Searching for the best dog food for Saint Bernards? Who doesn’t love a giant St. Bernard? From movies to books to advertisements, that gentle yet strong face has our complete attention.
And if you decide to bring one into your home? There’s a lot you need to know. Read on.
Giant dog breeds have specific health concerns you need to look out for. Plus, your St. Bernard will need joint and coat support throughout its life along with careful attention to weight.
These famously patient dogs are great with kids and families and mostly love laying around getting cuddles. Let’s take a look at what your St. Bernard needs to stay happy and healthy.
Food should be nutrient dense so that your St. Bernard gets all the building blocks for health without adding a bunch of empty calories.
Giant breeds are susceptible to weight gain and subsequent issues with joints and bones, so it’s critical that your food be high quality to maintain that delicate balance.
Best Dog Food for Saint Bernards
Feeding your St. Bernard the right food doesn’t have to be difficult. Check ingredients for the first five on the list and make sure it includes protein from a whole source plus a complex carbohydrate for energy levels. Other supplements for joint and coat health are also critical for this breed.
1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
Ollie is a pet food company that was founded in 2016 by Gabby Slome, Alex Douzet, and Randy Jimenez.
This New York-based pet food company set out to turn the pet food industry on its head by offering fresh, custom meals for dogs similar to meal-prep services like Maple and Sprig for humans.
If your dog's ready for some sheep thrills, we suggest this meal centered around lamb and butternut squash. Perfect for pups with allergies, this feast also contains nutrient-dense cranberries and kale.
They carefully source their ingredients from reputable farms in the U.S and Australia. Each partner must go through an extensive certification process to become a supplier. All of their food is made only with whole, organic ingredients.
First Five Ingredients (Lamb recipe):
Lamb
Butternut squash
Lamb Liver
Chickpeas
Kale
About The Company – Ollie’s fresh food is made and hand-packed in the USA. They are partners with a veterinary nutritionist to formulate their nutritionally-balanced recipes in accordance with AAFCO standards. All of their food is cooked in small batches in their USDA-regulated kitchen.
Pros
Each recipe is vet-formulated
Made from fresh, natural ingredients
Met AAFCO nutritional standards
Improved oral/dental health
You can customize your subscription
Cons
A bit pricey
Fresh pet food has a shorter shelf life compared to kibbles and canned goods
2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed
Life Protection formulas contain Blue Buffalo’s proprietary mix of antioxidants and vitamins in convenient little bites that add texture.
It includes proteins from whole deboned chicken, plus slow release complex carbohydrates in the form of brown rice, which helps manage weight.
LifeSource bits contain vitamins and antioxidants necessary for immune system support, glucosamine and chondroitin protect joints, and fatty acids keep the skin healthy.
First Five Ingredients:
Deboned Chicken
Brown Rice
Barley
Oatmeal
Chicken Meal
About The Company – Blue Buffalo’s story started with an Airedale Terrier named Blue and one family’s journey to find the best food available. The company uses premium ingredients for high-quality kibble explicitly designed for your dog’s life stage and body type.
Pros
Proprietary blend of antioxidants and vitamins
Whole proteins and slow release carbohydrates
Joint and coat support
Cons
Some dogs just pick out the LifeSource Bits
Bits tend to settle towards the bottom
3. American Journey Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe (Large Breed)
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 Greyhounds.
It’s made with ingredients that fuel your pet’s everyday adventures—starting with real, deboned salmon to promote lean muscles.
To support your large dog’s bone health, American Journey Large Breed has controlled levels of minerals like calcium and phosphorus.
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 owned by online pet product and food retailer, Chewy.com. It’s Chewy’s house brand and is made right here in the U.S. All meals are designed to cater to the specific and various needs of pups of varying life stages.
Pros
Formulated for large breed dogs
Affordable
No cheap fillers
Good complex carbohydrates
Deboned salmon for lean protein
No poultry by-product meals
Cons
Not gluten free
Picky eaters may not like it
4. Nom Nom Pet Food Delivery
Nom Nom uses restaurant grade ingredients to create their cooked meals, giving you a third option between kibble and a completely raw diet. The portions arrive at your door ready to serve or store in the fridge.
Whole deboned turkey provides the bulk of protein requirements while veggies and fruits offer antioxidant and vitamins. Fatty acids ensure skin health and calcium keeps bones strong.
About The Company – Nom Now uses Vet recommend nutritional guidelines to give you a balance between kibble and raw diets. Cooked meals arrive at your doorstep in easy portion sizes and everything can be customized through your online portal.
Pros
Wholesome ingredients
Quality protein
Joint and skin support
Cons
Requires cold storage
Expensive
5. Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe
Merrick’s formula uses a blend of premium kibble and freeze-dried bits of raw meat to create a recipe that’s enticing and contains plenty of whole proteins. It blends complex carbohydrates and good fiber content to help manage your St. Bernard’s weight.
Plus, fruits and veggies provide antioxidant support while glucosamine and chondroitin support joint health. Essential fatty acids help keep that long coat healthy and supple.
First Five Ingredients:
Deboned Beef
Lamb Meal
Salmon Meal
Sweet Potatoes
Potatoes
About The Company – Merrick creates quality foods right in the company’s own test kitchen, giving your dog complete dense nutrition without no fillers or artificial colors and flavors. Merrick is manufactured and based in the United States and wants to provide simple meals with high-quality ingredients.
Pros
Freeze dried raw bits
Joint support
Supplements for coat health
Cons
Freeze dried bits can be uneven in the bag
Uses both potatoes and peas
6. Solid Gold Wolf King Bison & Brown Rice Recipe
Solid Gold’s Wolf King is formulated to provide your St. Bernard with all the building blocks for health at a more affordable price. It features whole proteins from bison with healthy brown rice and oats to provide carbs and fiber for energy and digestion.
It has joint support supplements and essential fatty acids for skin and coat health. Plus, there are no cheap fillers often found in other budget foods.
First Five Ingredients:
Bison
Ocean Fish Meal
Brown Rice
Oatmeal
Pearled Barley
About The Company – Solid Gold got started from a desire to create wholesome meals that could help the creator’s dogs have long lives. She decided her dogs deserved a nutritious, natural food that would keep them happy and healthy. Sissy believed everyone’s pets deserved the best as well and built a strong following of pets and their owners, sample by sample.
Pros
More affordable
Complete joint support
Good sources of fiber
Great for puppies too
Cons
Picky St. Bernards may not eat it
Best St. Bernard Puppy Food
It’s crucial that you control your puppy’s growth. Rapid growth in large breeds leads to serious musculoskeletal issues later in life. Puppy foods should be formulated for large breeds to account for this.
7. Purina ONE SmartBlend Large Breed Puppy Formula
Purina One uses a unique combination of tender, protein-rich meaty morsels with real chicken as the very first ingredient and easily digestible rice for your puppy’s delicate stomach. It has whole sources of protein with no grains that can accelerate growth.
The formula considers your growing large breed puppy’s unique needs with joint and bone support, proper vitamins, and antioxidants to boost the immune system.
First Five Ingredients:
Chicken
Rice Flour
Soybean Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Chicken By-Product Meal
About The Company – Purina's primary mission is to help pets live longer, happier and healthier lives through proper nutrition and care. The company offers only premium ingredients with whole sources of protein so that your large breed puppy grows appropriately and has all the beginning building blocks to a lifetime of health.
Pros
Large breed specific formula
Tender, meaty morsels
Encourages proper growth
Cons
Picky eaters may not like it
May cause some gas
8. Nutro Puppy Tender Beef, Pea & Carrot Recipe Bites
If your puppy isn’t ready for full dry food, or you’re feeding half and half, Nutro’s wet formula is a way to feed your puppy a wet food without sacrificing a large breed specific formula.
Despite the rich, premium ingredients, the formula still considers how to carefully control your puppy’s growth through a proper balance of whole proteins, complex carbohydrates, joint support supplements, and fatty acids for brain and skin health.
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 understands your large breed puppy’s needs and produces formulas that balance nutritional needs with controlling growth. The company provides a range of recipes for a lifetime of health with only premium ingredients and no cheap fillers or artificial flavoring.
Pros
Premium, grain free wet formula
Good fiber and water content
Satisfies even picky puppies
Cons
Strong smell
Contains pea fiber (may trigger allergy)
Best Senior Dog Food for St. Bernards
The most significant factor in feeding your senior will be supporting joint health and maintaining a healthy weight. Foods should consider the weight of your giant breed and offer complete dense nutrition with weight support.
9. Now Fresh Large Breed Senior Weight Management Recipe
Now Fresh is a large breed specific and weight control formula in one. As your St. Bernard ages, Now Fresh’s whole proteins and carefully controlled carbs help keep weight under control even with reduced activity levels.
It contains joint support with glucosamine and chondroitin from natural New Zealand mussel sources, plus added probiotics and antioxidants to ease the aging process.
First Five Ingredients:
De-Boned Turkey,
Potatoes,
Peas,
Whole Dried Egg,
Tapioca
About The Company – Now Fresh uses premium ingredients to help ease the aging process for your senior large breed dog. The company focuses on perfectly blended formulas that consider both the size and life stage, so you never have to decide between two different foods for two different situations.
Pros
Large breed specific formula
Weight control option
Natural sources of glucosamine and joint support
Cons
Contains potatoes and peas (talk to your vet)
Some seniors may not prefer the taste
10. Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe With Red Meat Senior Formula
Blue Buffalo’s wilderness line has plenty of whole proteins and carbohydrates to help maintain your St. Bernard’s energy levels without adding extra weight.
Glucosamine and chondroitin support joint health, and essential fatty acids help reduce inflammation in the skin. It mimics your dog’s canine ancestral diet and may help keep cognitive function at its peak.
First Five Ingredients:
Deboned Beef
Chicken Meal
Peas
Tapioca Starch
Pea Starch
About The Company – Blue Buffalo was inspired by the search for the perfect diet for Blue, an Airedale Terrier. Blue Buffalo’s formulas are created to help your senior dog maintain a healthy lifestyle and a robust cognitive function.
Pros
Complete proteins
Ancestral inspired diet
Cognitive support
Cons
May cause gas
May have more “dust” (crushed kibble) than the average food bag
3 Common St. Bernard Health Issues That a Good Dog Food Helps
St. Bernards are a pretty sturdy breed, but they do have some potential health issues to watch out for. Some of these can be managed or avoided altogether with the right diet, so let’s take a look at what you should be watching for.
Hip Dysplasia – Large breed dogs frequently fall prey to this condition that affects the hip socket. St. Bernards are no different. While it’s determined by genetics, there are some things you can do to help your St. Bernard avoid the worst.
Food formulas that contain glucosamine and chondroitin help support joint health and maintain the cushioning between the ball and socket. Also, foods that help control weight (especially as a growing puppy) prevent extra stress that can cause it to pop out. Other factors could include additional, complete proteins to improve muscle mass, which supports the surrounding joint.
Weight Control – St. Bernards are susceptible to extra weight, which stresses their bone structure. Foods must contain a dense amount of nutrients to provide the levels of protein needed without adding additional fillers that can pack on the pounds.
Giant breed dogs that begin to gain weight have a lot of trouble losing it because the weight causes pain in bone structures and muscles. Keeping weight to ideal proportions affects the entire quality of life for your St. Bernard.
Bloat – Large breed dogs with large chest cavities are also prone to a life-threatening condition called Bloat. The stomach begins to distend and twists causing death if not treated immediately.
St. Bernards should get food that’s nutrient dense to support having multiple smaller meals during the day which can help stave off bloat. Make sure you know the signs of bloat so you can seek emergency treatment immediately.
What to Look For in a Quality Dog Food
St. Bernards need high-quality whole proteins to support their massive frame and muscle tone. Proteins should come from whole sources like deboned chicken or salmon and never from by-product meals. These proteins are the basic building blocks of your St. Bernard’s health and well being.
A balance of complex carbohydrates and fiber can also help maintain your St. Bernard’s health. Slow release carbs are critical to maintain energy levels throughout the day without spiking blood sugar. Fiber helps maintain proper weight and help improve overall digestion by providing valuable prebiotics.
Round things out with whole fruits and veggies for antioxidants and vitamins plus glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health. The addition of probiotics improves overall digestion and immune functions while omega fatty acids help keep skin and coat healthy.
Ingredients to Avoid
Corn and soy are two cheap fillers companies frequently use to bring down the overall cost of the food but buying these types of foods is a mistake. These fillers are frequent offenders for allergic reactions, and all they can offer your pet is empty calories. It’s nearly impossible to control weight and provide complete nutrition when these two are listed first on the ingredients list.
Poultry by-product meals are cheap sources of protein that can also cause allergic reactions and don’t contain all the building blocks necessary for healthy muscle growth. Combined with empty fillers, you’re still offering mostly empty calories with very little nutrition.
One development in dog food that’s happened recently is the concern over using potatoes, peas, and legumes in foods. These ingredients recently showed a possible connection to Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy or a condition of an enlarged heart. Since St. Bernards are already susceptible to enlarged hearts, we recommend that you avoid foods these ingredients listed in the first three positions on the list.
Food Brands To Avoid
There are a few brands that are all over store shelves but are some of the worst offenders for adding the ingredients we mentioned to avoid. If you want to feed your dog the best nutrition, we recommend avoiding these foods no matter how much the price tag calls your name from the shelf.
Kibbles N Bits:Classic brand with little real nutrition. It uses corn and soy fillers, chicken by-product meals, and artificial flavors and colors in most of its formulations. It’s cheap, and that’s where the benefit ends.
Ol Roy: A Walmart brand known for coming in giant bags with tiny price tags, cheap is about the only thing you’ll like. Ol Roy also uses corn and soy products and lacks complete proteins necessary for good health. It can also cause digestive issues from improper fiber contents.
Purina Beneful: Beneful looks nutritious, but you could do a lot better than some of the formulas in this line. They use some cheap fillers and multiple sources of incomplete proteins and by-product meals in many of their recipes. Plus, some pets have had digestive issues consuming this food on a regular basis.
Feeding Chart
St. Bernards are going to consume a lot of calories during the day just because of their large size. While they aren’t going to eat endlessly, you should work with your veterinarian to determine the exact feeding schedule and portion size for your specific St. Bernard.
Puppies: It’s critical that you carefully control the growth of St. Bernard puppies to avoid stressing joints and bones. Your vet may change feeding recommendations rapidly within the first few months to account for that quick maturation. Use a large breed specific food here.
Adults: Healthy adults range in size from 120 to 180 pounds. They’re typically low energy, so they won’t eat much more than a large breed dog, two to four cups on average spaced out over several meals.
Seniors: Maintaining weight becomes critical here, so seniors may see a slight reduction in servings. Work with your vet to establish the right diet plan for your aging companion.
Final Thoughts
Your sweet St. Bernard is a loving part of the family, so make sure it lives its best life from puppy hood to the golden years. Foods should consider your giant breed’s unique needs and help keep weight under control so that joints and bones are protected.
Your St. Bernard wants nothing more than to keep watch over your family so make sure to give your giant companion the right nutrition to support all that love.
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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.
