Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:

Learn More

20 Best Great Dane Puppy Foods

| Published on January 20, 2023
Choosing a food for your new great dane puppy can be confusing! While good advice can be gleaned from your rescue, breeder, or veterinarian, there are a wide range of opinions about which puppy food is best and you may receive contradictory advice. We asked our 800,000 member great dane community on facebook the following question: “What food did you feed your great dane puppy?” We received hundreds of replies, and summarized the top responses below.
Please be sure to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your great dane puppy’s diet. iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links below may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

20 Best Foods for a Great Dane Puppy

Victor beef and brown rice formula….meets all the correct percentages of protein, fat and phosphorus….no puppy food…this is Lil Stevie girl…5yrs old…. been on that food her whole life…. remember to grow them slow!!……they will get where they need to be…..if your vet doesn’t know….get a new vet!!!…. good luck to you and your puppy

Author: Martin W.

Likes: 25


Diamond large breed puppy has been great for my last 2 danes.

Author: Steve S.

Likes: 14


I was told puppy food had too much calcium and protein which caused them grow to fast which caused hip issues. I still feed mine Purina pro plan lamb and rice. She is 8 and very healthy and active still.

Author: Amber W.

Likes: 12


Never feed giant breed dogs (Danes) puppy food from 8 weeks on.. adult and under 24% we try to stay at 21% _ 23% and feed 4 times a day. Also need probiotics and Vitamin C.. bred Danes for over 20 yrs for health and conformation as well as temperament!! Feeding proper is a must. Worked for me and I have Danes that live 10 – 13 yrs and do and did great…

Author: Renee K.

Likes: 7


I always just used Purina Puppy Chow… gave him Mothers Milk as well

Author: Nate R.

Likes: 4


We cook for hours he gets chicken carrots broccoli string beans sweet potatoes we put it in a pot and make it like we’re making soup or stew and that’s what he gets he has no problem with chicken he’s very healthy. Also sometimes we give him some brown rice mixed in with it

Author: Antoinette DiDio Z.

Likes: 6


We have used nutro with all of our great danes!! My last one lived to be 13.5 years.

Author: Christie M.

Likes: 2


We’ve had 5 Great Danes and have always fed them Science Diet….Puppy Food large breed until about 6 months old and then switch to adult large breed

Author: Milee B.

Likes: 3


I used to feed Royal Canin, but when they changed the formula a few years back, my show dogs’ coats really suffered, among other things, so I switched to Fromm Four Star and I have been so happy with it ever since.

Author: Deanna Peters G.

Likes: 0


We use an all life stages diamond brand food. Because it was good for our puppy and also our older Danes so they didn’t have to have two separate foods. When we got a puppy brand the oldest would want to eat it and the baby would want her food. Too much hassle to keep it separate and our local feed and seed recommended that. The common name brand ones the oldest got picky and eventually stopped liking them and wouldn’t eat. But she loved this brand.

Author: Sam J.

Likes: 3


My great Dane was very picky she died recently of old age. But I noticed such an improvement in her energy, coat, and over all wellness when I put her on Gentle Giants.

Author: Shane T.

Likes: 0


Purine Pro Plan puppy, then the Pro plan sport as they’re becoming adults. Have used it for many years with several Great Danes with great results!

Author: Liz D.

Likes: 2


Every Dane is different start slow let adjust.It also depends on what you able to afford as well as what is good for your pup.we ll have been down the road of messy poop and weight loss. We all have great meal plans for our Danes, but where do want to start as a life long feeding plan? You will run into suggestion conflicts, if the rescue is large breed specific I would work closer with them if they had the pup. Your vet see your pup for seconds of its life the rescue spent time working with the pup. sorry if that upsets some people, but that is the words of a vet to me. Good luck be patient and take it slow and do your home work.

Author: Sd Heimbigner

Likes: 3


Authority. It’s the petsmart brand. They have large breed puppy adult large breed and mature large breed. It’s rated high has gluten free options and is always available. Price is relatively good too. My dane Ludo is 11 and has had no problems his whole life.

Author: Alicia B.

Likes: 0


Holistic Select Giant Breed Puppy

Author: Liz Y.

Likes: 1


We have a lot of success with the 4health brand from Tractor supply co. Their large breed food has one of the higher protein and glucosamine chondroitin levels that I’ve found. It’s also not terribly expensive 45lb bag ~$50-55 depending on region/ sales.

Author: Kimberly G.

Likes: 0


We’ve used the various stages of Blue Wilderness and combine a fish like salmon with chicken or duck. She’s been on that food since she was 10 weeks old and is 10 years 7 months old now. Anytime we vary from that diet Bella has tummy issues.

Author: Stephanie J.

Likes: 0


I, and my neighbor, use Purina One large breed puppy. Combined we have 4 Great Danes, a German Shepherd, and 2 mixes. Also used with my last Dane puppy. Never had a problem.

Author: Angelia T.

Likes: 0


I spent weeks researching in stores and online and went with Wellness CORE Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy. Fed it until he was around 6-7 months then went to the adult large breed version.

Author: Kristen S.

Likes: 0


We use Iams large breed chicken kibbles. We got him at eight weeks and he refused to eat any puppy type food. Checked with vet he said protein level was fine. He now is 4 and weighs 180 lbs. we free feed so it’s there when he wants it. Doesn’t gorge that way.

Author: Mike M.

Likes: 0


As always, be sure to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your great dane’s food. iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links above may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Recent Articles

Interested in learning even more about all things dogs? Get your paws on more great content from iHeartDogs!

Read the Blog