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!
Benefits Of Feeding Raw Meat To Your German Shepherd
According to the Animal Humane Society, a home-cooked and raw food diet is better only because it offers better digestibility. While raw and fresh food is typically 98% digestible, commercial dog food has a lower digestibility of 80%. Thats not to say that kibble is harmful. It only means that fresh food is more efficient at providing nutrients.
Additionally, many believe that a fresh diet composed mainly of raw meat better mimics what German Shepherds would eat in the wild. Theoretically, because their bodies are adapted for such a diet, dogs that eat raw meat tend to be healthier and less prone to digestive issues, which are common among GSDs.
How Often Should I Feed My Adult German Shepherd
For most adult German Shepherds, feeding twice per day, around 10 to 12 hours apart is healthy.
Regardless of the feeding schedule you choose, avoid allowing your German Shepherd to exercise vigorously after consuming a large meal for at least 1 2 hours. This is especially true if your dog eats its food rapidly.
Giving your dog time to fully digest their meal will help minimize problems with bloat, intestinal obstruction, or other serious digestive disorders.
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German Shepherd Dog Food Recipes: The Best 12 Benefits
German shepherd dog food recipes are essential for those who want to provide their dog with the best possible diet.
A dogs diet is more important than you might think, as it will determine how he looks and how he behaves. But even if you are not an avid pet parent, it is also good to be educated on this topic.
You never know when you might need knowledge when it comes to feeding a dog in an emergency. Here, we will discuss some fantastic German shepherd dog food recipes.
Food & Health In Gsd: Why Feed Raw To German Shepherds
Unfortunately, a lot of German Shepherd allergies arise from commercial dog food. German Shepherds are at a high risk of developing cutaneous adverse food reactions , or in simpler terms, dog food allergies.
Other common health problems in GSDs include degenerative myelopathy, elbow, and hip dysplasia, and osteoarthritis. High levels of starchy carbs and bad carbs found in kibble can put your GSD at risk of becoming overweight. An obese GSD can aggravate these conditions as the extra weight puts more strain on their joints, bone structure, and back .
German Shepherds are also prone to Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency , Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Perianal Fistulas. A low-fat diet and highly digestible food are key to prevent irritation, inflammation of the digestive system, which helps avoid these conditions.
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Is All Raw Meat Safe For Dogs
For the most part, all raw meat is safe for a German Shepherd. This caution of for the most part is to make you aware that you should never feed your dog raw meat that you wouldnt cook and eat for yourself.
This means that you should always follow the same guidelines that you would use for yourself and your family when choosing meat to serve to your GSD. Make sure that you check the expiration date, and do not pick meat to serve to your dog if the date has passed.
Raw Paws Signature Blend Food
I really like the Signature Blend from Raw Paws. Its great to serve as the main part of a raw food diet for dogs. And it offers balanced nourishment for your dog.
The meat they source is human-grade, high quality, and sourced from family-owned farms in Indiana. In fact, its probably healthier than the meat you eat every day.
Many commercial farms use growth hormones in their herds. And some even use genetically modified growth hormones.
In humans, these can cause all kinds of problems from developmental disabilities, reproductive issues, to breast and colon cancer.
And the same can be said for the problems caused in our dogs.
Antibiotics that are regularly used on commercial farms trickle up the food chain and contribute to antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
But Raw Paws only use meats that are:
- Preservative-free.
- Antibiotic-free and hormone-free.
Their foods also contain no fillers or additives. And they are minimally processed. All of the beef used in Raw Paws products are locally sourced from farms in Indiana.
Earlier I mentioned that mixing up the meats equals a healthy diet. So I like that the Signature Blend comes in a variety of proteins like:
Raw Paws has also taken great care to ensure the proper ratio of meat, bone, and offal. I cant stress how important these ratios are to optimal nourishment.
Getting this wrong can cause problems so its great that Raw Paws have taken the guesswork out of it.
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Royal Canin German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food
Best Premium Option
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Brewers Rice, 2. Chicken By-Product Meal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Chicken flavor, 5. Fish Meal
- Life Stage: Adult
- Caloric content : 3,771 kcal
A diet thats designed for a specific breed is much more fulfilling than a regular one. Keeping that in mind, Royal Canin has created a special formula especially for German Shepherds and their dietary needs. Some noteworthy features of the breed-specific diet include special dietary fibers that cater to the sensitive digestive system of German Shepherds and a mix of nutrients that nourish and support their skin and coat.
The recipe is designed with highly-digestible proteins to encourage muscle growth and nourishment. Moreover, it contains both EPA and DHA to support bone and joint health, which is a common issue with most adult and senior German Shepherds.
Analysis: Protein min. 22% | Fat min. 17%, | Fiber max. 5.5% | Moisture max. 10%
Holistic Select Large And Giant Breed Adult
Rating:
Large and Giant Breed Adult Health is one of 5 dry kibbles included in our review of the Holistic Select product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, rice, oatmeal, oats, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for:Adult shepherds only
Holistic Select Large and Giant Breed Adult Health derives the bulk of of its animal protein from chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 16% fat and 50% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
This grain-inclusive, large breed formula boasts above-average protein content yet still free of any plant-based protein boosters. Reasonably priced. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewMy 4 Great Danes absolutely love this food. They are all very healthy, coats are wonderful, and it helps with their teeth. I would recommend this to anyone with Giant Breed dogs. The nutrition information is comparable to what the needs are for Giant Breed . Nothing in this thats bad for your dog. If you decide to get this, your dog will enjoy it!
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Why Do Dog Owners Question Commercial Dog Foods
Nutrition is an important topic, so I decided to share how I manage my dogs’ nutritional needs. And from the title of this article, you can already tell that I feed my dog raw food.
If the idea of feeding your German Shepherd a raw diet scares you, you’re not alone. There is a ton of information out there. Some of it is good, some of it is bad and some of it is dangerous. And because you love your dog, it’s natural for you to be cautious.
I was careful too. I needed to be 100% sure I was choosing the best raw food for my German Shepherds. By the way, if you’re thinking of buying a product or toy for your German Shepherd dog, check out my favorite articles below:
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But the more I researched, the more I was afraid to feed my dog kibble…
First of all, I want to say that this is not about making kibble eaters feel bad. I was a kibble eater for a long time myself. Feeding a raw diet may not be for you. And that’s okay. You can still go with kibble, but with a few changes…
- Switch to grain-free kibble
- Choose a kibble that is certified organic and made from whole foods.
- Choose a company that makes small batches. These foods generally have a shorter shelf life, which is a good thing.
Why Are Dog Owners Questioning Commercial Dog Food
Nutrition is an important topic, so Ive decided to share how I manage the nutritional needs of my dogs. And from the title of this article, you can already tell I feed my dogs a raw diet.
If the thought of feeding your GSD a raw diet is scary, youre not alone. Theres a ton of information out there.
Some good, some bad, and some dangerous. And because you love your dog its natural for you to be cautious.
I was cautious too. I needed to be 100% sure I was choosing the best raw food for my German Shepherds.
But the more I researched, the more scared I became of feeding my dogs kibble
First, I want to say that this is not about making kibble feeders feel bad. I was a long-time kibble feeder too.
Feeding a raw diet might not be for you. And thats okay. You can still opt for kibble, but with a few changes
- Switch to grain-free kibble.
- Choose a kibble thats certified organic and made with whole foods.
- Go with a company that manufactures in small batches. These foods usually have a shorter shelf life, which is good.
Or better yet, start cooking for your dog. Its way better than any kibble diet in the world.
For years large commercial food manufacturers have been filling their products unknown to us. Packaging it up all pretty. And selling it as a complete diet.
But youre not here to read about my rant. Youre here to find the best raw food for German Shepherds. Right?
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Recommended Serving Amounts For Homemade Dog Food
As a general rule, dogs will eat around 2 to 3 percent of their ideal body weight in fresh food daily. Larger breeds may need as little as 1 1/2 percent, and smaller breeds may need as much as 4 percent.
This works out to be approximately:
- 2 pounds of food per day for a 100-pound dog
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of food per day for a 50-pound dog
- 1/2 to 3/4 pound of food per day for a 25-pound dog
- 5 to 6 1/2 ounces of food per day for a 10-pound dog
There is much variation in what the ideal amount should be as it depends on how much your dog weighs and how active she is.
I feel that the best approach is to feed and watch if your dog is losing weight, give more, and if your dog is gaining weight, give less.
For our pugs, we feed a scoop each in the morning and a scoop each in the evening, plus all their supplements.
We have an easy system for this: homemade food is refrigerated in a sealed container with a measuring cup , and all the supplements are lined up together in a cupboard in the kitchen. Keeping your ingredients organized and accessible will make feeding time fast and smooth.
Compared to feeding commercial food, where you might scoop out kibbles or open up a can, feeding homemade food with all the supplements takes maybe 10 seconds more. And even if it took 10 minutes more, fresh wholesome food for our furbabies is worth it.
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Is A Raw Diet Good For German Shepherds
Raw meat is not just a good source of protein for German Shepherds, but it is an optimal diet alternative. Raw food is like the keto diet for people, allowing them to reduce excess fat and reach their peak health. In the wild, dogs are typically carnivorous, so a raw food diet would be what aligns the most with their needs.
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Benefits Of Eating German Shepherd Dog Food Recipes
1. In addition to being a healthy dog food, German shepherd dog food recipes are also an excellent source of protein and minerals.
2. German shepherd dog food recipes can also be prepared in a variety of ways so that the flavors of your choice can be used.
3. The nutrients in German shepherd dog food recipes will help your pet develop and grow into a healthy adult that is fit for life with you.
4. Obesity is a major problem for German shepherd dogs, so you need to monitor your dogs weight. Cooked food is better than dry food, as it will not fill your pet with empty calories.
5. German shepherd dog food recipes are easy to prepare and they will be a great addition to your household.
6. Preparing these recipes will help your dog look good, feel good and stay healthy.
7. You can be creative with your German shepherd dog food recipes and provide them in shapes and sizes so your dog will prefer them.
8. It is always best to feed raw food to dogs, but not all German shepherd dog food recipes are made of it. You should choose carefully.
9. Your pet will appreciate your dog food recipes as much as you will appreciate knowing that he is eating only nutritious and natural ingredients that are also tasty for you and him.
10. You will have time to prepare these dog food recipes whenever you want and make your pet enjoy them.
11. You can use the same ingredients for more than one recipe, so you will never have to worry about running out of anything.
Is It Safe To Feed Raw Bones To Your Dog
Bones pose no health risk to your dog. They are, in fact, incredibly healthy and supply your pet with a lot of nutrients. It is rich in calcium, easy to chew and The flesh left on the bones is high in protein and other nutrients.
Additionally, Chewing bones is beneficial to your dogs dental health because It helps to eliminate plaque from teeth and prevents tartar growth.
However, you might be wondering whether its safe to feed your dog raw bones? YES! Barebones are tender and readily crunched thus, your pet will also get to enjoy the delicious bone marrow inside them.
On the other hand, Cooked bones will not harm your pet, but they can easily splinter, which will cause digestive problems. When you initially offer raw chicken to your puppy, you may notice that it causes diarrhea.
That isnt unusual their systems require some time to adjust.
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Best Dog Food For German Shepherds With Allergies
A common health condition for any dog is allergies!
Flaky skin, diarrhea, itchy ears, and swelling are the most common signs that your German Shepherd has allergies.
Dogs can have seasonal or food allergies just like us humans! Ingredients like wheat, dairy, and even meat flavorings like beef and chicken can interrupt a dogs immune system and cause an allergic reaction.
Meat flavorings are known to be a common culprit to allergy reactions. That is why some dogs show allergies from Chicken kibble but not Chicken meat.
Thebest way to treat these allergies is to feed your German Shepherd a raw diet.
Kibble has several toxins introduced in the processed pellets. There are so many ingredients present in kibble that it may be challenging to identify what exactly your dog is allergic to.
It could be the toxic additives that your dogs body cant digest or the large amounts of starch added to keep kibble together.
It could be hard to digest proteins, giving your dog bloating and inconsistent stool.
No matter what ingredient is causing your German Shepherds pain, kibble is harming your dog.
Some dogs may be allergic to meat. However, humans think that a meat allergy from kibble is equal to an allergy to all forms of said meat. Switching to raw food is the best way to ease allergies.
The protein and meats added to kibble are commonly difficult to digest and synthetic, causing various reactions from your dogs immune and digestive systems.
Meal Sizes: How Much Raw Food Should You Offer Your Gsd
German Shepherd dogs can eat a lot, but that doesnt mean you should give them all the food they want on a daily basis. Every dog needs just as much food to satisfy its energy levels.
After all, have you ever seen a fat German Shepherd? Yeah, me either! These dogs like to stay active, and they rarely snooze inside the house, putting on extra pounds.
So, how big are those daily meals for a German Shepherd?
Every dog owner who uses a raw diet for their German Shepherd uses the body weight percentage method to figure out how much food his GSD needs.
This means you should feed your GSD 2% to 4% of its ideal weight as an adult.
But, the percentage is not the same for every GSD. Certain life stages require different percentages. For example, older dogs need only 1.5% to 2%.
Underweight dogs need 4% of the food, which is the maximum.
To help your GSD maintain a proper weight, go with 2% to 2.5%.
Heres some basic math to help you understand this method better.
Lets say your GSD weighs approximately 65 pounds. If you own a happy, healthy dog, then you should multiply the weight by 2% or 2.5%. If you pick the maximum percentage, then in this case, your dog should consume 1.625 pounds of food.
Since its always a good idea to feed more meals instead of just one, divide this amount of raw food into two or more meals depending on what your dog needs.
Always remember to follow the general BARF diet rules, and include 70% of lean meat in your dogs meals.
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