50% off your first order. Redeem Now

Dog Food Chevron
Cat Food Chevron
More Chevron
See Plans & Pricing Account

FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is a gentle giant — 120 to 180 pounds of calm, devoted muscle built on a deep chest and big-boned frame that ask a lot of how you feed them.

Here is exactly how to feed a Saint Bernard on freeze-dried raw: portioned by weight and life stage, fed in smaller meals to respect their bloat-prone build, with the nutrition that protects giant-breed joints and that heavy double coat.

  • Adult weight120–180 lb
  • SizeGiant
  • EnergyModerate
  • Lifespan8–10 years
  • CoatDense double coat (short- or long-haired) — heavy seasonal shedder
Build my dog's plan → Shop recipes
A healthy Saint Bernard
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Saint Bernard's body needs

Every Saint Bernard trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Giant, heavy-boned frame

    Needs: Steady lean protein, controlled calories

    Real meat, organ and ground bone build and hold lean muscle on a huge frame, while measured freeze-dried raw keeps a Saint Bernard from carrying extra weight their joints cannot afford.

  • Deep chest, bloat & GDV risk

    Needs: Smaller, calmer meals — never one big bowl

    Calorie-dense freeze-dried raw lets you feed real nutrition in smaller volumes, spread across two or three relaxed meals a day rather than one large gulping feed.

  • Hip dysplasia & joint load

    Needs: Joint nutrients + lean body weight

    Ground bone and cartilage supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and staying lean takes pounds of pressure off every step.

  • Dense double coat, twice-yearly blowouts

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, easing the dryness and heavy seasonal shedding a Saint Bernard's coat is known for.

  • Slow-growing giant puppies

    Needs: Controlled, balanced growth nutrition

    Giant puppies must grow slowly to protect developing joints — a complete raw diet fed to a lean condition supports steady growth without the fast spurts that strain hips and elbows.

How much to feed a Saint Bernard

Quick answer: a healthy adult Saint Bernard (120–180 lb) needs about 18.0–27.0 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)
120 lb 18.0 oz 9.0 oz
135 lb 20.3 oz 10.1 oz
150 lb typical Saint Bernard 22.5 oz 11.3 oz
165 lb 24.8 oz 12.4 oz
180 lb 27.0 oz 13.5 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.

Get exact portion →

What to feed a Saint Bernard

For a Saint Bernard we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — fed in measured, calorie-dense portions that keep volume down without shorting nutrition.

Lean recipes like Chicken work well for everyday feeding and weight-watchers, while richer Grass-Fed Beef or Lamb suit hard-working or underweight dogs. Just add water and serve — and split the day's food across two or three meals.

Recipes for Saint Bernards

Shop all →

Daily support for Saint Bernards

Shop all →

Treats Saint Bernards love

Shop all →

Feeding a Saint Bernard by life stage

  • Puppy: Saint Bernards are a giant breed and must grow slowly. Feed a complete, balanced raw diet across 3–4 smaller meals and keep them lean — overfeeding and fast growth raise the risk of hip and elbow problems. They stay in the puppy stage longer, often until 18–24 months.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean body condition, splitting the day's food across two or three meals to respect the breed's bloat-prone build. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to the dog in front of you, not the bag.
  • Senior: Older Saints slow down but still need high-quality protein to hold lean muscle on a big frame. Trim portions as activity drops, keep meals small and frequent, and lean into joint- and weight-supporting nutrition.

Common Saint Bernard concerns — and the diet connection

  • Bloat & GDVThe deep-chested Saint Bernard's most serious feeding-related risk. Smaller, calmer meals of calorie-dense raw — kept on the floor, away from hard exercise — let you deliver full nutrition without one large gulped bowl.
  • Hip dysplasia & joint strainCommon in giant breeds. Lean body weight plus joint nutrients from real bone and cartilage, with omega-3s, support comfortable movement and ease day-to-day load on the joints.
  • Giant-breed weight managementEvery extra pound is amplified on a frame this size. Measured raw feeding and a lean condition are the single biggest lever for protecting joints and supporting a longer, more comfortable life.
  • Coat & skin healthA dense double coat that blows out twice a year benefits from a whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet that supports the skin barrier and helps manage heavy seasonal shedding.

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

Feeding a Saint Bernard: what to know

A Saint Bernard's biggest feeding risk is not their appetite — it is their deep-chested build, which makes bloat and the life-threatening twist called GDV a real concern. Feed two or three smaller meals a day instead of one large one, keep the bowl on the floor, and give a calm hour before and after eating with no hard play.

Because they are so large, small portion errors add up fast. Weigh meals rather than eyeballing them, feed to body condition — you should feel the ribs and see a waist from above — and a slow-feeder bowl helps a fast eater take their time.

Saint Bernard feeding questions

How much should I feed my Saint Bernard?
A healthy adult Saint Bernard (120–180 lb) needs roughly 18–27 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two or three meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean body condition and adjust every few weeks.
How do I lower my Saint Bernard's risk of bloat at mealtime?
Feed two or three smaller meals a day instead of one big bowl, keep the food on the floor rather than raised, allow a calm hour before and after eating, and use a slow-feeder bowl if your dog eats fast. Calorie-dense freeze-dried raw makes smaller, complete meals easy.
What is the best food for a giant breed like a Saint Bernard?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet of real meat, organ and ground bone delivers full nutrition in a smaller, controlled volume — ideal for a giant breed where portion control and joint-friendly lean weight matter most.
How do I switch my Saint Bernard to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day while keeping meals small and split. Because raw is rich, start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline as you go.
Does a Saint Bernard need joint and omega support?
Most do. Vets often suggest joint and omega-3 support for giant breeds from around age two. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Saint Bernard lean is the most effective joint protection there is.

THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE

If your dog won't eat it, it's on us

Try Saint Bernard's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.

  • Vet-formulated
  • AAFCO complete & balanced
  • Pathogen-tested every batch

  • "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
Build my dog's meal plan →

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.