Note : Always listen to your breeder first! They know their Danes better than anyone else. They have experience with their lines and have already tried all the possibilities. What works for one dog may not work for another, so anyone's suggestions are just that, Suggestions.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to the amount of protein Great Danes should receive. Both agree that dogs that are through growing should be kept on a low protein diet, such as a maintenance diet, at protein levels of 23% or below. However, one group believes that puppies need high protein to grow, and the other believes high protein causes greater cases of growth disorders that the dogs may be genetically predisposed to.
1. As the majority of breeders and vets who are knowledgeable about the breed are now leaning toward always feeding low protein, I will discuss that first. This group believes that Danes should not be fed above 25% total protein. The reasoning is that higher protein results in more rapid growth, and thus more developmental problems, such as canine hip displaysia (CHD), panosteitis (pano), osteochondrosis dessicans, and wobblers syndrome. Some believe that even 25% is too high, feeding 23% or 20% protein. Note that these numbers are for dry kibble, not for canned food. The percent protein for canned food must be adjusted to compensate for a high moisture level, as will be discussed in section D.
Practical experience has shown fewer developmental problems, and the dogs on these low protein diets still achieve their full expected growth potential.
2. The other group of breeders and vets come from the more traditional school which want to make sure growing puppies have enough protein to build muscle and bone properly. Usually, these people will feed puppy foods which may contain 30% protein or more. The idea is that collagen deposition and muscle growth all require lots of protein. Some people feed their Danes a diet of B.A.R.F. (Bones and Raw Food).
Both groups agree that high protein is bad for older dogs. The higher protein puts a greater load on the kidneys, and therefore may cause kidney problems that can be avoided. High protein diets in normal adults are not doing any good to the body except increasing the work load of the kidney. The body does not store protein, so protein which is not utilized is a waste.
In addition, some believe that a diet that is too high in protein causes gas, which in Danes may cause bloat and torsion of the stomach.
It is very important that Danes be fed multiple times per day, as this will reduce the incidence of bloat and torsion.
Puppies are generally fed four times per day until they are about 3 months old. At 3 months the number may be reduced to 3 rations per day. After 6 months many dogs will let you know when they are ready to go down to two meals by not eating as much at mid-day. Dogs should never be fed less than two times per day.
Free feeding is an alternative to feeding schedules, but can result in problems. Some dogs will eat whatever you leave out, so that destroys the purpose of free feeding. Other dogs will have house soiling problems. Dogs like to be on a schedule, and feeding your dog at certain times of the day will help him look up to you as the master.
Also, be sure that the dog has not exercised for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before eating and do not exercise him for one to two hours after eating. This will make sure his stomach is settled during the critical time around his meal during which he is very susceptible to bloat.
Supplementation of Danes' food is discouraged, although there are exceptions. The two exceptions I know about are vitamins C and E.
Calcium supplementation is too be avoided, along with most other minerals. Some vets tend to believe that just because these dogs get so big, their body needs extra calcium to build bones. But modern foods are balanced to provide the necessary level of calcium, and additional calcium could contribute to bone problems and bloat. Other minerals, such as phosperous may contribute to growing disorders such as Wobblers, if supplemented.
Some breeders believe that high doses of Vitamin C may prevent the incidence of growing disorders, such as hip displaysia. The dosage is 1000 mg - 2000 mg per day of a Vitamin C salt. As excess Vitamin C is excreted in the urine, it is unlikely that this supplementation can do any harm.
Vitamin E is often used as a preservative now, and is considered safer than other chemical preservatives, such as Ethoxyquin. Vitamin E is though to lead to a healthier coat. Foods that do not include Vitamin E may be supplemented.
If you add "natural" foods to your Danes kibble, such as turkey, brown rice, other meats, etc. beware that you are throwing off the nutritional balance of the food. Your Dane will be eating less vitamins and minerals, and so supplementation may be recommended to balance the diet. However, calculating the correct supplementation is probably only for the very experienced, as will be explained in section D.
Commercial foods need to be fed with moisture so dogs don't over consume water after a meal, and so the kibble does not pull moisture from the dogs system in order to break down properly. Use "tepid" temperature water never hot or warm and never soak your food as it breaks down and destroys nutrients. Mix up and feed immediately. I use approximately 1 to 1-1/2 cups of water for adults per each meal. Adjust accordingly for puppies. If puppies have loose stools, you may be using too much meat or more water than necessary. Adjust that before you panic and think they are sick. However, dry kibble is better for their teeth since they get cleaned as they chew.
Its helpful to learn a bit about how to read and interpret the labels on dog foods. Poultry meal and poultry by-products are most definitely not the same ingredient. Any ingredient which is designated as "by-products" is most likely stuff like beaks, feathers and feet, basically unusable protein sources for dogs. Poultry meal means that the whole chicken has been utilized.
Also, protein levels can be misleading depending on the source of the protein. A dog food label can list 28% protein but if it's derived from leather dust, the dog will never be able to utilize it. The first ingredient listed on the label must be the highest percentage of the food. Therefore if you see poultry meal as the first ingredient, the chances are that it's a high quality food. If grains make up the bulk of the first ingredients, beware. This is not to say that just because grain is the first listed ingredient, that the food is no good. Many manufacturer's offer different types of foods for different stages of life. The "Senior" foods need to be lower in protein because of kidney problems as dogs age. This almost necessitates using lower protein ingredients such as grains as the bulk of the food.
Soy is to be avoided in foods for Danes, as it can cause gas in dogs. In Danes, gas may contribute to bloat, so foods high in soy should not be used. This is a link to a site with great info on the different dog foods available: http://home.hawaii.rr.com/wolfepack/foodcht3a-c.html
It is considered very important to keep Danes weight low. Any excess weight, especially on growing dogs, may cause developmental problems such as growing pains and joint problems.
Even though you feed the best diet in the world, you must also control the dogs weight. Puppies should be on the lean side. You should always be able to feel his ribs. During the summer, ribs should be plainly visible. They should be less so during the winter. If he's rolly polly, has rolls of skin, he's too fat.
Normally, a puppy should have 3 stools a day; 4 or 5 stools indicate overfeeding. A huge, sagging stomach after eating or unfinished meals indicate you’re offering too much. A puppy that jumps up and asks for more food after finishing may not be getting enough.
At seven weeks most pups are consuming around 1 1/2 to 2 cups of kibble 3 times a day. This will increase from week to week as the puppy grows. Most pups top out at around 4 cups, twice daily by the time they're 4-6 months. However, dogs (males) will often eat more than bitches.
Some people add a little canned food, lean hamburger, cooked egg, cottage cheese, or yogurt occasionally. Others add some table scraps.
The key is to keep the content of these foods low compared to the dogs balanced diet. Also, adding table scraps or other food which changes from day to day will probably tend to cause the dog more digestive problems (gas, loose stool) than feeding the same diet each day.
That's fine, and fruit can be very good for him. Most fruits and vegetables are very high in moisture, so will have little contribution to his diet if not over fed. Many are good sources of fiber and vitamins, as well. So if he likes them,use them as treats. Dane owners have used apples, orange slices, grapes, berries, carrots, broccoli stalks, and many other fruits and vegetables as treats.
There are some food items which can be bad for your Dane though. Onions have a blood thinner which make them poisonous to dogs. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs as well. Also, acorns have a high tannic acid content which make them poisonous to dogs.
It is generally suggested to avoid giving your dog raw foods that you would not eat raw, such as eggs, poultry, and hamburger. In addition, some salmon contains a type of parasite that makes dogs sick.
It is very important to never withhold water from your dog. This can lead to over consumption and bladder infections. Use common sense, do not let them drink excessively after exercise or dinner. Like a horse, let them cool down and then drink. I have found if I have water available in several places, they never overdo it since they know it is available to them when they need it. That way they drink less amounts of water, but more frequently. Withholding water for fear of bloat is a myth. Stress is the cause of bloat/torsion.
If the ration is known to be adequate and the dog is losing
weight or is not in good condition, the presence of intestinal
parasites is to be suspected. However, dogs sometimes go
“off feed,” for a day or two. This is cause for
no immediate anxiety, but if it lasts more than 2 or 3 days, a
vet should be consulted.
A high quality, multiple protein based food of moderate protein and fat content and naturally preserved. (no puppy or performance foods for anything under 10 months). The best food to feed your Dane is whatever your breeder suggests. They know their dogs and their lines better than anyone. What works for one dog may not work for another. Always trust in your breeder first.
My
breeder suggested Eagle Natural 23% protein 12% fat with human
grade ingredients, multiple proteins, yogurt cultures, digestive
enzymes, glucosamine/chrondriant sulfate for joint support,
sequestered minerals,
naturally preserved/no ethoxiquin, and vitamin C.
This is the ONLY dog food ever tested on Great Dane puppies and it was done with many litters before it became available to the public 10 + years ago.
To
purchase Eagle Dog Foods:
1 - Go to their website ~ http://www.eaglepack.com
2 - Find a distributor in your state/area
3 - Call them and ask the where is the closest place to purchase
Eagle Dog Food.
For a great listing of just about every dog food on the market, and its ingredients to compare brands try: http://home.hawaii.rr.com/wolfepack/foodcht3a-c.html