Diamond Dog Food For German Shepherds

Hills Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Food

Rating:

Large Breed Chicken Meal is one of 6 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Hills Science Diet product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, whole grain wheat, whole grain oats, whole grain sorghum, corn gluten meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Growth
• Best for:German Shepherd Puppies

This classic Science Diet formula gets the majority of its animal protein from chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 12% fat and 53% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 46%.

A fully-balanced, large-breed puppy diet. Contains just the right amount of calcium for controlled skeletal growth to help lower the risk of canine hip dysplasia in shepherd puppies. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewAfter doing research, I found that many large boned puppy foods had much more calcium than recommended by the Veterinary Council. Science Diet is much stricter about the ingredients. I switched and feel much better about my German Shepherds food! My dog loves it!

Merrick Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe

Top 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes

There is also chondroitin and glucosamine, which assists with a German Shepherds mobility, as well as both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to help with a shiny coat and healthy skin.

There has been some suggestion however that the kibble size is too small for some dogs, however this is not necessarily a negative for all dogs.

Additionally, this dry food is gluten free and does not contain any artificial colors, preservatives or flavors, as well as being poultry-free for any dogs that may have poultry allergies.

Best Dog Foods For German Shepherds

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a large breed dog food for your German shepherd, but the most important thing is that your dog wants to eat it, so try to choose something you know your dog will like. Remember, meal isnt necessarily bad. Whole protein meals like chicken meal or salmon meal are great for this large breed.

If your German shepherds dont like chicken, try food with beef or salmon. If it doesnt like dry food, try adding some wet food into it or switch to wet food altogether. If it has GI issues, maybe stick with grain free.

It doesnt matter how much time you spend choosing a great German shepherd food, if your dog wont eat it, it isnt getting any of the benefits. This is why its a good idea to consider food with a satisfaction guarantee.

Also Check: How Old To Breed German Shepherd

How Often Should I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy

Serve puppies younger than 4 months four small meals every day. Reduce the meals to three between 4 and 9 months. From the 9th month onwards, your puppy can eat two to three large meals during the day. Consult your vet or read the labels for calorie content to ensure you are serving the right amount.

What Is The Best Food For German Shepherds With Sensitive Stomachs

If your German Shepherd has a sensitive stomach, you’ll want to find a dog food that is easy on their digestive system. There are many brands of dog food that offer formulas specifically for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

These foods often have limited ingredient lists and use easily digestible ingredients, such as chicken or potato.

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Kong Puppy Toy Natural Teething Rubber

These strong yet soft chew toys are particularly made for delicate puppy teeth and gums. They are made of pet-safe bouncy rubber to stimulate your pups playfulness. It was also intended to soothe your pup from teething pains and its flexible texture teaches them not to chew on you.

The hollow center allows you to slip in a treat or teething soothing gels that keep your German Shepherd happy. Better yet, it comes in various sizes and is totally dishwasher safe.

Benefits Of Feeding Your Dog Dry Dog Food

The most apparent reason why most dog owners prefer kibble to their canned and fresh counterparts is convenience.

Dry dog food is easier to store, prepare, and serve. Plus, it doesnt require any refrigeration, and it doesnt spoil easily or become infested with bacteria. Dry dog food is also generally less expensive per serving, and there are more varieties to choose from.

Apart from costs and convenience, dry dog food is also generally better for your German Shepherds dental health. Through friction, kibble reduces plaque and tartar. That leads to cleaner teeth, healthier gums, and fresher breath. Plus, they tend to love the crunch.

Read Also: What Do German Shepherd Dogs Eat

Food For German Shepherd Puppies: Faq

There is always the possibility that pet guardians have misconceptions about their canines diet. Do not fret, as those misgivings will be cleared here.

How many calories does a puppy German Shepherd need?

An intake of 500 calories per day is suitable for German Shepherd puppies. Yet, as the pup grows older, the number of meals is fewer, and the calorie intake increased to 1600 calories around fifteen months of age. Overfeeding your Shepherd can lead to obesity while being underfed can affect its growth thats why you should always consult with your local vet about your pets nutritional intake.

How often should you feed my German Shepherd puppy?

Your sweet little fluff ball needs to be fed three to four times a day until four months of age. But, it is a good idea to practice restraint. Overfeeding German Shepherds can lead to indigestion and diarrhea.And dont forget to increase your puppys calorie intake as it grows older. Remember, your GSD loves to sweat it all off with much-needed physical exertion.

What types of food are good for German Shepherds?What diseases are German Shepherds prone to?

German Shepherds are susceptible to joint problems. Youll find that malnutrition in puppyhood can lead to elbow or hip dysplasia in adult dogs. Also, GSDs have specific allergies indicating weaker tummies, so keep that in mind when you pick out their dry food.

Are German Shepherds hypoallergenic?

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Adult German Shepherd Foods

As your German Shepherd transitions to an adult dog food, consider going grain-free to avoid common allergens and irritants. You may need to work with your veterinarian to find the best fit, but generally, German Shepherds enjoy foods with beef, bison, and chicken, as well as fruits and vegetables.

Depending on your dogs activity level and metabolism, a full-grown German Shepherd should eat two to three meals per day. Take a look at these top-selling options below.

Orijen is hands down the most respected and high-quality dog food on the market, known for carefully preparing each bag with top-notch ingredients. They checks all the boxes for a German Shepherd, containing high protein content from quality sources, grain-free ingredients, and essential vitamins and minerals.

While it is pricey, the value is unbeatable. If you have the budget for Orijen, you shouldnt need to look anywhere else.

Main Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Whole Herring, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, Whole Eggs

• Calories: 409 kcal/cup

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German Shepherds Specific Dietary Requirements

Like all dog breeds, German Shepherds need high-quality protein sourced from real meat, along with healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids to maintain their thick coats.

But, considering the fact that they are working dogs, they have specific dietary needs that you should aim to fill, and here are what we recommend to aim for when selecting dog food for your German Shepherd.

P.S: All the dog food in our list of best dog food for German Shepherds meet at least the minimum nutritional requirements for German Shepherds. We took into account all these portions so rest assured that all the food included in this list can be given to your furry friend without worrying if they meet or not the minimum nutritional requirements for German Shepherds.

Protein

As large breed dogs, German Shepherds need a dog food that is high in protein, to be more specific 18% for adults and 22% for puppies. This protein helps the dog develop strong and lean muscles while at the same time it provides him with the energy to stay active all day long.

But one thing to look out for, and one of the most common mistakes I see many people make when feeding their German Shepherd puppies, is for how long to feed your puppy puppy-specific dog food.

Fats

Fats are the main source of energy for German shepherds, they provide your canine with the fuel to grow, thrive, and stay active all day long. For instance, adult German Shepherds need 5% fat in their food content while puppies need about 8%.

Carbohydrates

The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds

Proudly crafted right here in the USA, Diamonds family-made formula is ideal for a large breed like German Shepherds. Additionally, the formula is often described as the best german shepherd puppy food on the market due to its inclusion of DHA an omega-3 fatty acid that works wonders in ensuring your pup will have optimal visual and cognitive development.

The proprietary formula is bursting with prime ingredients, one such example being chicken fat a fundamental staple in dog food for providing essential fatty acids for your Shepherd, as well as improving the overall palatability of the kibble recipe itself. You can certainly discern the exclusive nature of this formula from their incorporation of live, naturally occurring microorganisms that will help your German Shepherd digest their beloved dog food.

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What To Feed A German Shepherd

When comparing the best dog foods for your GSD, take extra time to look for the following:

Meat Proteins Whole meat, such as chicken, beef, fish, and lamb should be included in the first several ingredients. Protein can also come from meat meals, a concentrated form of meat in which the moisture has been removed. AAFCO recommends that German Shepherds eat a food with at least 22% protein as puppies and at least 18% protein as adults.

Healthy source of fat Chicken fat, canola oil, and flaxseed are all healthy sources of fats and include additional health benefits. AAFCO recommends eight percent fat for German Shepherd puppies and five percent fat for adults.

Omega-3s This fatty acid helps keep a German Shepherds skin and coat healthy.

DHA One of the three Omega-3s is DHA, which supports brain and eye development.

Carbs To keep a German Shepherds blood sugar steady, the dog food should be low in carbs and may include an alternate, low-glycemic form of carbs, such as sweet potatoes.

Proper Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio Puppy foods should have a calcium to phosphorus ratio of about 1.2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus. Having a deficiency or excess of calcium in your dogs diet can lead to serious orthopedic problems, like painful bone spurs.

Since German Shepherds need a high-quality dog food to sustain their level of activity, its best to avoid:

Dog Food & Feeding Pattern For German Shepherds Age

A) For New Born

The average newborn German Shepherd puppy weighs around 370 600 grams during birth. To derive their nutrition, they are highly dependent on their mothers milk.

However, in a case where the mothers milk is unavailable, top quality powdered milk should be fed to the pups at regular intervals.

German Shepherd puppies almost double their weight when they complete 1 week. As the pups gradually start gaining weight and mobility, they crave more and more milk. Due to this reason, their feeding amount changes on a weekly basis.

Nutritional Profile Of A Baby Dog Milk

• Ultra-Digestible Protein: Supports faster growth and development.
• Omega Fatty Acid: Optimizes brain and eye development.
• Essential Vitamins: Boost metabolism in puppies.
• Antioxidants: Build strong resistance against infections and diseases.

Which Baby Dog Milk Should I Feed My Newborn German Shepherd Puppy?

You can find various milk replacers in the market for puppies. Yet the one which stands out in terms of quality and nutrition is Royal Canin Baby Dog Milk which has a dietary profile similar to that of maternal milk. The benefits of Royal Canin Baby Dog Milk:

• Offers high energy and protein levels.
• DHA boosts cognitive skills and nervous functioning in pups.
• Exclusive homogeneous formula of milk makes it easier to digest.

Best Starter Dog Foods For German Shepherd Newborns

1) Arden Grange With Chicken Weaning Puppy

2) Royal Canin Maxi Starter Food

B) For Puppy

Also Check: Are German Shepherds Really From Germany

What Should I Feed My 8 Week Old German Shepherd Puppy

When theyre about 6 to 8 weeks old, owners should start giving their German Shepherd puppies a little dry dog food with water or unseasoned chicken stock when theyre not nursing.

When theyve reached their eighth week onwards, German Shepherds should be weaned and be fed solid food with a special puppy feed.

Its ideal to feed your German Shepherd puppy a breed specific dry or wet food. However, availability could be an issue.

In such cases, ask your veterinarian to come up with a proper food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. They will take into consideration your puppys feeding pattern, size and health condition.

You should remove milk from your puppys diet at this life stage as it can cause diarrhea.

German Shepherd Raw Diet

Like homemade diets, formulating a raw diet for German Shepherds requires lots of effort and planning. There is more risk of contamination and nutritional imbalance due to its raw nature.

Raw dog food usually consists of uncooked and unprocessed animal-based products. These include raw meat, bones, vegetables, fruits, eggs with shells on them , dairy products such as butter and cheese made from raw milk without pasteurization or homogenizing. A dog raw diet is supposed to resemble the diet of what dogs ate in the wild millions of years ago.

Raw dog food is a growing trend These diets provide canines more nutrients than cooked foods and help them protect their teeth, coat, digestive functions, among other health benefits. Read our German Shepherd Raw Diet Guide to learn all about raw feeding GSDs and their benefits. We also recommend visiting our best raw dog food article to find the best brands to feed your dog.

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German Shepherd Puppy Diet Requirements

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pet owners and veterinary professionals about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients. fda.gov

Large puppies like German Shepherds usually go to their new homes when they are between 8 and 10 weeks old. By this age they have been weaned and they are eating solid foods such as a good puppy food.

Puppies are growing fast in the first few months. They use up lots more calories than adult dogs because they are building muscle and bone, not to mention the fact that their brain is developing. Plus theres all that time spent in play. Play is undoubtedly fun for puppies but its also an important way to help muscles and bones grow and develop. And it burns up lots of calories.

German Shepherd puppies need plenty of calorie-dense nutrition, especially in their early months. Foods formulated for puppies typically have more calories per ounce than adult dog foods for this reason.

Puppies need more protein than adult dogs. According to AAFCO , puppies need 22 percent protein in their diet compared to 18 percent for adult dogs. These are minimum nutritional requirements. Most good puppy foods will exceed this protein percentage.

Foods that have about 30 percent protein and 9 percent fat, by dry matter basis, are considered ideal for most large breed puppies.

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No Added Fillers Or Artificial Preservatives

Corn, wheat and soy are very difficult for German Shepherds to digest and formulas that feature these ingredients should be avoided. Instead, look for formulas that feature sweet potatoes or other high quality carbohydrates over excessive fillers. In addition, look for foods that do not feature artificial flavoring.

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Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health Dog Food

The Holistic Select pet food company has been around for more than a decade. One of the tenets that Holistic Select thrives on is in creating dog food that is 100% natural, high-quality, and that support the digestive health systems for dogs.

Our rating

We gave the Holistic Select Puppy Dog Food a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Pros

Unique Health Support

Why we choose this as the best food for the German Shepherd puppy is because of its exceptional health support. Many puppies find it challenging to digest foods during the first couple of days. The Holistic Puppy Health Dog Food is built with this in mind. It has a blend of probiotics and enzymes that make it easy for your puppy to digest.

Healthy Fat Sources

While Holistics advertising stresses on the merits of the digestive systems, its also worth noting that this dog food is a source for healthy fats. These are obtained from the whole grains and lean meat of lamb instead of chicken fat. Chicken fat is not unhealthy per se, but lamb is way more nutritious.

Cons

Considering how big or quickly your German Shepherd puppy grows, a single bag of food may run out rather fast. If you have a small budget, this could pose a challenge given the high price of the Holistic Select Puppy Health Food.

A majority of people are beginning to embrace a holistic lifestyle and this includes the food they eat. Precise believes that dogs should not be left behind in this movement.

Our rating

We rated this dog food product 4.4 out of 5 stars.