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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Boerboel (South African Mastiff)

The Boerboel is a giant guardian that can top 200 pounds and a deep-chested build that makes bloat a real, life-threatening risk — so with this breed, how and when you feed matters as much as what is in the bowl.

Here is exactly how to feed a Boerboel on freeze-dried raw: portioned by weight, split into smaller meals to protect that deep chest, with the joint and heart nutrition a giant breed depends on.

  • Adult weight150–200 lb
  • SizeGiant
  • EnergyModerate
  • Lifespan9–11 years
  • CoatShort, dense — moderate shedder
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A healthy Boerboel (South African Mastiff)
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Boerboel (South African Mastiff)'s body needs

Every Boerboel (South African Mastiff) trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Giant, deep-chested build

    Needs: Smaller, measured meals

    Freeze-dried raw is portioned by weight and rehydrated, so it is easy to split into two or three calm meals a day — the feeding pattern that lowers bloat and GDV risk in deep-chested giants.

  • Massive working frame (150–200 lb)

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels and maintains the dense muscle a Boerboel carries, without the carb fillers that add empty weight to an already heavy dog.

  • Hip & elbow dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real bone, cartilage and organ supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and staying lean takes load off joints already under giant-breed strain.

  • Genetic heart (DCM) predisposition

    Needs: Complete, whole-food nutrition

    A complete raw diet built on real meat and organs delivers heart-supportive nutrients like taurine in their natural form — no need to backfill what processing strips out.

  • Drooly, wrinkled face & short coat

    Needs: Omega-rich whole-food fats

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting a healthy coat and the skin folds around a Boerboel's face and muzzle.

How much to feed a Boerboel (South African Mastiff)

Quick answer: a healthy adult Boerboel (South African Mastiff) (150–200 lb) needs about 22.5–30.0 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
150 lb 22.5 oz 11.3 oz
163 lb 24.5 oz 12.2 oz
176 lb typical Boerboel (South African Mastiff) 26.4 oz 13.2 oz
189 lb 28.4 oz 14.2 oz
200 lb 30.0 oz 15.0 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Boerboel (South African Mastiff)

For a Boerboel we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — fed in measured meals throughout the day, or used as a topper while you transition.

Richer recipes like Beef or Lamb suit this big, muscular frame, while leaner Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod help a Boerboel that needs to drop a little weight off the joints. Just add water and serve at a calm, unhurried pace.

Recipes for Boerboel (South African Mastiff)s

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Daily support for Boerboel (South African Mastiff)s

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Treats Boerboel (South African Mastiff)s love

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Feeding a Boerboel (South African Mastiff) by life stage

  • Puppy: Boerboel puppies are giant-breed dogs and must grow slowly — fast growth is a major driver of hip and elbow dysplasia. Feed a large/giant-breed-appropriate amount across 3–4 smaller meals, keep them lean and lanky rather than chubby, and never free-feed.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two or three meals to protect that deep chest. Use the chart below as a starting point for a 150–200 lb dog and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
  • Senior: Giant breeds age faster and feel their joints sooner. Trim portions as activity drops, keep protein high to hold onto lean muscle, and lean into joint- and heart-supporting nutrition.

Common Boerboel (South African Mastiff) concerns — and the diet connection

  • Bloat & GDV (gastric torsion)This deep-chested breed is high-risk. Smaller, calmer, measured meals — rather than one large bowl gulped down fast — are a core part of day-to-day feeding for a Boerboel.
  • Hip & elbow dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3) support comfort and slow wear on a giant frame.
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)A breed with genetic heart risk; a complete, whole-food raw diet supplies heart-supportive nutrients like taurine in natural form and keeps the dog at a healthy, heart-friendly weight.
  • Carrying excess weightBig eaters can gain quietly, and every extra pound strains a giant's joints and heart. Measured freeze-dried raw fed to body condition is the simplest lever for a longer, more comfortable life.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Boerboel (South African Mastiff): what to know

A Boerboel is a deep-chested giant, which makes it prone to bloat and gastric torsion (GDV). Split the daily amount into two or three smaller meals, skip raised bowls, and keep things calm for an hour either side of eating — no hard play right before or after a meal.

These are big eaters, and an overweight Boerboel is carrying that load on joints already at risk. Feed to body condition — ribs easy to feel, a visible waist from above — and re-check the portion every few weeks rather than topping the bowl up by eye.

Boerboel (South African Mastiff) feeding questions

How much should I feed my Boerboel?
A full-grown Boerboel (150–200 lb) is a big eater and needs a large daily amount of freeze-dried raw, split across two or three meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than it looks rehydrated — feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
How do I lower my Boerboel's risk of bloat?
Feed two or three smaller meals instead of one big one, avoid raised bowls, and keep the hour before and after eating calm with no vigorous exercise. Measured freeze-dried raw makes it easy to portion meals consistently throughout the day.
What is the best food for a Boerboel with joint issues?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet with real bone, cartilage and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Boerboel lean is the most effective joint protection there is. Pair it with a hip-and-joint supplement for extra support.
How do I switch my Boerboel to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Go slow with a deep-chested giant — keep meals smaller and calmer, and watch the body condition as you settle into the new routine.
Are Boerboels good family dogs?
Yes — Boerboels are devoted, calm at home and gentle with children who know how to behave around dogs, though their sheer size means supervision around small kids. Early socialization, consistent training, and a steady diet that keeps them lean all help this giant thrive.

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  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.