What Is The Best Dog Food For German Shepherd Puppies

Can You Free Feed A German Shepherd Puppy

Free feeding is leaving food out for your German Shepherd puppy to eat at whatever time they want. The following are reasons why free-feeding is not good for your puppy:

• It puts your puppy at risk of becoming overweight Puppies typically cannot control their eating. When they are bored, they can overeat which leads to obesity causing serious health issues.
• Free feeding allows the dog to access food all the time, making him find the food less appealing.
• Free feeding prevents you from keeping track of the amount of food you are feeding your dog.

So Which Type Of Dog Food Is Best For Your Gsd German Shepherd

Generally, the best dog food for German Shepherds is a high-quality wet or dry food thats formulated for an active large-breed dog.

However, you must understand the generalities of each type of dog food for GSDs in case you need to make any adjustments to your pets diet.

Dry Dog Food

It is usually made of protein and carbohydrate content with low-fat content. Dry dog food is packed full of carbs and protein, and it tends to be more energy-dense than wet dog food.

The health advantages that come with feeding kibble to your GSD include keeping your dogs teeth healthy by reducing plaque, stains, and tartar buildup. Dogs who consume tend to have better breath than those who eat canned wet dog food.

Kibble requires no refrigeration, and itrarely goes bad. Remember, canned wet dog food is perishable and can only be left open and out of the refrigerator for a short time. Unlike kibble, wet foods exposed to the environment can easily grow bacteria and quickly become contaminated. Kibble easier to store and pack if you are traveling with your GSD. Kibble is usually less expensive than wet foods.

Canned Wet Dog Food

Its made primarily of protein and fat, with few carbohydrates. Many dogs prefer wet food as it tends to be more flavorful and more closely resembles meat.

Dry & Wet Mix

Consult with your vet to determine the right approach to mixing both types of food.

Speak with your vet or a veterinary nutritionist before making this decision.

How Many Calories Does Your German Shepherd Need

German Shepherds were bred to work all day herding livestock, which makes them high-energy dogs who are active both physically and mentally. This means that adult German Shepherds need a high-calorie diet to give them the energy to run as well as stay sharp.

For a large breed with an average weight of around 70 lb the calorie suggestions* are:

*These estimates are based on an average weight for this breed using Train Pet Dog Make sure you talk to your vet to get an accurate amount for your dog.

Read Also: How To Potty Train A German Shepherd Dog

Best Dog Food For German Shepherd At Walmart

The best dog food for German Shepherds we found at Walmart is NUTRO Wholesome Essentials Large Breed Dry Dog Food.

This formula has all the ingredients your GSD needs to grow up strong and healthy.

Made with farm-raised chicken, brown rice, and sweet potato, this recipe contains all the ingredients your GSD needs to grow up strong and healthy.

It has natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints in your GSD. It tastes good and is crafted with essential antioxidants for healthy immunity.

Next time you are at Walmart looking for the best dog food option for your GSD, you know what to pick. Amazon & Chewy carry this dog food.

Cons

German Shepherd Homemade Food Risks

A poor diet is a major threat to the health of your German Shepherd. Here are some things to avoid to provide a healthy diet to your pup.

• Not understanding the nutritional needs of your German Shepherd
• Using inadequate or dangerous recipes
• Not preparing a balanced meal
• Using unsafe or harmful ingredients
• Not understanding the impact of food and dietary changes
• Not understanding your dogs life stages nutritional needs
• Neglecting your dogs health conditions

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary found that most homemade dog food recipes are lacking critical essential nutrients while others contained dangerously high quantities of some nutrients.

Further research published in The Journal of Nutritional Science found that 48% of dog homemade diets contained improbable amounts of ingredients and that 71.3 % of dog owners did not know how much food to serve per meal.

For these reasons, its advised that you speak with a veterinary nutritionist, who should also be able to provide you with trusted recipes, provide nutritional guidance, and/or recommend a dog food delivery service for your GSD.

Recommended Reading: How To Stop A German Shepherd Puppy From Nipping

German Shepherd Puppy Nutrients

All puppies need extra nutrients to help them grow, and they grow super quick within the first 8 months of their lives. They then continue to grow up until the age of 18 months, but at a much steadier rate. Your puppy needs the best quality nutrients to make sure he develops properly. But using high-quality food will also help reduce the chances of having predisposed health issues.

You also want to make sure your pup has the nutrients it needs to help keep their coats nice and shiny. Regardless if you have a white German Shepherd, black coated GSD, or a GSD with a fluffy coat, youll need to make sure you are using a high-quality food to keep their coats soft and shiny.

He specifically needs high-quality kibble that is specifically aimed at large breed puppies, as they have a higher number of calories, carbohydrates and calcium levels which will provide his growing body and bones with everything that it needs. Standard puppy kibble which is aimed at dogs of all sizes may not contain enough nutrients. German Shepherds are active dogs, so its important to feed them food meant for large breeds.

Best Dog 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.

You May Like: Is A Belgian Malinois A German Shepherd

Taste Of The Wild Wetlands Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Wetlands made our top favorites because of the wild game proteins in the recipe. Roasted quail, roasted duck, and smoked turkey provide rich flavor and highly digestible protein. K9 Strain Probiotics are developed specifically for dogs and added after the cooking process to ensure viability. Dried chicory root provides the prebiotic fiber to fuel your German Shepherds energy supply.

The analysis of Taste of the Wild Wetlands breaks down to 32% crude protein, 18% crude fat, and 4% crude fiber. This food contains 375 kcal/cup.

Taste of the Wild Wetlands hits many of our strong points for an adult German Shepherd food.

This Post Has 3 Comments

You May Like: Chihuahua German Shepherd Mix

How Much Food Should I Feed My Puppy

Deciding how much to feed your puppy is a processnot a one-time choice.

Since a larger breed puppy requires more food each day than a smaller breed

And because every brand of dog food contains a different number of calories per cup

Start with the recommended feeding amount printed on the foods package. Then, adjust that amount up or down to keep your dog at her ideal weight.

Royal Canin Large Breed Adult

With so many different types of dog food that use their ingredient lists as a way of promoting and advertising their food, how do you know which food is the right one for your dog?

Royal Canin knows, and theyve formulated each of their specific diets to contain exactly the right amount of nutrients, proteins, minerals, and vitamins that they need to lead a long, magnificent life.

Big dogs, lead big lives, and their boundless enthusiasm for the challenges that they face every single day places a lot of strain on their joints, which is why Royal Canins formula contains all of the Omega Three oils and fatty acids that they need to make sure that their joints and muscles can keep pace with their lifestyles.

But dont worry, as its also packed full of all of the other things that your German Shepherd will need at every stage of their life to enjoy each day from the moment the sun rises until it sets at night.

Royal Canin was founded by French vet Jean Cathary because he believed that food was central to animals health, and he wanted to maximize animal health and wellbeing with a diet that would put health and taste on an equal footing.

And for more than fifty years thats exactly what Royal Canin has been doing, which is why theyve become one of the leading, and most loved, manufacturers of dog food in the world.

Pros:

Cons:

You May Like: Full Grown Male German Shepherd

German Shepherd Feeding Chart

So youve got yourself a German shepherd, and you think you can take care of them just fine without any knowledge. However, this will be your undoing. Youll come to a realization that you cant get by without studying about German shepherds.

German shepherds are similar to humans in the sense that they need to eat consistently. And just like us, they, too, have a specific feeding amount and nutrient requirements. You cant just make them eat whatever you lay your eyes on. However, as their owner, you cant always rely on your keen observation.

They can be a bit dishonest sometimes. They may even hide their hunger. Thats why you wont figure out their needs by simply observing. Thats why you need to have clear standards, especially on how you feed them. Overeating can cause sugar levels to spike. The opposite can cause malnutrition.

Either way, this German shepherd feeding chart will be a helpful asset when taking care of these dogs.

Related Reading

Dietary Needs Of The German Shepherd

German shepherds got their name from Germany as people used them for herding sheep in massive packs. Their early breeding required them to be suitable protectors and still maintain high endurance levels to keep up with the packs they guarded. From the early days to date, German shepherds remain active protectors, and for them to continue with their energy, they need proper health.

A fully-grown German shepherd stands at between 20 and 28 inches with a weight of between 50 and 95 pounds. They have an athletic stature, which requires them to eat foods with plenty of calories. They are also susceptible to various health issues, which is why it is essential to watch and monitor their diets. The most prevalent health issues associated with German shepherds are musculoskeletal, digestive, and obesity. Overweight in the dogs may lead to diabetes, hypothyroidism, bloating, constipation, anal gland issues, among others.

Though they are active dogs, the metabolism of the German shepherd is lower than other dogs that weigh the same at maturity. For this reason, you need to monitor the number of calories and fats in the meals that you feed the dog with ti prevent weight gain. German shepherd puppies need diets rich in proteins with limited fats and calories for their fast growth without risking musculoskeletal problems.

Recommended Reading: Why Do Police Choose German Shepherds

Eukanuba Breed Specific German Shepherd Dog Food

Eukanuba German Shepherd Dog Food has high quality animal based protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate, which helps to build lean muscles and keep the joints agile. Eukanuba is best for German Shepherds to gain weight and develop strong and lean muscles. It has optimum protein to fat ratio that wouldnt allow an active German Shepherd to become overweight and bloat. The high quality Protein, Fats, and Carbohydrates in this dog food would promote healthy weight gain and provide enough energy to support German Shepherds active lifestyle.

EUKANUBA also includes a specialized fiber system to promote healthy digestion. It is excellent for German Shepherds with sensitive stomach, gas and diarrhea issues.

Eukanuba dog food would clear up gastrointestinal issues after a few weeks of usage. Your German Shepherds diarrhea would be eliminated and the stool quality will be consistent. Their skin and fur would also be radiant and shiny.

Eagle Pack Power Adult Dog Food

Rating:

Eagle Pack Power is one of 7 dry recipes included in our review of the Eagle Pack product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, pork meal, ground brown rice, peas, chicken fat
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best for:Adult shepherds only

Power Adult derives the majority of its animal protein from fresh chicken and pork meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 21% fat and 38% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.

A time-proven, grain-inclusive design free of any legume concentrates. Contains safe, natural antioxidant preservatives. No BHT or ethoxyquin. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewIf you have a dog that is extremely active this is a GREAT dog food. My Shepherd and Retrievers were skinny because they are highly active dogs. I switched to this food because of the nutrition and calories that it intails. My dogs are bulked backed up and love the taste!

You May Like: What Age Do German Shepherds Ears Stand Up

Health Dietary Changes In German Shepherds

If the following health conditions are present in your GSD, a fresh homemade food diet coupled with these recommendations can help remedy them.

Chart Source: NomNomNow.com

Pro Tip: German Shepherds are a high-risk breed for skin allergies and coat problems. Adding a couple of fish oil squirts to their meals will provide relief and nourishment to keep skin and coats in tip-top condition. Also, probiotics are an affordable way to reduce your dogs inflammatory responses to food allergens.

Senior German Shepherd Nutrients

As German Shepherds age, they start to lose mobility in certain areas of their body, most notably their rear legs and rear joints. Hip dysplasia is very common in this breed due to their gait and how they are genetically built. As your GSD ages, it will require different nutrients than as an adult or as a puppy. Most GSDs arent prone to getting overweight because the breed is so active, but this is still something that should be monitored.

As your dog ages, its also possible that your vet may advise you to put your pup on a high fiber dog food, or a food thats specifically made for sensitive stomachs. Things that your GSD used to eat may no longer be tolerable for your pup as they age, so youll want to monitor any potential health issues that may arise with their diet.

Also Check: Can German Shepherds Eat Tomatoes

Should My German Shepherd Eat A Grain Free Diet

As German Shepherds are a breed that are known to be quite sensitive when it comes to food, it is generally recommended that a grain free diet will assist in avoiding a lot of irritants and allergens that can generally cause stomach and skin problems. Additionally, they are prone to bloat and hip dysplasia, which a precise grain free diet can positively help with.

What Food Should A German Shepherd Never Eat

As stated before, you should never feed your German Shepherd animal by-products, fillers, preservatives, grains, soy, or wheat. These ingredients will make your dog sick or develop allergies. Do not feed your dog a formula with bone meal or corn syrup, either.

Check to make sure you are not feeding him expired meat, animal innards, or protein not fit for human consumption. This is especially important in a raw frozen diet.

Be wary of untrustworthy companies! Check your brand for a history of food recalls. Additionally, some companies break down bad ingredients into multiple groups to make them look healthier. Ask a veterinarian to be sure your choice of dog food is acceptable.

Lastly, if you notice any digestive issues such as hair loss, itchy skin, or lack of appetite, check for bad ingredient or possible allergens. Always consult a veterinarian, too.

Read Also: What Colors Do German Shepherds Come In

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

The Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe by Blue Buffalo offers the same excellent benefits as the adult variant. But apart from a smaller kibble size suited from smaller jaws, it also contains slightly more protein and crude fat. This makes it more beneficial for dogs in the critical stages of development.

Among the most important benefits of this dry dog food is the inclusion of LifeSource Bits, which is Blue Buffalos exclusive blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals formulated to support your dogs overall health.

In addition, it doesnt contain any wheat, corn, or soy. Instead, it uses brown rice, barley, and oatmeal as its source of energy and fiber. Lastly, it is enriched with probiotics to ensure proper digestion and gut health.