Best Dog Food for Mastiffs: English Mastiffs, Bullmastiffs and Mastiff Puppies
The best dog food for Mastiffs is a meat-based food fed in carefully measured amounts: enough protein to hold a giant dog's muscle, and only as many calories as it needs to stay lean. For most adult English Mastiffs and Bullmastiffs, that means either a leaner food like Bully Max 25/11 Lamb (chicken-free, 45% less fat) or, for more active dogs, 30/20 High Protein. Mastiff puppies need a food suitable for large-breed puppies and a slow, steady growth plan you build with your vet. Here is how to choose and how much to feed.
Best dog food for Mastiffs at a glance
- Typical or less active adult Mastiff: 25/11 Lamb. Chicken-free, 25% protein, 45% less fat, 415 kcal per cup.
- Active adult Mastiff or a hard keeper: 30/20 High Protein. 30% protein, 535 kcal per cup.
- Mastiff puppy: 24/14 Puppy. Suitable for large-breed dogs, including large-breed puppies, under AAFCO guidelines.
- Grow slow. Giant puppies should grow steadily, not fast. Measure meals, keep them lean and don't add calcium unless your vet says so.
- Respect bloat risk. Feed two or more meals a day and keep hard exercise away from mealtimes.
- Feed the dog, not the bag. Weigh often and adjust by body condition.
The Mastiff Family: Which Dog Do You Have?
"Mastiff" can mean the English Mastiff specifically, or the whole family of big, heavy-boned guardian breeds. They share a lot when it comes to feeding, but size and activity vary, and that changes how much they eat.
| Breed | Typical adult size | Feeding notes |
|---|---|---|
| English Mastiff | Males 160–230 lbs, females 120–170 lbs (AKC) | Giant, usually calm. Easy to overfeed. Long, slow growth. |
| Bullmastiff | Males 110–130 lbs, females 100–120 lbs (AKC) | Muscular and compact. Watch weight closely. |
| Cane Corso | Large and athletic | More active than most Mastiffs. See our Cane Corso food guide. |
| Presa Canario | Large and muscular | Often worked in sports. See the Presa Canario breed guide. |
| Boerboel (South African Mastiff) | Large and heavily muscled | Bred for farm and guardian work. See the Boerboel breed guide. |
English Mastiff and Bullmastiff sizes from the American Kennel Club. Individual dogs vary.
This guide focuses on English Mastiffs and Bullmastiffs, with notes on the other Mastiff-type breeds further down. The AKC lists a life expectancy of 6 to 10 years for the English Mastiff and 7 to 9 years for the Bullmastiff. Keeping a giant dog lean and well fed is one of the most practical things you can do for its comfort over those years.
What Mastiffs Need From Their Food
Big dogs need more food than small dogs in total, but fewer calories per pound of body weight. A 180 lb Mastiff does not need nine times what a 20 lb dog eats. That is why so many Mastiffs end up overweight: owners feed by size and by appetite, and Mastiffs are rarely shy about eating.
| What a Mastiff needs | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Muscle on a giant frame | A named meat or meat meal first and a solid protein percentage from animal sources |
| A lean body for hips, elbows and knees | Controlled calories, measured meals, and a lighter formula for calm or older dogs |
| Slow, steady puppy growth | A puppy food suitable for large-breed puppies, fed in measured amounts |
| Lower bloat risk habits | Two or more smaller meals a day instead of one big one |
| Skin, coat and digestion | Quality fats, consistent ingredients and slow food changes |
Our guide to dog food ingredients explains how to read a label, and the Bully Max comparison chart lines up every formula side by side.
Best Dog Food for Mastiffs: Our Picks
| Your Mastiff | Our pick | Protein / fat | kcal per cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calm adult, senior or gains weight easily | 25/11 Lamb, 45% less fat (chicken-free) | 25% / 11% | 415 |
| Active adult or hard keeper | 30/20 High Protein Chicken | 30% / 20% | 535 |
| Puppy | 24/14 High Protein & Growth Puppy | 24% / 14% | 419 |
| Active adult that needs to avoid chicken | 30/20 High Protein Beef (chicken-free) | 30% / 20% | 530 |
| Working or sport Mastiff-type dog | PRO Series 31/25 | 31% / 25% | 600 |
Figures from Bully Max product labels.
Active adult Mastiffs: 30/20 High Protein
If your Mastiff walks every day, trains, or struggles to hold weight, 30/20 High Protein is a strong base. It is meat-based, with 30% protein, 20% fat and 535 calories per cup. Because it is calorie-dense, a big dog gets its fuel in a smaller bowl, which matters for a breed where large single meals are best avoided.
“It’s for large bully breeds with a lot of great testimonies” — Bully Max customer, post-purchase survey
See what owners say about the food:
FUEL YOUR MASTIFF WITH BULLY MAX 30/20
Meat-based nutrition with 30% protein, 20% fat and 535 calories per cup. More fuel in a smaller bowl for active giant dogs.
Calm and older Mastiffs: 25/11 Lamb
Many adult English Mastiffs and Bullmastiffs are happy with a couple of walks and a long nap. For those dogs, a lighter food makes it easier to keep weight in check without making the bowl look tiny. 25/11 Lamb has 25% protein to help maintain muscle, 45% less fat and 415 calories per cup. It is also chicken-free, which helps if your vet has told you to keep chicken out of your dog's diet.
It is a good fit for senior Mastiffs and for any Mastiff that has gained weight, alongside a plan from your vet. Our chicken-free dog food guide covers the Beef and Lamb formulas in detail.
A LEANER, CHICKEN-FREE BOWL FOR MASTIFFS
Chicken-free lamb recipe with 25% protein, 45% less fat and 415 calories per cup. Built for big dogs that need to stay lean.
Feeding a Mastiff Puppy: Slow and Steady Wins
A Mastiff puppy grows faster and for longer than almost any other dog. That makes the first year and a half the most important time for feeding. Giant-breed puppies that grow too fast, carry extra weight or get too much calcium are more likely to develop bone and joint problems. The goal is steady growth along your puppy's own curve, not the biggest puppy on the block.
- Work with your vet from day one. Weigh your puppy regularly, ideally every two weeks, and ask your vet to track growth and body condition at every visit.
- Measure every meal. Don't free-feed. Split the day's food into three or four meals for young puppies, then two or three as they grow.
- Keep your puppy lean. You should be able to feel the ribs easily. A chubby giant puppy is not a healthy one.
- No extra calcium. A complete and balanced puppy food already contains it. Don't add calcium or bone supplements unless your vet tells you to.
- Go easy on impact. Gentle play and short walks are great. Ask your vet before long runs, repeated jumping or stairs while your puppy is still growing.
Bully Max 24/14 High Protein & Growth Puppy Food has 24% protein, 14% fat and 419 kcal per cup, with TruMune to support digestion and immune health. It is suitable for large-breed dogs, including large-breed puppies, under AAFCO guidelines. Because it is fed in measured amounts, you can keep your Mastiff puppy's growth steady and adjust as your vet advises.
START YOUR MASTIFF PUPPY ON BULLY MAX 24/14
Made for growing puppies with 24% protein, real lamb, 419 calories per cup and TruMune to support digestion and immune health.
Our large breed puppy food guide goes deeper on growth, and the high protein puppy food collection has every Bully Max puppy option. Giant breeds often stay on puppy food longer than other dogs; many switch somewhere between 18 and 24 months. Ask your vet when your Mastiff is ready, and see when to switch to adult dog food.
How Much to Feed a Mastiff
Start with an estimate, then let the scale and your hands guide you. The table below uses resting energy needs multiplied by a low activity factor, since most adult Mastiffs are not high-energy dogs.
| Adult weight | Calm adult on 25/11 Lamb (estimate) | Moderately active adult on 30/20 (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 lbs | ~1,470 kcal · ~3.5 cups | ~1,710 kcal · ~3.2 cups |
| 130 lbs | ~1,790 kcal · ~4.3 cups | ~2,090 kcal · ~3.9 cups |
| 160 lbs | ~2,090 kcal · ~5 cups | ~2,440 kcal · ~4.6 cups |
| 200 lbs | ~2,470 kcal · ~5.9 cups | ~2,880 kcal · ~5.4 cups |
Estimates per day using about 1.2× and 1.4× resting energy, 415 kcal per cup for 25/11 Lamb and 535 kcal per cup for 30/20 High Protein Chicken. Split into at least two meals. Individual Mastiffs vary widely. Adjust by body condition and follow your vet's advice.
Weigh your Mastiff every two to four weeks. If the waist disappears or you can't feel the ribs, cut the daily amount by about 10%. If the hips and spine start to show, add about 10%. Count treats as part of the day. Our dog food calculator and guide to your dog's ideal weight can help.
Bloat and Mastiffs
Mastiffs are large, deep-chested dogs, which puts them among the breeds at higher risk for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), or bloat. The stomach fills with gas and can twist, cutting off blood supply. It is a life-threatening emergency.
- Know the signs: a swollen or tight belly, retching without bringing anything up, heavy drooling, restlessness, pacing or obvious pain.
- Act fast: go to a vet or emergency clinic right away.
- Daily habits: feed two or more smaller meals, slow down dogs that gulp, and keep hard exercise away from mealtimes.
- Raised bowls: the evidence is mixed, and at least one large study linked raised feeders to a higher risk in large and giant breeds. Ask your vet before using one.
- Gastropexy: ask your vet whether this preventive surgery makes sense for your dog, especially if it is being spayed or neutered.
Joints, Weight and a Longer, Comfortable Life
Every extra pound on a Mastiff is carried by hips, elbows and knees that are already working hard. A lean Mastiff moves more easily and stays active longer. Check body condition at home: you should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, see a waist from above, and see the belly tuck up from the side.
If your Mastiff is stiff after rest, limps, or is slow to get up, see your vet. Our post on osteoarthritis in dogs explains the signs. Food can't treat joint disease, but keeping your dog at a healthy weight is one of the most useful things you can do.
Other Mastiff-Type Breeds
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso, or Italian Mastiff, is more athletic than the English Mastiff and usually needs more calories for its size. Cane Corso owners are about 10% of the Bully Max customers we surveyed. Our best dog food for Cane Corso guide covers feeding in detail, and the Cane Corso breed guide covers the breed.
Presa Canario
Presa Canarios are powerful, driven dogs, and many are worked in protection sports and weight pull. Travis and Kassidy Torrez of PresaMania feed their Presas Bully Max; read their story in Built to Work: PresaMania's Presa Canarios.
Boerboel
The Boerboel, or South African Mastiff, was bred for farm and guardian work. Cold River Boerboels builds its feeding program on Bully Max PRO Series 31/25 and the Bully Max supplement line. Their dogs Sun Wukong and Mr. Wednesday were reported to set a new world record in weight pull in May 2026. Read how they do it in How This Elite Breeder Raises Record-Shattering Dogs. For hard-working Mastiff-type dogs like these, PRO Series 31/25 (600 kcal per cup) is the formula to look at.
Switching Your Mastiff to a New Food
Switch over 7 to 10 days, mixing in a little more of the new food every couple of days. Giant dogs can have touchy stomachs during a change, so slow down if stools get soft. Our switching guide has a day-by-day schedule. If your Mastiff has ongoing diarrhea, vomiting or itchy skin, see your vet.
Why Big-Dog Owners Choose Bully Max
In our post-purchase survey, about 3% of customers own a Mastiff, Presa, Dogo or Boerboel, and another 10% own a Cane Corso. What they tell us is simple: they want a food built for big, muscular dogs, and they want proof it works.
“Better results for her and keeping weight on her” — Bully Max customer, post-purchase survey
- Over 50,000 5/5 reviews and a Dog Food Advisor 5/5 rating
- Family-owned U.S. company, founded in 2009
- High-performance, meat-based nutrition, made in the USA
- Every batch triple tested for safety, and zero recalls
Our Pick for Mastiffs
For a calm adult Mastiff, start with 25/11 Lamb and feed by body condition. For an active Mastiff or a hard keeper, use 30/20 High Protein. Start puppies on 24/14 Puppy and grow them slowly with your vet. A giant dog goes through a lot of food, so Autoship saves 10% on every order. Have a Rottweiler too? See our guide to the best dog food for Rottweilers.
FAQ
What is the best dog food for Mastiffs?
A meat-based food fed in measured amounts that keeps your Mastiff lean. For calm adults we recommend Bully Max 25/11 Lamb (chicken-free, 45% less fat). For active adults or hard keepers, 30/20 High Protein. For puppies, 24/14 Puppy, which is suitable for large-breed puppies under AAFCO guidelines.
How much food should a Mastiff eat?
A calm 160 lb adult Mastiff needs roughly 2,100 calories a day, or about 5 cups of 25/11 Lamb, split into two or more meals. Active dogs need more, and many Mastiffs need less. These are estimates; weigh your dog and adjust to body condition.
What should I feed a Mastiff puppy?
A complete and balanced puppy food suitable for large-breed puppies, fed in measured meals three or four times a day. Keep your puppy lean, don't add calcium, and have your vet track growth. Bully Max 24/14 Puppy is made for this.
How long should a Mastiff eat puppy food?
Giant breeds mature slowly, and many Mastiffs stay on puppy food until somewhere between 18 and 24 months. Your vet can tell you when your dog is ready based on growth and body condition.
Is high-protein food safe for Mastiff puppies?
For healthy puppies, protein is not what drives growth too fast. Excess calories and excess calcium are the bigger concerns. Feed a puppy food suitable for large-breed puppies in measured amounts, keep your puppy lean, and follow your vet's growth plan.
How many times a day should I feed my Mastiff?
Feed adults at least twice a day. Smaller meals are easier on a deep-chested dog and are a common habit for lowering bloat risk. Young puppies eat three or four times a day.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Mastiff breed information; American Kennel Club, Bullmastiff breed information; American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus; Glickman LT et al., Non-dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in large and giant breed dogs, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2000; Bully Max product labels for 30/20 High Protein Chicken, 25/11 Lamb, 24/14 Puppy, 30/20 Beef and PRO Series 31/25.
