
Feeding a Rottweiler puppy is a big responsibility. They need the right brand, in the right amounts at the right times of day. Working out the right size portions, on a schedule that fits his tiny tummy. So your little pup grows up to be a big, strong, healthy adult Rottweiler dog!
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How Often To Feed Your Puppy
Figuring out how much to feed a Rottweiler puppy will depend several things. Your pup’s sex, height and weight. As well as their estimated adult height and weight. But even more than these, it will depend on what type of food you choose.
Most puppies come out of the weaning phase and begin eating three to four small meals per day. It is important not to free-feed your Rottweiler pup to avoid issues of overweight/obesity and nutrient imbalances that can cause permanent growth malformation.
For a young puppy, aim for three meals per day until they turn six months old, then two meals daily from there onwards. During house-training, make sure the last meal is a few hours before bedtime to avoid night-time accidents.
How Much To Feed A Rottweiler Puppy
In general, puppies need to take in more calories per day in a different nutritional formula than do adult dogs. The exact amount of food you offer may change as often as monthly as your puppy grows up. If you are feeding a whole and complete, balanced large breed puppy food, always follow the manufacturer’s feeding suggestions unless your vet advises otherwise.
When you are feeding a raw or homemade food diet, it is advisable to work with a canine nutritionist to ensure your puppy is taking in the right number of calories. As well as the right balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates, produce, vitamins, and minerals each day.
Mealtime length
The best way to gauge your Rottie’s hunger is to offer food for only a set period of time and notice how fast your pup consumes it. For example, let’s say you decide mealtimes will be 15 minutes long. Put the food down and set the timer.
If your Rottie rushes over and gobbles it all down in 3 minutes flat and looks around for more, you may want to increase portion sizes or feeding frequency. However, if your puppy doesn’t consume all the food after the 15 minutes are up, this might indicate you are providing too much food at mealtimes and you can scale it back until you find the perfect portion size.
Unpredictable Appetites
Breeders often remind new puppy owners that your pup’s entire system is still growing and developing. This includes the gastrointestinal, digestive, and elimination systems. You may not be able to peer inside your puppy to see what is going on from day to day. But you may see some natural appetite fluctuations as your puppy grows up.
One day, your Rottie may eat like he hasn’t seen a meal in a month! The next day, your puppy may seem uninterested in meals. As long as this doesn’t become a pattern, this is probably normal. And your pup doesn’t go more than a day without eating most of what you serve.
Water
Unlike food, fresh water should always be available to your puppy during the day, but it’s okay to take it away at night.
Don’t Feed Too Much!
Rottweilers are at an increasing risk for health issues related to obesity. One research study estimated that obesity is now more concerning than joint issues for Rotties! Rottweilers can be really big dogs that weigh 70 to 130+ pounds at maturity! Feeding a Rottweiler puppy the wrong food can cause skeletal, bone, and joint problems.
Rottweiler Puppy Kibble
Commercially-prepared dry kibble in a “complete and balanced” large breed puppy food recipe is still considered the best and safest food for large breed puppies. As a side benefit, when you feed a commercial complete and balanced dry kibble, you typically won’t need to add any vitamins or minerals in supplement form unless your veterinarian specifically recommends otherwise.
Hills Science Diet
This food(paid link)* by Hills science diet is a great choice for your growing Rottweiler pup. It’s specially formulated to help your Rottweiler puppy grow up big and strong. A careful balance of minerals and nutrients make this food great for bones and teeth.

Diamond Naturals
Diamond Naturals make this excellent complete puppy food(paid link) * with lamb and rice. This kibble contains omega fatty acids, which are great for your puppy’s skin and coat. It also provides a healthy range of antioxidants.

Purina Pro Plan Dry Puppy Food
Your pup will love this tasty recipe(paid link)* from Purina. Made with chicken and rice, it’s got all the nutrients your puppy needs. It includes DHA in the form of fish oil to help puppies’ brains develop.

Canned Rottweiler Puppy Food
Large breed puppies typically do not need a diet supplemented with wet puppy food so long as their puppy kibble is complete and balanced to their dietary needs. The exception might be if your pup falls ill and loses his appetite.
Wet food is highly palatable and contains more hydration than dry kibble. So it can be a good idea to feed wet puppy food every now and then to get your pup used to eating it just in case the need arises! Otherwise, use caution when topping your puppy’s dry kibble with wet food to avoid a nutrient excess that could cause health and growth issues for your puppy.
Purina Pro Plan Wet Puppy Food
Purina make one such wet food(paid link)*, to be used in moderation. With chicken as the main ingredient, this puppy food makes a delicious treat. It also contains Omega fatty acids for healthy coat and skin.

Homemade Puppy Food
As more pet dogs begin struggling with environmental and dietary allergies, more dog owners are turning to homemade food diets to ease symptoms. However, this type of feeding plan is still very new and much more research is needed to help owners be sure their pups are taking in sufficient daily and balanced nutrition!
Veterinarians generally advise against feeding a fully homemade diet for large breed puppies because the risk of dietary-related health issues is so high.
What About Raw Feeding?
Right now, the raw food diet is arguably the most popular diet among dog owners. But here again, it is wise to proceed with caution when starting a large breed puppy on a raw or a homemade food diet.
Canine researchers state feeding a large breed puppy a raw diet can cause a dangerous calcium to phosphorus ratio. That may lead to thyroid dysfunction as well as developmental orthopedic disease (DOD). Also, there is a higher risk that raw foods may contain bacteria or microorganisms your young puppy’s still-developing immune system may be less well equipped to guard against.
If you feel strongly about feeding your Rottweiler puppy a raw food or homemade food diet, talk with your veterinarian about how best to supplement with vitamins and minerals to guard against these known dietary-related health conditions. As another option, you may want to consider feeding a commercial whole and complete large breed puppy food diet until your Rottie is fully grown and then transitioning to a raw or homemade food diet at that time.
Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.
Aziz says
My rottie is a 55 days old girl. I’m a bit concerned about how to make her diet.
Is dry food 3 times a day good enough for her?
Fernandez Lewis says
I have a 8 week on Rottweiler and she want eat at all no matter what I try to feed her she just want eat all she do is sleep what should I do
samantha says
Ruby, my 11 week old Rottie loves to eat Raw food – I feed her 650g every 24 hours which includes, chicken, beef, carrots, peas, fish oils & one raw egg.
Most vets are against raw food because they have contracts with kibble suppliers and dry food means more trips to the vet surgery.
Caylee says
Im thinking of starting my 9 week old rottie on a raw food diet. When did you start?
Bel says
Couldn’t have said it better myself samantha. Feeding my rottie pup the same, just like feeding myself a better fresh diet compared to packaged good our system want you to eat leading to health issues and dependency on the system
Jo says
My Rotti, also got Parvo at 3 months old. I have it the meds the dr prescribed plus boiled chicken and rice for 2 weeks then gradually mixed in her Royal Canine specially for Rottweilers .
She’s perfect ! She loves her food .
I recommend it to everyone that has a Rottweiler! My Maltese and Yorkie eat it as well . They eat the specially made fir Maltese breed. (Royal Canine)😊👍🏻
Bebia says
Hi,
I got a Rottweiler puppy who is barely 3months old, she fell ill with parvo and recovered.. but am having issues with what to feed her cos her appetite is really fluctuating
Randall Wagner says
My female rottie gave birth to one pup 3-half weeks old …when should I should feeding her food pls advise me.thanks Randall.