Best Diets For German Shepherds

Meal Plan And Feeding Guide

healthy weight.

The diet of a German Shepherd must take into account the size of the dog, its level of activity and exercise, along with any preexisting conditions that might need special consideration.

Therefore, if you want to know how much your German Shepherd needs to eat, youll need to know their age, weight, and activity levels. Typically a full-grown German Shepherd should eat at least 3 cups of food per day, but may eat upwards of 5 cups of food per day or more if they are fairly large and routinely active.

Let these cup measurements be your guide, but dont let them dictate the exact cups of food to feed your German Shepherd.

Your dogs health will flourish if you adjust the cups based on your dogs specific nutritional and caloric needs.

Now, lets take a look at what really is the best food to feed a German Shepherd.

Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, Ground White Rice
• Key Ingredients: Antioxidants, Omega Fatty Acids, Probiotics, Glucosamine
• Guaranteed Analysis: 23% Protein, 13% Fat, 3.5% Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 327 kcal/cup

For most German Shepherds, Diamond Naturals large breed formula is the best choice. The product is made with high-quality ingredients while staying within a reasonable price range. Incidentally, this is also the best dog food for EPI German shepherds.

The first two ingredients are chicken and chicken meal, which provide plenty of lean protein. Additionally, this recipe uses whole grains, which are more nutritious than other options. Real fruits are included in this formula to provide natural antioxidants .

Your dogs coat and skin will benefit from omega fatty acids, and his digestive system will be supported by probiotics. The dry dog food is also free of corn, wheat, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.

Glucosamine is also included to support your German Shepherds joints. This is especially important for this breed as it is prone to various joint issues.

Diamond Naturals make all of their formulas in the USA with advanced food protocols. Their dog food is safe, as they have had very few recalls over the years.

Our 2022 German Shepherds Feeding Guide

Puppy

Average Weight Approximately 10lb to 30lb

Recommended Daily Food Intake 1-2 cups a day

Adult Dog

Average Weight Approximately 60lb to 90lb

Recommended Daily Food Intake 3-5 cups a day

Senior Dog

Average Weight Approximately 60lb to 90lb

Recommended Daily Food Intake When it comes to feeding your senior German Shepherd , you must consult your vet as to the suggested amount and type of food. There are a range of factors that can affect feeding, so ensure you have spoken to a professional.

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Can German Shepherd Puppies Eat Raw Meat

German Shepherd puppies can eat raw meat. Many raw-fed breeders wean their puppies directly onto raw from their mothers milk. You can begin feeding raw the day you bring your puppy home.

You can also do a combination of both worlds until your puppies reach 12 months of age. After 12 months, you can transition to full raw dog food.

German Shepherd Homemade Food Risks

A poor diet is a significant threat to the health of your German Shepherd. Here are some things to avoid to provide a healthy diet to your pup.

• Not understanding the nutritional needs of German Shepherds
• Using inadequate or dangerous recipes
• Not preparing a balanced meal
• Using unsafe or harmful ingredients
• Not understanding the impact of food and dietary changes
• Neglecting your dogs health conditions
• Not understanding your dogs life stages nutritional needs

Research by the University of California Davis, School of Veterinary and two studies published in the journal Preventive Veterinary Medicine and The Journal of Nutritional Science found that most homemade dog food recipes lackkey essential nutrients, and other recipes used dangerously high levels of some nutrients.

Here are the findings:

• 48% of homemade dog diets had an imprecise determination of ingredients and quantities
• 71.3 % of dog owners did know how much food to serve per meal
• 30.4% of the pet parents admitted to purposely changing the recipe
• 40% of owners didnt measure the proportions of the ingredients well enough
• 28.3% didnt use any of the recommended vitamins, minerals, or amino acids.
• 97% of obesity cases in dogs could be traced to how owners fed and played with their pets.

Read Also: German Shepherd Husky Mix Puppy Training

How Much Dog Food To Feed A German Shepherd

Since German Shepherds are a larger breed of dogs, they require a large amount of food to fill their tummy. For adult German Shepherds, you can feed them about 2.5 to 3.5 cups of quality kibble a day and slowly feed it twice a day. Modify the feed according to your dogs size, weight, age, and day-to-day activity involvement. Feeding your dog high protein food will build its muscle mass. If accompanied by vitamins and minerals, then that will improve your fuzz mates mental health. Feeding our pets with the right food will influence their physical growth only if you have blended in vitamins and minerals in a sufficient amount.

What About The Puppies

Usually, German Shepherd puppies consume more food than an adult GSD.

The little ones are extremely curious and because they are exploring their environment most of the time, they need a high-energy diet, that too several times a day.

One additional note: Always keep your puppy food away from their dog beds. And if you are in need of one, our friends from calmingdog.com will help you with finding the most comfortable solution for your pup.

Also Check: German Shepherd Hot Spot Treatment

What Nutrients Do German Shepherds Need

The nutritional requirements of German Shepherds are a minimum of 22% protein during growth stages and 18% protein for adult dogs. Puppies need 8% fat, and adults require 5% fat to meet their energy needs. Carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water are also necessary for survival.

You must include these essential nutrients in a German Shepherds daily diet as they are involved in all of the bodys vital functions.

The nutritional content of all commercial pet foods has to follow the guidelines developed by the AAFCO .

The MSD Vet Manual also publishes dog nutrient profiles which contain a ton of detail listing all the individual vitamins and minerals a German Shepherds diet needs.

What Is The Healthiest Diet For A German Shepherd

This is a question that many German Shepherd owners ask, as they want to make sure their beloved furry friend is getting all the nutrients they need. The good news is that there are plenty of healthy dog food options out there for German Shepherds.

You should eat foods that include high-quality animal-based protein sources like lamb, beef, pork, chicken, fish, eggs, and legumes. In addition, the meal should be plentiful in fats, vitamins, and minerals.

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What Is The Best Food For An Adult German Shepherd

The best food for an adult German Shepherd is a diet that is high in protein and fat. This breed of dog is known for its high energy levels and need for exercise, so a food that can help them maintain their energy levels is important.

A diet that is too low in calories can cause your German Shepherd to become overweight or obese, which can lead to health problems. When choosing a food for your German Shepherd, it is important to read the label carefully and choose a food that is right for their age, weight, and activity level.

Iams Proactive Health Large Breed

Rating:

Large Breed Chicken and Whole Grains is one of 12 dry recipes covered in our review of the Iams ProActive Health product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain barley, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, chicken by-product meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best for:Adult shepherds only

Iams ProActive Health Large Breed derives the majority of its meat protein from chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 25% protein, 14% fat and 53% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

This classic, grain-inclusive large breed design has been made by Iams for years and is a nutritious fit for adult German shepherds. Calcium levels are a bit high for shepherd puppies. Easily recommended.

Sample buyer reviewIAMS is a product that I have turned to for complete nutrition for my dog as well as my cats! In fact, I have been feeding IAMS to my cats for over 20 years! Sure there are higher priced pet foods, but why would you want to pay more when you get the proper nutrition and a quality product at a reasonable price!

Read Also: Why Do German Shepherds Pant

German Shepherd Puppy Diet: 1 Month Old

From 3 to 4 weeks old, when it comes to feeding a German Shepherd puppy, we should start by letting them taste new foods and flavors. At this stage, the German Shepherd puppy’s diet plan requires them to eat a special wet food for puppies. At around 6 to 8 weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy should be given a little dry dog food with water, or unseasoned chicken stock between nursing sessions.

From their eighth week onward, a German Shepherd should be weaned and start feeding on solid food with a special puppy feed. The best dog food for a German Shepherd puppy is breed specific, but this may not be available everywhere.

In these cases, your veterinarian can create a proper food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. A professional will take into consideration a puppys feeding pattern, size and health status. At this stage, milk must be removed from the puppy’s diet as it could cause diarrhea. If by any chance your dog or puppy is suffering from a bad stomach, we recommend taking a look at our article on what to do if yourt dog has diarrhea.

In addition, it is vital that puppies have constant access to clean fresh water.

Where To Find The Best Raw Food For German Shepherds

Okay, so you’re convinced that raw feeding is the way to go for you and your German Shepherd.

Now what?

You’ll be happy to know that you can get high-quality, healthy meals delivered to your door.

If you’d like to explore other non-raw food options that are still packed with nutrition, check out the Spot and Tango Reviews I wrote.

Although, there are very few companies out there that can be trusted with the nutrition of your dog.

Raw Paws is one of those companies

I’ve checked them out from tip to toe and reviewed them for your convenience.

As a raw feeder myself I think there are a few must-haves when it comes to creating a nutritional meal plan for your dog

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Homemade Dog Food For German Shepherd Puppies

A German Shepherd puppys diet is different from an adult GSDs.

Compared to adult dogs, puppies need higher protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus levels. Too few of these nutrients can cause deficiencies, stunted growth, or lifelong complications.

According to the American College of Veterinary Nutrition , puppies need about twice as many caloriesper pound of body weight as an adult dog of the same breed.

Most people worry that their puppy requires more food and calorie intake daily because they are rapidly growing. This isnt necessarily the truth. Dr. Justin Shmalberg, DVM, a veterinary nutritionist at Nom Nom, advises that to promote normal growth, most puppies need about the same number of calories and the same type of food from 4 months to 12 months of age.

German puppies should eat 3 to 4 times a day. When your puppy is a bit older , you can switch to 2 to 3 meals daily at scheduled intervals.

For proper growth and development, it is not advised to skip meals while your puppy is growing and developing. As our nutritional guidelines previously outlined, a puppys diet must include a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, water, and vitamins.

Ground Beef Chicken Liver Veggies Mix

This one is among our favorite German Shepherd raw diet recipes. Easy to digest and packed with all the essential nutrients GSDs need.

Ingredients

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A Dog Is The Only Thing On Earth That Loves You More Than You Love Yourself Josh Billings

With loyalty like that, is it any wonder that pet parents will do just about anything for their beloved canines? We’ll wake up early to take them for walks, go miles out of our way to find their favorite chew toy, and spend endless hours doing nothing but making them happy. Why? Because they are our dogs, and we love them with all our hearts.

Thats the truth of the matter, which is why it astounds me to see caring pet parents feeding their canine companions something that youd find mixed in to make your astroturf stronger . Fresh dog food brands take the work out of making homemade dog food and there are already many studies that have been published clearly stating that fresh dog food provides your pup with a whole slew of health benefits.

Numerous companies make fresh food for dogs, and it can be difficult to know which one is right for your dog. So weve compiled a list of the best fresh dog food delivery services to help you make an informed decision.

Victor Purpose Nutra Pro Dog Food

Rating:

Nutra Pro is one of 6 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Victor Purpose product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, blood meal, whole grain millet, chicken fat, yeast culture
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: All life stages
• Best for:German shepherd puppy or adult

Victor Purpose Nutra Pro derives most of its animal protein from chicken meal and blood meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 46% protein, 24% fat and 22% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.

Nutra Pro is also rich in low-glycemic carbohydrates for sustained energy and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewThis formulation is new to the rotation for my 2 Australian Shepherds. Magic happily gave it 4 paws up after her first bowl. Loki, my fussy eater, was a bit skeptical at first, til he had the experience of eating this food being dispensed by a moving toy. Now his review is also 4 paws up. // I was able to transition to this food with no GI upset or poop changes. If you regularly change food brands or formulations, consider adding this food for your energetic canine partners. Highly recommended!

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Eukanuba Puppy Dry Dog Food

Eukanuba uses fish oil in this large breed puppy food* in order to boost brain function, making your pup smarter and more trainable. Theres also plenty of fiber derived from prebiotics and natural beet pulp to promote easy absorption of nutrients and a healthy digestion.

The protein sources used to make this food are animal-based, promoting the development of strong muscles. Optimal levels of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are included for healthy skin and a radiant coat.

The Happy Cat Handbook A unique guide to understanding and enjoying your cat!

Should You Feed Homemade Food To German Shepherds Alternatives

Many dog owners think dog food is the same for all dogs, but thats not the case. Every dog has different nutritional requirements based on several factors, and GSDs are no exception.

We hope you found the best homemade dog food recipes for German Shepherds and learned about proper nutrition and what to look for when cooking for German Shepherds. Remember to work alongside your vet to ensure the diet maintains nutritional adequacy and before adding or changing your dogs diet.

If you are the owner of a GSD with meat food allergies, digestive issues, or any other food-related health issue, vegan dog food might be an excellent alternative for your dog.

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Also Check: When Do German Shepherds Mature

Instinct Raw Boost With Real Duck

Rating:

Real Duck is one of 14 dry recipes analyzed in our review of the Instinct Raw Boost product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Duck, chicken meal, peas, egg product, turkey meal
• Type: Grain-free
• Profile: All life stages
• Best for:German shepherd puppy or adult

Instinct Raw Boost with Real Duck obtains the bulk of its animal protein from fresh duck and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 23% fat and 31% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 61%.

This formula also gets its antioxidants from natural fruits and veggies for healthy immunity and thus, greater resistance to disease. A top pick for German shepherds and other large breeds.

Sample buyer reviewI recently switched from a dehydrated raw product to Instinct Raw Boost. This is a great quality grain- free food and my guys are loving it. I have a multi dog house hold and most of them have allergies of one kind or another. This food is working well for all..