As a new dog parent, figuring out the right amount to feed a Great Pyrenees can be a bit daunting. This breed stands out with its unique caloric requirements and nutritional needs, different from other canines.
The key to feeding a Great Pyrenees appropriately lies in considering their age. For instance, Great Pyrenees puppies need roughly 1 ½ to 6 cups of dog food per day. An adult Great Pyrenees will require 4 ¼ to 5 ¾ cups, and a senior Great Pyrenees should be given about 3 ¼ to 4 ¾ cups.
However, it’s crucial to remember that age isn’t the only factor influencing your furry friend’s food needs. Luckily, this Great Pyrenees feeding guide will make things easier for you.
What Factors Impact How Much to Feed a Great Pyrenees?
When considering how much to feed a Great Pyrenees, several key factors need to be taken into account. These include the dog’s age, weight, level of physical activity, and overall health.
Here’s how these factors influence the dietary needs of your Great Pyrenees:
- Lifestyle: Originally bred for physically demanding roles like guarding livestock and pulling carts, Great Pyrenees dogs typically have high energy needs. However, if your dog is more of an indoor pet and less active, its need for calories will be lower.
- Age: This is a critical factor. Puppies, who are in a rapid growth phase, require more calories compared to adult dogs. Conversely, older Great Pyrenees might need fewer calories as their metabolism slows down.
- Size: The size of your Great Pyrenees plays a vital role in determining its diet. An incorrect diet for their size can lead to nutrient imbalances and health issues over time.
- Health Status: The overall health of your dog significantly affects dietary needs. For example, a Great Pyrenees with health issues like diabetes or obesity might need a diet that’s low in carbohydrates and high in fiber.
All things considered, it’s essential to tailor the diet of your Great Pyrenees to its individual needs. Both underfeeding and overfeeding can be detrimental to their health.
How Much to Feed Your Great Pyrenees?
When figuring out the right amount of food for a Great Pyrenees, it’s important to consider factors such as the dog’s size, metabolism, activity level, and especially age, tailoring the diet to its unique needs.
Remember, these guidelines may not fit every Great Pyrenees. Consulting with a veterinarian is advisable for personalized advice on your dog’s dietary requirements.
Great Pyrenees Puppy Feeding Chart (2 to 12 months)
For Great Pyrenees puppies between 2 to 12 months, selecting an appropriate formula is key. They need a diet rich in nutrients, ideally with a balance of proteins, fats, and calories.
According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a Great Pyrenees puppy’s diet should contain about 22.5% protein and 8.5% fat.
To ensure your Great Pyrenees puppy remains healthy and happy, it’s crucial to understand and follow the recommended feeding amounts for each stage of their development:
| Age | Daily Feeding Amount (Cups) | Caloric Intake (Per day) |
| 2 – 3 months | 1 ½ – 4 | 653 – 1,846 |
| 4 – 5 months | 2 ½ – 4 ¼ | 1,114 – 1,873 |
| 6 – 8 months | 3 ¼ – 5 | 1,455 – 2,261 |
| 9 – 12 months | 4 – 6 | 1,771 – 2,717 |
As Great Pyrenees puppies develop, their nutritional requirements change significantly. This change means the amount of food they need will increase to support their growing bodies.
Proper nutrition during the first year is crucial for ensuring your Great Pyrenees puppy stays healthy and content.
Adult Great Pyrenees Feeding Chart (1 to 6 years)
Upon reaching adulthood, your Great Pyrenees will be ready to start eating adult dog food. This is an important step in its growth, as the nutritional needs of a grown-up dog are very different from those of a puppy.
To start, you should carefully examine every dog food brand available and choose one containing all the necessary vitamins and minerals. There’s wet food, dry kibble, and even raw meals, so you have plenty of options.
The amount of food an adult Great Pyrenees requires each day is detailed in the table below:
| Age | Daily Feeding Amount (Cups) | Caloric Intake (Per day) |
| 1 – 6 years | 4 ¼ – 5 ¾ | 1,656 – 2,314 |
Unlike puppies, adult Great Pyrenees require lower protein and fat content in their diet. On average, these pooches should consume about 18% protein and 5.5% fat on a daily basis.
Remember to monitor your Great Pyrenees’ weight at this stage, though. If it gains too much weight or becomes obese, you should switch to a lower calorie diet or increase its exercise routine.
I once visited the kennel of an old friend who is a Great Pyrenees breeder. Despite their huge size, I noticed that all his Great Pyrenees were fit and active.
I observed him during his feeding session, and I noticed that he uses a raw diet for his dogs. However, he makes sure that the proteins are mostly meaty and not fatty. He also gives them raw bones for their teeth and gum health.
Since they are also working dogs, that already takes care of their daily exercise requirements, too. Playing with them, I noticed how strong and muscular they are with this routine.
Senior Great Pyrenees Feeding Chart (7 years and above)
A diet tailored for senior Great Pyrenees typically involves reduced protein and fat content, increased fiber and calcium, and lower sodium levels. It should be easier to digest and more nutrient-rich compared to what they ate as adults.
The general guideline for feeding a senior Great Pyrenees is outlined below:
| Age | Daily Feeding Amount (Cups) | Caloric Intake (Per day) |
| 7 years and above | 3 ¼ – 4 ¾ | 1,325 – 1,851 |
Given that senior Great Pyrenees are more susceptible to joint problems, arthritis, and other age-related issues, incorporating certain supplements into their diet can be beneficial.
Supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B complex (especially B12), and glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate are often recommended.
How Often Should You Feed Your Great Pyrenees?
Great Pyrenees puppies typically need to be fed 3 to 4 times a day. As they grow into adulthood, you can reduce their feeding to two meals per day. Senior Great Pyrenees, on the other hand, usually require only one or two meals daily.
For all age groups, it’s beneficial to divide their daily food intake into smaller, more manageable portions. This practice helps prevent digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea, which can arise from eating too much in one sitting.
The feeding frequency for Great Pyrenees at different ages is as follows:
| Age | Feeding Frequency |
| 0 – 12 weeks | Three to four times a day |
| 3 – 6 months | Three times a day |
| 6 – 12 months | Two times a day |
| 1 year and above | Once or twice a day |
Frequent meals are not only good for digestion but also help maintain a consistent metabolism, leading to a more energetic and happy dog.
Alongside a balanced diet, ensure your Great Pyrenees has constant access to fresh water to stay well-hydrated.
How to Transition Your Great Pyrenees to a New Food
As your Great Pyrenees grows, it’s important to provide optimal nutrition by transitioning from puppy food to adult dog food.
It’s crucial to remember that changing diets abruptly can cause stomach issues, diarrhea, or even allergic reactions in some dogs.
So, to avoid these issues, a gradual introduction of the new diet is recommended. Ideally, this transition should be spread over a week rather than a few days, allowing your dog’s digestive system to adjust.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) suggests the following transition schedule:
| Day | Old Food | New Food |
| 1 – 2 | 75% | 25% |
| 3 – 4 | 50% | 50% |
| 5 – 6 | 25% | 75% |
| 7 | 0% | 100% |
Once the transition to the new food is complete, keep an eye on your Great Pyrenees for any signs of digestive discomfort or changes in bowel movements.
If you observe any unusual changes in behavior or stool consistency, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian. They can provide guidance and possibly suggest alternatives if the new diet doesn’t suit your dog.
Tips on Feeding an Overweight Great Pyrenees
Given that Great Pyrenees dogs are prone to obesity, it’s crucial to manage their diet carefully to maintain a healthy weight.
If you find that your Great Pyrenees has become overweight, there are several strategies you can employ to help them lose the extra pounds:
- Change their diet: Opt for a high-quality dog food that’s low in fat and calories but high in fiber. If you have the time, preparing homemade meals can be a beneficial option. This allows you to control the ingredients and adjust the nutritional content as needed.
- Reduce treats and snacks: Limit the number of treats and avoid giving table scraps to your overweight Great Pyrenees. These often contain a lot of calories but lack substantial nutritional value.
- Establish a feeding schedule: Implement a consistent feeding schedule. Feeding your dog at the same times each day helps in monitoring food intake and calorie consumption.
If you’re unsure about the best approach, consult with your veterinarian. They can offer tailored advice and suggest appropriate dietary options for your overweight Great Pyrenees, ensuring a balanced and effective weight management plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know If I’m Feeding My Great Pyrenees Enough?
If you want to know whether your Great Pyrenees is getting enough food, weigh it once every six months. If your large furball is maintaining a healthy weight, then you are on the right track.
You can also check out its body condition score (BCS). This is a number between 1 and 9, where one means emaciated and nine means obese. A healthy Great Pyrenees should have a BCS of five or six.
Why Is My Great Pyrenees Not Eating?
If your Great Pyrenees isn’t eating, there are a few possible reasons. For one thing, it could be that they do not like the food you are offering them.
But if you have tried several different kinds of food with no success, there is likely something else going on with your pet. In this case, you should take your Great Pyrenees to the vet immediately for a full examination.
Can I Feed My Great Pyrenees With Human Food?
As tempting as it may seem to give your Great Pyrenees some leftover pizza or a few bites of your cheeseburger, you should avoid feeding them human food.
In most instances, meals of this type can cause serious illness and even death.
Do Great Pyrenees Eat a Lot?
Although Great Pyrenees are known for their enormous size, they are not the biggest eaters. These pooches have a slow metabolism and don’t need to eat a lot of food to keep themselves going.
Can Great Pyrenees Eat Bones?
Since bones are an excellent source of calcium and other nutrients, they can be a great addition to your Great Pyrenees’ diet. But be sure to stick with raw bones free of bacteria and parasites.
Cooked bones, on the other hand, are a big no-no for the Great Pyrenees.
We hope this article helps you in feeding your Great Pyrenees. If you have any more questions or feeding tips you’d like to share, please leave a comment in the section below.
