Best Dog Food for Great Pyrenees : 15 Healthy Options + Helpful Answers to Feeding FAQs

The Great Pyrenees is a giant breed with a thick white coat. Developed as a livestock guardian, these dogs often carry over their protective instincts into family life, making a loving and faithful companion.

Developed to protect flocks in the rough terrain of the Pyrenees mountains, the Great Pyrenees is a large, brave, and powerful dog. These dogs were expected to work independently, often for days at a time, so they still retain some of that independence to this day. They are an intelligent breed but due to their stubborn nature, they can be a little tricky to train. If you have the patience and the space to accommodate these dogs, however, you’ll never regret it.

The Great Pyrenees is a powerful dog, standing 25 to 32 inches tall and weighing 85 to 115 pounds at maturity. The average lifespan for the breed is about 10 to 12 years and you can maximize that lifespan by providing your dog with a high-quality diet and plenty of exercise.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this article:

Understanding a Great Pyrenees’ Diet Requirements

Your Great Pyrenees needs a high-quality diet that provides the right balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Protein provides the foundation for strong muscles in puppies and, in adult dogs, it supports lean muscle mass and healthy body weight. Protein should come from animal sources like meat, poultry, and fish to ensure optimal bioavailability and digestibility. Animal proteins are complete proteins which means they contain all 10 essential amino acids.

Fat is a concentrated source of energy for dogs and provides most of the fuel for his metabolism. Keep in mind that the Great Pyrenees has a very slow metabolism, so you’ll need to control the fat content of his diet. As a puppy, his needs for fat will be a little higher and they’ll go down over the course of his life. What won’t change, however, is the fact that animal fats like chicken fat and salmon oil are preferable to plant oils because your dog’s body can metabolize them more easily.

When it comes to carbohydrates, your dog doesn’t have any specific requirements for a certain amount. All that matters is that they come from digestible sources like whole grains, vegetables, beans, and legumes. Carbohydrates provide lean energy, fiber, and essential nutrients. Look for a recipe that contains about 3% to 5% fiber.

• Puppy Great Pyrenees Diet – As a puppy, your Great Pyrenees needs a minimum of 22% protein and 8% fat in his diet to provide fuel for healthy growth and development. Higher protein is beneficial for developing lean muscle mass but keep the fat fairly low to avoid overgrowth.
• Adult Great Pyrenees Diet – When your Great Pyrenees reaches his full size, he needs a minimum of 18% protein and 5% fat. The protein content can be higher, between 22% and 30%, but keep the fat under 12% to prevent obesity.
• Senior Great Pyrenees Diet – As your Great Pyrenees gets older, his metabolism will slow down even more so he’ll need a large-breed senior recipe or a healthy weight formula to keep his bodyweight optimal.

In addition to meeting your dog’s basic needs for protein, fat, and carbohydrates, a high-quality dog food for giant breeds will contain natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support. Calcium and phosphorus are also important to support healthy bones and teeth. Other beneficial supplements may include prebiotic fiber and probiotics for healthy digestion, chelated minerals as a biologically valuable mineral supplement, and fresh fruits and veggies for antioxidants.

Special Dietary Considerations for Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is a giant breed, weighing over 100 pounds at maturity. He has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years which may not seem long, but it is actually longer than the typical lifespan for many giant breeds. Unfortunately, these dogs have a long list of health problems that have the potential to impact their lifespan.

Here is a quick list of the health problems to which the Great Pyrenees may be prone:

• Addison’s Disease
• Anesthesia Sensitivity
• Cataracts
• Entropion
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Gastric Dilation
• Hip Dysplasia
• Osteosarcoma
• Patellar Luxation
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Let’s take a closer look at some of these health problems.

Many of the health problems to which the Great Pyrenees is prone can be categorized in groups such as eye problems, musculoskeletal problems, and cancer.

The eye problems to which the Great Pyrenees is prone include cataracts, persistent pupillary membranes, and progressive retinal atrophy. A cataract is an opacity that forms in the lens of the eye and, depending on the size, can cause a partial or total obstruction of vision. Progressive retinal atrophy is often an inherited eye condition characterized by the gradual degeneration of the retina which can lead to total blindness in some dogs.

As a giant breed, it should come as no surprise that the Great Pyrenees is prone to bone and joint problems. This breed tends to grow fairly quickly which means that they can go through growing pains – controlling your puppy’s growth is extremely important to ensure that his bones and joints develop properly. Some of the musculoskeletal issues to which the breed is prone include elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, and osteochondrosis dissecans. Elbow dysplasia is a deformity of the elbow joint which in which the bone doesn’t sit properly in the socket and hip dysplasia is a similar deformity of the hip joint. Both can lead to joint inflammation, joint damage, and arthritis – they can also benefit from a diet rich in glucosamine and chondroitin.

In addition to these health problems, most large and giant breeds are prone to gastric dilation or bloat. This is a condition in which the stomach fills with air and twists on its axis, cutting off blood flow and causing a life-threatening condition. It happens when your dog eats too much, eats too fast, or swallows too much air while he is eating. The risk is particularly high in deep-chested breeds and you can reduce your dog’s risk by making sure he eats slowly and by avoiding raised dog bowls.

Great Pyrenees Feeding Chart

The most important thing to know about feeding your Great Pyrenees is that you need to control his growth as much as possible. All giant breeds have a high risk for musculoskeletal problems, especially if they grow too fast, but this breed is particularly prone to bone problems. Feeding him a large- or giant-breed puppy recipe is one way to support his bones and joints while ensuring that he grows at the proper rate. These recipes contain lean protein for healthy muscles with moderate fat content to control calories. They also contain controlled levels of calcium and phosphorus to support bone health.

For most breeds, you would consider switching to an adult recipe after about 12 months. As a giant breed, however, the Great Pyrenees may not reach his size until 2 years or more and he may not fill out until 3 years. During this time, you still need to control his growth and help him grow lean muscle instead of fat. Once his growth starts to slow down, it may be best to switch to a large-breed adult recipe that contains 25% to 30% protein for lean muscle with under 12% fat for controlled calories.

As your Great Pyrenees becomes a senior dog, around 7 years, his metabolism may slow down even more. At this point you should switch to a large-breed senior recipe or a healthy weight formula. You can also feed your adult Great Pyrenees a healthy weight formula to control his weight if you can’t find a decent large-breed adult food.

The Best Dog Food for Great Pyrenees: Our Top 15 Picks for 2023

Now that you have a better understanding of your Great Pyrenees’ nutritional needs, you’re ready to start shopping for a healthy giant-breed dog food! Remember, the best Great Pyrenees food will be made from high-quality, natural ingredients including high levels of lean protein, low to moderate levels of healthy fat, and digestible carbohydrates with beneficial supplements to support your dog’s bones, joints, and digestion. Here are our top 15 picks:

Our 2023 Picks: Best Great Pyrenees Food Recommendations:
Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Overall Best	Canidae All Life Stages Less Active Formula Dry Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.56/lb	A+
Most Affordable	Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Salmon Recipe Dry Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.05/lb	A+
Most Popular	Taste Of The Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dry Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.58/lb	A+
Super Premium	NomNom Fresh Food Delivery Buy Online Customer Reviews	Varies	A+
Allergies	FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Weight Control Senior Formula Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.56/lb	A
Sensitive Stomachs	Holistic Select Chicken Meal & Peas Weight Management Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.23/lb	A

Canidae All Life Stages Less Active Formula Dry Food

Overall Best Food for Great Pyrenees: When it comes to the best diet for Great Pyrenees, you need something made with wholesome natural ingredients to provide lean protein, low fat, and digestible carbohydrates. This Canidae All Life Stages Less Active Formula Dry Food is a great option because it is formulated for less active dogs or dogs with slow metabolisms. It features chicken meal as a lean source of concentrated protein – it is also a natural source of joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin. This recipe contains whole-grain carbohydrates like brown rice and oatmeal with dried fermentation products for digestive support.

• Pros: Holistic natural recipe, formulated for large breeds, fresh fruits and vegetables, glucosamine and chondroitin, calcium for strong bones, probiotics for digestion, large kibble size to control eating
• Cons: Contains some plant protein (pea protein), contains soy ingredients

Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken Recipe Dry Food

Most Affordable Food: If you don’t have a big budget to work with but still want to give your Great Pyrenees a quality diet, try this Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken Recipe Dry Food. This recipe is formulated for large breeds and contains an ideal blend of lean protein and low fat. It features chicken meal as a concentrated source of lean protein with whole grains for carbohydrates support. It also contains a blend of prebiotic fibers and probiotic supplements for healthy digestion with dried fruits and vegetables to provide biologically valuable sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants with chelated minerals for balance.

• Pros: Ideal protein and fat ratio for giant breeds, wholesome natural ingredients, digestible whole-grain carbohydrates, lean sources of protein, glucosamine and chondroitin, probiotics
• Cons: Mineral supplements aren’t chelated, not a grain-free recipe

Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dry Food

Most Popular Food: If you’re having trouble deciding what to feed your Great Pyrenees, this Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dry Food is a popular choice that might work well. Though it isn’t formulated for large breeds, it contains 25% protein and 15% fat which could be fine if your dog is still fairly active. This recipe features lamb as a single source of animal protein and grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and lentils. This combination is ideal if your dog suffers from food allergies or sensitivities. You’ll also be glad to know that this recipe contains chelated minerals and probiotics.

• Pros: Novel source of animal protein, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, rich in omega fatty acids, chelated minerals, prebiotics and probiotics
• Cons: Main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil)

NomNom Fresh Food Delivery Service

Super Premium Food: If you’re willing to pay for fresh food for your Great Pyrenees, you can’t do better than a fresh food company like NomNom. This is a fresh dog food delivery service which creates custom meals for your dog and delivers them right to your door on a monthly basis. With several recipes to choose from, you can select the option that best suits your dog’s preferences as well as his nutritional requirements. Each recipe is catered to his nutrient and calorie needs, plus you can make adjustments if he has food allergies. Just fill out a simple profile online, choose your recipe, and start receiving monthly shipments.

• Pros: Made with the freshest ingredients, custom meals for your dog, delivered fresh to your door, perfectly portioned pouches, automatic shipments
• Cons: Limited number of recipe options, very expensive to feed, delivery restrictions in some areas

FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Weight Control Senior Formula

Best Food for Great Pyrenees with Allergies: For a Great Pyrenees with food allergies, a limited ingredient diet is a must. This FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Weight Control Senior Formula is the perfect recipe because not only is it made with a limited number of ingredients, but it is a healthy weight formula which means that it contains lean protein and low fat. This formula features ocean fish meal as a single source of novel protein to reduce the risk for food allergies – it is also a natural source of omega fatty acids. This recipe contains digestible grain-free carbohydrates with chelated minerals and supplemental glucosamine for joint support.

• Pros: Limited ingredient diet, single source of novel protein, moderate protein and low fat, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, chelated minerals, supplemental glucosamine for joint support
• Cons: May be too high in fiber for some dogs, could be higher in protein for some dogs

Holistic Select Chicken Meal & Peas Weight Management Recipe

Best Food for Great Pyrenees with Sensitive Stomachs: If your Great Pyrenees has a sensitive stomach, you need a high-quality recipe made from wholesome, digestible ingredients. This Holistic Select Chicken Meal & Peas Weight Management Recipe is a great option because it features all-natural ingredients and it is free from grains as well as low-quality fillers, by-products and artificial additives that might upset your dog’s stomach. It features chicken meal as a lean source of protein as well as a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin. It also contains fresh fruits and vegetables to provide biologically valuable sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

• Pros: Holistic recipe, all-natural ingredients for digestibility, lean source of animal protein, prebiotics and probiotics, fresh vegetables and fruits, chelated minerals, 26% protein and 8% fat
• Cons: May be too high in fiber for some dogs

3 more Top Rated (5 Star) Great Pyrenees Adult Foods

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Adult Food	Adirondack 21% Everyday Adult Recipe Dry Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.28/lb	A+
Adult Food	Nutro Ultra Large Breed Dry Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.64/lb	A
Adult Food	Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.61/lb	A

Adirondack 21% Everyday Adult Recipe Dry Food

To provide your Great Pyrenees with the ideal ratio of lean protein and fat to support healthy body weight, try this Adirondack 21% Everyday Adult Recipe Dry Food. This recipe contains 21% protein from lean sources with digestible whole-grain carbohydrates. It contains supplemental fiber and probiotics for healthy digestion as well as chelated minerals for nutritional balance.

Nutro Ultra Large Breed Dry Food

Made with three sources of lean protein and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, this Nutro Ultra Large Breed Dry Food could be the perfect recipe for your Great Pyrenees. This formula features chicken, chicken meal, whole brown rice, and whole grain oatmeal among other natural ingredients. It also contains beneficial supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, and chelated minerals.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe

Developed specifically for large breeds, this Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe would be a good choice for your Great Pyrenees. This recipe features lamb as the main ingredient with natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints as well as a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. It is all-natural and easy to digest as well.

3 Best Great Pyrenees Puppy Foods

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Puppy Food	Precise Holistic Complete Large & Giant Breed Puppy Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.15/lb	A+
Puppy Food	Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.51/lb	A
Puppy Food	Wellness CORE Grain-Free Deboned Chicken Puppy Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.55/lb	A

Precise Holistic Complete Large & Giant Breed Puppy Food

If you want to provide your Great Pyrenees puppy with holistic, natural nutrition then try this Precise Holistic Complete Large & Giant Breed Puppy Formula. This recipe features chicken as the number-1 ingredient with lamb and salmon for supplemental protein. It contains prebiotics and probiotics for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption as well as antioxidants for healthy immunity.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Food

For digestibility and nutritional quality, this Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Large-Breed Puppy Recipe would be a great option for your Great Pyrenees puppy. It contains deboned chicken as a lean source of protein with chicken meal as a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin. It is also supplemented with omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.

Wellness CORE Grain-Free Deboned Chicken Puppy Food

If you’re concerned that your Great Pyrenees puppy might have food allergies or sensitivities, a grain-free recipe like this Wellness CORE Grain-Free Deboned Chicken Large Breed Puppy Recipe might be a good choice. It features deboned chicken as a lean source of protein with grain-free carbohydrates. It also contains only the finest natural ingredients with no fillers, by-products or artificial additives.

2 More Picks for Senior Great Pyrenees Foods

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Senior Food	Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Trout & Sweet Potato Senior Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.62/lb	A
Senior Food	Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Chicken, Sweet Potato & Green Bean Weight Control Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.17/lb	A

Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Trout & Sweet Potato Senior Recipe

To keep your senior Great Pyrenees fit and active, this Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Trout & Sweet Potato Senior Recipe is a great choice. This recipe features deboned trout and turkey meal as lean sources of protein with chicken fat for a nutrient-rich source of essential fatty acids. All in all, this recipe contains 30% protein and 12% fat with 5% fiber and probiotics to ensure optimal digestion of nutrients.

Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Chicken, Sweet Potato & Green Bean Weight Control Recipe

When it comes to maintaining a healthy body weight in your senior Great Pyrenees, you need a high-quality recipe rich in lean protein but very low in fat. This Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Chicken, Sweet Potato & Green Bean Weight Control Recipe is a great option because it contains 26% protein from high-quality animal sources and just 6% fat. It also contains probiotics to support your dog’s digestion and to ensure that he absorbs all of the nutrients he can.

Our FAQ and Great Pyrenees Feeding Guide

Not only do you need to pick a high-quality giant-breed dog food for your Great Pyrenees, but you also need to think about practical things like choosing a dog bowl and keeping your dog’s food fresh. When it comes to choosing a dog food bowl, you have to think about the size as well as the materials from which it is made. You’ll need a bowl big enough to hold at least 2 but up to 3 cups of food at a time. Stainless steel is generally the best option because a bowl of that size will still be fairly lightweight. Stainless steel is also affordable, highly durable, and easy to clean.

In terms of keeping your dog’s food fresh, you need to avoid exposing it to air as much as possible. Once you open the bag, the product will start to lose some of its nutritional value over time. The inside of the bag itself is treated to help prevent that, but it’s difficult to get a good seal by just rolling up an open bag. The best idea is to place the entire bag in an airtight container that you can store in a cool, dry location. If you just pour the dog food into a bin, you might lose that benefit.

And now, here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about feeding a Great Pyrenees:

How much food should I feed my Great Pyrenees?

Your dog’s needs for calories will depend on his age and body weight. Generally speaking, however, you’ll be feeding your Great Pyrenees somewhere between 4 and 6 cups of food per day. Remember that giant breeds have very slow metabolisms and only need about 20 calories per pound of body weight. To determine exactly how much to feed your Great Pyrenees, choose a high-quality dog food formulated for large or giant breeds and refer to the feeding recommendations according to your dog’s age and weight to determine his daily portion.

How many times a day should I feed my Great Pyrenees?

When it comes to feeding large and giant breeds like your Great Pyrenees, you need to avoid feeding them too much at once to limit their risk for gastric dilation. Overfeeding can also increase your dog’s risk for obesity which can bring a whole host of other health problems to the forefront. Most Great Pyrenees do well with two meals per day, one in the morning and one in the evening. Take the daily feeding recommendation from the package and divide it into two meals.

What kind of food do Great Pyrenees eat?

The best dog food for any giant-breed dog is made from high-quality, natural ingredients and formulated to meet his calorie and nutrient needs. If you want the best for your dog, consider dehydrated, freeze-dried, or fresh food for your Great Pyrenees. If you choose fresh food, make sure you can customize the recipe to your dog’s needs because many fresh foods contain high levels of fat which are excessive for giant breeds. To be safe, you might want to just choose a high-quality dry food because you’ll be able to see the protein and fat content of the recipe as well as the feeding recommendations.

What vegetables are good in a Great Pyrenees food?

All dog foods contain vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure balanced nutrition, but your dog can still benefit from the inclusion of fresh fruits and vegetables in his diet. These provide natural sources for key nutrients which are always more biologically valuable than synthetic supplements. Here are some of the best vegetables for Great Pyrenees:

• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Cucumber
• Green beans
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• Spinach
• Sweet potato
• Zucchini

Even if your dog’s food does contain fresh vegetables, it isn’t a bad idea to give him a few bites as a healthy snack. In fact, fresh veggies are a low-calorie snack that work great for giant breeds who need to be on a calorie-controlled diet. Just make sure that the vegetables you choose are safe for dogs to eat and that you clean them well before feeding. You should also feed small amounts to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach from an overload of fiber.

Do Great Pyrenees need grain-free dog food?

Whether or not your Great Pyrenees needs a grain-free diet depends on the individual dog. Generally speaking, whole grains are a digestible source of carbohydrates for the dogs who can digest them. Before you decide one way or the other, however, you should know that there is a great deal of controversy surrounding the long-term safety of grain-free recipes for dogs. The fact remains that there is no conclusive evidence as of yet so, unless your dog is allergic or sensitive to grains, a grain-free diet may not be necessary.

Great Pyrenees Dog Food – A Final Word

Now that you know the basics about your Great Pyrenees’ nutritional needs, you’re ready to start shopping for the best Great Pyrenees food. Remember to look for a product that is made from high-quality, natural ingredients including high levels of lean protein, low to moderate levels of healthy fat, and digestible carbohydrates with beneficial supplements to support your dog’s bones, joints, and digestion.

If you’re still not sure where to start in choosing the best Great Pyrenees dog food, try one of our top 15 picks reviewed above!