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Good Dog Food For German Shepherd Puppies

What Is The Average Price And How Long Will It Last

Best Food for a German Shepherd Puppy

Blue Buffalo Freedom and Blue Buffalo Basics are sold in 4 lb, 11 lb, 24 lb bags, Blue Buffalo Wilderness is sold in 4.5 lb, 11 lb, 24 lb bags, and Blue Buffalo Life Protection is sold in 15 lb and 30 lb bags.

From my research, it seems that the largest-sized bag of any these lines currently costs between $45 â 50*, which I think is a very reasonable price for a premium dog food.

*all prices in this post are given approximately by looking on average at 5 of the top online retailers. The final price can vary.

Below I have drawn up a chart showing how long a 24lb bag of Blue Buffalo can last your dog, based on the daily feeding guidelines displayed on the majority of Blue Buffalos recipes.

Weight of adult dog, lb / kg

Grams/day*

German Shepherd Dog Food Health Concerns & Risks

So, why is it important to feed your German Shepherd the right food, understand the breeds specific nutritional requirements and health risks associated with poor nutrition?

According to a study on nutritional risks of large-breed dogs, large dogs like German Shepherds have a higher risk of developing skeletal diseases such as hip dysplasia due to improper nutrition. Over time, skeletal diseases and obesity can lead to osteoarthritis.

GSDs tend to suffer from Gastric dilatation and volvulus bloat. Monitor your GSDs eating habits. Fast eating and gulping can increase the risk of these health problems. Feeding 3 smaller meals a day instead of one large one can also prevent this problem. Making sure your GSD does not do any strenuous physical activity after eating is also necessary. A slow down dog bowl can also help.

Other important German Shepherddog foodhealth-related risks to be aware of include:

  • German shepherds tend to develop food allergies that typically manifest as dry, itchy skin, ears, or paws.
  • Food intolerances in German shepherds difficult protein digestion some. This can lead to vomit or experience diarrhea.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal issues that can make life doubly uncomfortable.

Now you should know why selecting the right dog food for your GSD is so important!

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Eukanuba Puppy Medium Breed Dry Dog Food

Why do we like it? Eukanuba works very well for GSD puppies. It also features a formula with specific calcium and phosphorous target levels to avoid skeletal issues when growing.

Features

  • Medium puppy dry dog food formulated with complete and balanced nutrition for medium breed puppies up to 12 months old with an expected adult weight between 24 to 54 lb.
  • Supports muscle growth and bone health in athletic pups with high-quality animal protein and optimized levels of calcium and phosphorous.
  • Supports healthy dog brain development with clinically proven levels of DHA for smarter, more trainable puppies.
  • Provides concentrated energy from fat and carbohydrate levels beneficial for growing puppies.

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Do I Need To Provide Supplements For My Pups

Many people are concerned that their dog isnt eating enough.A German Shepherd puppy is a big deal to you.Minerals and vitamins are vital for your dogs health.

Surprisingly it is better to feed your dog with high-quality foods and give them proper nutrition.Too many additives can cause damage to your dog.

Talk to your vet if you feel the need to supplement your dogs diet.Your veterinarian will be able to give you an excellent idea of how to safely include supplementation into your dogs diet.

German Shepherd Calorie Requirements

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Inactive or older dogs in this range should consume between 1,272 and 1,540 calories per day, according to the National Research Council of the National Academies. An active GSD, on the other hand, needs between 1,740 and 2,100 calories per day.

GSDs with hip dysplasia or any skeletal condition will benefit from a reduced-calorie diet to avoid putting on weight that could cause pressure on painful joints.

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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:

Lifestage
> 25 > 23

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 Foods For Adult German Shepherds

Just like our puppy food recommendations above, the below choices for your adult German Shepherd are based on natural dry food ingredients, with the best overall nutritional content that follows the AAFCO guidelines.

Your Adult German Shepherd will need a higher calorie count than they did as a puppy, but the food shouldnt be as nutrient-dense. If you continue the puppy formula as an adult, youll be likely to have an overweight pup on your hand. As your Adult graduates, below are some of our favorite foods for your German Shepherd Adult.

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What Dishes Are Suitable For German Shepherds And Their Dogs

Your furry friend will not eat all foods.Before you give it, make sure that you know which one is appropriate.

Dry Dog Foods

Dry dog food is the best for a german shepherd puppy.It comes in large containers that are easy to store and dont require preservation.

The dry croquet also contains all the essential elements German Shepherds need.It is delicious and dogs love it.

Our Criteria: How We Chose The Best

Best Dog Food for German Shepherd puppies ð?

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.

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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!

Diamond Naturals Premium Large Breed Formulas

Heres a power-packed meal to provide antioxidants, probiotics, essential vitamins, and added minerals. The superfoods in the meal promote a long and hearty life for your fluffball. Diamond Naturals formula is specifically for large breed puppies. They need more nourishment to sustain their bone development.

GSDs tend to suffer from elbow and hip dysplasia. So, it is imperative to fortify their immune systems as well as ossein buildout. That will make sure that your pooch does not suffer from joint pains in their adult life.

Furthermore, the antioxidants in the blend prevent cancer. The probiotics in the mix keep the gut flora flourishing, and the omega fatty-acids keep the skin, coat, and vision healthy.Diamond tops it all up with a great price tag to give you the ultimate value for your money.

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How Often Should I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy

Serve puppies younger than 4 months four small meals every day. Reduce the meals to three between 4 and 9 months. From the 9th month onwards, your puppy can eat two to three large meals during the day. Consult your vet or read the labels for calorie content to ensure you are serving the right amount.

The Importance Of Good Nutrition

9 Best Dog Foods for German Shepherd

Dog food sales in the United States are a huge business.

There is tremendous competition among manufacturers, with many of these companies goals including making a large profit.

German Shepherd owners must not only stay alert as wise consumers but also monitor the health of their beautiful breed, which is an indicator of the quality of food you feed them.

A healthy German Shepherd has:

  • bright, alert eyes
  • energy for their daily activities
  • and a glossy coat

The old saying You are what you eat is also entirely true for dogs, as well as people. Many German Shepherds can carry on for a long time on a substandard diet, but inadequate nutrition can lead to more than health problems.

In fact, poor nutrition could cause your German Shepherd to develop:

  • behavior problems
  • susceptibility to disease
  • and even shorten their lifespan!

Keep in mind that everything your dog eats becomes part of their daily diet, whether its good for them or not.

Nutrition for your German Shepherd is affected by not only what they eat, but also:

  • the foods digestibility
  • how their body uses the food
  • and what underlying health issues they might have

Lets take a quick peek at the nutrients in your dogs food.

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What To Feed A German Shepherd

When comparing the best dog foods for your GSD, take extra time to look for the following:

Meat Proteins Whole meat, such as chicken, beef, fish, and lamb should be included in the first several ingredients. Protein can also come from meat meals, a concentrated form of meat in which the moisture has been removed. AAFCO recommends that German Shepherds eat a food with at least 22% protein as puppies and at least 18% protein as adults.

Healthy source of fat Chicken fat, canola oil, and flaxseed are all healthy sources of fats and include additional health benefits. AAFCO recommends eight percent fat for German Shepherd puppies and five percent fat for adults.

Omega-3s This fatty acid helps keep a German Shepherds skin and coat healthy.

DHA One of the three Omega-3s is DHA, which supports brain and eye development.

Carbs To keep a German Shepherds blood sugar steady, the dog food should be low in carbs and may include an alternate, low-glycemic form of carbs, such as sweet potatoes.

Proper Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio Puppy foods should have a calcium to phosphorus ratio of about 1.2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus. Having a deficiency or excess of calcium in your dogs diet can lead to serious orthopedic problems, like painful bone spurs.

Since German Shepherds need a high-quality dog food to sustain their level of activity, its best to avoid:

Best Overall German Shepherd Dog Food

Dr. Garys Best Breed dog formula is our top pick for best all-around German Shepherd dog food.

This dog kibble provides an AAFCO balanced nutrition for your GSD with chicken and menhaden fish as the first proteins.

Its been formulated to tackle most of the food-related and nutritional health risks associated with GSDs. Thats why theyve added a balanced ratio of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for a vibrant coat, quality fiber to help maintain gastrointestinal functions, and Glucosamine to support joint and connective tissue.

As opposed to most kibble for large dog breeds, this brands kibble is highly digestible, which helps avoid typical large dog bred problems such as bloating.

The majority of GSD dog parents report only positive reviews about this dog food, including helping with loose stool, food allergies, coat health, sensitive tummies, among other benefits.

  • Formulated specifically for German Shepherds
  • New Zealand green-lipped sea mussels support joint health
  • Essential vitamins support immune system health

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Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream

  • Grain-free formula.

This recipe is made without grain, potatoes, by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors or preservatives. Only 100% natural ingredients are used in this formula. Its made with smoked salmon, which is a taste that many dogs love as much if not more than chicken or red meat. Salmon is also the first ingredient.

This dog food recipe is also packed with extra nutrients and antioxidants. These will help boost your pups immune system. They will also help keep your German Shepherds digestive system in tip top condition.

We love that this recipe contains Taste of the Wilds proprietary probiotics. This will ensure your German Shepherds gut health is a priority during their adult years.

Health Concerns For German Shepherds

How To Choose The Best Dog Food for German Shepherd Puppies

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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What Should I Feed My 8 Week Old German Shepherd Puppy

When theyre about 6 to 8 weeks old, owners should start giving their German Shepherd puppies a little dry dog food with water or unseasoned chicken stock when theyre not nursing.

When theyve reached their eighth week onwards, German Shepherds should be weaned and be fed solid food with a special puppy feed.

Its ideal to feed your German Shepherd puppy a breed specific dry or wet food. However, availability could be an issue.

In such cases, ask your veterinarian to come up with a proper food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. They will take into consideration your puppys feeding pattern, size and health condition.

You should remove milk from your puppys diet at this life stage as it can cause diarrhea.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Natural Adult Wet Dog Food

Image courtesy Blue Buffalo

If you’re searching for high-quality, all-natural wet dog food, Blue Buffalo Wilderness is a wonderful alternative.

This dog food is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, making it ideal for an entourage diet. It’s made with real beef and chicken, can be served as a delicious treat, or blended into your dog’s regular dry food.

The Blue Buffalo puppy food contains no chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors or preservatives making it a healthy choice for your dog.

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What Makes Dog Food Good For German Shepherds

Food that can sustain his lifestyle and meet his nutritional needs is good food!

Look for high-quality ingredients and a recipe that is gentle on his digestive system.

Your adult German Shepherd will benefit from animal protein-rich foods and minimize any health issues that might arise from a bad diet.

Have you tried any of the dog food above? Let us know whether fido likes it in the comments!

Does My German Shepherd Puppy Need A Multi

Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy Dry Dog Food, 30

Usually, a German Shepherd puppy should be getting all the vitamins they need from a balanced diet, so providing multivitamins isnt necessary. The following list may even harm your pup:

Avoid Multivitamins Made for Humans

If you feel that your puppy requires multivitamin supplements, never give them multivitamins made for human use. A human tablet may contain a higher dose of vitamins than dogs need, and it may cause mild to severe complications for the puppy. It may also include ingredients that arent pet-friendly.

Avoid Vitamin D and Prenatal Vitamins

Some multivitamins are highly toxic to dogs, such as prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins contain high amounts of iron, potentially causing iron toxicity in puppies.

Also, high levels of vitamin D can cause serious harm to your puppy. It can even cause permanent organ damage.

Avoid Caffeine

Never let your German Shepherd puppy consume caffeine. Dont even let them get close to it. Its toxic for them and may even result in life-threatening medical conditions. Caffeine consumption may increase body temperature, cause seizures, and lead to cardiac arrhythmia.

So, be extra careful when it comes to caffeine. For us, caffeine is a life-saving drug that has gotten us through the most stressful situations, but for our dogs, its too dangerous.

Avoid any supplement with Xylitol

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