Kirkland Signature: Nature’s Domain
Our fifth and final recommendation is Kirkland Pet Foods. Kirkland Pet Foods is Costco’s brand. However, it was created by Diamond Pet Foods which created Diamond Naturals, Taste of the Wild, and 4health.
The ingredient panel for this brand is consistently heavier on protein vs carbohydrates which is always a good thing unless your dog has a renal condition.
Vegetables And Fruits Your German Shepherds May And Cannot Eat
Never
½ package of frozen broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower combination
Directions:
Add rice, turkey, rosemary, and water to a large Dutch oven or cast iron pot
Stir until turkey is all dispersed and mixed well
Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes
Add frozen vegetables
Remove from the stove after 5 minutes
Serve two cups twice a day, and freeze the rest
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken And Rice
Rating:
Large Breed Chicken and Rice is one of 13 dry recipes analyzed in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, ground white rice
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for:Adult shepherds only
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken and Rice derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 26% protein, 14% fat and 52% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
The recipe contains multiple probiotics for better digestion and chelated minerals for improved absorption and healthy nutrition. Affordably priced and easy to recommend.
Sample buyer reviewWe have had our dogs on this food for some time and the vet is constantly saying how healthy they are . We searched for some time to find a quality food at an affordable price as we have 4 dogs . Have never had any issues with them or their digestive systems while on Diamond!
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Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken
Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp
The Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken is a veterinarian-approved dry dog food mix with a huge range of ingredients. It contains a great blend of farm-raised chicken, oatmeal and rice, as well as fruit and vegetables such as blueberries, carrots, apples and tomatoes.
This mix is suited to all stages of a German Shepherds life, from puppy to senior, and is a natural formula that contains both prebiotics and probiotics to assist with digestion and the absorption of food in your dogs stomach.
Vitamins A and B12 are included, as well as Taurine for optimal health. Although there arent any genetically modified inclusions in this food, some dogs who are very picky eaters have not enjoyed it. It is generally a quality choice for your German Shepherd though.
Effect Of Weather On How Much Food Your German Shepherd Dog Needs
German Shepherd Dogs that live in cold environments need more food than German Shepherd Dogs that live in hot environments.
Hot weather, on the other hand, does not increase the amount of food your German Shepherd Dog needs. Hot weather only makes your German Shepherd Dog need more water.
Since most German Shepherd Dogs live in a temperature-controlled environment as their owners. Therefore, owners do not need to increase or decrease the amount of food they give to their German Shepherd Dogs based on the outside weather.
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German Shepherds Nutritional Needs
Before we begin detailing your German Shepherd’s nutritional needs, it must be emphasized that nutritional ingredients are those that are properly identified on packaging in other words, ingredients that aren’t ambiguous regarding the content within them. For example, hand-picking dog food that lists “poultry meal” aren’t going to satisfy your dog’s nutritional needs in comparison to those that specify “chicken meal”.
High-protein content: Like all large dogs, the first ingredient on any dog food’s ingredient list should be a protein-based nutrient such as chicken meal, egg protein, or beef byproducts. It is essential that your dog receives substantial amounts of protein, as a large breed like German Shepherds require it to build strong bones and joints. Although plant-based protein sources are also recommended, your dog does not possess the biochemical adaptations to digest them properly.
Why Feed Homemade Food To Your German Shepherd
Commercial dog foods are a popular feeding option among dog owners the world over. These foods come in many varieties, including dry kibble, wet canned dog food, and semi-moist.
They are generally healthy and contain all the nutrients required for your German Shepherds wellness. The foods are also tested by vet specialists and regulated by agencies like the US Food and Drug Administration .
While studies have confirmed that commercial dog food is generally healthy, some of these studies have also raised questions about the safety of commercial dog food.
For example, a study on the nutritional value and microbiological safety of store-bought dog food found that all the tested dry dog foods met the minimum protein and fat content required by the European Pet Food Industry Federation .
However, the study also recorded the presence of microorganisms in the food:
- 50% had above 104cfu/g microorganisms.
- 14% recorded the presence of staphylococci.
Considering this, the fear of feeding their pet contaminated food tops the list of reasons why German Shepherd owners are opting to give their pets homemade food in place of commercial options.
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German Shepherd Dog Feeding Chart
Below is the typical feed chart for the German Shepherd Dog. This chart provides you a rough guide on how much dry dog food to feed your German Shepherd Dog.
If you want a more accurate estimate of how much food to feed your German Shepherd Dog, use this German Shepherd Dog food calculator.
| 3.8 cups per day |
Factors To Consider When Choosing Your Dog’s Food
The dog’s age – the type of food that a fully grown dog consumes is not the same as the one that a puppy would feed on.
It is encouraged that you take note of the age of your dog and choose feeds that are specifically designed for dogs of that age range.
The breed of dog – feeds that are given to German shepherds are significantly different to those that are manufactured for Spitz. When making inquiries about the best dog food to buy it is wise for you to specify that you own a German shepherd.
Reproductive status of the dog – if you are feeding a dog that is pregnant you need to take note of the nutrients that are contained in the package.
Pick feeds that are designed to nourish pregnant dogs and as a result, you will promote the health of the mother and her puppies.
Be keen on ingredients – the last thing you want is to pick feeds that contain too much artificial content. Just like human beings dogs have delicate body systems that run on natural substances.
The brand of feeds – the brand under which any type of feeds is available should be a major issue to take into consideration. Keep in mind that there are quite a number of dog food products that may appear to be good when in a real sense they are of low grade.
Buying food that is manufactured by a reputable brand is key to ensuring that your pets enjoy their meals while continuing to have sound health.
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What If My German Shepherd Puppy Wont Eat
You need to understand why your puppy cannot eat because it will help you determine the way to deal with the issue.
There is no need to worry if the puppy lost appetite shortly and goes back to normal eating without any sign of illness.
If the puppy loses appetite and takes a few days without improvement, take your puppy to the vet to find the problem because your dog might be sick.
If the vet finds that the puppy is sick, they may suggest a special diet that will boost their immunity and give them extra nutrients to better their recovery.
The puppy may have stopped eating because of behavioral issues therefore, you may need to feed them same time to get a routine.
Treats and human food that is given to the puppy may need to be reduced and also you can try different kinds of food.
Beware Of Ingredients That Are Toxic For Dogs
Feeding your German Shepherd with homemade food comes with the opportunity to include variety in the different nutritional areas.
However, you should also be conversant with readily available foods that you should never include in your dogs diet because theyre toxic for canines. An example is those foods that contain xylitol.
Below is a tabled list of foods that are safe and unsafe for your German Shepherd:
| Safe Foods for German Shepherds | Unsafe Foods for German Shepherds |
|---|---|
| Meat . | Chocolate, tea, coffee, & caffeine. |
| Salt . |
This list is not exhaustive and you can find a more comprehensive article here, 25 Foods German Shepherds Cant Eat. You should also consult your pets vet whenever youre not sure a particular food is safe for your dog.
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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!
Nutrition For German Shepherds
German shepherds are large canines that weigh more than 50 pounds when fully grown. It is critical to provide them with food that is nutrient-dense enough to meet their daily energy requirements.
So, what precisely constitutes decent German Shepherd dog food? The following is a list of standard dog food components and how they affect your German shepherd breed:
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A Beginners Guide To Homemade Food For German Shepherds
Posted on Last updated:
Categories German Shepherds
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Are you considering abandoning commercial dog food to start feeding your German Shepherd homemade food? Well, that includes you among the many dog owners discovering the benefits of homemade dog food and shifting from commercial diets. But what is it about homemade dog food that should convince you to make the change?
Homemade food for German Shepherds is a healthy alternative to commercial dog diets. The food is cooked with fresh human-grade ingredients, which makes it high-quality, nutritionally rich, and free of fillers and animal byproducts. It also allows variety and is free of preservatives.
This article is your beginners guide to homemade food for German Shepherds. Ill tell you about the benefits of feeding your GSD with natural ingredients and which homemade foods are good for your dog. Youll also find examples of recipes for homemade German Shepherd food, plus other important details about your dogs meal plan.
Do you want to see the latest dog gear that is popular right now? You can check it out on Amazon. Clicking the button below will also take you there.
So, if youre ready to learn all about homemade German Shepherd food, you wont be disappointed. Lets begin!
What Dogs Have Fewest Health Problems
22 Healthiest Dog Breeds With the Least Health Problems of 22. Australian Cattle Dog. Known to help ranchers keep herds in check, Australian Cattle Dogs love being outdoors. of 22. Australian Shepherd. of 22. Basenjis. of 22. Beagle. of 22. Belgian Malinois. of 22. Bichon Frise. of 22. Border Collie. of 22. Chihuahua.Meer items1 feb. 2019
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What Dog Food Has Been Recalled 2019
The list of recalled dry dog food products provided to the FDA on January 31, 2019 includes:
What is the best dog food recommended by vets? The Top Ten of Vet Recommended Dog Food Brands Hills Science Diet. Topping my list of vet recommended dog food brands is Hills Science Diet. Royal Canin. Purina ProPlan. Orijen. Wellness Natural Food for Dogs. Castor & Pollux. Iams/Eukanuba. Nutro Ultra.
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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.
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What To Look For In A Dog Food For German Shepherds
Does this dog food contain an abundance of fatty acids?: For puppies and senior German Shepherds alike, dog food that contains plenty of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids are far superior to those that do not. For a senior dog struggling with the effects of aging e.g. stiffer joints and inflammation, feeding them a regular supply of fatty acids can lessen inflammation, and even operate as an impediment to brain disease. For puppies, omega-3 fatty acids help strengthen their brain and, consequently, advance their ability to learn.
How many artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives are in this formula?: Let’s get one thing straight: your dog will not give a toss about the color of their food. Contrarily, you’ll certainly be upset when discovering that many artificial colors can be injurious to your dog’s health even, in some severe cases, causing migraines and cancer. It’s important to note that food terminology such as ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ is tossed around without a second thought in the dog food industry, whereas in human food, the distinction is much more clear-cut.
How Much Food To Feed A 17
You should feed your 17-week-old German Shepherd Dog puppy 2.9 cups of dry dog food every day.
You may divide this food into two or three separate meals and give it to your German Shepherd Dog puppy over the day.
Our recommendation on how much food should feed your 17-week-old German Shepherd Dog puppy assumes that the weight of your German Shepherd Dog is typical for its age.
The typical weight for a 17-week-old German Shepherd Dog puppy is 35.7 lbs .
Our recommendation on how much food you should feed your German Shepherd Dog also assumes that you feed your German Shepherd Dog a dog food with a calorie content of 389 kcal per cup.
If you want a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your German Shepherd Dog puppy based on its exact weight, the exact type of dog food that you feed your German Shepherd Dog, and other factors, use our German Shepherd Dog food calculator.
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The German Shepherd Care Guide: Personality History Food And More
Whether onscreen or in the White House, the German shepherd dog is the canine equivalent of the class valedictorian and star jock rolled into one. The uber-popular breed is smart, athletic, hardworking, and no stranger to public service.
With all of that star power packed into one dog, you might expect that German shepherds also require a lot from their owners. And youd be exactly right.
Here, go beyond the rugged good looks to discover what makes German shepherds so special, and how to live happily with this big canine energy.
German shepherd breed profile
Rin Tin Tin, the first canine film and TV star, captivated mid-century audiences with his bravery and charisma. Rintys real story was no less dramatiche was rescued by an American soldier in Germany during WWI and brought to the U.S. . The character also boosted the breeds popularityGerman shepherds have been among the top three most popular breeds in the United States for many years. GSDs have also shared the spotlight with Roy Rogers , the Bionic Woman , and Will Smith in I Am Legend.
The breeds high profile and popularity are down to a unique combination of intelligence and athleticism. GSDs rank among the smartest dogs, along with other herding dogs, and are known especially for their all-round learning ability and sensitivity to their people.
Double trouble: Ellie and her brother, Oliver
Former escape artist, Evie
German shepherd breed history
Healthy lifestyles for German shepherds
Gentle Sam