The Rundown
Best Overall: CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy Recipe
“CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy Recipe is an excellent puppy-specific kibble for your Rottie. Your young pup will get the necessary nutrients to grow strong, healthy, and with the right weight.”
Best Raw Food: Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties
“Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties is an ideal raw food for Rottweiler puppies especially if you don’t have the time to prepare raw food yourself. It comes in a variety of flavors all of which are good sources of meat and organic vegetables.”
Best Kibble Topper: Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers
“Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers is not just food for your puppy but it’s also an enjoyable dog treat. It is packed with protein and fat in ratio that’s good for your Rottweiler puppy.”
Rottweilers get a bad rap. They’re strapping and can be quite intimidating, but in reality, they’re goofy, lovable big babies who easily forget how large they are!
Sure, they’re built like a tank and can be fierce guard dogs. But they’re some of the sweetest dogs around and are incredibly loyal.
Due to their muscular build, it’s essential to feed them right from the very beginning to keep them healthy. Choosing the best food for Rottweiler puppy dogs will start these large breed dogs off on the right paw.




Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- 10 Best Food For Rottweiler Puppy in 2021
- CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties
- Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers
- Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Wild Weenies Dog Treats
- American Journey Active Life Formula Large Breed Puppy
- Acana Puppy & Junior Grain-Free
- Orijen Puppy Large
- Orijen Puppy
- Acana Singles Grain-Free Recipe Range
- Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Rottweiler Puppy Dry Food
- CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
- Questions & Answers
- What are the nutritional needs of Rottweiler puppies?
- How many times a day should I feed my Rottweiler puppy?
- Can I let my Rottweiler free-feed?
- What should I look for in the best food for Rottweiler puppy?
- What health conditions do Rottweilers suffer from?
- Can I feed my Rottweiler puppy an adult dog food?
- What are the nutritional needs of Rottweiler puppies?
10 Best Food For Rottweiler Puppy in 2021
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food
Best Overall: Best For Weight Management
PROS
- Limited ingredient
- Lower in fat
- Remains high in protein
- Added probiotics
CONS
- High-calorie
- No mention of calcium/phosphorus ratio
It’s not common to find overweight Rottweiler puppies as they’re generally very high-energy. But it does happen! If your little Rottie is getting a bit chubby, consider putting him on the CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy Recipe.
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Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties
Best Raw Food
PROS
- High in both protein and fat
- Superb quality ingredients
- Comes in a variety of flavors
- Minimal processing
CONS
- Lacking in joint supplements and DHA
- No mention of calcium/phosphorus ratio
If you want to feed your Rottweiler puppy raw food but don’t have the time to prepare it yourself, Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties are a great option. They’re fairly limited in ingredients, but what is in them is of the highest quality.
You’ll find muscle and organ meat from a single protein source and organic vegetables. These patties are already minimally processed and freeze-dried which is a bonus as they’re fresh as can be.
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Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers
Best Kibble Topper
PROS
- Three flavors available
- Slow-burning carb ingredients
- Raw nutrition adds amino acids
- Can be used as a treat too
CONS
- 14oz bag is the biggest you can buy
If your puppy isn’t quite meeting his daily calorie count and needs a little more in each meal, a kibble topper is a great idea. Simply add some of the Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers for a taste and texture boost!
They’re also packed with protein and fat, so they’ll give your large breed pup a little more of those. Best for Rottweilers who are fairly active!
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Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Wild Weenies Dog Treats
Best Treat
PROS
- 14 calories per treat
- Seven different flavors
- Limited ingredient & grain-free
- High protein and fat
CONS
- May need to rehydrate them to avoid crumbly treats
Every puppy (or adult dog) needs treats in addition to their main best dog food diet. For puppies, treats aren’t often used as supplemental food but are really great as a training aid!
If you’re training your little Rottweiler or simply want something to give him or her a nice surprise here and there, the Wild Weenies Dog Treats would do the trick. You won’t find artificial sweeteners or preservatives in them, and their ingredients are as natural as they come.
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American Journey Active Life Formula Large Breed Puppy
Best Value For Money

PROS
- More affordable than most
- High-quality ingredient list avoids common allergens
- Good calcium/phosphorus ratio
- Moderate in protein and fat, great for the average Rottweiler
CONS
- Kibble may be slightly small
The best food for Rottweiler puppy parents may depend a little on their budget. Thankfully, the American Journey Active Life Formula Large Breed Puppy is well-priced as well as premium quality.
Although there are other flavors available, we specifically chose the salmon recipe. For dogs like a Rottweiler who is prone to allergies, salmon is usually a fantastic choice and nourishes their striking coat at the same time with the fish oil it contains.
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Acana Puppy & Junior Grain-Free
Premium Option
PROS
- 60% animal ingredients, 40% fruits & vegetables
- Multiple protein sources
- Free from grains and gluten
- Contains various useful supplements
CONS
- A pricey option
Your Rottweiler puppy deserves the best dog food, and this option hits top spot in our opinion. Acana Puppy & Junior Grain-Free caters specifically for puppies, and is rich in superior animal products (deboned chicken & turkey) and healthy botanical inclusions.
Your puppy won’t be missing anything in their diet when they chow down on this grain-free kibble. It’s a little pricey, but it’s worth it for the health and immune system boost your little big pup will be getting.
The only other downside is that there’s no variation in flavors, but most puppies will be completely fine with that.
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Orijen Puppy Large
Runner-Up Option
PROS
- Biologically appropriate nutrition
- Contains DHA and EPA
- Good levels of joint supplements
- Contains healthy botanical inclusions
CONS
- Somewhat pricey
- Not available in other flavors
Orijen Puppy Large is our runner-up choice, and it’s just as nutrition-packed as our premium pick. The best food for Rottweiler dog puppies needs to be highly nutritious and natural, which is exactly what you’ll get with this kibble.
It’s not the cheapest, but can you really put a price on your puppy’s health? It’s packed with everything your large breed puppy needs to grow up strong and healthy.
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Orijen Puppy
Best for Active Rottweiler Puppies
PROS
- Higher than average fat and protein
- Contains joint and brain supplements
- Fresh and raw animal ingredients
- Added probiotics
CONS
- No other flavors
The Orijen Puppy is the best dog food for Rottweiler puppies who are extremely bouncy should have a little more fat and protein than others. If your puppy falls into this category, we recommend this high-energy dry dog food for their activity level.
It’s slightly different than the previous Orijen puppy food in that it’s higher in fat (which is often aimed at small breeds). But there’s no reason your large/medium breed can’t eat this food – it has a great calcium/phosphorus ratio and all the supplements they need.
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Acana Singles Grain-Free Recipe Range
Best for Allergies
PROS
- Single protein source & grain-free
- Flavor variety to avoid allergens
- Slow-release carbs for energy
- Contains all necessary supplements
CONS
- Somewhat pricey
- All recipes contain legumes
Rottweilers are quite prone to food allergies and intolerances. If your vet recommends a limited ingredient diet, or you simply want to avoid problems from the start, Acana Singles Grain-Free Recipe Range is the way to go.
It’s important to note that this isn’t specifically a puppy food. But we’ve made sure it meets all the necessary criteria, including hitting the right calcium and phosphorus numbers.
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Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Rottweiler Puppy Dry Food
Best Breed-Specific
PROS
- Good protein and fat numbers
- Contains joint strengthening supplements
- Contains L-carnitine
CONS
- Contains some low-quality “filler” ingredients
- No DHA or EPA
We’ve put this in here as it’s hard to find breed-specific dog foods. If you’re proud of the fact that you’re the parent of a Rottweiler and you’re looking for the perfect food for her, you may be tempted to choose one that’s geared specifically for them.
While the Royal Canin Puppy Dry Food comes in as number one for food specific to the Rottweiler breed, we don’t recommend it.
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Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria #1: Ingredient Quality
Rottweilers are prone to allergies and food sensitivities, so it’s crucial to make sure their dog food is made of premium quality ingredients. Everything should be wholesome, natural, and real food – nothing artificial or dodgy.
We’ve made sure that the first ingredient on the list is a high-quality animal protein. Some of the offerings here are single-source protein, and others have multiple proteins in one meal.
As for carbs, some of the foods on this list are grain-free, while others contain healthy, fiber-rich, gluten-free grains. We’ve made an effort to select foods that have fruits and vegetables included. These are not only super carbs for energy, but they also add vitamins and minerals.
We strongly believe that no dog foods should contain glutinous grains like corn, wheat, and soy, animal by-products, artificial ingredients, or vaguely named things like “animal fat”.
We’ve taken care to ensure that each dog food we’ve reviewed is of the highest quality in terms of what ingredients have gone into it.
Criteria #2: DHA & EPA
DHA and EPA are Omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for puppies’ healthy development. They’re not usually included in the normal fatty acids, so to see them on a guaranteed analysis list is extremely important.
These two are responsible for the correct development of your Rottweiler puppy’s eyes and brain cells. You can get supplements that contain them, but it’s super to see them in the dog food your little pup will be eating every day.
We’ve made sure that all dog foods on this list contain one or both of them.
Criteria #3: Joint Supplements
Don’t think that because your Rottie puppy isn’t built like a bodybuilder yet he won’t need joint support! It’s best to start feeding your young dog joint supplements when they’re a puppy so their joints will be supported as they play.
We’ve tried to include dog foods that contain both glucosamine and chondroitin on this list. In the rare case that a food is missing joint supplements, we’ve mentioned it. It’s not the end of the world, as you can easily get a glucosamine supplement separately.
Criteria #4: Calcium/Phosphorus Ratio
This is something that most pet parents don’t realize is incredibly important for large breed puppy growth. It’s also one of the reasons you can’t just feed a puppy adult dog foods (even though some are appropriate).
The ratio of calcium to phosphorus is important to know to ensure your little one’s bones are getting enough support. Too much calcium makes them brittle and unable to hold a Rottie’s weight. Too little makes them weak, and more likely to break.
You don’t need to know the ins and outs of the mathematics. We’ve done the research for you and made sure every puppy food on this list has the correct ratio so you can feed any one to your dog without worrying.
Criteria #5: Affordability
As always, we aim for happy pups and happy pet parents. Your puppy relies on you for food, but they’re also extremely aware of your stresses. This criterion is to make sure they’re getting great nutrition and a happy mom or dad.
Of course, we don’t want you forgoing meals just so your fluff can eat. Our Best Value for Money choice is every bit as high-quality as the rest, but at a lovely price that will suit everybody.
Questions & Answers

What are the nutritional needs of Rottweiler puppies?
Although they’re still babies, Rottweiler puppies need a good many calories and a super high-quality, nutrition-packed food.
As a general rule of thumb, Rottie puppies need about 20 calories per pound of body weight per day. If your dog is very active, you can up that to about 23-24 calories per pound.
The best food for Rottweiler puppy will be high in protein. They need 22% at the minimum, but more is preferable. Some foods contain protein in the high 20s, and others go into the 30s. Protein in the 30s isn’t a bad thing, as long as your pup is also getting the right calcium/phosphorus ratio and joint supplements.
There’s no need to worry about carbohydrate numbers. What’s most important is the content – you’ll want to see fruits and vegetables.
Fat is what your dog uses for energy. 8% is the absolute minimum a puppy needs, but between 12 and 18% is best, depending on your pup’s activity level. Less than 12% is only recommended for weight management.
Apart from those three, you should see high levels of Omega fatty acids, DHA and EPA, vitamins and minerals for immune system boost, probiotics and prebiotics, and glucosamine and chondroitin.

How many times a day should I feed my Rottweiler puppy?
Rottweilers can be at risk of bloat, which is when too much air gets into the digestive tract. This often happens when dogs scoff their food or when the kibble size is too small.
To counteract this, Rottweilers should be fed multiple times throughout the day. Puppies need three to four meals a day. Make sure to split their daily calorie intake between these three or four meals.

Can I let my Rottweiler free-feed?
It’s not a good idea to give your Rottie access to food all the time. These large dogs are prone to overeat, so allowing them free access could super-speed obesity.

What should I look for in the best food for Rottweiler puppy?
The best Rottweiler dog food should tick a few boxes. Make sure the food you choose contains:
- A high-quality animal protein
This should be the first ingredient on the list. A single source protein is great for Rotties who have sensitive tummies. Multiple sources are superb if your dog isn’t fussy.
- Fruits and vegetables
Gluten-free grains like rice, oatmeal, millet, and sorghum are all right. But whether or not they’re present, fruits and vegetables should be included. They’re an essential source of vitamins and minerals, and also contribute to the tastiness of the kibble.
- DHA and EPA
A food without these is not worth feeding to your pup unless you’re adding them in. These two are crucial for your Rottweiler puppy’s development.
- Omega Fatty Acids
Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids are also essential. Not only do they help with digestion, but they also keep your Rottie’s black-and-tan coat shiny and healthy.
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Your little one’s joints need supporting right from the start. These compounds strengthen and support their joints as they do their bouncy puppy business.
- Calcium and Phosphorus
Both calcium and phosphorus should be around the 1% mark, with a ratio of about 1.3:1. This is essential to check on. Adult dog foods have a ratio of close to 1:1, but puppies need a different mix for best health.

What health conditions do Rottweilers suffer from?
Rottweilers are prone to certain health conditions. Some of these only show up in adults, but it’s worth knowing about them and actively preventing them while your Rottie is still a puppy. Some common health problems include:
- Food allergies
- Obesity
- Knee, elbow, and hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Osteoarthritis
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cataracts
- Bloat

Can I feed my Rottweiler puppy an adult dog food?
You can, but you shouldn’t. Although some adult foods are perfectly appropriate, it’s safer to choose a puppy food as they’re created specifically for these little, growing pooches.