9 Best Dog Foods for Rottweilers 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Rottweilers are working dogs, bursting with energy and strength. However, unless they are working in the fields every day, or enjoy regular, high-intensity exercise, you will need to watch their weight. This breed is particularly prone to obesity, and it is far more difficult to get rid of the weight than it is to prevent it in the first place. As such, you should feed your Rottie high-quality food — one that contains whole protein derived from a good source, ideally meat. The food’s ingredients should all serve a purpose. While ensuring that your companion gets the necessary protein levels in his diet, you should avoid feeding unnecessary and unwanted, extra calories.

You should also avoid any ingredients that your Rottweiler is allergic or sensitive to, which can include grain or meat. You will also want a flavor that your dog enjoys, otherwise, he will leave it.

With so many things to consider, it can be difficult finding the best food for your Rottweiler, which is why we have written reviews of nine of the best foods you can feed your Rottie. Hopefully, the list will help you settle on food that you and your pup appreciate.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated in 2023)

The 9 Best Dog Foods for Rottweilers

1. The Farmer’s Chicken Recipe (Fresh Dog Food Subscription) – Best Overall

Our first-place pick for the best dog food for Rottweilers comes from The Farmer’s Dog. What is The Farmer’s Dog? This company makes home-cooked meals with human-grade foods so that you can feed your beloved pup fresh food all the time without all the work. As a meal delivery company, The Farmer’s Dog allows you to set up a subscription online with a meal plan personalized exclusively to your pup. All you have to do is confirm or change the recipe choices, then sit back and wait for it to be shipped.

And for the best overall dog food recipe for Rottweilers, we love their chicken recipe. It contains 49% protein (11.5% crude protein) to keep your dog healthy and active, as well as a wealth of other nutrients and minerals, including vitamin B12, vitamin D3, and vitamin E. Other than chicken, this recipe also contains ingredients such as broccoli, Brussel sprouts, bok choy, and fish oil, delivering a taste your pet will adore.

If you are looking to give your Rottweiler the very best you can’t go wrong with The Farmer’s Dog, which is why is it our best overall choice.

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2. Iams ProActive Health Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food – Best Value

Iams ProActive Health Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food’s recipe is specifically aimed at large breed dogs, including the Rottweiler. It has 23% protein, which could be a little higher to meet the nutritional requirements of your dog, but is still considered acceptable. It offers meat-based nutrients as well as grain, but it has very few controversial ingredients.

It does use ground whole corn as one of its main ingredients. This is only a contentious ingredient because it is inexpensive, but this has helped keep the cost down to less than half the price of others on the list and makes this the best dog food for Rottweilers for the money.

It also contains dried beet pulp and brewers dried yeast, both of which may cause some problems, but only if your dog is specifically allergic to them.

One other ingredient is caramel color. Although this ingredient is considered safe for pet consumption by the FDA, there is no real reason to put artificial coloring in dog food when it could have easily been left out. Vitamin E and vitamin B-12 supplements are included, while omega-6 fatty acids are also found, thanks to the inclusion of chicken fat.

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3. Royal Canin Rottweiler Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies

The Royal Canin Rottweiler food at the top of the list is aimed at adult dogs aged 18 months or older, but Royal Canin also creates a formula specifically for Rottweiler puppies. The Royal Canin Rottweiler Puppy Dry Dog Food has the same 24% protein level as the adult food. It has been designed for the broad jaw of the breed, which ensures that they chew it properly before swallowing.

The main ingredients are chicken by-product meal, brewers rice, wheat gluten, and brown rice, as well as chicken fat. Chicken fat is a beneficial ingredient because it is high in omega-6 fatty acids.

Other ingredients that are listed include supplements to enhance the levels of niacin, vitamin C, vitamin B6, riboflavin, vitamin B12, and folic acid. If your dog is known to have allergies, be aware that the ingredients do contain yeast as well as corn. This means that the food may not be suitable for dogs with grain allergies or intolerance. This food works out to be around the same price as a lot of adult foods.

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4. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food attempts to mimic the diet of wild dogs and, in the case of this grain-free food, it uses buffalo and bison as novel proteins. The recipe uses peas and sweet potatoes, which would be found in the wild, in place of grains.

The use of Buffalo as the primary ingredient helps give the Taste of the Wild food a huge 32% protein level, which is especially beneficial to breeds like the Rottweiler. You will also find ocean fish meal, which is a good source of omega fatty acids, and the whole recipe is fortified with additional vitamins and minerals.

Prebiotics and probiotics aid your Rottie’s digestive system and all of Taste of the Wild’s foods use chelated minerals. Chelated minerals more easily attach to protein, which ensures that they are fully and properly digested when eaten. The high level of meat protein in this recipe and its price is reasonable considering the use of natural ingredients throughout. The only minor quibble is that it contains tomato pomace.

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5. Royal Canin Rottweiler Adult Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin’s Rottweiler Adult Dry Dog Food has been formulated specifically for Rottweilers. Rottweilers have very strong jaws, which means that they also tend to tear through food too quickly. This can lead to bloat and other digestive problems. Royal Canin’s kibble has been designed to be tougher to chew, slowing your Rottie down while he eats. He is less likely to suffer stomach upsets and because he takes longer to eat, he will feel fuller too.

The food contains chicken by-product meal as its primary ingredient. Chicken fat, brown rice, and corn are the next items on the ingredient list. As such, this food does contain both meat protein and grain, so if your dog is sensitive to either, you should consider a different food.

The Royal Canin food has 24% protein, which is slightly lower than average. It does contain additional fish oil, which is a beneficial source of omega-3 and omega-6 oil. It has several vitamin supplements including B12 and D. The minerals are chelated, making them easier to digest, and the ingredients include prebiotics for good gut function.

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6. Eukanuba Breed Specific Rottweiler Adult Dry Dog Food

Eukanuba Breed Specific Rottweiler Adult Dry Dog Food is another dry food formulated especially for Rottweilers. It has 25% protein, putting it at the higher end of our list, and the protein is sourced primarily from chicken, so it is considered a high-quality animal protein. Rottweilers are prone to joint problems and complaints, and a decent level of protein helps protect those joints from injury.

It is also packed with calcium, which will help keep your Rottie’s bones strong and healthy, along with their teeth. The food is made using Eukanuba’s 3D DentaDefense System, which reduces tartar buildup and helps maintain good dental hygiene for your dog. It has high levels of beta carotene and vitamin E, which support immune system function. Like a lot of dog foods on the market today, the Eukanuba has been fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients to note include cornmeal, so this food should be avoided if your dog has a grain or gluten allergy. One of the main ingredients is chicken by-product meal. This can prove unpopular because it is made from unspecified parts of the chicken, typically leftovers.

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7. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Like the Taste of the Wild food, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is 32% protein, sourced primarily from deboned chicken and chicken meal. Other major ingredients include peas and pea protein, menhaden fish meal, chicken fat, and flaxseed.

Menhaden fish are related to the herring and are a beneficial source of omega fatty acids. Flaxseed further fortifies the levels of omega fatty acids. Although it sounds unappealing, chicken fat is considered a high-quality ingredient in premium dog food. It is high in omega-6 fatty acids. Taurine has been added to the ingredients because, while this isn’t an essential vitamin for dogs, some animals, especially those on a grain-free diet, are deficient.

There are some controversial ingredients in this formula. Blue Buffalo uses alfalfa meal, which is considered a reasonably low-quality filler that is more commonly found in horse feed than in dog food. You will also find dried yeast. Yeast is considered safe for dogs unless they have allergies, but some owners claim it increases the likelihood of your dog contracting bloat. There are studies to support this theory, but Blue Buffalo still contains this ingredient.

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8. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Large Breed Dry Dog Food is one of a host of dry foods from this company; a range that also includes large breed puppy food.

This particular formula contains 21% protein, which is low, but the primary ingredient is chicken, along with a chicken meal, so most of this protein does come from a good animal-based source. You will also find a lamb meal. Chicken meal and lamb meal are concentrated forms of the meat, with a higher than normal protein level so they are considered quality ingredients for this type of premium dog food.

The recipe does rely on inexpensive fillers, including brown rice and brewer’s rice, both of which are considered only to have moderate nutritional value, other than the protein. A meat-based source of protein would be preferred, but this isn’t a major problem. These ingredients also mean that the formula includes grain, so is not suitable for those dogs with grain sensitivity or allergy.

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9. Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic German Dry Dog Food

Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic German Dry Dog Food uses chicken meal as its primary protein source. Chicken meal is considered a high-quality ingredient because it has a high concentration of protein. The next ingredient is oatmeal, which is a good quality ingredient but means that this formula is unsuitable for dogs with a grain allergy or sensitivity.

Brown rice and beet pulp are the next ingredients, both of which do contain good amounts of protein but are also considered to be low-cost filler ingredients. Other low-quality and low-cost fillers in this food include barley and alfalfa meal. Despite these lower quality fillers, Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic German Dry Dog Food does include chicken fat, which is a good source of omega-6. You will also find a menhaden fish meal. Menhaden are high in protein as well as omega-3 fatty acids.

Another controversial ingredient found in this food is canola oil. Canola oil is often sourced from genetically modified rapeseed, although it is considered a source of omega-3. Finally, the recipe lists garlic. Garlic is considered controversial because it can be toxic and has been linked to Heinz body anemia.

Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Dog Foods for Rottweilers

Big and powerful, the Rottweiler has specific dietary requirements that help maintain his bones and joints, build and retain muscle, and help his immune and digestive system. It is true that all dogs need a good diet, but it is especially true of breeds like the Rottweiler that have such high food demands but that are prone to obesity and other weight-related issues. So how do you find good dog food for Rottweilers?

The Importance of Protein

Dogs are omnivores. This means that they eat both meat and plant. With that said, meat is the most important food source for your dog, especially for the whole protein that it offers. This protein is responsible for everything from maintaining a healthy coat to building and sustaining muscle.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials dictate that dog food should contain a minimum of 22% of protein, but big, muscular, energetic dogs, like Rottweilers, benefit from higher protein levels than this. Ideally, you should look for food that is made up of at least 25% protein, and this should ideally be high-quality protein from animals.

Protein is just one of a number of amino acids and essential ingredients that should be incorporated into their diet.

See also: Best High Protein Dog Foods – Reviews & Top Picks

Grain-Free vs Grain-Inclusive

In our list, we have included both grain-free and grain-inclusive foods. In some cases, it is a simple decision of which is best. If your dog has a grain allergy or has proven sensitive to grain-based foods, give them a grain-free formula. These dispense with ingredients like corn, barley, oats, and rice, instead, using foods like peas and meat.

Grain sensitivity includes symptoms like heightened itching and gastrointestinal upset. If your dog shows signs of these symptoms all-year-round, and persistently, then there is a chance that it is caused by their food. If they suffer from the symptoms intermittently, then the cause is more likely to be environmental.

If your dog does not have an allergy, it is considered best to feed a diet that is inclusive of grains. Grains are a good source of fiber, as well as omega fatty acids, and essential minerals.

Controversial Ingredients

All dog food must include ingredients on the label or packaging, and this gives you a good opportunity to ensure that you are giving your dog high-quality food. When reading the label, some ingredients are considered controversial. Look out for the following:

Conclusion

As well as foods that are formulated specifically for the Rottweiler breed, there is an extensive list of foods suitable for large breeds. You will also have to choose between grain-free and grain-inclusive while deciding on the primary source of protein for your dog food. As such, there are a lot of foods that you can choose from, and there is no single food that is best for your Rottie. With such a wide selection, it can be challenging to find the right food for your dog, but we hope that our reviews have helped you find your best friend’s next meal.

While compiling our reviews, we found The Farmer’s Dog to be the best overall. Despite its relatively high cost, it not only has ingredients that are aimed specifically at the unique requirements of your dog.

If you’re looking to spend less, then Iams Proactive Health Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food is great value for money and is loaded with omega fatty acids and vitamins to aid your dog’s healthy development.

Related Read: 13 Best Dog Foods for Rottweiler Puppies

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Featured Image Credit: EvGavrilov, Shutterstock