Preparing to adopt a Great Dane can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. In addition to puppy-proofing your home, you’ve got to shop for supplies such as food, a leash, and a collar to proudly display your dog’s new name tag. Since meeting and spoiling your new puppy is probably more of a priority than agonizing over thousands of Amazon products, we’ve gone ahead and done the work for you. Here’s a round-up of the essential supplies for Great Danes.

The 12 Essential Great Dane Supplies

Food and Supplies

1. Dog Food

We’re sure you’re aware that Great Danes are large dogs. As such, they require a lot of food. Additionally, dogs in general, but especially the large Great Dane, benefit from high-quality dog food that contains a minimum of 22–30% protein in order to keep their muscles lean and healthy. Luckily, there are plenty of options out there, but it’s always best to get a vet’s recommendation if you’re unsure about the best food for your Great Dane.

If your Great Dane is game for duck and chicken, this is a good recipe for them. Dehydrated foods like this recipe retain more of the original nutrients than typical dry kibble. Plus, food tends to taste better when it isn’t overly processed. This recipe meets AAFCO standards for all dogs of any age and only uses human grade ingredients, placing it notch above most commercial dog foods which use ingredients that belong in chicken feed. It’s so simple to prepare this dehydrated feast: all you have to do is add warm water, stir, and wait 2–3 minutes before serving to your hungry pup.

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2. Food and Water Bowls

As we mentioned, being big dogs, Great Danes require a lot of food. The average Great Dane needs 6–10 cups of food per day, broken into several smaller meals. That being said, you’ve got to go big or go home when your dog weighs over 100 pounds. Additionally, you want to choose a product that is durable and easy to clean.

The Frisco Stainless Steel Dog & Cat Bowl comes in a variety of sizes, including a whopping 17 cup capacity dish that we highly recommend for your gentle giant. The stainless steel material is incredibly easy to clean. Scrub out any food residue with a simple swish of a kitchen sponge and plop it into the dishwasher. The durable material will last for many more meals to come.

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3. Treats

Dog treats are essential for training, whether that be potty training, obedience training, or agility training. Plus, you need treats to reward your Great Dane for being a good boy or girl. But, you want to make sure that treats are high quality, healthy, and suitable for your dog’s size.

The classic crunchy treat, Milk-Bone Original Large Biscuit Dog Treats, will have your Great Dane doing tricks just so they can enjoy them. Historically, Milk-Bone was considered the first commercial dog treat ever made, and they’ve never had a single recall in over 100 hundred years of business. That’s a pretty impressive reputation.

Toys and Accessories

4. Chew Toys

Chew toys can help keep your Great Dane entertained and busy when you can’t be with them all the time. But you want to make sure to give them something safe that won’t splinter or cause them to choke.

It’s rare to find a chew that’s safe for a giant breed, but Elkhorn Premium Chews fit the bill (and your dog’s mouth). These whole, naturally shed antlers are sourced in the USA. Since they’re a whole antler, they last a lot longer than the split variety that’s more popular among smaller breeds. It’s okay if your dog occasionally nibbles off a piece of the bone, but you should always supervise them while they’re chewing and not allow them to ingest any large chunks.

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5. Play Toys

In addition to something to chew on, Great Danes also benefit from toys that they can play with. This helps them to get their exercise and keeps them physically and mentally stimulated. While every Great Dane’s preference for toys will differ, some toys seem to be a hit with most dogs.

The Kong Classic Dog Toy is a favorite among dog lovers. This toy comes in several sizes, so you can choose the size that you feel is best for your Great Dane. The great thing about this toy is that there are multiple ways to play with this toy with your dog. You can use it to play fetch and watch your dog enjoy the erratic bounce, or you can stuff it with peanut butter or another dog-safe treat for your dog to lick, keeping them entertained.

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6. Collar

Having a collar for any dog is crucial, regardless of whether your dog is being walked in a controlled setting or you live out in the country where your dog can roam freely. Collars not only look cute on your dog, but they also hold your dog’s identification tags. ID tags help identify your dog and you, so that if your dog gets lost, you can be identified. They also hold your dog’s rabies tag so that people know your dog is up to date on their rabies vaccine.

This Soft Touch leather collar features a plush lining for comfort. Your Great Dane will look extra spiffy when paired with the matching Soft Touch Leather Leash (sold separately). The only thing about having a leather collar is that you’ll want to keep it out of the pond and take it off during bath day since leather doesn’t really hold up that well with moisture.

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7. Leash

Of course, you’re going to want a leash for walking your dog. Especially if you live in a city, many state and local laws require dogs to be on a leash during walks to protect both the dog and other people. Keep in mind that leash laws vary regarding the length of the leash and other aspects, but in most cases, a 6-foot-long leash fits the requirements.

Our pick is the Soft Touch Leather Leash (that matches the collar above). It’s hand-made and hand-stitched, with durable sheepskin leather and brass hardware. It comes in two different colors, and it’s 6 feet in length so it should adhere to most leash laws.

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8. Harness

Although you can walk your Great Dane using just a collar and leash, many people are turning to harnesses for dog-walking instead. Harnesses go around your dog’s body instead of the neck. They allow for better control but also reduce the chances of neck strain and even choking if your Great Dane were to pull too hard on the leash.

The Frisco Outdoor Nylon Dog Harness is made with durable ripstop nylon material. It comes in four different colors, and the extra-large size should fit your Great Dane, but it’s best to measure your dog first just to make sure. It also contains storage pockets and a doggy waste bag dispenser.

Comfort Supplies

9. Dog Bed

Giant breeds like the Great Dane need extra support for their heavy bones. The Furhaven Plush & Suede Full Support Orthopedic Dog Bed is a comfortable, stylish piece of furniture that comes in a variety of colors to suit your space. You might even be able to reclaim your spot on the human couch.

Cleaning and Grooming Supplies

10. Enzyme Spray

If you’re adopting a Great Dane puppy, an enzyme spray is a must to clean up accidents that may occur while potty training. Plus, it’s a good thing to keep on hand for adult dogs, too, because sometimes your Great Dane can make your furniture smell like, well, dog.

The Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray is a must to cover up the inevitable pee and poop accidents. This non-toxic formula is fragrance-free, neutralizing the stinky smells without adding an obnoxious scent that might even clash with the offending odor.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

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11. Dog Shampoo

A Great Dane only needs a bath every 6 to 8 weeks. Frequent bathing is discouraged in order to avoid drying out their coat. However, there are some instances in which your Great Dane can get extremely dirty or smelly, in which case, a bath is needed. Since human shampoos should not be used on dogs, it’s important to have a dog shampoo on hand.

We love the Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo. It’s made from safe and natural ingredients and contains oatmeal to help soothe dry skin. It’s pH balanced and has an aloe and cucumber scent. It’s made in the USA, and the best part is that you can use it on any cats you may have in the house as well.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

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12. Pet Wipes

Many happy, muddy dog park days can happen in between the 6 to 8 week bath, and remember that you don’t want to overbathe your Great Dane. Sometimes, they may not be quite dirty enough to justify a bath, or you just need to wipe off their paws. That’s where pet wipes can come in handy.

These aloe-enriched, alcohol-free Hepper Wash Wipes are gently scented with cucumber to help your pet to keep smelling fresh. As an added bonus, Hepper Wash Wipes are also safe to use on cats in case your Great Dane has any feline friends in the house.

At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

Summing Up

Your love is the single most important thing you can give your Great Dane. They’ll certainly feel your affection every time they crunch a Milk-Bone, enjoy a human-grade meal from The Honest Kitchen, or settle down for a nap on their orthopedic bed. In addition to caring for their basic needs, making sure you spend time every day snuggling and exercising with your Great Dane gives them a warm welcome to your world.

See also:

• 7 Best Foods for Great Dane Puppies
• 8 Best Brushes for Great Danes

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Featured Image Credit: belu gheorghe, Shutterstock