Victor Dog Food Reviews
Victor is a high quality, reasonably priced dry kibble made in Texas. They offers a purpose line of dry kibble. There are three versions I like:
Victor Grain Free Active Dog & Puppy has 33 percent protein and is what I feed my dog daily. The price-point is good, and the kibble quality is just as good as more expensive dog food. This is an All Life Stages food OK for large breed dogs.
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Victor Grain Free Ultra Pro, which has 42 percent protein, and is perfect for adult working line German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois with lots of energy and drive. Think K9.
Because the Ultra Pro is a high protein dog food with a lot of calories, your dog may get fat if he/she is extremely active. Also, Ultra Pro is an All Life Stages food, but is not for growing large breed puppies.
I mix the Ultra Pro and the Active Dog & Puppy to give my German Shepherd a little variety. Ninety percent of his food is the Active Dog & Puppy, though. The other 10 percent is the Ultra Pro and Hero Canine.
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A lot of folks like the Hero Canine. Hero Canine is an adult maintenance formula, not an All Life Stages, and is not for puppies.
Below is a German Shepherd dog food recommendation by German Shepherd Man.
How Much Food Should A German Shepherd Eat
German Shepherds are a powerful breed, making them some of the biggest eaters too!
As you know, if you have a German Shepherd or if you are looking to get one, German Shepherds are highly active animals that need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to be happy and healthy.
German Shepherds also need a balanced diet to supplement their activity levels.
Adult male German Shepherds weigh, on average, around 75 to 90 pounds, and a female German Shepherd weighs between 55 to 70 pounds.
The recommended calorie intake per day is for a puppy starts at a minimum of 500 calories. If you have a German Shepherd puppy, you will monitor and increase their food intake as they grow.
The recommended calorie intake per day is for a young and active German Shepherd is between 1,500 and 2,300 calories.
The recommended calorie intake per day is for an adult German Shepherd is roughly between 1,700 and 2,000 calories.
Senior German Shepherds become less active, and their calorie intake per day drops to around 1,200 to 1,400 calories per day.
Its recommended to feed your German Shepherd twice per day, separating their daily food intake in half and feeding equal amounts in the morning and evening to help prevent bloat.
Reasons Why Your German Shepherd May Need To Gain Weight
If your dog is underweight, your veterinarian should be able to help you determine the root cause and address it.
In most cases, it is only a matter of dietary adjustments. Youll either need to give your dog more food or shift to one with a better nutritional profile.
Unfortunately, sometimes, a German Shepherds inability to gain weight is a sign of an underlying health condition. They could have an illness that causes a lack of appetite, or, they could have parasites that deprive them of their foods nutrition. Sometimes, dental problems also lead to being underweight.
GSDs can also be underweight for a variety of other reasons. For example, stress caused by a change in their environment could affect not only their appetite but also their digestive system.
Additionally, dogs tend to eat less when theyre older, so senior German Shepherds might need to shift to a more appropriate food variant.
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Final Thoughts On Dog Foods For Weight Gain In German Shepherds
We hope that this article has been helpful to you and that you will now be in a better position to help your German Shepherd gain the weight that they need.
Certainly, it is important to maintain a healthy and happy pet, and our goal has been to help you do just that. If we have succeeded in this, we hope that you will come back soon to read more of our work.
German Shepherd Puppy Allergy Supplements
German Shepherd puppies with sensitive skin do well with salmon oil added to their daily diet.
PetHonesty Anti-Scratch Salmon Oil Turkey Flavored Liquid Allergy Supplement for Dogs is a liquid oil supplement thats easily added to your puppys food. It may even entice a picky eater to finish their meal down to the last morsel!
But thats not all
Research shows that omega fatty acid oils are beneficial to help soothe inflamed skin and add moisture to combat itching and scratching.
How awesome is that?
If your puppy is very picky you may need to gradually add in the oil to get them used to the taste. Or, you can give them an allergy supplement with a chewy texture, such as PetHonesty Allergy Skin Health Salmon Flavored Soft Chews Skin & Coat Supplement.
Stay away from multi-vitamins for puppies as your dogs dry kibble is complete and balanced. Any additional vitamins and minerals in a concentrated form could cause joint damage during growth due to a calcium or phosphorus imbalance.
I know thats a lot of information to take in
But stick with me here and youll learn lots to help manage your German Shepherds itchy skin.
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Why Do German Shepherds Need Different Food
German shepherds are large dogs that usually weigh 60 to 90 pounds. According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, if you have an inactive or older dog, they require between 1,272 and 1,540 calories per day.
Furthermore, active dogs need between 1,740 and 2,100 calories per day. This type of nutrition can only be provided by food specific to this breed.
Also, unlike other dog breeds, German Shepherd pups are given a puppy-specific diet for only six months . This is done so that rapid growth in the pup is limited as it can cause problems in their bones and joints.
Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy Food
Rating:
Large Breed Puppy is one of 21 dry recipes covered in our review of the Blue Buffalo Life Protection product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: Growth
- Best for:German Shepherd Puppies
Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy gets most of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 17% fat and 46% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
An exceptional formula with a wide variety of recipes you can use when its time to switch your puppy to an adult food. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewSo far this has been a good dry puppy food for my 3 month old Doberman Pinscher pup. His coat is really shiny and so soft. He has a lot of energy and his stools are firm. I would recommend this for your large breed puppy for sure!
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Good Food For German Shepherd To Gain Weight
This dry dog food by Victor is a decent option for your German Shepherd. It contains meat heavily early on in the ingredient list. Plus, its animal products come from many different sources, including beef and chicken. This diversification prevents canines from developing an allergy to certain ingredients. Just like humans, dogs need to get their nutrients from a diverse variety of foods, and this dog food provides it.
Its macronutrient breakdown isnt exactly what we would hope. The carbohydrates are a little high at 36.26%. However, it does not use pea protein or other potentially dangerous ingredients to jack up the protein content. Much of the protein comes from actual, premium meat. This high-quality protein also provides essential amino acids, which helps keep your pooch healthy and strong.
The only non-meat ingredient included in the first five is sorghum. This is a starchy cereal that is similar to corn. It is gluten-free and doesnt spike blood sugar, which makes it a great non-meat ingredient.
Runner Up
- 22.73% Fat
- 34.09% Carbohydrates
Furthermore, it does not contain peas, potatoes or many of the other fillers were used to seeing in other brands. Corn gluten meal is the second ingredient. However, in most cases, it is much better to feed your dog a food with a grain like corn than one with peas and other fillers. Corn is actually quite nutritionally beneficial for dogs, especially when you consider that they evolved to eat it.
Runner Up
German Shepherd Diet And Nutrition
German Shepherds need a diet high in meat-based protein to support muscle strength as well as healthy fats to sustain energy. Active German Shepherds need roughly 1,740 to 2,100 calories, according to the NRCNA. However, individual dietary needs depend on activity level, metabolism, health, and sensitivities.
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Best Overall: Victor Stew Grain
In our review, Victor stew grain-free with beef and vegetable cuts in gravy leads the pack as Victors best-canned dog food. The American canine food manufacturer is renowned for its outstanding dog feeds, but this variant is in high demand for its rich ingredients. Its high fat and protein concentration ensures quicker and healthier growth for your dog.
Victor stew grain-free beef and vegetable cuts in gravy come in a blue container. It is classified as an all-life stages food for dogs. However, it is highly encouraged that you strictly monitor your dogs growth while giving it the food, as it could make the dog grow big and become obese. Read the container to ensure that you give your dog the correct quantity it needs or see a professional veterinarian.
Its active ingredients include Chicken, beef, veggies, peas, dried egg product, potatoes, natural flavor, salt, fish oil, calcium carbonate, minerals, vitamins, fiber, and more.
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
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Video Answer: Victor Dog Food
Victor Dog Food is a good-quality dog food that comes at a reasonable price.
They provide high-protein recipes for dogs of different activity levels and a wide range of grain-free options.
If your Pitbull doesnt have a grain allergy or sensitivity, there is also an active puppy and dog formula in the Victor Select line of products.
The Victor Select Nutra Pro recipe is high in protein and low in carbohydrates for dogs with moderate to high activity levels.
Royal Canin German Shepherd Adult Breed Specific Dry Dog Food
German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds of dogs. The ingredients in Royal Canin German Shepherd Adult Breed Specific Dry Dog Food have been tailored to meet their unique needs, which include:
- specific levels and right balance of proteins for building muscles and developing strong bones that will not easily break.
- various heights so it is comfortable to chase down prey or express emotions such as anger or happiness.
- low levels of fat that provides a healthy coat without over grooming by fur mats, oils, or dirt.
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What About Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates in reasonable amounts are a source of energy for all living creatures.
However, carbohydrates are not nutritionally required in our dogs diet for them to be robust and healthy.
Its true. Many dogs thrive on raw diets consisting of protein, fats, and fiber. Dogs dont nutritionally need corn, wheat, and other carb fillers found in inexpensive, low-quality dog food.
Dog food manufacturers love carbs because they are the meat and potatoes in making kibble. Carbs also give dry food a long shelf life and are cheaper per calorie than proteins or fats.
Carbs are not nutritionally needed to sustain a high-energy breed like a German Shepherd, but not all carbs are bad. The key is the source of the carbohydrate and the amount of carbs your dog consumes.
When choosing a commercial dog food, look for a low carb and high protein percentage. Slow-release carbohydrates are best for absorption and balanced energy levels for your German Shepherd.
The best resource to find a high-quality dog is Dog Food Advisor.
German Shepherd Dog Dry
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Hi Everyone,
Today I answer a question about why we use Victor dry-food.
Just curious, why do you feed Victor Premium Beef & Rice? How long have you fed it to your dogs? I have been doing a lot of research on feeding. Have you ever considered feeding the Victor grain-free formulas? Do you have any opposition to it being fed? I have kept feeding the regime you feed your dogs to Rain. This is what has prompted my researching thoroughly how to feed dogs and commercially prepared dog food. Just in doing this I am switching my other dogs and my cats food also. My Local feed store is able to get me the Victor kibble at a great price which I am very happy about. Wanted to know if you had any pros or Cons on the Grain free formulas provided by Victor?
Hi Alicia,
Victor Super Premium Dog Food Beef Meal & brown Rice For all Life Stages
The Victor Super Premium Beef Meal & Brown Rice for All Life Stagesformula is basically grain free with the exception of the brown rice of course. We believe brown rice is safe and healthy for German Shepherd Dogs. Actually, if we have a sick or recovering German Shepherd Dog puppy or adult, we would feed it home cooked brown rice and cooked ground beef or ground venison to help it recover, just as we feed chicken soup to humans recovering from an illness.
Victor ingredients
Thank you, Alicia for your wonderful questions and I hopefully have provided reasonable answers for you.
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Amazon Brand Wag Dry Dog/puppy Food 35% Protein No Added Grains
Ready for any meal of the day or night? Wag Dry Food is here!
This low-fat, nutritionally complete food can be fed to your adult dog no matter if theyre active during the daytime or need an evening snack. Ideal for dogs with a sensitive stomach as it features 36% protein that doesnt cause gas.
Symptoms Of Allergies In German Shepherds
An itchy German Shepherd might have skin allergies.
The most common symptom of a skin allergy is incessant itching. But, skin allergies can cause a range of symptoms in a German Shepherd.
These may include:
- Excessive licking
- Sores
- Red, irritated or flakey skin
- Biting or chewing the skin
- Hair loss
- Shaking their head
- Rubbing of ears or face
- Rubbing or scooting on surfaces
With severe skin allergies in German Shepherds, youre not only managing the discomfort and distress of the allergic reaction but also the more severe risk of secondary infection.
Besides food, have you considered your dog might have other allergies to manage?
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The Best Dog Food For German Shepherd Puppies With Skin Allergies
German Shepherd puppies can also experience the discomfort of skin allergies.
If you own a German Shepherd puppy youll want to feed a dry kibble dog food that is specially formulated for sensitive skin and stomach, has limited ingredients, or is created for gentle digestion. Its a better practice to provide a large breed puppy with a nutritionally complete sensitive kibble for them to avoid any imbalances during their crucial growing time.
Dry kibble is the easiest to feed your puppy due to convenience, price, and the polishing effects on your puppys teeth for dental health. But, if your puppy prefers, you can moisten their food with warm water to soften the dry kibble into a mush to make the texture more enticing.
What Is The Best Food For German Shepherds With Joint Problems
If your German Shepherd has joint problems, you’ll want to find a dog food that is rich in omega-three fatty acids. These essential nutrients help to reduce inflammation and pain in the joints.
There are many brands of dog food that offer formulas specifically for dogs with joint problems. These foods often contain ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which are known to help relieve joint pain.
Now let’s chat in more detail about the best dog foods for your furry friend.
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What Foods Are Bad For German Shepherds
German Shepherds can eat certain human foods, but others are unsafe. Avoid foods with high sugar content and certain dairy products that can be unhealthy for any lactose intolerant dog.
Generally, German Shepherds best natural dog food is animal protein such as a lamb meal, beef or chicken, though some GSD owners have been known to feed their pets venison!
Animal protein is used because its a great source of essential amino acids, which are important for muscle development.
Experts strongly recommend that if you give pork to your pet that it be well-cooked. If serving a fish meal, like salmon, be sure to cook it as as certain fish also contain parasites, although salmon oil is fine as its already been prepared.
Foods that are not only bad for German Shepherds but can also be deadly include:
- Almonds
- Onions
- Xylitol
But GSDs can eat fruits like apples, bananas, blueberries, kiwis, mangos and strawberries. While it may be tempting to give human snacks to your pet, always check that they are safe. Certain human foods can cause your pet extreme distress or even kill them.
If in doubt, stick to known food brands like Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Dog Food.
There are also so many tasty treats available for your pet that are also safe for them to eat, so stick with what has been tested before giving human food to your German Shepherd.