Best Dog Foods For Great Pyrenees: Puppies, Adults & Seniors

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Despite their commanding appearance, Great Pyrenees are calm, patient, and loving. But what would be the best word for this breed? In one word, giant! Because of their size yet lower metabolism, it takes a little more research to find the best dog food for Great Pyrenees, no matter what stage of life your pup is in. I’ll walk you through which nutrients this breed needs during each life stage and recommend some ideal formulas that tick all the right nutritional boxes for your pup.

Puppies	Adults	Seniors
Diamond Naturals	The Farmer’s Dog	Nutro
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All of the dog foods I’ve included in my reviews meet or exceed Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional guidelines, are made in the U.S., and contain no fillers, by-products, preservatives, or artificial ingredients.

Great Pyrenees Puppy Nutrient Needs

The puppy stage is probably the most important life stage for dogs. This is particularly true for large-breed puppies. Large and giant breed puppies experience rapid growth and require puppy food specifically formulated for large and giant breeds. All high-quality formulas designed for large-breed puppies have the optimum balance of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and fat content. These nutrients are key to controlling bone growth. Otherwise, it can significantly increase the chances of developing orthopedic diseases such as hip dysplasia and patella luxation, which the Great Pyrenees is already susceptible to.

The MSD Veterinary Manual recommends that all puppy food should provide a minimum protein content of 22%. Because the Great Pyrenees has a much larger muscle mass, he should be fed kibble with a minimum protein level of 26%. This will provide him with all the amino acids he needs to develop. The Manual also recommends that a minimum fat content of 8% is best as well. This can come from salmon oils and chicken fat, which supports bone growth, a healthy coat, brain, and eye function.

A wide variety of vitamins and minerals are also key, either in the form of wholesome fruit and veggies or extra added supplements. These will support his developing immune system, which will ensure that he can fight illnesses effectively.

Adult Great Pyrenees Nutrient Needs

When your Great Pyrenees pup reaches the age of 18 months, you need to start thinking about finding a suitable adult kibble. Again, you’ll want to find one that is specifically created for large and giant breeds. Be sure to slowly transition him to his new kibble. Otherwise, you risk upsetting his stomach, so follow the package instructions accordingly. This breed is prone to gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), commonly known as canine bloat. This happens when dogs eat too fast and the stomach twists. It is painful and can be life-threatening.

Adult dog formulas are lower in both protein and fats compared to puppy kibbles. The MSD Manual recommends that an adult dog be fed kibble containing at least 18% protein. However, the protein content should be at least 23% for larger breeds.

During adulthood, the focus of his nutrition should be a well-balanced diet. Healthy carbohydrates will provide him with energy, and wholesome fibers will keep him feeling fuller and prevent him from eating calorific and fatty snacks. It is particularly important to ensure that the Great Pyrenees does not become overweight. Too much weight will only add more pressure to his joints, creating further health concerns.

Senior Great Pyrenees Nutrient Needs

From around the age of 7, your Great Pyrenees will join the senior’s gang. At this point, you need to slowly transition him to a senior formula that will take care of his changing nutritional needs. Aging dogs, like older humans, become less active compared to their younger years. This means it’s important to lower the number of calories and carbohydrates that he eats.

A well-balanced diet is still necessary. But now, it’s more important than ever to ensure that the kibble you feed him has higher levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to support his aging joints. Meat meals, fish meals, and omega fatty acids are all rich sources of these ingredients, so be sure to look out for them.

A wide variety of vitamins and minerals will help to strengthen his aging immune system so that he can fight illnesses and diseases. Ingredients such as taurine and L-carnitine will look after his cardiac health and metabolism, respectively.

Best Food For Great Pyrenees Puppies

Great Pyrenees puppies between the ages of 8 weeks and 15 to 18 months must be fed puppy food crafted for large and giant breeds to support their rapid growth. Most Great Pyrenees pups will reach over 100 pounds.

Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Review

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This budget-friendly Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy formula uses real lamb, lamb meal, and fish meal as primary protein sources. Your Pyrenees puppy’s protein needs are met with this kibble for strong and lean muscle growth. It also features easy-to-digest grains, such as whole-grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, and grain sorghum.

It lists real fruits and vegetables, including kale, pumpkin, spinach, carrots, oranges, coconut, papaya, and more. All of these are high in vitamins and antioxidants. This formula includes probiotic strain cultures, flaxseed, chia seeds, salmon oil, and dried chicory root. All these ingredients help ensure your pup’s digestive tract and joints are healthy.

Key Features

• Budget-friendly formula
• Real lamb is the first ingredient
• Grain-inclusive
• Made with real fruits and vegetables
• No corn, wheat, or fillers
• DHA for brain development
• 417 kcal/cup
• 35% protein, 14% fat, 6% fiber

Price

• Starts at $17.99 ($3.00 / lb) (6-lb bag)

Wellness CORE Large Breed Puppy Review

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This Wellness CORE Large Breed Puppy grain-free recipe lists deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal in the first 5 ingredients. This provides your puppy’s large muscle mass with a high amount of protein. Your pup will also get plenty of glucosamine for his growing joints. Healthy fibers such as lentils and sweet potatoes provide energy through slow-burning carbohydrates.

The calcium and phosphorus ratio supports healthy bone growth. Reviewers loved how their pup’s coat was healthy and shiny, thanks to the flaxseed and salmon oil. These ingredients also provide DHA for brain development and eye function. This recipe also has a wide variety of superfoods that support the developing immune system with vitamins and minerals, such as carrots, apples, blueberries, spinach, and kale, to name just a few.

Key Features

• Grain-free formula
• High animal protein concentration
• Contains premium, all-natural ingredients
• Based on an ancestral diet for canines
• 417 kcal/cup
• 34% protein, 13% fat, 5% fiber

Price

• $77.98 ($3.25 / lb) (24-lb bag)

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Puppy Review

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This Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Puppy kibble provides a high protein content with deboned chicken, chicken meal, and salmon meal. These ingredients all provide a big meaty taste that dogs love and ensure large pups grow steadily. The calcium and phosphorus ratios are correct for large dogs. Additional ingredients such as oatmeal and barley provide energy, and dried kelp helps ensure that his bones and teeth are strong.

His body receives vitamins in the form of LifeSource Bits, which are Blue Buffalo’s proprietary blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It also includes wholesome fruits and veggies, egg products, and fish oil, ensuring that his cognitive and eye function develops as they should. This recipe is high in fiber, which is great for those with an irregular digestive system or loose stools. Reviewers commented on how this recipe soothed sensitive skin and stomach problems after switching to this kibble.

Key Features

• Real chicken is the first ingredient
• Grain-inclusive
• DHA for brain support
• Contains no by-product meals.
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• High-protein ratio
• 417 kcal/cup
• 35% protein, 14% fat, 6% fiber

Price

• Starts at $37.98 ($2.53 / lb) (15-lb bag)

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Review

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Real chicken is the first ingredient in this Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy recipe. This helps ensure that his large muscle mass will develop as it should, as well as provide a meaty taste and other nutrients that his body needs. Fish oil and egg products are also listed, which provide those all-important DHA ingredients.

With biotin and folic acid, his coat is also healthy. It has a higher moisture content than most kibbles, which some dogs find easier to chew. The kibble size is also slightly larger, which is good news for a big breed like the Pyrenees.

Key Features

• Budget-friendly dog food
• High protein formula for muscle development
• Grain-inclusive
• DHA for brain development
• Probiotics for digestive health
• 419 kcal/cup
• 28% protein, 13% fat, 4.75% fiber

Price

• Starts at $52.98 ($2.94 / lb) (18-lb bag)

Orijen Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Review

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The first 10 ingredients in this Orijen Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy recipe are high-quality proteins that follow a biologically appropriate diet. This means that the meat, organs, and cartilage are all included. This food is very nutritious but super tasty. In addition to the high-quality protein ingredients, wholesome vegetables and fruits such as pumpkin, collard greens, carrots, and apples, provide your pup with the antioxidants he needs to stay healthy.

It is fortified with prebiotics and probiotics, taurine, and omega-3 fatty acids and contains no added soy, corn, tapioca, or wheat ingredients. The kibble is also a slightly larger size, which, again, is great for a breed that’s the size of a Pyrenees.

Key Features

• High-protein formula
• Uses raw and fresh animal ingredients
• Grain-free
• Made with wild-caught fish
• Made with cage-free eggs
• 451 kcal/cup
• 38% protein, 16% fat, 4% fiber

Price

• Starts at $69.29 ($5.33 / lb) (13-lb bag)

Best Food For Adult Great Pyrenees

Once your Great Pyrenees hits around 18 months, you’ll want to start the transition to adult food. It’s recommended that you do this in stages, mixing your pup’s old food with the new food so you don’t upset their digestive system. Most Great Pyrenees aren’t picky when it comes to food, so you’ll likely find any of the foods we’ve covered below will fit well with their preferences.

The Farmer’s Dog Review

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We are not saying you want to eat this dog food from The Farmer’s Dog, but you certainly could because it includes only human-grade ingredients. This ensures that your dog’s coat stays shiny and his large muscles are kept strong and healthy. The customized plan, designed by vets and recommended based on your Pyrenees’ specific needs, supports him in maintaining healthy body weight and condition. And to get more bang for your buck, mix in homecooked rice if your Great Pyrenees does not require a grain-free diet.

In addition to high-quality meats (beef, chicken, pork, or turkey), your dog will enjoy the gentle fibers, such as sweet potatoes and lentils, that encourage digestion and healthy gut flora. Prepared in a USDA-certified kitchen, these recipes are sure to please even the most discerning palate.

These grain-free meal plans are customized for your dog’s breed, age, weight, activity level, and ideal weight. It’s an excellent option that guarantees your dog is eating the freshest, highest-quality, well-balanced meal available.

Key Features

• Human-grade meals
• All are grain-free
• Cooked fresh, flash-frozen, and shipped to you
• Personalized meal plans
• 4 healthy, vet-designed options: beef, chicken, turkey, or pork
• No fillers or artificial preservatives
• Calories and nutritional values vary based on recipe

Price

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• Starts at $2/day

Merrick Large Breed Grain-Free Review

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With a high protein content, deboned chicken, chicken, meal, and salmon meal provide protein for your pup’s muscle maintenance and repair. This Merrick Large Breed Grain-Free formula also supplies plenty of glucosamine and chondroitin for his joints, salmon oil for joint, skin, and coat health, and taurine for heart health. This recipe is grain-free, and despite listing a lot of wholesome veggies and fruits, it has a lower fiber content, which is ideal for some dogs.

Key Features

• Deboned chicken is the first ingredient
• Grain-free formula
• Gluten-free formula
• Ingredients sourced from local farmers
• 387 kcal/cup
• 30% protein, 15% fat, 3.5% fiber

Price

• $72.98 ($3.32 / Pound) (22-lb bag)

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Adult Salmon Review

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This Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Adult recipe features salmon, prebiotics, probiotics, and a high fiber content. It’s a good choice for Pyrenees pups with a sensitive stomach or allergies. Reviewers commented on how it soothed sensitive stomachs and firmed their pooch’s stools. It also lists L-carnitine, which helps keep his metabolism working efficiently.

Blue Buffalo also includes their LifeSource Bits in this recipe, which are cold-formed to retain their potency. They provide a full range of specific large-breed nutrients required during adulthood. It’s also fortified with taurine for heart health and glucosamine for joints.

Key Features

• Real salmon is the first ingredient
• Grain-inclusive (oatmeal, barley, etc.)
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• Omega fatty acids for skin & coat health
• No artificial flavors
• 388 kcal/cup
• 32% protein, 14% fat, 6% fiber

Price

• $85.98 ($3.07 / lb) (28-lb bag)

Wellness CORE Large Breed Grain-Free Review

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This Wellness CORE Large Breed Grain-Free formula has a high protein content thanks to ingredients such as deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal. These ingredients are a great source of natural glucosamine and chondroitin. Wholesome veggies and fibers such as sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, apples, blueberries, kale, and peas support his digestive system and overall well-being.

This could be a good option if your pooch is prone to weight gain. It contains lower calorie and fat content than many. L-carnitine is also listed, which helps him to manage his weight, and the meat meals listed above, along with ground flaxseed, nourish his skin and coat from the inside out.

Key Features

• High-protein formula
• Grain-free recipe
• Glucosamine for joint support
• No meat by-products or fillers
• Antioxidants for immune health
• 342 kcal/cup
• 34% protein, 12% fat, 6% fiber

Price

• Check Amazon for availability (26-lb bag)

Best Food For Senior Great Pyrenees

Once your dog hits around 8 years of age, you’ll want to start transitioning to senior dog food. Because the Great Pyrenees are such big dogs, you’ll likely want something with additional joint support. This means looking at foods that contain chondroitin or glucosamine to help keep joints healthy and extend their longevity.

As your Great Pyrenees ages, they will likely slow down. That means that calorie intake should be lessened compared to traditional adult food. Continuing with smaller multiple feedings daily will ensure that your pup doesn’t put on extra unwanted pounds as their energy levels start slowing down. Below are our five favorite foods for your aging Great Pyrenees.

Nutro Large Breed Senior Review

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This Nutro Large Breed Senior formula is low in calories and fat, which is ideal if your senior Great Pyrenees has slowed down a lot. Real chicken and chicken meal are found in the first four ingredients. This means you can be sure that he will get all the protein he needs for his muscles and energy. This formula also has added glucosamine and chondroitin for aging joints. With a select blend of fats, fish oils, vitamins, and minerals, it’s crafted to help maintain a nourished coat and enhance cognitive health.

Wholesome fruits and veggies such as pumpkin, spinach, and kale also provide him with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals for his immune system. Highly digestible fibers such as sweet potato and dried beet pulp will maintain a regular digestive system and healthy gut flora.

Key Features

• Non-GMO formula
• Grain-inclusive (brown rice, brewers rice, etc.)
• Made with farm-raised chicken
• Natural sources of glucosamine & chondroitin
• Made with no corn, wheat, or soy
• 323 kcal/cup
• 22% protein, 10% fat, 4% fiber

Price

• $74.98 ($2.50 / lb) (30-lb bag)

Merrick Senior Grain-Free Review

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This Merrick Senior Grain-Free kibble is designed for all breeds. While we wouldn’t normally recommend such a generic product, Merrick has created this kibble with leading levels of glucosamine and chondroitin. Both of these ingredients are critical for giant breeds to support their joints. It also contains prebiotics and probiotics for gut health and L-carnitine to help boost a slowing metabolism.

This formula is also rich in fish oils, which will nourish your senior’s drying coat. Deboned chicken and chicken meal are the first two ingredients, followed by fruits and veggies for his fibrous needs. It is grain-free too, so it is a great option for those dogs who struggle to digest grains.

Key Features

• Grain-free formula
• Gluten-free formula
• Glucosamine boost for joint health
• Omega fatty acids for skin & coat health
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• 382 kcal/cup
• 30% protein, 12% fat, 3.5% fiber

Price

• $72.98 ($3.32 / lb) (22-lb bag)

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Senior Review

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This Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Senior recipe has low fat and high fiber content, which is great for seniors who have digestive irregularities or sensitive stomachs. Seniors can struggle to digest fat as well as they did in their younger years. In conjunction with the high fiber content, this formula is great for an aging pup’s sensitive digestive tract. It’s been noted to improve regularity and stool consistency.

The LifeSource Bits also provide him with the optimum blend of nutrients he needs in his later years. This is a Blue Buffalo proprietary blend that will help boost your pup’s immune system later in life. Deboned chicken and chicken meal support his muscle mass, hips, and joints.

Key Features

• Budget-friendly formula
• Grain-inclusive (brown rice, oatmeal, etc.)
• Glucosamine boost for joint health
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• No chicken by-product meals
• L-Carnitine for metabolism
• 343 kcal/cup
• 20% protein, 10% fat, 7% fiber

Price

• Starts at $69.98 ($2.33 / lb) (30-lb bag)

Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Senior Review

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This Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Senior diet is based on exactly that, science, and it is made with larger breeds who aren’t very active in mind. Chicken meal is the first ingredient, which supports muscles, bones, and joints, as well as being super tasty. It has an ideal blend of easy-to-digest grain ingredients. It also carries a balanced set of vitamins and minerals that will take care of his heart and kidney health.

Thanks to the optimized calories and L-carnitine, it means that your senior pup’s metabolism is kept in check, and they don’t pile on too many pounds, which is important in senior years.

Key Features

• Veterinarian backed brand
• Grain-inclusive (cracked pearled barley, brewers rice, etc.)
• Omega fatty acids for skin & coat health
• Glucosamine for joint support
• No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• 352 kcal/cup
• 15.5% protein, 10.5% fat, 4% fiber

Price

• $80.99 ($2.45 / lb) (33-lb bag)

Nulo Freestyle Senior Grain-Free Review

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This Nulo Freestyle Senior Grain-Free recipe lists deboned trout, turkey meal, and salmon meal as the first three ingredients. This means you can be sure that your senior pup’s taste buds will be impressed. It has a higher protein content, which is great for his overall health and muscle retention. This recipe uses no chicken, egg, or grain ingredients, so it’s a good choice for those Great Pyrenees with allergies.

With lower glycemic ingredients and L-carnitine, your pup will maintain a healthy weight despite a slightly higher calorie content. Patented probiotics and easy-to-digest fibers, such as chickpeas and sweet potatoes, support a regular digestive system too.

Key Features

• Free from common food allergens
• Grain-free formula
• Glucosamine boost for joint health
• L-carnitine for optimal metabolism
• Probiotic strains for digestion
• Calcium boost for bone health
• 396 kcal/cup
• 30% protein, 12% fat, 5% fiber

Price

• Starts at $29.99 ($5.00 / Pound) (6-lb bag)

Best Food for Overweight Great Pyrenees

It’s not too uncommon for a Great Pyrenees to find himself a little plumper than he should be. Whatever the reason, it is important to return him back to his healthy weight. Otherwise, you risk weight-related health concerns, which will add to the pressure on his joints and bones. So, along with daily exercise, simply switch him to a weight management diet with your vet’s okay.

Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Large Breed Review

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The protein content in Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Large Breed recipe is 27%, the fat content is 9.5%, and the calorie count is 384 per cup. Purina has made this weight management kibble with larger breeds in mind. This is a grain-inclusive recipe, but protein is still the first ingredient, and as such, his large muscles are still well cared for. It’s fortified with omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health, glucosamine for joint health, and taurine for heart health.

Key Features

• Budget-friendly formula
• Higher protein content for muscle retention
• Lower-calories & fat
• Grain-inclusive (rice, oatmeal, etc.)
• Probiotics for gut health
• Higher fiber content
• 384 kcal/cup
• 27% protein, 9.5% fat, 5.5% fiber

Price

• $77.48 ($2.28 / lb) (34-lb bag)

Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Large Breed Review

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From the Life Protection series, this Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Large Breed kibble offers low-calorie and fat content. The fiber content is 10%, which means your pup will feel fuller for much longer, so your pup may not beg for food as much as they used to. L-carnitine is also listed, so this will help stimulate his metabolism. This formula contains Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits for the ultimate blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Key Features

• Grain-inclusive formula (brown rice, oatmeal, etc.)
• L-carnitine for metabolic efficiency
• Glucosamine for joint health
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• Higher fiber content
• Lower calorie & fat content
• 318 kcal/cup
• 22% protein, 9% fat, 10% fiber

Price

• Starts at $69.98 ($2.33 / lb) (30-lb bag)

Should I Consider A Hip & Joint Supplement?

Because Great Pyrenees are at a higher risk for developing hip dysplasia and arthritis, you may want to consider adding a daily joint supplement to your furry friend’s diet. The best joint supplements for dogs help maintain joints in healthy dogs, and for dogs with joint problems, they help improve joint health and relieve inflammation, stiffness, and pain. As with all supplements, you should get your vet’s approval to double-check that it’s safe for your pup.

Our Methodology

Why Trust Canine Journal?

Sally has researched and reviewed hundreds of different dog food brands and specific formulas. She’s an expert at analyzing dog food ingredients based on current nutritional guidelines and scientific studies for the healthiest food for our pups. She’s part of a team of dog specialists at Canine Journal who have over a decade of experience researching, testing, and writing about everything you need to know to keep your pup healthy and happy.