Great Pyrenees makes an amazing companion it is important that health is maintained throughout the stages of life.
It is impossible to maintain proper health without a proper diet which is why you need to know how much to feed a Great Pyrenees puppy as well as the best foods he should eat.
A Great Pyrenees puppy feeding chart will greatly help anyone who is serious about feeding their Great Pyrenees the proper food.
It is also quite important to couple the right type of food with the correct feeding frequency.
They are large dogs, so exercise is also a big factor. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about feeding a Great Pyrenees puppy.
How Much Should A Great Pyrenees Puppy Eat?
The most important thing to remember about the beginning stages of feeding or a Great Pyrenees puppy is that you should start slow.
This means about half – two cups of kibble (depending on his age) and constant monitoring to see how he adjusts. As younger puppies, the meals should be split up to avoid bloating.
Remember also that active puppies would require more food than puppies who do not exercise as much. Pay attention to the way your puppy is coping.
Use these recommendations as a guideline. There are Great Pyrenees weight charts available that can help you to understand whether your dog is on the right track.
Best Dog Food For Great Pyrenees Puppies (2022)
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Dog Food (Editor’s Choice)
- Purina Pro Plan Puppy Dog Food (Runner-Up)
Great Pyrenees Puppy Feeding Chart
To develop a proper feeding schedule for your Great Pyrenees you may be inclined to use the RER method. The RER Method stands for Resting Energy Requirements.
Your dog’s RER is calculated by multiplying his total body weight and having that figure raised to the power of 3/4 multiplied by 70.
Please remember that this calculation only gives an estimate, so you need to monitor your dog’s health continuously.
Another way of finding the right feeding schedule would be to look on the package of your dog food and simply follow instructions based on the weight and age listed.
2-Week-Old Great Pyrenees Puppy
You can reasonably expect a Great Pyrenees puppy tube feeding from his mother when he is 2 weeks old. This may be great news for you as you will not need to feed him at this point.
The nourishment given by his mother along with an environment that keeps him warm is vital.
In a few rare cases, the puppy may be rejected by the mother, and you would need to fill in. To do this you must provide the environment that his mother would have created.
4-Week-Old Great Pyrenees Puppy
It is your job to ensure that this transition is as easy as possible. You can do this by taking the solid food and making it somewhat watery because his teeth are not fully formed.
The consistency you are looking for is that of mashed potatoes or perhaps a thick porridge.
He would need some time to learn how to chew, so you need to ensure that the food is not overly hot so that his mouth will be scalded.
You can try 1 cup of food split up between 4 meals and see how he adjusts. Keep checking to make sure that he is not still hungry.
Some dogs smell the ground constantly or go through the trash when they are hungry. Adjust the serving as necessary.
6-Week-Old Great Pyrenees Puppy
By this time your Great Pyrenees puppy will get used to solid, so he will likely spend less time around his mother because he does not need milk from her.
As he begins to get strong you can increase his food rations. He will be very inquisitive and seek to explore his surroundings.
Do not allow him to spend considerable amounts of time without food. You can give him two cups of food spread between 4 meals.
8-Week-Old Great Pyrenees Puppy
Your little Great Pyrenees puppy will be independent with strong muscles so living without his mother will not prove to be a problem.
She will cease grooming and feeding her puppies and this is a great time to begin obedience training.
It is perfectly okay to increase his food rations 2 ½ cups every day. As usual, you need to split this up into 4 meals per day.
10-Week-Old Great Pyrenees Puppy
When your puppy has reached this stage you can begin to give him food 3 times per day.
You can also increase his food rations if you noticed that he is hungry or begins to lose weight. If not you should continue to give him two and a half cups of food every day.
Remember to look for behaviors that tell you whether he is hungry.
He may be paced up and down looking for food with his nose to the floor. This is why proper monitoring is so important.
12-Week-Old Great Pyrenees Puppy
Your puppy is now 12 weeks old which is a great time to increase the amounts of puppy chow you give him. 3 cups of food is a good amount for most Great Pyrenees puppies of this age.
However, proper monitoring is always recommended so that you will know how he is coping with this in change.
You can leave the feeding time at three times per day which means he will have one cup of food each time.
You will find that your dog begins to get accustomed to the schedule of his food. Food of high quality is always best and crucial during his development.
14 Week Old Great Pyrenees Puppy
You will have noticed that your Great Pyrenees puppy has grown quite a bit. As a large breed dog, this is expected. He should still be playful however he will still have a lot more growing to complete.
At this time his food rations can remain the same with the same level of frequency unless you notice otherwise.
Check his weight and to look for signs of good health so that you know he is on the right track.
16 Week Old Great Pyrenees Puppy
Your great Pyrenees puppy will have grown a lot more since the last stage. Males usually weigh around 45 – 55 lb while females can weigh between 35 – 45 lb.
Your dog should have good muscle development, but some may start showing signs of joint illness, so it is important that you do not overexert them with exercise.
You can look at their progress to see if they are doing well. If the weight has not changed then you can consider increasing his rations by half a cup of food. The feeding frequency can remain the same.
6 Months – 12 Months Old Great Pyrenees Puppy
At six months, a male Great Pyrenees might weigh around 70 to 80 lb while a female can weigh around 50 to 60 lb.
If you have been monitoring your Great Pyrenees puppy for a while you will realize the difference in growth rates as he gets older.
Now would be a good time to increase the amount of food you give him so that he can finish his growth.
In some cases, 4 cups of food would be the best thing for him but in other cases especially for females and dogs who are not very active, the rations should stay the same. You can begin to feed your dog twice a day if he is coping well.
12 Months & Above Great Pyrenees
Usually, a Great Pyrenees puppy will take up to two years before they are fully grown they will wait between 80 and 100 lb. females are a bit lighter in weight and smaller in height.
Always remember that the food you give your dog depends on size, activity level, age, and metabolism. So keep this in mind when you are adjusting the amount of food you give him.
He should be comfortable eating twice a day at this time. Between four and six cups of food is a reasonable amount.
When your dog is completely grown you should adjust his feeding so that he does not gain too much weight.
Understanding Great Pyrenees Puppy Nutritional Needs
If you want your Great Pyrenees puppy to have proper nutrition and healthy development you need to start making sure they eat the best food.
You should have the knowledge about the kind of food that is best for your Great Pyrenees so his diet can be well-balanced and full of nutrients.
A Great Pyrenees puppy needs at least 25 to 27% protein along with 12- 15 % fat. When he becomes an adult dog it will be a bit different because he will now need 21 to 25% protein and 8 to 10% fat.
Too much protein can also be quite harmful because if he gets more than the recommended amount it could lead to diseases like renal failure.
How Many Times A Day To Feed A Great Pyrenees Puppy?
As your Great Pyrenees develops into an adult his feeding schedule will undoubtedly be changed.
There is a no set rule for how this should happen, but you must examine your dog’s progress and adjust his food accordingly.
When he starts off with solid food, the frequency should be at its highest. For a Great Pyrenees puppy, four times per day is recommended and this will be gradually reduced to 3 times per day, and then finally twice per day.
Some people even start feeding their dog once per day, but this is done after they have finished growing.
Kibble vs Wet Food For Great Pyrenees Puppies
There are many benefits of using kibble as the main source of food for your Great Pyrenees. Ensure that you got a brand that lists some sort of animal protein as the first ingredient.
This can be fish, beef, lamb, or chicken. Make sure that they contain adequate amounts of fat so that your dog can be nourished with Omega fatty acids.
Kibble has the advantage of being safe and reliable along with the fact that it is quite convenient and better for dental health.
On the other hand, wet food must be prepared and given to your dog in a timely manner. Food will go bad if left out for long periods.
It can actually make your dog sick if not handled with care. Wet food can be bought or created by you, but it should still have the requisite nutrients that your dog needs.
Switching From Puppy Food To Adult Food
The first thing you need to understand is that Great Pyrenees puppies are considered adults at 24 months. However some dogs especially females reach adulthood a few months before this.
Between 20 and 24 months would be the best time to begin the transition from puppy chow to adult Chow.
If you are unsure the best thing you can do is consult your veterinarian to find out what is the best course of action.
The most important thing to do is to make this change seamless and gradual by mixing the two types of food together until you eliminate the old one entirely.
What If My Great Pyrenees Puppy Won’t Eat?
When your dog refuses to eat it may not always be an issue of great concern, but you need to monitor closely and visit your veterinarian if the matter persists.
Also, consider any recent changes in the diet or surroundings which may be affecting your dog. Sometimes dogs are simply overfed and require a day or two to fast.
You will know if he is underweight by looking at him and checking his ribs. If he is underweight you will feel his ribs clearly without much trouble, and you should definitely visit your veterinarian to sort things out.
Can You Freefeed A Great Pyrenees Puppy?
Free feeding a Great Pyrenees puppy is not recommended because they are known to have bloating. If they are left to their own devices this bloating can escalate and become quite serious or even fatal.
Free feeding your dog can also lead to obesity which you should avoid at all costs especially because dogs often suffer from joint issues.
Give your dog his food in smaller quantities at a time to avoid bloating. He will be more satisfied overall.
How Long To Feed A Great Pyrenees Puppy?
As we have stated, Great Pyrenees puppies are known to be affected by bloating. Therefore, when you feed him you should get him accustomed to eating within a certain timeframe. It may be a bit difficult at first but soon he will form the habit.
Many people use this timed method by allowing their dog about 30 minutes to complete the meal and if there is food left, they remove it.
In this way, your dog will be hungry and ready to eat at the next meal. The schedule helps with regular bowel movement and reduces bloating.
1. NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Editor’s Choice
It should not come as a shock that NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Large Breed Puppy chow is our first pick because it is specifically designed to meet the nutritional requirements of large breed puppies.
Best dry dog food has everything your growing puppy needs, and it lists chicken as the first ingredient. You can also rest assured that there is no GMO, wheat, corn, or soy.
This makes for a delicious kibble that your dog will enjoy. As if that weren’t enough, it also contains omega-3 fatty acids Along with glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints.
2. Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Puppy Dog Food
Runner-Up
If you are looking for another high-quality dog food and then Purina ONE Natural, High Protein, Large Breed Dry Puppy Food is another great option that you can try.
The first ingredient is real chicken, so you can rest assured that your dog will benefit from high-quality protein for his growing muscles. He will also have the benefits of a strong and healthy heart.
The DHA contained in this dog food also helps to promote brain and vision development as well as immune health. The glucosamine will ensure that he develops properly with ample support for his joints.
What makes this dog food stand out is the crunchy bits of dog food as well as the meaty bits that are delicious to dogs. There are no artificial preservatives or flavors.
3. Eukanuba Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Eukanuba Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food is perfectly designed for large breed dogs. You can use this dog food until your dog is 15 months old.
For Great Pyrenees dogs, it would be perfectly fine to use it for up to 24 months as it has the necessary nutrients that your dog needs during his growth.
It will help him to develop strong and healthy muscles and bones because of the phosphorus and calcium.
4. Iams Puppy Dry Dog Food
Iams Puppy dry dog food is the perfect dog food for your Great Pyrenees. It is made with real farm-raised chicken which it lists as the first ingredient. It contains essential minerals for strong bones and muscles.
Veterinarians are more likely to recommend this brand as it has 22 Key nutrients that help your dog’s immune system, and cognition. You can also rest assured that there are no fillers and artificial preservatives.
5. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food is great dog food for large breed puppies with its specially formulated calcium level for bone growth is another great choice.
Strong bones are especially important for large breed dogs because they may have Growing Pains as they develop.
The DHA change comes in the form of fish oil to help vision and cognitive development for growing dogs who are looking to explore their environment. and also has high levels of protein and fat which your dog needs.
Is A Raw Diet Healthy For A Great Pyrenees Puppy?
This can work for a Great Pyrenees puppy, but you need to give them around 2 to 3 % of their adult weight of food. Raw food can actually be beneficial for the Great Pyrenees, but it is difficult for most people to prepare every day.
It can also be a costly option and there needs to be thought put into the contamination factor of raw meat.
Apart from raw meats, you can also feed your dog a number of vegetables and fruits such as broccoli, spinach, celery, watermelon, mango, and apple. Be careful of the seeds.
How Much Do Great Pyrenees Puppies Grow Each Week?
This is one question that is too difficult to answer. This is because during your dog’s development he will grow at different rates. For example, in the first two months of his life, he grows quite a bit.
This growth tends to slow down a bit until the six-month mark even though it is pretty steady.
After 12 months he will have grown to almost completion, but he will slowly add we until the 24-month mark. The growth rate is also determined by a myriad of factors.
Should You Feed A Great Pyrenees Puppy Supplements?
Soft chew supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine can be good for your Great Pyrenees in adulthood, but you should check with your veterinarian just to make sure that it is safe.
Do not give your dog any supplements without receiving an approval first. Your veterinarian may be able to prescribe better supplements for your dog.
How Much Water Should A Great Pyrenees Puppy Drink?
The Great Pyrenees is an active dog who enjoys spending time with his favorite humans, so you need to ensure that he has adequate drinking water throughout the day. This is especially important when the weather is hot.
It is okay to free-feed water but make sure he does not overdo it. There should be water available whenever he is thirsty.
