Best Dog Food for Cane Corso Puppies

Karan French  Nuala McHugh

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Karan French
Karan French

Karan French

Senior Researcher

Karan is a senior researcher at the Dog Food Advisor, working closely with our in-house pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, to give pet parents all the information they need to find the best food for their dog.

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Nuala McHugh
Nuala McHugh

Nuala McHugh

Content Writer

Nuala began her writing career when she studied English at Queen’s University Belfast and later earned a Master's degree in PR and Communications.

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Updated: December 2, 2024

Verified by Laura Ward

Laura Ward

Laura Ward

Pet Nutritionist

Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.

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Laura Ward

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What’s the best dog food for Cane Corso Puppies?

If you have just welcomed a Cane Corso puppy into your life and home you may need some help choosing the best food to suit their needs.

Cane Corsos were historically used as working dogs and it is crucial to provide your puppy with a high-quality, balanced and nutritious diet to ensure proper growth and development into a strong adult dog.

Choose a food that is high in protein and low in fat and contains plenty of vitamins and minerals. Cane Corso puppies tend to eat very quickly, so divide your dog’s food into portions appropriate to their age and size to avoid making them overweight. To encourage proper feeding habits, feed your puppy regular amounts at regular times of the day.

Look for a product that lists meat as the primary ingredient and avoid foods that contain fillers and artificial additives.

Fats provide essential fatty acids that are beneficial for your puppy’s skin, coat, and overall well-being. Look for food with a moderate fat content of around 10-15%.

While pups do not require carbohydrates in large amounts, they can provide a source of energy. Look for foods that use whole grains or vegetables as a carbohydrate source.

Below, you can see our recommendations of the best foods for Cane Corso puppies to help you make the right choice for your new addition.

You can find answers to some of the frequently asked questions we receive about Cane Corso puppies at the bottom of this page. You can also learn more about this breed here.

The Dog Food Advisor - Editor's choice

Best Dog Food for Cane Corso Puppies December 2024

Here are The Dog Food Advisor's best dog food brands for Cane Corso Puppies for December 2024.

  • Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy

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    Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of this dry product line.

    This recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 33.3% protein, 18.8% fat and 39.9% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

    With a longer growth cycle and a faster potential growth rate, Cane Corso puppies have unique physical needs that require specialized nutrition. This chicken, brown rice & salmon meal puppy recipe is specifically formulated with high protein and low fat to meet the dietary demands of large-breed puppies.

    Read our review of the full Wellness Complete Health Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, peas, ground brown rice, salmon meal
    Type Grain-Inclusive
    Protein Percentage 33.3%
    AAFCO Standards Growth and Reproduction
    Best For Puppies and Pregnant or Lactating Females

    Sample buyer review...

    "Our puppy loves Wellness Large Breed Puppy Food! He gobbles it up, so we have to put it in a slow down dish to make sure that he doesn’t eat it too quickly."

    Read more buyer reviews at WellnessPetFood.com
  • Blue Wilderness Puppy Turkey & Chicken Grill

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    Blue Wilderness Puppy Turkey & Chicken Grill is one of nine recipes included in our review of this popular wet product line.

    The recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 47.7% protein, 31.8% fat and 12.5% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.

    As well as high-protein turkey and chicken, this formula features DHA, an important fatty acid found in mother’s milk, to aid cognitive and retinal function, making it great for puppies.

    Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food (Canned) range here

    Main Ingredients Turkey, chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, potatoes
    Type Grain-Free
    Protein Percentage 47.7%
    AAFCO Standards Growth and Reproduction
    Best For Puppies and Pregnant or Lactating Females

    Sample buyer review...

    "My dogs love this. Blue Buffalo has such a variety of nutritious dog foods on the market. The price is right & it’s healthy for your pets"

    Read more buyer reviews at BlueBuffalo.com
  • Ollie Chicken with Carrots

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    Ollie Chicken With Carrots is one of five recipes included in our review of this fresh product line.

    This healthy, all-natural food is designed to provide your puppy with the nutrients they need to maintain a shiny coat, great energy throughout the day, and aid digestion. It derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30.8% protein, 11.5% fat and 49.7% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 38%.

    Ollie’s recipes are enriched with essential vitamins and minerals that support joint health — key for large breeds prone to joint issues as they grow.

    Large breeds like Cane Corso puppies have specific calorie requirements based on their size and growth rate. Ollie provides tailored portion sizes to ensure your puppy gets the right amount of food without overfeeding.

    Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food (Fresh) range here

    Main Ingredients Chicken, rice, carrots, chicken livers, peas
    Type Grain-Inclusive
    Protein Percentage 30.8%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For Puppies and Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "My vet said this is one of the best dog foods you can buy. My dog Tess likes all 4 varieties for a good balance. I like that she is getting good quality food that she loves."

    Read more buyer reviews at MyOllie.com
  • Dr Tim's Kinesis Puppy

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    Dr Tim’s Kinesis Puppy is one of nine recipes included in our review of this dry product line.

    The recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 31.1% protein, 16.7% fat and 44.2% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.

    Dr Tim’s Kinesis Puppy Formula offers complete and balanced nutrition to meet your puppy’s growing and developing needs. Formulated to meet the nutritional needs of all breeds of dogs, this formula supports a puppy’s active lifestyle with high levels of animal-sourced protein and multiple sources of healthy fats for lasting energy.

    All of Dr Tim’s recipes include pre and probiotics to help maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

    Read our review of the full Dr. Tim’s Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Chicken meal, brown rice, pearled barley, whole oat groats, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
    Type Grain-Inclusive
    Protein Percentage 31.1%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For Puppies and Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "This is truly great quality dog food. Highly recommend you give it a try."

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • American Journey Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato

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    American Journey Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe is one of 17 recipes included in our review of this grain-free dry product line.

    This food derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 33.3% protein, 13.3% fat and 45.3% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 40%.

    Specifically formulated for large breed puppies, this formula includes glucosamine and chondroitin, which are crucial for maintaining joint health and supporting your puppy’s skeletal development. It also includes amino acids to support lean muscles, energy and overall health.

    Read our review of the full American Journey Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal (a source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), turkey meal, peas, chickpeas
    Type Grain-Free
    Protein Percentage 33.3%
    AAFCO Standards Growth and Reproduction
    Best For Puppies and pregnant or lactating females

    Sample buyer review...

    "Excellent puppy food. My puppy enjoys it very much and I don’t have to worry about him leaving it after he smells it. Thank you very much for recommending this excellent puppy food."

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Rice

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    Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Rice is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of this dry product line.

    This recipe contains appropriate nutrient levels to fuel larger growing bodies with calcium and phosphorus for bone and joint development. It also includes DHA for proper brain and vision development, L-Carnitine which helps convert fat to energy and is enhanced with superfoods and guaranteed probiotics.

    It derives the bulk of its meat protein from lamb. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 16.7% fat and 45.3% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

     

    Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Lamb, lamb meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, grain sorghum
    Type Grain-Inclusive
    Protein Percentage 30%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For Puppies and Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "Our puppy is doing so great on Diamond Naturals large puppy food. We will be switching to lamb and rice adult food after 1 year. We have always fed our dogs Diamond and they live long happy lives."

    Read more buyer reviews at DiamondPet.com

Cane Corsos have a natural protective instinct. Early socialization can help them distinguish between normal and potential threats.

They are intelligent and eager to please, but they can also be strong-willed. Consistent and positive reinforcement training is essential to ensure they develop good behavior and manners.

Start training your Cane Corso puppy early. Basic commands like sit, stay, come, and leash manners are important for their safety and your control.

Cane Corsos require a significant time commitment. They thrive on human interaction and can become destructive if left alone for long periods.

Here are the most frequently asked questions we get about feeding Cane Corso Puppies:

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is a Cane Corso puppy?

Cane Corso puppies can vary in size depending on factors such as genetics, diet, and overall health. A newborn Cane Corso puppy typically weighs around 1.5 to 2.5 pounds (0.7 to 1.1 kilograms).

As they grow, their weight and size will increase rapidly. By the time they are around 8 weeks old, Cane Corso puppies can weigh anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kilograms) or more. At this stage, their size may already be quite noticeable due to their robust build and strong bone structure.

Cane Corsos usually reach their full adult size and weight between 18 months and 2 years of age.

How to socialize and train a Cane Corso puppy?

Proper socialization is crucial for Cane Corso puppies. Expose them to various people, animals, places, and situations from a young age to help them become well-adjusted and confident adults.

Cane Corsos have a natural protective instinct. Early socialization can help them distinguish between normal and potential threats.

They are intelligent and eager to please, but they can also be strong-willed. Consistent and positive reinforcement training is essential to ensure they develop good behavior and manners.

Start training your Cane Corso puppy early. Basic commands like sit, stay, come, and leash manners are important for their safety and your control.

Cane Corsos require a significant time commitment. They thrive on human interaction and can become destructive if left alone for long periods.

How much exercise does a Cane Corso puppy need?

These dogs have moderate to high exercise needs. Regular walks, playtime, and mental stimulation are important to prevent boredom and maintain their physical health.

All puppies, including Cane Corsos, have growing bones and joints that are still developing. Excessive high-impact exercise, such as running on hard surfaces or jumping, can potentially lead to joint problems later in life. Until your puppy’s growth plates have closed (usually around 18 months of age), focus on controlled and moderate exercise.

For very young Cane Corso puppies (under 3-4 months), short walks of about 10-15 minutes a few times a day are sufficient. Pay attention to your puppy’s energy level and don’t push them too hard.

As your Cane Corso puppy grows, you can gradually increase the length of walks and playtime. Aim for a total of about 30 minutes to an hour of exercise per day, divided into several sessions. Focus on controlled activities like walking, jogging, or light training.

Is a Cane Corso puppy a good family pet?

Cane Corsos can be great family dogs if raised and socialized well. However, they may not be the best choice for households with very young children due to their size and energy level.

Remember that each dog is an individual, and while there are general breed characteristics, your Cane Corso puppy’s personality and behavior will also be influenced by genetics, upbringing, and environment. If you’re dedicated to providing proper training, socialization, and care, a well-raised Cane Corso can be a loyal and loving companion.

What health conditions can affect a Cane Corso?

Like many large dog breeds, Cane Corsos are susceptible to certain health problems, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and certain heart conditions. Regular veterinary check-ups and a balanced diet are important for maintaining their health and well-being.

Final word

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