Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting experience – especially when it’s a great dane! As the owner of a beloved great dane, you want to do everything you can to ensure its health and happiness. One important factor in keeping your pup healthy is determining how long it should stay on its puppy food. Knowing when to transition to adult dog food can be tricky, especially for large breed puppies like great danes. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the timeline for feeding great danes puppy food and provide tips on transitioning your pup to an adult diet. We’ll also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of both puppy and adult dog food to help you make the best decision for your pup’s health.
Feeding A Great Dane Puppy Raw Food (BARF)
Feeding your dog raw food is another choice that is gaining popularity.
This is also called BARF, or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.
You can buy BARF meals in frozen packs. These can be defrosted as and when you need them. This makes them very convenient.
The majority of dogs absolutely love raw food. When handling raw food is one area where you’ll need to exercise caution. There is a greater chance of contamination because of its nature.
Learn more by reading our article on the benefits and drawbacks of BARF.
Feeding A Great Dane Puppy A Homemade Diet
The final choice is to feed your Great Dane puppy a homemade diet.
There are numerous foods that you can use from your pantry for personal use. This could be potatoes, rice, fish, vegetables, and meat.
This is a fantastic choice if your puppy appears to have allergies. You can check to see if this makes your puppy feel better by gradually removing ingredients.
However, preparing homemade diets is probably the most difficult and time-consuming task.
Definitely consult your veterinarian before taking this course of action.
It’s essential that you include the right blend of ingredients to make sure your puppy doesn’t end up with a nutrient deficiency.
How do I know if my puppy is eating enough?
Puppies need to eat a lot, but not excessive amounts. When you look down at them, they should have a visible waist and you should be able to feel but not see their ribs. This is valid for all puppies, regardless of breed or size.
FAQ
What age do I stop feeding my Great Dane puppy food?
If desired, most large breed dogs, such as Labradors, can transition at 12 months of age. Giant breed growth diets may be fed for much longer than 12 months for giant breeds like Great Danes and Mastiffs, whose growth period can last up to 18 months.
Should Great Danes be on puppy food?
When puppy food satisfies strict criteria for micro and macronutrient levels, calories, and the presence of high-quality ingredients, Great Danes can consume it without risk. This reduces the likelihood that they will contract diseases associated with growth and ensures that they receive the proper nutrition to support healthy growth.
How long is the puppy stage for Great Danes?
When a Great Dane is between the ages of 18 months and two years old, it is said to be fully grown. At this point, your pet will graduate from puppyhood.
How long should giant breeds be on puppy food?
At 11 to 12 months, switching to a large-breed adult food is advised.