Edited by: Mike Powell
Reviewed by: Abby TexasLast Update:
The Rundown
Best Overall: ORIJEN Dry Dog Food
“Whether you’re feeding an adult or a puppy Rottweiler, you need a dog food you can trust to give them the nutrition they need. And the ORIJEN Dry Dog Food is a high-quality kibble that contains all they need to thrive.”
Best Value for the Money: Diamond Naturals Dry Food for Adult Dog
“If you’re looking for a well-priced dog food that’s high-quality, Diamond Naturals Dry Food for Adult Dog fits the bill 100%. It contains optimum level nutrition that is formulated to nourish your dog and not break the bank.”
Best for Rottweiler Puppies: Acana Dry Dog Food for Puppy
“Acana Dry Dog Food for Puppy is made specifically with Rottweiler puppies nutrient requirement in mind. With added probiotics, joint supplements, and DHA, this recipe range is perfect for your beloved pup.”
Rottweilers are rugged working dogs, and have been popular police dogs for many years.
These large, solid, black and tan dogs can be quite intimidating at first glance!
Despite their strength and intensity, they can be goofy, silly, and downright playful with those that they love! Don’t be surprised if this giant pup flops onto your lap for a cuddle.
Unfortunately, they’re prone to some particular health issues.
If you want your Rottie to remain happy, healthy, and bouncy, he’ll need the best dog food for Rottweiler dogs and a good deal of exercise.
Here are our top choices (grain-free and with grains) to keep your Rottie healthy when he’s hungry!
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- The Best Dog Food for Rottweiler Dogs (2022 Reviews)
- Common Health Problems of Rottweilers
- Rottweiler Facts
- Things to Consider When Buying the Best Dog Food for Rottweilers
- Questions & Answers
- How Do I Switch Dog Food Without Getting My Pup Sick?
- How Much Food Do Rottweilers Need?
- How Often Should I Feed My Rottweiler?
- How Will I Know If My Rottweiler Likes the Food?
- What Vegetables Can I Feed My Rottweiler?
- What Human Food Can Rottweilers Eat?
- What Food Can I Feed My Rottweiler Who Has a Sensitive Stomach?
- How Can I Keep My Rottweiler Healthy?
- What Foods Should I Avoid Feeding My Rottweiler?
- Does My Rottweiler Need Exercise to Stay Healthy?
- Can My Rottweiler Eat Eggs and Chicken?
- How Do I Switch Dog Food Without Getting My Pup Sick?
- Conclusion
The Best Dog Food for Rottweiler Dogs (2022 Reviews)
1. ORIJEN Dry Dog Food
Premium Option: High-quality food for adult and puppy Rottweilers
PROS
- High quality animal protein sources
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
- Suitable for puppy and adult Rottweilers
- Various flavors available, to avoid allergens
CONS
- May be too high in fat for less active dogs
ORIJEN Dry Dog Food is a high-quality choice for your Rottweiler. The protein and fat counts are high, so it’s best for an energetic Rottie who gets plenty of daily exercise.
One of the best things about it is that it contains nutrients to nourish both a Rottweiler puppy and an adult Rottie more than adequately.
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Comprehensive Dry Dog Food
With 38% protein and 18% fat in each of these recipes, this dry dog food will help your active Rottweiler maintain muscle and fuel him through his busy day.
It’s easy for your dog to avoid possible allergens, with three different flavors to choose from. Original uses deboned chicken, turkey, and some seafood to make up its impressive protein count.
For dogs who may have a chicken allergy, Six Fish contains only seafood, and Regional Red contains beef, wild boar, lamb, and even goat.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are present in every recipe, as are DHA and EPA. This is a bonus, making the formula suitable for puppies and seniors as well as a large breed adult.
The great calcium/phosphorus ratio and high levels of Omega fatty acids round this dog kibble off nicely.
2. Diamond Naturals Dry Food for Adult Dog
Best Value for Money: Complete and balanced, in quality and price
PROS
- Good protein and moderate fat levels
- Added joint supplements
- K9 Strain probiotics for easy digestion
- All-natural, superfood ingredients
CONS
- No variety in flavors
Feeding a large breed dog can be expensive! Rottweiler parents on a budget will appreciate Diamond Naturals Dry Food for Adult Dog. It’s both high-quality and low-priced, and contains an impressive array of superfood fruits and vegetables.
As well as its all-natural ingredient list, it contains a variety of supplements to improve the health and immune system of large breed dogs.
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Health-Promoting Dry Dog Food
The protein and fat levels in this dry dog food are suitable for most average Rottweilers. 25% protein should maintain muscle mass adequately, while 15% fat should power most Rotties through their day quite well.
A premium quality ingredient list gives this kibble an edge over others in its price range. Beef meal and whole grain sorghum are the two first ingredients, easy to digest and offering a good dose of fiber.
Scattered throughout the rest of the ingredients are superfoods like flaxseed, chia seeds, blueberries, and kelp. These bring an abundance of antioxidants, which strengthen the immune system.
Joint supplements and high levels of Omega fatty acids add an extra something special to an extremely well-priced dog kibble.
As a bonus, there are no hidden chicken meal ingredients in this kibble, so it’s suitable for a dog with a chicken allergy.
3. Acana Dry Dog Food for Puppy
Best for Rottweiler Puppies: All the nutrients puppies need
PROS
- Raw meat ingredients for amino acids
- Added probiotics for health digestion
- Nice levels of DHA and EPA
- Grain-free for easier digestion
CONS
- Only one flavor (not suitable for puppies with a chicken allergy)
Finding a puppy dry dog food can be tough, but Acana Dry Dog Food for Puppy contains all a growing Rottweiler puppy needs. Kibble for puppies needs to meet some specific requirements, and this one does it admirably.
Unfortunately, if your puppy is allergic to chicken, this dog food won’t be suitable. But you can check out our reviews of the best Rottweiler puppy foods here!
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Growing Up Strong and Healthy
Puppies are high-energy, so the 19% fat in this dry dog food will serve them well. 31% protein content helps those little muscles to grow strong.
Deboned chicken and turkey are the main protein ingredients. It’s grain-free, but does contain legumes, which some dogs may not react well to.
A perfect calcium/phosphorus ratio means your little one’s bones will grow at the right speed. Glucosamine gets your puppy’s joint health off to a great start.
DHA and EPA are important puppy supplements and are found in abundance in this kibble. The Omega 3 fatty acids are higher than average, and the Omega 6s are decent too. Your puppy’s skin and coat will benefit from this grain-free formula!
4. ORIJEN Senior Dry Dog Food
Best for Rottweiler Seniors: Keeping them strong as they age
PROS
- High in protein, lower in fat for less active dogs
- Contains muscle meat, organ meat, cartilage, and bone
- DHA and EPA for senior eyes and brain
- Joint supplements to strengthen aging joints
CONS
- No other flavors (not suitable for dogs with an allergy to chicken)
Like puppy food, the best dog foods for Rottweiler seniors should contain some specific stuff. Senior kibble should remain high in protein but be lower in fat to accommodate the lower energy levels of an aging Rottweiler. That’s what ORIJEN Senior Dry Dog Food is all about.
If your senior is allergic to chicken, we recommend choosing a different kibble. There’s no variety of flavors in this recipe!
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Senior-Specific Nutrition
The ingredients in this “biologically appropriate” kibble are of the highest quality. Multiple protein sources provide 38% protein to keep your aging dog’s muscles tough even though they’re exercising less.
The fat count is slightly lowered, to 15%, which should be just right for a Rottie senior who’s doing less running around during their day.
Calcium and phosphorus keep bones from becoming brittle, while glucosamine keeps joints tough and flexible. DHA and EPA protect seniors’ brains and eyes from age-related wear and tear.
To help senior stomachs digest this already easy-to-digest ingredient list, probiotics and prebiotics have been added to aid in the digestive process.
5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dry Dog Food
Best Healthy Weight Formula: Low fat recipe to keep your Rottie slim
PROS
- Lower in fat for less active dogs
- L-carnitine for metabolic regulation
- Rich in antioxidants and vitamins
- Blue Buffalo LifeSource Bits for immune system boost
CONS
- Not suitable for dogs with a legume or potato allergy
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dry Dog Food is the high-protein, grain-free version of their famous Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula.
This is the healthy weight recipe, which is significantly lower in fat than the others. If your dog is overweight, this is the kind of adult dry dog food they should be eating.
Once they reach their goal weight, they should move to a normal, higher-fat formula!
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Healthy Weight & Immune System
Just 10% fat in this grain-free Blue Buffalo weight management recipe means that your Rottie should burn more of their body fat instead of calories from fat, which is what dogs usually get their energy from!
Another helpful supplement for weight management is L-carnitine. L-carnitine is a supplemental amino acid that plays a role in transporting fatty acids to cells where they can be converted into energy. The presence of L-carnitine in Blue Buffalo means your dog will most likely metabolize their own body fat and lose weight faster.
30% protein ensures that their muscles will stay strong while they lose fat. Joint supplements ensure that the joints get extra support so they remain strong and flexible while your pooch loses their extra pounds.
6. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Best Limited Ingredient: Variety of high-quality flavors
PROS
- Various interesting flavors available
- Suitable for puppies and adults
- Good protein and fat levels for Rottweilers
- Immune system boosting
CONS
- Expensive dog food, but not unusual for limited ingredient diets
If you think a limited ingredient diet won’t work for picky eaters, Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food range will prove you wrong!
We recommend these grain-free recipes as the best dog foods for Rottweilers with sensitive stomachs. Not only will they get a nutrient-dense, delicious meal, but with a 5-recipe range, they won’t get bored, either.
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Limited Ingredient But High-Quality
Choose from a variety of grain-free recipes, all of which avoid chicken. Your dog won’t miss out on any nutrients with the limited ingredients in these recipes. They consist of a single-source protein, both muscle and organ meat, and an array of health-promoting fruits and vegetables.
Although this is technically an adult dry dog food, it would work for puppies too, thanks to the addition of DHA and EPA. They’d also be great for still-active seniors.
It contains everything dog foods for Rottweilers should. A premium quality ingredient list is backed up by glucosamine, taurine for an immune boost, and Omegas to keep that black and tan coat shining.
7. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties
Best Raw Food: Unusually high in protein and fat
PROS
- Variety of flavors to choose from
- Great to build or maintain muscle
- Muscle and organ meat for amino acids
- Organic vegetables and fruits
CONS
- Too high protein and fat for less active dogs
- No added supplements
If you’d prefer to feed your Rottie a raw diet, Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties would be a great way to introduce them to raw.
Packed with protein, super high in fat, and packed with both natural Omega 6 fatty acids and Omega 3 fatty acids, these tasty recipes should get your dog excited for every meal.
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Raw Nutrition with No Added Supplements
These raw dinner patties are basically little chunks of protein and fat to fuel your dog through every day. They’re premium quality dog food, and minimally processed, which means very little nutrition has been lost from the original ingredients.
Eleven recipes for adults and two recipes for puppies are all packed with amino acids and provide a super energy boost to your Rottweiler dog thanks to their high fat count.
As well as a single source protein in a variety of forms (muscle meat, organ meat, bone, and cartilage), you’ll find organic fruits and vegetables in every patty.
The downside is that, although their Omegas are naturally high, there are no other added supplements in these patties. You’ll need to supplement separately with glucosamine if you’re feeding your Rottweiler this, or any raw meat.
Common Health Problems of Rottweilers
Joint Problems
Hip, knee, and elbow dysplasia are common health problems in large breed dogs. This is when the joint dislocates, leaving your furry friend in pain and with limited mobility.
Don’t try to fix this yourself! It’s crucial that you get them to a vet, as even if the joint rights itself, nerves and blood vessels can become caught in the joint, causing complications.
Obesity
Rottweilers love to eat, so they can very quickly become overweight if not carefully monitored. This places extra strain on their joints and organs, and can lead to severe consequences.
If your Rottweiler dog is overweight, a weight management dog food could be a good choice.
Bloat
Large breed dogs who eat too quickly can swallow air, which can lead to this serious condition. The stomach fills with air and cuts off blood supply to the organs and limbs, causing the dog to go into shock.
Surgery is needed to fix this health problem. Choosing a larger kibble size can help prevent it from happening.
Food Allergies
Rotties are prone to developing food allergies and intolerances. You’ll need to monitor their eating carefully to see if they show any bad digestive response to certain foods.
Food allergies can pop up suddenly. Your dog may have eaten chicken many times before, but suddenly isn’t reacting well to it.
Cancer
Rottweilers have a genetic predisposition to two specific cancers: osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and hemangiosarcoma (in which tumors develop on the skin, or in the heart or spleen).
The key to effective treatment is early detection. The right Rottweiler dog food won’t necessarily help with cancer, but it will keep your dog’s immune system healthy and able to fight off disease more effectively.
Rottweiler Facts
They’re an Ancient Dog Breed
Way back in the time of the Roman Empire, Rottweilers were the dogs who guarded and herded the cattle. When the Empire fell, the dogs ended up in the German city of Rottweil, herding cattle to market. They’ve been a working dog since back then!
They’re Large Breed Working Dogs
These dogs were bred for the purpose of herding and guarding. They thrive on having a job to do, and when they do, they do it with pride and determination.
Be warned, though – if you don’t exercise them enough, domestic Rotties can become destructive! They’re used to working off that energy in the fields.
They’re Easy to Identify
A Rottweiler is unmistakable. They’re large, square dogs with a distinctive black and tan mix of colors. Their color combinations (according to the American Kennel Club) include black and mahogany, black and rust, or black and tan.
They tend to have inquisitive, open faces, with naturally floppy ears. Females are slightly smaller than males, but are still muscular and powerful.
They Mature Slowly
Rottweilers only reach maturity at the age of 2 or 3, depending on the dog. Size-wise, they reach their full adult size at around a year, but in terms of reproductive maturity, 2 or 3 years is when they’re considered fully grown.
When it comes to personality, some of them never grow up!
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Dog Food for Rottweilers
High-Quality Protein
The protein sources should be mainly animal proteins. Plant protein sources are acceptable, but should be secondary as they don’t provide essential amino acids.
High-quality protein will keep your dog’s muscles strong and they’ll stay fuller for longer. Real meat and meat meals are good sources, for example, farm raised chicken and chicken meal.
Dog foods for Rottweilers should contain between 25% and 35% protein. The more active your dog, the higher protein they can deal with.
Number of Calories
Large breed dog food should be higher in calories than those for smaller breeds. Rottweilers need a good few calories to power them through their day – about 100 for puppies, and up to 2200 a day for adults.
The large breed kibble you choose needs to help them reach that calorie count between a few meals per day. A 400-calorie dog food would mean 2 ½ scoops per meal to reach their calorie count, with a few treats in between, while a 300-calorie food would mean 4 cups per meal!
The difference can be quite startling in terms of how much kibble your dog goes through.
Moderate Levels of Fat
Rottweilers need daily exercise, and although they can be quite active, they only need a moderate fat count to be enough to see them through.
Between 15% and 20% is more than enough for most Rotties to go about their day happily and healthily.
If your Rottweiler is very energetic, they may be able to deal with more. But if they’re a bit of a couch potato, on the lower side is preferable.
Free From Artificial Ingredients
Artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are chemical ingredients that your dog’s body may not be able to digest easily. Often, these can be the reason for food allergies.
Make sure the kibble you choose is free of any artificial ingredients, for your dog’s health. They’re also completely devoid of nutritional value.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Antioxidants
The best source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants is fruits and vegetables. The first ingredient should always be real meat, but it should be followed by an array of healthy fruits and veggies.
Your dog needs a variety of nutrients, and those vitamins and minerals found in healthy carb sources are as essential as high protein.
Kibble Size
Whoever said size doesn’t matter never considered buying large breed dog food. Because these big dogs are prone to bloat, they need a larger kibble size to prevent them scoffing it too quickly and swallowing air along with kibble.
Questions & Answers
How Do I Switch Dog Food Without Getting My Pup Sick?
Switch your dog’s food gradually, over a week or so. Replace ¼ of their regular food with new food for a few days. If they respond well, increase it to ½. Then, after a few more days, to ¾, and finally replace it entirely.
How Much Food Do Rottweilers Need?
This depends on how many calories are in your dog’s food. You’ll need to calculate exactly how many cups of your dog’s food will equal their daily calorie count, and split that between however many meals they eat during the day.
How Often Should I Feed My Rottweiler?
Rottweiler puppies need to be fed three times a day up to the age of 6 months. From then, you can reduce it to twice daily.
Once a Rottweiler reaches adulthood, many people choose to reduce it to once a day. We recommend sticking with twice a day, to prevent your Rottie guzzling too much food in one go and increasing his chances of bloat.
How Will I Know If My Rottweiler Likes the Food?
If your Rottie eats enthusiastically and he doesn’t get an upset stomach after eating, it’s a sure sign that he’s happy. If he’s reluctant to eat or struggles with a sensitive stomach right after eating, it’s likely that he doesn’t like it.
What Vegetables Can I Feed My Rottweiler?
Generally, all vegetables are well-received, with the possible exception of potatoes and legumes (lentils, peas, chickpeas). Onion may not be a great idea. Sweet potato is a great choice, as is pumpkin and other squashes.
What Human Food Can Rottweilers Eat?
Raw meat that isn’t contaminated, and healthy veggies and fruits (but not citrus fruits). Berries are great for antioxidants. Raw whole grain is acceptable too, as long as it’s not corn, wheat, or soy. You don’t have to go completely grain-free!
What Food Can I Feed My Rottweiler Who Has a Sensitive Stomach?
A limited ingredient diet is super for sensitive stomachs. Identify which proteins your Rottweiler has trouble with, and simply avoid those. Sweet potato and pumpkin are great for fiber.
How Can I Keep My Rottweiler Healthy?
Make sure your Rottie gets plenty of exercise. A daily walk at the very least! Feed them a high quality, high protein dog food that contains plenty of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Keep an eye on them and take note when they react badly to a dog food so you can help them avoid problem ingredients that could lead to health issues.
What Foods Should I Avoid Feeding My Rottweiler?
Avoid a kibble with corn, wheat, or soy in it. These are low-quality ingredients and offer no nutrition. If the food is made with by-products, it’s another sign to avoid. For example, chicken by-product meal is another low-quality filler that can be hard for the system to digest.
Does My Rottweiler Need Exercise to Stay Healthy?
Yes! These big dogs are prone to becoming obese if they don’t exercise. They need a good combination of the right dog food and enough exercise to avoid health problems and live happily and healthily.
Can My Rottweiler Eat Eggs and Chicken?
It depends on your Rottweiler! Food allergies are very individual things. Your dog may be okay with eggs, and struggle with chicken.
Be careful of low-quality chicken products, though. For example, chicken by-products or chicken by-product meal is likely to cause digestive upset.
Pay attention to their eating and take note when their stomach isn’t doing well. This way, you can figure out what foods aggravate your dog’s tummy.
Conclusion
The best food for these big dogs should definitely tick certain boxes, but ultimately it comes down to what suits your Rottweiler best.
Spend some time getting to know how your dog reacts to certain foods before you decide on what would suit them best.
You can’t go wrong if you stick to high-quality, real food ingredients and avoid anything artificial. Remember, your dog can’t tell you when he doesn’t like something, so you’ll need to pay attention!
