What Is Good Food For German Shepherd

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy

The Wholesome Essentials Puppy kibble by Nutro uses farm-raised chicken as its main source of protein. It is rich in omega fatty acids that support overall development, which is critical while your dog is growing.

Additional essential fatty acids come from its fish oil content. This kibble is also enriched with calcium to support your puppys bone development.

This Nutro variant of dry dog food uses oatmeal as its main source of carbohydrates and fiber. This is a gluten-free grain that is especially beneficial to dogs with food sensitivities.

Additionally, oats are rich in B vitamins, which help convert carbohydrates into energy more efficiently.

What Are The Best Treats For German Shepherds

Many owners give treats and snacks as part of their German Shepherds diet, but they should not exceed 10% of your dogs total daily calories. Also, dog treats dont have to follow AAFCO standards, so many may provide very little nutritional value.

But this isnt true of all dog treats on the market.

The best treats for German Shepherds are carefully formulated for dogs containing high-quality, nutritious ingredients. They should be low in fat and calories and free of additives, chemicals, and coloring.

There are some excellent high-quality treats you can buy. However, some can be pretty expensive, so shop around.

However, Im happy to pay that bit more if it means my GSD stays healthy and happy. Willow loves her Dentastix treats, as you can see from the below photo. You can get these on Amazon or any good pet store.

Do you want to know my favorite picks of the best treats? Check out this article, 10 Best Treats for German Shepherds.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Puppy Food

Top ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, PeasType: Dry

Inspired by the diet of wolves, Blue Buffalo set out to craft a diet that will enhance your pups health and maximize his potential.

Theres extra taurine for heart health, peas that provide prebiotics which is a great source for a healthier digestive tract.

And ARA, a fatty acid found in mothers milk to promote cognitive development and renal health.

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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

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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What Is The Best Dog Food For German Shephard Puppies

Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, so it’s important to find a food that’s specifically designed for puppies. Look for a food that has high levels of protein and fat, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Puppies also need more calories than adult dogs, so make sure the food you choose has a high calorie content.

As your puppy grows, they will need less calories and protein, so you’ll need to switch to a food that’s designed for adult dogs. Consult with your veterinarian to find the best food for your German Shepherd puppy.

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.

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Iams Proactive Health Large Breed

Rating:

Large Breed Chicken and Whole Grains is one of 12 dry recipes covered in our review of the Iams ProActive Health product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain barley, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, chicken by-product meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best for:Adult shepherds only

Iams ProActive Health Large Breed derives the majority of its meat protein from chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 25% protein, 14% fat and 53% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

This classic, grain-inclusive large breed design has been made by Iams for years and is a nutritious fit for adult German shepherds. Calcium levels are a bit high for shepherd puppies. Easily recommended.

Sample buyer reviewIAMS is a product that I have turned to for complete nutrition for my dog as well as my cats! In fact, I have been feeding IAMS to my cats for over 20 years! Sure there are higher priced pet foods, but why would you want to pay more when you get the proper nutrition and a quality product at a reasonable price!

A Helpful Guide To The Best Food For German Shepherd Dogs

Adored by herdsmen, police squads, and household pet owners alike, the German Shepherd breed is one of the most well-liked and well-recognized dog breeds. And its no wonder why these regal creatures are full of love and life. German Shepherd Dogs are cherished for their agility, playfulness, intelligence, extreme loyalty, and protective instincts.

While the breeds great character makes a German Shepherd the ideal canine companion, properly caring for one involves understanding its distinct needs. GSDs are known for having digestive issues and needing a lot of exercise. A healthy diet is thus an absolute necessity for GSDs, who need the energy to support their active manner and the appropriate nutrients to accommodate their sensitive tummies.

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What Types Of Food Are Appropriate For German Shepherd Dogs

The most popular type of food for your German Shepherds is dry kibble. However, for puppies and senior dogs, you should consider a variety of wet food options too. Other varieties you can serve include semi-moist form and freeze-dried food. For owners who dont mind preparation and handling, frozen-then-thawed food is a viable option too.

Best Dry Food For German Shepherd Puppies

Here are five great dry dog food options you can provide your German Shepherd puppy.

You may come across a couple of dog foods on the market that claim to be specially formulated for German Shepherds.

However, some of them may contain fillers, byproducts, and artificial additives, making them less advisable than the dog foods weve listed below.

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Overall Best Food For German Shepherds: Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition

In our review, the overall best dog food for German Shepherds is the ROYAL CANIN BREED HEALTH NUTRITION German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food. Royal Canin brand has always been committed to giving dog breeds optimal energy. The dry food is packed full of fats and carbohydrates and designed to encourage your dog to chew and enjoy its meal.

Royal Canin is also rich in fiber, which boosts your GSDs digestive system. It supports muscle and joint health, thus preventing the occurrence of bone and joint conditions like hip dysplasia.

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.

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Special Dietary And Nutritional Concerns

Large and giant-breed dogs like the German Shepherd have a higher risk for developing musculoskeletal issues than smaller dogs. In many cases, the dogs that develop these problem in adulthood grew too quickly as puppies excessive growth can put a lot of stress on your puppys developing bones and joints. There are two things you can do to reduce your dogs risk for musculoskeletal problems. For one thing, you should feed your German Shepherd puppy a large-breed puppy formula until he reaches about 80% of his adult size then switch to a large-breed adult recipe. Large-breed formulas contain high levels of protein to support your dogs lean muscle mass but have moderate fat content to avoid overgrowth. You should also look for a recipe that is supplemented with glucosamine and chondroitin to provide extra bone and joint support for your dog.

The Best German Shepherd Diet And Meal Plan For Every Age

The best German Shepherd diet needs the right formulation to support the breeds powerful strength, athletic abilities, and superior intelligence.

And the stores have no shortage of colorful marketing gimmicks and fancy product descriptions at your fingertips to entice you to part with your money at every turn.

Its enough to make your head spin and for you to turn running!

But, this article will more than explore the best German Shepherd diet

Itll be your comprehensive, easy-to-understand road map to choose an optimum diet with balanced nutrition.

Lets jump right in!

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Merrick Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe

Top 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes

There is also chondroitin and glucosamine, which assists with a German Shepherds mobility, as well as both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to help with a shiny coat and healthy skin.

There has been some suggestion however that the kibble size is too small for some dogs, however this is not necessarily a negative for all dogs.

Additionally, this dry food is gluten free and does not contain any artificial colors, preservatives or flavors, as well as being poultry-free for any dogs that may have poultry allergies.

What Should Be In Your Dogs Diet

German Shepherds are carnivores by nature. They require a high amount of protein in their diet. This protein provides them with energy and keeps them strong and healthy. It is recommended that your German Shepherd gets about 22% of their needed protein in the diet.

They also require taking fat. Fat is burnt for energy and gives a taste to your dogs meals. Its recommended that an adult German Shepherd stays on diets that are 8-10% fats.

Fat also keeps your German Shepherds coat healthy. A German Shepherd sheds a lot throughout the year so it is important to give them the right amount of fat in their food.

As a rule of thumb, the more active your dog is, the more fats and proteins do they need. However, you still need to keep it limited because too much of a good thing turns it into a bad thing, and too much protein or fat intake is bad for your dog. For example, if you feed them a lot of fat, your German Shepherd will develop hip dyslexia.

Please keep in mind that in this article, Im not going to discuss the topic of dry food, because Its a topic that needs to go into in great depth. Fortunately, I have already done that in another article, so make sure to check out the best dog food for german shepherd puppies here.

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German Shepherd Puppy Food

German Shepherds grow quickly, so they should only be fed a puppy-specific formula for about six months before they start eating an adult dog food. Feeding them a puppy food for too long can cause rapid growth in the bones and joints, which can cause developmental orthopedic disease down the line.

Plan on feeding your German Shepherd puppy three to four meals a day, depending on the formula you choose.

Orijen Puppy

Orijen Puppy food prides itself on providing a formula that aligns with nature serving puppies a biologically appropriate amount of protein and nutrients to best nourish their growing bodies. This food contains quality protein sources, is low-glycemic, and is USA-made in Kentucky kitchens with fresh regional ingredients.

Main Ingredients: Boneless Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chicken Liver, Whole Herring, Boneless Turkey

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Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed Recipe Dry Food

When it comes to quality nutrition, raw food is at the top of the spectrum with fresh food close behind. Unfortunately, raw food can be very expensive, and it is more difficult to store than dry food. Thats why we love this Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed Recipe Dry Food it provides the ideal blend of high-protein kibble and freeze-dried raw bites to give your dog a boost of nutrition without compromising on convenience. This recipe features fresh chicken as the first ingredient with freeze-dried chicken bites for taste, texture, and nutrition. It contains digestible grain-free carbohydrates like peas and potatoes with fresh fruits and vegetables for supplemental fiber as well as natural sources for key nutrients. This recipe provides a full 38% protein with 17% fat and 389 calories per cup. It is balanced with vitamins and chelated mineral supplements as well.

• Pros: High-protein kibble with freeze-dried raw bites, real chicken first ingredient, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, probiotics for digestion, chelated minerals
• Cons: Contains some plant protein , not grain-free

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The Best Supplements For German Shepherds

One of the best ways to address your German shepherd’s unique nutritional needs is to add all-natural, air-dried supplements to their diet. Supplements can fill in nutritional gaps and help support your GSD’s overall health.

Here are some of the best supplements for German shepherds:

Fish Oil

Hip dysplasia and joint pain are common health issues for German Shepherds. Adding a fish oilsupplement can help you get more omega-3s into your dog’s diet, which can help protect their joint health.

In a meta-analysis of studies on osteoarthritis in pets, omega-3s for dogs were found to have the highest amount of evidence to support their effectiveness. For the highest concentration of omega-3s, choose a fish oilsupplement made from wild-caught pollock and salmon, like this Omega Oil.

Joint Relief Supplement

Inflammation can contribute to joint pain and deterioration. A Relief Supplement is made with natural anti-inflammatory ingredients, like turmeric, antioxidants, and green-lipped mussels . It can help keep your German shepherd feeling good into their golden years.

Probiotics

A probioticsupplement helps support German shepherds digestion, especially if they have sensitive stomachs. Probiotics can promote digestive health by adding beneficial bacteria to your dog’s digestive system. In veterinary studies, probiotics showed promise for addressing a variety of doggy digestive issues.

The 10 Best German Shepherd Dog Foods

The best German Shepherd food will be rich in protein from high-quality animal sources with moderate fat and calorie content for energy. Make sure it is highly digestible, featuring whole-food ingredients, and free from fillers, byproducts, and artificial additives. If your dog has allergies or a sensitive stomach, a limited ingredient diet may be best.

Heres our top pick for the best German Shepherd dog food:

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Human Foods Safe For German Shepherds: And What To Avoid

When we have a lovable German Shepherd in our lives, it can be tempting to reward them with a tasty human food treat. Though we have the best intentions when we offer them a special snack, is all human food actually safe for German Shepherds?

There are a variety of human foods that are safe for German Shepherds to eat. It is, however, very important that you familiarize yourself with what is safe and what is not safe to give to your dog, as there are a number of seemingly harmless everyday foods that humans eat which can be harmful or even fatal to a dog.

In this article well dive into a list of human foods that are safe for our German Shepherd friends, and help you understand which foods to avoid going forward.