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Raw Dog Food For German Shepherds

Turkey Rice And Vegetables Mix

Raw Dog Food Recipe: Making Raw Food for my German Shepherd Dog

Ingredients:

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  • 6 cups of water
  • 2 cups white or brown rice
  • ½ cup mixed frozen veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots
  • Optional 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

Directions:

  • Place all the ingredients, except for the frozen veggies, in a large pot, stir until the turkey is broken up then bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
  • Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
  • Add the frozen veggies and let the mixture cool for 5 minutes.
  • Remove, leave it to cool, and serve.

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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Understanding German Shepherds Needs

The German Shepherd Dog is a large-breed canine with a long back, erect ears and large eyes. They are one of the most recognizable breeds on the planet, are known for their excellence in military and are often fed like a canine athlete .

GSDs are jack of all trades. They excel as loyal family dogs, service dogs, and are the most famous police working dogs. On average, a German Shepherd dog lives about 12 years.

In order to extend their lifespan as long as possible, you need to pick the best dog food for German Shepherds that will cater to this canineâs individual needs, ensure preventative health care plan is in place, and have a general plan for their physical and mental stimulation.

There are a lot of best German Shepherd dog food reviews online, but the problem with some of those is that they do not address the specific requirements of this breed, which is mostly due to their resting metabolism and activity level as working dogs.

As with any breed, youâll have to update your German Shepherdâs diet depending on his age, activity level and health condition. German Shepherd puppies require much different nutrients than senior dogs, and GSDs that are working dogs need to eat more calories per day with a specific protein to fat to carbohydrate ratio with added vitamins and minerals.

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When People Find Out We Make Our Own Dog Food At Home They Always Ask Us What About A Raw Diet So Lets Get That Out Of The Way First

There are LOTS of thoughts and theories on feeding your dog a raw diet especially a dog that is living with kidney disease. Our vet however, was personally opposed to feeding a raw diet due to the fact that dogs, just like us, are very susceptible to food poisoning. Besides that, a raw diet can be tricky to get just right! You run the risk of giving your dog a horrible belly ache by mixing a raw diet with cooked treats, so if you decided to go raw it is important to have both raw meals and raw treats planned for your pup at all times. NO MIXING the two! Since raw and cooked foods digest at different rates any combination of the two can wreak serious havoc on your pups gut which can lead to some pretty unpleasant situations for you if you get my drift.

Can Dogs Eat Ham

German Shepherd Raw Food Diet Guide: Recipes, Benefits &  FAQs

Can Dogs Eat Ham? 1 Yes, its a protein, and dogs need protein. But there are much better sources of protein in other types of meat. 2 Store-bought ham, which is what most of us use, contains a great deal of sodium, which isnt good for people or dogs. 3 Ham has a higher fat content than many other types of meat.

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German Shepherd Raw Diet Cost

According to Statista, the average price of traditional kibble cost 1.97 U.S. dollars per pound while high-end kibble was $3.466 per pounds6.

We calculated the average price per pound for the most popular, high-end raw commercial foods in the market to be $6.4, with lower-end raw options costing $3.8 per pound.

We also looked into the price per pound of the most popular meats. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, beef, chicken, and turkey have an average price per pound of $3.9, $1.5, and $1.28, respectively.

If you were to cook raw homemade meals, dog food expenses shouldnt vary much when comparing kibble prices per pound against the price of meats at grocery stores.

On the other hand, buying commercial raw-meat food over traditional kibble results in a slightly higher price per pound but we think the health benefits and convenience are worth the price.

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.

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Best Dog Foods For German Shepherds

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a large breed dog food for your German shepherd, but the most important thing is that your dog wants to eat it, so try to choose something you know your dog will like. Remember, meal isnt necessarily bad. Whole protein meals like chicken meal or salmon meal are great for this large breed.

If your German shepherds dont like chicken, try food with beef or salmon. If it doesnt like dry food, try adding some wet food into it or switch to wet food altogether. If it has GI issues, maybe stick with grain free.

It doesnt matter how much time you spend choosing a great German shepherd food, if your dog wont eat it, it isnt getting any of the benefits. This is why its a good idea to consider food with a satisfaction guarantee.

Homemade Dog Food Delivery Service

GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS AND A RAW FOOD DIET

If you are a German Shepherd pet owner struggling to find time to cook for your GSD and wish your dog could eat whole, fresh homemade foods more often, a homemade dog food delivery service might be a great fit.

Nom Nom is one of our favorite options. They deliver fresh, prepared homemade dog food tailored to your pups dietary needs straight to your door. Everything is made from real, human-grade ingredients

Their food is developed with the input of a veterinary nutritionist and following the AAFCO nutritional guidelines. They do all the cooking for you, so you never have to worry about using the wrong ingredients, proper nutrition guidelines, portion sizes, and more.

All their meals are customizable to your dogs unique dietary needs, age, nutritional goals, and other key factors. For instance, if your GSD has food-related health issues like allergies or an illness, they will create a recipe that caters to this.

In our experience, its a huge time-saver, and you can spend time on more important things like walks or training. Plus, you avoid all the hassle of planning, shopping, and cooking. We think its worth the cost after you add up the prices of all the ingredients youll need to cook a recipe.

Our readers have access to save 50% off your first order of Nom Nom, just use this linkto get your GSDs first homemade meal.

Check out Canine Bibles GSD Khaleesi trying out Nom Nom homemade dog food. She definitely recommends it!

Noah SanchezGerman Shepherd

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Raw Dog Food Recipes For German Shepherds

Here is a list of our favorite German Shepherd raw dog food recipes you can cook.

We have also added a recipe for a special treat that is tasty and packed with impressive health benefits. This recipe can do a lot for your GSDs health and wellness. It has our favorite secret ingredient, dog CBD oil.

For even more German Shepherd raw recipes and cooking options, this raw dog food cookbook can come in handy to have at your disposal. Or better yet, you can get the best raw dog food for german shepherds from one of the brands we recommend on our Raw Dog Food Guide.

Note: Please consult with your pets veterinarian & use personal judgment when applying this information to your dogs diet. The recipes below do not include serving size because portion sizes will vary depending on breed, weight, activity level, age, and health of your dog.

CBD Infused Treat | Ground Beef Raw Mix | Raw Boneless Turkey |Organ Patties | Chicken & Greens

What Should I Look For In A German Shepherd Dog Food

When looking for the best dog food for German Shepherds, you should consider several factors:

  • Ingredients. Make sure that the constituent ingredients are obtained from a reliable source. Additionally, there should not be any fillers, additives, dyes, and flavors that have been added artificially. The food can also contain beneficial ingredients, including sweet potatoes, blueberries, and carrots, among others.
  • Nutritional Needs. German Shepherds are large dogs that have specific nutritional needs. Make sure that the food you opt for offers these dietary supplements. You can also consult a vet for the best results.
  • Shelf Life. Make sure that the brand you opt for has a decent shelf life. Otherwise, your food might expire early, and you will be left buying it over and over again. It should, however, be kept in mind that too much of a shelf life could indicate the presence of preservatives that are not considered healthy.
  • Cost. Since food is a lifelong commitment, make sure that the product is cost-effective and easy on your pocket. Most premium brands will have cheaper counterparts that you can opt for.

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Raw Boneless Turkey & Egg Dog

This recipe will make 11 pounds of raw food, which is 6-7 days worth of food for a 50-pound dog. The amount you feed will depend on your dogs weight and exercise level.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 teaspoon kelp

Directions

  • If you have a grinder, grind the chicken heart and beef liver. If you dont have a grinder, chop the liver and heart into small cubes.
  • Puree the eggs, kale, broccoli, dandelion greens, berries, bone meal, pumpkin seed powder, salt, and kelp in a food processor.
  • Mix the ground turkey, liver, heart, and veggie/berry mix.
  • Place the mixture into smaller containers and place them in your freezer. Its best to freeze your food in 1-3 day portions.
  • How Much Food Should A German Shepherd Puppy Eat

    German Shepherd Puppy Diet Guide â We love german Shepherd

    So, what about puppies, you may ask. How much should you feed a German Shepherd puppy?

    A German Shepherd puppy needs about twice as many calories per pound of body weight as an adult German Shepherd. Therefore a mature puppy weighing 45lbs needs around 2100 calories, the same as an active adult twice its weight.

    Heres a rough guide on how much dry food to feed your German Shepherd puppy.

    Weight of Puppy
    945-1040

    If you are feeding dry dog food, your brand choice should have the recommended feeding guidelines on the packaging for puppies . In addition, most brands display helpful tables or calculators on their websites.

    Pro Tip: When my German Shepherd was a growing puppy, I visited my vet every month to weigh her and get a quick overall check of her general health.

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    We Answer Your Questions Around Supplements

    • Why should I feed my dog bone broth?

      Our 100% human grade bone broth is great for any pup who needs a little added pep in their step or moisture in their diet. Bone broth is a great source of collagen which is rich in benefits it helps with joint health especially in cases of arthritis, a healthy skin and coat and boosts the overall immune system.

    • What are the benefits of Kefir?

      Kefir promotes healthy digestion. And ours, which is made from Certified Humane® Kefir and USDA Raw Organic Dairy, has 9 active cultures and 1.5 billion live probiotics per oz to do just that. The benefits continue with the addition of organic cinnamon and turmeric, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. And to top it off, this healthy topper is super tasty.

    • How should I feed these supplements?

      These supplements should only be fed as healthy topper to upgrade your pups diet. Simply click on the product to learn the specific feeding guidelines.

    Raw Dog Food Diet: The Cons

    While there are many benefits to feeding your German Shepherd a raw food diet, there are also some potential drawbacks that you should be aware of. Here are some of the most significant cons:

    • Raw diets can be more expensive than kibble, as you will need to purchase meat and other ingredients separately.
    • Raw food requires more preparation than kibble, as you will need to cook or grind the meat yourself.
    • There is a risk of bacteria contamination with raw meat, so it is important to handle and prepare it carefully.

    Some German Shepherds may not take well to a sudden switch to a raw diet, so it is important to transition them slowly.

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    How Often Should I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy

    Puppies receive all the relevant nutrients from birth by feeding on their mother. However, its safe to begin the weaning process onto a new diet for your German Shepherd after three to four weeks.

    As previously mentioned, a growing German Shepherd puppy has different nutritional needs than an adult dog. But did you know puppies also need feeding more frequently at various stages of growth?

    Lifetime Expenses Of Owning A German Shepherd

    How To Feed RAW Food To A German Shepherd – K9 Mukbang

    The life expectancy of a German Shepherd is 9 to 13 years. Within this period, you will need to provide everything they need to live out their carefree lives.

    From the data I discussed in the former section, we can compute the lifetime expenses of having a German Shepherd puppy companion.

    The estimated expenses for the first year cost around $2,795 to $5,495, including the puppy.

    Assuming that the average monthly cost for your dog is $160 for the succeeding years, we can estimate that the lifetime cost of tending a GSD is around $18,155 to $25,835.

    However, this amount doesnt include miscellaneous expenses that may arise. Emergencies can happen anytime and you need to financially prepare for these situations.

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    Why Are Ingredients Important

    Here’s a list of ingredients of a large breed puppy food from a well-known high-end dog kibble

    Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Oats, Whole Grain Sorghum, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Pork Fat, Chicken Liver Flavor, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Fish Oil, Lactic Acid, Pork Flavor, Iodized Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, vitamins , Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, minerals , Oat Fiber, L-Carnitine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Peas.

    Firstly, anyone will tell you, the fewer ingredients the better. More ingredients mean the food has been messed around with and processed loads. This list has 46 ingredients!

    Also, the rule of thumb with any ingredient list is

    The higher up in the order, the more of it there is. So let’s do a quick analysis

    So just looking at ingredients 2 through to 6 and what do you notice?

    Yup, that’s right wheat, oats, sorghum, corn, and corn again.

    And nowhere in the first seven ingredients do so see anything that resembles muscle meat!

    What Is The Best Dog Food For Older German Shepherds

    No matter what age, it’s never to late to switch to a better diet! If you have a senior German Shepherd, a raw diet can help increase their energy level. Their new and better diet can even improve their health!

    Raw food may seem daunting, as your dog hasn’t been eating it for the entirety of its life. However, the benefit of raw food on senior dogs could increase their lifespan and reduce the risk of diseases caused by aging.

    If your dog is older and you’re concerned about the aging effects on your dog’s health, consider a raw diet.

    Boaz was an eight-year-old German Shepherd with cancer symptoms. He then switched to a BARF diet, and he seemed to revitalize almost magically. A limp he previously had is now undetectable, and his owner describes him as “looking phenomenal.”

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