What is the Best Dog Food for Cane Corso?

Cane corso are sought-after family pets thanks to their quiet and calm personality. They’re also excellent watchdogs and love to stay active. Because of their large body and exercise requirements, cane corso need proper nutrition to ensure they stay healthy and active. Otherwise, you risk them being lethargic or becoming obese. There are various dog... The post What is the Best Dog Food for Cane Corso? appeared first on Pet Reviews.

What is the Best Dog Food for Cane Corso?
Cane corso are sought-after family pets thanks to their quiet and calm personality. They’re also excellent watchdogs and love to stay active.

Because of their large body and exercise requirements, cane corso need proper nutrition to ensure they stay healthy and active. Otherwise, you risk them being lethargic or becoming obese.

There are various dog foods on the market to choose from, but many include synthetic ingredients, such as ammonia. These aren’t only unhealthy but could irritate your dog’s stomach and lead to chronic health conditions.

Below you’ll find important nutritional information for cane corso and some of the best dog foods to feed them.

Top Picks for Best Dog Food for Cane Corso Dogs

There are a variety of dog food options you can give your cane corso. Below are our top 11 picks at a glance.

6 Cane Corso Nutritional Needs

This dog breed has a few nutritional needs that pet owners should be aware of. Below are six to consider.

Calories

Cane corso are large dogs so they need plenty of calories to stay energetic. Calories also help cane corso to maintain a healthy weight and ensure that their vital organs function correctly. An adult cane corso needs about 2,200 calories per day.

Remember that while this breed needs a lot of calories, you don’t want to overfeed them. Too much food, especially dry kibble, can cause weight gain. Ideally, these calories should come from protein, not carbohydrates.

Calcium

Calcium is crucial for strong bones. Because cane corso is a large breed, these dogs’ daily meals should contain around 1.8% calcium. However, it’s essential to give the correct amount of calcium as too much could cause excessive thirst or a loss of appetite.

Some of the best sources of calcium for this dog breed are chicken, fish, bone meal, and vegetables like spinach and kale.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is a type of amino sugar that is found in cartilage to help cushion joints. Cane corso enjoy running and being active, something which could eventually take a toll on their joints.

By feeding them food with glucosamine, it will ensure that their joints don’t wear down easily. You don’t need to worry about giving your cane corso glucosamine until they are one-year-old, as this is when their body has officially stopped growing.

Protein

Cane corso need protein so that their nails, hair, and muscles stay strong. A cane corso puppy will need their meals to contain about 30% protein to ensure healthy development. Adult cane corso require their meals to only consist of 18-25% protein.

Iron

This mineral helps your dog’s heart pump enough oxygen to provide nutrients to other important organs. These nutrients will then be converted into energy and assist with metabolism. Cane corso require plenty of iron to keep their bones and joints sturdy. If they don’t have enough iron, it could lead to anemia. This condition will make your cane corso very tired and prone to illnesses.

Probiotics

Probiotics boost the immune system which helps to protect your cane corso from diseases and ailments like constipation and diarrhea. Some of the best probiotics for cane corso are Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus acidophilus. These two strains can improve your dog’s stool and soothe a sensitive stomach. They can also boost your dog’s energy and help them to be more active.

As with most nutritional needs, too many probiotics can irritate your dog’s GI tract and result in nausea. You’ll want to ensure that you give your cane corso the correct amount depending on their weight and age.

Dietary Concerns of Cane corso

Besides the nutritional needs above, there are a few specific dietary concerns to pay attention to. We’ve listed a few below:

Grain-Free Options

Grain-free dog food has gained popularity as it claims to eradicate unhealthy carbohydrates. Grain-free options try to prevent digestive issues caused by carbohydrates, like bloat. It also averts obesity in dogs.

However, grain-free isn’t always ideal because dogs need carbohydrates for energy. In fact, a few studies have shown that grain-free food could lead to dilated cardiomyopathy. This condition can limit the heart’s ability to pump blood.

It’s ideal to stay away from grain-free dog food unless your dog is monitored by a veterinarian. Instead, make sure the dog food contains healthy grains like barley, oats, and sorghum. These safe choices will provide your cane corso with plenty of energy.

Fish Oil

Many cane corso have sensitive skin. Most of the time, this is due to an allergic reaction to food or some invisible particle (such as dust or pollen) that irritates their skin. Fish oil in cane corso dog food can reduce sensitive skin issues because it calms inflammation. It will also moisturize your dog’s skin to prevent dry, itchy patches thanks to its DHA and EPA.

Potassium

This breed needs potassium to help their muscles and nerves function correctly. Not enough potassium will cause their heart and nervous system to malfunction. If this occurs, it could lead to paralysis or irregular heartbeat. The dog food needs to have enough potassium to help their body have proper cell chemical reactions.

Cane Corso Feeding Schedule

Both puppy and adult cane corso have a meticulous feeding schedule that you need to follow closely. This can differ by their age and needs.

Puppies

You’ll need to feed cane corso puppies about five times per day. Eventually, you’ll want to lower this amount to two times per day as they get older. For each feeding, they’ll need about 1-2 cups of dry kibble.

During the first few weeks, you’ll want to make sure that your puppy gets large portions of protein. This will nourish their growing body and help their bones develop correctly. Once they reach about four months, you can slowly remove part of the protein from their diet.

As your puppy grows, gradually decrease their meals. By the time they are six months, they should only be eating three meals per day. As their one-year birthday approaches, they should only be consuming two daily meals.

Adults

An adult cane corso will need four cups of dry kibble each day. You’ll want to feed them once in the morning and once at night.

While this might seem like a small amount for their size, it’s enough. As your dog digests the food, it will make them full. This amount will also prevent obesity.

If you would like to switch your adult cane corso’s food, don’t do it all at once. This could make them dislike the new food or could even upset their digestive system. Instead, take a portion of the new food and mix it into their current meal.

To do this, you’ll want to remove about 25% of the old food and replace it with the new. As the days progress, remove more of the old food and swap it.

You can refer to the chart below to find the amount of food your pup needs based on his or her age:

Age Amount
0-3 months 2 cups per day
4-5 months 3 ¾ cups per day
6-8 months 6 cups per day
9-12 months 7 cups per day
One year and older 11 cups per day

The Best Dog Food for Cane corso

Top Pick for Cane Corso Dog Food – Taste of the Wild Prairie Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Prairie Dog Food is a delicious mixture packed with bison and venison. This high-protein option contains many vegetables, such as peas and sweet potatoes, that will provide your dog with plenty of antioxidants.

The kibble also has omega-3 and omega-6 incorporated into it which will help your cane corso have a shiny and soft coat.

Taste of the Wild Prairie Dog Food encourages good digestion and immune functioning. To assist with this, Taste of the Wild added a special K9 Strain Probiotic Blend into the kibble that has over 80 million cultures. This dog food contains 370 calories per cup.

Pros

  • There are 5 to 28-pound bag options.
  • There is a feed guide on the back to ensure you give your dog the correct amount of food.
  • The mixture could assist cane corso who have skin allergies.

Cons

  • A handful of dogs might not like the kibble taste.
  • It could cause a bit of gas due to a large amount of probiotics.

10 Additional Cane Corso Dog Food Options

With so many choices on the market, it can be challenging to know the best options for your pup. We’ve narrowed the list down to our top 10 favorites, which all include healthy and nutritious options for man’s best friend.

Runner-Up – Ollie Beef Meal

Key Features:

  • Packed with moisture
  • Plenty of vegetables

This moist dog food by Ollie is a human-grade option that includes organ meat like beef heart and beef liver. You’ll also find ingredients such as sweet potatoes, rosemary, and peas. All of these contain beneficial vitamins and minerals, lutein, and antibacterial properties. There’s also a bit of fish oil to encourage healthy skin and joints.

Ollie Beef Meal contains 9% protein which will strengthen your cane corso’s bones and muscles.

Pros

  • This option goes through minimal processing.
  • It’s pre-portioned.
  • It comes with a Tupperware container to store leftovers in.

Cons

  • Because it’s a wet food, it won’t do an excellent job of removing plaque on your dog’s teeth. You might want to incorporate a few kibbles with this meal to assist with that.
  • You need to refrigerate it.

Freshest Option: NomNom Pork Potluck

Key Features:

  • High amounts of meat
  • Plenty of calories
  • Encourages good skin, heart, and thyroid health

NomNom Pork Potluck features pork, green beans, yellow squash, potatoes, mushrooms, fish oil, and kale. This food has over 1,246 calories and is high in protein, fat, and carbohydrates. It’s also packed with vitamin E and zinc, which will help your cane corso’s heart, skin, and thyroid stay healthy. This food contains a lot of moisture, so it will be easy for many dogs to chew and swallow.

Pros

  • It focuses on meat as a protein source, not vegetables.
  • It’s made with high-quality ingredients.
  • This product can help your cane corso maintain a healthy weight.

Cons

  • It’s pre-made and needs to be frozen.
  • Some of the packages might not contain enough food. Due to this, you might need to weigh them separately to ensure you’re giving your cane corso the proper amount.

For Immune Health – Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula

Key Features:

  • Plenty of antioxidants
  • No preservatives

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula was created for adult dogs. High in crude protein, it features chicken and brown rice as well as numerous vitamins and antioxidants, like calcium, potassium, and glucosamine. This formula will improve your dog’s immune system and skin health.

To preserve its freshness, the food is cold-formed. This helps to make it tastier for your dogs. Pet owners need to feed their cane corso about 4-5 cups of this kibble for every 100 pounds.

Pros

  • It comes in different size bags that range from 3 to 30 pounds.
  • There are no by-products or corn in it.

Cons

  • This product is only for adult dogs.
  • It could irritate some pet’s stomachs. You’ll want to start slow when giving it to them to ensure there isn’t a problem.

For Digestive Concerns – Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food Recipe

Key Features:

  • High amounts of glucosamine and vitamins
  • Preservative-free

This dry dog food is perfect for large breeds and uses chicken and barley as its main ingredients. You’ll find an impressive amount of vitamin C and E, which will provide your cane corso with essential antioxidants. Besides this, Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food Recipe has glucosamine to ensure your cane corso stays mobile. This product comes in a 15 or 35-pound bag.

Pros

  • It doesn’t contain preservatives or artificial colors.
  • It can improve your dog’s digestive health.

Cons

  • It could be a bit pricey for some.
  • You might want to double-check its feeding recommendation guide. Depending on your dog’s weight, you might need to add a bit more to their meals.

For Skin Allergies or an Energy Boost – American Journey Active Life Blend

Key Features:

  • Helps with building the immune system
  • Large amounts of protein

This dry food is ideal for athletic cane corso or for those who might suffer from skin allergies. Made with a mixture of salmon, brown rice, and vegetables, the American Journey Active Life Blend will boost your cane corso’s energy while improving their immune system.

The deboned salmon provides up to 25% protein to help your dog build muscle mass. This will encourage them to move faster and prevent injuries as they run and play. In addition to this, there is a variety of omega-3 and omega-6 in the food to ensure that your dog has healthy skin and fur.

Pros

  • It comes with 4 to 28-pound bag options.
  • There are no artificial ingredients.
  • It can calm skin allergies.

Cons

  • For some dogs, this food could result in loose stool. You’ll want only to give them small amounts to ensure that this option doesn’t irritate their digestion.
  • The taste might not be appealing to some cane corso

For Healthy Organs – Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Food

Key Features:

  • Contains prebiotics
  • Boosts vital organ health

Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Food contains a hearty amount of beef, peas, and brown rice. Beef will help your cane corso’s vital organs function correctly while building muscle mass. The vegetables and grains will infuse their body with a variety of beneficial vitamins and minerals.

This 40-pound bag also has prebiotics mixed into it. These can keep your dog’s digestive system working correctly and soothe any inflammation in it.

Pros

  • It’s loaded with healthy grains. These can firm stool and ensure your dog maintains a healthy weight.
  • It’s safe to give to dogs who have a sensitive stomach.

Cons

  • There’s no glucosamine.
  • You need to make sure to seal the bag, or the moist kibbles will mold.

For Both Puppies and Adults – Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Dog Food

Key Features:

  • Can give to both puppies and adults
  • Numerous calories per cup
  • Millions of probiotics

Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Dog Food is filled with lean chicken, rice, and various fruits and vegetables. Some you’ll find mixed into the food are kale, spinach, coconut, and blueberries. A touch of chia seed is also included. These seeds can assist with reducing inflammation and boost your dog’s protein intake.

To help with digestive health, this food contains probiotics and plenty of omega-3. The mixture is made up of 1.3% calcium and contains 368 calories per cup.

Pros

  • There are no preservatives or fillers in the kibble.
  • It’s safe to give dogs with sensitive stomachs.
  • The food can improve skin health.

Cons

  • It might not contain enough nutrients for some cane corso. Because of this, you might need to add extra supplements to their meals.
  • The kibbles might be a little too big for some puppies.

High in Protein – Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie

Key Features:

  • Beneficial grains
  • Easy to digest

Filled with multiple types of healthy grains, Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie comes in a 28-pound bag and is filled with bison and venison. You’ll also find easily digestible carbohydrates in it like millet, sorghum, and chia seed.

When your dog eats this food, it will dissolve and send probiotics into their GI tract. This will balance their digestive system and soothe an upset stomach.

Pros

  • It’s ideal to give to dogs who suffer from skin allergies.
  • There are no preservatives.
  • It’s high in protein and glucosamine.

Cons

  • The food does have a strong smell.
  • You need to carefully monitor the expiration date as the food can go bad quickly.

For Stunning Fur – Hill’s Science Diet Chicken and Barley Dry Food

Key Features:

  • Large amounts of protein
  • Many antioxidants

This concoction by Hill’s Science Diet contains an abundance of chicken and barley. Filled with over 20% protein, the blend will encourage your dog to stay active while helping them develop and maintain healthy bones, joints, and muscles. The kibble is easy to digest and contains large amounts of antioxidants like vitamins C and E.

Pros

  • It can improve your dog’s coat.
  • There are no artificial colors or preservatives.
  • It provides energy for active dogs.

Cons

  • The kibble is somewhat small.
  • It’s not the best for sensitive stomachs.

Budget-Pick – American Journey Beef and Sweet Potato 

Key Features:

  • Flavorful
  • Affordable
  • Large amounts of omega-3

American Journey Beef and Sweet Potato will please your dog’s taste buds thanks to its delicious mixture of beef, sweet potatoes, dried kelp, carrot, and blueberries. All of these will give your dog energy while building muscle mass.

Besides these ingredients, you’ll find a drizzle of salmon oil. The oil is filled with omega-3, which boosts your dog’s skin, eye, and brain health. The mixture contains 32% protein and has 380 calories per cup.

Pros

  • Many dogs enjoy the flavor.
  • It’s an affordable option.

Cons

  • It’s grain-free. While this might not pose a problem for some dogs, you need to make sure they get enough carbohydrates with their meals.
  • The food could cause slight digestive issues in dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Cane Corso Feeding FAQs

If you’re still having trouble deciding which option is best for your pet, we’ve put together some of the most frequently asked questions. This should cover any concerns you may have for your furry friend.

Are Preservatives Harmful?

Preservatives are added to dog food to help it have a long shelf life. They can be very damaging to your pet’s health and could potentially be toxic. If the dog food is filled with them, it could result not only in skin issues, but could hurt their vital organs.

Some of the most common dog food preservatives are BHA, MSG, corn syrup, and meat meal. One of the most troublesome though is ethoxyquin. This preservative is meant to protect natural fat in the food. However, it’s also classified as a pesticide and has been shown to potentially cause cancer.

Many dog food brands no longer include these toxic preservatives, but some still do. It’s important to closely check the ingredients to ensure that the food you plan to give your cane corso is free from them.

What Type of Protein is Best for Cane corso?

There are a variety of protein options you can give your pet. These include salmon, chicken, and beef. While these selections provide your dog with energy, cane corso need a lot of the protein due to their massive size. This breed must eat heavy amounts of protein to give them an abundance of amino acids.

Proteins such as lamb and chicken don’t always give your dog the necessary amount by themselves. In addition to this, some proteins might cause sensitive skin due to them irritating your pet’s immune system.

The right protein for your cane corso will depend on a few things. One is how active your dog is. If your cane corso loves to run or go on walks, they need a dense protein to supply them with energy. On the other hand, if your pup is overweight, you’ll want to feed them lean meat like rabbit, elk, or turkey. This also applies to pets with sensitive skin who need a delicate protein such as pork, duck, or bison.

If you’re still unsure which protein is best for your dog, talk to your vet. They can recommend the right one to feed your furry friend.

What is the Difference Between Probiotics and Prebiotics? Are They Necessary to Give My Dog?

Probiotics and prebiotics are commonly added to dog food to boost digestive and immune health. However, they do this in different ways. Probiotics are living microorganisms, while prebiotics are fibers that feed probiotics.

Giving your dog probiotics or prebiotics isn’t vital, but it’s a good thing to do. They will fill their GI tract with beneficial bacteria. This can help give them energy while destroying harmful strains that could irritate their stomach.

Remember that too much of them can cause more harm than good. If you do so, it will overwhelm their body with bacteria and could make them nausea or have diarrhea.

For probiotics, it’s best to give any dog over 50 pounds two scoops a day. Prebiotics come in either supplement form or through the use of natural options, like chicory root, mushrooms, and dandelion greens. Most cane corso dry food already contains these prebiotics, so you can be sure that your pet will receive an adequate amount of them.

Should I Use Dry or Moist Food?

Dry and moist food can offer your dog various benefits. Dry food is often a favorite because it’s easier to store. Its rough surface also helps loosen plaque on your dog’s teeth and gums to prevent dental diseases.

While you usually need to put moist food in the fridge, it’s a bit healthier than dry kibble because it contains fresh ingredients. Because of this, it’s more likely to not contain preservatives. Moist dog food can also hydrate your cane corso thanks to its high moisture level. This ensures their vital organs continue to function correctly.

Both of these options are safe to give your cane corso, but you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of each. For instance, if your dog needs better hydration, moist food might be ideal. On the other hand, dry food is best for dogs who are active or who need some help with their dental health.

If you’re unsure which is best, consider giving your cane corso a little bit of both. This way, they get the benefits of each.

How Can I Tell if Dog Food Causes Irritation?

Dog food could irritate some pets. This is usually because you switched your dog’s food too quickly or because the ingredients don’t agree with them. You can generally tell if the food isn’t settling in their stomach well by watching for a few side effects. These include:

  • Loose stool
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Flatulence
  • Excessive coughing or sneezing

Besides obvious symptoms, sometimes dog food might cause hidden reactions, especially within their skin and ears. If you notice that your cane corso is itching a lot, has red skin patches, or sudden ear infections, it could be due to the new food.

To prevent these uncomfortable side effects, you should slowly introduce your dog to the new food. By doing so, it will help their stomach to gradually adjust to the new ingredients. In addition to this, it will allow you to monitor them for signs of irritation or an allergic reaction.

What is Bloat and How Do I Prevent It?

Bloat is a common problem among dogs, especially large breeds. It’s caused by many things, but mainly when your pup eats too many carbohydrates or has been given too much food.

Bloat causes their stomach to expand and fill up with air and gas. Unfortunately, canines can’t release this pressure naturally. Instead, it will continue to expand and cause your dog’s stomach to become enlarged. If not immediately fixed, bloat can become painful and could be fatal because it will block their circulation.

Many dog foods work to make their blends with ingredients that prevent bloat. Many options will increase the amount of calcium and specific vitamins in the food that can dissolve gas. Moist food is also ideal because it digests quickly, unlike kibble, that might swell in their stomach.

To prevent bloat in your cane corso, check to see if the kibble contains calcium. You might also want to slowly feed your dog small portions of their meal rather than giving them the full amount at once.

Can I Feed My Cane Corso Additional Food?

You can add more food to your cane corso’s meals if you want to boost their protein, iron, or calcium amounts. Some good options to add include spinach, broccoli, beans, blueberries, apples, eggs, and sardines.

These items can be especially beneficial if you plan to feed your dog dry food as they will provide fresh nutrients to their body.

How Do Omega-3 and Omega-6 Differ?

As you inspect the ingredients in dog food you’ll notice that many contain omega-3 and omega-6. These fatty acids are essential for your dog’s health because they improve their eye, brain, and skin health. These omegas can also enhance their cognitive functioning.

Omega-3 and omega-6 are somewhat similar, but there are slight differences in their composition. Omega-3 contains large amounts of alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. These focus on improving your dog’s immune system and heart health.

Omega-6 has linoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid. Unlike omega-3, omega-6 prevents blood clotting and can help lubricate joints. This makes it beneficial for pets who might suffer from arthritis.

Conclusion

Cane corso are docile dogs that have a voracious appetite. While it’s easy to give them basic dog food, it’s important to feed them high protein meals with plenty of vegetables to ensure they stay active and healthy.

If you’re on the search for some of the best food to give yours, consider the options above. They’re not only packed with tasty ingredients but plenty of vitamins and minerals.

The post What is the Best Dog Food for Cane Corso? appeared first on Pet Reviews.