Rottweilers need to have special diet requirements met based on the many different diseases they are prone to. If you want to adopt a Rottweiler, you may be wondering “what do Rottweilers eat?“
Rottweilers have a limited diet in order to prevent health problems. It’s important that their daily diet contains 22 to 26 % protein. Dog owners should always make sure that the protein is listed first in the ingredients of the food they buy for their Rottweiler.
Feeding a Rottweiler the right diet is important for its overall health. If you’re wondering what you should be feeding your dog, you’ve come to the right page. Today, we’re going to be breaking down what a Rottweiler should eat and how much. We will also discuss appropriate snacks and what you should avoid feeding them. Keep reading to learn more.
What Do Rottweilers Eat?
What a Rottweiler eats plays a major role in its overall health. As mentioned above, you need to make sure the protein is the first ingredient listed on the dog’s food. It’s essential that the dog’s diet is made up of 22 to 26 % protein. Some of the best proteins to let your Rottweiler eat are:
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Herring
- Lamb
Generally speaking, most meats are safe for a Rottweiler to eat. However, you will want to avoid meats that are high in fat or processed. Processed meats often contain salt, seasoning, and other fillers that aren’t healthy for a Rottweiler to digest. Many seasonings are toxic to dogs, especially if they contain garlic or onion.
A diet that has an adequate amount of protein is necessary for the Rottweiler’s health and appearance. When a Rottweiler consumes good quality food with the right protein ratio, it will have a very soft, thick, and shiny coat.
Do Rottweilers Have Diet Concerns?
Rottweilers are prone to food allergies. For this reason, it is a good idea to consult your vet about what diet you place your Rottweiler on. If your dog does have allergies, you may need to feed it a hypoallergenic diet. Choosing a hypoallergenic dog food can be helpful if your Rottie is prone to stomach issues or skin allergies.
If your Rottweiler suffers from any of the following issues, you may want to consider a hypoallergenic diet:
- Dry skin/ itchy skin
- Gas
- Vomiting
The current food it’s eating may be triggering these symptoms. Many dogs owners have noticed a big difference by switching to hypoallergenic food.
While switching to hypoallergenic food should be done, it should always be done gradually. This will allow the Rottweiler’s stomach a chance to get used to the new food so it doesn’t get sick. If you were to switch to a new type of food all at once, you could upset the dog’s stomach.
Can Rottweilers Eat Human Food?
This is a yes and no situation. While you may be making a chicken sandwich that features all ingredients that are safe to give a Rottweiler, it doesn’t mean you can substitute the dog’s regular food for a sandwich. There are certain human foods that are safe to feed a Rottweiler (which we will cover in a moment) but they should only be consumed as treats.
Rottweilers are allowed to have treats, but treats need to be kept minimal. Treats shouldn’t take up more than 10 % of a dog’s diet. Even if you are sharing a couple of bites of a meat or protein, it’s still considered a treat.
What Human Foods are Safe For Rottweilers?
Many of the foods you enjoy can be shared with your Rottie. To start the list, any lean protein is a good choice. These dogs can happily have a snack of chicken, pork, beef, or fish. Other proteins, such as egg, peanut butter, and cashews are also acceptable to feed a Rottweiler.
In small doses, your Rottweiler may enjoy pieces of bread, honey, or coconut. There are also several fruits and vegetables that are safe to let a dog eat:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Cantaloupe
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Sweet potatoes
- Green beans
- Pumpkin
- Peas
- Asparagus
- Carrots
- Corn
What To Never Feed a Rottweiler
There are some human foods that you should avoid giving to your Rottweiler because they are either toxic or difficult for the dog to digest. To begin with, as we mentioned in the section above, Rottweilers can safely digest bread. However, they should never be given bread dough. Bread dough has live yeast in it, which can be toxic to dogs.
While cashews and peanuts don’t cause any problems for Rotties, almonds do. Rottweilers are known to have problems digesting almonds and could get diarrhea if they eat them. Some other food and beverages that should be avoided are:
- Alcohol
- Chocolate ; candy
- Grapes ; raisins
- Onions
- Garlic
- Cinnamon
How Much Should a Rottweiler Eat?
Rottweilers are very big dogs and it often looks like they can eat anything in their reach. When feeding a Rottweiler, you need to feed it enough food to help it stay active but within a healthy range so the dog isn’t at risk of becoming obese. Most Rottweilers need to consume 2,100 calories daily.
A diet of 2,100 calories is enough to keep a full-grown Rottweiler that is between 85 and 125 pounds healthy. Ideally, you should consult with your vet about your Rottweiler’s individual diet preferences. Most Rotties should be given 4 to 6 cups of dry food daily split into 2 separate meals.
While most Rottweilers are satisfied with eating twice a day, a more active dog may get more hungry between meals. If you notice your Rottweiler eats very quickly, try feeding it 3 times per day. Eating quickly is a sign that the dog is too hungry between feedings.
How Much Do Rottweiler Puppies Eat?
Rottweilers typically have healthy appetites, even at a young age. When the Rottweiler is a puppy, it’s important to feed it three a day, then gradually cut back to twice a day. However, the amount of food you feed the Rottie will depend on the puppy’s age range. The following chart shows the ideal amount of food per age.
| 2 months old | 2 to 3 cups |
| 3 months old | 2 to 3 cups |
| 4 months old | 3 to 5 cups |
| 5 to 6 months old | 3 to 5 cups |
| 7 to 8 months old | 4 to 6 cups |
| 9 to 10 months old | 4 to 6 cups |
| 10 to 12 months old | 4 to 6 cups |
As the dog owner, you will have the choice to choose to put the puppy on a raw diet or feed it dry dog food. Either choice is acceptable as long as the puppy’s nutritional needs are being met. Since the puppy is growing, it’s important to make sure its diet is rich in:
- Calcium
- Protein
- Healthy fats
- Phosphorous
- Fiber
How To Choose Good Food For Rottweilers
We can’t stress enough how important good quality food is for your dog’s health. However, since you likely don’t eat dog food, how are you supposed to know the difference between good quality and poor quality food? Let’s discuss some of our top tips for choosing good food for your Rottweiler.
Speak to the Vet
Nobody knows the health of a dog better than their vet. If you’re unsure of what food is the best choice for your Rottweiler, always trust you’re vet’s suggestions and opinions.
What is the Main Protein?
A good indicator of whether or not the food is of good quality is by checking the main protein listed in the ingredients. As we mentioned earlier, the main protein should be from a lean meat. However, it should also be a whole protein. While some foods may list chicken as the main protein, others will list chicken meal. Avoid the foods that list the protein as “meal”
Know the Ingredients
Good food for Rottweilers won’t contain fillers. Instead, it will contain whole ingredients. You should recognize what the other ingredients on the list are. Look for healthy grains, such as brown rice, millet, or oats. Any of the vegetables we mentioned in the section above are a good choice as well, such as sweet potatoes or green beans.
No Preservatives
Dog food isn’t supposed to look appealing. However, some companies will put artificial colors in different pieces of kibble to signify what flavor they are. Your Rottweiler doesn’t care if the kibble is brown, red, or green. It simply wants a meal that tastes good and fills its stomach. Avoid foods with artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Final Thoughts
What do Rottweilers eat? Rottweilers need to eat good quality food that meets their nutritional needs. These dogs need to eat approximately 2,100 calories each day. It’s important to make sure that their diet consists of 22 to 26 % protein for a healthy dog. Always ensure the food has a whole protein source, so don’t trust food that lists a protein meal on the ingredients.
Most Rottweilers are happy with being fed twice a day. However, if your dog seems too hungry between feeding, you can split their portions into 3 meals per day without increasing the amount you’re feeding them.