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The 8 Best Dog Food for Rottweilers in 2023

PS: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

best dog food for rottweilers

This is our review of the best dog food for Rottweilers in 2023.

Rottweilers are one of the best breeds, they make great protectors while at the same time being playful and friendly. They have considerably big bodies with very muscular legs, and for that, they need a high calorie and high protein diet.

Like any other breed, Rottweilers are prone to some health issues such as obesity, joint problems, dysplasia, and more… This means that they need specific nutrition that provides them with the nutrient they need while at the same time addressing or preventing these health issues.

From all the food I reviewed, I found out that Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is the best dog food for Rottweilers overall, however, your dog’s condition, health situation, and age might be different, that’s why I’ve included other dog foods.

Our Top Picks for The Best Dog Food for Rottweilers

  1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dog Food (Best for Adult Rottweilers)
  2. Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Dog Food (Best Budget Food for Rottweilers)
  3. Royal Canin Rottweiler Puppy Dog Food (Best for Rottweilers Puppies)
  4. Nutro Ultra Adult Weight Management Dog Food (Best for Weight Management)
  5. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Dog Food (Best Food for Active Rottweilers)
  6. ORIJEN Senior Dry Dog Food (Best for Rottweillers Seniors)
  7. Merrick Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food (Best for Rottweilers with Allergies and Food Sensitivities)
  8. Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Health Dog Food (Best Dog Food for Rottweilers with Sensitive Stomachs)

The 8 Best Dog Food for Rottweilers 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 Rottweiler’s diet.


1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dog Food

  • 5 Key Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal
  • Nutrient Content: 24% Protein, 14% Fat, 4% Fiber, 10% Moisture
  • Type of Product: No Corn No Wheat No Soy, With Grain
  • Best for: Adult Rottweilers

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dog Food is the best pick for adult Rottweilers, it provides your dog with whole-body nutritional support which is very important to support their overall health and wellness.

It features deboned chicken and chicken meal as the main ingredients which provide your canine with high-quality animal protein to support their muscular build.

This formula contains considerable amounts of carbs that provide your pup with the energy he needs to promote an active lifestyle. Also, chicken is a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin which support healthy hips and joints.

The formula also includes calcium and phosphorus which are very important nutrients that promote strong teeth and bones. Along with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that support the immune system.

This formula is developed without any corn, wheat, soy, or chicken by-product meals which ensures that your Rottie will get clean and safe dog food.


2. Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Dog Food

  • 5 Key Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, Oatmeal
  • Nutrient Content: 22% Protein, 12% Fat, 4% Fiber, 10% Moisture
  • Type of Product: No Corn No Wheat No Soy, With Grain
  • Best for: Adult Rottweilers

Featuring real pasture-raised lamb as the first ingredient, Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Dog Food is a great option that will provide your big pup with lean and high-quality animal protein to help him develop and maintain strong muscles.

This formula includes high-quality ingredients that are specially formulated to support the nutritional needs of large and giant breed dogs like Rotties. It also provides them with the right amount of energy they need to thrive. Omega fatty acids are also included to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.

This formula also contains vitamins and minerals that are sourced from various fruits such as blueberries and oranges to promote a complete and balanced diet.

K9 Strain Proprietary Probiotics, antioxidants, and prebiotics are also included to support digestive system health, immune system health, and overall health and wellness.

And, it’s made in the USA without any corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or colors, so rest assured that your Rottie will get clean and nutritious dog food.


3. Royal Canin Rottweiler Puppy Dog Food

  • 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Wheat Gluten, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat
  • Nutrient Content: 24% Protein, 18% Fat, 3.9% Fiber, 10% Moisture
  • Type of Product: With Grain
  • Best for: Rottweilers Puppies

Royal Canin Rottweiler Puppy Dog Food is my personal pick as the best dog food for Rottweilers puppies, it’s specially formulated to meet their unique nutritional needs and support their growing bodies.

It features 24% of lean protein and considerable amounts of L-carnitine to help your Rottweiler puppy develop lean and strong muscles, it’s also high in fats which provides him with the energy he needs to support his active life and help him grow properly.

And unlike many other puppy food, this formula features a specialized kibble that makes it very easy for your Rottweiler puppy to pick up and chew his food.

Also, It contains extra amounts of calcium and phosphorus to support strong teeth and bones, along with high-quality prebiotics and antioxidants to support your young pup’s fragile digestive system.

The main drawback of this dog food is the price, it’s more expensive than the average dog food. However, it’s the best choice you can buy for your little pup.


4. Nutro Ultra Adult Weight Management Dog Food

  • 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Sorghum,
  • Nutrient Content: 26% Protein, 9% Fat, 4% Fiber, 10% Moisture
  • Type of Product: Non-GMO, Molasses-Free, Natural, Pea-Free, Weight Control, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, High-Protein
  • Best for: Adult Rottweilers

Rottweilers are prone to obesity, that’s why picking a diet that helps your dog manage and control his weight suits is very important.

Nutro Ultra Adult Weight Management Dog Food is the best dog food for weight management, it features a great combination of high protein and low fats to help your dog maintain her muscle mass while at the same time losing fat.

This formula is high in protein, it features chicken and chicken meal as the main ingredients which are great sources of high-quality protein to help your dog maintain strong and lean muscles.

This formula also features an exclusive mix of antioxidants, prebiotics, vitamins, and minerals from high-quality real ingredients to provide your Rottie with a complete and balanced diet.

This recipe is completely free of corn, waste, artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors which provides your pup a clean and safe dog food.


5. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Dog Food

  • 5 Key Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Barley, Peas
  • Nutrient Content: 26% Protein, 12% Fat, 5% Fiber, 10% Moisture
  • Type of Product: No Corn No Wheat No Soy, With Grain
  • Best for: Adult Rottweilers

Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Dog Food is another great option for adult Rottweilers, featuring deboned chicken and chicken meal as the main ingredients, this dog food will provide your pup with high-quality animal protein to develop and maintain lean and strong muscles.

This formula is high in omega fatty acids to support healthy skin and shiny coat, it’s also high in glucosamine that promotes healthy joints for easy mobility.

This formula also includes antioxidants and prebiotics that support your Rottie’s immune system and overall health. Along with taurine which helps with nerve development, heart health, and brain function.

Plus, it’s completely free of GMOs, meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives and it’s made in the USA, so rest assured that your dog will get high-quality dog food.


6. ORIJEN Senior Dry Dog Food

  • 5 Key Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Whole Mackerel, Turkey Giblets (Liver, Heart, Gizzard)
  • Nutrient Content: 38% Protein, 15% Fat, 8% Fiber, 12% Moisture
  • Type of Product: Grain-Free, High-Protein, Weight Control, Gluten Free, Natural, Raw, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
  • Best for: Rottweilers Seniors

Aging Rottweilers need extra care, that’s why ORIJEN Senior Dry Dog Food is the best option for that. It features the 5 first ingredients as animal meat which will provide your senior Rottie with high-quality protein to maintain his muscle mass and muscular build.

The first 5 animal ingredients not only provide your Rottie with premium protein, but also provide him with vitamins, minerals, and other macronutrients he needs to thrive including omega-3 fatty acids that support skin and coat health.

The added wholesome grains including lentils, whole pinto beans, whole peas, whole navy beans, and whole chickpeas provide great sources of easily digestible carbs and also help prevent allergies.

What I like most about this formula is that it features the WholePrey nutrition, meaning that it includes organs and bones from real animals which is very important as it provides your pal with a complete and balanced diet, and provide him with a meal that looks exactly like the one he would eat in the wild.


7. Merrick Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

  • 5 Key Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas
  • Nutrient Content: 24% Protein, 14% Fat, 4.5% Fiber, 11% Moisture
  • Type of Product: Grain-Free, Limited Ingredient Diet, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
  • Best for: Adult Rottweilers

Merrick Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food is an ideal option for Rottweilers with sensitive stomachs, its limited ingredients formula limits your dog’s exposure to ingredients he might be sensitive to.

This formula is completely free of the most common allergens in dogs including eggs, corn, soy, wheat, dairy, artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors.

It features real deboned chicken as the main ingredient which is very important for your dog because it will provide him with a strong source of protein to develop and maintain lean muscles, along with amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that promote a healthy and balanced diet.

This formula contains high levels of omega fatty acids that support healthy skin and coat. It also contains sweet potatoes which is a great source of fiber that support healthy digestion and healthy-looking stools.


8. Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Health 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 Rottweilers

From my experience as a vet and many other large breed dog owners, Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Health Dog Food is the best pick for Rottweilers with sensitive stomachs.

It features chicken meal as the first ingredient, which will provide your pal with the protein he needs to develop and maintain lean and strong muscles, it also features a considerable amount of fats that will sustain your dog with the energy he needs to keep up with his day to day activities.

This recipe also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which will help your Rottie keep his coat healthy and shiny.

The added antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine, among other ingredients contribute to the digestive system, immune system, and heart health.

However, the kibble size is not as big as you may anticipate for a large breed of dog food. So keep that in mind if your dog had issues with the kibble size.


Nutritional Needs of Rottweilers

best dog food for rottweilers

Like all large breed dogs, Rottweilers require high-quality protein from real meat, along with healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids to provide them with energy and support skin and coat health.

The AAFCO recommends 18% to 22% of protein content, but due to their big size and muscular build, they need more than that. So, considering their nature – working dogs – you must meet their dietary requirements or come close to it, and here are the portions we recommend that you aim for when selecting dog food for your Rottie.

Protein

Rottweilers need high amounts of high-quality animal protein to support their muscular build and activity levels, and as I mentioned earlier, the AAFCO  recommends 18% to 22% of protein content but anywhere from 22% to 30% is ideal. Puppies need about the same amount which is more than enough to support their growing bodies and help them grow properly.

Healthy Fats

While fats have a bad reputation among humans, they are very crucial for dogs as they are the main source of energy, they are the key component that provides dogs with the fuel to keep up with their activity level. Omega fatty acids are also important to support skin and coat health.

However, Rotties don’t need lots of fat because it can cause obesity, so what you need to aim for is 10%, this amount of fat is more than enough to boost your pal’s energy to stay active all day long.

Carbohydrates

Carbs provide a spike of energy for most dogs. Generally speaking, dogs don’t need carbs and can live a  very happy life without them, but every dog food on the globe has a form of carbs in one way or the other, so you want to make sure you give your pal the right diet that will support his needs.

My main recommendation when it comes to carbs is to aim for the easily digestible carbohydrates because they are easy for your dog to digest and can provide him with energy, vitamins, and minerals along with fiber which is very important for healthy-looking stools. Wholesome grain, sweet potatoes, and brown rice are great sources for that.

Vitamins and Minerals

For a complete and balanced diet, dogs need vitamins and minerals sourced from real animals or animal organs, fruits, and veggies.

Calcium and phosphorus promote strong teeth and bones, and glucosamine supports healthy hips and joints.

Antioxidants and prebiotics help support the immune system, while probiotics support the digestive system.

Whenever picking a dog food for your Rottie, pay close to these components because they play a big role in every dog’s diet.

Our Verdict

Rottweilers thrive on high protein and low to moderate fats, it’s the ideal combination to support their muscular statures and provide them with the energy to support their nature – working dogs.

From all the food I reviewed, I found that Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is the best dog food for Rottweilers, but your dog’s condition might be different so make your choices accordingly.

And, before you make any changes in your Rottweiler diet, I highly recommend that you consult your vet.

John Alexander
John Alexander

John is a qualified vet and an expert in dog nutrition. He has been documenting his journey with dogs and writing about their nutrition for over two years now. He is the go-to person when it comes to dogs nutrition.

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