Good Food For German Shepherd

What Should Be In Your Dogs Diet

German Shepherds are carnivores by nature. They require a high amount of protein in their diet. This protein provides them with energy and keeps them strong and healthy. It is recommended that your German Shepherd gets about 22% of their needed protein in the diet.

They also require taking fat. Fat is burnt for energy and gives a taste to your dogs meals. Its recommended that an adult German Shepherd stays on diets that are 8-10% fats.

Fat also keeps your German Shepherds coat healthy. A German Shepherd sheds a lot throughout the year so it is important to give them the right amount of fat in their food.

As a rule of thumb, the more active your dog is, the more fats and proteins do they need. However, you still need to keep it limited because too much of a good thing turns it into a bad thing, and too much protein or fat intake is bad for your dog. For example, if you feed them a lot of fat, your German Shepherd will develop hip dyslexia.

Please keep in mind that in this article, Im not going to discuss the topic of dry food, because Its a topic that needs to go into in great depth. Fortunately, I have already done that in another article, so make sure to check out the best dog food for german shepherd puppies here.

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What Are The Best Meats For My German Shepherd

Here are the best meats for a German Shepherd:

Additionally, muscle meat and by-products such as hearts, livers, lungs, and kidneys are all good sources of protein, as well as the meat-meals made from them.

While you might turn your nose up at the thought of these animal organs, they contain essential nutrients your German Shepherd loves.

German Shepherd Puppy Food

German Shepherds grow quickly, so they should only be fed a puppy-specific formula for about six months before they start eating an adult dog food. Feeding them a puppy food for too long can cause rapid growth in the bones and joints, which can cause developmental orthopedic disease down the line.

Plan on feeding your German Shepherd puppy three to four meals a day, depending on the formula you choose.

Orijen Puppy

Orijen Puppy food prides itself on providing a formula that aligns with nature serving puppies a biologically appropriate amount of protein and nutrients to best nourish their growing bodies. This food contains quality protein sources, is low-glycemic, and is USA-made in Kentucky kitchens with fresh regional ingredients.

Main Ingredients: Boneless Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chicken Liver, Whole Herring, Boneless Turkey

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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.

What Food Should German Shepherds Avoid

There are certain ingredientsthat should not be in the best food for German Shepherds:

• Grapes and Raisins. These contain toxic compounds that can cause health problems in your dog. In extreme cases, they can lead to kidney failure and even death.
• Salt. Salt is a flavoring agent that is often added to dog food. However, excessive usage of salt can lead to salt poisoning and prevent water deprivation.
• Chocolate. This is among the most toxic compounds that a dog can eat. It can lead to an upset stomach and, if not treated, death.
• Macadamia Nut. These nuts can cause vomiting, muscle weakness, tremors, hyperthermia, and depression in your dog. As a result, they should be avoided at all costs.
• Onion. A key ingredient in onion is N-propyl disulfide which is highly toxic to dogs. Not only does it damage your dogs red blood cells, but it also can lead to anemia.
• Avocado. Avocados contain a toxin called person, which is considered toxic to dogs. It can lead to fluid buildup in their lungs, which can be fatal.

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What Is The Best Dog Food For German Shepherd

German Shepherds are a popular breed in the United States, coming in at second right behind Labradors.

They look imposing and are great guard dogs, but they are also wonderful family pets and service dogs. The first guide dog in America was a GSD called Buddy.

The best you can do for these gorgeous animals is by offering them the best dog food for German Shepherds. Read more below!

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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How Do Blue Heeler Gsd Mixes Get Along With Young Children

Blue Heeler German Shepherd mixes can get along with children through play. Yet, one thing about them is that they are more suitable for older children than young ones since they can be too energetic and, like their Australian Cattle Dog parent, may nip at kids.

Also, the latter may not know how to respect boundaries as they are still young.

Thus, parents should not leave their toddlers and small children with these breeds unsupervised.

Skip The Fancy Brands: A German Shepherd Diet You Can Afford

Feeding a well-balanced diet is an important part of your German Shepherds overall healthcare. However, that doesnt mean you have to break the bank by feeding food marketed as premium or super-premium. According to nutritionists at Tufts Universitys Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, less expensive food that meets your dogs nutritional needs is often a better option, provided its produced by companies with years of experience and knowledge in the pet food industry. These companies usually test their products more thoroughly, making them just as good as premium brands.

• What is the healthiest food for a German Shepherd puppy?

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What Is A Good Dog Food For German Shepherds

Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Wilderness Blue Buffalo is the best GSD dog food. It has the perfect ingredients for large dog breeds like the German Shepherd, particularly for those with food allergies.

What can German Shepherds not eat?

Foods poisonous to German Shepherds include chocolate, grapes, avocados, garlic, onions, leeks, wild mushrooms, macadamia nuts, walnuts, alcohol, and salt. Some more obscure foods are also toxic to dogs, such as xylitol , yeast dough, raw potatoes, hops, green tomatoes, and moldy food.

What food makes dogs grow bigger?

Protein is muscle food and while grains, rice and potatoes contain a fair amount, meat is the most concentrated source of protein and the easiest way to build your puppys fast-growing physique.

What age does a German shepherd become aggressive?

What Age Does a German Shepherd Become Aggressive? A German Shepherd becomes aggressive at around 3 to 6 months old. This escalates during the adolescent stage from 6 months to two years old as sexual maturity arises and hormones fluctuate.

What do German Shepherds hate?

Make sure your dog is a happy pet by avoiding these bad habits which your German Shepherd hates.

How can I Keep my German Shepherd dog healthy?

Regular walks and exercise will help the German Shepherd Dog stay in shape, but also maintain a routine, two things that are important to the breed. 4. Early socialization with other people and dogs will help your German Shepherd Dog avoid behavioral problems. 5.

How Often Should I Feed My German Shepherd

No matter how old your German Shepherd is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. This can assist in house and obedience training, as well as monitoring your dogs food intake. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.

Adult dogs should be fed once in the morning, and once in the evening. You should consider how exercise fits into your dogs routine. It can be useful for your dog to get some exercise after their evening meal in particular, to make sure they have time to burn off all that energy before bedtime.

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German Shepherds Nutritional Guidelines To Follow

The Association of American Feed Control Officials , the entity regulating dog food nutritional value in commercial dog food, states there are six indispensable nutrients that all dog meals require to support life and function in dogs and provide a balanced and healthy diet.

A proper homemade diet should consider your pups weight, health conditions, size, and activity level. Your German Shepherd will grow strong and healthy if these six components are present and you consider these factors.

Below is a breakdown of each nutrient and its importance.

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.

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Are Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mixes Aggressive

Blue Heeler German Shepherd mixes can be aggressive if they feel threatened to escape the situation or uneasy around some strangers due to their instinctual protective nature.

Aside from these particular circumstances, this dog breed has a tendency to nip at your heels to herd you, a trait they inherited from their Blue Heeler parent.

However, with proper training and early socialization, its possible that their aggressive behavior can be lessened.

The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds

The best diet for your German Shepherd is one thats rich in high-quality animal protein with plenty of healthy fats and the optimal balance of essential nutrients. To help you choose the best dog food for your faithful companion, weve compiled a list of our top picks for puppies and adult dogs.

Like other Blue Buffalo recipes, this formula for large-breed puppies puts high-quality animal protein first. It also includes LifeSource Bits to provide a rich blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for balanced nutrition.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large-Breed Puppy Recipe

A great option for puppies, this dry dog food is packed with deboned chicken, healthy grains, and antioxidant-rich ingredients.

Featuring farm-raised chicken, whole-grain brown rice, and sweet potatoes, this formula is designed to support your German Shepherds health and wellness.

Nutro Natural Choice Large-Breed Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

For large breeds like German Shepherds, this recipe boasts ingredients like real chicken and brown rice to help support a dogs whole health.

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What Is The Best Food For German Shepherds With Sensitive Stomachs

If your German Shepherd has a sensitive stomach, you’ll want to find a dog food that is easy on their digestive system. There are many brands of dog food that offer formulas specifically for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

These foods often have limited ingredient lists and use easily digestible ingredients, such as chicken or potato.

German Shepherd Feeding Chart

So youve got yourself a German shepherd, and you think you can take care of them just fine without any knowledge. However, this will be your undoing. Youll realize that you cant get by without studying German shepherds.

German shepherds are similar to humans in the sense that they need to eat consistently. And just like us, they, too, have specific feeding amounts and nutrient requirements. You cant just make them eat whatever you lay your eyes on. However, as their owner, you cant always rely on your keen observation.

They can be a bit dishonest sometimes. They may even hide their hunger. Thats why you wont figure out their needs by simply observing. Thats why you need to have clear standards, especially on how you feed them. Overeating can cause sugar levels to spike. The opposite can cause malnutrition.

Either way, this German shepherd feeding chart will be a helpful asset when taking care of these dogs.

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Taste Of The Wild Sierra Mountain

Formulated with novel proteins, Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain nourishes your canine companion with the perfectly balanced diet nature has intended. This grain-free dog food is a perfect lamb meal with peas and sweet potatoes that deliver your dogs highly-digestible energy.

After the cooking process, it contains specific K9 strain probiotics added to the recipe to retain their efficacy. It also includes antioxidants and prebiotics to help support a healthy metabolic function, immune system, optimal growth of bones, joints, lean muscles, and overall health and wellness.

This high-quality dog food only uses quality ingredients from trusted and sustainable local and global sources. The essential minerals are effectively combined with amino acids to augment their absorption in the body and ensure maximum benefit with a delicious taste of the wild your dog will surely love.

Specifications

• Recommended for dogs with chicken intolerance, sensitive stomachs, and also for picky eaters

Cons

• Few buyers complained of its strong smell.

Our Verdict

Our team gladly gives a thumbs up to this grain-free lamb meal recipe that combines premium natural animal protein, vegetables, legumes, and fruits to complement your pets healthy digestive system, strong bones, and shiny skin especially recommended for German Shepherd with delicate guts. However, few buyers commented on its strong smell.

Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain

Merrick Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe

Top 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes

There is also chondroitin and glucosamine, which assists with a German Shepherds mobility, as well as both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to help with a shiny coat and healthy skin.

There has been some suggestion however that the kibble size is too small for some dogs, however this is not necessarily a negative for all dogs.

Additionally, this dry food is gluten free and does not contain any artificial colors, preservatives or flavors, as well as being poultry-free for any dogs that may have poultry allergies.

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Recommended Supplements For German Shepherds

Here are the best breed-specific supplements GSDs may benefit from.

• Hip & Joint: German Shepherds are prone to bone and joint problems like osteoarthritis. To prevent or alleviate these problems, its wise to supplement their diet with Glucosamine and Chondroitin to help maintain an active lifestyle and support joint tissue. Finn Hip & Joint is an excellent choice.
• Digestive health: Giving dog probiotics can help with issues like Inflammatory Bowel Disease and EPI, both common in this breed. It can also help reduce your dogs inflammatory responses to food allergens.
• Immune system: GSDs are more susceptible to cancers than most dogs, particularly as they age. Adding dog immune system supplementation may help boost your dogs defenses. Cannabidiol products like CBD for dogs have also been shown to can anti-carcinogenic properties and promote immune health.

Because of the risk of bloating in GSDs, you should avoid raised dog bowls, give small frequent meals, invest in a slow feeder, and avoid vigorous exercise after meals. You may also want to add a multivitamin like Zesty Paws Multivitamin Chews to ensure your GSD pup gets the recommended balance of vitamins and minerals.

Always consult your vet before making any changes to your dogs diet.

How Much To Feed A German Shepherd Puppy

Depending on your puppys current weight, activity level, and metabolism, you should plan to feed your puppy 3 or 4 times each day.

Older puppies can be fed fewer times per day, but be sure not to limit the caloric intake below the recommended amount.

Smaller, more frequent meals will help prevent bloatgastric dilatation volvulus is a potentially life-threatening condition.

Frequent meals will also help stabilize your puppys blood sugar and energy level to help them grow steadily, not in fits and starts.

Puppies need two or three times the number of calories as adult dogs do. This may seem strange considering puppies are much smaller than adults.

However, German Shepherd puppies grow extraordinarily fast, so their caloric intake needs to support that.

To figure out how much to feed your German Shepherd puppy, look at his or her weight. Females will be slightly smaller and lighter than males.

Using the weight chart above, the general food chart in the previous section, and considering the gender and activity level of your puppy, you can calculate the approximate amount of food to feed daily.

Split that daily amount up between all meals. For example, if your 3-month-old GSD puppy is a male and weighs 30 pounds, you should feed him approximately 2 cups per day.

If he is eating 4 times per day, that would be ½ a cup of food at each of 4 meals.

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