The Ingredients You Should Avoid
Chocolate should be on the top of every DO NOT TOUCH list of every dog owner. What is a tasty treat to us, can be lethal to them.
Always store your chocolates out of reach because curiosity might get the better of them and its better to be safe than sorry.
When it comes to the ingredients list on your kibble, you want to stay away from animal by-products, preservatives, artificial coloring, and nutritionless fillers.
Why Do German Shepherds Eat Grass
There is no one single reason why German Shepherds eat grass. In fact, some German Shepherds may not eat grass often or ever, while other GSDs will eat grass all the time.
Over the years, many theories have arisen.
Most of these theories came about as dog owners watched their dogs eating grass, observed what happened next, took notes, compared those notes with other dog owners, and then developed theories.
But even canine veterinarians and researchers are still not exactly sure why dogs in general and German Shepherds specifically eat grass.
Typical Feeding Requirements For German Shepherds
German Shepherd puppies need more food than an adult German Shepherd. This is because they have boundless energy, and they need plenty of good calories to keep them healthy, happy, and to keep that energy up.
When a puppy is weaned, its good to start it with wet food, at around 8-10 weeks old. Puppies also need to eat about three to four for smaller meals a day for about six months, and then that can be reduced to one to two meals a day.
At about 12 weeks old, if you decide you want to feed your German Shepherd dry food, you can start transitioning. Start with about 10% dry mixed in with the wet, and then increase that by about 10% each week.
Ensure that you are feeding your puppy food that is specifically made for puppies, as those provide the necessary vitamins and nutrients for them to grow up healthy and strong.
At about four months old, a German Shepherd puppy can be introduced to live animal products, such as bones, pieces of liver, and eggs. Remember to not give them too much, though, because that can mess up their digestion and health.
Puppy food is a lot different than adult food because manufacturers put more emphasis on the different nutrients puppies need while theyre developing their internal, muscular, and skeletal systems.
An older dog will also be better able to digest other foods, so those can be introduced more often. Remember, German Shepherds require a large amount of protein, and a fair amount of fat as well.
Also Check: Hypoallergenic Dogs German Shepherds
Important Factors For German Shepherd Dog Foods
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:
Logical Explanations For Why German Shepherds Eat Grass
As Memphis Veterinary Specialists points out, even well-fed, healthy dogs often eat grass.
Despite the fact that humans dont understand why this behavior seems relatively normal and common for pet dogs.
However, even though canine veterinarians cannot give their customers a single clear answer as to why a German Shepherd might eat grass, they can offer up a lot of different theories that might explain the behavior.
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Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy
Rating:
Complete Health Large Breed Puppy is one of 14 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, peas, ground brown rice, salmon meal
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: Growth
- Best for:German Shepherd puppy
Complete Health Large Breed Puppy derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken as well as chicken meal and salmon meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 14% fat and 45% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%.
Sample buyer reviewMy almost year old GSD loves this food! I transitioned him to this at 9 weeks. He was on another grain free puppy food but was not large breed. This food for high marks and I wanted to have a food that contained grains and was formulated for large breeds. My dog had no issues transitioning and loves his food. Like a lot of GSDs he does have a sensitive tummy and most treats dont agree with him so we use this as a training treat as well and he still loves it.
Are Onions Bad For German Shepherds
Onions contain Allyl propyl disulfide. In dogs, it breaks down their red blood cells and leads to anemia. Anemia is a lack of red blood cells, which are necessary to carry oxygen to the cells of your dogs body. Eating one large onion is enough to make an 80 lb German Shepherd begin to experience toxicity from it.25 Sept 2019
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Where To Find The Best Raw Food For German Shepherds
Okay, so you’re convinced that raw feeding is the way to go for you and your German Shepherd.
Now what?
You’ll be happy to know that you can get high-quality, healthy meals delivered to your door.
If you’d like to explore other non-raw food options that are still packed with nutrition, check out the Spot and Tango Reviews I wrote.
Although, there are very few companies out there that can be trusted with the nutrition of your dog.
Raw Paws is one of those companies
I’ve checked them out from tip to toe and reviewed them for your convenience.
As a raw feeder myself I think there are a few must-haves when it comes to creating a nutritional meal plan for your dog
What Raw Meat Is Good For German Shepherds
A German Shepherd can eat practically everything when it comes to protein. Any bird meat is safe to eat. These give the protein, fat, and other nutrients required by a German Shepherd.
According to most people, raw meats supply all of the nutrients and vitamins that a German Shepherd requires without being cooked. Cooked meat is also safe for your pet and is best when baked or boiled.
However, bones should always be served uncooked to avoid splintering, which can cause digestive difficulties. Apart from chicken, your German shepherds can eat other raw meat bones such as:
- Beef
- Turkey
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Why Does Raw Wild Add A Premix Of Vitamins And Minerals
Maybe you’re familiar with the hunting tradition of field dressing
Field dressing is when a hunter removes the internal organs of the prey animal. And although a lot of what they leave behind is highly nutritious for our dogs, field dressing is crucial for these reasons:
- Cooling the carcass.
- Slows bacterial growth.
- Preserves the meat.
So since the nutritious organ meats are left behind, Raw Wild adds a blend of vitamins and minerals carefully developed by an industry-leading specialist, according to their website.
Raw Wild chose not to add organ meats from domestically raised animals or slaughterhouses.
The reason that these options can potentially contaminate their product, and it makes sense.
Also, Raw Wild only uses meat from Elk and Deer. They don’t add any bone. So to be balanced, they need to compensate for the calcium and other mineral requirements.
Raw wild goes to great lengths to ensure that nothing in their vitamin and mineral mix comes from China.
Everything is sourced in the United States, except for vitamins A, D, and E these are sourced from Switzerland.
What Makes Dog Food Good For German Shepherds
Food that can sustain his lifestyle and meet his nutritional needs is good food!
Look for high-quality ingredients and a recipe that is gentle on his digestive system.
Your adult German Shepherd will benefit from animal protein-rich foods and minimize any health issues that might arise from a bad diet.
Have you tried any of the dog food above? Let us know whether fido likes it in the comments!
Read Also: What To Do If A German Shepherd Attacks You
Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy Dog Food Best For Puppies
This food from Royal Canin is designed exclusively for growing German Shepherd puppies, to give their developing bodies all the essential nutrients that they need. The food is suitable for puppies from 8 weeks to 15 months old and will help with the digestive issues that young Shepherds can sometimes suffer from. The developing digestive system of growing puppies cannot absorb nutrients the same way that an adults can, and Royal Canin has included L.I.P. to ensure high quality, highly digestible protein sources. The food is fortified with calcium and phosphorus for healthy bone development and an exclusive complex of antioxidants that include vitamin E and C, lutein, and taurine for a well-functioning immune system.
The food, despite its high price and high quality claims, contains grains, including corn, wheat, and oats. These ingredients are not easy for adult dogs to digest, much less growing puppies. The first ingredient listed is a chicken by-product, not an ideal source of meat and protein.
Several customers report that the food gave their dogs bloat and gas, with some even vomiting. Some dogs would simply not eat the food, and customers state that there may have been a change in the recipe causing this. The food also has a high-fat content, so beware of overfeeding.
- Get the best dog bowl for your German Shepherd! See our reviews & top picks here.
Raw Paws Signature Blend Food
I really like the Signature Blend from Raw Paws. It’s 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, it’s 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:
- Grass-fed.
- 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:
- Chicken.
- Turkey.
- Duck.
Raw Paws has also taken great care to ensure the proper ratio of meat, bone, and offal. I can’t stress how important these ratios are to optimal nourishment.
Getting this wrong can cause problems so it’s great that Raw Paws have taken the guesswork out of it.
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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.
Reasons Why Do German Shepherds Eat Grass And How To Stop It
Despite being marvelous, intelligent dogs, German Shepherds have a habit that many new dog owners find odd, and that habit can be distracting.
Whenever you take your German Shepherd outside, he will start eating grass.
Its basically completely normal behavior, but you need to know why your dog is doing this because sometimes there are some related medical issues.
This post will help you understand why the German Shepherd eats grass reasons associated with it and how we can overcome this problem.
Contents
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Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Food
Rating:
Puppy Large Breed is one of 14 dry recipes rated in our review of the Purina Pro Plan Puppy product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, rice, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: All life stages
- Best for:German shepherd puppy or adult
Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy obtains the major portion of its meat protein from chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 15% fat and 45% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
A classic, field-tested formula with controlled calcium and phosphorus ratios making this option ideal for German shepherd puppies.
Recommended with confidence.
Sample buyer reviewMy puppy absolutely loves this food! She can never wait to get her next meal! Her coat is soft & shiny! Highly recommend this product!
What Is The Best Food For German Shepherd Puppies
The best food for a young GSD is one that supports healthy development, and tastes great too. Fortunately, there are lots of good options on the market right now that will give your dog a great start in life.
German Shepherd Puppy Nutritional Needs
Dogs are carnivores. Although they will eat vegetables and fruits, their natural diet is meat based. This means that their food should contain high protein and fat levels. German Shepherds also have thick fur, and tend to shed continually throughout the year. The fat content in your dogs diet helps to keep his skin and coat in good condition.
Best Food for German Shepherd Puppy Energy Levels
In general, German Shepherd puppies eat more food than adult dogs. They are curious, extremely busy little creatures who spend much of their day exploring their environment and playing. Such high activity levels coupled with rapid growth demand plenty of fuel to keep them going! As a large breed of dog, your pups growing body needs a particular blend of nutrients in order to reach their full size properly and remain healthy.
The Best German Shepherd Puppy Food for Health
German Shepherds are especially prone to certain health problems, including skin conditions, hip dysplasia, and bloat. These conditions are common to a lot of large breeds of dog, and many manufacturers take them into account. Look for puppy food designed for large, active breeds. The right food might help to prevent these conditions from affecting your pup in later life.
Recommended Reading: Average German Shepherd Weight
Best Dry Food For German Shepherd Puppies
Today, many puppies are weaned directly onto softened kibble, or transitioned from wet food to dry food at around 12 weeks. So they are likely to be already eating dry food by the time they come home with you. In fact they will probably arrive with a bag of the kibble they were weaned onto. These are our picks of the best dry dog food for German Shepherd puppies.
Best dry food for German Shepherd puppy
Royal Canin is one of the worlds largest and most popular dog food manufacturers. This kibble is tailor-made for German Shepherd puppies* and contains everything your dog will need during his growth period.
The formula is balanced to avoid digestive sensitivity, and also contains calcium and phosphorus for healthy joints and bones. Vitamins E and C, together with taurine and lutein help to maintain your pups vulnerable immune system. The diet is designed for pure bred German Shepherd puppies from age 8 weeks to 15 months.
Best food for GSD puppy
Hills are another major specialist diet dog food manufacturer. Their large breed puppy dry dog food* is a good food for German Shepherd puppies up to 12 months old. The diet contains optimal levels of calcium to ensure that bone growth is controlled in order to prevent the onset of health conditions, including hip dysplasia.
Good puppy food for German Shepherds
Best large breed puppy food for German Shepherds
German Shepherd puppy food
Your German Shepherd Likes Grass
Many cats have a well-known preference for catnip, a special type of grass that often produces hyperactivity or sleepiness in pet felines.
But there is no known equivalent to catnip for canines at least not yet.
However, it is possible that your dog simply likes the way grass tastes, as weird as that might sound.
Or, as we mentioned in the previous section here, perhaps what your dog likes most is the mouth feel, the texture and rhythm of chewing on the fibrous grass stems.
Another possible explanation is that the grass your German Shepherd is chewing on has been peed or pooped on by another dog or a cat or some other animal.
German Shepherds and all dogs have a well-documented affinity for rolling in things no human would ever want to roll in.
We are not sure exactly why they do this, although here again there are lots of theories.
But you can test out whether this theory might be the explanation by watching where your German Shepherd goes to eat grass.
Does your dog always seem to nip at grass in the same location? Or is your GSD eating grass right where you picked up a steaming pile of some other animals poop the other day?
Did you see your cat pee on the grass right near where your dog is going to town?
It could be that your German Shepherd is simply engaging in full-sensory immersion in all the other scents that that particular patch of grass is offering up.
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