The best dog food for giant breeds
There is no single best dog food for giant breeds, because a Great Dane, a Mastiff and an Irish Wolfhound do not need identical bags any more than any other three dogs would. What genuinely matters for giant breeds is controlled growth as a puppy, joint support through life, and a calorie level that matches a body that ages faster and is more prone to joint strain than a small dog's.
Why giant breeds need different thinking, not just a bigger bag
Giant breeds carry more weight through their joints for longer than smaller dogs, and they are more prone to conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia. A puppy food that lets a giant-breed puppy grow too quickly can make joint problems worse in later life, which is why a controlled-growth large or giant breed puppy formula, chosen with your vet, matters more here than for a small breed.
Giant breeds also tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller dogs and can show signs of ageing earlier, so 'senior' foods and joint-support recipes are often worth introducing sooner than the age at which you'd consider it for a smaller dog. That is a decision to make with your vet based on your individual dog, not a fixed age.
What to check on the label
Look for a food that states it is suitable for large or giant breeds specifically, since this usually reflects a kibble size and calorie density built for a big dog rather than a smaller one scaled up. Some giant breed foods also include added joint-support ingredients such as glucosamine, which is worth checking for if your dog is already showing any stiffness.
Calorie density matters more here than for most dogs. A giant breed eating a food that is too calorie-dense for their activity level can put on weight quickly, and extra weight on already heavily loaded joints is one of the more avoidable problems in this size of dog.
Feeding it in practice
Split a giant breed's daily food into at least two meals rather than one large one. Very large, deep-chested breeds are at higher risk of bloat, a genuine emergency, and feeding smaller meals rather than one big one is a commonly recommended precaution — ask your vet about the fuller picture on bloat risk for your specific breed.
Weigh food out rather than guessing by eye. A giant breed's daily amount looks large next to a small dog's bowl, and it is easy to overfeed without meaning to simply because the portion looks generous for the dog's size.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Pooch & Mutt Salmon Oil
Scottish salmon oil for dogs, dosed by weight from toy breeds to giants
£13.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Common questions
- Do giant breed dogs need a special puppy food?
- Yes, most vets recommend a large or giant breed puppy formula that controls growth rate, because growing too quickly is linked to a higher risk of joint problems in giant breeds. Talk to your vet about the right growth rate and food for your specific puppy.
- What is the biggest health risk with feeding a giant breed?
- Joint problems and bloat are the two most commonly discussed risks. Controlled growth as a puppy, weight management through life, and splitting meals into smaller portions are the main things owners can do, alongside regular vet checks.
- Should giant breeds eat senior food earlier than other dogs?
- Many giant breeds age faster and show signs of joint wear earlier than smaller breeds, so some owners introduce senior or joint-support food sooner. This should be based on your individual dog's condition, discussed with your vet, rather than a fixed age for the breed.
- How many meals a day should a giant breed dog have?
- Splitting the daily amount into at least two meals rather than one large meal is commonly recommended, partly because very large, deep-chested breeds carry a higher risk of bloat. Ask your vet for guidance specific to your dog's breed and size.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.