Best Dog Food for Rottweilers in 2024
A Rottweiler might seem huge, intimidating, and a bit frightening to folks not familiar with pups and critters, yet they turn into giant clowns and awesome furry pals for grown-ups and kids alike. This breed needs their daily walks, some brain games, and consistent training, plus munching on the right food to keep their muscles strong and their bodies fit. Choosing the perfect chow, be it wet or dry, matters a ton for both the young and full-grown Rotties, but remember, finding the “one” might not happen overnight since every Rottweiler is unique. Stick around to uncover how to pick the best grub for your four-legged friend, because they deserve nothing but the best.
This guide will aid you in your search for a large breed dry dog food for Rottweilers; it will give you some of the best options, while also introducing you to how you can learn to distinguish good ingredients when shopping for food.
Table of Contents
Our team has spent hours researching products to find the best dog food for Rottweilers, read our in-depth reviews below. Learn more about our 10 point inspection checklist.
Best Dog Food for Rottweilers
1. Instinct Original Grain Free Natural Dry Dog Food
Rottweilers are large and powerful dogs, and they need a nutritious meat-based diet to be able to reach their full potential and to avoid health problems associated with the breed. Instinct contains a total of 70% real animal ingredients, with no animal by-products and only ingredients fit for human consumption.
There is minimal processing that goes into making this kibble, which works to preserve as many nutrients as possible, resulting in one of the best dog foods for energetic dogs like the Rottweiler. The protein content helps satisfy your dog’s nutritional needs, and it contains glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy bones and joints – working to prevent conditions like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and arthritis.
Why We Like It – If you want the best dog food for Rottweilers in your household, this recipe with sweet potatoes will help boost their immune system and make sure they grow up strong and healthy.
Pros:
+ 70% quality animal ingredients
+ Probiotics for improved digestion
+ Minimal processing
+ Made in the United States
2. WholeHearted Grain Free Large Breed Beef and Pea
With this dog food for large breeds, you are saying yes to wholesome ingredients packed with nutrients! It is an affordable option for anyone who wants to find the best food without going way over a somewhat restricted budget, and it is perfect for a Rottweiler thanks to not only the high protein levels, but also natural ingredients like fish oil and peas, with vitamin E, just the right levels of carbohydrates, fatty acids, antioxidants, and more.
It is an All Lifestages formula, meaning it can be used as puppy food and an adult dog food, and it will keep your Rottie in top shape both when it comes to his or her skin and coat, teeth and bones. Beef is a type of meat that is packed with a delicious flavor that not even a picky Rottweiler will be able to resist, and it is a great way to make sure your furry friend gets the daily nutrition needed to thrive.
Why We Like It – Not everyone has the fortune to spend on high-quality dog food, and this is an excellent option for someone who wants the best ingredients you can get in dry dog food but at a lower price. Made for large breed dogs.
Pros:
+ Made with real beef
+ Great for the immune system
+ With healthy fatty acids
+ Natural and filling ingredients
3. Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Puppy Formula
This dog food contains appropriate levels of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), which is also found in the mother’s milk, and it makes it a great food to transition to when your puppy starts eating. For Rottweilers, it is extremely important for them to get a good start in life, or they could develop significant health issues Rottweilers are prone to, like food allergies or declining joint health, and Kirkland gives your Rottie puppy a formula specifically designed to achieve this with a very precise mix of essential vitamins and minerals.
Your Rottweiler puppy will benefit from the balanced protein source, to maintain the activity level of a growing dog, and build muscle mass, and while it is not a breed-specific diet – it is among the best Rottweiler puppy foods available.
Why We Like It – A dry food like this gives your young Rottweiler dog a headstart in life, with healthy fat content, deboned chicken and chicken meal, without any corn, wheat or other pointless fillers.
Pros:
+ Boosts immune system and digestive health
+ Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids
+ DHA for brain and eye development
+ Vitamins, minerals and amino acids
4. Zignature 27 LB Kangaroo Dry Dog Food Formula
An adult dry dog food like this is a true boost for the immune system, with ingredients like real kangaroo meat – directly from Australia! It will provide your adult Rottweiler with delicious protein that is considered a good fit for dogs with food allergies, but also for those fur pups with a sensitive digestive system. Meat like kangaroo is extremely rich in vitamin B12, for example, and it is a protein known for being easily digested and absolutely delicious.
Also, a recipe like this contains fatty acids to give your Rottweiler a shiny and healthy coat that will be a show stopper when you take him or her out for walks, and fatty acids can also help prevent itchy skin and other allergy symptoms and health problems. These foods for Rottweilers are not only large breed appropriate, but formulated to care for your pooch from the inside and out.
Why We Like It – With a limited ingredient Rottweiler dog food like this, you may have found the solution for dogs with food allergies thanks to the mild kangaroo meat!
Pros:
+ Prevents joint problems
+ Australian Kangaroo meat
+ Omega fatty acids
+ Good choice for allergic dogs
5. Orijen Six Fish Formula, Dry Dog Food
Rottweilers need top nutrition, so why not give them the best ocean fish meal they’ve ever had? Orijen is a brand known for its high-quality ingredients, and this dog food is full of fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6, to help your furry friend get just the right percentage of each and every nutrient. It contains the recommended calorie amount for large dogs like the Rotties and has extra fiber to help the dog’s metabolism work the way it is supposed to.
Give your Rottweiler enough energy to last throughout the day, so that your big lovebug can stay active for many years to come. This kibble also contains glucosamine and chondroitin – two essential ingredients for bone and joint health, to prevent the development of hip dysplasia and much more, and what is so great about this kibble is that each of the ingredients plays a part, and the formula is grain-free and packed with nutrients.
Why We Like It – Dogs need meat in their diet, and here you get 85% of the protein from
Pros:
+ Delicious and irresistible taste
+ 85% real meat content
+ Freeze-dried cod liver infusions
+ No artificial flavor, color or preservatives
6. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food
When you are looking for foods for Rottweilers that are getting a little older, and if you prefer a product with whole grains such as brown rice and veggies, this is a suitable option! These dog foods are made with the nutrients an older dog needs to stay active, as a dog’s nutritional needs change as they age, and Blue Buffalo has something other dog food brands might not be able to offer, which is their LifeSource Bits!
The LifeSource Bits are small pieces full of antioxidants and vitamins, with enough taste to make your dog want to gulp them down as fast as possible! The appetite will sometimes diminish with age, but Blue Buffalo has solved this by making dog food that both prevents health problems in senior dogs, but also that has enough delicious flavor to appeal also to picky Rottweilers.
Why We Like It – These are among the best dog foods for Rottweilers over the age of six or seven, and with these foods, you will be able to give your senior rottweiler a complete meal they will enjoy eating.
Pros:
+ Recommended by holistic veterinarians
+ Healthy oxidative balance
+ Quality proteins and carbohydrates
+ With patented LifeSource bits
7. Taste of the Wild High Protein Real Meat Recipe
Taste of the Wild is one of the best dog food brands available, and it is a great option for a large breed dog like the Rottweiler! Real venison meat helps promote lean and strong muscle, and keep your Rotty at a healthy weight that won’t compromise their bones and joints, and that will lessen the impact of health conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia. Among the ingredients, you will also find meat meal – a highly nutritious ingredient rich in protein, and a healthy mix of fruit and vegetables full of antioxidants and other vitamins.
Dogs need more than to just feel full after a meal, and especially active and strong dogs like the Rottweiler, and what better way to show your Rottie how much you care than to invest in one of the best dog foods for Rottweilers – Taste of the Wild.
Why We Like It – With a dog food like Taste of the Wild, you will notice how your Rottweiler seems excited at every meal, even if they were previously somewhat picky eaters.
Pros:
+ Species-specific probiotics
+ Blend of Omega fatty acids
+ Promotes strong and lean muscle
+ Sustainable source ingredients
8. Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food
Rottweilers seem to be prone to some food-related allergies, and that’s where your dog could benefit from a limited ingredient recipe like this! Merrick has created a dog food made with only a shortened list of different ingredients, which makes it easier to avoid what your dog is sensitive to, but also to figure out what your dog can eat, and what he or she cannot.
There is no egg, dairy, wheat, soy or any other known irritants, and you can choose between three different protein sources depending on what your Rottweiler tends to be sensitive to. The recipe contains whole grain, but only the quality kind that will greatly benefit a Rottweiler, adult, and senior, and it has enough quality protein to keep a large dog full and active throughout the day.
Why We Like It – Large breed dogs like the Rottweiler can have sensitive stomachs too, and the best way to deal with this is with a dog food like this limited ingredient recipe.
Pros:
+ Shortened list of ingredients
+ Easy to digest for sensitive stomachs
+ Multiple protein options
+ Wholesome whole grain
9. ACANA Lamb & Pumpkin Wholesome Grains
Acana is known for their grain-free recipes, but they also have this delicious lamb product with wholesome grains! It is a perfect alternative for someone who chooses to feed grains to their dog, and the lamb makes it a gentle formula that could be suitable also for dogs with sensitive digestive systems and allergies. It is free from gluten, with no pointless fillers or artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, to make sure your dog only gets the absolute best in terms of nutrition.
This recipe also has multiple nutrients that large fur friends will benefit greatly from, and your pet will thank you in his- or her own way for providing them with this review favorite, and a dog food that will ensure your four-legged family members stay healthy.
Why We Like It – This is the ideal dried dog food for breeds like the Rottweiler, and the single protein source makes it allergy-friendly while still being just as nutritious.
Pros:
+ Protein from a single source
+ Biologically appropriate diet
+ With cartilage and organs
+ Grass-fed lamb meat
10. WELLNESS CORE Original Turkey & Chicken
The first ingredients listed for this Rottweiler food is deboned turkey, turkey meal and chicken meal, which guarantees a high protein content and also a nutritious diet for a large dog. It contains flaxseed, omega-3, omega-6, and other fatty acids, along with everything you will want to find in premium dog foods.
All meat used is high-quality, with no animal by-products or replacement products, and no soy, wheat or corn. There are numerous benefits associated with giving Rottweilers a food they will both enjoy and thrive on, and the fresh ingredients that go into the production of each Wellness bag have so much flavor that your big pup won’t be able to say no.
Why We Like It – This high protein recipe will have your Rottweilers begging for more, and the
Pros:
+ Healthy oils and fats
+ No animal by-products
+ For adult Rottweilers
+ Deboned turkey and turkey meal
Best Dog Food for Rottweilers Buyers Guide
Rottweilers can be incredibly sweet and grateful dogs when treated right, and what better way to show man’s best friend how much you love him than to provide a delicious dog food that meets all the nutritional requirements of the breed?
Each meal should have enough nutrients to keep a Rottweiler strong and healthy, but it should also give them enough energy to be able to accompany you on all your daily adventures. Choosing the right dog food can be a little overwhelming, and many commercial brands aren’t at all as good as they may seem. This guide will help you learn to make the right choice for your Rottweiler.
Key Nutrients
When you walk past the pet aisle at the supermarket, it is easy to see all those bags of dog food and think they are a great choice for your dog. Commercial grocery store brands often feature delicious steaks, veggies and more on the packaging, but this is, more often than not, only good marketing. The key is to learn to look through the list of ingredients, as that is where you will be able to see whether you are dealing with a high-quality kibble or low-quality food that won’t be good enough for your pup.
+ Protein. The protein content is the most important thing, and you will want to see a real meat product listed first, as the product listed first is what there is the most of. Look for a named meat product, such as chicken, lamb, beef, turkey or other, and it is preferable that meat is followed by a named meat meal (such as chicken meal or turkey meal), as meat meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh meat thanks to the water content already having been removed.
+ Fiber. The healthy fiber in dog food is great for digestion and for the metabolism, and fiber is found in foods like carrots, broccoli, kale, apples, pumpkin, and flaxseeds.
+ Carbohydrates. While humans sometimes try to cut down on carbs, it is an essential ingredient that needs to go into your dog’s diet. Healthy carbohydrates can be found in, for example, oatmeal, barley, brown rice, and fruit, so this is not something you should shy away from when shopping for food for your Rottweiler.
+ Vitamins & Minerals. Vegetables, fish oil, meats and much more contain vitamins and minerals, and it is a great idea to choose a dog food that covers all your dog’s nutritional requirements so that you don’t have to worry about giving any additional supplements. Supplements can be great too, but you will want your dog’s kibble or wet food to be a good source of everything needed.
Ingredients to Avoid
Just like there are things you should want to find in your Rottweiler’s food, there are also a few things to look out for. One of those things is meat by-products, as this can easily fool you into thinking that your pup’s dinner is packed with meat. Animal by-products aren’t necessarily bad, but the issue with an ingredient like this is that there is no information on what it actually is.
Animal by-products tend to be leftovers at the slaughterhouse – anything that is deemed unfit for human consumption, so while it is meat-based or at least coming from an animal, it is hard to tell how much quality protein it contains.
Another thing to stay clear of is something known as fillers, with examples being soy, wheat, corn, and tapioca. These are ingredients often found listed on grocery store brand packs, as they are cheap to use, hence a key ingredient in cheap pet food. The problem becomes their lack of nutrients, as the canine body is unable to process most of them, giving them little to no nutritional value for our favorite Rottweilers. You also want to avoid artificial flavor, colors like Red #40 and preservatives, and try to go with a mostly natural product.
Rottweiler Health Problems
Another good reason for why you want to feed your Rottweiler a premium dog food is that the breed is prone to some significant health issues. We are going to have a quick look at which ones these are, and why good food is the best way to prevent them.
+ Hip Dysplasia. This is a genetic condition that can worsen due to the conditions a dog live in, and it affects the hip joint, causing pain and restricted movement. With Rottweilers being prone to this, a good kibble can help strengthen their joints and bones, not only to prevent the development of the condition but even to reverse its effects.
+ Canine Cancer. Cancer is something that can happen to any dog, but Rottweilers are sometimes thought to have a somewhat elevated predisposition. It is debatable whether good nutrition can prevent this, but with proper nutrition comes better health and a stronger immune system, which indirectly sets your Rottie up for longer and healthier life.
+ Bloat. This is a scary word no dog owner wants to come in close contact with, as it is a condition that can occur seemingly out of nowhere, often if the dog eats right before doing significant exercise, and it causes a build-up of gas inside the stomach, which causes the stomach to twist. The condition is deadly if untreated, with some breeds – like the Rottweiler – being more prone to it than others. It cannot be fully prevented, but a quality dog kibble or wet delight will significantly lower the overall risk.
+ Weight Problems. Everyone who has ever known a Rottie knows that the breed loves to eat and that they will rarely say no to a treat. Excess weight causes additional strain on the dog’s joints and bone structure, which could lead to hip problems and arthritis. Avoid this by choosing a quality product, following the feeding instructions and providing your dog with enough daily physical exercise.
What human foods can Rottweilers eat?
There are some human foods that are safe for dogs to eat, but these should only be used as extras and not as a dry food substitute, as dogs need a complete and balanced meal for both breakfast and dinner. Examples of human foods Rotties can eat are apples (remove the stem and the seeds), carrots, banana, sweet potatoes, and boiled eggs – always in moderation.
What food should I feed my Rottweiler puppy?
Rottweilers are large breed dogs, and while smaller puppies can be fine with food for all lifestyles, you are best off with a puppy formula for large breed puppies.
Interested in Rottweilers? Check out this buyer’s guide on how to buy a Rottweiler puppy.
Conclusion
Now that you have come all this way, it is time to hug your Rottweiler. It won’t help you find the right food for him or her, but it will put you in a good mood and motivate you to make that final decision. There are so many different recipes to choose from, and it is up to you to figure out if you think your dog would like a kibble with lamb, chicken, turkey, beef, sweet potatoes, peas or any other ingredient, and this review article will have hopefully given you the tools you need to find a quality product. Your Rottweiler deserves the absolute best, and healthy food will be vital when setting your Rottie up for a long and happy life.
Expert Tip
Each meal you feed to your fur friend should be packed with healthy amounts of protein, fiber and more, and this is why it is so important to feed your Rottweiler a quality product instead of human foods.
Did You Know?
There are two different types of Rottweiler – the German and the American kind, which tends to differ for example in size and length of tail.
