Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Paola Cuevas
Veterinarian, MVZ
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Paola Cuevas
Veterinarian, MVZ
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
If you have a Mastiff, you’re well aware of their size and that they can consume quite a lot of food. But the thing about Mastiffs is that they are prone to obesity, and large dogs in general often don’t live as long as smaller ones. With that being said, it’s important to feed them high-quality and nutritious dog food in order for them to live a long and healthy life.
Mastiffs are also muscular dogs, so the best food for them should be high in protein in order to keep their muscles in good shape. The food should also be low in fat to help them maintain a healthy weight. Luckily, you don’t have to spend time searching, as we’ve compiled a list of the best dog food for Mastiffs along with reviews of each one to help make your decision easier.
A Quick Look at Our Favorite Choices in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dog Food
High in protein
Contains antioxidants
Supports healthy digestion
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Best Value
American Journey Grain-free Dog Food
High in protein
Low in fat and calories
Contains DHA for healthy vision
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Premium Choice
Ollie Fresh Dog Food Subscription
Fresh, fortified food
Beef is the first ingredient
Approved by the AAFCO
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Best for Puppies
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
Real chicken is the main ingredient
DHA helps your puppy’s brain develop
High protein helps your puppy’s muscles develop
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Orijen Original Grain-Free Dog Food
High in protein
The first 5 ingredients are meat
Contains a variety of fruits and vegetables for added nutrients
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The 10 Best Dog Foods for Mastiffs
We think the best overall dog food for Mastiffs is Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food. This food is very high in protein at 32% minimum and the first three ingredients are animal protein sources which is exactly what you want in dog food. Bison and venison combined with chicken and lamb create a yummy flavor that your Mastiff is sure to love. This food also contains sweet potatoes and dried chicory roots that aid in digestion.
Main Ingredients: Water Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas
Protein Content: 32% min.
Fat Content: 18% min.
Calories: 422 kcal/cup
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K9 Strain Proprietary Probiotics, as well as prebiotics and antioxidants, help support healthy digestion and a healthy immune system so that your Mastiff can live a healthy life. It also contains vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids that support a healthy coat as well as provide energy to your dog. The one downside is that this food is a bit higher in fat than other dog food. Fat is necessary for proper muscle function as well, but the fat content may be too high if your Mastiff is overweight. Other than that, this is a quality and affordable choice.
Pros
High in protein
Contains antioxidants
Supports healthy digestion
Meat is the first three ingredients
Cons
Higher in fat than other dog food
There are quite a few reasons why we think American Journey Chicken and Sweet Potato Grain-Free dog food is the best dog food for Mastiffs for the money. For starters, it’s budget-friendly while still containing high-quality and nutritious ingredients. Chicken is the main protein source, but it also contains turkey, both of which are lean meats that will keep your Mastiff’s muscles in good shape. This food is also high in protein while being low in fat and calories, so it’s a great choice for helping dogs maintain a healthy weight.
High in protein
Contains antioxidants
Supports healthy digestion
Meat is the first three ingredients
- High in protein
- Contains antioxidants
- Supports healthy digestion
- Meat is the first three ingredients
Higher in fat than other dog food
- Higher in fat than other dog food
Main Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes
Protein Content: 34% min.
Fat Content: 15% min.
Calories: 390 kcal/cup
This dog food also contains glucosamine and chondroitin which supports bone and joint health and omega fatty acids, including DHA, which supports skin and coat health as well as eye and brain development. It’s also rich in fiber from peas and sweet potatoes, both of which can give your Mastiff energy and make the food more easily digestible. The only downside is that your Mastiff may not like the flavor if he prefers something other than chicken.
Pros
Affordable
High in protein
Low in fat and calories
Contains DHA for healthy vision
Cons
Some dogs may not like the flavor
3. Ollie Fresh Beef with Sweet Potatoes Dog Food Subscription – Premium Choice
Click Here to Save 50% with Ollie
Main Ingredients: Beef, peas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots
Protein Content: 12% min.
Fat Content: 10% min.
Calories: 1540 kcal/kg
If you don’t have a strict budget, we highly recommend considering Ollie Fresh Beef with Sweet Potatoes. As the name suggests, this food is made with completely fresh ingredients. Everything is human-grade and carefully cooked in one of Ollie’s facilities. When it arrives at your door, the food is frozen. You can simply thaw it out and feed it to your canine.
Affordable
High in protein
Low in fat and calories
Contains DHA for healthy vision
- Affordable
- High in protein
- Low in fat and calories
- Contains DHA for healthy vision
Some dogs may not like the flavor
- Some dogs may not like the flavor
While this food can be a bit expensive for a large dog, it is absolutely worth it if you have the money to spend. It doesn’t get much healthier than fresh, premium dog food like Ollie.
The very first ingredient in this food is beef, and you can tell. You can actually see the ground beef mixed with all the other ingredients, so you don’t have to doubt what is in this food. Other ingredients are also included, like sweet potatoes, which help provide your dog with complete nutrition.
Plus, this formula is completely fortified. Therefore, unlike home-cooked fresh food, it meets all your dog’s dietary needs and then some. This formula is AAFCO approved and designed for all life stages, including larger dogs like Mastiffs.
Pros
Fresh ingredients
Beef is the first ingredient
Fortified
Approved by the AAFCO
Cons
Expensive
Puppies, whether they are a large breed or small breed, often require certain nutrients that aren’t found in adult dog food. But since Mastiffs are large breed dogs, dog food that is specially formulated for large breed puppies is the best choice for them. That’s why we like Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe as the best food for Mastiff puppies. This food contains 26% minimum protein, which seems a bit high for puppies but it’s actually great considering that it will help your Mastiff’s muscles develop as he grows up into an adult.
Fresh ingredients
Beef is the first ingredient
Fortified
Approved by the AAFCO
- Fresh ingredients
- Beef is the first ingredient
- Fortified
- Approved by the AAFCO
Expensive
- Expensive
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley
Protein Content: 26% min.
Fat Content: 15% min.
Calories: 386 kcal/cup
This dog food also contains DHA, which is important for puppies of any breed as it helps their brain develop properly. Plus, having chicken as the main protein ingredient means that your puppy is sure to love the flavor, especially if this is the first food he tries. One downside to this food is that it does contain barley, which is a grain that can be hard for some dogs to digest if they have a sensitive stomach. It may be necessary to keep a close eye on your puppy until you know for sure whether he can tolerate food with grain in it. The other downside is the price; it may not be the best choice for you if you’re on a budget.
Pros
Real chicken is the main ingredient
DHA helps your puppy’s brain develop
High protein helps your puppy’s muscles develop
Cons
Not budget-friendly
Contains grain which may upset some dogs’ stomachs
Let’s get the downside to this food out of the way first. It’s expensive, which is why we’ve listed it as our premium choice. But if you can afford the price, it’s one of the best foods you can feed your Mastiff as it contains meat as the first five ingredients, including chicken, turkey, and fish. As you can imagine, it’s very high in protein and the mixture of meats creates a flavor that even picky dogs should love.
Real chicken is the main ingredient
DHA helps your puppy’s brain develop
High protein helps your puppy’s muscles develop
- Real chicken is the main ingredient
- DHA helps your puppy’s brain develop
- High protein helps your puppy’s muscles develop
Not budget-friendly
Contains grain which may upset some dogs’ stomachs
- Not budget-friendly
- Contains grain which may upset some dogs’ stomachs
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Liver
Protein Content: 38% min.
Fat Content: 18% min.
Calories: 473 kcal/cup
This food also contains plenty of fruits and vegetables, such as beans, pumpkin, squash, apples, and cranberries. These ingredients help to provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that your Mastiff won’t get from meat. This dog food also contains no artificial flavors or preservatives and every ingredient has a role in helping to keep your dog healthy.
Pros
High in protein
The first 5 ingredients are meat
Contains a variety of fruits and vegetables for added nutrients
Cons
Not budget-friendly
- American Journey Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dog Food
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Main Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes
Protein Content: 32% min.
Fat Content: 14% min.
Calories: 390 kcal/cup
We like American Journey Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dog Food because it is made with high-quality ingredients while being more affordable than other high-quality dog foods. It’s also high in protein, low in fat and calories, and it’s grain-free. Plus, the main ingredient is salmon which is full of omega-3 fatty acids, which helps support a healthy heart.
High in protein
The first 5 ingredients are meat
Contains a variety of fruits and vegetables for added nutrients
- High in protein
- The first 5 ingredients are meat
- Contains a variety of fruits and vegetables for added nutrients
Not budget-friendly
- Not budget-friendly
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Main Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes
Protein Content: 32% min.
Fat Content: 14% min.
Calories: 390 kcal/cup
This food also contains fruit and vegetable ingredients, such as beets, blueberries, and carrots that provide additional vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants that help support a healthy immune system. It also contains DHA which supports brain and vision health. The only downsides are that with the main ingredient being salmon, some dogs may not like the taste, and some customers say that the kibble is too hard for older dogs to chew.
Pros
Affordable
High in protein
Low in fat and calories
Cons
Some dogs may not like the taste
Kibble may be too hard for older dogs
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe is the equivalent of our puppy recommended product, except that this food is for large breed adult dogs. If you decide to go with the puppy version for your Mastiff, why not give the adult version a try, too. This food is lower in protein, fat, and calories than other dog foods, including the puppy version, but it’s a good choice if you want to keep your Mastiff at a healthy weight.
Affordable
High in protein
Low in fat and calories
- Affordable
- High in protein
- Low in fat and calories
Some dogs may not like the taste
Kibble may be too hard for older dogs
- Some dogs may not like the taste
- Kibble may be too hard for older dogs
Main Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley
Protein Content: 22% min.
Fat Content: 12% min.
Calories: 352 kcal/cup
This food also contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which help promote joint health, and omega fatty acids that help promote healthy skin and coats. It also contains calcium and other minerals for bone and teeth health, as well as antioxidants for immune system health. However, it is not the cheapest dog food on this list, although it is cheaper than the puppy version.
Pros
Low in fat and calories
Supports healthy joints and bones
Contains antioxidants for a healthy immune system
Cons
Lower in protein than other foods
More expensive than other foods
Rachael Ray Nutrish Big Like Hearty Beef, Veggies, and Brown Rice Recipe dog food is one of the only dog foods on this list that contains beef as the first ingredient. It’s worth a try if your dog doesn’t like chicken-flavored dog food. This food is also higher in protein but lower in fat than other dog foods and it’s low in calories as well, so it’s great for keeping muscles while also keeping your Mastiff at a healthy weight.
Low in fat and calories
Supports healthy joints and bones
Contains antioxidants for a healthy immune system
- Low in fat and calories
- Supports healthy joints and bones
- Contains antioxidants for a healthy immune system
Lower in protein than other foods
More expensive than other foods
- Lower in protein than other foods
- More expensive than other foods
Main Ingredients: Beef, Chicken Meal, Soybean Meal, Dried Peas, Ground Whole Corn
Protein Content: 25% min.
Fat Content: 12% min.
Calories: 360 kcal/cup
Like other dog foods, this formula contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, as well as contains carrots and peas which are high in fiber to make this food more easily digestible. Plus, it’s specially formulated for large breed dogs over 40 pounds. The downsides to this food are that it is a bit more expensive than other foods.
Pros
Low in fat and calories
Beef is the main protein ingredient
Supports healthy joints and digestion
Cons
More expensive than other foods
Victor Select Ocean Fish Formula Dog Food is not necessarily for large breeds nor is it high-protein dog food. But we like it because it contains lots of nutrients to keep your Mastiff healthy. The main protein ingredient is fish, so some dogs may not like the flavor, but if your dog does love fish then it’s one of the best meats for keeping his heart healthy. It’s also low in calories and fat to help your dog maintain a healthy weight.
Low in fat and calories
Beef is the main protein ingredient
Supports healthy joints and digestion
- Low in fat and calories
- Beef is the main protein ingredient
- Supports healthy joints and digestion
More expensive than other foods
- More expensive than other foods
Main Ingredients: Menhaden Fish Meal, Grain Sorghum, Peas, Chicken Fat, Whole Grain Millet
Protein Content: 24% min.
Fat Content: 12% min.
Calories: 370 kcal/cup
This food also contains lots of vitamins and minerals that target different aspects of your dog’s body to keep it functioning properly. Plus, it’s a good choice for puppies as well. Another thing to be aware of is that this food is on the expensive side compared to some of the other foods on this list.
Pros
Gluten-free
Low in calories and fat
Great for puppies and adult dogs
Cons
Not budget-friendly
Some dogs may not like the taste
Purina Pro Plan Adult Large Breed Chicken and Rice Formula is designed for Mastiffs and other large breed dogs that weigh 50 pounds or more. Containing 26% minimum protein and 12% minimum fat, this food can help your dog maintain his ideal body weight provided that he gets the right amount of exercise. It also contains glucosamine for joint health as well as probiotics and prebiotics that support digestive health.
Gluten-free
Low in calories and fat
Great for puppies and adult dogs
- Gluten-free
- Low in calories and fat
- Great for puppies and adult dogs
Not budget-friendly
Some dogs may not like the taste
- Not budget-friendly
- Some dogs may not like the taste
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal
Protein Content: 26% min.
Fat Content: 12% min.
Calories: 407 kcal/cup
Although this food does contain chicken as the first ingredient, one of the downsides is that it also contains chicken by-product meal, which isn’t the best in terms of quality. Finally, this dog food is a little more expensive than some of the other dog foods that have slightly better and more nutritious ingredients in them.
Pros
Designed for large breed dogs
Supports healthy joints and digestion
Cons
Contains gluten
Not budget-friendly
Contains chicken by-product meal
Designed for large breed dogs
Supports healthy joints and digestion
- Designed for large breed dogs
- Supports healthy joints and digestion
Contains gluten
Not budget-friendly
Contains chicken by-product meal
- Contains gluten
- Not budget-friendly
- Contains chicken by-product meal
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Mastiffs
Now that you’ve seen all of these different dog foods that we think are good for Mastiffs, you may be left with more questions than answers about which one to choose. After all, we’ve given you a lot of information about different ingredients and nutrients that are found in each of these dog foods.
You may also be trying to figure out which one is going to be the easiest on your wallet while still giving your Mastiff the nutrients that he needs to stay healthy. But don’t worry because we’ve created this Buyer’s Guide with the hopes to answer any questions you may still have with the hope that it can help you choose the best food for your dog.
Ingredients
One of the first things you should pay attention to when it comes to choosing dog food is the ingredients. The ingredients are what are going to give your dog the nutrients that he needs to stay healthy. Here are some key ingredients and nutrients to look for.
Meat-Based Proteins
Dogs, in general, need food that is high in meat-based proteins, as these contain the most important nutrients needed in order to keep your dog healthy.
But considering that Mastiffs are such large dogs and often have a lot of muscle mass, feeding them food that is high in protein is essential for helping to keep them in shape. The best dog foods should have some kind of meat listed as the first ingredient, but preferably as the first three ingredients. Steer clear of meat by-products if they are not clearly named as this allows variations that might affect the quality. Prefer food with clearly named organs such as “heart” or “liver”.
We should also mention that it’s important to choose food that contains meat that your dog likes; don’t buy food that is higher in protein if your dog won’t eat it. But when it comes to high-protein dog food, they come in a variety of flavors so you’re sure to find something your dog loves.
Plant-Based Ingredients
Dog food that contains, fruits, and vegetables are also better because these ingredients often provide nutrients that meat does not. Examples include antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help keep different parts of your dog’s body healthy, such as the brain, skin, coat, and immune system. But, these ingredients are not as important as meat, so again, always choose a food that contains meat as the first ingredient.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Being large dogs, Mastiffs are prone to joint problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia, which can lead to them developing other problems such as arthritis. Because of this, you may want to choose a dog food that contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which help support joint health and can reduce arthritis pain if it were to develop.
DHA
Finally, you may want to consider looking for food that contains DHA, especially for Mastiff puppies. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is commonly found in fish or fish oil. All puppies and even adult dogs can benefit from DHA as it helps support brain development in puppies, which can make training them easier and can help older dogs maintain a healthy heart and vision.
Health and Age
Another important thing to consider when choosing food for your Mastiff is his health and age. Mastiffs aren’t the most active dogs, so they can easily become overweight if they aren’t fed a balanced diet. You don’t want to choose food that is high in fat and calories, especially if your Mastiff already weighs a bit more than he should. It’s a good idea to talk to your veterinarian if your dog is overweight to see what amount of fat and calories he or she recommends before choosing dog food.
Something else we’ve mentioned throughout our reviews is grain-free dog food vs. food that contains grains. Grains aren’t necessarily bad for dogs, but some dogs can be allergic or have sensitivities or intolerances of them, particularly grains that contain gluten. You know your dog, and if he or she has trouble eating or digesting certain foods, it may be better to try a grain-free option.
Finally, consider the age of your dog, as puppies or senior Mastiffs may need different food than healthy adult dogs do. Puppy food formulas often contain different nutrients that are crucial for healthy development and tend to contain smaller kibble as well to make the food easier to eat. Food for senior dogs tends to contain smaller and softer kibble as well but is also lower in fat so that it is better suited for a slower metabolism.
Budget
The last thing to consider when choosing dog food for your Mastiff is your budget. Remember that high-quality dog food is the best thing for a Mastiff, and these foods are often pricey. However, some high-quality dog foods are more budget-friendly than others, and many dog foods come in different-sized packages as well in case you need to go cheaper for a month or two.
You should also remember that just because certain dog food is more expensive, it doesn’t mean it is better for your dog than a cheaper alternative. It all depends on your dog and what nutrients and ingredients will benefit him the most. Many high-quality dog foods are affordable while still being nutritious.
Conclusion
We hope you found these reviews and Buyer’s Guide helpful for choosing food for your Mastiff. We think that the best overall food for Mastiffs is Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food because it contains tons of nutrients for your dog. The best dog food for the money goes to American Journey Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dog Food due to being affordable but high in protein and low in fat and calories. And Ollie Fresh Beef with Sweet Potatoes is our premium pick because it offers amazing nutrition and convenience. Whichever food you choose, we hope that your lovable and big-hearted Mastiff loves it and that it can help him live a long and healthy life.
See also:
- Majorca Mastiff
- Mountain Mastiff (Bernese Mountain Dog & Mastiff Mix)
- Mastador (Bullmastiff and Labrador Retriever Mix)
