Despite their somewhat menacing appearance, Rottweilers are usually big old softies. They’re incredibly devoted and are always willing to please. While a domesticated pup’s schedule usually consists of nothing more than fun playtime, that need to please remains.
Even young Rottweiler puppies will show you signs of loyalty. This is a huge plus, as it makes training your young Rottie much easier. Raising your pup into a healthy adult requires a lot of work.
Aside from proper training, you’re going to need to provide them with a healthy diet from day one.
Rottweilers can get pretty big. They grow up fast and develop muscles quickly. As a result, they need a diet that’s formulated for their growing body.
There are a ton of dog food options on the market today. Rottweilers puppies have unique nutritional needs, so you’ll have to do a bit more work to find the right formula.
Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best dog foods for Rottweiler puppies that money can buy.
7 of the Best Dog Foods for Rottweiler Puppies
1. Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Eukanuba is one of the most trusted dog food brands. One look at this puppy formula and it’s not hard to see why.
It uses high-quality ingredients and is made for large breed puppies. The protein content makes up 26 percent of the entire recipe, which is perfect for Rottie pups. Most of that protein comes from chicken.
It also has good complex carbs, an ideal percentage of fat, and plenty of healthy extras. For example, it has a good amount of calcium and phosphorus. There’s even a dose of glucosamine and chondroitin.
To make things even better, the food has DHA. DHA can help to enhance brain development, making it easier for your pup to pick up commands.
2. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal & Oat Recipe
The large breed puppy formula from Hill’s Science is filled with all the good stuff your Rottweiler needs. It has a slightly higher percentage of calcium and phosphorus to keep your dog’s bones in good shape.
The minerals are controlled to ensure that your dog is getting the right balance as well. When it comes to fat, flaxseed and fish oil are used. They help to give your dog a healthy dose of omega fatty acids.
To top it all off, the recipe is rich in Vitamin E, Vitamin D, and antioxidants to support your dog’s immune system.
3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
From Blue Buffalo is the Life Protection Formula. This particular recipe is made for large breed puppies, making it perfect for young Rottweilers.
In total, about 26 percent of the food is made out of wholesome protein. It comes from deboned chicken and chicken meal. There’s also 15 percent fat, most of which comes from flaxseed and fish oil.
One thing that’s unique about this food is the LifeSource Bits. These small morsels are mixed into the regular kibble and are jam-packed with great plant-based ingredients.
They have foods like alfalfa, blueberries, cranberries, parsley, and more.
4. ORIJEN Dry Dog Food, Puppy, Biologically Appropriate & Grain Free
Orijen is all about making “biologically appropriate” food. This means that the food is made to imitate what dogs would eat in the wild.
The company’s puppy formula follows that same principle. It has several different protein sources. You’ll find deboned chicken, deboned turkey, flounder, mackerel, organ meat, and much more.
The protein makes up an impressive 38 percent of the recipe.
To accompany all that meat, Orijen has included a range of fruits and veggies.
There’s apples, pears, greens, and more. The food also contains a healthy dose of calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, and chondroitin to support your pup’s growing body.
5. Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food
The large breed puppy food from Diamond Naturals is a great option for Rottie puppies. Not only does it have unique protein sources, but there are no artificial ingredients or fillers included.
The protein ingredients include lamb pasture-raised lamb and lamb meal. In total, 27 percent of the formula is protein. Real fruits and vegetables like coconut, papaya, pumpkin, and blueberries are added for vitamins.
When it comes to calcium and phosphorus, this food has the perfect ratio. There’s also plenty of omega fatty acids thrown into the mix to keep your dog’s coat looking great.
Wet Canned Food for Rottweiler Puppies
6. Nutro Puppy Grain-Free Tender Chicken & Sweet Potato in Gravy Recipe Canned Dog Food
The Nutro canned food is great for mixing with dry kibble and improving your pup’s water intake.
This recipe is specially-made for puppies and is soft enough to eat without any serious chewing. The mash is made with real chicken and chicken liver.
There’s also pork broth and chicken broth. They’re used to make a savory broth that your pooch will love. To complement the meats, sweet potatoes and peas are added.
The entire recipe is grain-free. No artificial colors, preservatives, or fillers are used either.
7. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey & Chicken Grill Grain-Free Puppy Canned Dog Food
Another great option from Blue Buffalo is the canned puppy food. Its primary protein source is turkey. Chicken liver is added as well.
The organ provides a healthy dose of vitamins while acting as a source of protein.
To improve your dog’s coat, omega fatty acids are added through flaxseed and salmon oil. Overall, the wet food is a great addition to your dog’s diet.
It’s a bit higher in protein content than other canned alternatives. Plus, it’s easy to eat and has ingredients that can improve your pup’s gastrointestinal tract.
Why Your Rottweiler Needs a Puppy Formula
One of the biggest mistakes that new puppy owners can make is providing their precious Rottie with an adult formula before they are ready. There’s a reason why pet store shelves are lined with puppy foods.
Your tiny little puppy is going to multiply in size very quickly. Before you know it, they will have tripled their initial weight.
Rottweilers typically reach adulthood once they’ve reached two years of age. Some dogs are considered to be adults by a year and a half.
In that timeframe, your dog will gain a significant amount of weight and will get much taller.
Most Rottweiler puppies weigh in the neighborhood of 15 pounds at 8 weeks of age. By the time they’re adults, they can weigh up to 130 pounds!
Large breeds tend to gain about 2 pounds every single week.
Needless to say, that growth spurt puts a lot of stress on your pup’s body. Healthy adult dogs will maintain their weight for the rest of their life, so adult formulas are simply not made to support that rapid growth that puppies go through.
As a result, they can’t provide all of the nutritional support to ensure that things go smoothly.
Failing to provide your puppy with a formula that’s specifically made for their size, breed, and life stage could result in some serious issues in the future.
Potential Health Issues
To raise your puppy into a thriving adult, you need to be on top of what they are eating. If you don’t, you can encounter the following issues.
Musculoskeletal Issues
The biggest problem you’re going to face is musculoskeletal issues. This refers to improper development of their bones, joints, and muscles.
Rottweilers are considered to be a large breed. So, they’re at a much higher risk of developing issues than smaller dogs.
Sure, your puppy may have issues jumping onto your lap now. However, as an adult, they can be as tall as 27 inches.
A lack of proper nutrition can lead to hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, spinal issues, and a laundry list of other deformities.
To make matters worse, some of these complications won’t rear their ugly heads until they get older.
To avoid them, you need to ensure that your dog is getting a high-protein diet with appropriate amounts of calcium and phosphorus.
Obesity
Puppies will have no problem scarfing down food. If given the chance, they’ll continue eating until they can barely move.
Unfortunately, large breeds like the Rottie are prone to weight gain and obesity. It can be difficult to manage your pup’s weight as they grow up. There’s a fine line between gaining too much weight and not gaining enough.
A solid puppy formula can do most of the work for you.
Products that are designed for larger breeds have controlled calories to avoid excessive weight gain. This is crucial during the puppy years.
Extra weight can throw your pup’s entire development cycle off balance, which could ultimately lead to additional health complications down the line.
How Much Should I Feed My Puppy?
This question gets asked a lot by new puppy owners. Truth is, there’s no exact amount. It’s all about keeping an eye on your dog’s body condition and development. Feeding a growing puppy requires constant adjustment.
Once they’re weaned off their mother’s milk, Rottweiler puppies should be fed three to four times a day.
These meals need to be small enough to prevent weight gain. By about six months of age, the frequency of the meals should be decreased to two.
This will continue throughout your dog’s life. But exactly how much food do you need?
Again, this all depends on their body condition, growth cycle, and activity.
More active pups will need a bit more food to make up for all the calories they burn off.
Chances are, your young Rottie will be a bundle of energy, so you must give them enough food to fuel their body.
As a good rule of thumb, most puppies will need approximately 19 calories of food per pound of weight. You should continually monitor your pup’s weight and adjust food intake accordingly.
Finding the Right Rottweiler Puppy Food
With all of the food products available, it can be daunting finding the right one for your precious pooch. The key is to check out the ingredient’s list. Here are some things to look for.
High-Quality Proteins
Protein is, without a doubt, the single most important nutrient that your dog needs. While dogs can do quite well with plant-based ingredients, whole animal meat is always better.
Make sure that a whole protein source is listed at the very top of the ingredient’s list. This indicates that it’s the most prevalent ingredient in the mix.
Stick to quality meats that are easy to identify. Things like deboned chicken, lamb, bison, and fish are all great choices. If the food contains a collection of meat sources, that’s even better.
Multiple protein sources provide a complex array of amino acids to strengthen the muscles.
You should avoid any byproducts or meats that don’t have a definitive animal labeled.
These proteins may come from questionable sources that could be filled with toxins. It’s best to avoid them and stick with whole proteins or meat meals.
At the very least, protein should make up 25 percent of the crude analysis. Though, you can go higher. Rottweilers are naturally muscular dogs. More protein is simply more fuel for the muscles.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium and phosphorus are essential for proper puppy growth. This is the biggest difference between puppy formulas and standard adult foods.
Your puppy will need a calcium-phosphorus ratio between 1:1 and 1:3. This magic ratio is not random.
Puppies need a good balance between the two minerals to gain the most benefits. Calcium and phosphorus are directly related to bone and tooth growth, so don’t gloss over these ingredients.
Complex Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates play a few different roles in your dog’s body. They act as a source of energy and help to control blood sugar levels. Cheaper dog foods use simple carbs.
Things like corn, wheat, and soy are often the go-to.
These ingredients should be avoided. They are absorbed quickly into the body, resulting in a noticeable energy crash. Plus, too many simple carbs could lead to diabetes.
Complex carbs, on the other hand, are absorbed slowly throughout the day. This results in good energy supply and better management of sugar levels.
Complex carbohydrate sources include sweet potatoes, beans, whole oats, and more.
Puppies should have about 15 grams of complex carbs per kilogram of weight. If you’re measuring your pup’s weight in pounds, that would be about 33 grams per pound.
Omega Fatty Acids
Omega fatty acids are the best form of fat. While most humans avoid fat at all costs, it benefits dogs and growing puppies.
Your puppy Rottweiler will need between 12 and 15 percent fat in their food. Omega fatty acids are an excellent fat source because they can also benefit your dog’s skin and coat.
Sources for this fat include fish oil and flaxseed oil. You don’t have to get a food that contains only omega fatty acids. Standard fat from the meat source is good, too.
However, having some omega fatty acids in the mix is recommended.
Joint Support
Glucosamine and Chondroitin are supplements that help to improve joint health. All large dog breeds are susceptible to joint problems later on in life.
By providing a healthy dose of these supplements early on, you may be able to stave off the effects of arthritis for much longer.
Probiotics
Want to keep your pup’s gut in good condition? Look for a dog food that has probiotics. Probiotics are healthy bacteria that improve the digestive system. They help to break down food and avoid gastrointestinal upsets.
Antioxidants and Vitamins
While meat-based ingredients are the most important thing your pup needs, some fruits and vegetables can do wonders as well.
A good variety of plant-based ingredients can introduce essential nutrients into your pup’s body.
Antioxidants take things a step further. Antioxidant-rich ingredients may be able to improve your dog’s immune system.
Stick with colorful fruits and vegetables. This could include ingredients like spinach, blueberries, raspberries, carrots, and more.
Keep It Natural
Finally, try to keep things as natural as possible. There’s no need for dog foods to have artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors.
Oftentimes, manufacturers add these in an attempt to make foods more appealing to dogs. However, if the food has high-quality ingredients, that shouldn’t be a problem to begin with.
Artificial additives may do more harm than good. Rottweilers are known to suffer from allergies.
Chemical preservatives and unnecessary dyes can trigger those allergies, so it’s best to stick to natural recipes.
Conclusion
Rottweilers are a joy to raise. As puppies, these dogs are so energetic and full of life. Their willingness to learn makes them relatively easy to train and fun to be around.
Before you know it, your little pup will be a full-grown adult.
To ensure that your dog’s puppy years go off without a hitch, invest in the best puppy food that you can find. With the right food, they’ll grow up to be a thriving adult
Also Read: Best Low Sodium Dog Food Brands
