Mastiff Feeding Guidelines
For Puppies And Adults

by Ken Alden

Are you looking at your ever-growing pooch and starting to wonder if there is enough food in the world to feed him and are in need of some Mastiff feeding guidelines to help? Mastiffs develop quickly and to an enormous size: learning about how and what to feed them is essential for healthy development.

Mastiff Feeding Guidelines

• A Mastiff's nutritional requirements change quickly through the first two years of his life and then settle once the puppy has reached adulthood. 
• An adult Mastiff can eat up to 1.2kg (2.6 lbs) of food per day subdivided into at least two meals. 
• Puppies need a higher protein and energy intake and can be fed up to 4 times per day.

Each Mastiff's diet will vary depending on their ages, size, gender, metabolism, and of course, personality. If you need more tips to craft the perfect eating plan for your Mastiff, we have plenty of useful advice for you! Read More Below...

Pro-tip: Ever try lifting a Mastiff? Their weight can hurt not only your back but their joints when they hop down from cars, sofas or even your bed. To protect your back and theirs check out the best Mastiff ramps on Amazon.com now.

What Food Should Mastiffs Eat?

Similarly to other dogs, Mastiffs need the right amount of protein, minerals, amino acids, fats, and fatty acids to maintain a healthy weight and bone structure. Mastiff's diets are essentially meat-based, and both protein and fat should derive from human food-grade sources. The third part of a Mastiff's nutritional plan should include carbohydrates that will supply your giant pooch with the energy and calories he needs.

If you decide to feed your Mastiff dog-food, ensure that the brand you pick contains at least three animal proteins. These compounds should be the first ones on the list of ingredients and ideally derive from beef, fish, lamb, or chicken. At the same time, you should avoid any store-bought products that contain artificial colors and preservatives. 

While fibers are essential for the correct functioning of the digestive system of your pooch, a diet containing over 5% of them can be detrimental to their health. Moreover, many owners prefer not to feed their Mastiffs grain-based fibers as these ingredients can cause allergic reactions in prone breeds. If you are looking for an alternative fiber source that does not contain grains, the best option is introducing starchy vegetables, such as peas.

Lastly, it is essential to provide your Mastiff with enough sources of Omega-3. Whether you prefer to feed your dog salmon or just introducing Omega-3 supplements, such compounds can help preserve the well being of your dog's coat and skin.

Mastiff Feeding Amounts

Adult Mastiffs can reach the average weight of 90kg (198 lbs) and, in some cases, weigh over 100kg (220 lbs)! To maintain this kind of mass while ensuring the health of bones and muscles, male Mastiffs need to receive at least 3500 calories per day, while females need 2800.

An adult Mastiff can also eat up to 1.2kg (2.6 lbs) of food per day, split into multiple meals to reach such an elevated amount of energy. However, this quantity should adapt to the level of activity, health, and age of the dog. While it might be difficult to refuse an extra treat to your loving Mastiff, overfeeding him can lead to obesity, digestion problems, and inflammatory diseases.

Moreover, don't forget that mastiffs can be lazy! They only need a limited amount of exercise, and they most likely prefer to chill by the fireplace all day long. Since excessive physical activity can be detrimental for their health, it can be extremely challenging to resolve an obesity issue.

Such Mastiff feeding guidelines regarding the amount of food to feed to your Mastiff can extend to the majority of giant pooches. However, using pre-portioned meals is not healthy for your puppy is the same way that it would not be healthy for humans. It is essential to modify their food intake depending on several factors such as:

• Age
• Sex
• Level of activity
• Pregnancy
• Allergy or dietary requirements
• Size
• Metabolism
• Personality

In particular, older dogs might have different dietary requirements. In larger breeds, a dog is considered old as he reaches the venerable age of 5 or 6. During this stage of their life, older dogs might need an increased protein and fat intake that supply them enough calories to maintain a healthy immune system. 

At the same time, they might have a more sensitive stomach and require highly-digestible foods. When shopping for food for senior dogs, ensure that the kibbles are soft enough as not to ruin their more fragile teeth. Lastly, to adjust the calorie intake for your elderly pooch, speak to your vet to find out whether he needs to lose or gain weight. 

Pro-tip: Mastiff anxiety, aggression, destructive chewing, jumping up, fearfulness, and other behaviors can be controlled with the right training program.

Here’s a great course that addresses these issues along with many other dog training basics: Check it out now!

Mastiff Feeding Schedule

Your Mastiff's feeding schedule can vary depending on personal preference. Most owners prefer to feed their pooch twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening. This strategy allows your dog to have enough energy to be comfortable throughout the day. The specific times at which to feed your Mastiffs differ depending on when you are available to take your dog out to relieve himself. 

In any case, you should never feed your Mastiff less than twice a day. A single, large meal can encourage your dog to eat faster and more voraciously. Aside from the several problems related to the digestive system that this method can cause, a single meal a day can lead to enhanced aggressive behavior. 

Don't forget that a dog's stomach will be empty in around 7 hours. So if you feed your Mastiff only once, he will be starving for the rest of the day!

Here's some excellent adult Mastiff foods we've reviewed...

Mastiff Feeding Guidelines for Puppies

Puppies are an entirely different matter! They are active, excited, and in continuous growth. Their diet should genuinely reflect their lifestyle and supply them with the nutrients and compounds they need to develop into a healthy adult Mastiff. 

As we have seen, Mastiff's complete extraordinary growth during the first two years of their lives. In just over 18 months, Mastiff puppies grow from 6kg (13 lbs) to 90kg (198 lbs)! During this time, a nutritional and balanced diet is their best friend. Indeed, both their bones and muscles have to build simultaneously to turn your inexperienced puppy into an athletic adult. 

At the same time, a Mastiff's puppy diet is not the same for two months in a row! Your growing pooch needs different energy, protein, and carbs intakes during this period. You must be able to adapt it to the various physiological stages and needs of your dog. 

What To Feed Mastiff Puppies

Similarly to other dogs and animals in general, puppies need an appropriate amount of protein, energy, and fats in their diet. However, they differ from their adult brothers in a few different aspects: guidelines

• Mastiff puppies need a higher protein intake compared to your adult pooch. Professionals recommend providing your puppy with a diet containing between 25 to 27% of protein. Such proteins should derive from animals such as beef or chicken and be human food-grade. 
• As their muscles are growing, you should provide your Mastiff puppy with enough calcium to facilitate the growth of their bones. Yet this compound should not exceed 3 grams for every 1,000 calories (1.5%)
• Mastiff puppies need increased energy as they tend to be more active. While there is not a standard formula for all dogs, you should adapt their carbs and fiber intake to the size, metabolism, and level of activity of your pet. Indeed, a diet that is too caloric can lead to digestive issues and obesity.
• Don't forget to provide your pup with enough minerals and vitamins.

Even though you might be admiring the brisk growth of your puppy in awe, you should keep their development under control through each stage. Indeed, if your puppy's bones or joints grow faster or slower than their muscles, they might develop structural problems such as hip dysplasia.

Here's some excellent puppy foods we recommend...

Mastiff Puppy Food Amounts

The amount of food to feed your puppy changes continuously, and sometimes you will need to readjust it month by month. While, again, the daily quantity of food varies depending on the dog's metabolism, size, and exercise, you can follow these rough guidelines:

• 4 to 8 weeks old - 3 to 4 meals per day, 100 grams (3.5 oz) per meal
• 8 to 12 weeks old - 3 to 4 meals per day, 130 grams (4.5 oz) per meal
• 12 to 16 weeks old - 3 to 4 meals per day, 180 grams (6.3 oz) per meal
• 4 to 6 months old - 2 to 3 meals per day, 360 grams (12.6 oz) per meal
• 6 to 18 months old - 2 meals per day, around 500 grams (17.6 oz) per meal
  

You should stop feeding your Mastiff the puppy formula as soon as he hits adulthood. The protein intake in such food is exceptionally high and can be detrimental to the bones and joints of an adult dog. Lastly, to regulate a steady, yet relatively slow growth rate, use specifically created foods for large breeds. mastiff feeding guidelines

Mastiff Puppy Feeding Schedule

Both the quantity and the number of meals per day vary depending on the age of your puppy. As your young pooch is still developing, vets recommend feeding them smaller quantities of food more frequently. Meal rationing can indeed alleviate the pressure on the delicate digestive systems of mastiff puppies.

Moreover, by eating multiple times during the day, your puppy will be able to calibrate the calorie level to the energy spent playing or running. This strategy is a great way to maintain the weight of your puppy under control naturally and without much effort.

At the same time, feeding a puppy only once can encourage them to finish their meal much faster, which can cause them to ingest an excessive amount of air. This fact links to the increased possibility of Bloat. 

Bloat is the colloquial name of gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition that can affect any dog. However, large and giant breeds are more prone to suffer from it due to their physical build. 

You'll like these other articles...
How To Feed A Mastiff Puppy: These 5 helpful Mastiff feeding guidelines and tips will enlarge your knowledge in this important area.
Cost Of Feeding A Mastiff: This page will help you to better understand what your yearly food expenses will be. Perfect for those still thinking of acquiring this food loving dog but aren't sure what their wallet is in for.

Pro-tip: Mastiff's (and their owners) love dog crates…and for good reasons. Crates keep dogs from mischief while you're away, are perfect for house training, for traveling by car, and provide the dog a place to de-stress. Check out the best Mastiff crates on Amazon.com now.

Our Mastiff Food Recommendations

Mastiff Feeding Guidelines...Final Thoughts

Mastiffs are huge dogs with an endless appetite. Feeding them correctly through every single life stage can be a challenge, especially for first-time owners. However, seeing your clumsy puppy growing into a majestic, athletic adult can be extremely rewarding.

When devising a specific eating plan, it is essential to take into consideration the physical characteristics of not only your dog but also the whole breed. Mastiffs are prone to bone conditions and digestive disorders. A nutritious diet, along with appropriate exercise and care, can help them live a long, healthy life.
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I’m Ken Alden. This website
is a labor of love from years of research and personal experiences with Mastiffs.

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