Taste Of The Wild Southwest Canyon
Rating:
Southwest Canyon is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Beef, peas, garbanzo beans, lamb meal, canola oil
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All life stages
- Best for:German shepherd puppy or adult
Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon derives the majority of its animal protein from fresh beef and lamb meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 17% fat and 43% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.
Its nice to find a recipe containing natural source preservatives which means Southwest Canyon contains no BHA, BHT or other toxic additives. A super-popular, grain-free brand and a healthy, all life stages option for any German shepherd. Easily recommended.
Sample buyer reviewMy dog loves this food! He eats it enthusiastically and it has really helped him thrive! He is energetic, has a gorgeous coat, and devours his meals!
For More Choices: Visit our Best Large Breed Puppy Food page
Orijen Puppy Large derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 18% fat and 31% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 42%.
Highly recommended.
German Shepherd Feeding Guide: All You Need To Know
Like all dogs, German Shepherds have specific nutritional needs. While its possible to feed them the cheap, dry kibble found in your local grocery store, thats not the best diet for this loyal, graceful, obedient breed.
But the ideal food might not be the most expensive or fanciest either.
With all these options to choose from and enough slick marketing to make your head spin, how do you pick the right food?
Below, well cover the different types of diets available, the specific nutritional needs of the German Shepherd, and what you can do to ensure your GSD gets the delicious and nutritious food they need at every stage of life.
Things To Do For Weight Bulk
Apart from feeding him the right food, there are various other habits or ways which can help your German Shepherd to gain some healthy weight. Some of the things which can be easily tried are as follows:
Your German Shepherd might have a fixed eating pattern and frequency like all other dogs do. Now, if your dog is too underweight, you can try feeding him one extra meal, in small quantity, to help him consume some extra calories. In this way, they wont feel too filled up and also successfully consume more calories per day. But, do not forget to eventually stop this habit once he reaches his appropriate weight or else it might lead to the accumulation of extra fat.
Another thing which can be tried is free feeding. Free feeding means not having a fixed eating time. Let your dog eat whenever he wants. In this way, he might end up eating more than usual. It is advisable to try this technique with dry food as wet food may get spoiled if left open for a long time. Also, do not forget to stop this habit as excess weight gain is not healthy for GSDs.
It has been found that some dogs, especially the ones who are too emotional like German Shepherds do not prefer eating alone, and hence, if left alone while eating, do not finish their food. For this, try accompanying your dog while he is eating. This might make his eating habit better and he might always finish his food resulting in the consumption of sufficient calories.
Read: What can German Shepherd not eat
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Are There Ways To Increase Weight Gain In Dogs
High-protein and fat food items are excellent for dogs that need to increase their weight. You can feed the dog a diet that is higher in protein and fats is a great way to aid in gaining weight slowly over time. Diets rich in protein and fat will allow your dog to gain weight in a steady manner, and you will see a change in weight within a few weeks.
Natures Logic Canine Meal Feat
- It claims to provide 34% to your dogs diet and would help in gaining muscle mass and strength.
- For vitamins and minerals, it contains sufficient real vegetables and fruits which help improve the overall health of your German Shepherd.
- Another reason why this product is one of the best is that it also contains probiotics which are known to keep the gut healthy.
- If in case your dog finds it difficult to digest or the food product does not suit him, contact your vet and seek further advice.
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Can German Shepherds Eat Regular Dog Food
Yes, GSDs can eat a wide range of foods that are generic in nature.
However, because of their large size and their activity levels, they might require a special diet. For instance, they need 18%-22% protein in their meals, with their caloric levels ranging from 1,200 to 2,100 calories per day. This also depends on your dogs activity levels and overall health.
Start Feeding Puppy Food
This may sound like something, but this is true. Some adult dogs and even senior dogs get benefited from puppy food as it is higher in calories so that the puppy can carry out several activities for a healthy lifestyle. Or else, you can also mix some of the existing food and puppy food. This can also help your GSD intake more calories. But before this, check with your vet first as high protein food can be harmful to dogs with kidney problems.
Read: How much to feed a German Shepherd
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Nomnomnow Fresh Food Delivery
Overall Best German Shepherd Dog Food: The best way to keep your German Shepherd healthy for the long term is to feed him a balanced diet made from quality ingredients. Most pet experts agree that fresh food is one of the best options, and NomNomNow is the company to trust. This company makes fresh pet food perfectly portioned according to your dogs calorie requirements and sends it to your door in automatic monthly shipments. You simply provide some information about your dogs age and breed, then NomNomNow does the work. Every recipe is made with wholesome, natural ingredients and prepared in small batches to preserve the nutritional integrity of those raw ingredients. Choose from several recipes with different protein and fat ratios according to your dogs needs.
- Pros: Fresh food delivered to your door, made with wholesome natural ingredients, prepared in small batches, pre-portioned for your dogs needs, no artificial additives, complete and balanced
- Cons: Expensive compared to traditional kibble, not breed size-specific
German Shepherd Feeding Guide: Adult Years
Once your German Shepherd has ended his puppy stage and transitioned into adulthood, hes ready to eat a balanced adult diet.
Adult dog food will have a different ratio of calcium, protein, phosphorus, and other nutrients than puppy food does.
Feeding an adult dog a puppy formula can cause obesity as well as put too much strain on kidneys and other vital organs. Long term use of inappropriate food for an adult dog can have catastrophic consequences.
That said, there is no need to panic if your adult GSD eats a bowl of puppy food now and then.
Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. They can get by on once per day, but its always better to split daily caloric intake between smaller meals instead of feeding it all at once.
Again, bloat is a real problem for large breed dogs, and large meals seem to be a big cause of this.
If youre not home for twice-daily feedings, you can use an automatic feeder. These will dispense the proper amount of food at set times each day so your dog isnt left waiting for meals.
Throughout the years, Ive fed a number of different high-quality dog foods to my German Shepherds.
One of my consistent go-tos is Royal Canin Adult Breed German Shepherd dry dog food. I feed my adult dogs this particular blend for a number of reasons.
In addition, this blend also uses optimal levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to make a GSDs coat pop, so to speak. You really can see the difference.
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Best Food For A German Shepherd To Gain Weight
If your German shepherd doesnt weigh as much as they should then youll need to make a change to their diet. By giving them food thats higher in calories, youre going to put weight back on them. However, you cant use just any old food, as some food doesnt have much nutritional value. Keep reading to find out the best food for a german shepherd to gain weight!
What Should I Look For In A German Shepherd Dog Food
When looking for the best dog food for German Shepherds, you should consider several factors:
- Ingredients. Make sure that the constituent ingredients are obtained from a reliable source. Additionally, there should not be any fillers, additives, dyes, and flavors that have been added artificially. The food can also contain beneficial ingredients, including sweet potatoes, blueberries, and carrots, among others.
- Nutritional Needs. German Shepherds are large dogs that have specific nutritional needs. Make sure that the food you opt for offers these dietary supplements. You can also consult a vet for the best results.
- Shelf Life. Make sure that the brand you opt for has a decent shelf life. Otherwise, your food might expire early, and you will be left buying it over and over again. It should, however, be kept in mind that too much of a shelf life could indicate the presence of preservatives that are not considered healthy.
- Cost. Since food is a lifelong commitment, make sure that the product is cost-effective and easy on your pocket. Most premium brands will have cheaper counterparts that you can opt for.
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Best Dog Food For German Shepherd To Gain Weight
When searching for the best dog food for German Shepherd to gain Weight, its essential to choose a safe & nutritious dog food according to the buddys age.
Why is the selection of food vital?
Mostly, because German Shepherds are regarded as large-sized dog breeds, and its nutrition largely varies according to its age and growth pattern. So, we need to choose the best compatible food for the German Shepherd.
We need to select the best possible food for the German Shepherd and ensure optimum efflux of proteins, ions, vitamins and minerals.
But, who would you help in selecting this critical and mighty task?
We have done the homework for you, and from our experiences, we can assure that our selected products will help you choose the best puppy food for German Shepherd mix hybrid.
Here, we have come with the Best food for German shepherd husky mix puppy
1. Purina Pro Plan Sport Check Price2. Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus. Check Price3.Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein. Check Price4. CRAVE Grain Free High Protein. Check Price5. Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. Check Price
Dry Dog Food Or Wet Dog Food
Dry food or wet food? Because there are many great dry foods and wet food options for German Shepherd owners, many have difficulty picking between these two types of food or knowing whether they can be mixed. While wet food might seem like the best option, especially because it sometimes contains raw pieces of meat or other nutritional draws.
Dry food is usually a decent option, unless you have an elderly shepherd who has lost teeth, has bladder or kidney issues or is having trouble chewing crunchy bits of food. Dry food has some dental health benefits, is overall more convenient, as well as being nutritionally stable for German Shepherds. The texture can help to remove and prevent plaque from forming on teeth, and especially in early life, chewing dry food can help to build strong jaw bones and muscles.
We combine dry and wet food at times. Especially with our last dog who was a fairly difficult eater. Wet food and raw food make him happy. If you buy a decent brand youll also get all the nutritional value you need. Its also easier to digest. Just make sure it doesnt expire or go bad in the bowl during the summer.
The truth is that high-quality German Shepherd dog food is going to be more expensive than low-quality food.
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Consider Your Shepherds Nutritional Needs
Because these dogs are large and strongnearly 80% of a German Shepherds weight is comprised just of muscle and bonetheir primary nutritional need will be protein and fat. Your dogs specific needs may be different. If he needs to lose weight or put it on, he might need a dog food formulated to help dogs lose weight or put it on.
High-quality dog foods will be at least 18% protein and 5% fat. Puppy formulations will have a higher protein and fat content, but most dogs only need to be on puppy food until they are six months old.
Adirondack 30% Protein High Fat Recipe
Adirondack 30% Protein High Fat Recipe is another great choice of dog food. Just like the previous two, its high in protein and fat . And just like Bully Max it also has a high amount of calories .
While it does have lots of high quality animal meat in it, it also has some ingredients that arent as useful. Oat groats and barley, make an appearance. And while theyre not neccessarily bad for your german shepherd they dont provide much nutritional benefit either.
Another downside is that Adirondack isnt grain-free. In most cases, this is going to be fine but some dogs do have a negative reaction to grain. If this sounds like your german shepherd then youre best off avoiding this dog food.
Find out more about Adirondack 30% Protein High Fat Recipe.
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Best Dog Food For German Shepherds
Here are Canine Bibles top picks for the best dog food for German Shepherds.
Our research team chose all dog foods listed below based on AAFCOs nutrient guidelines, GSDs exclusive nutrition needs, customer reviews, price, and more!
This German Shepherd food list also includes food for specific needs such as weight loss, allergies, and other commonly searched food for GSDs.
Best Overall | Best For GSD Puppy | Best Value | | Best Fresh | Best Raw | Best At Stores
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Large Breed Adult Farm
Lean protein and essential nutrients are the keys to optimal health for your German Shepherd and this Nutro Wholesome Essentials Large Breed Adult Farm-Raised Chicken Recipe has both. Featuring fresh farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient, this recipe is rich in lean protein to support your dogs lean muscle mass. It also contains digestible whole-grain carbohydrates like whole brown rice and whole-grain sorghum for supplemental energy and fiber. This recipe contains natural sources of joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin with plenty of fiber for healthy digestion. Dried fruits and vegetables provide natural sources of key nutrients while vitamins and chelated mineral supplements are included for balanced nutrition. Overall, this recipe provides 21% protein with 13% fat and 330 calories per cup and it is full of real chicken flavor your dog will love.
- Pros: Real farm-raised chicken first ingredient, digestible whole-grain carbohydrates, dried fruits and vegetables, joint-supporting nutrients, chelated minerals
- Cons: Not a grain-free recipe
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Orijen Large Breed Puppy Food
Image courtesy Orijen
The Orijen Puppy Large contains the most animal protein from chicken, which is fresh. The label analysis revealed that the recipe has 43% protein, 18% fat, and 31% carbohydrates… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of around 42 percent.
Champion Petfoods, the well-known maker of Orijen, has long promoted a meat-based “biologically appropriate” diet. This is a tried and true design that makes this particular dish an excellent choice for developing Shepherd pups.
Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy
Image courtesy Royal Canin
Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy is a dry dog food that’s specifically designed for puppies up to 15 months old.
This recipe includes DHA for brain development, calcium and phosphorus for bone growth, and antioxidants to support the immune system. It’s also free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
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What Can I Feed My Dog To Help Them Gain Weight
To avoid excessive protein in your dogs diet while helping him gain weight, consider adding sweet potato and pumpkin to his food. Boosting their diet with fat and fiber will help your dogs digestion along with weight gain. You can buy canned sweet potato and canned pumpkin from your local grocery store.
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How Often Should You Feed Your Adult German Shepherd
Your adult German shepherd dog will eat differently than they did as a puppy. While younger dogs may eat their puppy food a few times throughout the day, adult German shepherds should generally eat twice a day. Keep in mind that the calories adult dogs need will vary depending on factors like:
The best dog food should provide your dog with the nutrition they need on this twice-a-day schedule. To help you further ward off bloat, its best to avoid giving your dog heavy exercise immediately after eating.
A high-protein food like Bully Maxs 30/20 High Performance Dog Food can help your dog meet their nutritional requirements on this recommended feeding schedule. This will help your dog remain a healthy weight as they grow. Maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of dog ownership, as dogs that become overweight can put excess weight on their joints. This can cause or exacerbate health problems, such as hip dysplasia, as the dog ages.
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