Best dog food for a St Bernard
A St Bernard does best on a large or giant-breed food, formulated with controlled calcium and calorie levels to support slow, steady growth rather than a rapid one, because a giant breed that grows too quickly is at greater risk of joint problems later in life. As an adult, the priority shifts towards weight management and joint support, since the sheer size of the breed puts extra strain on hips and elbows over a lifetime.
Why growth rate matters so much for a giant breed
A St Bernard puppy can put on an enormous amount of weight in its first year, and feeding a standard puppy food formulated for smaller breeds risks pushing that growth too fast, which is linked to a higher rate of skeletal problems in giant breeds specifically.
A large or giant-breed puppy formula is designed with this in mind, with calcium and calorie levels set to support steady, controlled growth rather than the fastest possible weight gain, which is exactly the opposite of what a giant-breed puppy needs.
As an adult: weight and joints
Once fully grown, keeping a St Bernard at a healthy weight becomes one of the more important things an owner can do, since every extra kilogram adds meaningful strain to joints that are already carrying a very large frame.
A food with added joint-support ingredients, or a separate joint supplement alongside a good quality adult diet, is worth considering for a breed this size, and is something many owners introduce well before any obvious signs of stiffness appear.
Feeding practicalities
St Bernards are a deep-chested breed, which carries an increased risk of bloat, so feeding two or three smaller meals a day rather than one large one, and avoiding vigorous exercise immediately before or after eating, are sensible precautions.
Drooling is a normal feature of the breed rather than a feeding issue, but keeping water bowls easily accessible and topped up matters more for a dog this size, particularly in warm weather when a heavy-coated giant breed can overheat more easily.
Foods that suit this breed
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
- When should a St Bernard switch from puppy to adult food?
- Giant breeds typically stay on a puppy or growth formula for longer than smaller dogs, often up to 18-24 months, since their skeletal development takes longer to complete. Your vet can advise on timing based on your individual dog.
- How much should I feed an adult St Bernard?
- Follow the manufacturer's guide for your dog's weight as a starting point, then adjust based on body condition rather than age alone, since activity levels vary considerably between individual dogs of this breed.
- Are St Bernards prone to joint problems?
- As with most giant breeds, hip and elbow issues are more common than in smaller dogs, largely due to the sheer size and weight the joints carry. Controlled growth as a puppy and healthy weight as an adult are the two biggest factors an owner can influence.
Related
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.