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Is Grain Free Food Good For German Shepherds

Important Factors For German Shepherd Dog Foods

What we feed our german Shepherd – acana dog food – the honest kitchen bone broth

In addition to selecting a product that possesses the characteristics youd want in any good dog food, there are a few additional factors you should consider when purchasing food for your German shepherd. This will help you address the specific needs of your dog.

Some of the most important things to look for in a food include:

Best Wet Dog Food For German Shepherd

Are you looking for the best wet food for German Shepherds? Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Canned Dog Food is our favorite choice.

Why is this canned wet dog great for my GSD?

It starts with real deboned chicken that provides essential amino acids your GSD needs every day. Additionally, it comes with hearty whole grains like brown rice and barley supply the complex carbohydrates for healthy energy.

The formula is also packed with garden fruits and veggies, whole carrots and sweet potatoes, blueberries, cranberries, etc.

It is enhanced with vitamins and minerals to keep your GSD feeling active and energetic.

You can serve this wet dog food as a special treat, mixed with dry food, or all on its own

Walmart | Costco

Natural Balance Lid Large Breed Formula Dog Food

  • Type of Product: Dry LID adult food
  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Best for: Sensitive Stomach
  • AAFCO Statement: formulated to meet the nutritional needs established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance

With lamb as the first ingredient, this product offers a digestible, protein-rich food thats easy on sensitive stomachs. The limited ingredients help you to keep track of your pals diet. There are no artificial additives in the formula.

The product contains no corn, wheat, or soy but includes healthy gluten-free grains for digestible carbohydrates.

A balanced blend of vitamins and minerals promotes whole-body health. Natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin support joint function.

Owners who tried this food say it helps pups with sensitive stomachs have more normal digestion and poops.

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Best Food For German Shepherd To Gain Weight

If your German Shepherd needs extra calories, Purina Pro Plan Sport is your best option.

Perhaps your German Shepherd is underweight, needs to bulk up, or is a highly active dog that burns many calories, and you need to replenish them to maintain a healthy weight whatever the reason may be, this formula contains 496 calories per cup to help your GSD gain weight by building lean muscle.

It has almost 100 calories more than your standard kibble calorie count per cup. Packed with 30% protein and 20% fat to help metabolic fuel needs, avoid calorie deficiency, and maintain lean muscle.

But is it suitable for GSDs? GSD dog parents report its worked well on their pups. This formula is also enhanced with amino acids to support muscle development, fish oil, vitamin E, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and other essential vitamins and minerals that support healthy joints, maximum mobility, and overall mobilityhealth.

Its antioxidant-rich recipe nourishes your dogs immune system and helps defend it against free radicals.

Cons

Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health Dog Food

best grain free dog food for german shepherd

The Holistic Select pet food company has been around for more than a decade. One of the tenets that Holistic Select thrives on is in creating dog food that is 100% natural, high-quality, and that support the digestive health systems for dogs.

Our rating

We gave the Holistic Select Puppy Dog Food a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Pros

Unique Health Support

Why we choose this as the best food for the German Shepherd puppy is because of its exceptional health support. Many puppies find it challenging to digest foods during the first couple of days. The Holistic Puppy Health Dog Food is built with this in mind. It has a blend of probiotics and enzymes that make it easy for your puppy to digest.

Healthy Fat Sources

While Holistics advertising stresses on the merits of the digestive systems, its also worth noting that this dog food is a source for healthy fats. These are obtained from the whole grains and lean meat of lamb instead of chicken fat. Chicken fat is not unhealthy per se, but lamb is way more nutritious.

Cons

Considering how big or quickly your German Shepherd puppy grows, a single bag of food may run out rather fast. If you have a small budget, this could pose a challenge given the high price of the Holistic Select Puppy Health Food.

A majority of people are beginning to embrace a holistic lifestyle and this includes the food they eat. Precise believes that dogs should not be left behind in this movement.

Our rating

We rated this dog food product 4.4 out of 5 stars.

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Drawbacks Of Feeding Your Dog Dry Dog Food

The disadvantages of feeding your German Shepherd dry dog food lies mainly in the fact that there are so many poorly formulated variants which can be detrimental to your dogs health.

If you dont scrutinize your options, you might end up with over-processed ingredients, filler carbohydrates, and questionable animal parts. These dont just make your dog more prone to malnutrition, but also digestive distress. Symptoms of which include frequent bloating, vomiting, flatulence, and poorly formed stools.

Wet food can also be better for your dog, depending on their health condition.

For example, if you have an obese GSD, they might lose weight sooner on wet food because theyll feel fuller with smaller quantities due to the high-water content.

Additionally, if you have a senior dog or one with dental problems, wet dog food might be more beneficial.

What Can Puppy German Shepherds Eat

7 Best Food for German Shepherd Puppies Diamond Naturals Premium Large Breed Formulas. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Natural Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food. Eukanuba Puppy Dry Dog Food Chicken. Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Puppy Dog Food. Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy Breed Specific Dry Dog Food.

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Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

High protein content with moderate fat and calories is a recipe for balanced nutrition for your German Shepherd. We like this Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe because it provides 26% protein with just 12% fat and 340 calories per cup. With fresh chicken as the first ingredient, it is a lean source of protein to support your dogs lean muscle mass but not so high in fat or calories that your dog will gain too much weight. It contains digestible whole-grain carbohydrates like brown rice, barley, and oats with fresh fruits and vegetables to provide antioxidants as well as key nutrients. This recipe features probiotic supplements for healthy and regular digestion with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption. Plus, it comes in a larger kibble size and contains the unique nutrient ratios large breeds need for optimal health.

  • Pros: Formulated for large breeds, rich in lean protein, moderate fat and calories, digestible whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, chelated minerals, probiotics
  • Cons: Not a grain-free recipe

Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food

Best Dog Foods For German Shepherds
  • A synergistic blend of easily digestible ingredients to support energy levels in large-breed dogs
  • Supports your grown dogs joint health with natural sources of glucosamine & chondroitin
  • Uses a balanced set of minerals to promote heart and kidney health in large dogs
  • Nourishes your big dogs skin and supports a shiny coat with omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E
  • Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
  • 1 Veterinarian Recommended

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Dog Food & German Shepherds

We hope you were able to find the best dog food for your German Shepherd and learn a little bit about GSD nutrition and the relationship between dog food and raising a healthy German Shepherd.

If you found this article useful, please share it on social media and dog forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more content like this.

When Is It Time To Switch To A Grain

Food allergies in dogs arent very common. But, when they dohappen, grains could be a culprit.

Take note, though, that canine allergies dont alwaysmanifest in the skin. Sometimes, they show up as gastrointestinal issues likefrequent vomiting, gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

When these are issues you observe in your German Shepherd, it might be time to consider either a limited-ingredient dog food or a grain-free kibble.

Apart from obvious signs of allergies as well as digestive issues, other signs that your GSD might benefit from grain-free dog food include lack of energy, chronic infections, bad breath, dull coat, and dry skin.

Additionally, because commercial kibble often uses refined grains, they can cause chronic inflammation in the body. Thats something you want to avoid if you have an aging German Shepherd or one thats already exhibiting inflammatory issues like joint pain and arthritis.

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German Shepherd Food Tip From Jeff:

Since 2005, I’ve recommended various sources to our visitors for dog food. Today, I’ve found that Chewy has the absolute most incredible selection, offers auto ship & free delivery. Many of the quality formulas we discuss for feeding German Shepherds and other breeds on this website can only be found on line, not in brick & mortar stores.

Premium blends, grain free, working breed formulas and more! If you don’t plan on reading the rest of this website, at least do yourself a favor and check out Chewy. I promise you will not be disappointed in the thousands of brands they stock!

Ingredients To Look For In A Healthy Dog Food For German Shepherds

What Can German Shepherds Not Eat: Never Feed These 12 ...

When picking out the best dog food for German Shepherds, look for these ingredients on the ingredients panel:

  • Unprocessed protein sources like deboned chicken, beef, or fish
  • Fish oil and flaxseed oil for omega fatty acids
  • Grain-free or whole grain
  • Blueberries, kale, spinach, broccoli, and beets for antioxidants
  • Easily digestible carbohydrates like barley, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes

You should also read the guaranteed analysis panel for a crude protein content of 30% or higher, a crude fiber content of 6% or higher, a crude fat content of 20% or higher, and amino acids like arginine, leucine, and carnitine.

Check Out This Dog Food Finder!

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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Food

Another excellent option from Blue Buffalo, this Life Protection Formula puppy food has the high-quality ingredients you can expect from all this companys food.

This chicken and brown rice puppy blend contains no byproduct ingredients, multiple lean animal proteins, and only the highest quality grains. However, this food is moderately expensive and does not specifically cater to dogs with sensitive digestive systems.

Though it is an overall healthy choice, because of the German Shepherds tummy sensitivities, you run the risk of spending quite a bit on this food only to find that the grain blend just does not agree with them. Better to try a grain-free brand first and keep this option as a backup.

  • No modification to support a sensitive digestion
  • Grains may not agree with your puppys stomach

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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Grain In German Shepherd Dog Food Recipes

‘Whole grain’ used in dog food formulas has often been deemed unfit for human consumption.

These grains are usually one or more of the following:

  • contaminated
  • spilled
  • spolied

This type of grain is also known as “the tail of the mill.” This “grain” can include hulls, chaff, straw, dust, dirt, and sand swept from the mill floor. These are not “nutritional” ingredients.

Many of these items, such as peanut hulls, are used strictly for “filler” and have absolutely no nutritional value at all. The only real purpose they serve is to cut costs for the pet food companies.

It is hard to believe that AAFCO approves any ‘tail of the mill’ ingredients as acceptable in your dog’s diet.

What’s The Meat Content

What I Feed My German Shepherd (Grain-Free, Raw & Hip Dysplasia)

The ideal diet is one that has high protein content. but not any old crappy protein! It’s not just about the food being grain-free, you want something that’s packed with real meat ingredients.

So for example, Orijen’s Tundra is made with 85 percent real meat that’s super high. And Acana’s Grass-Fed Lamb is made with 50 percent meaty ingredients. And like I said, this is not some crappy rendered mix from low-quality proteins it’s real meat!

Some manufacturers don’t say how much meat they use, so you’ll only be able to go off the guaranteed analysis.

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Best Food For German Shepherd With Allergies

What is the best dog food for German Shepherds with allergies?

Whether your GSD suffers from skin allergies, food allergies, or food intolerance to certain ingredients, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein is the best hypoallergenic dog formula you feed a pup with allergies.

Its specifically formulated for dogs that have an intolerance or allergy to certain ingredients.

Talk to your veterinarian if your GSD has allergies to certain foods and see if this formula is the best fit. You can also do an at-home dog allergy test to determine which ingredients you should avoid feeding your dog.

So why is this food good for my German Shepherd with allergies?

If you didnt know, animal protein in dog food is the most common allergen that can result in itching, hair loss, and digestive upset. That is why this vet-exclusive formula uses hydrolyzed soy protein .Whats a hydrolyzed protein? Hybridization is a process that makes proteins smaller so they dont trigger an immune response .

This vet-exclusive formula helps dogs with itching, hair loss, and digestive upset by using smaller proteins to avoid the immune response that causes these issues. Its also highly digestible and supports gastrointestinal and dermatological health.

Its limited ingredients also make it great for GSD with allergies. They use one single source of carbohydrates. This product requires veterinary authorization.

Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Bison Meal, 2. Peas, 3. Pea Protein, 4. Tapioca, 5. Dried Egg

The holistic diet is a powerful blend of nutrition and great flavor. Earthborns recipe is formulated by animal nutrition experts to ensure your German Shepherd receives the best protein-rich food. The formula has an excellent flavor along with the perfect balance of nutrition your dog needs for weight maintenance and great health. Free from gluten and grains, the kibble is enriched with guaranteed levels of antioxidants for the optimal wellbeing of your dog.

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Why Should You Consider Grain

Regular commercial kibble often contains grains like wheat, corn, rice, barley, oats, rye, and soy.

These ingredients serve as sources of carbohydrates and fiber, which are essential to a balanced canine diet and a healthy digestive system. These grains are safe and even healthy for most dogs.

In some dogs especially those that are already predisposed to gastrointestinal distress these grains can be difficult to process. Apart from frequent stomach issues, continued feeding of such dog food could cause other health problems related to chronic inflammation and malabsorption.

Is It Safe To Feed German Shepherds A Grain

7 Best Dog Food for German Shepherds (June 2020: Reviews ...

The FDA provided an update to its investigation of grain-free diets and their potential link to dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. Products that include peas, lentils, or a potato-based ingredient in the top ten ingredients seem to be more problematic. Because German Shepherds are one of the large breed dogs with a genetic predisposition to the disease, its wise to consult with your veterinarian before switching to grain-free dog food.

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Wellness Complete Health Whitefish & Sweet Potato

Best Fish-Based LID Food

This is a sponsored placement, in which an advertiser pays a fee to be featured in this article. Learn more

Whitefish, Ground Barley , Rye Flour, Menhaden Fish Meal, Ground Pearled Barley…,

Sweet Potatoes, Canola Oil , Tomato Pomace, Natural Fish Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Minerals , Vitamins , Mixed Tocopherols , Choline Chloride, Taurine.

Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Formula

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

Caloric Content: 3,518 kcal/kg

The Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Formula Adult Dry Dog Food 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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