What Is The Best Food To Feed German Shepherds
Want to know what the 8 best dog foods for German Shepherds are?
Understanding how to pick an excellent canine diet will assist your German Shepherd friend in living his or her most fulfilling existence.
Luckily, there is a fantastic community of dedicated German Shepherd parents who are experts in canine nutrition!
Im a former veterinary technician who spent months learning about the finest dog foods for German Shepherds.
Whether you are searching for the best canned dog food for German shepherds or the best dog food for German shepherd puppies, we have compiled a list of the 8 best dog food brands for German Shepherds in order to assist you.
VIDEO: All you need to know about German Shepherds
But first, lets examine a few health conditions that German Shepherds may be prone to.
Adult German Shepherd Nutrients
Adult German Shepherds also need age-appropriate food, so it is important that when he reaches the age of 15 months or so, he should be transitioned from a large breed puppy formula to adult formula as his nutrient requirements change . A high-quality adult kibble should include 18% to 24% protein and around 14% fat content.
Similar to the Siberian Huskys food needs, an average adult German Shepherd should consume anywhere between 1,700 calories and 2,400 calories a day, dependent on his size and energy levels. If he is a less active pup or an elderly dog, then he will need much less energy, and he should only consume between 1,300 and 1,600 calories.
Both adult and puppy German Shepherds generally do better on grain-free kibble as they are commonly allergic, or intolerant to, grains and most Veterinarians would suggest putting your pup on this straight away to save any dietary upset or the need to change his diet in the future. However, not all owners and experts agree on a totally grain-free diet, so this is a personal choice as there are pros and cons to each argument, so therefore we have included a mix of grain-free and grain inclusive recommendations.
Buyers Guide: Selecting The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds
German Shepherds are big, powerful dogs and will benefit greatly from a diet that consists of a high amount of good-quality, animal-based protein. German Shepherds should have a caloric intake of around 2,000 calories a day, depending on their activity levels and age. It is important to remember that German Shepherds have different dietary needs at different growth stages puppys nutritional needs are different to senior dogs. With that in mind, there are a few important points to consider when buying food for your Shepherd.
Ingredients
The ingredients of the dog food that you choose are naturally the most important aspect. A diet consisting of mostly protein and fat is highly recommended for these powerful animals.
The food should ideally be free from grains, or they should at least be kept to a minimum. Grains can cause gas and bloat and other digestive issues in large dogs. They are most often used as fillers and other than dietary fiber, have little beneficial nutrition for your dog. The most commonly found grains in dry dog foods are wheat, corn, and soy. There is controversy around whether to feed dogs grains, as they have evolved to eat an omnivorous diet and are not strictly carnivores. Each breed and each dog is different, and the best thing to do is to assess how your pooch reacts to different food and go from there.
Related Read:Wet or dry food?
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Best Foods For Senior German Shepherds
Is your Senior German Shepherd Overweight? Has your pup started to get a sensitive stomach as they have gotten older? As your best friend continues to age, their nutritional needs are going to change. German Shepherd dogs arent typically prone to being overweight. But, any breed can put on extra pounds without the right amount of exercise as they age.
Its also possible that your pup develops a more sensitive stomach as they age. This means your vet may recommend a dog food designed to aid your pup in proper digestion. Or, if they have a problem staying regular, a higher fiber dog food may be the right call. In no particular order, lets look at our favorite dog foods for senior German Shepherds.
Buyers Guide: The Best Dog Food For Kidney Disease
When choosing a dog food formulation for kidney disease, there are several things that you need to keep in mind. Because of their condition, your dog needs a balanced renal diet to support their overall health.
Here are several kidney diet-specific dietary components youll need to look out for.
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Best Dog Food For German Shepherd Adults
Adult GSDs often have digestive problems and might have sensitive stomachs. To prevent this, they will need a well-balanced diet.
They are also built for hard work and have certain caloric requirements to keep their minds and bodies fit and healthy.
An inactive GSD might only need 1,200 cals per day, whereas an average adult will need 1,500 cals. For working dogs or those that are always on the go, youre looking at close to 2,000 calories a day.
Take a look at Sniper trying out some raw dishes and veggies:
Common Health Conditions Of German Shepherds
German Shepherds are not considered to be unhealthy breeds. There are, however, a number of medical conditions that German Shepherds are susceptible to:
Hip dysplasia where hip joint that doesnt fit together perfectly, which will eventually lead to arthritis. Before breeding, dogs should be screened by x-rays through the BVA/Kennel Club Hip Dysplasia Scheme.
Elbow dysplasia a condition where a dogs elbow socket doesnt form properly, leading to pain and problems. There is a screening test for this.
Canine Degenerative Myelopathy also known as Chronic Degenerative Radiculomyopathy causes weakness to back legs leading to paralysis. There is a screening test.
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Best Dog Food For German Shepherd
1. Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance 30/20 Formula Dry Dog Food
2. Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Protein Dry Dog Food
3. Royal Canin German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food
4. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Meal Dry Dog Food
5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food
Best Dog Food for Senior German Shepherds
Senior German Shepherds tend to be more sedentary than younger dogs, which means they need less calories. This is why senior dog food is a great choice for your aging pooch.
Best Dog Food for Lab German Shepherd
Labradoodles are energetic and playful dogs that require lots of exercise. They also have a tendency to gain weight if theyre not given enough activity or if they are overfed. This can lead to health problems as they get older, so choosing the right food for your Labradoodle is important for their health and happiness.
Best Food for German Shepherd to Gain Weight
German Shepherds are large-breed dogs that typically weigh between 55 and 80 pounds when fully grown. However, some may weigh up to 100 pounds or more depending on their genetics and lifestyle. If you have a puppy who needs to gain weight, youll want to choose a formula that will help them reach their full potential without increasing their calorie intake too much or causing digestive issues from overfeeding them.
German Shepherd Homemade Food Tips
Once you pick a recipe for your GSD or GSD puppy, its time to prepare it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
- Set a feeding schedule and stick to it
- Feed your dog twice a day, puppies under 5 months, 3 times a day
- Set time aside weekly or monthly to prepare and portion the diet
- keep meals frozen for 2 3 months or refrigerated for about 5 days
- When the supply is getting low, its time to make a new batch
- If you like to feed different recipes, you can make multiple batches and color code by ingredients, rotating out the different meals
- The food can be prepared in bulk and portioned into containers
- Increase portions appropriately as your puppy grows. Monitor weight to make sure you are feeding the proper amount of calories
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How Many Cups Of Food To Feed Your Senior German Shepherd
The number of cups to reach your German Shepherds feeding amount varies on the particular brand of food youve selected. Use the manufacturers calorie information printed on the container of food to determine how much to feed your senior German Shepherd.
Then, adjust the amount if you notice your dog gaining or losing weight.
Finally, dont forget that snacks and treats are counted as part of how much you feed your German Shepherd, even if theyre seniors.
Deduct the approximate number of daily calories from feeding these extras. Remember, treats and snacks are not nutritionally complete and should be monitored so you dont overfeed your GSD.
Dont feed more than around 10% of your dogs daily calories from snacks or treats.
Heres something else to know
A 2011 study found that calories in senior foods varied greatly. Calories ranged from 246 to 408 calories per cup.
So, some brands of senior food may be a great choice if your dog needs to lose weight. While the same food isnt a healthy choice if they need to gain weight.
We Wrote The Book On Carbs
Our founder, Daniel Schulof, began writing his groundbreaking book Dogs, Dog Food, and Dogma in the fall of 2012. He spent four years of his life researching and writing it, highlighting the evidence linking carbohydrate consumption with the most common chronic diseases facing modern day pets. It was hailed by academics and veterinary clinicians alike and called “the most rigorous and probing canine nutrition book ever written.”
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe
Rating:
Wilderness Salmon is one of 18 dry recipes analyzed in our review of the Blue Buffalo Wilderness product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned salmon, chicken meal, peas, pea protein, menhaden fish meal
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for:Adult shepherds only
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh salmon and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 17% fat and 38% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%.
A grain-free, protein-rich formula available in over a dozen flavors and recipes which makes Wilderness ideal for those who appreciate the benefits of diet rotation. Fairly priced and highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewI have a 3 year old husky and ever since she was a puppy i had her on blue wilderness. Ive got her every flavor if not almost every flavor, and this salmon one is the one she has loved the most! Ieave her food bowl full at all times she so can eat whenever she wants. And she eats this salmon one more than every other flavor. Now i know salmon is her favorite protein (:
German Shepherd Feeding Guide: Senior Years
Large breed dogs, such as the German Shepherd, age faster than most smaller breed dogs.
This is evident by the fast decline in health, joint flexibility, and energy in older large breed dogs compared to same-age smaller breeds.
Because of this, its important for your dogs longevity and happiness to pay attention to signs of aging. When your GSD moves from the adult life stage to senior, you need to adjust her diet.
Large breeds reach the older stage around half of their assumed life expectancy.
A German Shepherds life expectancy is anywhere from 10 to 15 years, which means theyd be considered older and borderline senior at around 5 or 6.
This is a good time to ask your vet if you should make any changes to her diet or if its okay to continue with her normal adult meals.
Inevitably, your GSD will need to switch over to a senior diet. Older large breed dogs have lower energy needs. They move slower or less overall and therefore wont need as many calories each day.
Older dogs also tend to slow down their digestion, so an increase in fiber might be a good choice for your senior GSD.
Since the calories in senior-specific dog food have already been adjusted, youll likely still be feeding the same measured amount based on your GSDs weight.
Do be sure to confirm this with your vet, however. Not all foods are created equal.
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Best Foods For Adult German Shepherds
Just like our puppy food recommendations above, the below choices for your adult German Shepherd are based on natural dry food ingredients, with the best overall nutritional content that follows the AAFCO guidelines.
Your Adult German Shepherd will need a higher calorie count than they did as a puppy, but the food shouldnt be as nutrient-dense. If you continue the puppy formula as an adult, youll be likely to have an overweight pup on your hand. As your Adult graduates, below are some of our favorite foods for your German Shepherd Adult.
Do Adult German Shepherd Dogs Need Special Nutrients
German Shepherds often develop digestive problems due to a shorter colon. This can lead to a sensitive stomach. Therefore, it is important to give a very precise diet to avoid triggering sensitivities and also contribute to optimal health maintenance. Provide your adult German Shepherd a balance of meat protein, fiber, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, and vitamins.
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Calorie Reduction And Your German Shepherds Lifespan
Results from a lifetime study performed in dogs indicated lower disease incidence, later onset of disease, and increased life span when they were calorically restricted. Dogs fed a 25% reduction of calories compared to dogs that were not given a calorie-restricted diet lived an average of 13.0 years compared with 11.2 years in the non-restricted group.
Consequently, maintaining energy balance and avoiding unhealthy weight gain is one of the most important health goals for senior German Shepherds.
Furthermore, the most prevalent joint disorder in dogs, osteoarthritis , affects as many as one in four dogs, with OA increasing in occurrence and severity with advancing age. Being overweight or obese is recognized as a primary risk factor .
Diamond Naturals For Large Breed Puppy
Top ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Whole Grain Brown RiceType: Dry
Nutrient-rich with easily digestible protein for your little pups developing digestive system. Comes with natural DHA for healthy brain development and eyesight.
There are no wheat or filler additives, making this a great large breed puppy food.
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What Is The Best Dry Food For Senior German Shepherds
If we ignore brands and manufacturers for a second, we can think about the food itself. For any dry food or kibble to qualify as the best for your senior German Shepherd, it must contain the correct nutrition, particularly enough protein to sustain muscle mass and enough fat to insulate him and provide energy. It should additionally have some omega fatty acids to promote proper skin health and coat maintenance in your senior German Shepherd.
But before you make your buying decision, you should at least know what the other top options are and how they compare against each other. Thats precisely what Ill cover in the rest of this article. It includes a detailed review and comparison of the following four best dry dog foods for your senior German Shepherd:
- Royal Canin German Shepherd Adult Breed-Specific Dry Food
- Eukanuba German Shepherd Dry Dog Food
- Diamond Naturals Senior Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food
The Problem With Dog Food For Senior German Shepherds
Yet, there are problems when it comes to feeding your senior German Shepherd. Neither the Association of American Feed Control Officials nor the National Research Council has determined official dietary requirements for aging dogs.
In part, because senior dogs vary so much in their individual needs. That may explain why commercial foods for elderly dogs vary so widely in nutrient levels.
Good thing there are lots of research articles backed by science so we can figure it out.
To help you through all the legal jargon and nutritional specification, this guide for choosing the best quality dog food for your senior German Shepherd will make choices for your dogs health easier.
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Tips For Feeding A German Shepherd Dog
You can find a ton of dog feeding guides online, and while they each hold merit, its best to talk to your vet about your dogs specific feeding needs.
Getting a personalized recommendation from your veterinarian is worth the time, expense, and effort. That said, there is still plenty of good information in this article that should give you an idea of your dogs nutritional needs at each stage of life.
Its likely that your vet will give you plenty of options, including suggesting you follow this guide and make small adjustments as needed.
Whats The Best Way To Diagnose Kidney Disease In Dogs
Usually, kidney failure is diagnosed through the use of urinalysis and blood chemistry tests. Both of these tests can help determine the kidneys health.
The earliest sign of kidney disease is a low urine specific gravity . If a dog is thought to be in the early stages of kidney disease, a urinalysis will likely be used to check for this particular indicator.
Furthermore, if there is a significant increase of protein in the urine, it can also suggest kidney disease.
A blood biochemistry analysis will often be used, as well, as it can detect the functioning of different internal organs. Vets will look at two specific contaminators in the blood: blood creatinine and blood urea nitrogen .
If the kidneys arent functioning properly, both of these waste products will be higher than average.
Other measurements that may be used include checking the potassium, albumin, globulin, sodium, calcium, and phosphorus.
Red and white blood cell counts can also be important in figuring out the range of the damage and the best path forward.
There are also some up-and-coming tests for renal failure. For instance, a recently developed test looks at the level of SDMA in the dogs blood, which can be used to determine if a dog is experiencing early kidney disease.
Dogs that are undergoing compensated kidney failure will usually have average levels of many chemicals. However, their urine-specific gravity will be relatively low.
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