Best Wet Food For German Shepherds

Our Criteria: How We Chose The Best

Your beautiful German Shepherd needs fuel for its active lifestyle. Thats why we chose dog foods that contain all the key nutrients for a well-balanced diet. In our top choices, we included food packed with high-quality proteins derived from animals, such as chicken, pork, beef, lamb, and fish. These provide additional nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fats.

In our list, we also included special dog food for German Shepherds with skin allergies and sensitive stomachs. Hypoallergenic food are grain-free and use alternative protein sources or limited ingredients that are easy to digest.

Many German Shepherd owners find it difficult to purchase dog food that is safe enough for their fur babies and tasty enough to keep them interested. The trick is to study your puppy, as each dog has a unique personality. This comprehensive review can help dog owners narrow down their list of dog foods to buy and try, as many options are out there.

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.

At A Glance: Our Top 7 Picks

It may not seem like it, but as a dog owner, overseeing your German Shepherd puppys diet is a huge responsibility, and figuring out what the best food options are can be quite challenging.

In this article, well run you through the best wet and dry dog foods you can give your furry little friend.

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Diamond Naturals Dry Food For Puppy Large Breed Lamb And Rice Formula

Why do we like it? Although this food is not made exclusively for GSDs, it still features all of the prerequisites for excellent dry food for a large breed puppy like a GSD.

Features

• Made in the USA by a family-owned company using quality ingredients from trusted domestic and global sources.
• With real pasture-raised lamb as the #1 ingredient, this recipe is formulated with precise protein and mineral content to support the needs of large breed puppies.
• Crafted with balanced nutrient levels to fuel larger growing bodies, contains omega fatty acids for skin and coat health and features vitamins and minerals from superfood fruits like blueberries and oranges.
• Each serving includes species-specific K9 strain proprietary probiotics, plus antioxidants and prebiotics to help support healthy digestion, immune system health and overall wellness.
• Made without corn, wheat, artificial flavors or colors.

Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Formula

Top 5 Ingredients: Beef Meal, Grain Sorghum, Ground White Rice, Dried Yeast, Egg Product

The Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Formula is a wonderful choice for your German Shepherd who is no longer a puppy.

This mix is enhanced with superfoods and probiotics to assist with overall health and development, as well as antioxidants, omega fatty acids for your furry friends coat and skin and nurturing minerals.

It includes protein, such as beef and fish, as well as fruit and vegetables such as blueberries, peas, kale and coconut. There has been some indication that this food is not suited to super picky eaters, however this dry food is generally a good choice for German Shepherds.

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Is Bloody Diarrhea In Dogs An Emergency

Many “natural” brands like Blue Buffalo or Blue Wilderness will have a formulation that is good for large breeds. These will usually have a good ratio of carbs to fat to the protein that will keep a shepherd strong and healthy, even if the formula isnt just for German Shepherds.

It all depends on the country where you live. In my country, there is no Blue Buffalo, Blue Wilderness, etc. I have mostly used Royal Canin and Eukanuba.

Guide To Buying Dog Food For German Shepherds

As working dogs, German Shepherds have a lot of specific nutritional requirements. They are often more active than most breeds, requiring increased protein and fat to thrive.

Feeding guidelines are often written for moderately active dogs and many German Shepherds are quite active indeed!

Keep an eye on your dogs weight and adjust their food intake as necessary. Sometimes, you need to double check the recommendations listed on the back of the bag.

German Shepherds are also prone to a few health problems, such as hip dysplasia. And their diet can play a key role in some of these disorders.

To choose the best food for your canine, there are several factors you need to consider.

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Understanding Aafco Standards For Wet Dog Food

The AAFCO, or the American Feed Control Officials, set the standards for dog food nutrient profiles. According to the organizations recommendations, food given to dogs should have the following minimum values:

What makes these figures confusing is that theyre based on dry matter. So if youre using these standards, you need to take into consideration that canned food can be anywhere from 75 to 80% moisture. On the other hand, kibble is only around 10 to 15% moisture.

To use these recommended figures for wet food, all you need to do is check the label for the moisture percentage and the minimum crude protein guarantee.

Compute the products dry matter by subtracting the moisture percentage from 100. Then, compute for the protein content through the following formula:

For example, if a canned dog food variant with 75% moisture contains 12% crude protein, you might think that its not up to par with AAFCO standards. However, if you compute for its protein content based on dry matter, youll get:

At 48%, it surpasses the protein content of many high-protein kibble. Most importantly, it goes beyond AAFCOs crude protein recommendation for all life stages. So, be careful when checking labels and make sure you convert the figures before you decide.

Before You Pick The Best Food For Your German Shepherd

Theres no such thing as one food that fits all German Shepherds. While I did my best to find the best food for most German Shepherds, you might prefer to pick a more specific formula.

Thats why I elaborate here our main considerations while reviewing the best dog foods for German Shepherds.

You can divide your research journey into 3 steps:

The rest of the guide will show you how to pick the right food for your German Shepherds life stage, how diet helps in common German Shepherd health issues, and what to look for on the label.

For your convenience, I shortlisted 14 dog foods. These foods were carefully selected and should satisfy your German Shepherds needs. I also noted which food is best for certain life stages or particular health issues.

After going through the shortlist, you can find additional considerations that might be of interest to you and your fur-baby.

Finally, I answered the most popular questions that Im being asked regarding German Shepherds nutrition and diet.

Please keep in mind, while I tried to do my best to find the best food for your German Shepherd, it would be a good idea to understand how and why we made our decisions.

The recommendations in this review are not intended to replace the doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your veterinarian before making major adjustments to your furbabys diet.

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How Many Times Should I Feed My 1

Much like the feeding amounts, your German Shepherds meal frequency will vary depending on its age. Heres how many times you should feed your German Shepherd according to their age::

• A young puppy : 4 daily feedings spaced at equal intervals.
• Puppy : 3 daily feedings spaced at equal intervals.
• Young adult : Two daily feedings, once in the morning and the other in the evening, and about 12 hours apart.
• Adult to full-grown : Two daily feedings unless advised on a different schedule by the veterinarian.

For evening meals, it would be best if you feed your German Shepherd 2-3 hours before bedtime. That way, youll prevent your dog from having digestion problems and needing to go on toilet breaks during the night.

Can German Shepherd Puppies Safely Eat Fruits Vegetables And Other Human Foods

Yes. There are plenty of great options for your puppy that are ideal for providing additional fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some of the best options for your puppy include fresh carrots, cooked eggs, yogurt, plain oatmeal, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, pumpkin, and peanut butter. Its crucial to provide only natural, unflavored, or sweetened versions of yogurt, peanut butter, and other acceptable foods for your dog.

While dairy is acceptable for dogs, limiting intake to low-fat options, such as cottage cheese and yogurt, is essential. Greek yogurt is an excellent option, as it contains high levels of protein, calcium, and probiotics, all of which are essential for your puppys growth. Goats milk and cheese are more accessible to digest than cows milk products and an ideal option for your puppy.

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What Is The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds

Having looked at the characteristics of the breed, we can think about the best food for German Shepherds. A key point is that they are large, high energy dogs. Their powerful muscles will demand plenty of best quality protein to maintain their mass. Protein is best served up in the form of top quality red meat, poultry or fish. Their diet should also comprise of some fruits and vegetables to provide vitamins and minerals for proper function and wellbeing. Inactive and older dogs will require 1250 to 1500 calories per day whereas more energetic GSDs will require 1500 to 2100 calories per day. Thats a lot of energy and a fair amount of food. GSDs can have sensitive skin so they will need an adequate amount of Omega6 and Omega 3 fatty acids. These are not only good for the coat and skin, but also support the immune system and joints.

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..

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Tips In Giving Wet Dog Food To Your Gsd

Even with the best wet dog food for German Shepherds, you have to practice some caution to ensure that your pooch will not end up in the vet. Keep these points in mind if youre switching your pet to wet food:

-Discard the leftovers

If your GSD hadleftovers on the bowl, never consider putting it back to the can for later. Themoment that you served the food, it should only stay in the bowl for fourhours. After that, you should dispose of it.

As we said earlier,wet food is susceptible to spoilage. And with the saliva of your dog mixingwith it in the bowl, keeping it for the next mealtime is a no-no.

-Transfer the food to a new container

Once you have openedthe can of wet food, you should transfer the remaining portion to anothercontainer. This is to prevent any chemical reaction with the tin can.

Also, make sure thatthe container is sealed to prevent the entry of moisture and bacteria.

-Refrigerate the remaining food

An opened wet foodshould always be refrigerated until all the portions have been served. Still,you should be careful as refrigerated food can still spoil or develop an awfultaste. So before serving it to your German Shepherd, give the dog food a quicksniff. If it smells bad, dont hesitate to throw it away.

-Watch out for the expiration date

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin And Sensitive Stomach

Image courtesy Purina

Purina has been in operation for more than 85 years and produces a wide range of goods. The Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & Stomach is one of their most popular, with over 2,500 positive reviews.

You can feed your dog either dry or wet food, and he may sample two distinct flavor profiles: rice and oatmeal for salmon. This recipe is high in protein and has a total of 30% dry basis protein content, primarily from real meats with no poultry by-product meal.

Because it contains no allergens like wheat, corn, or soy, there’s less of a chance that your dog will suffer an upset stomach. It also includes omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, which help to promote skin, coat, and joint health.

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Switching From German Shepherd Puppy Food To Adult Food

Switching your German shepherd puppy to adult food can be done between the ages of 9 months up to 1 year when your puppy has achieved about 90% of their adult size. The transition should be slow to prevent diarrhea and avoid upsetting your puppys intestinal tract.

Begin changing his diet by feeding a quarter of the adult food and three-quarters of the puppy food for about a week.

Next, feed your puppy with a portion of half adult food and half puppy food for several days and then introduce three quarter adult food and a quarter of puppy food for a few more days. Finally, introduce your puppy to adult food now.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy Dog Food

The Blue Buffalo Chicken Recipe Dry food has delicious chicken as its first ingredient to help fuel your German Shepherd puppys active life. It also features other natural ingredients such as superfood veggies and fruits.

The real meat that your puppy loves is a healthy protein and has an irresistible taste. The blueberries in this formula are a natural source of vitamin C as well as fiber and healthy carbs.

The carrots are rich in vitamin K, beta-carotene, and fiber to provide essential nutrients and naturally good flavor in your puppys food.

Finally, the cranberries are tasty and high in healthy compounds that improve the urinary tract of your German Shepherd puppy.

This dry food also features taurine, omega 3, and omega 6 fatty acids, phosphorus, calcium, chondroitin, glucosamine, antioxidants, and chelated minerals to support the overall wellbeing of your growing German Shepherd puppy.

Pros

• Supports healthy development of strong muscles.
• Help to support renal health and cognitive development.
• Supports a healthy immune system.
• Meets all the life stage requirements for your puppy.
• Promotes a naturally lustrous coat and healthy skin.
• Promotes strong, healthy teeth and bones.

Cons

• Can cause loose stool in some puppies.

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Should German Shepherd Eat Wet Food

A German shepherd requires a good amount of high quality-protein rich food consisting of 10-22% proteins for optimum health.

Wet dog foods contain around 75% moisture content and according to research, the higher the water content, the lesser the nutrients thats why if you get to feed your German shepherd wet food, then they have to consume more food to meet the nutritional value their body requires.

Another disadvantage with wet foods is that some manufacturers often add wheat flour, white rice or other grains as a thickener that makes it lower in quality.

Nevertheless, wet food is also advantage in special circumstances especially when your dog is a picky eater, or if you have an elderly dog who have lost appetite and might find wet food more appealing. This is also good for dogs who have trouble chewing and digesting.

The Best Food For German Shepherd Puppies

The German shepherd is a large breed dog, and large breed dogs need to get off to a healthy start in order to protect their growing joints. If they get too much calcium when they are young, large breed dogs’ bones can develop incorrectly, leading to permanent hip and joint issues.

Make sure to feed your German shepherd puppy a large breed puppy food to make sure they’re getting the correct amount of calcium. Also look for a formula that contains DHA, a fatty acid that contributes to healthy brain development.

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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.