How Much to Feed a Rottweiler (Feeding Chart & Guide)

The Rottweiler is a large, robust breed of dog requiring substantial daily nutrition to maintain their health and energy.

Determining the right feeding amount for your Rottweiler depends on several factors, including age, activity level, and any special health conditions.

This article will provide guidelines on appropriate feeding amounts for Rottweilers in all life stages – from rapidly growing puppies to senior dogs. You’ll learn how much food your Rottweiler needs at each age to keep your dog fit.

What Factors Impact How Much to Feed a Rottweiler? 

Several factors determine how much food a Rottweiler should consume. Owners must consider them to ensure a comfortable feeding routine.

Below is an overview of the factors that you should consider when determining how much food to feed your Rottweiler:

• Age: Since dogs go through different life stages, their physical requirements also vary. Puppies, for example, require a specific amount of dog food to facilitate their growth. In contrast, adult Rottweilers require a distinct amount to maintain their health.
• Weight: The amount of food required by the Rottweiler, a large-sized dog, would be higher than that needed by smaller dog breeds. The food given should be proportional to its body size according to the Rottweiler diet to keep the dog at its optimal weight.
• Activity Level: Rottweilers are known to be highly active dogs, and as such, they require a significant amount of energy to keep up with their daily activities, primarily when engaged in rigorous exercises. But a less active dog or one with a slower metabolism will consume less food than a more active one.

Aside from these factors, the type and gender of your Rottweiler may also affect its dietary needs.

How Much to Feed Your Rottweiler

It’s essential to remember that your Rottweiler’s nutritional requirements change as they grow, so their food intake must be adjusted accordingly.

Rottweiler Puppy Feeding Chart (2 to 12 months)

During the first few weeks, Rottweiler puppies should nurse frequently, and you should monitor their weight to ensure proper growth. By 3 to 4 weeks, puppies can transition from their mother’s milk to solid puppy food.

When you feed your Rottie pups at home, choose a type of food intended for large breed puppies, which can be dry or wet food as long their puppy kibble is complete with their dietary requirements.

Here’s a feeding guideline for Rottweiler puppies based on their age in months and how much dry dog food they should consume:

If you are providing a complete, balanced large-breed puppy food, it is recommended to follow the manufacturer’s feeding recommendations for your Rottweiler puppy unless your veterinarian suggests otherwise.

Adult Rottweiler Feeding Chart (1 to 6 years)

Once your Rottweiler reaches adulthood, its nutritional needs change. An adult Rottweiler diet consists of high protein, with a balance of healthy fats and carbohydrates.

Below is the recommended feeding amount for an adult Rottweiler:

When selecting adult food for your Rottweiler, it is advisable to check the dog food label to see if it includes essential components such as antioxidants, healthy fats, and protein.

To avoid potential health problems and obesity, it’s crucial to keep an eye on your Rottweiler’s weight and modify its diet accordingly.

A friend of mine who works in the K9 division of the police has an American Doberman, Rover, as his partner on duty.

With such an active lifestyle, my friend also provides Rover with a raw or BARF diet that covers the protein and energy requirements needed for his line of work. He mentioned that this type of diet keeps Rover healthy and active.

However, I will still recommend that before trying any diet, it is best to fully research it and consult with your vet to ensure that it will not cause any issues with your dog’s current health status.

Senior Rottweiler Feeding Chart (7 years and above)

A Senior Rottweiler requires a high-quality and healthy diet to maintain in tiptop shape and increase its longevity.

As they age, joint problems may arise, so choosing a dry kibble that contains enough glucosamine to keep their joints healthy is important.

The below can guide you on the appropriate amount of food to give to your senior Rottweiler:

In addition, dental issues can become a problem for many senior dogs, so make sure to choose a dry kibble that your Rottie can comfortably chew.

How Often Should You Feed Your Rottweiler?

A Rottweiler puppy must be fed frequently with three to four meals daily. As they grow into adults, they only require two meals a day. Meanwhile, a senior Rottweiler should be fed once or twice a day.

To ensure you are feeding your Rottweiler properly, you can refer to the following table:

Due to their high energy levels, Rottweilers can burn calories quickly. However, they are prone to becoming overweight if they have unlimited access to food.

One way to prevent obesity is to follow the suggested feeding frequency unless your vet advises otherwise. This approach will also ensure your dog has enough energy throughout the day.

How to Transition Your Rottweiler to a New Food

Introducing new food to your Rottweiler can be challenging, especially if they have food allergies and sensitivities.

Below is the suggested schedule for transitioning your Rottweiler to a new food:

If your Rottweiler displays symptoms of food allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, decreased appetite, or lethargy, it could indicate that the new food is not suitable.

It’s crucial to seek advice from your veterinarian if you notice any indications of an allergic reaction during or after the transition process to ensure that your Rottweiler is being fed appropriately.

Pro Tip: Most reputable breeders will provide a few days’ sample of puppy food as they rehome their puppies. This will help your new puppy avoid any gastrointestinal issues as you transition it from its old diet to its new diet.

However, if they do not offer this freebie, be sure to ask them what the current diet of the puppy is, and you can purchase it yourself to facilitate an easier diet transition.

Tips on Feeding an Overweight Rottweiler

An overweight Rottweiler may experience joint problems, as excessive weight can impair mobility, energy levels, and mood, affecting the overall quality of life.

To help you out, here are some useful tips for feeding your overweight Rottweiler:

• Determine your Rottweiler’s ideal weight. Before starting any weight loss plan, it is essential to know your dog’s healthy weight range. You can consult with your veterinarian to determine this range.
• Distinguish between begging and hunger. Dogs are experts at begging for food, even if they aren’t hungry. Learn to recognize when your dog is starving and only wants a treat. If your pup is still hungry after eating, you can add a little more to their food bowl if necessary.
• Avoid free feeding. When you freely feed your Rottweiler or leave food for them all day, it can result in excessive eating and weight gain. This can lead to health issues such as joint problems and decreased energy levels.
• Limit treats and table scraps. Excessive treats and table scraps can quickly increase your Rottweiler’s calorie intake. It’s best to restrict giving extra food and prioritize giving your Rottweiler healthy treats that are low in calories.
• Measure and monitor: Measuring your dog’s food and monitoring its weight is essential for weight management. Use a measuring cup to ensure you feed the correct amount, and regularly weigh your dog to track its progress.

Many Rottweiler owners I know come to me at a certain point to seek advice on how to manage their dogs’ being overweight.

Whenever I ask about their feeding habits, I realize that many dog owners spoil their dogs by continually giving them treats when their dogs beg.

They sometimes do not realize that so long as the dogs are fed the right amount of calories based on the feeding charts, the owners are responsible for controlling the intake of treats and other food items that your dogs want.

It will help if you remember that maintaining your Rottweiler’s weight is crucial for its overall well-being and lifespan.

You should seek professional advice from your veterinarian to determine the best weight management strategy for your beloved pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know If I’m Feeding My Rottweiler Enough?

To ensure that you’re feeding your Rottweiler the right amount, you can measure its weight and compare it to the ideal weight of the dog’s age.

If its weight is significantly higher or lower, it may indicate that you need to feed it the appropriate amount.

You can also use a body conditioning score chart to assess your dog’s ribs. If you can’t feel its ribs, it may suggest that you’re giving it more food than necessary.

In contrast, if its ribs are noticeable without touching, it may indicate that your dog is being underfed.

Why Is My Rottweiler Not Eating?

There are various reasons why your Rottweiler might not be eating. It could be due to boredom, feeling full, stress, or adjusting to a new environment.

One way to make the food more appetizing for your dog is by experimenting with different types of food like canned or wet food, raw food diet, or homemade dog food.

However, if your dog also shows lethargy, weakness, or diarrhea, it could be a sign of a more serious health problem. It is best to seek veterinary advice immediately.

Can I Feed My Rottweiler With Human Food?

When it comes to feeding your Rottweiler human food, it’s essential to remember that they are primarily carnivorous, and their digestive system is different from humans.

But Rottweilers are fond of eating raw meats, and raw food mimics their natural diet in the wild.

A raw diet typically includes raw meat, bones, offal, and a small amount of plant ingredients, all of which provide essential vitamins and minerals to the Rottweiler’s dog diet.

Do Rottweilers Eat a Lot?

Rottweilers are big dogs and can consume 5 to 6 cups of high-quality dog food daily, which is considered a healthy amount for an adult Rottie. 

However, the amount can increase with more exercise and activity. Conversely, it can decrease if your dog has a smaller appetite.

Can Rottweilers Eat Bones?

As much as bones can be tempting for Rottweilers, most are unsafe for them to chew on and eat.

It is only recommended to feed Rottweilers bones if they are healthy bones specifically intended for dogs and can be purchased from a store or raw bones.

While chewing on bones may stimulate their salivation, the risk of blockages in the digestive system is too high with most bones.

Feel free to drop your questions or suggestions on Rottweiler feeding in the comment section below!