Best Natural Dog Food For German Shepherds

Best Canned: Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Natural Puppy Food Red Meat Dinner

Blue Buffalo Wilderness canned puppy food is a good option if you have a picky puppy, but not a lot of freezer space. Soft and easy to eat, small puppies also do well learning how to eat off a dish with this food, and you can feed it to your pup until they reach adulthood.

Although this food is chicken-free, it does include turkey. Some dogs with chicken allergies are also allergic to turkey, so this isnt a good option for puppies with food sensitivities.

What Reviewers Say:

*Feeding instructions and cost analysis based on calculations for a 6-month-old, 50 lb German Shepherd puppy.

Diamond Naturals Adult Dog Beef Meal & Rice Formula

The Adult Dog Beef Meal & Rice Formula by Diamond Naturals uses pasture-raised beef as its main protein source. This is enhanced by superfoods like quinoa and chia seeds, which are not only rich in protein but also offer several health benefits.

Additionally, it is enriched with the proprietary K9 Strain probiotics, which is incredibly beneficial to your German Shepherds gut health and immune system.

This dry dog food is also rich in omega fatty acids, thanks to its addition of flaxseeds and coconut. These help your dog maintain healthy skin and a shiny, luxurious coat.

Lastly, it is rich in fruits and vegetables like blueberries, papaya, spinach, and kale. These arent just a healthy source of fiber but are also powerful antioxidants that keep your dog young and energetic.

• Maintains healthy skin and coat

Potential Cons:

Best For Puppies: Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food

Source: blue wilderness

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food product is made to meet all your puppys wolfy diet needs. Deboned chicken and chicken meal provide them with high-quality protein. This diet has 36% of protein, and its perfect for growing and active lil Shepherd.

Sweet potatoes are the main source of carbohydrates. Cranberries, blueberries, and carrots contain antioxidants that protect them from infections.

This grain-free formula is good for digestion. Its kibble is small, and puppy pups have no problem gobbling them up.

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Overall Best Food For German Shepherds: Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition

In our review, the overall best dog food for German Shepherds is the ROYAL CANIN BREED HEALTH NUTRITION German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food. Royal Canin brand has always been committed to giving dog breeds optimal energy. The dry food is packed full of fats and carbohydrates and designed to encourage your dog to chew and enjoy its meal.

Royal Canin is also rich in fiber, which boosts your GSDs digestive system. It supports muscle and joint health, thus preventing the occurrence of bone and joint conditions like hip dysplasia.

Ingredients To Look For

The number one ingredient to look for is a healthy source of protein. The very first ingredient on the bag should be a source of proteinand one that your dog is not going to be allergic to.

Chicken, beef, and fish are all great choices for dog food, but there are dogs in the German Shepherd breed that are allergic to one of these three sources of protein, so always make sure to read the bag.

Additionally, there should be a healthy source of fat. Fish is another good option, but vegetable oils are primarily used as a healthy fat for dogs. In order to keep his energy up, you will want to look for carbohydrates like barley and rice. In short, you want the dog food to be dominated by real food with names that you know and recognize. Anything that contains by-products should go back on the shelf.

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Best Dog Food For German Shepherds With Skin Allergies

Allergies remains a lifelong condition every German Shepherds will have to fight with on a daily basis.

Like humans, German Shepherds are susceptible to allergic reactions.

Unlike humans, however, symptoms of allergic reactions in German Shepherds are limited to the skin only. Theres no runny nose, itchy eyes or coughs.

Allergies in German Shepherds are harder to determine since its symptoms are pretty much the same as everyday behavior of a German Shepherd: scratching, kicking and licking.

An allergic reaction in a German Shepherd is not considered an illness, since it is not caused by any disease pathogens.

Though the skin reaction is not an illness, it can easily scar your dogs beautiful body and also make it restless and as such, allergies should be given proper attention and care.

Best Dog Food For German Shepherds: Our Top Picks

Below you will find five great options for feeding your German shepherd. Note the differences between these options and try to select the one that best suits your dog and her particular needs.

Note that while there are a few dog foods available that claim to be specifically formulated for German shepherds, most have problematic ingredients, which make them less desirable than the foods detailed below.

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Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Dog Food

Best For Weight Loss

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Cracked Pearled Barley, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Chicken Meal, 5. Dried Tomato Pomace

• Life Stage: Adult
• Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
• Caloric content : 291 kcal

If your dog has put on some pounds recently and is unwilling to try new foods, then Hills Science Diet Perfect Weight is perfect for them. The food is packed with whole fibers that make your dog feel satisfied after each meal, while still maintaining their muscles with protein from chicken meat.

Its also highly appetizing and a favorite of picky eaters. The formula is infused with essential vitamins and minerals that promote general wellness and increase energy levels. It is a popular choice among owners who have reported steady weight loss after switching their dogs to the food and offers decent value for the price and quality.

Analysis: Protein min. 24% | Fat min. 9%, | Fiber max. 5% | Moisture max. 13%

Runner Up: Royal Canin Breed Specific

• Flavor: Chicken

Pet owners leave different reviews for the dog food brands they have tried. Their pets have either taken to the food brand or not.

Some pets have suffered adverse symptoms on certain food brands and done well on others.

It is up to you as a pet owner to discover which brand best suits your pet as they are all individuals and react in different ways to their feed.

Another consideration is that a German Shepherd puppy may have been raised on one food type and the new owners transitioned it too quickly to another.

Alternatively, adult dog foods may be transitioned too quickly, leaving your pets digestive system struggling to keep up with the change if they have a sensitive stomach.

Despite different experiences, customers have left honest reviews about their experiences to guide others.

Pros

Cons

• The protein content is sourced from chicken meal as a by-product rather than containing real chicken protein.
• Some customers have complained that this product initially boosts weight gain but is followed by lackluster coats and skin problems. This is not the best dog food for German Shepherds with allergies.
• This is not the best choice for underweight dogs due to its low-fat content.
• One customer review claims that this product is not always easy to source in stores and is only available via online orders.

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Best Food For German Shepherd Puppies Faq

Discover the top questions other German Shepherd puppy owners like you have about feeding their dogs. Weve answered them here.

How much food should a German Shepherd puppy eat?

The amount of food you feed your German Shepherd puppy will change as they grow. The bigger they get the more food they need, so be prepared to incrementally increase their meal size every couple of weeks for the first few months of their lives. Remember that younger puppies also need to be fed multiple times per day. This is especially important for big breeds like German Shepherds.Heres a quick rundown of what breeders recommend for growing German Shepherd puppies. Remember that how much you feed your puppy will depend enormously on their individual needs.Note that unless you are a breeder or rescuer, you should not have a puppy under the age of 2 months.Once your German Shepherd is no longer growing they will eat somewhere between 1,8003,800 calories per day depending on activity level and size. Always consult with your veterinarian about how much your puppy should be eating.

What dog food is best for a German Shepherd mix?

Any of the foods on this list would be a great option for a German Shepherd mix!

What kind of meat should I feed my German Shepherd puppy?

The type of meat you feed your German Shepherd puppy will depend on a few factors:1. Cost

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.

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Best Dog Food For German Shepherds Reviews & Buying Guide For 2021

• Flavor: Chicken: Grain-Free

Blue Buffalo dry dog food is rated as the best dog food brand for German Shepherds for several reasons.

If youre looking for a grain-free dog food made from high-quality protein, then this might be a good bet, particularly as the glucosamine content should help with joint health.

Blue Buffalos grain-free recipe has a high protein content, which will help to support a GSD with high activity levels and its digestible proteins should aid digestive health.

They also make a wet food for those looking for an alternative to dry food for their GSD.

Pros

Cons

• The protein content is above the recommended 18% to 22% for adult German Shepherd dogs.
• The fat content is also above the nutritional value suggested for adult German Shepherds at around 5%.
• Similarly, calcium levels should be around 0.6% but are stated as being at 1.4% of the overall content.
• Recent reviews indicate a hard bony substance in the feed that customers have not been able to identify or find a satisfactory response to. However, the brand has willingly replaced questionable products but has not yet responded to why it contains this strange element.
• Customer queries related to constantly changing food in terms of color.
• This is not the best dog food for German Shepherds with skin allergies if they are allergic to chicken as both chicken or chicken meal forms a large portion of the protein content.

Victor Purpose Hero Canine

Most Affordable

High in plant ingredients

Moderate protein from legumes

The last food on our list was included not just for its high protein and quality ingredients, but for its affordability. Victors Purpose dry dog food is the best cheap dog food for German shepherds your likely to find.

This food has the third highest protein percentage on our list at 33% and has 16% fat. This calorie-dense food is perfect for active shepherds and can even be used for working dogs and those involved in competitions.

This food includes quality animal ingredients like beef meal, fish meal, and pork meal. These ingredients along with superfoods like alfalfa, yeast, and green tea extract provide a nutrient boost that your active dog needs to thrive.

This food does contain more plant ingredients than other foods listed here, but with a price point much lower than most and a decent amount of protein, this is still a great choice for the average shepherd.

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Things To Look For In A Dry Dog Food For German Shepherds

Although German Shepherds can live on almost any kibble, their large and agile bodies thrive on high protein formulas. These allow them to build and maintain lean muscle mass.

Generally, you should avoid any brand that doesnt have an animal source of protein listed at the top of its ingredients list.

The needs of every GSD will be different but, generally, this is the nutritional content you should look for in dry dog food:

Additionally, you should look for a brand that doesnt have any filler carbohydrates. Deciding on whether or not you should feed your German Shepherd a grain-free diet is up to you. Generally, dry dog food containing digestible carbohydrates like vegetables and whole grains is sufficient.

When youre looking for a kibble brand for your GSD, take the time to look at the additional ingredients. Some variants contain supplements like omega 3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to your dogs skin and coat. Others have probiotics for a healthy gut while several contain glucosamine for optimum joint health.

Of course, your German Shepherds specific health conditions will affect the type of food they need as well. If they have food allergies, make sure you scrutinize the label to keep your dog safe.

If theyre not hitting their weight milestones, they might need to consume high-calorie kibble to gain weight. If your dog has a health condition that might require a special diet, its always best to get dry dog food recommendations from your vet.

Best Dog Food For German Shepherds With Allergies

Dogs with food allergies are often sensitive to common proteins like chicken and beef. Because of this, our pick for the best dog food for a German Shepherd with allergies is Raw Wild. This unique formula is made from sustainably sourced elk and venison, novel proteins that dogs with allergies often do very well on. Raw Wilds recipe also includes Alaskan pollock oil, which is good for soothing itchy and inflamed skin.

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Growing With Your Puppy

For the first several months of life, puppies need to be fed several times a day. By the time they are six weeks old, puppies can start eating solid food, although kibble may need to be moistened for their tiny teeth. Until twelve weeks of age, pups generally need four small meals a day.

Between 12 weeks and 6 months of age, puppy meals should decrease to three times a day instead of four. By about three months, you should start seeing your puppys body type maturing the puppys belly should shrink as your pups legs start to grow.

Between 6 and 12 months, you can start feeding your dog two times a day. However, many large breed owners prefer to keep their puppies on three meals a day because they need more nutrients. You can make the switch from puppy food between 7 and 9 months for small breeds, but big breeds like German Shepherds should keep eating puppy food until theyre 12-14 months old. Its better to keep your German Shepherd on puppy food a little too long than not long enough.

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 (:

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Health Needs Of German Shepherds

German Shepherds were originally bred to be active, working dogs, so good health was paramount. The change of focus from working to show dogs, plus the popular demand for German Shepherds that led to poor breeding practices, has resulted in dogs with a genetic predisposition for a number of health problems. Many German Shepherds are vulnerable to bone and joint problems, skin problems, and neurological problems. If you are acquiring a new German Shepherd puppy, you need to ascertain that the parents have been tested for inherited health issues like hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, eye disease, heart disease, autoimmune disease, and epilepsy.

Feeding your German Shepherd a diet with the right amount of nutrients can help avoid or manage their health issues, and may help your dog lead a good quality of life well into their teens.