How Much to Feed Rottweilers: An Age by Age Guide


Those Hungry Rotties!  Have you ever looked at a Rottweiler and wondered how much food they must have to eat to grow so large?  I had an idea they must eat from sunrise to sunset, so when it was time for me to get my Maximus, I had a little research to do! 

Today, I’ll share what I learned with you to save you some research time!  You’ll learn how to feed your Rottweiler: and age by age guide.  To help you how to feed him from his weaning through his senior years! 

Age appropriately, we’ll go over serving sizes, proper nutrition and the important role dog food plays in your Rottie’s overall health! We’ll even get creative, and investigate homemade dog food!

Are you ready to gobble up some Rottie feeding knowledge?  Then let’s DIG IN!

Here is a handy feeding chart for reference.  Read on to find more important info…

How Much to Feed Your Rottweiler Puppy

Find out what your Rottie Puppy is currently eating when you pick him up to bring him home.  Responsible breeders and pet stores will (should) ideally already be using a food specifically designed for Large Breed Puppies.

It can be dry food or wet (we’ll cover those differences today) and should be what you begin feeding your puppy at home.  If you want to use a different brand or style, you must gradually switch it out (which we will also cover today) to ensure your brand new puppy doesn’t end up with a very big tummy ache!

Remember: Ask about your Rottweiler’s current feeding schedule before taking him home!

Feeding Your Rottweiler: Weaning to Four Months Old

It is not beneficial to “free-feed” your Rottie puppy.  Since Rottweilers are known to lean toward obesity, you’ll want to be in charge of the amount of food he consumes daily.  Begin with offering your puppy about a cup of food three to four times a day.   

If he gobbles it down immediately and is looking for more, then increase the serving size.  If he walks away from the bowl before it’s empty, decrease serving size. 

If your puppy constantly leaves food in his bowl, try cutting back to three meals a day instead of four.  Pick up his bowl after 15 minutes and soon, you will have established mealtimes! 

A daily total of 2-3 pounds of food is in the perfect range.  Like humans, Rotties have fluctuations in appetite and eat more during and after a growth “spurt”.  Be flexible, but never force-feed or overfeed your Rottweiler!

During this time, your Rottie will begin losing his “baby teeth” as his adult teeth grow. To learn more about the complete teething process, check out our Teething Timeline

Remember: Spices and sugars serve no nutritional purpose for your Rottie.  Don’t use foods that contain them, and never add them!

Dog Food Ingredient List

Before you choose the dog food you’ll feed your Rottie pup, you’ll need to know how to read a dog food label.  It can be confusing, but I’ll make it simple!  The more you learn about how to read a dog food label, you’ll also see that it can also be deceiving.

Pedigree Adult Dog Food
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Dog Food

Look at the ingredient list on the bag or can.  In the example above, can you see a difference in quality by the ingredients themselves?  Always look at the first 5 ingredients on the label.  The dog food is made up of 80% of these ingredients.

The ingredients must be listed in accordance with the weight of the ingredient in the food.  The top 5-10 ingredients are what the food is made of.   Meat should be the first ingredient in whatever food you choose.

Choose a dog food with good ingredients listed at the top

What does it mean?  In this post, I’ll explain the by-product meal. (full label reading post coming soon)

But first, let’s decipher what’s on the bag.

What’s the Difference Between Dog Food Ingredients and Dog Food Nutrients?

Ingredients are the substances that are combined to make the food.

Nutrients are the components that provide nourishment essential for growth and maintenance to support life.

What is “By-Product Meal”?

It begins with animal by-products…After all the parts humans eat are removed after slaughter, it’s all the scraps and junk leftover.  These scraps are not considered edible. (but it’s fed to our pets).  Some of the parts are…

  • head
  • brain
  • lungs
  • liver
  • spleen
  • kidney
  • stomach
  • intestines
  • feet
  • beak
  • undeveloped eggs

Some of the organ meats are edible and sold or used to make hot dogs, bologna or sausage.  So, why are some of these by-products edible and some not?  The problem is…

how these products are handled after slaughter.  Here’s an example using giblets:

If giblets are not refrigerated after slaughter, they cannot be sold for human consumption.  They could be stored for up to 24 hours in a hot container.  But, manufacturers can still legally use them to make your pet’s food.

DOG FOOD FACT…

Animals that are dead on arrival, animal parts that have been condemned or diseased making them unfit for human consumption are legally allowed to be used to make your pet’s food.

Two types of by-product meal:  Named or Generic

Named:  chicken by-product meal, turkey by-product meal, poultry by-product meal beef by-product meal

Generic:  Never ever by dog food with generic by-product meal, meat meal, meat, and bone meal, meat by-product meal, animal by-product meal

Generic by-product meals don’t identify the source of the meat.  It is non-specific and vague.  This generic meat meal may also contain roadkill, dead zoo animals, dead on arrival animals, diseased or dying animals, pets that have been euthanized from animal shelters.

Coming Soon:  post on how to fully ready a dog food label.

Rottweiler Feeding and House-Training

Healthy dogs usually defecate after eating their meals because their stomach “is wired to” the colon by nerves triggering the reflex to eliminate.  As soon as the animal’s stomach is full, the colon is notified.  That means most dogs will poop within that 30-minute period after eating. 

When your dog poops shortly after eating, he is not eliminating the food he just ate.  The waste you’re disposing of was in his food bowl the day before. 

Food remains in the canine stomach longer than in the human belly.  If your Rottie isn’t moving his bowels consistently after mealtime, (30 minutes-an hour) it may be a sign of constipation or substandard food. 

If stomach upset is a concern for you, keep reading!  There is a section in this article devoted to it, with some remedies you can try IMMEDIATELY.

You can utilize your Rottie’s elimination pattern to fit right in with house-training!  Avoid accidents by taking him out to potty right after feeding, and adjusting as you learn his usual pattern.  This is especially helpful for his last feeding of the day! 

It is best to offer his last meal two-three hours before bedtime, giving him plenty of time to empty his bowels… Preferably outside!

Remember: Setting an established routine for potty outings will generally set the same routine for your Rottweiler.  Always provide a potty opportunity within 30 minutes of feeding!

The Best Food For Rottweiler Puppies

With a growth rate that is astounding, NUTRITION should be your top priority in Puppy food!  Rottie pups who don’t get the right balance of nutrients are at risk of developing serious bone/joint problems as they grow. 

Additionally, the odds of cancer multiple where malnutrition exists. Whether you opt for dry kibble, wet food, homemade dog food or a raw diet for your Rottweiler (all of which will be covered here today) you’ll want to be sure the food meets these nutritional requirements:

  • Protein – between 23 and 25%
  • Fat – between 12 and 15%
  • Calcium – between 1.2 and 1.5%

CaloriesMost days your Rottie Pup will need 800-1000 calories.  This will increase to about 2200 calories daily in adulthood.

To help you learn how to burn off those calories in a healthy way, I have written just the article for you! Check out HOW MUCH EXERCISE ROTTIES NEED right here at Rottie Resource!

Your Rottweiler puppy may be small right now, but that tiny puppy is going to grow up to be a BIG dog in a surprisingly short amount of time.  This rapid growth and development are what make the puppy food he eats so important.   A diet that is lacking in quality nutrition or is too calorie-dense can cause problems, as can feeding puppies too much food or adding unnecessary supplements.

Remember: Natural instincts will not allow a healthy puppy to starve himself! Although a finicky eater may not be eating as much as you would like, he will eat enough to get by.

BEST LARGE BREED PUPPY FOODS ON AMAZON 

How to Change Your Rottweiler’s Food to Avoid Stomach Issues

There are a plethora of reasons you may want to switch the food you are feeding your Rottie Puppy!  Whether you are combating a food allergy (yes, dogs get them, too) have found a more nutrition-packed brand or just want your Rottie to have variety, the key to a successful food switch at ANY AGE is to make the switch GRADUAL!

Follow This Simple Procedure:

For two days, mix 75% old food with 25% new food

For two days, mix old and new foods 50% and 50%

For two days, mix 25% old food with 75% new food.

Day 7 will be 100% new food

Remember: You’ll want to feed your Puppy between two and three percent of his expected adult weight. For Rottie Puppies, this is between two and three pounds of food daily.

Should your Rottie exhibit signs of an upset stomach or diarrhea from food or any other source, I’ve compiled some ways to treat it fast! Read all about them RIGHT HERE. 

Feeding Your Rottweiler: Four Months- Eighteen Months

how much to feed a rottweiler

By now, your Rottie can be cut from four meals a day to three… or even two!  Experiment a bit to learn which feeding schedule meets his nutritional and caloric needs, while fitting in with your lifestyle as closely as possible. 

Even though he is quickly growing, make no mistake, he is still a puppy and requires the specific blend found in food for Large Breed Puppies!  In these months, his weight can increase from 50 pounds to over 80! He is also at the age where he’s learned to use those puppy-dog eyes for begging. 

It is imperative you remain in control of his food intake!  Obesity is a life-long concern with Rottweilers!  If you feel as though your Rottie is genuinely hungry between meals, consider adding treats to his feeding regime that won’t go over his calorie limit or add useless fillers to his diet. 

Some healthy treats for your Rottweiler include:

Carrots

Green Beans

Apples

Blueberries

Sweet Potatoes

Bananas

Pumpkin

Cantaloupe

Zucchini

Pineapple

Remember: If you opt to give your Rottie a bone, NEVER give him one that’s been cooked, it is NOT SAFE!

These are approximate amounts…my Rottie eats just 4 cups a day with about 1/3 cup of wet food.  

I give fruit and veggies as treats often.

Rottweilers and Food Allergies

Like humans, Rottweilers can be sensitive to certain foods. It’s important to avoid foods that contain chemicals, fillers, colorings, and additives. Generic Brands and even some Store Brands are notorious for adding substandard ingredients.

Read labels, make sure straight protein is the first ingredient, and that the food meets the nutritional requirements we’ve learned today.

How to Know if Your Rottweiler has a Food Allergy

Some outward signs may be subtle, but they will be present!  Your Rottie may throw up after eating, have diarrhea or be constipated or fail to gain weight on a consistent basis.  The term veterinarians give this condition is “Failure to Thrive”. 

Food allergies may manifest as skin problems, a dull coat, and evidence of lethargy. And GAS (oh, the gas!) Trust your gut on this! 

If your Rottie is eating well, but you have that nagging suspicion that “something’s wrong” a food allergy might be the culprit!  The most common things in food that might trigger an allergy in your Rottweiler are:

  • Corn
  • Soy
  • Wheat
  • Yeast
  • Spices

Remember: Rottweilers have a sensitive digestive system!  High-Quality food that meets his specific nutritional requirements will keep his digestive system running smoothly!

 Feeding Your Rottweiler:  Eighteen Months – Adulthood

At eighteen months of age, you can begin switching your Rottie from Large Breed Puppy Food to Large Breed Adult Food. Make the switch gradual as described in the “Switching Foods” section above. Again, nutrition without useless calories is key!

Even though he is nearing (or over) 100 pounds, your Rottie still has some growing to do, and their rock-solid muscles and internal organs and bodily systems will require good fuel.

By now, your Rottweiler should thrive on two feedings daily but you may prefer three. The amount of food a Rottweiler eats depends on the dog’s age, size and build, metabolism and activity level. At this age, your Rottie will be eating roughly seven to nine cups of food daily.

IMPORTANT:  You don’t have to feed your Rottie what it says on the dog food bag!  This is just a guideline.  According to the bag, Maximus should eat 9 1/2 to 10 cups of food a day.  He only eats 4 cups a day!  And, he does get snacks during the day as well.  He’s healthy and thriving on 4 cups a day.

Remember: To minimize bloating, withhold water for at least an hour immediately after feeding.

Best Large Breed Dog Food on Amazon 

Feeding Hacks for Over Weight Rottweilers

RUT-ROH (in my very best Scooby-Doo voice)!! Your Rottweiler has packed on too many pounds, now what?  If your Rottweiler’s ribs aren’t visible, and you see no taper at his ‘waist”, you may have an obese Rottie! 

Like our own weight issues, these extra pounds can sneak up quickly!  The first thing you’ll want to do is a complete review of his caloric intake.

A very active adult Rottweiler shouldn’t be eating more than 2500 calories a day.  A less active dog only needs about 2100 calories daily. 

The next thing you’ll want to consider is if you are providing enough opportunities for exercise.  If your Rottie has a hearty appetite, you may want to consider a lower calorie food to bring his weight under control.  Less than 350 calories per cup for kibble is ideal when decreasing calories. 

It is not recommended to free feed a Rottweiler.  If you are doing it, chances are, this is one reason he’s overweight.  Designated feeding times are best.  If he doesn’t finish in 10-15 minutes, take the food and put it up until the next feeding.

If your Rottie’s appetite isn’t so hearty, reducing his amount of food per serving might do the trick.  Experiment a little to find the best solution, and always read the labels before buying any kind of food. 

Make sure you are encouraging (but not pushing) exercise, and make sure your dog has an ample supply of clean water between feedings.  

Remember: Your Rottie’s nutritional requirements are different than yours! DO NOT feed him table scraps, as they will most likely have ingredients your Rottie doesn’t need!

Nutrition for Senior Rottweilers

To promote good health and longevity, adjusting your Rottweilers calories and nutrition may be necessary as they reach their “senior years” at about age six. Although your Rottie’s digestive system will undergo changes as he ages, aging alone does not decrease a dog’s ability to digest nutrients.

What is more likely is that senior dogs are more susceptible to digestion-related conditions (like a food allergy, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, or pancreatitis) that could require specific dietary changes.

BEWARE! Some food products claiming to be a “Senior Version” are identical to the regular “Adult Formula” and only marketed differently.  In this case, nothing is different except the packaging. 

If you’re concerned about your Senior Rottie’s diet, here are some things to look for in a Senior Blend:

  • Nutrient adjustments like higher protein or more (or less) fat.
  • Higher digestibility with added fiber.
  • Softer texture and/or formulated to fight dental diseases.
  • Added joint supplements.
  • Added MCTs, omega-3s, and antioxidants.

Be an avid label reader to avoid spending money on gimmicks. Only make changes to your Rottweiler’s Adult Diet if necessary.

After carefully researching options for Senior Dog Foods, I found that Amazon offers a good option, called “Diamond Naturals”.  To find out more about this brand and why it’s so highly rated, simply click this LINK.  

Remember: You need only change to a “Senior” Dog Food if your Rottweiler is NOT thriving on his regular Adult Formula!

Which Foods are Best for Rottweilers?

Protein is the most important part of a healthy Rottweiler diet. Lack of adequate protein causes anemia, muscle atrophy, skin, and joint problems, and compromised immune health. Rottweilers love meat and animal sources are a good option for their protein and fat needs.

The food you select should contain 25% protein and 12% fat. Because Rottweilers are big and strong, the ideal food will also have 1-2% calcium to support those big bones and teeth! The best foods will not contain meat by-products or excessive amounts of carbohydrates.

Although your Rottie does need carbs for energy, this should NOT be the primary ingredient in dog food!

Remember: Quality food is your Rottweiler’s first line of defense when it comes to their health and longevity!

Dry Kibble, Wet Food or Mixed?

Wet Food

In some ways, canned dog food is superior to kibble. They typically contain more meat protein than their dry counterparts, and they’re made with fewer carbohydrates. Because of the air-tight packaging, canned dog foods contain no synthetic preservatives.

Fats and oils sealed in canned foods don’t easily become rancid. No need for artificial flavorings and colorings, either. With cans, meat ingredients are closer to their natural state, making canned food more palatable for most Rottweilers.

Kibble

When it comes to convenience, nothing beats dry kibble! Plus, quality dry dog food is almost always a better buy. But whatever you do, don’t get kibble because you heard it is better for your Rottie’s teeth. This is a myth!

Sure, crunchy kibble can remove some of the plaque near the tops of a dog’s teeth, but it is ineffective within the critical zone near the gum line, where plaque and tartar cause the most harm like tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease.

Industry regulators look the other way when products claim to cleanse or whiten teeth.

They simply avoid the issue altogether by labeling these marketing claims as “not objectionable”. Crazy, huh? In fact, since most kibbles contain a higher percentage of refined carbohydrates, dry dog foods could ultimately increase plaque and tartar levels, causing more dental problems than they supposedly prevent.

Mixed

Many Rottie owners use a mixture of kibble and wet food. Due to the range of benefits that wet and dry diets each offer, a mixed feeding approach can be the best way to help your dog get the most out of mealtime.

Combining both wet and dry in your Rottweiler’s diet can give them some variety, and expose them to different textures. When you offer a picky dog a meal that is a combination of both wet and dry food,  they’ll be drawn to the aromas of this mixed meal in a way that they weren’t from an exclusively dry diet.

You’ll also find confidence in knowing that by feeding your dog a premium wet or dry food they’ll be receiving complete and balanced nutrition at every meal.

Remember: Don’t be fooled by Dog Food marketing hype! Flip that package over and read the nutrition and ingredients label!

Homemade Raw Dog Food For Your Rottweiler

There is absolutely nothing wrong with making your Rottweiler’s food yourself! What would be wrong about it is not doing your research first! Make sure your recipe will include all nutrition your Rottie requires and that the caloric content is correct. If you opt for homemade food, you may want to consider adding a calcium source or supplement to promote strong bones and teeth! 

A typical recipe should break down like this:

  • 40% Protein – animal meat, seafood, eggs or dairy
  • 10% Carbohydrates – grains and beans
  • 50% Vegetables
  • Fat – from oil or meat
  • Calcium – crushed or powdered eggshells; a supplement
  • Fatty acids – cooked egg yolks, oatmeal, plant oils, and other foods

This recipe from “The Canine Journal” is a great one to try!

Beef Stew, Doggie Style

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of beef stew meat
  • 1 small sweet potato
  • 1/2 cup of carrots, diced
  • 1/2 cup of green beans, diced
  • 1/2 cup of flour
  • 1/2 cup of water or organic vegetable or olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil for frying

Total: Makes approx 4 cups (or 32 fluid ounces)

Directions

  1. Cook the sweet potato in a microwave for 5 to 8 minutes until firm but tender. Set aside.
  2. Slice the stew pieces into smaller chunks, about the size of a nickel.
  3. Cook the stew pieces in a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until well-done.
  4. Remove the beef chunks from the pan, reserving the drippings.
  5. Dice the sweet potato.
  6. Heat the drippings over medium-low heat. Slowly add flour and water into the dripping while whisking to create a thick gravy.
  7. Add the meat, sweet potato, carrots and green beans into the gravy and stir to coat.
  8. Cook until the carrots are tender – about 10 minutes.
  9. Serve cool.
  10. Store remaining stew in the fridge for up to five days.

The Raw Food Diet: Sound Nutrition or Fad?

A raw dog food diet emphasizes raw meat, whole or crushed bones, fruits, vegetables, raw eggs, and some dairy. It is sometimes called the BARF diet for dogs, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

The risk involved involves the bacteria that live in raw meats and eggs. Rottweilers are susceptible to salmonella, just like humans are.

Supporters of the diet claim the condition of their dog’s coat and skin improves, as well as their energy levels. This has not been scientifically backed up, and most veterinarians do NOT recommend the diet.

Of course, the choice is yours to make!

Whether you opt for Dry Kibble, Wet Food, Homemade Dog Food or a BARF diet, nutrition is your primary concern!

Remember: The quality of your Rottweiler’s health is largely dependent on the quality of his food!

I did a little comparison shopping on Amazon to save you the headache! In this section, you’ll find links to Large Breed Puppy Food and Large Breed Dog Food. And just in case you need them, I’m including some Dog Food Bowls, too! Each convenient link will take you right to the product at Amazon. Happy Shopping!

 

 

 

*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.

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