Best Dry Dog Food For German Shepherd With Skin Allergies

Purina Pro Plan Development Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Large Breed Dry Puppy Food

Purina Pro Plan Development Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice With Probiotics Large Breed Dry Puppy Food is research-backed with food trials for dogs with sensitivities.

Specially made for large breed puppies under 12 months old, delicious salmon is the main ingredient. And fish is known for not only its appealing tastes but its high rate of digestibility for dogs.

This makes for easier digestion and fewer upset stomachs to stress about.

German Shepherds With Normal Body Condition

If you or your vet have assessed your German Shepherds body condition and its somewhere around Normal/Standard, then a great place to start for the best dog food for German Shepherds with normal body weight is this brand:

6. Royal Canin German Shepherd Breed Health Nutrition Adult

This adult formula for health nutrition is not the same as the one Ive mentioned above from Royal Canine, but its one of the best dog foods for German Shepherd thats aged between 15 months of age to 7-8 years of age.

Royal Canin provides the right balance of nutrients to optimize a lean body condition over a lifetime.

Once again, the unique design of the kibble has a harder texture than most other similar dog food brands, therefore, its shape and size encourages chewing in German Shepherds. Similar to the above mentioned Royal Canin formula, this dog food is also formulated to support proper digestion and maintain the health of the skin, coat, bones and joints.

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What Are The Most Common Dog Food Allergies For German Shepherds

Food allergies are most common to proteins not grains.

In German Shepherds, the most commonly reported food allergies are beef, dairy, wheat, chicken, and egg. All of these ingredients have been very prevalent ingredients in commercial diets over the past three decades, and pets tend to be allergic to proteins that have been in their diet for months to years.

Many people dont suspect food allergies as the cause of their German Shepherds itching because their dog has been fed the same food all its life and has just recently started showing symptoms. However, German Shepherds can develop allergies to a substance over time, so this fact does not rule out food allergies.

German Shepherd Dogs carry a higher rate of genetic predisposition to skin allergies. While food allergies can develop at almost any age, allergies tend to develop in middle-aged dogs .

It is important to note, however, that not all commercial foods have been adequately tested in dogs with known food allergies.

The quickest way to determine your dogs cause of allergic reactions is a visit to your veterinarian.

Keep in mind that in order to see benefits from a diet to help with skin allergies the effects can take up to 8 to 12 weeks.

Which Food Brand To Consider

There are a lot of different dog food brands out there, but the best ones for German shepherds are freeze-dried raw diets. These diets a balanced, complete, and sourced from raw ingredients.

Unfortunately, because of the cost, many owners go with cheaper processed foods which have been shown to cause health problems down the line.

The cheaper processed foods often have a higher percentage of grains and meals as opposed to the more expensive freeze-dried raw diets that contain meat as their primary ingredient.

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Taste Of The Wild Canine Formula

Taste of the wild is our last grain-free formula created with peas and sweet potatoes, making it a good potential fit for your German Shepherd skin allergies. Its major protein source is smoked salmon. It also features fruits to provide minerals and vitamins.

Its no wonder it is included in our ratings of best dog food for German shepherds with skin allergies.

Blueberries and raspberries provide antioxidants. The formula is designed to mimic the natural diet of wolves and dogs. It offer higher amounts of protein that GSDs require along with major minerals to help absorb vitamins and protein.

It is also fortified with probiotics. These are species-specific, mirroring the natural strains found in dogs GI tract, to support health and your dog will be able to digest them more easily. They are added after the kibble is cooked so your dog will have live strains to do the most good.

It has a full range of omega fatty acids to provide support for your dogs coat and skin. These fatty acids are essential for maintaining the health of your German Shepherds skin.

The size of the kibble is really small. Its similar to the size of puppy kibble, so if your German Shepherd is the type that gulps food, youll need to consider other feeding methods that will account for the speed that your dog eats.

What Food Should German Shepherds Avoid

There are certain ingredientsthat should not be in the best food for German Shepherds:

• Grapes and Raisins. These contain toxic compounds that can cause health problems in your dog. In extreme cases, they can lead to kidney failure and even death.
• Salt. Salt is a flavoring agent that is often added to dog food. However, excessive usage of salt can lead to salt poisoning and prevent water deprivation.
• Chocolate. This is among the most toxic compounds that a dog can eat. It can lead to an upset stomach and, if not treated, death.
• Macadamia Nut. These nuts can cause vomiting, muscle weakness, tremors, hyperthermia, and depression in your dog. As a result, they should be avoided at all costs.
• Onion. A key ingredient in onion is N-propyl disulfide which is highly toxic to dogs. Not only does it damage your dogs red blood cells, but it also can lead to anemia.
• Avocado. Avocados contain a toxin called person, which is considered toxic to dogs. It can lead to fluid buildup in their lungs, which can be fatal.

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Why Are German Shepherds Susceptible To Skin Allergies

German shepherd dogs are usually susceptible to skin allergies because of the protein in their diet. The lack of protein in their diet is often why theyre susceptible to developing health problems.

Skin allergies are common because many owners feed their German shepherds food with the highest number of grains and meals instead of paying for more expensive freeze-dried raw diets.

The cheaper processed foods often lack proper nutrition and can cause skin allergies.

What Is The Best Food For German Shepherds With Allergies

If your German Shepherd has allergies, it’s important to find a hypoallergenic best dog food for German Shepherds that will not trigger their symptoms. There are many brands of hypoallergenic dog food on the market that use alternative protein sources, such as duck or venison.

These foods are often grain-free as well, which is ideal for German Shepherds with allergies.

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What Are The Most Commonfood Allergies In German Shepherds

The most common GSD allergy symptoms include itchiness, swelling of the face, hives, inflamed skin, red skin, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of the ears and ear flaps, swelling of the lips, swelling of the eyelids, itchy ears, sneezing, runny eyes, excessive itchy skin and constant licking of the paws, and other areas of the body. Any of these symptoms could mean your German Shepherd has food allergies.

Common Areas Of Allergies

German Shepherds show allergies in many common areas on their bodies.

For example, the ears, eyes, and belly.

Changing their diet can help these allergies, but its good to know the possibility of additional allergens and their effects on your German Shepherd.

Just think about it.

If you change your German Shepherds food and they dont show skin improvements, there may be other allergies involved for you to watch out for.

Here are other areas of concern that your German Shepherd might experience when having an allergic reaction.

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What Are The Nutritional Requirements Of A German Shepherd Dog

Before we look deeper into the best dog foods for your GSDs, it is a good idea to know some of the nutritional requirements for your pooch.

Here are the breakdowns:

Proteins

German Shepherds are large and muscular dog breeds thus they need high-quality proteins to help in maintaining them.

The protein ingredients help also to enhance healthy skin and shiny coat of your furry friend. It is recommended to ensure the diet of the dog has about 18% proteins.

Fats

German Shepherds need a minimum of 5% to a maximum of 12% fat content into their diet. These dogs are quite active and they can easily burn the excess fat out.

Also, the fat content provides an adequate amount of energy levels in their bodies when compared to proteins and carbohydrates.

High-quality food with premium fats helps the dog to have a shiny coat and healthy skin. The omega 3 nutrients will also improve their intelligence.

Carbohydrates

German Shepherds are quite active and it is recommended to include foods with carbs in their diet to provide energy.

However, these dogs are highly susceptible to food allergies and it is advisable never to include corn, wheat, and soy in their diet.

You can try whole grains like brown rice, oats, and barley since they are a great alternative for carbohydrate nutrients.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are great for boosting the immune system as well as improving the skin coat of your pooch.

Premium Dog Foods And German Shepherd Skin Allergies

Cheap foods are not the way to feed a German Shepherd.

Another familiar misconception is that German Shepherds are only sensitive to poor-quality, commercial dog food. But, if they are allergic to an ingredient, it doesnt matter whether it is in premium food or the cheapest brand on the market.

While the quality of the premium dog food is better for a German Shepherds diet and nutrition, the allergy source is still the same in both foods.

One advantage to buying premium foods for your GSD is that you generally need to feed less of the food because of the quality of the ingredients.

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What Protein Sources Are Best For A German Shepherd With Skin Allergies

If your GSD has allergies, then choosing novel proteins may help.

Food allergies in German Shepherds are usually to a specific protein in the food. This is commonly gluten, beef, or dairy.

Food allergy treatments generally involve avoiding the offending protein. Diets based on novel proteins might help provide allergy relief for itchy skin problems.

These meats are usually found in hypoallergenic diets for German Shepherds to reduce inflammatory skin and keep sensitive stomachs soothed.

The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds In 2021

We reviewed several of the current dog food for German Shepherds within the scope of this article. Our results point out that Dr. Garys Best Breed Holistic German Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for German Shepherds. This is a nutritionally dense food that is specifically designed for large breed dogs, including German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Dobermans.

Dr. Garys ingredients are all-natural, and the formula uses absolutely no fillers, no grains, and no meat by-products. The food also incorporates nutrients for joint health as well as fiber to aid in digestion. This is important as German Shepherds are often prone to both digestive health issues as well as joint problems. Dr. Garys food is also specifically formulated for not just large breed dogs, but for German Shepherds! You can rest assured that your dog is getting everything nutritionally that he needs to be happy and healthy.

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On Calorie Intake Speak With Your Vet

Although weve talked about the best dog food for German Shepherds with skin allergies, we recommend you always speak to your vet to learn what he thinks will work best for your little puppy and adult dog.

However, puppies need to eat twice the calories of adult German Shepherds, and not only do puppies have high energy levels, they continue to grow and grow at an incredible rate.

In fact, in one to two years, puppies reach a much higher level than what humans can reach in 20 years.

Ever wanted to know the reason for dog years? There you have it!

Generally speaking, a German Shepherd puppy will often consume around 40 calories per second each day. This means that if you have a puppy of 20 pounds, he will need to eat 800 calories every day.

Sounds like a dream number, however, you have puppy food intended for this specific purpose.

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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What Are The Benefits Of Raw Eggs For Dogs

There are a few potential benefits of feeding raw eggs to dogs. Some people believe that raw eggs can help increase a dog’s energy levels, improve their coat, and even help with joint pain. While there is some anecdotal evidence to support these claims, there is no scientific evidence that raw eggs offer any health benefits for dogs.

Best Dry Dog Food For German Shepherd Puppy Reviews

Feeding your young GSD a puppy variant of dry dog food is essential not just because of the smaller kibble size but because puppies have very specific health requirements.

Puppy dog food recipes are more densely packed with protein to support their growth. These are also formulated specifically to support optimum bone development.

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How To Choose The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds

When it comes to your dogs diet, youll find no shortage of choices in dog food from one-size-fits-most recipes to personalized options that fit your dogs unique needs. The decision may seem overwhelming, but there are several ways to narrow down your choices to find the best food for your German Shepherd.

First, you can consult the experts to find out what your dogs food should contain. The Association of American Feed Control Officials publishes specific dietary nutrient recommendations that apply to all dogs, according to different life stages. As of 2016, AAFCO updated those recommendations to reflect new standards for large breed puppies, based on findings about health risks associated with overfeeding, accelerated growth, and high calcium and phosphorus levels in food.

But your German Shepherds unique nutritional needs dont disappear when puppyhood ends. According to Dr. Luisana, the best dog food for your German Shepherd is one thats tailored to your pets specific nutritional needs and health concerns.

German Shepherds are prone to issues including hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and bloat all of which can be impacted, positively or negatively, by your dogs diet.

But addressing your German Shepherds overall health and wellness requires more than counting calories. Whats most important is the nutritional makeup of the food, says Dr. Luisana.

Best German Shepherd Puppy Food

Earthborn Holistic Meadow Feast Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

One of the most recommended chicken-free choices, this is excellent since German Shepherds have a sensitive stomach to chicken.

This is also amongst the best dry dog food for German Shepherds because its also affordable, and with every gulp, your dog gets the vegetables and fruit needed as well as antioxidants. This helps your little pup ward fight off diseases and infection.

This is the best food for German Shepherd puppy because it contains lots and lots of protein needed to keep your dog active, and the lower fat ensures your dog doesnt gain enough weight to be at high risk for hip dysplasia.

Pros:

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Exercise Requirements For German Shepherds

Before we get into the best German Shepherd dog food reviews, one thing I must mention, as its common for pet owners to ignore. While food is one of the keys to a healthy GSD, play time and exercise are especially important for this dog breed.

Dog owners looking to adopt a GSD should know is that a German Shepherd is a very high energy animal that requires daily exercise its non-negotiable if you want to have a healthy dog. Because GSDs are a smart breed, like other herding breeds, they require a job to live life to the fullest, which provides them with sufficient mental stimulation.

The GSD will keep you on your toes, ready for anything. Playing dog Frisbee, fetching balls, performing in obedience training and agility trials, or even just playing on the beach if youre game, theyre game. And you better be game!

With this out of the way, lets talk about how to feed a German Shepherd for health, what is the best dog food for a German Shepherd dog, and what are their nutritional needs.