🦴 Updated on July 14th, 2023
Great Danes have the correct name because they are great dogs. They are beloved in pop culture with characters like Scooby-Doo and Marmaduke. These gentle giants are some of the best-natured dogs you can own, and oh boy, do they like to eat.
Great Dane owners have to handle unique concerns due to their size and strength. Luckily these lovable lummoxes tend to be agreeable and work with you on most things. Getting them on a healthy diet and eating schedule is essential to keeping them healthy and happy.
Importance of a Proper Diet for Your Dog
Great Danes can eat. You want to keep these gentle giants well fed so that they will stay active and play with you and your family. You may find yourself asking what to feed a Great Dane to keep them fit.
On average, an adult Great Dane eats between six to twelve cups of food a day, so you want to make sure they are getting plenty of grub.
They need a diet that is high in protein to help them maintain their healthy size and muscles. It also has to have enough fat to give your dog the energy they need.
Vitamins and minerals are essential to keep your dog healthy as well, and their diet should provide all these naturally if possible.
A good diet for your Great Dane also has to include plenty of water. These big four-legged friends need to drink a lot to stay fully hydrated.
Creating A Consistent Feeding Schedule
A feeding schedule for your dog can help your dog in many ways. When they are younger, a plan helps potty train them because you will know when they eat, and then you can direct their behavior about 20 minutes after that time until they learn.
Later in life, this schedule can give your dog a sense of security whenever there are changes, like new dog foods, new homes, or new people, like babies. A schedule is also a great way to notice changes in your dog’s eating habits that can signal health problems.
A feeding schedule will help your dog not eat too much food in one sitting. Overeating can cause your dog stomach and bloating issues that can adversely affect their health.
A good feeding schedule for your dog is easy to achieve. Feed your dog two meals a day about 12 hours apart, or feed them three times a day if you have that option.
Feeding Your Adult Great Dane
Active adult Great Danes can eat over 2,500 calories a day. That means that they have to get a massive amount of nutrient-rich food every day. On top of their caloric needs, a Great Dane also has to get the right amount of vitamins and minerals to stay healthy.
To ensure the right mix of nutrients, you will want to look for dog foods made for giant breeds. Many brands have extra-large breed dog options for their food that make sure they focus on Great Danes and other giant dogs’ unique needs.
Getting your dog a lifted feeder may also help them eat better. However, exercise caution with these bowls because studies conflict on how to use them right.
All these recommendations are for full-size adult Great Danes. Puppies have different needs and concerns and they also need special dog food for puppies.
Royal Canin's large-breed puppy food supports the immune system and digestive health and provides energy for puppies up to 15 months old.
Once you start doing your online research, we recommend going with well-established brands that offer premium food so your pup can meet all the essential nutrition needs.
How Much Does a Great Dane Eat Per Day?
Depending on the dog’s size and sex, they can eat between six to twelve cups of food a day. The more active the dog, the more it will be able to eat. On top of this regular food, you will likely give your dog treats throughout the day.
Remember to practice moderation on treats. Your dog might love them, but they are often empty calories, and just like with people, if your pet overindulges in junk food, they may not eat their real food.
How Much Does it Cost to Feed a Great Dane?
Great Danes aren’t cheap dogs. Your dog could be going through a 30-pound bag of dog food in less than two weeks. You should budget $70-$100 of food for your four-legged companion. Particularly active dogs may even eat more than that.
Though there may be some cheaper food options out there, often those don’t provide the dog with the right mix of nutrients. Going too cheap on your dog’s food can eventually lead to harm that might make them sick and cause them problems later in life.
Dietary Considerations for a Great Dane
When you are picking out food for your massive dog, you want to make sure that it meets all the requirements they need. You want a high enough protein and fat content to keep them healthy. The food should be 375 to 450 calories per cup to give your dog enough energy.
You should look for a protein content near 23% to 30% and a fat content around 14%. Big dogs also need to get plenty of vitamins and minerals. Nutrient-dense options will keep your dog healthy and at the proper weight.
Great Dane Feeding Chart
The Great Dane food chart considers your dog’s current weight and how active they are daily. If your dog is going on walks, running around, and playing all the time, they are probably high activity. If your dog isn’t getting much exercise, they are likely normal.
If you’re not sure, you can monitor your dog’s weight to get enough food for their activity level. If your dog starts to show any signs of problems, consult your vet to get a better idea of how much you should be feeding them.
| Weight of Dog lbs/kgs | Normal Activity food weight in Cups (g) | High Activity in Cups (g) |
| 110lbs / 50kg | 7 (634g) | 8 ⅜ (765g) |
| 121lbs / 55kg | 7 ½ (681g) | 9 (822g) |
| 132lbs / 60kg | 8 (727g) | 9 ⅝ (877g) |
| 143lbs / 65kg | 8 ½ (772g) | 10 ¼ (931g) |
| 154lbs / 70kg | 9 (816g) | 10 ¾ (985g) |
| 165lbs / 75kg | 9 ⅜ (859g) | 11 ⅜ (1037g) |
| 176lbs / 80kg | 9 ⅞ (902g) | 11 ⅞ (1088g) |
These are just guidelines. Every dog will be a little different so keep an eye on your dog significantly when you change the food. If you notice a significant change in their eating habits, you will want to contact your vet.
Tips to Choose Great Dane Dog Food
When you start looking for Great Dane dog food, there are a few things you will want to consider. Not all dog foods are the same, so read the labels and find the options that will help your big dog the most.
Get a Big Dog Food
Big dogs have special requirements, and dog food companies realize that. You can find many different brands and foods dedicated to the large and extra-large dog category. Even if the bag says large dog food, you will want to check and make sure it offers the right things for your doggy.
Protein Sources in the First Three Ingredients
Look for food options that offer protein sources in the first three ingredients. Meats are still the best way for your dog to get protein, and so you want to make sure that these foods offer plenty of meat.
Stay Away from Bloat Sources
Bloating is a major health problem for large dogs. It can cause them a lot of issues. A feeding schedule can help dogs avoid this problem. The right foods can also contribute to keeping a dog bloat-free.
Look for foods that are grain-free or have lower grain content. Your dog will digest these better and have more minor gas issues.
Get the Right Vitamins and Minerals
Whenever dogs aren’t getting the proper nutrients, there is a better chance that they will overeat and constantly be hungry. You want to make sure that your dog food has plenty of everything your dog needs.
For large breeds of dogs, joint issues are a huge concern. Finding quality food with Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Omega 3, and Omega 6 that all focus on joint health can be essential.
Tips for Feeding Great Danes
Great Dane nutrition can be a tricky thing. They usually have no problem eating, but your biggest job will be making sure they eat the right stuff. There are a few tips and tricks you can use to make sure your big buddy stays healthy.
Don’t Free Feed
Some dogs can graze their food and eat their fill. Great Danes aren’t one of them. When they have food in front of them, they will eat it and keep eating it. Many in this breed will continue to eat even when they’re full.
Avoid Too Many Treats
It is easy to fall into the trap of giving too many treats. Your dog gets so excited every time that bag rustles, and you love seeing how happy they get. Keep treats in moderation to make sure your four-legged friend eats enough of their real food to stay in shape.
Keep the Schedule
Find a schedule that works right for you, and then do what you have to so that you can maintain that schedule. Significant changes to your dog’s feeding schedule can cause distress and anxiety. If you have to move it, try to move it slowly so your dog can adjust.
Types of Food for Your Great Dane
What do Great Danes eat? The more straightforward question may be, what don’t they eat? There are a lot of food options out there for Great Dane feeding. Beyond just dry food, you can look at wet choices, and there is always natural food.
If you decide to start using these other food sources for your dog, you may have to adjust how much dry food you give them. Even if you change the type of food, you want to make sure that your dog is still getting the right mix of protein and fat.
You also want to check that they get all the right minerals and nutrients. Keeping track of all this can be very hard if you are feeding them from multiple sources. You may want to get a journal or an app to track their consumption if you decide to use numerous food types consistently.
Common Great Dane Food Problems
Great Danes are lovely eaters, but even they can have some food issues. Handling these problems properly will help keep your dog happy.
Looks for More Food
If you are using the right Great Dane food amount, this shouldn’t worry you too much. However, if it seems to be making your dog miserable, you may want to increase their food amount, at least for their activity level.
Dog Seems Uninterested in Their Food
Not eating their food at all or leaving a lot of food can be a problem. They may not like their current food, so you may want to try something else.
If they aren’t eating and seem sluggish, you may want to contact your vet and get expert opinions.
Eating Too Fast
Great Danes can scarf, and sometimes they can eat way too fast. To help slow them down a little, you can spread out their food over the day more. Three meals instead of two will help them spread out the eating.
Great Dane Diarrhea
This problem is more common in Great Dane puppies than adults, but regardless, it’s usually a result of the previous problem, eating too fast. Also, as we mentioned, Great Danes aren’t too picky, so if your pet is experiencing loose stools, you should consider these two possibilities as the likely culprits.
If this problem persists, it’s best to contact your vet.
FAQ
How much should a Great Dane eat a day?
As a general rule of thumb, a Great Dane should eat about 4 to 8 cups of high-quality dry dog food per day.
How many times a day are Great Danes supposed to eat?
In general, adult Great Danes should be fed two to three times per day, depending on their individual needs.
How much food should I feed my Great Dane puppy?
The amount of food will vary based on the age and size of the puppy, but as a general rule, Great Dane puppies should be fed about 2-3 cups of food per day, divided into two meals.
Are Great Danes expensive to feed?
Great Danes require a high-quality diet with a significant amount of protein to support their growth and development. They also need a larger quantity of food compared to smaller dog breeds, which can add to the cost of feeding them.
How much does it cost to feed a Great Dane?
A 30-pound bag of high-quality dry dog food can cost around $50 to $60, and it will last a Great Dane about a month. Therefore, the monthly cost of feeding a Great Dane can range from $50 to $100 per month.
How much food does a Great Dane eat in a month?
A Great Dane may eat anywhere from six to ten cups of high-quality dry dog food per day, which can add up to a total of 180 to 300 cups per month.
Can you overfeed a Great Dane?
Yes, it is possible to overfeed a Great Dane. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and health issues such as joint problems, heart disease, and shortened lifespan.
Can I feed my Great Dane once a day?
It is recommended to feed a Great Dane twice a day, dividing the dog’s food intake into two smaller meals. This can help prevent them from feeling overly full or developing gastrointestinal issues.
Final Thoughts
The only thing that a Great Dane loves more than food is you. They will look to you to take care of them and lead them in the right direction. Left to their own devices, these big beauties will happily eat until they can’t do anything else, so you will have to be their guide.
It helps to remember that pets and cuddles are as wonderful a treat for these dogs as any bone or snack. Using the Great Dane feeding chart will help make sure they have the proper diet. Love them, and treat them right, and they will be the best companion for many years.
