Are you thinking about getting a Rottweiler puppy? If so, you should first prepare several things for the arrival.
This dog is originally bred to pull carts and work hard, so be prepared for your Rottweiler puppy to eat a lot. While choosing food doesn’t seem as hard, it can become quite tricky.
Feeding the wrong type of food could result in several complications, such as weight and energy loss. For this reason, you should carefully consider what you’ll feed the new pup.
There are many options on the market since nearly every brand now makes puppy food. However, Rottweilers are different, and these puppies can’t eat just about any food.
Continue reading as we discuss some of the best food for rottweiler puppies. Bellow, you’ll also find a buyer’s guide with information that can help you choose between these brands.
Food for Rottweiler Puppies
Blue Buffalo Protection Formula Puppy
Raw meat is arguably the best choice for a rottweiler puppy. However, some people don’t like the idea, and if you’re one of them, you should consider the Blue Buffalo Protection Formula.
It features real meat as its first ingredient, taking protein from real chicken. This helps your pup build and maintain muscles. On top of that, the formula also features garden veggies, wholesome whole grains, and fruit.
It contains DHA and ARA, supporting cognitive function and retinal health. Also, it features a blend of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins selected by animal nutritionists and veterinarians.
The combination of these ingredients supports your Rottweiler puppy’s immune system and different health requirements while providing oxidative balance.
This is dry food made of the finest ingredients that are rich in minerals and vitamins. It doesn’t contain any chicken by-products, corn soy, wheat, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
Pros:
- No meat by-products
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
- Contains fruits and veggies
Cons:
- Strong scent
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Orijen Large Puppy Formula
If you’ve been searching for the best Rottweiler puppy food, then chances are you came across Orijen at some point. It’s a well-known brand that offers formulas for adults as well as puppy dogs.
The formula is unique because it contains meat but also limited carbs, so it promotes a healthy weight. It nourishes puppies with 38% protein and 20% carbohydrates.
This one also has up to 85% of fresh and raw meats and 15% of fruits and veggies. It contains no tapioca, grain, or plant protein concentrates.
Orijen Large Puppy Formula has a good ratio of pretty much every nutrient your Rottweiler puppy could need. It supports healthy growth and development of bones and muscles. You should start adding the kibble slowly while monitoring the pup’s weight all along.
Pros:
- High in protein
- No concentrates
- Supports healthy development
Cons:
- Strong “fishy” scent
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Royal Canin Health Nutrition for Rottweiler’s
Royal Canin is among the most popular brands on the market for both adult dogs and puppies. This one is designed especially for Rottweiler puppies from 8 weeks to 18 months old as it meets their nutritional needs.
What’s interesting is the unique kibble shape that makes it easier for puppies to pick it up and chew. It’s not too small or too big either.
The formula of the kibble supports the development of the immune system and natural defenses. It’s rich in antioxidants and vitamin E that helps general health and development.
Also, it supports muscle and bone health thanks to the levels of protein, phosphorus, calcium, and added L-carnitine. The formula helps digestion and optimal stool quality with probiotics and protein.
Pros:
- Perfect shape
- Supports healthy development
- Contains probiotics
Cons:
- Contains wheat and corn
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Purina One
You’ve probably heard of Purina as it’s often recommended to Rottie owners. This formula comes in big and small packs for you to choose based on how many puppies you have.
It’s a natural blend of real chicken and rice for your pup’s delicate stomach. With real chicken as its first ingredient, this one supports healthy development and strength of muscles and bones.
The kibble is easily digestible and contains rice making it easier for your rottweiler puppy to adapt to the formula. It’s high in protein, which makes it suitable for developing strong muscles, bones, heart, etc.
Also, this is a natural source of glucosamine that supports growing joints of your Rottweiler puppy. It doesn’t have that strong scent that most kibbles have, so you can even store it inside your house.
If you’re looking for other alternatives then Purina Beyond is also a great choice.
Pros:
- For delicate stomachs
- High in protein
- Supports joint growth
Cons:
- Too much could result in rapid weight gain
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Wellness Complete Natural Food
This one is made especially for large breeds such as Rottweiler. It’s a complete formula for balanced nutrition suitable for different puppies.
It’s a large kibble size since these puppies grow quite quickly and don’t like such small kibble. It contains deboned chicken along with regulated calories and DHA for healthy eye, brain, and bone development.
Another thing worth noting is that this one doesn’t contain any corn, soy, wheat, meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
It also contains Omega fatty acids that are necessary for a healthy fur coat and skin. The formula is made in the USA and is backed by the Wellness Guarantee. The bag comes in the size of 15lb or 30lb depending on how many puppies you have to feed.
Pros:
- No soy, corn, or wheat
- Contains deboned chicken
- Healthy development of eyes, bones, brain
Cons:
- No Ziploc closure on the packaging
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Taste of The Wild
This is something a bit different as it contains smoked salmon as the first ingredient. It has an optimal amino acid profile along with protein for strong and lean muscles.
The high-quality protein formula is packed in a small kibble that’s suitable for growing puppies. It’s a super-food that’s rich in antioxidants and DHA for vision and brain development.
All the ingredients come from trusted and sustainable sources from around the world. Also, it doesn’t contain any corn, grain, wheat, artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
It has vitamins and minerals needed for your puppy’s healthy growth. The nutrient-rich and easily digestible dog food features proprietary probiotics.
Pros:
- Easy to chew and digest
- Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- No corn, soy, or wheat
Cons:
- You cannot reseal the bag
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Nutro Max Large Breed Raised Chicken
If you’re looking for both small and big bags of food, you might want to consider the Nutro Max formula. It comes in different sizes depending on how many pups you have.
The Nutro Max dog food is made of farm-raised chicken but doesn’t contain any chicken by-products. It’s also free of wheat, corn, soy protein, added artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. This one includes whole grains as a source of fiber, though there’s a grain-free option as well.
Its formula supports the healthy development of bones, muscles, vision, and brain of growing puppies aging from one to twelve months.
Make sure to feed your pup according to the instructions on the packaging. You might have to mix the dog food in gradually until your Rottweiler puppy is used to it before switching completely.
Pros:
- All natural
- Comes in grain-free
- Supports healthy growth
Cons:
- Could be somewhat hard for a puppy
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Tuffy’s Nutri Chicken
This chicken and rice formula is made easy to digest. It provides nutrition for balanced skeletal and muscular growth in both large and giant breeds.
It contains all the ingredients to help avoid joint problems such as calcium and phosphorus. These are matched with carbohydrates, fat, and calories to provide the large puppies with all they need for healthy growth and development.
You should use it up until the pup reaches 18 months of age. It contains vitamins and minerals along with chicken, rice, barley, oatmeal, chicken fat, natural flavors, fish meal, sunflower oil, dried egg, flax seeds, brewer’s yeast, and much more.
The bag comes in 18lb and 30lb sizes you can choose from depending on how many pups you’re feeding.
Pros:
- Comes in different bag sizes
- Suitable for all large and giant breed puppies
- Rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals
Cons:
- Might cause diarrhea at first
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Nulo Puppy
This grain-free formula contains no corn, soy, wheat, tapioca, white potatoes, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It’s made in the USA and is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
It’s a high-meat/low-carb formula with 80% animal-based protein. This provides more amino acids and enhances the flavor, so your pup eats everything every time.
The brand’s patented Bc30 probiotic supports healthy gut flora that helps with digestion. It produces bacteria that enhance immune response as well as overall metabolism.
Also, it comes with DHA for healthy cognitive development, which is especially crucial for large pups. It also contains calcium and phosphorous that supports the growth of the skeletal system.
The bag comes in different sizes, and you can also choose between salmon and turkey flavors depending on which is the favorite of your pet.
Pros:
- Rich in protein
- Supports healthy development
- Easy to digest
Cons:
- Salmon flavor has a strong scent
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Earthborn Holistic Puppy Vantage
It’s a 28 lb package you can reseal to preserve the freshness of the kibble. This is especially suitable if you’re only feeding one Rottweiler puppy.
It’s free of grain, gluten, and potato, so your Rottweiler puppy grows healthy and strong without these harmful ingredients. Also, the formula is rich in DHA for better brain development that’s especially important in the first year of the animal’s growth.
It contains a balanced ratio of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids that help healthy skin and coat growth as well. On top of that, the packaging is also completely BPA-free, so it’s eco-friendly and recyclable.
Unfortunately, it comes in one size only, and there aren’t any smaller packs available. Make sure to incorporate the dog food slowly, giving your rottweiler puppy the time to get used to it.
Pros:
- Helps brain, bone and muscle development
- Healthy skin and fur
- Doesn’t contain gluten and grain
Cons:
- Smaller packs not available
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Food for Rottweiler’s with Sensitive Stomach
The sensitive stomach isn’t an uncommon thing among puppies, and the Rottweiler breed is no exception. Some pups might have a sensitive digestive system, requiring dog food made specifically for those needs.
You should go for a reliable brand and dog food that’s specially made for Rottweilers with sensitive stomachs. Below, you’ll find some of the best choices.
Nutro ULTRA Large Breed
This one comes in small and big packs allowing you to choose depending on how many pups you have. It’s made especially for large breeds and contains lamb, chicken, and salmon.
Chicken is the main ingredient, while the other two add to its overall level of protein. The unique formula is ideal for puppies with a sensitive stomach.
It’s not a too small kibble, but it’s also not too big, being perfect for most puppies. Its high-quality ingredients promote brain, vision, muscle, and bone development, especially critical in those early months of life.
Nutro Ultra is made with a blend of fifteen super-foods such as blueberries, Chia seeds, coconut, kale, and other such ingredients. All of this helps your Rottweiler puppy to grow healthy and nourished.
Pros:
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Super-food
- Perfect kibble size
Cons:
- Puppies might take time to adjust to it
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Blue Buffalo Protection Formula Chicken
Much like all Blue Buffalo formulas, this one also features real meat as its first ingredient. It’s rich in high-quality protein that comes from real chicken, helping your pup develop healthy and strong muscles and bones. It also contains wholesome whole grains and garden fruit and veggies.
It’s one of the best choices for healthy muscle growth thanks to the ARA and DHA fatty acids. This is what aids the puppy’s cognitive function along with retinal health.
The formula also features Blue’s LifeSource bits of a precise blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. All the ingredients are carefully chosen by animal nutritionists and holistic veterinarians to support the immune system of your pet.
It contains no chicken by-products or corn, soy, wheat, artificial preservatives, and flavors. Everything is natural, but your pet might require some time to get used to it.
Pros:
- Rich in fatty acids
- Made of real chicken
- No artificial ingredients
Cons:
- Inconsistent quality
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Nutro ULTRA Large Breed
If you’re looking for quality and easy to digest food, you should consider trying the Nutro Ultra. It contains lamb and rice and is rich in minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients.
Lamb is the number one ingredients, so the formula is quite filling. It doesn’t take a long time for rottweiler puppies to adapt to it, but you’ll maybe have to mix it with the old dog food at first.
It supports the healthy development of strong muscles, bones, and joints for all large breeds. It’s rich in calcium and Omega 3 fatty acids for growth.
On top of that, the formula is created with all the essential antioxidants like vitamin E that’s critical for the pup’s immune system. There are no GMO ingredients or artificial ingredients that could harm your pet.
Pros:
- Filling
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
- Non-GMO
Cons:
- Kibble size might be too big for some pups
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Food for Rottweiler’s with Allergies
Like all puppies, Rottweiler pups can develop specific allergies on different ingredients. This shouldn’t be anything alarming as long as you’re careful about what your pet eats. For this reason, you should carefully consider the type of food you choose.
Merrick Grain Potato
If your pup has a specific allergy, you might want to try with this food. It’s grain-free and easy to digest, which is why most Rottweiler puppies handle it quite easily.
Its first ingredient is the real deboned lamb that’s rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins. The formula also contains high levels of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids. It helps with skin and coat development.
On top of that, this one contains glucosamine and Chondroitin for healthier joints and hips. One of the most important things to note is that it doesn’t have any poultry. This makes it ideal for puppies that are sensitive to poultry ingredients.
It’s made in the USA and comes in different sized bags allowing you to choose based on your preference and needs. Apart from deboned lamb, the formula also contains sweet potato, lamb meal, potatoes, and peas.
Pros:
- No poultry
- Large and small package options
- For all breeds
Cons:
- Inconsistent formula
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Victor Active Puppy Grain
This is one of the best choices because it’s grain-free. As such, it’s suitable for pups that have allergies and sensitivity to grains.
It’s a nutrient-dense recipe made with pork, beef, and fish meals. The formula is great for growing puppies as well as pregnant and lactating females. It helps with development while providing sustained energy for physically active hounds.
It contains minerals, vitamins, protein, essential fatty acids, as well as amino acids required for your pet’s healthy growth. The formula is made with high-quality ingredients and promotes healthy digestive and immune systems.
The bag comes in different sizes so you can choose according to your convenience. It’s a great formula that’s equally as suitable for growing puppies as it is for other life stages.
Pros:
- Rich in minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, etc
- Suitable for highly active dogs
- Can be used on adults as well
Cons:
- Kibble size might be too big for some
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Buyer’s Guide
There’s more to this than buying the first bag you see. You should consider several factors before making your final decision.
Think about how active is your Rottweiler puppy and whether he/she has any allergies to certain ingredients. If so, you should only consider the food that’s made specifically for the type of sensitivity.
Some ingredients are better than others, so it’s important to know what each of them provides. This is critical regardless of how old your pet is.
You should also think about whether you want dry or wet food. Some pups won’t taste kibble while others are too sensitive to wet food. One way to figure this out is by feeding the Rottweiler puppy both types and seeing which one it prefers.
Some canines are more physically active, so you want to choose something with more protein and calories.
Though all of this sounds quite overwhelming, it’s critical for your pup’s development and growth. To help you choose one of the foods above, we’ve gathered some of the essential info on ingredients, quality, and type of food.
How Much Food Should I Give to a Rottweiler Puppy?
This depends on your dog as some eat more while others eat less. However, some general guidelines can be quite helpful at the very start.
You should first start with the suggested schedule you can find on the food packaging. However, keep a close on your pet as you’ll probably have to make adjustments.
Most dogs show changes, so if you’re feeding them twice a day, and you find dog food in the bowl, you should only feed them once.
The same goes for Rottweiler puppies as well. If you feed the pup three times a day, and it skips one meal, you should move on to feeding it only twice a day.
- Puppies up to five weeks old should eat three times a day.
- 16-week old pups should eat two times a day.
- A 16-month old canine is good to eat only once.
However, keep in mind that this depends on your pup’s habits and needs. If he/she is too fat, you have to adjust the portions, but if he/she is too skinny, you’d have to make adjustments just as well. Consult with your veterinarian if you’re uncertain about how to make the decision.
What to Look For
Ingredients
Rottweilers are carnivores and as such should mainly eat meat. However, most foods on the market contain more grain than meat because it’s cheaper to manufacture it this way. In most cases, cheaper foods contain more preservatives, chemicals, and grains. Still, this doesn’t mean that expensive options are necessarily better.
This might seem confusing, so make sure to check the labeling on the bag. All the ingredients should be listed there. Look for real meat, veggies, fruits, rice, sweet potato, peas, etc.
Quality
Quality dog food is rich in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and other such ingredients. It should smell good and be of the perfect size for your Rottweiler puppy to eat it.
It should be filling and assist your pup’s healthy development of vision, bones, muscles, and brain. The better the food, the better will your pet’s overall health be.
Make no mistake that quality is directly connected to price. You can still find quality dog food for your Rottweiler puppy that’s not overpriced, but make sure to double-check the ingredients list to ensure all that’s included is good.
Types of Dog Food for Rottweiler Puppy
Rottweiler puppy dog food comes in different shapes and contains various ingredients. While most people can tell apart the wet and dry, several other types also stand out.
There’s food made specifically for different breeds and age groups as well as general activity levels. This is because a hunting dog should have the same diet as a lounge breed or vice versa. Here’s what you should know about the different types:
Wet Dog Food
Wet food is a popular choice among puppy owners. It’s soft, tasty, and easy to chew, which is why puppies love it. However, it’s not something you should feed the pups regularly because the animal might not get to use its teeth as much.
Also, lower-quality wet foods contain plenty of gelatin, which is something you should avoid. This type is suitable for puppies that are too small to chew kibbles. As soon as they grow, you should start mixing in some dry food.
Dry Dog Food
Dry food is the most common choice as it’s easy to feed the pups. Quality products are rich in minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids necessary for your puppy’s development.
However, low-quality products feature animal by-products, which should be avoided at all cost. This ingredient could harm your dog over time.
The great thing is that this type comes in plenty of flavors and kibble sizes. For this reason, it’s suitable for most breeds and life stages.
Low protein
A low protein diet is mainly suitable for dogs suffering from certain conditions and illnesses. Luckily, many brands make such food in both wet and dry form. Some even make treats that are low in protein.
While this isn’t a diet fitting for most dogs, you should follow it if it was recommended by an expert. In most cases, you shouldn’t switch your pup to low-protein on your own.
High calories
High-calorie food is best for active dogs and those that are underweight. These pups require some more filling ingredients that are rich in calories, minerals, and fatty acids.
Much like with low-protein diet, we suggest you take the pup to a vet before switching to this type of food. While it’s generally not dangerous, feeding it to an animal that doesn’t need it is a bad idea.
Hunting
This is an intelligent breed that can hunt if adequately trained. They have a great ability to tell playtime and hunting apart if you put in the work and attention to teach them. Interestingly, both male and female dogs can hunt.
While this might not come naturally to a Rottweiler puppy, you can teach your dog to do it.
Related Post: Food for Hunting Dogs
Final Thoughts
Rottweiler is one of the most attractive breeds among large dogs. They’re strong, muscular, and can look both angry and goofy. While they’re loyal to their family, they can be equally as dangerous for everyone else.
Some consider this a highly demanding breed since it requires training. However, it’s a smart dog that won’t take long to learn even the most complicated tasks.
There are several things to pay attention to when it comes to feeding the puppies. While you can choose between wet and dry, you should also make sure it’s quality and doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients.
Choose one of the foods above and make sure to watch your dog for any change in behavior. Most puppies will show you whether or not they like the food you’ve chosen for them.