The great Pyrenees is a masculine and energetic breed that requires a high-quality diet (dense in protein and calories for energy) to perform to its ability and enjoy a healthy life. Being a large breed with slow metabolism overfeeding can easily cause unnecessary weight gain leading to serious health issues.
A great Pyrenees puppy will eat 1.5-2 cups and an adult 4-6 cups of food daily. However, you should feed them in small potions to avoid bloating and keep their weight in check. Needless to say, it’s cheaper to maintain a great Pyrenees (nutrition-wise) compared to other giant breeds like the great dane which consumes up to 10 cups of food daily.
Great Pyrenees nutrient needs
Great Pyrenees are prone to health issues like hip dysplasia due to excess weight exerted on the joints. Also, they suffer from skin conditions that can be triggered by a diet containing allergens such as gluten, soy, and corn. Therefore, you need to be careful about what you feed your dog right from puppyhood to prevent these issues.
Your pet will require high-quality protein (wholesome animal meat to be precise) like poultry, lamb, and beef to maintain his heavily built body. Other proteins like plant-based tend to cause stomach issues in your dog and are better avoided or given as supplements.
For an energetic dog like the great Pyrenees, I prefer Complex carbohydrates which break down slowly keeping his energy constant though out the day. If you have to feed your dog simple carbs, do so in very small potions and on rare occasions as it spikes up his energy and can also cause excess weight gain if consumed regularly.
Your dog will also need healthy fats like canola, avocado, coconut oil, and omega3 fatty acids to maintain healthy joints and heart. These healthy fats also help to keep your dog’s coat healthy and give a glossy appearance to their hair. As a matter of fact, coconut oil is one of the best home remedies for shedding in dogs. However, you need to incorporate these fats in his diet in a controlled way to prevent obesity.
Best dog food for Great Pyrenees
Here are the 10 best dog food for both the puppy and adult great Pyrenees
1. Royal Canin giant junior dry dog food
Royal Canin giant junior dry dog food is suitable for puppies in the second growth stage of age 8-24 months. This food is high in protein(Chicken by-products) to aid in the growth of their developing muscle. It’s packed with calcium and phosphorus for healthy and strong bones and joints to support your giant pup. It also contains antioxidants to boost their immune system and prebiotics to maintain a healthy digestive system.
2. Now fresh grain-free large breed puppy recipe
Now fresh grain-free is dry dog food, large kibble for growing puppies to help slow chewing. It’s basically fresh de-boned poultry and fish to support your pup’s growing muscle, Whole eggs to provide your dog with the essential amino acids he needs, Flax seeds a good source of fiber and antioxidants, Vegges and fruits to support immune function, and a healthy gut.
3. Eukanuba puppy large breed dry dog food
Eukanuba puppy large breed dog food is balanced dry dog food for large breed puppies up to 15 months weighing over 15lbs. It’s made up of high-quality animal protein from chicken meat. It contains omega-3 and the 6 fatty acids to promote a healthy heart, skin, and radiant coat. This puppy food is also rich in calcium and phosphorus to help maintain strong and healthy bones for heavy dogs. Also, it contains optimal levels of healthy fats and carbohydrates suitable for an energetic dog like the Great Pyrenees.
4. Ziwi peak beef air-dried dog food
Ziwi peak beef air-dried dog food is a high protein dog food of 96% beef to suit an energetic dog like the Pyrenees. It also has green mussels to promote a healthy heart, brain, skin, and a radiant coat. This food is suitable for dogs with grain allergies as it is a grain-free food. It is also a low-carb dog food to prevent your dog from unnecessary weight gain which could lead to issues like hip dysplasia.
5. Fromm large breed adult gold dog food
From large breed adult dog food is well formulated with animal protein to support healthy muscle growth and chicken cartilage for healthy joints. It contains whole grain carbs to maintain a healthy weight by keeping your Pyrenees full for longer while providing optimal energy throughout the day. It also contains Probiotics to support immunity and digestion and healthy fats to maintain healthy skin and a radiant coat for your Pyrenees.
6. Eagle pack natural dry large breed dog food
This is well-balanced nutrition for large and giant breed dogs (over 50pounds) well formulated with high-quality protein, fat, and carbohydrates for healthy growth. It’s basically animal protein(whole meat cuts), oatmeal, brown rice, chicken fat, salmon oil, flax seeds, and vitamins. It also contains DHA to support the healthy development of the brain and eyes.
You need not worry about any artificial additives as it contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
7. American journey active life large breed chicken & sweet potato
American journey large breed dry dog food is high nutrient-dense food to support the overall healthy growth of your Pyrenees. It contains chicken and sweet potato as the 1st ingredient for energy and muscle growth. This food is also well formulated with antioxidants, omega3 and omega6 fatty acids for healthy brain and heart development. It’s grain-free and therefore need not be worried about bloating which is common with the Pyrenees on consuming grains.
And yes, it’s large kibble specifically formulated to suit your large dog as it can easily swallow small kibble without chewing.
8. Nutro natural large breed senior chicken & brown rice recipe
This dry dog food is specifically made for large breeds like your Pyrenees with the 1st ingredients being chicken(whole meat cuts) & brown rice. Meaning, it’s high-quality protein and rich in fiber to give your pet constant energy throughout the day. Fibre also helps your dog remain full for longer keeping his weight in check. It contains natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints and chicken fat for healthy skin and coat. Also, it’s well formulated with antioxidants to support immunity and a healthy heart.
Nutro natural dog food is grain-free, contains no by-products, and is non-GMO.
9. Wellness core grain-free large breed dog food
Wellness core grain-free dog food is made with high-quality protein (chicken meat), optimal levels of calories, probiotics for healthy digestion, omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, and glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints.
Needless to say, it’s grain-free and larger kibble size to ensure proper chewing.
10. Merrick grain-free large breed chicken and sweet potato
Merrick grain-free dry dog food is 80% protein to help maintain healthy muscle, 1st ingredients being deboned chicken and sweet potatoes. Other ingredients include turkey meal, potatoes, and chicken meal just to get a glimpse of how much protein this food is loaded with. It’s also well formulated with vitamins and minerals, omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints.
It’s all-natural food containing no artificial additives and grain free for dogs like the Pyrenees with sensitive stomachs.
In addition to these nutritious foods for your great Pyrenees, exercise your pet frequently to get rid of the pent-up energy which might bring about restlessness. Also, take your dog to the vet for regular checkups at least 2 times a year for a healthy and prolonged life.