Best Dog Foods For Cane Corso
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The cane corso descends from war dogs used by the ancient Romans. War dogs of this type are no longer much in demand, so the Cane Corso (also known as the Italian Mastiff) has been kept for hundreds of years to guard estates, livestock, and homes and is known for being gentle, affectionate at home, and good with children.
Feeding a dog this big is not always easy, but we can help you choose the best dog foods for Cane Corso.
Compare Best Dog Foods For Cane Corso
OVERALL BEST  1. Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Giant Adult Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR WEIGHT LOSS  3. Hill's Science Diet Adult Large Breed Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR PUPPIES  5. Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Health Chicken Meal & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food | ||
Protein 26.0% Min | Protein 26.0% Min | Protein 20.0% Min | Protein 25% Min | Protein 24.0% Min |
Fat 18.0% Min | Fat 12.0% Min | Fat 11.5% Min | Fat 15% Min | Fat 14.0% Min |
Fiber 3.9% Max | Fiber 4.5% Max | Fiber 4.0% Max | Fiber 4% Max | Fiber 4.0% Max |
Calories 427 kcal/cup | Calories 383 kcal/cup | Calories 363 kcal/cup | Calories 446 kcal/cup | Calories 433 kcal/cup |
Our criteria
Dog food marketing often leads to misconceptions about the best diet for dogs. Dogs have a unique gastrointestinal system and should not be fed foods that mimic human diets. To ensure your dog’s health and longevity, follow the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s guidelines and look for dog foods that meet AAFCO guidelines, invest in nutritional research, have canine or veterinary nutritionists on staff, and have strong quality control measures.
Good nutrition is more important than marketing, and the FDA’s warning about a possible link between grain-free dog foods and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs is also considered. The FDA is not currently recommending grain-free dog foods, but if your veterinarian recommends a grain-free diet, discuss it with them. The recommended dog foods are based on current veterinary health research.
Best Dog Foods For Cane Corso Reviewed
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Giant Adult Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 26.0% Min
- Fat: 18.0% Min
- Fiber: 3.9% Max
- Calories: 427 kcal/cup
- The adult formula contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support
- Easy to digest
- Developed specifically for giant breed dogs
- You need to be careful to feed the right formula to your dog depending on his age and development; puppies should not eat the adult formula
There are not a lot of dog foods specifically formulated for giant breeds but Royal Canin has developed an entire line of food for these extra large dogs.
It includes dry and wet foods as well as foods for young puppies (up to 8 months); junior puppies (from 8 months to 18-24 months); and adult giant breed dogs.
We like all of these foods for the Cane Corso at various ages. It can take the Cane Corso two or more years to fully mature so these dogs need nutrition that is appropriate for their slower growth.
These Royal Canin foods are specifically made for dogs that will weigh over 100 pounds when they are mature.
The adult formula is also a good choice to help prevent your giant dog from gaining excess weight. The Cane Corso is a breed that can have problems with hip dysplasia so carrying extra weight can cause problems.
This formula also has a combination of nutrients, including taurine, that support your dog’s heart. Royal Canin also supports your dog’s digestion with proteins that are easy to digest; and they use a balanced blend of fibers. We like this entire line of foods for a giant breed like the Cane Corso.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Giant Breed Formula
Product Info
- Protein: 26.0% Min
- Fat: 12.0% Min
- Fiber: 4.5% Max
- Calories: 383 kcal/cup
- Formulated specifically for giant breed dogs
- Contains glucosamine for joint health and mobility
- Has natural prebiotic fiber to promote digestive health
- Meets AAFCO guidelines with animal feeding trials
- This is a maintenance dog food so it’s not suitable for any puppies, including giant breed puppies
This food is formulated for giant dogs. It has chicken as the first ingredient, glucosamine, and EPA (an omega 3 fatty acid) to help support your dog’s joint health and mobility.
This Pro Plan Focus formula has 26 percent crude protein and 12 percent crude fat so it should keep your Cane Corso at the correct body weight that won’t put too much stress on his bones and joints.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Large Breed Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 20.0% Min
- Fat: 11.5% Min
- Fiber: 4.0% Max
- Calories: 363 kcal/cup
- Chicken is the first ingredient
- Contains healthy grains and natural fibers
- Provides natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin
- Contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Hill’s is currently recalling some of its Science Diet and Prescription canned foods because of excess Vitamin D. This only affects canned foods but it may cause some customers to be concerned.
It is suitable for giant breed dogs such as the Cane Corso. This chicken and barley formula has natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to support your dog’s joint health. Omega 6 fatty acids, vitamins, and other nutrients provide nourishment for your dog’s skin and coat.
A clinically-proven blend of antioxidants as well as vitamins A, C, and E help keep your dog’s immune system healthy. In addition, this food contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Eukanuba Large Breed Adult Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 25% Min
- Fat: 15% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 446 kcal/cup
- A specialized fiber system promotes better nutrient absorption and healthy digestion
- Contains naturally-sourced glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints
- The 3D DentaDefense System reduces tartar build-up in 28 days
- No artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors
- This is a maintenance dog food so it’s not appropriate for puppies or pregnant dogs
- Meets AAFCO guidelines based on nutrient profile
The large breed formula also has a larger kibble size that makes it easier for big dogs to eat. Eukanuba’s 3D DentaDefense System has been proven to reduce tartar build-up in 28 days.
This Eukanuba formula also has a specialized fiber system made from natural beet pulp and prebiotic FOS (ructooligosaccharides), a natural sugar, to promote better nutrient absorption and healthy digestion. This formula contains no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.
Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Health Chicken Meal & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 24.0% Min
- Fat: 14.0% Min
- Fiber: 4.0% Max
- Calories: 433 kcal/cup
- Great digestive system support that includes prebiotics, probiotics, natural fiber, and digestive enzymes
- Optimal calcium and phosphorus levels
- No artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or potatoes
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support
- Contains peas – as the 14th ingredient; we don’t think this will adversely affect your dog
Chicken meal is the first ingredient in this dog food. This recipe contains no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and no potatoes. It also has no meat by-products, wheat, and no wheat gluten.
In order to provide support for your Cane Corso’s hips and joints, the formula contains glucosamine and chondroitin. Your dog’s digestive system is aided by live yogurt cultures and natural fiber.
What Kind of Diet Should You Feed Your Cane Corso?
The Cane Corso is a healthy breed, particularly for giant breeds. They should consume a normal diet for dogs, including at least 18% protein per day for adult dogs and 22-22% for puppies and pregnant or nursing female dogs. Large and giant dogs have a slower metabolism, so dog foods made for them usually have fewer calories than regular ones. However, fat and calories are important for their health, as they make the food taste better, provide energy, and are good for their skin, coat, and brain.
Carbohydrates are essential for your dog’s gastrointestinal system, providing nutrients and preventing glucose levels from spiking after meals. Giant dogs, like the Cane Corso, do well with dog foods with less fermentable and more gelatinized starches. A moderate fat percentage between 12-16% is recommended.
Fiber is also crucial for your dog’s digestive system, with soluble fibers pulling water into the digestive system and insoluble fibers adding bulk to the gastrointestinal tract. Most dog food kibble has between 3-6 percent crude fiber, but large and giant breeds may need slightly less fiber, especially fermentable fiber.
Prebiotics and prebiotics are often added to dog foods to help your dog’s gastrointestinal system function better and strengthen their immune system. Prebiotics encourage the growth of friendly bacteria in your dog’s system, while probiotics are living microorganisms that colonize the digestive tract. About 70% of your dog’s immune system is based in his gastrointestinal system, so prebiotics and probiotics can help keep your dog healthy.
Vitamins and minerals are added to pet food after cooking to ensure the food is nutritionally complete.
What to Look For When Choosing the Best Dog Foods for Cane Corso?
When choosing the best dog foods for Cane Corso, we recommend the following:
- Look for dog food that contains grains unless your veterinarian advises you otherwise.
- Choose a food that has a protein percentage between 22 and 26 percent for adult dogs.
- Healthy dogs usually need a moderate fat percentage, between 12 and 16 percent.
- A fiber percentage between 3 and 6 percent is suitable for most dogs; giant breeds such as the Cane Corso may do better with a fiber percentage around 3–4 percent.
These recommendations are for kibbles.
If your Cane Corso has a health problem that might indicate he needs to eat a grain free dog food, please consult your veterinarian. Most veterinary sources state that food allergies in dogs are not as common as dog owners think, but they do occur.
If your dog does have a food allergy or a food sensitivity, we recommend that you work with your veterinarian to have your dog diagnosed.
Your vet might recommend a food elimination diet and a food trial to identify your dog’s triggers. However, by working with your veterinarian, you might discover that your dog has a different health issue or another kind of allergy.
Allergies such as seasonal allergies to pollen, inhalant allergies, contact allergies, and flea bite allergies are more common in dogs than food allergies.
It can take time to figure out the source of your dog’s problem, but getting an accurate diagnosis is better than changing foods repeatedly, especially if your dog doesn’t actually have a food allergy.
Special Considerations For Feeding A Cane Corso
Giant breeds, such as the Cane Corso, have unique health issues that can be influenced by their diet. They should be encouraged to grow slowly and avoid overfeeding, as this can lead to serious bone and joint problems in adulthood. Calcium and phosphorus ratios in dog and puppy foods must be carefully controlled, especially for large and giant breed dogs.
Adult giant breed dogs, such as the Cane Corso, can benefit from feeding formulated for large/giant breed puppies or all-lifestage dog food designed for large/giant breed dogs. These foods typically have appropriate protein and fat levels, good calorie levels, and joint supplements like glucosamine.
Bloat, a life-threatening condition in giant breeds, can be a concern due to their deep chest. Factors to consider include feeding one large daily meal, only dry food, fat in the first four ingredients, citric acid in the food, and using a slow feeder bowl.
Hip dysplasia, a leading cause of arthritis in older dogs, affects many large or giant breeds, including the Cane Corso. To prevent hip dysplasia and/or arthritis, keep your dog lean and avoid overfeeding, maintain moderate exercise throughout their life, and avoid over-exercising or risky activities that might cause injury to bones and joints.
When looking for a Cane Corso puppy, talk to breeders about hip dysplasia and ask if the parents have been x-rayed. Although good and excellent ratings from the parents are desirable, genetics does not guarantee that puppies won’t have hip dysplasia. Choosing a breeder that focuses on producing dogs with good hips is a good starting point.
How Much Should You Feed Your Cane Corso?
An adult male Cane Corso can weigh between 99-110 pounds and weighs between 23.5-26 inches at the shoulder. To determine the right amount of food for your dog, use calories instead of cups or other measurements.
A three-month-old male can weigh 35 pounds and need about 1673 calories per day.
A six-month-old male can weigh 66 pounds and need about 1795 calories per day. A one-year-old male can weigh 100 pounds and need about 2206 calories per day. A fully mature Cane Corso weighs between two and three years old.
An adult Cane Corso weighs 110 pounds and needs about 2369 calories per day. It’s important to consider the puppy’s body condition and growth spurts, as they may change appearance or need more food.
Final Thoughts
The cane corso, a majestic, intelligent, and affectionate breed, has an ancient history as a war dog. To prevent hip and joint issues in adulthood, puppies should grow slowly and stay slim. It takes 2-3 years for a full mature cane corso to mature. For large or giant breeds, it’s recommended to use dog foods formulated specifically for these breeds.
