Good with children and so much fun to hug, it’s hard to believe that Mastiffs were once war dogs. Now, they make loveable, docile house dogs. Sure, they may drool a little (or a lot!) but they make amazing companions and adventure buddies. As they are giant breed dogs, they need special nutrients in regulated quantities both as puppies and once they are grown. But be aware — more isn’t always better, and we’ll discuss this in a moment with relation to calcium.
So how do we choose the best dog food for Mastiffs?
Quick Review: Top-3 Dog Foods For Mastiffs
 | Best Puppy Food Wellness Complete Health Large Puppy
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| | Best Adult Food Merrick Grain Free
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| | Best Cheap Food Puppy Royal Canin Size
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The Best Food For Mastiff Puppy Health
Our gentle giants deserve dinners that will look after not only their taste buds but their health as well. And, as such, there are special requirements for giant breed dog foods, as per the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
What’s special about Mastiff puppy food? First, the AAFCO recognizes that giant breeds are more prone than smaller dogs to developing uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, joint problems. All giant foods should feature glucosamine, which — along with the right amount of doggy exercise — helps to combat the common joint complications of dysplasia and arthritis.
Second, unless it explicitly states otherwise, an ‘All Life Stages’ puppy food won’t necessarily have the right amount of calcium for your dog. An excess of this nutrient can contribute toward the joint problems we mentioned above, so it is safer to choose a specially formulated food for giant breed puppies.
Picking The Best Dog Food For Mastiffs
Specific things that you’ll find in the best dog food for Mastiffs (and pups!) include adequate protein, not too much fat, joint-protective glucosamine, and a healthy calcium-phosphorus ratio.
Recommended Protein
All giant breed dogs should be on puppy food until they’re fully grown. Typically, as an owner, you’ll notice that this may take place when your Mastiff is between a year and 24 months grown. At this stage, he or she will have reached a full adult height at the withers of between 30 inches for males, or 28 inches if your dog’s a female.
Here’s what you’ll need to know about the protein they need:
- The best food for Mastiff puppy will contain close to 30% protein;
- Adults are only going to require between 23-27%; and
- ALL Mastiff dog food should feature good-quality meat. Because our beloved giants deserve to eat healthily!
That means as little ‘by-product’ content as possible, and try to steer as much away from synthetic preservatives as you can. Dog foods, in general, will range quite a lot in terms of ingredient quality, with some more premium brands even offering human-grade meat. In general, however, it’s hard to go wrong with real ingredients such as fish, lamb, venison, and of course, chicken!
Regarding Fat and Calories…
- Mastiff puppies ideally should be getting around 13-15% fat, or thereabouts — a little bit more than an adult needs;
- At their largest (200 pounds), active Mastiffs may require up to 3700 k/Cal daily, while smaller, females may need only around 3000; and
- Because a pup’s calorie requirements will depend on their weight and age, you can try our Dog Food Calorie calculator for a rough estimate of daily k/Cal.
Wet Mastiff Dog Food, or Dry?
If you only ever ate dried food, you’d probably get pretty bored. And as long-time dog lovers, we’re pretty sure our pets love a bit of variety, too!
While there’s no set ‘amount’ of wet or dried Mastiff Dog Food that you should be feeding your pup, there are pros and cons of each that you may already be familiar with. If you want to keep your costs relatively low — maybe you’ve got several hungry Mastiffs! — then kibble can be quite affordable compared to cans. It lasts for quite a while both opened and sealed, so that can also be a benefit if you want to stock up.
On the other paw, canned food is richer in moisture, and this comes in handy if the weather or heat means your pup needs more hydration. It’s also great for puppies who are first becoming accustomed to solid food but are ready to move on from formula or milk.
So, the choice is yours — or, combine the two together for a slightly crunchy, slightly soft variety. Nice!
What Brands Make Mastiff Dog Food?
When choosing Mastiff food, as with other dog and puppy foods, it’s good to stick with a brand that has a good reputation. Here are some brands that we know and love that make great dog food:
- Holistic Select – This is a WellPet brand, the name behind the perhaps better-known Wellness. You will find not only grain-free options in their ranges but also healthy natural fiber sources such as oatmeal for smooth digestion.
- Royal Canin – An international brand with a reliable reputation, Royal Canin has been around for fifty plus years. Founded by a vet, it’s now developed by nutritionists and produced under high safety and quality standards.
- Wellness – Your giant breed Mastiff can enjoy gluten-free classic recipes when you choose Wellness, and the brand itself is such a hit with owners. For good reason, too, you’ll find something for every breed with Wellness!
- Merrick – You’ll find grain-free wet and dry options from this USA-based manufacturer, with instantly recognizable ingredients in every packet. Lots and lots of varied flavors are to be found for your puppy and dog with Merrick!
- Taste Of The Wild – All dog food from this brand is made using top-quality ingredients, and all of it has real animal meat atop the ingredients list. Besides excellent Mastiff food, you’ll easily something for your Labrador, Husky, Yorkie…you get the idea!
- Nutrisource – Minnesota-based Nutrisource makes all their food in the US. It makes some of the best food for Mastiff puppies thanks to its use of varied protein sources and easily digestible formulas.
Best Puppy Food For Mastiffs
With our gorgeous pup’s requirements in mind, let’s check out some of the best puppy food for Mastiffs!
- Holistic Select Natural Large & Giant Breed Puppy
Pros
- Oatmeal and barley provide fiber for digestion;
- L-Carnitine promotes healthy muscle development;
- Antioxidants from superfoods such as flaxseed and pumpkin;
- Includes skin-healthy salmon oil (with joint-protective glucosamine); and
- It has got zero synthetic fillers, flavors, or coloring agents.
Cons
- Puppies on totally grain-free meal plans will need to try a different Mastiff puppy food, we’re afraid!
- Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Maxi Puppy
Pros
- 28% protein;
- Contains glucosamine, which giant pups require;
- Designed to be fed over longer periods of puppy growth (up to 15 months);
- A cleverly designed kibble will keep your puppy from chowing down too fast; and
- Includes Vitamin E, a healthy way to keep your Mastiff puppy’s skin in good condition.
Cons
- Contains some by-products from chicken, unfortunately.
- Wellness Complete Health Natural Large Breed Puppy
Pros
- DHA aids your puppy’s sharp eyesight and equally sharp neural functioning!
- Wheat-, corn-, and soy-intolerant puppies can safely enjoy this blend;
- Only natural agents are used to preserve, and color this food;
- Calcium is within the recommended limits for giant breeds; and
- Gives your not-so-little one 29% protein!
Cons
- Grain-intolerant dogs won’t be able to eat this.
- Science Diet Large Breed Puppy
Pros
- Formulated specifically for large breed puppies;
- DHA from fish oil for healthy brain development;
- Balanced calcium levels for bone growth;
- Added nutrients for healthy joint development;
Cons
- Some dog owners mention giving their large breed puppies an added glucosamine supplement once they hit 1 year of age since this diet does not include it.
Best Dog Food For Mastiffs
- Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Pros
- Zero poultry ingredients, perfect for dogs who can’t eat chicken;
- Also includes meal from whitefish, for a tropical twist and additional protein boost;
- There are some nice fruits to be found in here, including blueberries and tasty apples for digestive fiber;
- It provides 800mg of glucosamine per kilogram, which is a healthy quantity; and
- Omegas 3 and 6 help keep those lovely Mastiff coats looking great.
Cons
- Not really! It’s USA-made, too!
- Taste of The Wild Grain-Free Premium High Protein
Pros
- Features probiotics for easier and smooth digestion, along with plenty of veggie fiber;
- Roasted lamb is the very top ingredient — now that’s classy!
- Contains DHA that is from Omega-rich salmon oil;
- Vitamin E for skin defense and protection; and
- Alternative proteins are also included, such as eggs and peas.
Cons
- Nope, this is AAFCO-approved for our beloved giant breeds.
- Nutrisource Large Breed Dog Food
Pros
- Features natural chicken and natural turkey;
- Crafted with care for our lovely Mastiffs and their nutritional needs;
- Offers 23% of tasty protein;
- Includes that super-important glucosamine; and
- All the lovely vitamins and minerals you’d expect from an internationally respected manufacturer.
Cons
- It contains some white rice, which some owners may choose to avoid.
FAQ
How much exercise does my Mastiff puppy need?
On all the best dog food for Mastiffs, you’ll see that little disclaimer “with adequate exercise…”. What an adequate amount of exercise means will vary depending on your puppy’s life stage.
Puppies will generally get enough exercise on their own, provided you give them enough space to do so. This means that if you have a large yard and it is possible to do so, let your Mastiff puppy run around at his leisure. You may want to consider a wireless dog fence, but it’s never a good idea to leave your Mastiff tethered if you can avoid it.
If you haven’t got a yard, it might help to take your puppy to the park for 30-40 minutes each day, twice daily. This way, when he’s tired, he can stop playing by himself and rest. You should try to avoid overly vigorous exercise for these soon-to-be giants because their joints and bones are not yet fully developed.
What is hip dysplasia in dogs?
Giant breeds are somewhat more prone to developing hip dysplasia than some other dog breed sizes. This is a condition in which their femurs — bones in their thighs — are not completely covered by their hip sockets. It is often inherited but can be made worse through poor nutrition.
To help your Mastiff avoid hip dysplasia, it’s important to ensure that he’s getting the right amounts of exercise and glucosamine. You’ll find glucosamine in the best dog food for Mastiffs and puppies, as it will have been specially developed with their needs in mind.
Helpful links
- https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/mastiff/
- https://kb.rspca.org.au/how-should-i-exercise-my-puppy_300.html
Last update on 2024-11-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Can I give my 10 1/2 week old puppy any type of milk, he seems to want warm puppy milk still, we stopped as he is eating a mixture of wet and dry food. He is a mastiff English cross and currently is just over 10 kg, any help with a diet plan would be good as he doesn’t seem to eat all the food, most of the time.