What to feed a St Bernard
St Bernards are one of the largest dog breeds kept as pets, and that size changes what a suitable food actually looks like — particularly for puppies, where controlled growth matters more than fast growth. A food built for large or giant breeds, matched to your dog's actual life stage, is a better starting point than a generic adult formula sized for a medium dog.
Why giant breed puppies need a different food
A St Bernard puppy grows extremely quickly for a relatively short window, and feeding a food that's too calorie-dense or has the wrong calcium and phosphorus balance for that growth rate can put extra strain on developing joints. Large or giant breed puppy formulas are built specifically around slower, more controlled growth rather than maximum growth speed.
This matters more for a St Bernard than for a small or medium breed, because the sheer scale of a giant breed's growth means any imbalance has more room to cause a problem. A food labelled for large or giant breed puppies, fed according to the pack's own guide, is the sensible starting point.
Feeding an adult St Bernard
Adult St Bernards need a complete food built for a large or giant breed, both for the calorie density suited to their size and for joint-supporting ingredients that matter more here than for a smaller dog carrying less weight on the same joints.
St Bernards, like other large, deep-chested breeds, are also associated with a higher risk of bloat, a serious emergency. Feeding two or more smaller meals a day rather than one large one, and avoiding vigorous exercise immediately before or after eating, are commonly suggested precautions worth discussing with your vet.
Managing weight through a St Bernard's life
A large breed carries more weight on its joints for every extra pound gained than a small dog does, which makes keeping a St Bernard at a healthy weight genuinely more important for their long-term joint health, not just their general condition.
As they move into their senior years, a food formulated for large breed seniors, with adjusted calorie content and continued joint support, is worth discussing with your vet, particularly if your dog has slowed down noticeably or is less active than they used to be.
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.
Alpha Sensitive Salmon & Rice
A salmon and rice dry food for adult dogs with sensitive digestions, made without wheat gluten, soya or dairy.
£49.00
Alpha Working Dog Maintenance Chicken
An energy-controlled chicken dry food for working dogs with lower energy needs or a tendency to put on weight.
£29.00
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg
Grain-free turkey kibble for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
£82.35
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
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
Bakers Superfoods Chicken with Vegetables Dry Dog Food
Bakers Chicken with Vegetables dry dog food, 14kg, complete nutrition for adult dogs
£39.15
Harringtons Adult Dog Salmon & Potato
Complete salmon and potato dry dog food with 21% protein in a 1.7KG bag
£6.25
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Burgess Supadog Adult Complete Dog Active
Complete dry food for active adult dogs, built around poultry meal and calcium for bone health
£29.15
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food Turkey Veg
Grain-free turkey kibble for adult dogs, evenly balanced with potato in the mix
From£12.75
James Wellbeloved Adult Breed Dry Dog Food Turkey Rice
A hypoallergenic dry food for adult dogs, in small and large breed versions, built around single-source turkey protein
From£45.75
Common questions
- What food is best for a St Bernard puppy?
- A complete puppy food specifically labelled for large or giant breeds is the right starting point, since it's formulated for a slower, more controlled growth rate than a standard puppy food. Follow the feeding guide on the pack and check in with your vet if you're ever unsure.
- Are St Bernards prone to bloat?
- As a large, deep-chested breed, St Bernards are considered more at risk of bloat than smaller, narrower-chested dogs. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding strenuous exercise right around mealtimes are commonly suggested precautions, and it's worth discussing with your vet given how serious bloat can be.
- How much should I feed an adult St Bernard?
- This depends on your individual dog's weight, activity level and the specific food you're using — follow the feeding guide on your chosen large or giant breed food and adjust based on your dog's body condition, checking with your vet if you're unsure.
- When should a St Bernard move onto senior food?
- Giant breeds tend to be considered senior earlier than smaller dogs, often from around five to six years old, though this varies by individual dog. Ask your vet when it's the right time to switch for your particular St Bernard.
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.