Saint Bernard feeding guide: how much and how often

Giant breeds need careful feeding rather than simply large amounts. An adult of 70 kg (154 lb) with gentle daily walks often eats around 700 to 900 g of a typical dry food a day, very roughly 7 to 9 cups, but needs vary widely and many Saints burn less than their size suggests. Keep them lean, because every extra kilo on a giant frame speeds up wear on hips, elbows and knees.

Bloat, where the stomach swells with gas and can twist, is a serious risk in deep-chested giants. Common precautions are two or three smaller meals instead of one large one, a slower eating pace, no vigorous exercise for an hour or so either side of meals, and a calm setting at feeding time. Research on raised bowls is mixed, and one large study linked elevated feeders with a higher bloat risk in large and giant dogs, so talk bowl height through with your vet rather than assuming higher is better.

Water needs its own plan. Saints drink deeply and spill widely, and much of that water ends up on the floor or down your trousers. A wide, heavy bowl on a washable mat and a towel by the door will save your floors. If your dog retches without bringing anything up, has a tight or swollen belly, or paces and seems distressed after eating, treat it as an emergency and go to a vet immediately.