Can German Shepherds Eat Human Food
German Shepherds can eat human foods. Dogs evolved from wolves thousands of years ago, and as they lived alongside humans, they shared food. Therefore, we mustnt forget that dogs historically ate people food long before dog food was invented.
As society advanced and dog ownership grew, table scraps and leftovers were never enough to feed our dogs, and so in the 1850s, the first dog biscuit was created by businessman James Spratt.
The biscuit was made from wheat, vegetables, beetroot, and bound with beef blood and was the start of commercial dry dog food as we know it. By the 1920s, canned wet food was also in production.
Learn More on the History of Dog Food Including the Scientific Answer Why Dogs Can Eat People Food
Your German Shepherd Can Become Malnourished
Unlike kibble which is specially formulated to provide all the nutrients in a German Shepherds diet, a raw meat diet will not be able to provide a German Shepherd the complete and balanced nutrition it needs. This then increases risk of nutritional deficiencies and illnesses.
For example, raw food diets tend to lack enough calcium and phosphorus and may lead to bone fractures and dental problems.
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.
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Benefits Of German Shepherd Raw Diet
So, what are the benefits of a BARF diet for german shepherd?
Among the benefits of raw dog food, according to veterinarian Dr. Ian Billinghurst and other proponents of raw feeding dogs, are:
- Increased agility
In the largest study to date on the effects of raw food on dogs, Belgian researchers Dr. Gerard Lippert and Bruno Sapy examined more than 500 dogs over a period spanning five years concluded that raw feeding dogs could add as much as 32 months to a dogs life5.
Dr. Peter Dobias, who has 30 years of veterinary experience and has advocated for raw pet diets since 1995, agrees with the study and says,From my experience, if people feed a raw diet, they will increase their dogs lifespan by 25 percent, Generally, raw-fed dogs are so much healthier. The changes are profound.7
Feeding A German Shepherd Puppy Kibble
There are many good quality kibble diets, but they arent always the best choice.
The FDA recently issued a notice alerting dog owners to a potential increased risk of a serious heart condition. This is called canine dilated cardiomyopathy .
The risk is in dogs eating foods that include peas, lentils, or potatoes instead of grains.
Some of these cases of DCM were in German Shepherds.
The underlying cause of these cases is not clear, but the FDA note suggests that caution should be used in selecting foods with these ingredients for German Shepherds and other large dogs.
Head over to our article on the pros and cons of feeding kibble to know more.
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Holistic Select Large And Giant Breed Adult
Rating:
Large and Giant Breed Adult Health is one of 5 dry kibbles included in our review of the Holistic Select product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, rice, oatmeal, oats, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for:Adult shepherds only
Holistic Select Large and Giant Breed Adult Health derives the bulk of of its animal protein from chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 16% fat and 50% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
This grain-inclusive, large breed formula boasts above-average protein content yet still free of any plant-based protein boosters. Reasonably priced. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewMy 4 Great Danes absolutely love this food. They are all very healthy, coats are wonderful, and it helps with their teeth. I would recommend this to anyone with Giant Breed dogs. The nutrition information is comparable to what the needs are for Giant Breed . Nothing in this thats bad for your dog. If you decide to get this, your dog will enjoy it!
Cereals And Grains That German Shepherds Can Eat
All cereals and grains are carbohydrates, and this list contains common carbohydrate foods like pasta and breads that have been made using grains.
German Shepherds do need carbohydrates in their diet, but too much can lead to sugar-related health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, and pancreatitis.
Cereals, grains, and related carbohydrates are good sources of fiber to aid in healthy digestion. However, too much and they will cause your German Shepherd to get diarrhea.
German Shepherds are also prone to bloating, which may be triggered or aggravated by cereals and grains, so you will need to assess your particular German Shepherds reaction to these foods.
Bloating in dogs is not the same as boating in humans. In dogs, it is known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, and it is a life-threatening condition in which the stomach can actually twist and cut off the blood supply to the stomach and other organs.
Some people recommend grain-free diets for German Shepherds, and you can consult your veterinarian about the advantages of this option.
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Is Wheat Good For The German Shepherd
Yes, wheat can be a good source of nutrients for German shepherds. Wheat is a source of protein, carbohydrates, and fiber, and it can also help to strengthen the immune system. However, not all types of wheat are good for dogs be sure to check with your veterinarian to find out which type of wheat is best for your pup.
Ways Of Reducing Risks Associated Raw Meat Diet
- Wash the meat and rinse with clean water.
- Make sure the meat is from a certified supplier and check if it has any odor.
- Chop the meat and bones into smaller pieces to avoid choking.
- Avoid feeding your GSD canned meat, give him fresh meat with no preservatives in it.
- Freeze your meat around 14-21 days before feeding it to your GSD. This will lessen the likelihoods of survival by some parasites.
- its advisable to do an At-Home Allergy Test before introducing a new type of meat to your German shepherd.
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The Best German Shepherd Diet And Meal Plan For Every Age
The best German Shepherd diet needs the right formulation to support the breeds powerful strength, athletic abilities, and superior intelligence.
And the stores have no shortage of colorful marketing gimmicks and fancy product descriptions at your fingertips to entice you to part with your money at every turn.
Its enough to make your head spin and for you to turn running!
But, this article will more than explore the best German Shepherd diet
Itll be your comprehensive, easy-to-understand road map to choose an optimum diet with balanced nutrition.
Lets jump right in!
If Their Digestive System Is Weak
Meat can aggravate digestive problems, so if your german-shepherd has one, you should think twice about feeding them raw meat.
Once again, the greatest part you can do is listen to your veterinarians recommendations. There are a variety of dog meals available for german shepherds who have digestive problems. So, before switching your german shepherds diet to raw meat, understand more about them.
Keep your dog healthy and fit with this easy peasy homemade recipe its cheaper than store-bought and chockfull of fresh veggies!
I never thought I would be one of those dog owners who made homemade human food for their pups. Not in a million years.
But when Butters recently fell sick with an upset stomach, our vet advised us to feed him a bland diet chicken and rice without any kind of seasoning. So thats what we did we poached a chicken, shredded it in a food processor, and mixed in some white rice and fed him this bland diet for 3 days.
Thats when I started to do some research on homemade dog food, and I have been so amazed as to how many different kinds of vegetables dogs can have. And with the help of Balance IT, you can create so many different recipes for your pup!
Now the best part about making homemade dog food just like making anything at home is that you know exactly what is going into the dog bowl, and not any of that questionable gelatinous gunk from the canned food.
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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.
Raw Paws Raw Meaty Bones
Raw Paws offers a nice variety of raw meaty bones . This means you don’t need to try and source these from a butcher.
Which can be difficult since most butchers remove all the meat from bones.
Beef marrow bones are a great source of protein, chondroitin, collagen, calcium, and phosphorous.
Bone marrow releases adiponectin which is linked to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It also builds immunity and supports kidney function.
Although I don’t recommend marrow bones for anything other than recreation for your dog. They are too hard to break and can cause damage to their teeth.
The other bone choices on offer are an excellent variety. There’s everything from:
You can add these to your dog’s diet by substituting 1 or 2 meals a week with RMB which is what I do.
Or you can opt to feed your dog a prey model raw diet using these very meaty bones.
And like I mentioned before, RMB are a wonderful way to stimulate your dog’s need to rip, chew, and tear. And not to mention the natural teeth cleaning RMB offer!
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Can I Feed My Gsd Raw Meat
Yes, absolutely! German Shepherds can definitely eat raw meat. Although choosing it over high-quality kibble is a matter of your personal preference, raw feeding is not necessarily detrimental to your GSDs health. You just need to be aware of how to do it properly to ensure adequate nutrition and to avoid potential hazards.
Where To Start With A Raw Food Diet For Your Gsd
Raw food recipes for dogs are all over the internet. And dog owners like you can prepare their dogs raw food diet from scratch with careful planning and time.
But as I mentioned, there are frozen raw diets on the market that help make raw feeding easier for you.
These diets are delivered frozen or freeze-dried to your door. Some have everything you need rolled into one.
Ingredients like vegetables, vitamins, and fruits already mixed in. Or you can buy them separately.
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Should You Feed Your German Shepherd A Raw Meat Diet
I personally recommend against it. I simply dont find an advantage in feeding your German Shepherd raw meat over kibble when the latter provides better nutrition and safety.
At the end of the day though, its up to you. And if your German Shepherd responds better to raw meat than dog food, then why not?
Should you ever feed dog raw meat though, be sure to supplement it with other types of nutritious food like fruits and vegetables. That way youd prevent your German Shepherd from becoming malnourished.
Do keep in mind though that not all German Shepherds should be fed a raw diet. German Shepherd puppies and those with digestive issues, or kidney and liver problems should stick with kibble instead.
Lastly, if youre ever unsure about your German Shepherds diet, I highly suggest you consult a veterinarian.
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Why I Feed My Dogs A Raw Diet
That’s an easy question to answer
- Simply because I want to control the ingredients that are going into my dog’s bodies.
- Ingredients I can eat too not that I’ll ever eat green tripe though!
- I want ingredients that promote the optimal health of my dogs.
And unfortunately, as you’ve seen, with kibble, that’s not always the case.
Now I want to move on to a positive note
Raw Diet For German Shepherd Puppy
A German Shepherd puppy raw diet plan is not the same as an adult GSD.
Puppies need to eat more protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus than adult dogs. So, feed puppies 15% bone and less than 20% fat to ensure they get enough nutrients and minerals. Raw food for German Shepherd puppies should include a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, water, and vitamins per AAFCO guidelines.
For proper growth and development, it is not advised to skip meals while your puppy is growing and developing.
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Benefits Of Feeding Raw Meat To Your German Shepherd
According to the Animal Humane Society, a home-cooked and raw food diet is better only because it offers better digestibility. While raw and fresh food is typically 98% digestible, commercial dog food has a lower digestibility of 80%. Thats not to say that kibble is harmful. It only means that fresh food is more efficient at providing nutrients.
Additionally, many believe that a fresh diet composed mainly of raw meat better mimics what German Shepherds would eat in the wild. Theoretically, because their bodies are adapted for such a diet, dogs that eat raw meat tend to be healthier and less prone to digestive issues, which are common among GSDs.
Feeding Guide For Mature Adult German Shepherd Dogs: 6 Years And Older
You should feed the mature adult German Shepherd Dog food that has been formulated to improve their quality of life, increase their life expectancy, and increase their overall health.
Older dogs are prone to age-related health problems. A good diet is essential to minimize the possibility of becoming frail with age.
See our recommendation on the best food for the mature adult German Shepherd Dog below:
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German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Guide: Birth To 12 Weeks
All dogs should stay with their mother for no less than eight weeks, ideally up to ten weeks. During this time, the mother will nurse the pups until they are old enough to begin eating puppy mush.
Puppy mush is usually regular dog kibble thats been soaked in water, formula, or homemade puppy milk made with human-grade ingredients.
After the puppies are fully weaned from their mothers milk, they will get all of their nutrition either from puppy mushmade progressively drier every few daysor other puppy-safe foods.
Its important to continue feeding your puppy whatever the breeder started them on, at least for the first few weeks. This will help prevent gastrointestinal distress.
Also, be certain it is food intended for puppies and not adults or senior dogs. Adult dog foods do not have the proper nutrients to support a growing puppy.
Once your German Shepherd puppy is homebetween 8 and 12 weeksyou may begin weaning them off of the breeders food and introducing their new foodif youve decided to switch, that is.
Over the course of the next few weeks slowly introduce the puppys new food into her old food, adding more of the new food each day.
Start with ¾ of the serving of the old food and ¼ of the new food. After a few days, make it half and half. After the first week or so, make it ¾ the new food and ¼ the old food.
Then by two to three weeks, your pup should be fully on her new food.
Dont Forget The Supplements
Even if youre feeding free-range, organic meats, the earth is not what it used to be. Your puppy will benefit from some supplementation.
Supplements to consider include:
- Phytoplankton whole food nutrition that contains nearly every nutrient your dog needs
- Nutritional herbs alfalfa, dandelion leaf, nettle and more
- Probiotics friendly bacteria that protects the body from bacteria, viruses and fungi
- Digestive enzymes break down and absorb nutrients from food
- Bovine colostrum helps to build a strong immune system
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