You might be considering adopting a Great Dane puppy or have already adopted one.
It is important to know how much food to give a Great Dane puppy in order for him or her to grow well.
You need to consider more than just how much food you give your child. Also, think about the frequency and type of food he eats to ensure that he grows well.
Your puppy should grow up to be a strong, healthy Great Dane. This is an easy-to follow Great Dane food chart.
What Should a Great Dane Puppy eat?
A Great Dane puppy requires between 2,500 and 3,000 calories per day. A Great Dane adult needs about 2,500 calories per day, but puppies growing up need more calories to grow well.
Three times daily should be enough. To keep your puppy healthy, you should adhere to a specific feeding schedule.
Your puppy’s food needs will vary depending on whether they are male or female and their natural size.
Puppyhood will see them eat more food. A Great Dane may need between 10 and 15 cups of food per day.
Great Dane Feeding Chart
How much? Between the ages 3 and 6, a Great Dane puppy will require 4 to 8 cups of puppy food per day. This can be divided into three to four meals. Male puppies will usually eat more food than females. You can expect your Great Dane to consume 6-10 cups of food per day from 8-months to one year.
What to Expect Your puppy’s appetite won’t slow down until he has reached adulthood, which will be 18 months later.
Great Danes need to be careful as they are susceptible to bloating. However, regular feeding should help prevent this from happening. The risk is increased if they are fed right before doing any strenuous exercise.
Our Top Dog Food for Great Dane Puppies
This post includes affiliate links. I will be compensated for any purchases made after clicking on my links.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness (Editor’s Choice)
Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy (Runner-Up)
Sweet Potato and merican Journey Lamb (Budget Friendly).
How Much to Feed a Great Dane Puppy?
Puppy 2 Weeks Old Great Dane Puppy
Your Great Dane puppy will be 2 weeks old when he will have opened his eyes to see the world around him. At this stage, a Great Dane puppy will be totally dependent on his mother’s milk. He will also nurse as often as the dam will allow.
If you have larger litters, be sure to keep an eye out for pups who aren’t gaining as much weight as the rest of the litter. Formula should be added to puppies that are unable to gain weight.
Puppy for Great Danes 3 Weeks Old
Your puppy will be 3 weeks old and still need his mother’s milk. He/she will be fed meals as she chooses.
At this stage, your puppy will be more aware and able to move away from litter to urinate. You should not give your puppy food or attempt to wean him. It’s still too early.
Great Dane Puppy 4 Weeks Old
Although your Great Dane puppy is still dependent on his mother’s milk at 4 weeks old, you can give him some food. Make a mixture of 1/4 puppy food and 3/4 water.
To see if the puppy is interested, you can give it to him. If he is not interested, you can take it away and give him more time. He will most likely only eat a few bites if he is really interested. His stomach is still small.
Puppy 5 Weeks Old from Great Dane
You can feed your puppy more water once he is 5 weeks old. However, if he is not interested, you might try giving him more food. His mother should continue to give him milk.
Be aware of any puppies that are significantly smaller than their littermates. Your vet should be contacted if you have concerns about growth. The formula may be necessary if your puppy isn’t eating or drinking enough milk.
6 Week Old Great Dane Puppy
Your puppy should start to show more interest in the food mixture at 6 weeks. You can reduce the amount of water and increase the food quantity by making your puppy more interested in the mixture.
If all goes well, your puppy will soon be able to eat only dog food. He will continue to be nursed by his mother.
7 Week Old Great Dane Puppy
A Great Dane 7 weeks old may be weaned from its mother. Mother dogs are likely to be more restless and less inclined to lay down to nurse their puppies. Instead, the mother will likely offer the puppies a quick glass of milk before she runs off again.
You should have your puppy eating puppy food with no problems by now. However, if he still struggles, you may need to change the food or water mix.
Puppy 8 Weeks Old from Great Dane
8 weeks is a long time for puppies. This week is when they can be separated from their littermates and rehomed. The transition shouldn’t be difficult for 8-week-old Great Dane puppies.
To help your puppy grow, you should feed him food at least 3-4 times per day. You must always take away any unfinished food to ensure your puppy is aware of what he has eaten.
9 Week Old Great Dane Puppy
A Great Dane puppy of 9 weeks old should be adapting to a new environment and eating steadily. Remember that this is a large dog with a lot of appetite.
Your puppy should get 4 cups of food per day, broken up into equal portions throughout the day. To keep him happy, you should stick to 3-4 meals per day. He should be rapidly growing and gaining weight.
10 Week Old Great Dane Puppy
A Great Dane puppy 10 weeks old will have a lot of energy. In a short time, your puppy will grow quickly. To support this rapid growth, he will require a lot of calories.
Your Great Dane may still require 4 to 5 cups of food per day depending on how hungry he is. You might have to increase the amount of food you give your Great Dane if he is overweight.
11 Week Old Great Dane Puppy
Your puppy should be on a Great Dane puppy food schedule starting at 11 weeks. If the food is not eaten, you should leave it out for 10 to 15 minutes.
This will teach your puppy to follow the schedule. It is a great way for your puppy to avoid bloat.
12 Week Old Great Dane Puppy
Your Great Dane puppy 12 weeks old should be a voracious eater, full of energy and mischief. Keep your puppy fed three times daily to maintain his digestive health.
You will likely feed your puppy six cups of food per day. He is rapidly growing and requires the right food. To ensure proper growth, your puppy will need a lot of food.
When and how to change the puppy’s food from puppy to adult
A Great Dane can be considered an adult when he is between 1 and 1.5 years of age. This is a good indicator of when it might be worth considering making the switch. It is an indicator of when it is time to make the switch.
This should be done slowly as abrupt changes can cause problems. You can give your dog adult food mixed with his regular food if you feed him twice daily.
You can gradually introduce the new food to your dog to ensure that they don’t get upset or have diarrhea. It is possible to switch from a puppy diet to an adult one in a few days.
Do You Feed your Great Dane Puppy Dry or Wet Food?
There are many options for feeding your Great Dane. However, it all boils down to dry or wet food. This decision will be made for your Great Dane.
While dry food is convenient and safe for Great Danes, it may not be the best option for all dogs. Kibble is specially designed to meet the nutritional needs of your dog and can last a long time.
Wet food can also be found in canned foods, trays or pouches which are commercially available.
These foods can cause periodontal diseases and cannot remove plaque like kibble.
You can feed your dog a raw diet or make food at home. It comes down to your convenience, but Great Danes will thrive on kibble, even though they can eat raw food.
Is it possible to free-feed a Great Dane puppy?
There are some things you should consider when free-feeding your Great Dane.
First, free-feeding will only work if the dog is fed kibble. Wet food can cause diarrhea and even lead to death. Because the food will not be eaten for the majority of the day.
Even with kibble, it’s not recommended to feed your Great Dane puppy free. Great Danes can have water in their mouths, which can cause them to eat too much.
Their food could become sour or even make them sick from the dribble they release. It is best to establish a schedule for feeding your Great Dane, so that he gets the right nutrition from whatever food you provide.
What Can A Great Dane Puppy Eat?
Great Danes can enjoy many of the same foods humans eat. Your dog can also eat animal protein, which is something humans do.
These include meats such as beef, eggs and turkey. They might also eat a variety vegetables and fruits, with small amounts of carbs. They may occasionally consume dairy products but it is best to not overdo it.
Great Danes can become overweight if they don’t have a healthy diet and exercise routine.
To be in good health, they should be fed a high-protein diet. Their digestive system is well-nourished by fiber from vegetables and fruits.
What Human Foods are Dangerous for a Great Dane Puppy
Great Dane owners must be aware that there are foods that are safe for their dog to eat, but there are also harmful ones.
While he may experience diarrhea or upset stomach, he could also become seriously ill or even die from eating the wrong foods. Below are some examples of such foods:
Raw Bread Dough and Alcohol- Ethanol in alcohol can cause poisoning for your Great Dane. Because it expands and causes stomach swelling, raw bread dough can cause severe stomach problems for your dog. Many people are familiar with chocolate. Your dog can be seriously harmed by chocolates. Your dog may experience seizures or muscle tremors. Sometimes, your dog could even die. Caffeine- Because it is toxic, your dog’s body cannot process caffeine. You can find caffeine in many common items, so don’t give your dog snack foods containing caffeine. Grapes and raisins – Some dog breeds are more sensitive to grapes than others, although it’s not clear which varieties. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage, which you don’t want to risk for your dog. Garlic and onions – Any herb in the onion family, including shallots, can cause kidney failure.
What if my Great Dane won’t eat?
If your dog doesn’t eat or has a poor appetite, it is a sign to be concerned. Changes in activity or hormones, sickness, overfeeding or stomach sensitivity, anxiety, vaccines or medication are all common reasons Great Danes won’t eat.
Some pets are more sensitive than others. Great Danes are also affected by this. First, make sure your dog is allowed to eat anything they haven’t already eaten.
Your dog might have ingested stray food, such as trash or other non-edible objects, which could be the reason for the upset stomach.
Do You Need to Feed a Great Dane Puppy Supplements
Great Dane puppies will reach their developmental milestone if they eat a healthy, balanced diet. They won’t need dietary supplements. Supplements may be required if their diet does not provide the nutrients they need or they have developmental issues.
Supplements are sometimes not necessary. There are certain supplements that can be taken before you have any health problems.
Vitamin A is essential for your Great Dane’s healthy skin and shiny coat. To support his immune system, you can give him vitamin A.
1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe
Editor’s Choice
Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe is our choice for the best Great Dane puppy food. This is a great food choice for Great Danes as it contains red meat.
DHA and ARA are also found in this food. These are important fatty acid that are often found in mother’s breast milk. It is a grain-free product, meaning it doesn’t contain any wheat, soy or corn. This makes it an easy to digest food.
Pros:
Contains DHA, ARAH and red meatWorks well in combination with other breedsOmega 3 & 6 fatty acidsGrain free
Cons:
Great Danes can be expensive due to the large amount of food they eat.
2. Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy
Runner-Up
Our second choice for the best dog food for Great Dane puppies is the Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy food. This food was developed with large breeds in mind and contains ingredients to reflect that.
You will get a great combination of vitamins and minerals, including Omega 3 and Omega 6 as well as phosphorus and calcium to help promote good bone development.
Pros:
Made for large breed dogsDHA for brain growthCalcium and phosphorus for bone growthOmega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acidsFibre comes from natural source
Cons:
Does contain fillers and corn
3. American Journey Lamb and Sweet Potato Puppy Food
Budget Friendly
If you are working within a budget for your dog food, which makes sense considering the amount a Great Dane eats, we suggest the American Journey Lamb and Sweet Potato.
This is a grain-free food that should be easy on digestion. It gets its fibre from the sweet potatoes and chickpeas, giving your pup a balanced diet.
Pros:
Grain-freeHigh protein dog foodSalmon oil and flaxseed for Omegas 3 and 6Fibre-rich chickpeas and sweet potatoesFull of fruits and vegetables
Cons:
Taste is not as appealing as other brands
How Much Water Should A Great Dane Puppy Drink
Great Danes are big dogs are naturally large breed dogs. Fully grown Great Danes can weigh approximately one hundred to two hundred pounds.
Great Danes are similarly sized to humans, so they have similar water requirements. Your dog will have similar water demands that you will have in a day. Age also determines the amount of water that a Great Dane needs.
Puppies require more water per pound of body weight than their full-selves so it’s a good practice to have their bowls filled all day. They should be consuming about a half cup of water every hour, but this increases in humid temperatures.
Feeding Great Dane Puppy Raw Food
Many dog parents consider the raw diet which includes feeding your Danes with raw food. By this method, the owner hopes to retain variation so that you would present a balanced diet for the dog.
This means you must incorporate a mixture of various protein sources such as organ meat, muscle meat, bones, fruits, and vegetables.
This method is called the BARF model and is as follows:
6% other organs5% vegetables5% liver4% fruits10% bone70% muscle meat
What Nutrients Does A Great Dane Puppy Need
Generally, giant breed puppy foods should be lower in fat, have a good calcium content, and provide high-quality protein. Large and giant breed pups like
Great Danes should have diets that include at least 30% high-quality protein and 9% fat. You should be aware that protein quality will vary with the source, so high-quality foods may cost more.
If you give your pup treats, examine the calories they contribute to the diet. Select low carbohydrate treats that do not include added calcium. Fruits and vegetables are healthy treat options that add few calories to the diet. But be sure to avoid toxic fruits and vegetables.
2-Month-Old Great Dane Puppy Weight
When your Great Dane is 2 months old, your puppy should weigh anywhere between 15 and 30 pounds. The range is big because the weight can vary based on whether you have a male or female dog as well as the natural size of your dog.
Great Danes are large dogs, but they are also slim physically. Your puppy should still have quite a bit of baby fat, so don’t worry if your puppy has a little belly. He’s still a baby.
3-Month-Old Great Dane Puppy Weight
By 3 months, your Great Dane puppy’s weight can be anywhere between 25 and 45 pounds. The puppy will be growing steadily and quickly. You might be surprised by the sudden growth, but you should already be aware of how big your puppy is going to get.
You should continue to feed him three times a day to help him keep his calories up as he grows. You should notice that your puppy is thinning out as he gets taller.
4-Month-Old Great Dane Puppy Weight
At the age of 4 months, your Great Dane should be between 45 and 65 pounds. If your dog is a little off of that range, but still around the same growth curve that he has been on, he will still be fine.
Remember that every Great Dane is different, just like humans, so your puppy’s healthy weight might not be the same as other puppies’ weights. Just make sure he’s eating well and looking fit.
5-Month-Old Great Dane Puppy Weight
A Great Dane puppy who is 5 months old should be expected to weigh anywhere from 60 to 85 pounds, depending on his natural size. It is likely that you can no longer carry your pup around.
You should be able to easily see his waist and he should not have any excess fat anywhere on his body. Your Great Dane should weigh around half of what he will weigh when he is fully grown.
6-Month-Old Great Dane Puppy Weight
By the time that your Great Dane puppy is 6 months old, he should weigh somewhere between 65 and 100 pounds. He is still a puppy, however, and will be prone to typical puppy behavior.
Do not let his big size sway you into allowing him more freedoms than you would have otherwise. His feeding schedule should be strict and still at about 3 times a day. Eventually, you can reduce him down to only 2 meals a day.
Great Dane Background
The Great Dane, also known as the Apollo dog breed, is a large breed. This breed is German-derived and has been around for approximately 400 years.
They are descended form mastiff breeds, and were specifically bred by the nobility to be hunting and guard dogs. They excel at hunting wild boars. Great Danes are now our pets. They were originally bred in the nineteenth century to be family pets.
Create a Consistent Feeding Plan
It is vital to ensure your Great Dane, or any other dog, has a regular feeding schedule. The key to a Great Dane puppy’s happy life is knowing how much to eat.
A puppy will learn when it is time to eat dinner by being fed at least three meals per day.
He will develop steadily and will not bother you outside of meal times. If your dog eats consistently, you will be able monitor his food intake.
What amount of exercise does a Great Dane puppy need each day?
Great Danes need to be able to take a long, brisk walk at least once per day and have a large area for play. A Great Dane adult needs 30-60 minutes of exercise per day, depending on their age and level of activity.
Adolescents and puppies need to get around 90 minutes of exercise per day.
Great Danes love to jog, but they must be at least 18 months of age before you allow them to join you. Their bones are still developing so they can’t keep up with a jogging pace.
How Much to Feed a Great Dane Puppy – Great Dane Food Chart Dog Food Smart.
