Working group · Breed guide
St Bernard: weight, routine and daily dose
The national dog of Switzerland takes its name from the monk who, in the 10th century, founded a hospice to care for travellers on the perilous routes through the Swiss Alps. The Royal Kennel Club explains that the first dogs there were Alpine Mastiffs, used to guard property until their rescue abilities were discovered; by the 18th century they were locating lost and stranded travellers, and the monks were breeding bigger dogs, possibly with Newfoundland and Bloodhound blood.
Some monks objected to the longer coat, fearing it would ice up, which is why the breed still has both long-coated and smooth-coated dogs. The name St Bernard was not adopted until 1888 — and the cask of brandy on the collar, the RKC notes, is a romantic invention of the Victorian artist Edwin Landseer. Today’s St Bernard is a giant, around 54–82 kg on AKC figures, and the RKC suggests up to an hour of exercise a day. For a dog this size, meal size, meal timing and the number of tablets in the feeding guide all deserve planning.
At a glance
- Typical adult weight
- 54–82 kg
- DIGEST+ per day
- 4 tablets/day
- One bottle lasts
- 30 days
- Suggested refill
- Every 4 weeks — a bottle lasts 30 days, so consider 2 per delivery
Weight: American Kennel Club, “Weight: 140-180 pounds (male), 120-140 pounds (female). (The RKC breed standard gives minimum heights only, so the AKC weights are used.)” [source]
How many DIGEST+ tablets does a St Bernard need?
A typical adult St Bernard weighs 54–82 kg, which sits entirely in the Over 40 kg row of the DIGEST+ feeding guide: 4 tablets/day.
| Your dog’s weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts | Suggested refill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 40 kg | 4 tablets/day | 30 days | Every 4 weeks — a bottle lasts 30 days, so consider 2 per delivery |
How long DIGEST+ lasts for a St Bernard
| Daily dose | 1 bottle | 2 bottles | 3 bottles | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 tablets/day | 30 days | 60 days | 90 days | from £0.67 |
Days are for one dog. Each bottle holds 120 tablets; days are rounded down to whole days. Prices and cost per day by bottle count.
Feeding-routine notes for St Bernard owners
- Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine names Saint Bernards among the large, deep-chested breeds in which GDV (bloat) is far more common. Its feeding suggestions include two or more meals a day, limiting activity after meals and avoiding raised food bowls.
- A St Bernard sits in the top band of the feeding guide. Crushing the day’s tablets into one meal is often easier than giving several whole.
- Home scales rarely cope with a dog this heavy; walk-on scales at a vet practice give a reliable figure.
- Give DIGEST+ at the same point in the day — with breakfast or dinner — so it becomes part of the routine. The tablets can be eaten directly or crushed into food.
- Weigh your dog every few months: the dose follows body weight, not breed.
- Introduce one new thing at a time. If you are also changing food, let that settle first so you know what is what.
The full feeding guide
| Body weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | 1 tablet/day | 120 days |
| 11–25 kg | 2 tablets/day | 60 days |
| 25–40 kg | 3 tablets/day | 40 days |
| Over 40 kg | 4 tablets/day | 30 days |
Work out your exact supply
The calculator on the product page takes your dog’s weight band and how many dogs you have, then shows the daily dose, how long a bottle lasts and a sensible refill rhythm.
St Bernard: common questions
How many DIGEST+ tablets should a St Bernard have a day?
Typical adult St Bernards weigh 54–82 kg, which is the Over 40 kg row of the DIGEST+ feeding guide: 4 tablets/day. Always use your own dog’s current weight.
How long does one bottle of DIGEST+ last for a St Bernard?
Each bottle holds 120 tablets. At 4 tablets/day one bottle lasts 30 days. Days are for one dog and rounded down.
How many meals a day should a St Bernard have?
Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine suggests two or more meals a day for deep-chested breeds such as the Saint Bernard, along with limiting activity after meals. Give DIGEST+ with the same meal each day. A swollen belly, or retching without bringing anything up, needs a vet immediately.
What is the easiest way to give several tablets to a St Bernard?
The label allows the tablets to be eaten directly or crushed into food, so crushing the day’s tablets into a portion of the meal is usually simplest. Offer that portion first so you know it has been eaten. If your dog stops eating, speak to your vet.
Can every St Bernard have DIGEST+?
DIGEST+ is not recommended for pregnant or lactating dogs and is not suitable for puppies under 12 weeks. If your St Bernard is under veterinary supervision, ask your vet before starting.
Sources
- Saint Bernard Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- St. Bernard | Breeds A to Z | The Kennel Club — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- St. Bernard | Breed Standards | The Kennel Club — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or Bloat) — Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Checked 2026-10-15.
- GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus) — PDSA. Checked 2026-10-15.
Updated