How Much to Feed a Cane Corso (Feeding Chart & Guide)

The ins and outs of Cane Corso feeding are things you should master if you are planning to add this breed to your family. The Cane Corso is a large and powerful breed with moderate energy levels, making its dietary needs a bit tricky.

Age is the primary factor affecting how much to feed a Cane Corso. Usually, a Cane Corso puppy will require around 2 to 5 ¾ cups of puppy food daily. Meanwhile, adult Cane Corsos will need 3 ¾ to 5 cups of adult dog food per day. Lastly, senior Cane Corsos do best with 3 to 4 cups of dog food daily.

While these numbers hold true for most Cane Corso dogs, it will not be ideal for all. That said, if you are interested in learning more about how much to feed a Cane Corso, you’re on the right page. Read along to learn more!

What Factors Impact How Much to Feed a Cane Corso?

There are many factors that affect how much food a dog needs to eat. These factors must be kept in mind when creating a proper diet for your dog.

Here are some of the factors impacting the food portions of Cane Corso dogs:

• Age: Age is one of the biggest considerations when it comes to feeding the Cane Corso breed, or any other dog, in general. Usually, puppies and adult dogs eat more volumes of food than senior dogs. Puppies also have specially formulated food that is more calorie-dense than adult dog food.
• Weight: Weight is another consideration when it comes to a Cane Corso’s food portions. Naturally, a heavier Cane Corso dog will require more calories than a dog of a lighter weight. One exception to this is if a dog is obese and undergoing a weight reduction program. 
• Activity Level: Most Cane Corso dogs have a moderate activity level. However, in some cases, a Cane Corso dog may also be low- or high-energy, depending on its lifestyle. With this in mind, it is important to tailor-fit your dog’s food needs with its day-to-day activities.
• Health Status: When determining food portion sizes for Cane Corsos, health is another thing to look at. Dogs with health conditions may be prescribed dietary or medicated food, which will inevitably have varying recommended serving sizes. 

These factors must be considered when figuring out how much food to give your dog. It is important to get accustomed to these factors to have better control over your dog’s nutrition.

As you move along this guide, keep in mind the factors listed above. Be reminded that not all dogs will have the same dietary needs. You must always adjust food portions to fit your dog’s life and health conditions.

How Much to Feed Your Cane Corso

Now that you know the different factors affecting how much to feed a Cane Corso, it’s time to learn the actual numbers. In the following sections, you will find some recommended serving sizes to feed your Cane Corso.

Keep in mind that the following recommendations are tailored for healthy dogs with no underlying health conditions. Moreover, the recommendations assume that your dog is not nursing and is on a dry food diet.

If your dog is on a different kind of diet, such as a home-cooked or raw food diet, the serving sizes should be adjusted. Serving sizes may also differ slightly between one dog food brand and another. 

Cane Corso Puppy Feeding Chart (1 to 12 months)

During puppyhood, the best food for a Cane Corso pup would be milk from its mother. A dog’s milk contains colostrum which aids in the growth and development of dogs, especially large-breed puppies like the Cane Corso.

In my interactions with Cane Corso breeders, many of them started weaning their pups earlier or in the third week.

They do this to build the size of the puppies early and maximize the growth potential of the dogs. Their aim is to create that fearsome and powerful look of the Cane Corso.

However, I would always caution to proceed with this approach with the guidance of a veterinarian. Puppies must have guts that are ready to digest and absorb these transition foods to avoid any gastrointestinal problems.

So how do you know when the pups are ready? During the proper weaning stage, they will start developing teeth and will eventually transition to eating solid puppy food. 

Below are some recommendations on how much to feed Cane Corso puppies:

According to the AKC, the Cane Corso belongs to the large-breed category. That said, this large-breed dog is expected to have a pretty big appetite, which is evident from the numbers above. 

It is important to note, however, that a puppy’s diet must be monitored closely. Feeding too much or too little will inevitably affect the growth of an otherwise healthy pup. 

Adult Cane Corso Feeding Chart (1 to 6 years)

At one year old, your Cane Corso will be considered an adult dog. This means its diet will need to shift from puppy food to adult dog food formulated for large-breed dogs.

It is important to remember that not all dog foods are the same. Hence, you must pick the right one for your Cane Corso. If possible, try to get ones that contain high-quality animal protein. You may also try organic dog food or raw feeding.

Below is a feeding chart that shows the recommended food portions for adult Cane Corso dogs:

Bear in mind that the portions in this Cane Corso feeding guide are tailored for healthy dogs with average activity levels. If your dog does not fall within these assumptions, make sure to consult a vet or expert pet owners for advice.

Senior Cane Corso Feeding Chart (7 years and above)

Your Cane Corso reaches its senior years at the age of seven years old. During this time, your dog’s bodily functions will slow down, and its energy level will dial down. 

Usually, the caloric intake of senior dogs is reduced by 20% to 30% to cater for these changes. However, this range is not true for many dogs, as some senior dogs shift to specialized diets brought about by age-related health issues. 

For healthy senior Cane Corsos who are on a dry dog food diet, the recommended food portions below will prove effective:

Some sources claim that feeding raw, famously called the barf diet, is best for your senior Cane Corso. According to them, the benefits of raw diets include better dental health, improved digestion, and firmer stools, among others. 

If you wish to incorporate raw food into your Cane Corso’s diet, be sure to consult a licensed professional first. Another option is a semi-raw feeding diet, but still, consulting a vet beforehand is highly recommended.

How Often Should You Feed Your Cane Corso?

Once they start eating puppy food, Cane Corso puppies should be fed around 3 to 4 times a day. Meanwhile, full-grown Cane Corsos aged one year and above can be fed adult food twice per day. As for senior Cane Corsos, they should be fed a senior-specific diet either once or twice daily.

How often you feed your Cane Corso affects many parts of its health. For instance, a dog’s feeding schedule affects its energy levels, potty schedule, and sleeping schedule. 

Likewise, feeding frequency can also affect their development, especially for a new Cane Corso puppy.

Refer to the table below for some recommendations on how often to feed your Cane Corso:

For the sake of clarity, it is worth noting that the suggested feeding frequencies above correspond to the number of meals your dog should have each day. 

This is the number of servings in which to divide their daily caloric needs. Simply put, if your dog needs two cups of food per day and the prescribed feeding frequency is twice daily, then your dog must eat one cup of food per meal.

Pro Tip: If you are concerned with the budget for feeding a huge breed like the Cane Corso, go for a high-quality, calorie-dense dog food.

At the onset, these may seem more expensive, but they are more cost-efficient in the long run since the volume that needs to be fed to your dog to meet the daily caloric and nutritional requirements is less.

How to Transition Your Cane Corso to a New Food

At some point in your dog’s life, a diet change will be necessary. Whether it’s transitioning from puppy food to adult dog food or changing its diet due to medical reasons, a diet change is often unavoidable.

While changing your dog’s diet may seem simple, there is a proper way to do it. In fact, the American Kennel Club (AKC) suggests a specific strategy to safely and effectively transition your dog’s diet. 

Here’s a sample feeding guide that will help your Cane Corso transition from old food to new food:

As you can see, a gradual change is necessary when swapping your dog’s old diet for a new one. A slow transition is also best if you want to know how your dog responds to the new food. 

If you notice that your Cane Corso is not responding well to its new food, you may stick to the previous portions for a few days before trying again.

Additionally, if you are just getting your Cane Corso puppy from its breeder, it is wise to ask about the puppy’s present diet so that you can use the same brand to transition safely to the new food you prefer.

Tips on Feeding an Overweight Cane Corso

As I mentioned earlier, many Cane Corso owners have the goal of creating that mean and powerful build that the breed is known for. However, even with their huge frames, Cane Corsos can be prone to gaining excess weight.

What is interesting is that when I ask the owners what they think about their Corso’s weight, they think they fall within the right range.

However, handling multiple breed sizes myself, I can relate to the fact that it is harder to notice weight gain in larger dogs since it is less likely that we carry them around as compared to small and middle-sized dogs. 

If you suspect that your Cane Corso is overweight, you can follow the tips below:

• Cut down feeding portions. For an overweight Cane Corso to lose weight, it must first be in a caloric deficit. In other words, it must eat fewer calories than it burns. On average, it is recommended to cut down 20 to 30% from your dog’s normal food portions. However, this may vary on a case-to-case basis, so be sure to consult a vet first.
• Give interactive toys instead of treats. Swapping out treats with interactive toys will help in reducing your dog’s calorie intake. Likewise, it will also increase your dog’s physical activities. Just remember to purchase high-quality interactive toys that are suitable for a large-breed puppy.
• Avoid giving table food. Another thing to watch out for when dieting your Cane Corso is table food. As much as possible, refrain from giving your pooch table food at all costs. Only feed it with the best dog food and not table scraps.

On top of providing an appropriate weight loss diet to your dog, you should also increase your dog’s exercise frequency. This will help your Cane Corso burn more calories, which will speed up its progress.

All things considered, always remember to consult a veterinarian before making big changes to your dog’s diet and routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know If I’m Feeding My Cane Corso Enough?

There are many indicators that will tell you if you are feeding your Cane Corso enough food. One of these indicators is the so-called body condition score (BCS) — a score derived from physical inspection. 

To get the BCS of your Cane Corso, palpate its ribs and spine. The ribs of a healthy dog should be palpable without having to press hard, but they should not be too easily felt.

Aside from the BCS, the energy level of your dog is another good indicator. A well-fed dog is going to have the energy to play and roam around. It will also not exhibit signs of lethargy. 

Why Is My Cane Corso Not Eating?

More often than not, a Cane Corso that is not eating is not a major concern. Usually, dogs lose their appetite for a number of reasons. Some common reasons include boredom with food, a change in routine, or dental issues. 

If this is the case, your Cane Corso should go back to its normal eating routine after a day or two. However, if you see signs of lethargy or any discomfort, then it might be time to visit the vet.

Some serious causes of a dog not eating include pancreatitis, intestinal parasites, intestinal obstructions, and cancer, among others. 

Can I Feed My Cane Corso With Human Food?

Generally speaking, human foods are safe for dogs to eat as long as they don’t contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs. 

As a rule of thumb, avoid feeding your Cane Corso anything except its usual diet. If you want to give your dog human food, be sure to consult trusted sources first to know whether the food in question is safe for your dog or not.

Do Cane Corsos Eat a Lot?

Given its large stature and moderate activity level, the Cane Corso is undoubtedly a big eater compared to other dog breeds. The massive, muscular build of the Corso necessitates more food than the average dog.

For reference, the usual food portions of the Cane Corso are about twice as much as other breeds, if not more.

Can Cane Corsos Eat Bones?

Cane Corso are allowed to chew on large, raw bones; however, they must not be allowed to ingest them. 

Chewing bones brings a lot of benefits to a dog’s dental health. Likewise, it is a good source of healthy minerals. Just avoid feeding cooked bones to your Cane Corso, as it can splinter and cause internal blockages.

Hopefully, you have learned a lot from this feeding guide. Do you also own a Cane Corso? Drop your thoughts and tips about Cane Corso feeding in the comments!