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This is our review of the best dog food for rottweilers puppies in 2023.
Rottweiler puppies are very adorable, they grow to be these big, majestic, and intimidating creatures weighing around 110 lbs – 50 kg when they are adults. This means that they have a lot of growing to do.
Feeding a Rottweiler puppy is a great responsibility. You’ll have to consider many factors, including nutrients, brands, growth rate, and health situation.
That’s why, as a vet, I used my knowledge and experience in the field to review the best dog food for Rottweillers puppies.
My personal pick and the one I always recommend for most Rottweillers puppies’ parents is Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed, but your puppy’s condition, preferences, or health situation might vary that’s why I included more.
Let’s get into it.
Our Top Picks for The Best Dog Food for Rottweilers Puppies
- Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed (Best Dog Food for Rottweilers Puppies Overall)
- Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy (Best Raw Food for Rottweilers Puppies)
- Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Rottweiler Puppy (Best Premium Food for Rottweilers Puppies)
- Wellness CORE Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy
- Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Puppy (Best Wet Food for Rottweilers Puppies)
- ORIJEN Puppy Large Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food (Best High Protein Food for Rottweilers Puppies)
- Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy (Best Dog Food for Rottweilers Puppies With Sensitive Stomachs)
- Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy (Best Dog Food for Rottweilers Puppies for Hips and Joints Support)
The 8 Best Dog Food for Rottweilers Puppies 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 growing puppies.
Also, we recommend you consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your Goldendoodle puppy’s diet.
1. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Oats, Whole Grain Sorghum, Corn Gluten Meal
- Nutrient Content: 24% Protein, 11% Fat, 3% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: High-Protein, With Grain
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed is the best dog food for Rottweilers puppies, it features 24% of crude protein from chicken meal which provides your puppy with high-quality protein to support his growing body and help him grow lean and strong muscles.
Chicken meal is a natural source of glucosamine that aids in hips and joint health.
This dog food includes an exclusive blend of antioxidants, and vitamins C and E to support your puppy’s fragile immune system and help him grow properly.
It also includes controlled levels of calcium and phosphorus to help your dog develop strong teeth and bones.
And, it’s made in the USA with natural ingredients, so rest assured that your dog will get safe, high-quality, nutritious dog food.
2. Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Egg Product, Tapioca
- Nutrient Content: 33.5% Protein, 18.5% Fat, 5% Fiber, 9% Moisture
- Type of Product: High-Protein, Grain-Free, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Raw, Natural
If you are looking for a raw diet for your Rottie puppy, I’ve got you covered, Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy is the best raw food for your pup.
Featuring 33.5% of crude protein from cage-free chicken and chicken meal as the main ingredients, this provides your puppy with high-quality protein to build strong muscles.
The glucosamine and chondroitin from chicken support your dog’s hips and joints and promote easy mobility.
This recipe includes a blend of poultry, fish, and meat which offers a strong source of protein for your dog, and the fish is a natural source of DHA and omega fatty acids which support brain development and coat health.
It’s also free from grains, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meal, and artificial colors and preservatives which is optimal for puppies with sensitive stomachs.
The main drawback of this dog food is the price, it’s a little bit more expensive than other dog food and that’s because it uses raw ingredients. So, if you want a raw diet for your little pup, this is the best you can get.
3. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Rottweiler Puppy
- 5 Key Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal
- Nutrient Content: Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Wheat Gluten, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat
- Type of Product: With Grain
If you are looking for a premium option for your puppy, Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Rottweiler Puppy is the best choice.
This dog bed is specially formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of Rottweilers puppies, it features 24% of crude protein which is enough to support your puppy’s needs and help him develop lean and strong muscles.
The added antioxidants help boost your puppy’s immune system, while the prebiotics supports his fragile digestive system.
Also, it contains considerable amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and L-carnitine which will help your pup develop strong teeth and bones, and support his hips and joints.
What I like most about this dog food is the kibble, it’s specially designed for the broad jaw of Rottweilers puppies so that they can easily pick and chew the food.
4. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy
- 5 Key Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Dried Ground Potatoes, Turkey Meal
- Nutrient Content: 35% Protein, 14% Fat, 5.5% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Gluten Free, Grain-Free, High-Protein, Natural
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy is a great option to provide your puppy with whole body nutritional support, it combines high-quality protein sources with high-quality vitamin sources including superfoods to fulfill your puppy’s nutritional needs and support his growing body.
It features deboned chicken and chicken meal which will not only provide your puppy with a strong source of protein to build lean muscles but also provide him with glucosamine and chondroitin to support hips and joints health.
This dog food is fortified with omega fatty acids that promote coat health, antioxidants to support your pup’s immune system, and taurine for optimal heart health.
5. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Puppy
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas
- Nutrient Content: 9% Protein, 6% Fat, 1.3% Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Type of Product:
Wet dog food is very tasty and very appealing to dogs, and that makes it the best option if you have a picky eater puppy.
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Puppy is the best wet food for Rottweilers puppies, it features chicken as the first ingredient which provides your puppy with a strong source of protein to build lean and strong muscles.
For dog food to get its wet form, it must have one of two components, either water or broth.
This dog food is made with chicken broth, which is excellent as it’s more nutritious and more beneficial for growing puppies.
And, it includes DHA which helps in eye and brain development, along with glucosamine which promotes easy mobility by supporting hips and joint health.
However, wet food is a bit expensive long term, so to keep a happy puppy and a happy pocket, I recommend that you mix it with dry dog food, that way you’ll be able to provide your puppy with a tasty and nutritious diet while at the same time keeping the bank happy.
6. ORIJEN Puppy Large Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Liver
- Nutrient Content: 38% Protein, 16% Fat, 4% Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Type of Product: Grain-Free, High-Protein, Gluten Free, Natural, Raw, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
ORIJEN Puppy Large Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food is a great high-protein diet for Rottweilers puppies. Featuring 38% crude protein from 5 fresh animal sources as the main ingredients, this formula contains strong sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that will help your pup develop lean and strong muscles.
The flounder is a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids that support a healthy coat and shiny skin, it also includes DHA that aids in eye and brain development.
This dog food contains whole parts of the animals including organs and bones, which promotes optimal nutrition for your dog and provides him with meals that look exactly like how he would eat in the wild.
And, it’s made in the USA which means that your Rottie puppy will get high-quality nutrition.
7. Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy
- 5 Key Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Barley
- Nutrient Content: 25% Protein, 15% Fat, 5% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: Sensitive Digestion, With Grain, Natural
Puppies have fragile digestive systems, and if your Rottie puppy has a sensitive stomach, you’ll need to properly take care of it and choose a diet that supports his needs.
Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy is a great option for puppies with sensitive stomachs, it contains many high-quality ingredients that aim to support your puppy’s digestive health.
Featuring lamb meal as the first ingredient, this formula is high in protein that will help your little puppy grow big and develop strong muscles, it’s also high in fat that will provide the energy your little pup needs to stay active and grow properly.
The added antioxidants and probiotics are great for a healthy immune system, along with glucosamine and chondroitin that promote easy mobility and support hips and joint health.
And, it’s made in the USA with high-quality ingredients, so rest assured your dog will get safe dog food.
8. Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy
- 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Sorghum, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Barley
- Nutrient Content: 26% Protein, 14% Fat, 3% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Type of Product: High Fiber, High-Protein, Human-Grade, Molasses-Free, Natural, Sensitive Digestion, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Non-GMO
Rottweilers grow fast, which means that they need a diet that will support the overall health of their hips and joints as they grow, and for that, there is no better option than Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy.
With 26% crude protein from chicken as the main ingredient, your Rottie puppy will get high quality and enough protein to support his growing build and help him develop lean and strong muscles.
The chicken is a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, vital components for healthy hips and joints.
This formula includes considerable amounts of calcium and phosphorus that will help your puppy develop strong teeth and bones, along with antioxidants that support the immune system, and DHA fatty acids that aid in brain and vision development.
How to Buy The Best Dog Food for Rottweilers Puppies
Choosing the best dog food for your Rottie puppy is somewhat similar to choosing dog food for your adult Rottweiler, but there are some things you need to keep in consideration.
That’s why I will share with you all you need to know before you buy your next dog food. Let’s start with the macros.
Macronutrients
Rottweilers puppies thrive on a high protein, low to moderate fat content diet because of their build and stature. So, here is what to keep in mind before you choose your puppy’s food.
Protein
Protein must be the first ingredient in your Rottweiler puppy’s foods, I highly recommend that it comes from an animal source such as beef, chicken, or salmon. This type of protein is very beneficial for dogs as it contains all the amino acids they need to build and maintain lean muscles.
The minimum requirement protein content for Rottweiler puppies according to the AAFCO is 18% to 22%, but Rotties puppies are large dogs and they need more than that to support their growing build.
I recommend anywhere from 25% crude protein content and up, this way you’ll ensure your puppy has enough protein that will lead to proper growth.
Fat
Despite its bad reputation among humans, fat is very important for dogs as it’s the primary source of energy for dogs in general, it’s what provides puppies with the fuel they need to play, jump, run, and discover the world around them.
However, Rottweilers are prone to obesity and can gain weight easily, that’s why 8% fat content is optimal, and also it’s best if you keep it under 10%.
Also, look for dog food that contains omega fatty acids, it helps dogs develop healthy skin and shiny coats.
Easily Digestible Carbohydrates
Carbs provide a good source of energy for dogs and help keep your puppy full all day long and also help with brain functions. The best sources of healthy carbs for Rottweiler puppies are legumes, peas, barley, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, and it’s better if you stay away from corn or wheat as a carbs source.
Also, avoid dog food with too much sugar as Rottweilers are prone to weight gain.
Vitamins and Minerals
Rottweilers puppies need vitamins and minerals to provide them with a balanced and complete diet that will help them grow properly, including calcium and phosphorus, glucosamine and chondroitin, and antioxidants and probiotics.
The calcium and phosphorus will help your little puppy develop strong teeth and bones, which is crucial for large dogs that are prone to bone problems like Rottweilers, there are many sources for both but the best ones are kale, broccoli, and rice.
The glucosamine and chondroitin support hips and joints health, they are usually found in chicken but they also can be supplemented.
And since your puppy is just developing his immune system and self-defense mechanisms, he will need dog food that includes antioxidants and probiotics, which are the right compone that will support your puppy’s fragile immune system.
FAQ
Here are the main questions I get asked about Rottweilers puppies’ nutrition:
How Much Should I feed My Rottweiler Puppy?
You want to make sure that you feed your Rottweiler puppy the right amount that will allow optimal without causing rapid growth or causing hip and joint problems such as hip dysplasia.
And since puppies eat more than adults to get the fuel and energy they need at that age, I recommend feeding her 3% of her body weight, for example, if she weighs 12 lbs, it’s better to feed her about 0.36 lbs daily which will allow her to grow at an even pace. And it’s always best that you split this amount into 3 or 4 meals per day.
When to switch from puppy food to adult food?
Most vets recommend that you switch from puppy to adult dog food when your little pal reaches 12 months, but that’s not true for large breed dogs like Rottweilers because they are still puppies at that age.
The best time to switch from puppy food to adult food is from 16 to 18 months, and please consult your vet as they will give you specific advice on your dog’s situation.
Our Verdict
Rottweilers puppies make great pets, and since they are prone to many health issues, they need food that will address or prevent them from the beginning.
Out of all the food I reviewed, Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed is my personal pick as the best dog food for Rottweiler puppies. But your puppy’s condition might be different, that’s why I encourage you to choose accordingly.
And please consult a vet before you make any changes to your dog’s diet.
