PS: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
This is our review of the best dog food for Great Danes in 2023.
Despite their big stature, muscular build, and loud bark, Great Danes are one of the friendliest breeds, they are beautiful, confident, playful and most of all they make very devoted hounds.
Great Danes are large breed dogs, which means that they have a lot of growing to do, and for that, they need a proper diet with the right ingredients that will support their growing bodies without causing rapid growth.
This means that they need specific nutrition that suits their unique needs, that’s why I used my experience and knowledge as a vet and reviewed the best dog food brands available in the market, and I came up with a list of 8 dog foods I believe are the best choice for a Great Dane.
Out of all the food I reviewed, I found that Holistic Select Giant Breed Dog Food is the best dog food for Great Danes. However, every dog’s condition is different, that’s why I included 7 more so that you pick one that better suits youtube dogs’ needs.
Let’s dive in.
Our Top Picks for The Best Dog Food for Great Danes
- Holistic Select Giant Breed Dog Food (Best for Great Danes Overall)
- Zignature Kangaroo Limited Ingredient Formula (Best for Great Danes with Allergies)
- Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Dog Food (Best Budget Food for Great Danes)
- Royal Canin Giant Puppy Dry Dog Food (Best for Great Danes Puppies)
- Eukanuba Adult Dog Food for Large Breed (Best for Active Great Danes)
- Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi Benefit (Best Wet Food for Weight Management)
- Wellness Complete Health Senior (Best for Active Great Dane Seniors)
- Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Mobility Large Breed Dog Food (Best for Joint Health)
The 8 Best Dog Food for Great Danes Reviewed
Before we dive in, I want to tell you that all the dog food I included in this list meets the standard AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines for dogs.
Also, we always recommend you consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your Great Dane’s diet.
1. Holistic Select Giant Breed Dog Food
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Rice, Oatmeal, Oats, Chicken Fat
- Nutrient Content: 24% Protein, 13% Fat, 4% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: Sensitive Digestion, Pea-Free, Gluten Free, With Grain
- Best for: Adult Great Danes
Holistic Select Giant Breed is the best dog food for Great Danes, it has all the ingredients and macronutrients that Great Danes need to thrive and live a happy long life.
This formula features chicken meal as the first ingredient which provides your pal with the high-quality protein he needs to maintain his muscle mass.
Also, the chicken meal is a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate which contributes to joint health.
This formula also contains omega-3 fatty acids that will help your giant friend maintain a healthy and shiny coat.
The added antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine along with multiple other ingredients are great components that support the digestive system, immune system, and heart health.
A lot of Great Dane parents reported that this food is very convenient for Danes that have sensitive digestion. But, the size of the kibble is not as big as you might expect for a large breed dog food.
2. Zignature Kangaroo Limited Ingredient Formula
- 5 Key Ingredients: Kangaroo, Kangaroo Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Sunflower Oil
- Nutrient Content: 28% Protein, 15% Fat, 4% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Low Glycemic, Limited Ingredient Diet, Grain-Free, Gluten Free, Chicken-Free, Natural
- Best for: Adult Great Danes
This dog food might be confusing to you because I don’t think that you’ve heard of it before or even know about dog food that has Kangaroo as the first ingredient, but rest assured, the majority of dogs seem to like its taste as lots of my clients reported to me.
Zignature Kangaroo Limited Ingredient Formula is the best option for Great Danes with allergies, its limited ingredients formula limits your giant pal to ingredients that he might be sensitive or allergic to, while at the same time providing him with the nutrients he needs, no less no more.
It features high-quality Kangaroo meat from Australia as the main ingredient, which provides your Dane with high-quality animal protein that will help her develop and maintain lean muscles. Along with omega-3 fatty acids that promote healthy skin and coat.
Kangaroo meat is rich in nutrients, it’s high in iron, vitamin B12, other B Vitamins, and essential oils to provide your giant friend with a complete and balanced diet.
This formula also includes wholesome peas and chickpeas which contain high levels of antioxidants and fiber that are necessary for a healthy digestive system.
3. Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Dog Food
- 5 Key Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Egg Product, Lentils
- Nutrient Content: 25% Protein, 15% Fat, 5% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: Grain-Free, Chicken-Free
- Best for: Adult Great Danes
Choosing dog food for your Great Dane shouldn’t be that expensive or bank-breaking, and you don’t have to compromise quality for the price.
Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Dog Food is your best pick if you are on a budget. It features roasted lamb and lamb meal as the first ingredients which are excellent sources of high-quality protein that help your giant friend develop and maintain lean and strong muscles.
This formula includes vitamins and minerals that are sourced from real fruits and superfoods to promote a healthy and balanced diet, along with omega fatty acids that support healthy skin and shiny coat.
Sweet potatoes and peas are great natural sources of carbohydrates to provide your dog with the energy he needs to keep up with his activity levels.
K9 strain proprietary probiotics, antioxidants, and prebiotics are also included to promote healthy digestive and immune systems.
4. Royal Canin Giant Puppy Dry Dog Food
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Wheat Gluten, Brewers Rice Flour, Corn
- Nutrient Content: 32% Protein, 12% Fat, 3.4% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: With Grain
- Best for: Great Danes puppies
Despite their considerably big size, Great Dane puppies are very playful; thus, they require more calories and fat to keep up with their activity and more protein than adults to help them grow properly.
Royal Canin Giant Puppy Dry Dog Food checked all my boxes, it contains the right balance of protein, fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that Great Dane puppies need.
Featuring 32% of lean protein from chicken by-product meal as the main ingredient, this formula provides your puppy with the right amount of protein to help him grow properly, it’s higher than the average of what adults need and take but not to the point where it will cause rapid growth, which will help him build lean and strong muscles.
This recipe also includes calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine to support your puppy’s quickly growing joints, along with healthy fiber sources like psyllium seed husk to support the sensitive digestive systems of your puppy.
The main drawback of this food is the fact that it’s more expensive than the average dog food, however, if money is no problem then go for it, it’s the best food money can buy.
5. Eukanuba Adult Dog Food for Large Breed
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken, Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Wheat, Ground Grain Sorghum
- Nutrient Content: 23% Protein, 13% Fat, 3.9% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: High-Protein, With Grain
- Best for: Active Adult Great Danes
Great Danes can be very active, and if you know or recognize your pal as one, then you should choose a diet that supports that kind of active lifestyle.
For most active Great Danes, Eukanuba Adult Dog Food for Large Breed is a great option, it features a combination of high-quality animal protein from chicken as the main ingredient which provides a great source of protein that helps your giant pal develop lean muscles, along with chondroitin sulfate, and glucosamine to support his joint health which is very important for active adult dogs.
This formula has enough fats and carbohydrates that provide energy for your furry friend to sustain their activity level without causing weight gain.
It also includes DHA and vitamin E to support healthy brain function.
6. Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi Benefit
- 5 Key Ingredients: Water, Pork Liver, Carrots, Rice, Powdered Cellulose
- Nutrient Content: 3.2% Protein, 1.6% Fat, 4% Fiber, 84% Moisture
- Type of Product: Veterinary Diet, Weight Control, With Grain
- Best for: Adult Great Danes
Great Danes are susceptible to gaining weight just like any other breed. And just a few pounds can affect the quality of life of your furry friend. That’s why I highly recommend a diet that will promote a healthy lifestyle and help your giant friend control her weight.
Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi Benefit is the best choice for weight management, it has been clinically tested to provide your dog with nutrition that supports her weight management. And unlike any other formula on our list, this one requires a recommendation from a veterinarian.
It features a perfect combination between high protein, low fats, and the use of L-carnitine which will help your dog maintain lean muscles while burning fat.
This formula uses high-quality protein sourced from pork liver which supports developing lean and strong muscles, and it’s low in fats, calories, magnesium, and sodium to help your dog maintain a healthy weight.
This formula also includes antioxidants to support the immune system along with omega-fatty acids to help your dog maintain healthy skin and shiny coat.
However, it’s more expensive than other wet food brands.
7. Wellness Complete Health Senior
- 5 Key Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Barley, Ground Brown Rice
- Nutrient Content: 22% Protein, 10% Fat, 4.25% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: No Corn No Wheat No Soy, With Grain
- Best for: Great Danes Seniors
Wellness Complete Health Senior is a great option for your senior pup, it features chicken as the first ingredient which great protein source that will help your dog to maintain his muscle mass, and it’s low in fat which is more than enough to provide him with the energy he needs for the day.
This formula includes omega fatty acids to support skin and coat health, along with glucosamine to glucosamine healthy joints and hips.
It also includes antioxidants, probiotics, and taurine that support the immune system, digestive system, and heart health which is very crucial for aging Danes.
This formula is completely free of any GMOs, meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives and it’s made in the USA so be sure that your dog will get safe and clean dog food.
8. Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Mobility Large Breed Dog Food
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Sorghum, Brown Rice, Whole Grain Wheat
- Nutrient Content: 28% Protein, 12% Fat, 3% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: With Grain
- Best for: Adult Great Danes
Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Mobility Large Breed is the best dog food that supports your dog’s hips and joints, and from my experience, it’s the best food for Danes with joint problems.
This formula features chicken meal as the main ingredient, it provides your furry friend with the protein he needs to build and maintain strong muscles.
This formula also includes a considerable amount of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to promote a complete and balanced diet that supports your giant pal’s bones and joints.
Plus, it’s made in the USA with natural ingredients that are sourced from all around the globe, so rest assured that your dog will get high-quality, safe, and clean nutrition.
How to Buy The Best Dog Food for Great Danes
Buying the best dog food for Great Dane shouldn’t be that complicated or overwhelming, in the section below I will share with you what you need to consider before shopping for food for your giant companion.
Nutritional Needs of Great Danes
Like any other breed, Great Danes have specific needs that must be fulfilled, and thus they need specific nutrition.
Protein
Protein must be the main ingredient in dog food. Great Danes need around 24% However, puppies require a little more than that. The only thing I want you to consider when it comes to protein and also fats is the source, make sure that the protein comes from an animal, not plants or some peas.
Fats
Fats are the main source of energy, it fuels dog with the energy they need to carry on with their day-to-day activities.
The general goal you need to aim for when it comes to fat is 20%, the dog food you choose mustn’t exceed 20%, or else your pup will start to gain weight.
Carbohydrates
Generally speaking, dogs don’t need carbs, it’s true that they provide your dog with energy but in general, they don’t need them. But since every dog food on the globe includes carbs, let’s try to find a way that your giant friend to get the most out of it.
My general advice is that you pick a dog food that contains easily digestible carbs, wholesome grains are a great source, and avoid too much sugar because it causes obesity.
What to Consider When Buying Dog Food for Your Great Dane
There are lots of factors that you need to consider before buying dog food for your Great Dane. In this section, I will break down what you need to take into consideration before you make your pick.
Lifestage
it’s very important to consider your pup’s age when picking her food, for example, adults need moderate protein with low fat content, while puppies need a little bit more than that to support their growing build.
So, consider your pup’s age and when in doubt, consult with your vet before making any changes, it’s better safe than sorry.
Activity Level
Another thing you should keep in mind is the activity level, the nutrient that inactive or indoor Great Danes need are different than the ones active Danes need.
For instance, active pups need more fat which is the source of energy that sustains that active lifestyle, along with considerable amounts of glucosamine to support joint and hip health.
Overall Weight, Height, and Size
Also, consider the overall weight, height, and size of your pup, it’s very important to pick a dog food that suits your dog’s overall build and also keep an eye on how her overall stature is growing over time so that you make sure that you are not feeding your friend a dog food that’s causing her rapid growth.
Can my Great Dane have a sensitive stomach?
Not only Great Danes but all dog breeds are susceptible to having a sensitive stomach. However, the symptoms are very noticeable which include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, blood in stool, nausea, excessive gas, and hypersalivation.
Most of the time, a sensitive stomach is related to your dog’s diet, so the first thing you need to consider is what you are feeding her and switch it to a more stomach-friendly food, and don’t forget to consult with your vet first.
Raw vs Cooked Meat, Which One Is Best For My Great Dane?
You might think that raw meat is better for your giant pal, and you are right. However, I personally prefer cooked meat because it reduces the spread of germs and bacteria in the food.
This doesn’t mean that all raw meat foods develop germs and bacteria, in fact, there are some great brands that offer high-quality raw diets, but unless you trust the brand then I wouldn’t recommend it. And don’t forget to consult with your vet before making any changes.
Our Verdict
Great Danes are amazing creatures and one of the friendliest breeds, asides from the fact that they are very devoured hounds.
From all the food that I reviewed, I found out that Holistic Select Giant Breed is the best dog food for Great Danes, however, your dog’s condition, life stage, and health situation might be different.
And before you make any changes to your dog’s diet, make sure to consult your vet.
