Best Dog Food For Rottweiler: Top Nutrition Picks for Strong & Healthy Dogs

The Rottweiler, commonly shortened to “Rottie,” is a working class breed that is a descendant of the Mastiff line. The large breed dogs are used for home and personal protection as well as a loving, playful member of the family.

Properly trained, the Rottie will be confident, protective and not overly aggressive.

Often given a bad rep because of their solid strength and powerful build, Rotties which have been socialized actually get along nicely with people and other dogs. They can be downright gentle and protective of their human family and are fairly easy to live with for such big dogs. 

However, your Rottie is also genetically predisposed to certain diseases like obesity, joint and bone problems, IBD, and more. It’s therefore important that you choose the best dog food for Rottweilers to ensure that he lives a long, full, and healthy life. 

Let us all take a closer look on what would be the Best Dog food for Rottweilers in our detailed reviews below.

Breed Overview

Pedigree: Rottweilers are working dogs descended from the Roman Legions’ great mastiffs. They’re known for their black base coats and tan markings (chest, face, and legs). 

These dogs have boxy heads, floppy triangular ears, and the second strongest bite pressure among large and giant breeds — actually, all dog breeds — second only to the pit bull. They naturally have a bulky muscle mass like many guard dogs and love physical activities. 

The coats are short and flat, and Rottweilers need very little grooming.

Size: The Rottweiler can be anywhere from a medium to a large breed. An adult male Rottie normally stands 24” to 27” at the shoulder, while the female will be slightly smaller.

Weight: A fully grown adult Rottweiler male will weigh between 85 to 135 pounds, and females will often weigh around 80 to 100 pounds.

Energy Level: Rottweilers have vastly varying energy levels. Some are couch potatoes and on the extreme end, you have hyper pups. Normally, though, they’re medium to high energy dogs, so make sure to give yours a couple of 20 minute walks each day. 

Lifespan: Rottweilers have a shorter lifespan than other dog breeds of the same size. Their average years range only from 8 to 11 years, and females tend to outlive the males by almost a year. Of course, the life expectancy of any pet is reliant on how well dog owners take care of them.

Fast Facts

Rottweilers can be quite pushy and dominant. However, properly trained by their dog owners, the Rottie will be confident, protective, and not overly aggressive. They’re extremely attentive, steadfast, and intelligent. They’re also quick to learn and to adapt to different environments.

These dogs are not for first-time canine owners. They need extensive socialization and training, so if you’re getting one, make sure that you put in enough time to do the work.

With a highly active nature, the Rottweiler can be quite a handful. They require constant attention and devoted training, but they are among the most loyal of all dog breeds. And with proper care and diet, they can live up to the fullest of their life expectancy. 

Best Dog Food for Rottweiler

The best dog food for Rottweillers will depend on the dog’s age or life stage, and if there are any conditions the diet can help with, such as obesity or joint pain. Here are the best dog foods you can buy.

 

1. Nom Nom Pork Potluck

Rating: 5/5

First 5 ingredients: Ground Pork, Russet Potatoes, Green Beans, Squash, Kale

Guaranteed analysis:

Nom Nom produces an on-demand gourmet dog food that is super premium. The brand only uses a handful of sourced ingredients right from the farm.

Each order is custom made for your pet and sent directly to you, which is customary of the super premium brands. The company adds vitamins and nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin E to help promote overall health and wellness of your dog.

This particular fresh dog food recipe uses pork as the main ingredient, which may be ideal for pups with food allergies since pork isn’t as common as beef or chicken.

And since the recipe uses a single animal protein, has only 6 main ingredients, and is personalized for each individual pup, the risk of irritating sensitive stomachs is quite low. 

Instead of grains, this fresh food uses russet potatoes and squash to provide the carbohydrates your dog needs for quick energy and the fiber to aid in his digestion and keep his bowel movements regular.

The nutrients here are mostly naturally-sourced but there are also added ones, such as vitamin E supplement.

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2. Supreme Source Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe

Rating: 4.75/5

First 5 ingredients: Salmon Meal, Peas, Lentils, Faba Beans, Sweet Potatoes

Guaranteed analysis:

This high-quality dry dog food is made using premium ingredients that are sourced, formulated, produced and packed under the watchful eye of family-owned American Pet Nutrition.

Salmon meal, which contains even more protein than fresh salmon, is the very first ingredient, followed by real fruits and vegetables that deliver 100% complete nutrition with all the vitamins and antioxidants he needs to thrive.

Though we only included the five commonly asked for information when listing its guaranteed analysis, this formula packs a lot of nutritional value. For example, it has guaranteed levels of Vitamin E, Vitamin C, omega fatty acids, and much more. 

In addition to being a 100% grain-free dog food, this formula is made without the use of corn, soy, artificial flavors or artificial colors. 

Grain-free diets get suggested for dogs that suffer from allergies or skin problems, and we find that a lot of people who have tested this adult food product have said it immediately cleared up their dog's skin and stopped them from scratching.

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3. Taste Of The Wild Sierra Mountain Formula

Rating: 4.5/5

First 5 ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Egg Product, Lentils

Guaranteed analysis:

This company has produced a brilliant dry dog food formula that we are not sure can be beaten at this price point. Using lamb & lamb meal as its two main animal protein sources, this dry 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.

To promote healthy digestion among pups, this food contains probiotics and prebiotics. It also has DHA for cognitive function; fatty acids for maintaining healthy skin and coat; and good levels of Vitamin E for overall body health. 

It is worth pointing out, however, that some of the protein in this dry dog food formula is vegetable-based, with pea protein and potato protein featuring on the ingredients list. The calorie content is also a little on the high side.

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4. Ollie Pet Food (Lamb)

Rating: 4.75/5

First 5 ingredients: Lamb, Butternut Squash, Lamb Liver, Kale, Rice

Guaranteed analysis:

Ollie’s fresh food is made and hand-packed in the USA. All of its foods are cooked in small batches in its USDA-regulated kitchen.

The brand offers holistic dog food products that are made from 100% human-grade ingredients to deliver key nutrients to your dog’s body and create a strong foundation for your pupper’s diet.

This particular recipe is one of the best dog foods out there because of its selection of whole food ingredients — like butternut squash, kale, and cranberries — and slow-cooking process that preserves as much of the nutrition and flavor in the food as possible. 

Because the dog food is made in small batches and to order, you are sure that it’s as fresh and healthy as can be.

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5. Ziwi Peak Beef Air-Dried Dog Food

Rating: 4.5/5

First 5 ingredients: Beef, Beef Heart, Beef Kidney, Beef Tripe, Beef Liver

Guaranteed analysis:

Ziwi Peak, straight from New Zealand, offers an all-natural farm sourced dog food free of grain and soy. Each flavor is all natural from that animal (beef, lamb, chicken, etc.) and contains no additives or preservatives.

The brand uses a two-stage air drying process that prevents bacteria and maintains nutrients. All meat sources are grass-fed (except fowl, of course) and free-range. 

This dry dog food, in particular, is a single animal protein recipe that contains whole-prey ratios of 96% meat, bones, organs, and green mussels. Because of its nutrient-dense formulation, the dry food packs more power into a smaller serving size than regular kibble. 

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6. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Chicken & Brown Rice

Rating: 4/5

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal

Guaranteed analysis:

This formula is a completely natural food for Rottweilers that’s designed for adult dogs from small to large breeds.

Its formulation is perfect for your Rottie because the dry dog food contains guaranteed levels of omega fatty acids (for keeping the heart, lungs, and immune system working properly — a must for highly active doggies) and glucosamine (for joint health). 

Deboned chicken leads the way and is supported by chicken meal for extra protein. There are no other animal proteins present here except for the said poultry. Even the omega-6 fatty acids are taken from a chicken ingredient (chicken fat). 

But the dry dog food does contain barley and brown rice, which are full of nutrients but aren’t the easiest to digest — something to consider for owners of pups with sensitive stomachs.

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7. American Journey Duck & Sweet Potato Canned Dog Food

Rating: 4.25/5

First 5 ingredients: Duck, Duck Broth, Sweet Potatoes, Sunflower Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate

Guaranteed analysis:

American Journey has created a wet food for all life stages and for large breed puppies like your Rottie, the benefits are quite noticeable.

Besides having proteins from a single meat source (duck), it’s also grain-free and features only a limited number of main ingredients to make it suitable for pups with sensitive tummies and food allergies. 

Sweet potatoes provide the needed carbohydrates and fiber your dog needs. Sunflower oil and fish oil supply the fat for energy and the fatty acids that are responsible for keeping your Rottie’s skin healthy. 

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8. Farmina Natural & Delicious Prime Lamb & Blueberry

Rating: 4.75/5

First 5 ingredients: Lamb, Herring, Sweet Potatoes, Eggs, Herring Oil

Guaranteed analysis:

This is a highly palatable grain-free wet food for adult dog from Farmina. Its nutritional value is high and complete due to the inclusion of vitamin and mineral supplements.

This canned food has taurine to help support eye and heart health; and L-carnitine for a healthy metabolism and to keep your pup at a healthy weight.

Processed without added water or broth, this lamb and blueberry recipe is packed with protein and meaty flavors, making it ideal for small to large breeds alike. It is free from fillers such as corn, wheat, or soy. No additives such as carrageenan or guar gum are used in this formula.

The rich lamb and herring flavors of this N&D Prime recipe makes dogs excited for dinner time. They gobble up the meaty bits and just can’t get enough of this canned adult dog food.

You won’t feel guilty letting your pooch indulge in this tasty lamb recipe. It has one of the cleanest ingredient lists among dog foods that provide complete meals.

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9. Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy

Rating: 4/5

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of glucosamine and chondroitin), Whole Grain Barley, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Oats

Guaranteed analysis:

Specifically designed with your large Rottweiler puppy in mind, this Nutro puppy food delivers an all natural farm raised chicken recipe that can be traced back to its source. All farm-raised chickens are bred and raised right here in the USA and are never altered or fed chemicals.

Each bag of this dry dog food offers you the essential nutrients your little furball needs to develop strong muscles, durable joints, and active metabolism. It’s non-GMO, and does not contain molasses (sugar), peas, soy, wheat, or corn.

This puppy food for large breeds relies on natural flavor only to deliver a yummy dish for pets. While chicken (fresh and chicken meal) is the main protein source, it also contains meals made from lamb and salmon. 

Its carbohydrate sources are plenty, though. Whole grain sorghum, whole brown rice, whole barley, and whole oats provide quick sources of energy for your active puppers.

Chicken fat and fish oil, meanwhile, supply long-lasting energy, which help these little doggos perform at a higher level.

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10. Solid Gold Young at Heart Chicken Senior Recipe

Rating: 4.5/5

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas, Peas

Guaranteed analysis:

Solid Gold has only one senior recipe, and there is only one that you need. Your Rottie will devour every morsel and ask for more. The main ingredient in this dry dog food is chicken followed by essential fats, calories and protein sources that won’t weigh the old dog down.

Every meal includes heart and joint ingredients that will prolong the health of these areas as well as keep your Rottie vibrant and active. The main protein is chicken, but it also includes ocean fish meal for extra animal protein. 

It has 20 superfoods to keep your woofer feeling young throughout his golden years, probiotic support for gut health, highly digestible carbs to fuel his activities, and chicken fat and salmon oil to keep his coat looking like it did in his prime years.

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Why Quality Food Matters

Meat and meat meal should be the primary ingredients in any dog food for Rottweilers that you buy. Feeding him high-quality dog foods is important to help your pup maintain his metabolism and activity level and to help him fight off illness and infections.

Lower quality dog foods usually substitute grain proteins for meat proteins because these are cheaper to produce. However, for your active Rottie, this isn’t a good idea. Meat contains all the essential amino acids that are critical to your dog’s health. And a dog’s diet filled with mostly grains or vegetables usually lack two or three of these important building blocks. 

Everything from the bone structure to eye health starts with a proper dog’s diet. And a proper and balanced one must include a hefty helping of quality meat ingredients.

Choosing to stick to a high-quality diet is as essential as training. Without proper nutrition, your dog can suffer from a host of illnesses and medical problems that will end up costing you a lot more money and the dog a lot more anguish.

Common Health Issues

Certain breeds can be prone to health problems, and rottweilers are no exception. Below is a review of the most common ailments that affect the breed.

Osteochondritis Dessicans – Osteochondritis Dessicans is a disease that affects joint health. As Rottweiler pups grow, particularly in the early months to the first year, the cartilage doesn’t become a joint before the bones grow into place.

OCD affects a lot of Rottweilers, especially those that are bred from puppy mills or unscrupulous breeders. As the Rottweiler puppy grows, the bones can grow too quickly, the joints become deformed or misaligned and result in the condition.

While there isn’t a cure for the problem, nor can it be exhaustively prevented, there are steps you can take to help. Proper diet and exercise are crucial in the early months up to the first two years. However, you need to be cautious.

Rough play as a puppy can aid in the development of the OCD, and improper diet can affect the joint formation and bone growth. You should make sure your Rottweiler puppy has plenty of exercises but doesn't play too rough until the joints are fully formed.

Because Rottweilers grow fast, this can be a challenge. The proper diet will allow the dog to develop fully and on schedule. You do have to be careful though.

Not enough exercise for fear of playing too hard can lead to the natural laziness of the dog. They easily become over-eaters and lethargic, leading to obesity. This can also cause severe damage to their joints and knees.

 

Aortic Stenosis – Aortic Stenosis is a condition that affects the heart, or more precisely the blood flow to the heart. This is a hereditary condition that is passed down through breeding. If it is in the bloodline, it can be passed to the next generation.

There isn’t a prevention method, however, no matter how well balanced the diet is, or the care taken, it is something the dog is either born with or not. In the case that the dog does have the condition, it isn’t always fatal. While it can lead to a heart attack, not all cases are severe.

Once diagnosed it is essential to keep an eye on the condition. However, most cases don’t cause problems to the adult Rottie. 

Entropion and Ectropion – These conditions affect the eyelids of the dog. Entropion is a condition where the eyelid rolls inward causing the lashes to scratch the eyes. This can lead to irritation, cataracts, and even blindness.

Ectropion, then, is when the eyelids roll outward. This condition is less severe but can lead to conjunctivitis. However, ectropion usually corrects itself as the puppy ages. If it does not, surgical correction may be warranted.

For both cases, it is an inherited trait, so if the parents had either, the puppy most likely will, too. Entropion should be corrected with surgery as there is no other cure.

Cancer – Rottweilers are one of the breeds that has a common occurrence of cancer. The most common types are lymphoma and bone cancer. While there isn’t a known remedy, cure or prevention method established, many feel that the diet and environment have some preventative abilities.

A well balanced and nourishing diet is crucial for any animal, including humans, but in Rottweilers, it is a must. Because of their size, the diet is one of the most important factors in their overall health, next to exercise.

Regular check-ups and screenings should be done, and selective breeding options should be considered when purchasing your puppy.

What to Look for In Quality Dog Food?

The first line of defense to ensure proper nutrition for your Rottweiler is you. Because dogs can’t read, it is important for you to examine the ingredient list of any food before you purchase. But what should you be looking for?

Meat and Meat Meal – The primary ingredient on a food label is always listed first. This is the requirement and is followed by every manufacturer. However, all ingredients, listed in order of amount, are pre-processed weights.

Wheat and Grains – While not ideal, wheat grains are used to add to the number of proteins in the food. Most dogs won’t fare too well in the long run with a high-grain diet. Rotties are among this group. Not only are they designed to eat meat, but they also crave it.

Feeding a Rottweiler an all grain diet is bad for their growth, teeth, and overall health. Some grains are okay, wheat, as we have mentioned as well as rice and some beans. There are some you should avoid as well, which we will cover in a moment.

When it comes to the grains, you need to check the label and make sure that the primary ingredient isn’t a grain (corn is common). However, you also need to ensure that the majority of proteins come from meat and not grain.

While the amounts aren’t listed, it is easy to spot. If the second through eighth ingredients is a grain, then you can most likely be sure that the meat protein is minimal and grain protein is high.

Vegetables – Vegetables are going to provide your Rottie with most of the vitamins and minerals they need to sustain a healthy lifestyle and active metabolism. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are highly common and found in almost every high-quality recipe.

You will also find fruits and berries in a lot of premium foods. Berries are rich in antioxidants and help promote a healthy coat, liver and digestive tract.

What Chicken Meal and Other Meat Meals Are

We’ve mentioned that ingredients are listed in order of volume. However, all ingredients, listed in order of amount, are pre-processed weights.

This is something to keep in mind. Chicken, for example, is a great protein to have but is also high in water content, which evaporates during processing. 

If you see named meat meals listed, such as chicken meal or beef meal, this is completely acceptable. Meat meal is the result of grinding the muscle meat and bone into a meal consistency before adding to the recipe.

While it sounds a little gross, it isn’t harmful in any way. A lot of protein and vitamins come from the meat meal that the Rotties need.

Note: While named meat ingredients are fine, do stay away from unnamed ones that are listed simply as “meat meal” or “fish meal.” You can never really be sure what is included in it, and if your pup is food-sensitive, it’s especially risky.

Ingredients to Avoid

While there are plenty of ingredients to be sure to include, there are even more to avoid. Here are the most common ingredients found in dog food that you shouldn’t allow your dog to have.  

Meat Byproducts And Byproduct Meals – the word byproduct on a food label is a fancy way of saying “inedible.” The fact is, meat byproduct is a fast, cheap and easy way to add protein to dog food. The byproduct, however, is not consumable by humans.

It is graded for canine consumption though, but it shouldn’t be. The byproduct is slough from the meat processing procedure. It is called a 4-D food because it contains meat properties from Dead, Dying, Diseased and Deformed meat sources.

Expired meat products, road kill, extraneous pieces left over from butchering and other waste procedures all go into making byproduct. Chicken and beef are the most common byproducts found in dog food. It’s much the same with byproduct meals. These are simply rendered byproducts that have lost most of the moisture they contain.

If you ever see food with beef by-product, chicken by-product meal, or anything with by-product in it, you should put it down and walk away. 

The only thing worse than chicken byproduct or by-product meal, is an unnamed meat product. By having “meat byproduct” on the label, a company doesn’t have to note where it was sourced or from what animal. This means that diseased animals and expired animals most likely are in the food.

Colors and Dyes – You should always avoid food coloring and dyes when you see them on the label. Most notable are Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 4 and 5 and even 4-MIE. Dyes and colors can exacerbate any health problems or cause allergic reactions in dogs, hypertensive, aggressiveness and other irritations and symptoms. It is best to avoid any artificial colorings or additives at all.

Chemical Additives – For some reason, the FDA has demanded that human foods do not contain certain chemicals. BHT and BHA are included on this list along with Ethoxyquin. All three are illegal to use in foods consumed by humans.

However, they are allowed in foods consumed by canines. While human food may not contain these harsh chemicals, our pet’s food can, each one is a known carcinogen and can cause irreparable harm to our bodies. It can do the same to your Rottweiler. Avoid these chemicals at all costs.

Dietary Considerations For Your Rottie

High-Quality Meat – Your Rottweiler needs lots of animal proteins like beef, fish, lamb, chicken, and turkey. 

If your pup suffers from food allergies, make sure that you carefully check the label. Some dog food brands will mention the main meat ingredient on the front of the label but will not mention if there are any other meats included. 

For example, a dog food whose main ingredient is salmon will be called “salmon recipe,” but if you look closely at the label, there may be other ingredients like chicken or eggs in the ingredients list.  

Supplements – Many dog food formulas incorporate probiotics and prebiotics to support the immune system and promote a healthy digestion. Although not really a must, it’s a big plus for your chosen dog food to contain these. 

Since Rottweilers are prone to health problems concerning their bones and joints, a recipe that includes chondroitin and glucosamine will be helpful towards promoting joint health and reducing pain. 

For dogs who may be packing on the pounds, you can look for formulas that contain l-carnitine to keep your pet at a healthy weight. 

Moisture – Rottweilers are often thirsty because they’re generally active pups. Make sure to have plenty of fresh water available for them, especially after exercise.

Vitamins and Minerals – It’s best if your pet can get them naturally through carefully selected ingredients in your pup’s dog food. However, dog food brands often add synthetic vitamins and minerals to meet your pup’s nutritional requirements. Dont worry as these are safe and sometimes, more absorbable than natural nutrients.

Ssince Rottweilers are prone to some health problems, a Vitamin E supplement would not go amiss. Vitamin E helps stabilize cell membranes of dogs as well as keep their immune system, heart, nerve cells, skin, and heart healthy. Vitamin C is also another important supplement as it scavenges potentially harmful free radicals in your dog’s body

.Fruits and Vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are great sources of natural nutrition. They also completely balance out a meal.

Feeding Chart

Feeding your Rottie will be determined by the age and size of your dog. Rottweiler puppies need more meals per day with smaller amounts, while adults can get by with one large meal per day. Here is the break down:

• Rottweiler puppies up to 16 weeks old should have three meals per day.
• Puppies 16 weeks to 2 years should have two meals per day.
• Adults and seniors should eat once per day.

How much of your dog’s food should you give, you ask? That depends a lot on your particular Rottie. Rotties are notorious for overeating and will generally eat whatever you give them. This isn’t a good thing, though, as it can lead to obesity very fast.

The recommendation is trial and error. Put a good amount in the food bowl and observe the eating. After 20 minutes, if the dog is still eating, remove the bowl. If they have walked away, wait another 20 minutes to see if they return.

If they return and finish, you have the right amount. If they do not return, you gave them too much. Likewise, if they stand and eat in one sitting everything you have given them within five minutes, they may need a little more at the next feeding time.

The goal is to narrow down the amount of food required to have them finish the bowl in about 15 minutes without requiring a return trip or leaving too much behind. Any food left out will be eaten, and if it becomes a habit, they will begin to grow fat.

Tail End

While we can only recommend, ultimately the best dog foods for your Rottweiler (after they’ve passed your quality check) are that ones that will allow your pup to thrive — and those differ for each dog. 

Sometimes, pet parents luck out and find the best food for their pup as soon as they choose a product. Other times, it takes a bit of trial and error. So if your Rottie doesn’t take to one food product, don’t lose hope. Just try another. 

The best advice we can give you while you’re still in the process of shopping for the best food for your pup is to buy them in small packages. This way, if it doesn’t agree with your pet, you wouldn’t have wasted much of your money, and of course, the food. 

We hope this food for Rottweilers guide has provided you with all the information you need to make an informed decision in selecting a good dog food for your Rottie. You are now prepared to embark on a healthier journey with your world-class companion!