Hello I have a male great dane who is almost 3 years old. He has just survived a battle with parvo and is doing great! I was wondering if someone had any suggestions as what kind of food would be good for his stomach and to help him put weight back on. He is currently eating 1/2cup chicken, 1/2cup rice,and 1/2cup wellness dry dog food 3x a day. I have always had a weight gaining issue with him even before the parvo. He tops out at 168 lbs but I can still see the hips and some ribs visibly at this weight. Because of the parvo he is currently 120lbs!(imagine what he looks like now!) Thanks

My mum is having the same problem with her Great Dane at the moment, he is a bit skinny.

She has tried everything... roast lamb, chicken, every dry food. He refuses to eat them all.

What you are feeding is excellent for an upset stomach.

You might want to head to your local pet store and check out a few dry food brands, there are many that are specifically for weight gain.
Unfortunately I can't give specifics as we have different ones in Australia But if you have Science Diet over there I would recommend it :)

Maybe if you feed him puppy food again. The high amounts of nutrients needed for growing puppies should put weight back on him. We have a 1 year old male and were told by our vet to take him off the puppy food at 8 months old because he was gaining too fast. When you do switch foods be sure to mix them together starting with 75% old food, 25 % new and gradually descrease the old and increase the new over a few days. If you don't mix them, he'll get an upset stomach and diarrhea.

Kdenison07 great Danes are not supposed to have puppy food period. It has too much protein and cause them grow to fast causing joint problems.

True greatdanelover I'm not sure if the protein would have too much of an effect on an older dog but better not to chance it :)

Eagle Pack Adult Formula, Supreme Dog Food, the purple back 8+, it is geared towards large dogs, I have a St. Bernard that has done will on this, he is 158 lbs, and I feed him 6.5 cups a day, once a day, this will make their body store and use their energy better. Otherwise another great food is Diamond Puppy Large Breed, this is a good restoration food, until your dog is up to weight, depending on his weight and size, about 7 cups a day would help.

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Originally Posted by greatdanelover3

Kdenison07 great Danes are not supposed to have puppy food period. It has to much protein and cause them grow to fast causing joint problems.

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Not True, if you don't feed them right, and they grow too fast or get heavy too fast, that causes joint issues.

Also, you can mix chicken broth in the food to entice his appetite.

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Originally Posted by shazamataz

My mum is having the same problem with her Great Dane at the moment, he is a bit skinny.

She has tried everything... roast lamb, chicken, every dry food. He refuses to eat them all.

What you are feeding is excellent for an upset stomach.

You might want to head to your local pet store and check out a few dry food brands, there are many that are specifically for weight gain.
Unfortunately I can't give specifics as we have different ones in Australia But if you have Science Diet over there I would reccomend it :)

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Feed once a day, a good healthy food geared towards Large Dog breeds, and mix in rice and chicken broth, switch to feeding once a day, not free feeding, they will be looking forward to eating then.

Too much protein for a great Dane is bad.how do u think they grow too fast? With more then a 24% protein content! Great Danes are one of the few breeds that won't over eat so free freeding deosnt hurt them. You should never mix in chicken broth or rice unless absolutely necessar. There is a reason why that is only given to help cope with a sensitive stomach during parvo.also great Danes need close to 15 cups a day of food. Why would you expect a dog to eat that much in one setting! Feeding a dog twice a day is much healthier for the dog. How would u like to eat once a day? A dog deosnt like it either. The best food to give. Dog is a high quality all natural dry dog food period. If u have any questions please go to Great Dane Lady | Dog Health, Nutrition, HOD, Allergies and then tell me protein in dog food deosnt effect joints!
I know this was my question but I don't want people giving incorrect advise about a breed that is as sensitive as a great Dane.

Oh and never feed puppy food to a great Dane! Even a large puppy breed puppy food

I am just curious... I do not want to start anything... what kind of food are you feeding them that recommends 15 cups a day? We rescued both of ours and the vet recommended puppy food for Guinness since he was 6 months old, slightly underweight and growing. At 8 months we took him back for another checkup and were told that his weight was perfect and to take him off the puppy food. We take both of ours to the vet for regular checkups and every 6 months to purchase Heartgard and Comfortis. We confirmed with the vet that the 4 cups a day separated into two feedings per day per dog was the correct feeding amount. I was informed that the higher quality of food the less you have to feed them due to the fillers in the cheap stuff.

I free feed my great danes. When I was feeding them twice a day they each got 7 cups in the morning( it was always eaten) and 7 cups in the evening( also always eaten) Please check out this website Great Dane Lady | Dog Health, Nutrition, HOD, Allergies She is an actual nutritionist for great danes. You can cleary see puppy food is not good for great danes. I have raised many litters and have never fed mine puppy food. I still get big puppies who grow to be big adults but they grow properly.

I absolutely LOVE The Great Dane Lady site!
Everyone who own a larger breed should use this as their bible!

And kdenison... THIS is why you don't feed more than 23% protein the a great dane or any larger breed...
http://www.greatdanelady.com/Images/bkl%20dog.JPG