There are some giant dog breeds out there who are simply majestic. One of those is the Great Pyrenees. It is a beautiful breed of dog which is why so many people look to adopt this breed of puppy every year.

When it comes to a giant breed of dog, it is particularly important to know how to feed them. Before you take on a large breed, know what kind of food you will need and how often they will need to be fed starting from puppyhood and going into adulthood.

How Much Should a Great Pyrenees Puppy Be Eating?

Like any other breed, ensuring proper growth starts at puppyhood. Because it is a giant breed of dog, they will eat more than your average puppy. Between eight weeks and three months old, the average Great Pyrenees will be fed four times per day.

When they get into the four- to nine-month range, that can be cut down to three times per day. And finally, when they hit the nine-month mark, they should be down to a pair of meals per day. This is partially because they have a sensitive and delicate immune system. That means that you shouldn’t tinker with the type of food or how much you feed them.

Feeding Your Pyrenees at Two Weeks

When they are two weeks old, your Great Pyrenees shouldn’t be eating regular puppy food. They should still be on mother’s milk for all of their nutritional needs. Feedings are on demand and can sometimes involve littermates should you be breeding them.

Puppies will grow quite fast, though they won’t be mobile until their third week of life. If you have a puppy that isn’t with his mom, then you can talk to your vet to get a puppy formula that includes specific instructions.

Feeding Your Pyrenees at Four Weeks

The weaning process begins, though it is not yet finished. Ideally, the pup should still be with mom and getting their mother’s milk. It is common for puppies at this age to start being interested in other food sources.

It is at this point that you can start offering around ¼ cup of puppy food. If they don’t seem interested, don’t worry. That said, extra calories can be a good thing given that they are a giant dog breed. Just make sure not to overfeed your dog to prevent leaving them bloated and potentially overweight.

Feeding Your Pyrenees at Six Weeks

It is at this stage where they begin to routinely have puppy food. This is either the start or continuation of the weaning process, with them leaving their mothers for a longer period of time. They may not even be nursing at this point, either. This is where a Great Pyrenees feeding chart can be so helpful.

By this stage, your Great Pyrenees should be eating roughly 5-6 times per day, though in quite small quantities. Make sure that you don’t allow your pup to free feed; give them a quarter cup of food to see how much they take and make sure to schedule out feedings. There may be some tweaking necessary but this is a good rule of thumb that should ensure they have a healthy developmental path.

Feeding Your Pyrenees at Eight Weeks

If you aren’t a breeder, this is about the time where the puppies would be rehomed. Since they are a large breed, this is the time to tinker with their diet. Start by giving them anywhere from one to two cups per day, split throughout four meals.

There are instances where your pup may seem like they need more. You can gradually increase the total until you can find the right balance. Expect each pup to be different from the next in terms of their dietary habits.

Feeding Your Pyrenees at Ten Weeks

This is one of the last stages of change. They should be down to anywhere between two and three cups of food each day, though it depends on the dog. Start to look at body type so that you can make adjustments to their diet where necessary.

From the ten-week point on, you should have a pretty good idea of what their diet will look like well into adulthood. There may be minor changes here or there based purely on your dog’s specific needs. If they don’t seem to be taking to their diet, it may be worth consulting a vet to see if there are any other underlying issues.

Conclusion

Having a Great Pyrenees means that you have one of the most beautiful dogs around. Because it is a giant breed, it requires a lot of care. It also means having an effective feeding schedule to ensure that their dietary needs are being met.

With the help of the right feeding chart, you can ensure that your dog is healthy and happy. If you have any questions or concerns, it is important to talk to your vet sooner rather than later. They can help to establish the kind of feeding routine that will ensure that your Great Pyrenees is as healthy as they can be.