Most Great Pyrenees have long, waterproof coats of all white although some have markings of grey, reddish brown, or tan. They’re usually very zen, but when it’s time to take action, they’re quick and graceful.
If you aren’t sure what to feed your Great Pyrenees, we’ve got you covered. Let’s learn about this gentle giant and what food might be best for their diet.
Why Quality Food Matters
As a giant breed, it’s vital that your Great Pyrenees keep weight in check and receive support for joint health. Foods with tons of empty calories add weight without providing the dense nutrition your Pyrenees needs to maintain energy levels and proper muscle mass throughout the day.
Puppies and seniors need to be especially careful not to gain too much weight because it can have devastating effects on their musculoskeletal structure.
Quality foods rich in whole protein sources, complex carbohydrates, and vitamins from fruits and veggies maintain weight and keep energy levels consistent throughout the day.
Ollie dog food is a delicious option that is made of human-grade ingredients. It is a unique food choice that offers a tasty meal your doggie will enjoy. Their meals do not include any artificial ingredients or unnecessary fillers.
Ollie provides cooked dishes for an easier, more sustainable alternative to a raw diet. This chicken recipe provides excellent protein levels from whole, deboned chicken. Plus plenty of fruits and veggies provide vitamins and essential fatty acids for coat support.
It’s a limited ingredient dish, so sensitive tummies should be fine. Meals are prepared fresh and shipped out within just a few days for you to refrigerate or freeze.
About The Company – Ollie is a veterinarian created raw food system designed to give your pet optimum nutrition in a limited ingredient formula. Meals are prepared with fresh, organic ingredients and perfectly portioned to make feeding simple. Choose your delivery, customize your meal plan and you’re good to go.
A budgetarian paw-rent would truly appreciate what Taste of the Wild came up with: A kibble utilizing novel proteins at a cheap rate. This specific formula has high fat and protein content which is essential to your dog's immune system.
Taste of the Wild has produced a brilliant dog food formula a that we are not sure can be beaten at this price point. Using novel proteins including real smoked salmon, this dog food takes its inspiration from the ancestral diet of prehistoric canines.
It contains 25% protein and 15% fat. These numbers are brilliant and far above average. A high amount of protein and fat will do wonders for supporting the growth and maintenance of your dog's muscles and bones. High-fat content is also necessary for your dog to maintain a healthy immune system.
It is worth pointing out, however, that some of the protein in this formula is vegetable-based, with pea protein and potato protein featuring on the ingredients list.
Vegetable proteins are harder for your dog's stomach to break down, but it shouldn't be too much of a concern if your dog does not have any digestive problems.
First Five Ingredients:
Salmon
Ocean Fish Meal
Sweet Potatoes
Potatoes
Peas
About The Company – A family-owned brand, Taste of the Wild is dedicated to bringing pets the complete nutrition that nature intended for them. Based on a dog’s natural diet and their DNA, the company’s pet food products lets your pet savor the same flavors their ancestors once did — that of protein-rich prey. All ingredients are natural, raised humanely, and sourced sustainably.
Pros
Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids
Notable difference in pet's coat and skin health
Picky eaters eat this
Cons
Always out of stock
Poor bag design
3. American Journey Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe (Large Breed)
This formula uses deboned salmon as its top ingredient for as its main protein source. There's no soy, corn or wheat fillers present making it safe for sensitive pups.
American Journey’s formula uses deboned salmon as the first ingredient for controlled weight and lean protein.
It uses fruits and veggies for antioxidants and vitamins. It uses minerals such as calcium to build strong bones that can support the weight of your full grown Pyrenees.
Brown rice and barley provide complex carbohydrates that release slowly and don't cause energy spikes. There are no corn, soy, or wheat fillers and no poultry by-product meals. Essential fatty acids round everything out to support coat and skin health.
First Five Ingredients:
Deboned Salmon
Menhaden Fish Meal
Brown Rice
Peas
Pea Protein
About The Company – American Journey is based in the United States and provides dogs with quality, premium kibble and food for all life stages and breed sizes. They use high-quality proteins and whole fruits and veggies for vitamins.
Using beef as its main source of protein, this is a reasonable dog food formula that gives quite a lot of value for money. The Omega fatty acids present within will work to ensure your dog's skin and coat remain shiny and healthy.
This is a premium kibble formulated specifically for large breed dogs, featuring real chicken as the main protein source, along with wholesome ingredients like sweet potatoes and pumpkin for added nutrition.
This grain-free kibble is crafted with high-quality ingredients and is free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, making it a wholesome and natural option for large breed dogs. It is designed to provide balanced nutrition to support the unique needs of large breeds, including joint health, muscle development, and overall vitality.
The inclusion of sweet potatoes and pumpkin in the formula provides a good source of fiber, which aids in healthy digestion, and contributes to a feeling of fullness, promoting healthy weight management. The real chicken in the recipe offers a high-quality protein source for muscle development and maintenance.
About The Company – Nature's Recipe is a pet food company that specializes in producing natural and wholesome dog and cat food options. They use high-quality ingredients, avoid artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, and offer a variety of recipes tailored to meet the specific dietary needs of pets, including grain-free, limited ingredient, and life stage formulas.
First Five Ingredients:
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Sweet Potatoes
Tapioca Starch
Canola Meal
Pros
Kibble is free from grains
Ingredients used are all organic and high quality
Specifically designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of large breeds
The company is dedicated to make holistic premium pet foods that addresses the different needs of dogs. They also added their LifeSource Bits, a precise blend of nutrients that have been enhanced with Super 7 ingredients that are full of antioxidants.
Named after a beloved pet who struggled with serious health issues, the Blue Buffalo company is dedicated to creating holistic premium pet food that addresses the various needs of dogs.
From prescription formulas to grain-free recipes, Blue Buffalo seeks to give every pup healthy, wholesome meals developed by leading animal nutritionists and veterinarians.
This was created for the holistic health and well-being of adult dogs. All formulas start with real meat, whole grains, garden veggies and fruit, plus added LifeSource Bits, a precise blend of nutrients that have been enhanced with a Super 7 package of antioxidant-rich ingredients.
It features delicious, protein-rich deboned chicken and other natural ingredients for a healthy meal your dog will love.
About The Company – The brand sticks to all natural ingredients that are a precise blend of pure meaty goodness, flavorful taste, and complete balanced nutrition to meet the different life stage requirements of your furry family member.
First Five Ingredients:
Deboned Chicken
Chicken Meal
Brown Rice
Barley
Oatmeal
Pros
No corn, wheat, soy or chicken (or poultry) by-product meals
Glucosamine is added
With LifeSource Bits (exclusive recipe for Blue Buffalo)
With real chicken
Cons
Pieces too big
May have changed their formula
6. Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed Recipe
The Raw line of Merrick infuses pieces of freeze-dried meat for added texture and taste. It is also one way to let your pet experience raw food minus all the hassle.
Merrick’s Backcountry Raw line includes real bits of freeze-dried chicken for taste and texture your dog will love. It uses quality kibble with whole fruits and veggies, plus deboned chicken as the first ingredient. It has a good mix of both protein and essential fatty acids as well as glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
The brand uses no artificial flavors or preservatives, and the food contains no cheap fillers such as corn or soy. It’s appropriate for sensitive systems and shouldn’t cause any reactions.
First Five Ingredients:
Deboned Chicken
Chicken Meal
Turkey Meal
Peas
Potatoes
About The Company – Merrick is a small company that strives to provide quality nutrition without all the empty calories. The company uses no artificial ingredients and no cheap fillers. They’re proudly based in the USA.
Pros
Raw bits
Whole protein sources
No food allergens
Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
No artificial flavors or preservatives
Cons
Raw bits fall to the bottom of the bag
The kibble size is a little small for a large breed food
Best Puppy Food
Puppies changing nutrition needs mean you’ll probably work closely with your vet to figure out the right portion sizes and food. Great Pyrenees puppies need a lot of growth control, so choose foods specifically for large breed puppies.
Nutro’s puppy line is specifically crafted to help control growth and be easy to digest for puppies coming off milk. The natural ingredients are sourced responsibly, and the formula contains zero soy, chicken by-product meals, and no artificial flavors or preservatives.
Nutro’s puppy line are specially formulated to help control growth and be easy to digest for puppies coming off milk. It uses balanced proteins and fats to help encourage strong muscles and support the skin and coat.
Natural ingredients are sourced responsibly, and the formula contains no soy, chicken by-product meals, and no artificial preservatives or flavors.
First Five Ingredients:
Beef
Chicken broth
Pork broth
Peas
Chicken
About The Company – Nutro’s main priority is quality foods with ingredients that are easily digestible throughout your dog’s life stages. They use carefully sourced ingredients with no cheap fillers to help your puppy grow carefully without stressing joints and bones.
This dry puppy food has bits of freeze-dried meat mixed in with to provide excellent taste and absolute nutrition. There are zero artificial flavors and no cheap fillers involved in the making.
Our favorite dry puppy food has bits of freeze-dried meat mixed in with premium kibble to provide excellent taste and comprehensive nutrition.
It uses a mix of whole chicken and fruits and veggies to carefully control growth while providing the building blocks for your Pyrenees puppy’s developing body.
It contains essential fatty acids to support skin, coat, and brain health. There are no artificial flavors and no cheap fillers. It’s easy on sensitive tummies and contains no potatoes.
About The Company – Instinct believes in getting proper nutrition to every pup in the country. The company actively works with nutritionists and vets to develop quality foods. Plus, they donate over one million meals a year to Best Friends Animal Society
Pros
Freeze dried raw meat
Essential fatty acids including DHA
No potatoes
Controls growth
Suitable for sensitive tummies
Cons
May cause gas
Puppies may pick around kibble and only eat freeze dried bits
Best Senior Dog Food
Seniors receive the same nutrition as they did when they were adults, by and large, but there may be some adjustments for weight or other health issues.
This is a grain and gluten free food that may help reduce overall inflammation from sensitive digestion and painful joint issues. Proteins are easily digestible and whole, deboned chicken is the topmost ingredient.
This formula is a grain and gluten free food that may help reduce overall inflammation from sensitive digestion and painful joint issues.
It contains over 20 super foods for immune system support and overall health and helps control weight through careful protein and fat amounts.
There are no cheap fillers, no corn or soy, no gluten or grain, and no artificial flavors. Proteins are easily digestible and whole, deboned chicken is the very first ingredient.
First Five Ingredients:
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Sweet Potatoes
Chickpeas
Peas
About The Company – Solid Gold was started in the seventies by a woman searching for whole ingredients in her dog’s food. She founded the company, which now provides quality foods with premium ingredients to consumers and their furry companions.
Pros
Easy to digest
Weight control
20 superfoods
No cheap fillers
No artificial flavors
Cons
No glucosamine or chondroitin for joints
Not large breed specific
10. Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
This senior formula from Nutro is large breed specific and contains lots of antioxidants for immune support plus chondroitin and glucosamine for the joints. It is also rich in Omega fatty acids which supports the coat and skin health as it also helps lubricate the joints.
Nutro’s senior formula is large breed specific and contains antioxidants for immune support plus glucosamine and chondroitin for joints. It uses whole, deboned chicken for complete protein and an excellent fiber balance for weight.
There are no artificial preservatives, no cheap fillers such as corn or soy, and each ingredient can be traced back to its source. Omega fatty acids continue to support the skin and coat while helping lubricate joints.
First Five Ingredients:
Chicken
Brewers Rice
Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate)
Split Peas
Whole Grain Sorghum
About The Company – Nutro provides whole ingredients without cheap fillers for senior dogs who need to control weight and receive support for aging joints. There are no artificial flavors or cheap fillers that can irritate your senior’s tummy and no empty calories.
Pros
Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support
Fatty acids support joints, skin, and coat
Large breed specific
Weight control
Plenty of fiber and whole protein
Cons
Kibble size may be difficult for seniors
Only one size bag
3 Common Health Issues
Great Pyrenees sometimes experience problems related to their large size and their thick, long coats. Here are three things to watch out for.
Hip Dysplasia – Hip Dysplasia is actually a genetic condition in which the hip joint doesn’t form properly. It causes the two parts of the joint to misalign, creating pain and issues with movement if progression is severe. There’s not much you can do about the condition itself, but foods with supplements for joint support can help keep those joints supple. Food should also help maintain a healthy weight because any excess pounds can exacerbate the problem and make it difficult to treat. Make sure your food is nutrient dense and not just empty calories.
Bloat – Larger breeds are particularly susceptible to a condition in which the stomach suddenly distends during eating and if untreated can actually twist. If the signs aren’t recognized quickly enough, it leads to death. We aren’t sure what conditions trigger bloat, but we do know that carefully controlling the portion sizes and speed of eating for large breed dogs can help avoid bloat. Nutrient dense food can help here as well because your large breed dog won’t be overeating to cause bloat and may prevent it altogether.
Skin Issues – They have a luscious coat, but food and environmental allergies can wreak havoc on its condition. Foods with cheap fillers often trigger allergic reactions in sensitive dogs, manifesting in itchy, irritated skin. Corn and soy are two big ones, but gluten, wheat, and by-product meals are others. Avoid these ingredients, which can make food much cheaper, but cause health concerns down the road. Also, look for foods that support skin and coat health with essential fatty acids from natural, not synthetic, sources.
Nutrient dense foods help your Great Pyrenees receive all the protein needed to maintain muscle health and complex carbohydrates to prevent energy spikes and sustain energy levels throughout the day. Empty fillers just add calories and weight.
Look for foods that have whole protein sources as the first ingredients, followed by healthy, complex carbohydrates. Vitamins and minerals from fruits and veggies are also essential for robust immune systems. Probiotics can help aid digestion while essential fatty acids provide nutrients for healthy skin and coat.
Excellent fiber count and lean protein sources can help your Pyrenees keep down eight and prevent issues with the hips and spine. Fiber is also good for promoting healthy digestion. Make sure the food you give has enough fiber to keep your dog feeling full without bloating or gaining excess weight.
Ingredients to Avoid
Cheap fillers are terrible for your dog’s health because of empty calories and potential food allergies. Avoid foods that use corn or soy as ingredients. If possible, gluten-free and wheat-free foods can also cut down on allergies. By-product meals, especially chicken, can cause problems with particularly sensitive dogs as well.
Early studies have established a tentative link between a diet full of potatoes, peas, and legumes and a disorder called canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
This disorder is more common in large breed dogs than in smaller breeds, so use your best judgment for these ingredients. Because it’s not fully established, and we don’t know precisely what causes DCM, recommend staying away from foods that have one of those listed in the first three ingredients.
Some well-known brands use fillers to cut down on the cost of food. Beneful, Kibbles N Bits, and Ol Roy, for example, may be wallet-friendly in the short term, but you’ll end up with more trips to the vet’s office when your pet is overweight, itchy, and irritated.
Great Pyrenees Feeding Chart
Great Pyrenees adults could require up to 2200 calories per day. Puppies, seniors, and dogs with different health factors won’t require that much, but it’s essential that your Great Pyrenees not be allowed to free-feed all day long because of potential weight issues.
General feeding requirements are as follows:
Puppies: Work with your veterinarian to establish a feeding schedule because it’s vital that your puppy not grow too quickly.
Adults: four to six cups per day depending on weight and type of food
Seniors: seniors should get the same amount of food they had when they were adults unless they need to lose weight or have severely restricted activity. Talk to your veterinarian to discuss the best course of action.
Final Thoughts
Your Great Pyrenees needs nutrient-dense food throughout its life to help control growth and weight. Pyrenees dogs need strong bones and joints to help support the weight, plus ingredients to keep their thick coat healthy and shiny. Avoiding cheap fillers is one of the best ways to ensure your Great Pyrenees is getting the right nutrition in the proper forms without empty calories.
Your gentle giant is an excellent companion, and with high-quality food, it should be able to enjoy life and provide companionship for many years.
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An individual with a profound affection for animals, who was brought up in an environment surrounded by dogs, cats, and chickens. A self-taught enthusiast in the realm of pet care. At present, the proud caretaker of two rescued felines and two lovely mixed-breed canines.
