging ingredients like rosemary extract to help keep your adult Rottie as healthy as possible, as long as possible.

Adult rotties tend to be chow hounds and hoover up their food quickly without chewing.

Orijen has developed their Rottie food with this in mind.

The shape of the dry kibble encourages the Rottweiler to slow down and chew their food, promoting efficient digestion.

Overweight Adult Rottweilers

It is important to keep your Rottie active and at a good body condition score throughout their lives.

It is important to talk to your vet if your Rottie is overweight or has a concurrent health condition, such as atopy, which causes allergic itchy skin.

Some foods can target multiple issues.

Generally, I reach for Fromm Gold Dog Food Weight Management when Rottweilers become a bit too chunky and they have come to me for help.

This diet is by prescription only but it works beautifully in middle-aged dogs that cant seem to shed the pounds.

Over time, excess weight can cause predispose Rotties to arthritis, so the mobility component will help to keep their joints in top form.

Senior Rottweilers

Rottweilers are considered senior or geriatric around 7 years of age. As they age, their nutritional requirements change as well.

Joints start to ache and mental function can start to decline.

Active ingredients in my top pick for the best dog food for Rottweilers in their senior years will help your fur baby go strong for as long as possible.

I and love and you Nude Superfood Dry Dog Food is my top pick for the best dog food for Rottweilers who are 7 years of age or older.

Purina Pro Plan uses premium ingredients in its Bright Mind line of foods.

Purina has also done their homework on how to keep senior dogs healthier for longer they are one of the pioneers in dog food nutritional research.

This Bright Mind formula targets the special needs of an aging Rottie.

It contains a unique blend of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA for brain health, glucosamine for joints, prebiotic fibers to aid efficient digestion, and botanical oils to enhance mental sharpness.

Their enhanced botanical oils have been shown to promote alertness and mental sharpness in dogs over 7 years of age within 30 days.

These medium-chain triglycerides provide ketone bodies as an alternative source of energy for aging neurons, which may help to slow cognitive dysfunction (doggy dementia).

Rottweilers with Defecation Difficulty

Despite an increase in responsible breeding, some Rottweilers develop hip dysplasia and painful arthritis in their hips.

Hip pain can actually take a toll on digestion, in that it makes it difficult for the dog posture and defecate.

If you notice that your Rottie is having a hard time walking, squatting or having trouble passing feces, talk to your veterinarian.

Medication and dietary supplementation can help.

One ofthe best dog food for Rottweilers can act as a remedy for difficult defecation, and it is also a Purina product.

Well Loved Pumpkin for Dogs Pumpkin Puree, Canned Pumpkin (Alternative) is an easy-to-feed supplement that is a god-send for puppy parents on-the-go.

It supports digestive and gut health, and aids in eliminating stomach discomfort, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

Best Dog Food For Rottweilers Take Home Message

Rottweilers tend to live the longest, healthiest lives when they are kept in a leaner body condition, receive life-stage-appropriate balanced nutrition and routine veterinary care.

Regardless of which dog food you choose for your furry family member, it is important to follow feeding instructions carefully and consult with your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dogs health or nutrition.

READ NEXT:Does Hypoallergenic Dog Food Really Work and Why?

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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.