by Bozena Hartley

Created on: March 26, 2009   Last Updated: November 12, 2010

Great Danes, considering their size, have different feeding needs than other, smaller dogs. It is important to provide a proper diet as soon as you bring your Dane puppy home, to ensure good health and steady growth.

There are three kinds of food you can include in your dog's diet: dry dog food, canned, and raw food.

•Dry food

High quality premium dog food is recommended, specifically marked for large and giant breed dogs. If you buy your puppy from a reputable breeder, they will usually let you know what food the puppy has been eating and it is best to stick with the same food.

Large breed puppies have different nutritional needs than smaller breeds dogs. General recommendation is to feed a Great Dane puppy adult dog food, rather than puppy food. The reason for this is that puppy food is always higher in calcium, fat and protein than adult food. It is formulated that way to ensure fast growth of the puppy. However, in the case of Great Danes, you do not want them to grow too fast because fast growth might result in serious health problems, like for example HOD (Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy), or Pano (Panosteitis). Natural adult dog food for large breed dogs is the best. Read the ingredient list. It should start with protein and its source, like: chicken, turkey, or lamb. Great Dane breeders say the protein level should not exceed 24% and fat level - 14%. Premium dog food has also more calories per cup and usually doesn't contain grain fillers. Grains are not a natural source of food for a dog, are not digested well, and can cause health problems, like allergies, dry skin, excessive shedding, low energy, etc. They are also said to be the reason for diabetes in dogs.

•Canned food

Great Dane owners recommend to use canned food of the same brand as kibble. Use it occasionally, besides the dry food not instead of it. It should contain high quality ingredients and no fillers.

•Raw food

Another option is to feed your dog a raw food diet, consisting of raw meat, bones, vegetables, oils, and herbs. It is sometimes called "the BARF diet: bones and raw foods." Enthusiasts of the BARF diet list many benefits, like: beautiful skin and coat, smaller and firmer stools, stronger immune system, higher energy, no weight problems, etc. They explain that this is the diet of dog's ancestor, the wolf. Therefore, it is the best for a Great Dane, as well.

Many Dane owners recommend a raised feeder that keeps bowls at the shoulder level of the dog. Also, allowing the dog rest after eating is said to prevent the bloat problem.

When you bring a Great Dane puppy to your home, it will become a member of your family. It will rely on you for food and shelter and will be your faithful companion. Choose the food that will keep your dog happy and healthy. The most common objection for buying premium dog food is that it is too expensive. Too expensive compared to what? The difference in price between the premium dog food and the lower quality dog food will never amount to the vet bills that may occur when your Dane becomes sick due to improper nutrition.

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