German Shepherd Puppy Food Recommendations

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.

Effect Of Neutering/spaying On How Much Food Your German Shepherd Dog Eats

Neutered/spayed dogs tend to get fat twice as easily as intact dogs.

Studies have shown that neutering/spaying may increase your German Shepherd Dog`s appetite for more food. Also, your German Shepherd Dog`s physical activity decreases after neutering/spaying. These factors lead to weight gain.

Neutering may lead to more weight gain in male German Shepherd Dogs because neutered dogs roam less .

Therefore, the amount of food that you give to a neutered German Shepherd Dog should be reduced after you neuter your German Shepherd Dog to prevent weight gain.

Use our German Shepherd Dog food calculator to calculate how much food to feed a neutered/spayed German Shepherd Dog.

Best Food For German Shepherds With Sensitive Stomachs: Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care

In our review, the best dog food for sensitive-stomach German Shepherds is the Blue Buffalo Basics Skin and Stomach Care Dog Food. It is a limited ingredient recipe designed especially for dogs that are easily allergic and react to several ingredients. It has turkey as its first protein and is highly digestible.

• Contains turkey as its first protein
• No grains, artificial flavors, beef or chicken
• Added antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals

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Can I Feed Treats To My German Shepherd Puppy

Yes, treats are acceptable, provided they are healthy, rich in protein and nutrients, with no added sugar or preservatives. Many store-bought snacks for dogs, including puppies, are not as natural or high-quality as claimed. Naturally dried meats with low sodium, or dehydrated vegetables and meats, are the best choice to avoid any additives commonly found in treats.

If youre training your puppy, treats are a great reward. Treats should be given in small portions, and only on a limited to occasional, until your dog reaches six months. You can gradually increase treats from six to twelve months, provided they are consistently small in portion.

Its essential to ensure that these tasty rewards dont interfere with your puppys natural eating habits, as this can cause overeating or skipping meals if excessive treats are consumed.

What If My German Shepherd Puppy Wont Eat

You need to understand why your puppy cannot eat because it will help you determine the way to deal with the issue.

There is no need to worry if the puppy lost appetite shortly and goes back to normal eating without any sign of illness.

If the puppy loses appetite and takes a few days without improvement, take your puppy to the vet to find the problem because your dog might be sick.

If the vet finds that the puppy is sick, they may suggest a special diet that will boost their immunity and give them extra nutrients to better their recovery.

The puppy may have stopped eating because of behavioral issues therefore, you may need to feed them same time to get a routine.

Treats and human food that is given to the puppy may need to be reduced and also you can try different kinds of food.

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A Special Treat For The Newest Member Of Our Family: Homemade Dog Niblets

October 22, 2013 By The Tough Cookie

Wondering why this special treat looks so much like dog food? Well, because it is dog food. Dog niblets, to be precise! Because duh! the newest member of our family is the cutest puppy ever! Her name is Lucy and she is just the most precious, smartest and funniest little troublemaker!

This is her at 8 weeks old.

Cutie, right? I think she looks like a proper model!

It has actually been a few weeks since we picked her up from the breeder and she has gotten herself in a number of sticky situations since then. Like that time when she decided that it was a good idea to crawl underneath the Chevy for a good back scratch and she appeared on the other side of the car covered in grease and oil to give you a very literal example or that time when she tried to take on a huge German Shepherd that was running around in the street unattended

Seriously, that little encounter nearly gave me a heart attack

Anyway, this is a picture of us the day we picked her up. The breeder took our picture, while our little rascal was chilling out in my arms.

Back then, she was very laid back

Over the past four weeks, she has pretty much doubled in size and instead of chilling out she now prefers to wreak havoc in our living room, so weve been very busy trying to teach her tricks and taking her to a special puppy training program for hunting dogs, like Lucy.

Shes just so pretty! Her mom was a champion, you know

These niblets are really easy to make.

Choosing A Dog Food For German Shepherds With Health Problems

When choosing a brand or product for your sick dog, there are multiple factors to consider. What can exacerbate their problem and what can help them?

Dogs suffering from hip dysplasia will benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin.

For dogs with a sensitive gut, you can try formulas that feature limited ingredients and have probiotics that promote gut health and can boost your dogs immune system.

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The Best Supplements For German Shepherds

One of the best ways to address your German shepherd’s unique nutritional needs is to add all-natural, air-dried supplements to their diet. Supplements can fill in nutritional gaps and help support your GSD’s overall health.

Here are some of the best supplements for German shepherds:

Fish Oil

Hip dysplasia and joint pain are common health issues for German Shepherds. Adding a fish oilsupplement can help you get more omega-3s into your dog’s diet, which can help protect their joint health.

In a meta-analysis of studies on osteoarthritis in pets, omega-3s for dogs were found to have the highest amount of evidence to support their effectiveness. For the highest concentration of omega-3s, choose a fish oilsupplement made from wild-caught pollock and salmon, like this Omega Oil.

Joint Relief Supplement

Inflammation can contribute to joint pain and deterioration. A Relief Supplement is made with natural anti-inflammatory ingredients, like turmeric, antioxidants, and green-lipped mussels . It can help keep your German shepherd feeling good into their golden years.

Probiotics

A probioticsupplement helps support German shepherds digestion, especially if they have sensitive stomachs. Probiotics can promote digestive health by adding beneficial bacteria to your dog’s digestive system. In veterinary studies, probiotics showed promise for addressing a variety of doggy digestive issues.

Health Concerns For German Shepherds

German Shepherds are prone to contract health problems that are related to bone, muscles, and joints. One such common health issue is hip dysplasia where it involves the malfunctioning of hip joints due to exercising too much, feeding too much, or injured themselves. In order to cure you can feed dog food for hip dysplasia to your pet. Elbow dysplasia is another problem that occurs mostly in German Shepherds that have a long line of badly bred ancestors and are caused mainly by poor genetics. Another health concern seen in many large breed dogs today is diabetes because of their huge body and large food intake. Diabetes can incur due to genetics or environmental conditions, but you can control it with an appropriate diet and adequate exercise.

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How To Feed A German Shepherd Dog

Before switching your dog to any new diet, always consult with a veterinarian. Remember that no article on the internet, including this one, can replace a consultation with a vet.

German Shepherd dogs tend to require more calories than the average large-breed dog. This is attributed to their high energy level which we’ve discussed above. Even at rest, the GSD isnt a couch potato hes going to be where the action is.

However, it is possible for some German Shepherds to be lazy and prone to obesity. This is especially true if the dog is older or has an underlying health condition that causes excess weight gain. It is important to not overfeed GSDs and feed the best dog food diet for German Shepherds that is appropriate for their life stage and health condition.

Below, I will take a look at the three life stages and two common health conditions of German Shepherds and the type of dog food they will require at that point. These are my most recommended brands, but we’ll also take a look at the best German Shepherd dog food reviews from pet owners to see what they have to say after switching to a new diet.

Never Use Foods Containing Unidentified Meat Meals Or Byproducts

Although they may seem disgusting to pet owners, meat meals and animal byproducts can be nutritious ingredients.

However, meat meals should not be the first listed ingredient , and they must be properly identified.

For example, chicken byproducts are usually acceptable ingredients generically labelled animal byproducts are not. Some of these poorly identified meat meals and byproducts may contain protein from very unsavory, and potentially dangerous, sources.

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Month Old German Shepherd

At 4 months old, you can begin introducing more live animal products into their diet. Ingredients like actual bone, pieces of liver, and raw eggs are great to help your dog pick up the nutrients that may be lacking in their dry dog food.

Avoid giving them too much, though, by following the guidelines weve given you above.

German Shepherd Feeding General Guidelines

Most vets will tell you to watch the dog and not the bowl when deciding how much to feed a German Shepherd.

What they mean by this is that you should always be aware of your dogs body size, shape, and condition, and not being too strict with charts and graphs of food measurements.

If your dog seems to be gaining weight, reduce the number of calories they consume. Start with reducing treats or any table scraps you may be feeding him.

If he is still gaining weight, you can slowly reduce the amount of food you give him during his regular meals.

On the other side of the spectrum, if your dog is overly thin, lethargic, and not doing well, you may be feeding her too little.

Increase the amount of food in each meal by small increments. ¼ cup at a time is usually sufficient.

Do not make drastic changes to your dogs feeding schedule or the amount you give. Do not suddenly remove an entire meal.

All changes to your dogs diet should be made gradually, ideally over the course of several weeks.

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What To Look For In A Good German Shepherd Dog Food

When it comes to choosing the best German Shepherd dog food, you need to make sure it is complete and balanced for your dogs minimum nutritional requirements. Look for a recipe that is protein-rich with moderate fat and calorie content, unless your dog is highly active in which case, he may need more calories. Digestible carbohydrates provide fiber and essential nutrients with vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure nutritional balance.

Here are some things to look for in a good German Shepherd dog food:

Now that you know more about your German Shepherds nutritional needs, youre ready to start shopping for the best food for German Shepherd dogs. Keep reading to see our top 10 picks.

How Much Food To Feed A 8

You should feed your 8-month-old German Shepherd Dog puppy 4.1 cups of dry dog food every day.

Ration this food into two or three separate portions and give it to your German Shepherd Dog puppy over the day.

Our recommendation on how much food you should feed your 8-month-old German Shepherd Dog puppy assumes that the weight of your German Shepherd Dog is typical for its age.

The typical weight for a 8-month-old German Shepherd Dog puppy is 56.4 lbs .

Our recommendation on how much food to feed your German Shepherd Dog also assumes that you feed your German Shepherd Dog dog food that has an average calorie density .

Use our German Shepherd Dog food calculator to calculate a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your German Shepherd Dog.

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How Long To Feed A German Shepherd

The mealtime lengths of your German shepherd will mainly rely on your observation. Therefore, youll need to consider these questions:

• How long can your dog finish his portion?
• How long does it take for your dog to be full?
• Is your dog still hungry after eating his portion?

German shepherds normally take anywhere from 10 minutes to 15 minutes to finish the meal, given that you followed the proper feeding guidelines properly. If your dog shows signs of slow eating, we recommend sending them to your vet.

If you think your dog is already full before finishing his portion, there is no problem. However, if your dog is still hungry after finishing the meal, consider sending him to your vet.

This is because this can be a sign of a serious health issue involving their digestive system.

Now you know about the German shepherds feeding amount, frequency, and length, but lets not forget about an important part of meals.

Wet Food Vs Dry Food For German Shepherd Puppies

Puppy food is designed to support the development of an active and large breed as well as healthy growth. German Shepherds are bigger breeds: therefore, puppies should not grow too fast as they risk the development of any potential joint problems.

Puppies need to have the right nutrients to grow strong and fit.

Dry food is affordable and convenient than canned wet food. Kibble helps to remove plaque from your puppys teeth as they eat, preventing tartar or the onset of periodontal disease.

It is also easy to use as training treats. Dry food contains negligible water content, so providing clean and fresh water is necessary.

Wet food has around 80% water content which keeps your puppy hydrated. Canned foods are mostly packed with protein which is great for a puppys development. However, canned foods are more expensive than feeding kibble because you need more of it to meet your dogs daily needs.

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Science Diet Puppy Formula

More than 220 canine nutrition professionals have created Hills Science Diet. The puppy kibble has the optimal level of calcium for controlled bone growth. This is important for the German Shepherd and Dysplasia issues.

This formula contains fish oil that provides your pup with the nutrients he needs for brain and eye development. It is made with 100% natural ingredients, it has no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in it, but it does have added vitamins and amino acids for your pups development.

We love that this is voted as the Number 1 dry dog food by Veterinarians across America so you know this kibble must be something special!

What To Look For In German Shepherd Dog Food

As a muscular, large dog bred to work, German Shepherds have specific nutritional needs that vary at different life stages. And those needs can change if your dog is dealing with other health issues common to the breed. Heres a helpful guide to help you find the best dog food for your German Shepherd.

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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.

Iams Proactive Health Large Breed

Rating:

Large Breed Chicken and Whole Grains is one of 12 dry recipes covered in our review of the Iams ProActive Health product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain barley, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, chicken by-product meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best for:Adult shepherds only

Iams ProActive Health Large Breed derives the majority of its meat protein from chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 25% protein, 14% fat and 53% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

This classic, grain-inclusive large breed design has been made by Iams for years and is a nutritious fit for adult German shepherds. Calcium levels are a bit high for shepherd puppies. Easily recommended.

Sample buyer reviewIAMS is a product that I have turned to for complete nutrition for my dog as well as my cats! In fact, I have been feeding IAMS to my cats for over 20 years! Sure there are higher priced pet foods, but why would you want to pay more when you get the proper nutrition and a quality product at a reasonable price!

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