Best dog foods for a Great Pyrenees.
Great Pyrenees are large, protective, and independent family dogs.
They need regular exercise and a balanced, high-calorie diet with moderate fat to prevent obesity.
To support their joints, foods with glucosamine, chondroitin, calcium, and phosphorus (in a 2:1 ratio) are essential.
Great Pyrenees are prone to health issues like joint problems, plaque, gingivitis, heart conditions, eye problems, and cancer.
Diets rich in taurine, vitamin A, antioxidants, L-carnitine, and teeth-cleaning properties can help reduce these risks and support overall health.
A tailored diet helps maintain their well-being and energy levels.
Choosing the right food for the Great Pyrenees helps prevent tummy upsets, allergies, and unhealthy weight.
Here are the top five brands for their nutritional needs:
- Blue Buffalo
- Orijen
- Merrick
- Wellness Core
- Solid Gold.
These brands support joint health, digestion, and overall well-being. The average cost for high-quality food ranges from $39.99 to $99.99 for 20-30 lb bags, with an average of $64.86.
Puppies require more calories, while seniors benefit from diets rich in glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support. The right food promotes a happy, healthy dog at every stage of life.
Best Dog Food for Great Pyrenees
- Best Overall: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food – $55.98 for a 30-lb bag= 1.87 per lb.
- Best Price-Effective: True Acre Foods Beef & Vegetable Recipe Dry Dog Food – $39.99 for a 30-lb bag= $1.33 per lb.
- Best for Puppies: Orijen Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food – $99.99 for a 25-lb bag= $3.99.
- Best for Adults: Merrick Grain Free Large Breed Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Large Breed Formula Dry Dog Food – $64.98 for a 22-lb bag= $2.95 per lb.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula by Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd., launched on July 14, 2009, targets large and giant breed puppies.
Key ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, and Barley. DHA and ARA support brain development, while omegas boost skin and coat health.
Calcium and phosphorus strengthen bones and muscles. Antioxidants and chelated minerals boost immunity and nutrient absorption.
With 26% protein and 15% fat (386 Kcal/cup), it supports muscle development and stamina.
Free from corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-products. Ideal for sensitive tummies.
Puppies up to 5 lbs need ½-1 cups daily. A 30-lb bag costs $55.98.
Orijen Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Orijen Large Breed Formula from Champion Petfoods launched on March 15, 2019, targets all dog breeds.
Main ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Turkey Giblets, Flounder, and Whole Mackerel.
It offers 38% protein for muscle growth, 20% fat, and 475 Kcal/cup for energy.
Supports joint and bone health with glucosamine, calcium, and phosphorus. DHA promotes cognitive health. Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids enhance skin and coat health.
Pumpkins, lentils, and peas provide fiber, while antioxidants from blueberries prevent oxidative damage.
Ideal for dogs with grain allergies. Great Pyrenees puppies need ⅔ cups per day at 11 lbs. A 25-lb bag costs $99.99.
Merrick Grain Free Large Breed Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Large Breed Formula Dry Dog Food
Merrick Grain-Free Formula by Merrick Pet Care, introduced on October 18, 2019, is designed for large and giant breeds.
Key ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, and Potatoes.
It offers 30% high-value protein for muscle health, 382 Kcal/cup, and 15% fat for energy.
Chondroitin and glucosamine reduce joint risks, while taurine and L-carnitine support cardiac wellness.
Sweet potatoes provide fiber for gut health, and omega-6 and 3 fatty acids ensure a healthy coat.
Ideal for grain allergies. Feed adult dogs twice a day based on weight. A 22-lb bag costs $64.98.
Wellness Core Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Wellness Core Formula by Wellpet LLC, introduced on September 12, 2010, targets large and giant breeds.
Key ingredients include Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Lentils, and Peas.
With 34% protein, 12% fat, and 342 Kcal/cup, it supports muscle tone, weight maintenance, and energy.
Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids boost coat and skin health.
Probiotics, antioxidants, chondroitin, and glucosamine enhance digestion, immunity, and joint health.
Ideal for sensitive tummies and grain allergies.
Daily intake: 50-60 lbs need 3-3 ⅔ cups, 61-70 lbs need 3 ⅔-4 cups. A 26-lb bag costs $74.99.
Merrick Backcountry Raw Freeze-Dried Large Breed Recipe
Merrick Backcountry Formula by Merrick Pet Care, introduced on April 8, 2020, targets large and giant breeds.
Key ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, and Potatoes.
Freeze-dried raw coated for flavor, it has 38% premium protein for muscles, 386 calories/cup, and 17% fat for activity.
Taurine supports heart health; yucca schidigera aids digestion and reduces stool odor.
Antioxidants from superfoods like blueberries protect against inflammation.
Free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Ideal for weight maintenance, sensitive digestion, and grain allergies.
Daily feeding: 40 lbs = 2 ½ cups; 50 lbs = 3 cups. A 20-lb bag costs $74.98.
True Acre Foods Beef & Vegetable Recipe Dry Dog Food
True Acre Formula by True Acre Foods provides premium nutrition for all dog breeds.
Key ingredients include Beef, Peas, Pea Starch, Poultry By-Product Meal, and Canola Meal.
Beef fuels muscles, and antioxidants, fiber, and omegas aid in health.
Farm-grown veggies like carrots, cranberries, and peas enhance well-being.
Free from grains, corn, wheat, and soy, it suits allergic dogs. Calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc boost bone, teeth, muscle, and immune health.
Vitamins A and C support vision, coat, skin, and immunity. Great Pyrenees weighing 41-60 lbs need 3-4 cups daily. A 30-lb bag costs $39.99.
American Journey Salmon & Brown Rice Large Breed Dry Food
American Journey Formula from Chewy offers overall health benefits for all dog breeds.
Key ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Peas, and Rice Bran.
With 25% protein for lean muscles, 15% fat, and 345 Kcal/cup for energy, it includes calcium and phosphorus for bones and muscles.
Zinc, selenium, and vitamin E boost immunity; taurine supports cardiac health.
Omega-6 and 3 fatty acids enhance skin health, and yucca schidigera aids digestion and reduces stool odor.
Free from wheat, corn, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives. Ideal for sensitive tummies. Daily feeding: 40 lbs = 3 cups; 60 lbs = 3 ⅓ cups. A 28-lb bag costs $44.99.
What Should You Consider While Buying Dog Foods for Great Pyrenees?
Great Pyrenees need foods matching their breed-specific needs. High-quality proteins (beef, chicken, fish) are essential for muscle support. Look for real meat as the first ingredient.
Their weight makes them prone to joint issues, so foods with chondroitin, glucosamine, calcium, and phosphorus are crucial.
Moderate fat value foods, sourced from chicken fat and flaxseed, help prevent obesity. L-carnitine breaks down excess fat.
Dental problems necessitate teeth-friendly dry foods to remove tartar.
Prone to heart issues, these dogs benefit from taurine and L-carnitine in their diet for cardiac wellness.
What are the best dog foods for the Great Pyrenees with different ingredients?
Great Pyrenees are prone to joint issues, so foods with glucosamine and chondroitin are essential.
Antioxidant-rich foods help reduce the risk of cancer by minimizing oxidative damage.
The Best Dog Food With glucosamine and Chondroitin for the Great Pyrenees
- Diamond Naturals Large Breed Dry Food: Real chicken is the main source of protein, and glucosamine and chondroitin reduce joint inflammation.
The Best Dog Food With Blueberries for Great Pyrenees
- Farmina N & D Prime Lamb & Blueberry Dry Food: Blueberry is the 6th ingredient for antioxidants that prevent cancer and other inflammatory diseases.
What are the best dog foods for the Great Pyrenees with different health conditions?
The Best Dog Food for Great Pyrenees With Pancreatitis
- Canidae Pure Healthy Weight Grain-Free Dry Food: It is crafted with only 9 ingredients to reduce the risks of sensitivities and allergies. In addition, the fat value of 9% is suitable for the Great Pyrenees with Pancreatitis.
The Best Dog Food for Great Pyrenees With Allergies
- Royal Canin Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Veterinary Diet Dry Food: This veterinary-exclusive hydrolyzed dog food is perfect for your Great Pyrenees. It reduces gastric and skin reactions resulting from sensitivities to ingredients in your dog’s food. It also protects the skin barrier to reduce skin irritations.
What is the ideal weight for the Great Pyrenees?
Great Pyrenees reach adult size around 18-24 months, with significant growth in their first year.
At 1 year, males weigh 95-110 lbs, and females 80-95 lbs. Adult males weigh 100-160 lbs, and females 85-115 lbs, with broader chests and thicker coats as they mature.
What are the ingredients to avoid for the Great Pyrenees
Great Pyrenees need healthy, vet-approved diets. Avoid these harmful ingredients:
- Chocolate: Contains toxic theobromine, causing restlessness, excessive urination, diarrhea, and can be fatal.
- Onions: Lead to anemia, breathing difficulties, and lethargy.
- Grapes/Raisins: Highly toxic, causing abdominal pain, dehydration, weakness, and can lead to kidney failure.
- Xylitol: Found in candy and diet foods, this sweetener causes seizures, hypoglycemia, and liver failure, and can be deadly.
- Caffeine: Poisonous to dogs, leading to heart palpitations, restlessness, and possibly death.
How often should I feed my Great Pyrenees during the day?
Free-feeding isn’t advisable for Great Pyrenees due to the risk of overeating and obesity.
Measure food for one meal, allowing 30 minutes to eat. Adults need two meals per day; puppies require three.
Active adult Pyrenees need 2200 calories daily; puppies need 1670 calories. Spread meals to avoid tummy issues.
| Stage | Number of calories | Number of feeding times | Amount per feeding session |
| Adult | 2200 | 1-2 times | 1100 calories |
| Puppy | 1670 | 2-3 times | 557 calories |
Spreading meals reduces digestive issues, while mixed feeding supports dental health and provides hydration for the Great Pyrenees.
