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.
Best Joint Supplement For German Shepherds
- Purpose Dog Health Support
- Breed All Breeds
Possibly the best supplement for your pet on the market, Zesty Paws comes in the form of chewable vitamin gummies that will help keep your dog healthy over the long run.
In addition to the vitamins, it also contains glucosamine and chondroitin, both of which are an awesome idea to add to the diet of larger dogs since they can help with joint problems and even prevent them if you begin when your dog passes the puppy stage.
Thats not all thats in this, however, it also contains probiotics, Omega fatty acids for the skin and coat, immune system support, and the necessary ingredients to keep your dogs heart ticking. As a complete complex, its pretty doggone good.
In addition to making a huge impact on your pets overall health, we havent seen a dog yet that doesnt love to scarf them down. Just be aware theyre a little bit expensive and each can of 90 treats is only going to last for a month with German Shepherds due to their size.
While we recommend it for joints, Zesty Paws Multivitamin for Dogs is a complete package deal and is simply one of the best overall supplements weve ever seen. Apart from the price, there are no real drawbacks here.
- Purpose Anti Inflammatory Supplement
- Breed All Breeds
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, an elderly dog will end up with joint issues. Whether its arthritis or one of the many joint issues which can affect larger dogs, you may want to look into a pain relief supplement.
Instinct Raw Boost With Real Duck
Rating:
Real Duck is one of 14 dry recipes analyzed in our review of the Instinct Raw Boost product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Duck, chicken meal, peas, egg product, turkey meal
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All life stages
- Best for:Adult shepherds and puppies
Instinct Raw Boost with Real Duck obtains the bulk of its animal protein from fresh duck and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 23% fat and 31% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 61%.
This formula also gets its antioxidants from natural fruits and veggies for healthy immunity and thus, greater resistance to disease. A top pick for German shepherds and other large breeds.
Sample buyer reviewI recently switched from a dehydrated raw product to Instinct Raw Boost. This is a great quality grain- free food and my guys are loving it. I have a multi dog house hold and most of them have allergies of one kind or another. This food is working well for all..
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Dr Garys Best Breed Holistic German Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Oatmeal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Dried Beet Pulp, 5. Chicken Fat
This nutritionally dense kibble is specially crafted for your German Shepherd and include highly digestible ingredients that support maximum nutrient absorption. This wholesome diet is not only a delicious blend that your dog will crave, but includes high-quality proteins that come from eggs, chicken, and menhaden fish to promoted health maintenance and muscle development for maximum activity.
What Is The Best Dry Dog Food For German Shepherd Puppy
Before choosing the best dry dog food for your German shepherd puppy, you need to consider whether its capable of fulfilling your puppys dietary requirements.
You will need the best dry food for a German shepherd puppy to formulate for large dog breeds.
If you choose dog food for small dogs, you will not fulfill your German shepherd puppy needs in its diet.
As earlier discussed, German shepherd puppies will require 500 calories in a day. With that, you need to ensure any dry dog food for a German shepherd puppy will have the capacity of supplying such calories.
Also, check the best dry dog food for German shepherd puppies has a protein concentration of 18 to 22% of proteins such is crucial as you want your puppy to grow with strong and healthy muscles. However, monitor the concentration of proteins this puppy takes in a day as too much of it will cause tummy issues.
Fats on your German shepherd puppy food should scoop 8% to 12%, and Omega 6 fatty acid is one of the best sources of fats for your German shepherd.
While you give your German shepherd puppy dry food, you need to ensure the puppy is well hydrated since dry dog food has low moisture content.
If you subject your puppy to dry food for long, he risks becoming dehydrated and lastly develop kidney and liver issues.
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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.
Best Dog Food For German Shepherd Dogs
We included the previous information to help you find quality food for your GSD on your own.
We will share some recommendations, but we think its important to give you the tools you need to do your own research.
Using the questions above, we contacted a handful of brands to determine if their products were worth including in this article. The following is an outline of their responses.
Blue Buffalo
A team of certified veterinary nutritionists and veterinarians formulates this food. Blue Buffalo only owns two of the plants that manufacture their products. The company conducts feeding trials.
Blue Buffalo only owns two of the plants that manufacture their products. But they conduct feeding trials to ensure their foods meet their aims.
Most meats are from the U.S., though more exotic meats may come from other countries. Lamb, for instance, is imported from New Zealand by almost all dog food manufacturers.
Blue Buffalo employs various procedures to ensure the quality of their products, including ELISA testing. The company meet AAFCO requirements.
Canidae
Canidaes food is formulated by a certified veterinary nutritionist. They own all of the plants in which their products are manufactured and conduct feeding trials.
Most of the meats in their food are from the U.S. and Canada, though more exotic meats are imported from other countries.
Canidae meet AAFCO requirements.
Diamond Pet Food Company
They meet AAFCO requirements.
Fromm Family Foods
Fromm meets AAFCO requirements
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Diamond Naturals Adult Dog Food
- Budget-friendly formula.
Blue Buffalo have created this recipe inspired by the German Shepherds ancestor, the wolf, and his protein rich diet which promotes strong muscle growth. It is 100% grain-free for dogs who suffer with grain allergies. This dog food also contains healthy carbohydrates such as sweet potato and peas that will keep his energy up throughout the day.
Blue Buffalos Wilderness recipe also includes omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which promote a healthy and shiny coat. Also included is their exclusive Lifesource Bits that provide your dog with a precise blend of antioxidants and minerals to provide a healthy oxidative balance.
We love that the Bison, Rabbit and Red Meat recipes are chicken and poultry free, and grain free, as some German Shepherds can be intolerant of chicken which is regularly found in dog food.
German Shepherd Raw Diet
Like homemade diets, formulating a raw diet for German Shepherds requires lots of effort and planning. There is more risk of contamination and nutritional imbalance due to its raw nature.
Raw dog food usually consists of uncooked and unprocessed animal-based products. These include raw meat, bones, vegetables, fruits, eggs with shells on them , dairy products such as butter and cheese made from raw milk without pasteurization or homogenizing. A dog raw diet is supposed to resemble the diet of what dogs ate in the wild millions of years ago.
Raw dog food is a growing trend These diets provide canines more nutrients than cooked foods and help them protect their teeth, coat, digestive functions, among other health benefits. Read our German Shepherd Raw Diet Guide to learn all about raw feeding GSDs and their benefits. We also recommend visiting our best raw dog food article to find the best brands to feed your dog.
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Instinct Raw Boost Real Chicken Puppy Dog Food
This Instinct Raw Boost Dry Food offers nutrition specifically tailored for German Shepherd puppies. This dry food formula provides a better way to combine high-protein, grain-free kibble, and freeze-dried raw pieces in one bag.
Each recipe has real meat as the first ingredient such as USA-raised beef, cage-free chicken, or grass-fed lamb.
This dry food is specifically formulated to allow large breed puppies such as German Shepherds to unlock their potential to grow bigger and stronger by adding the benefits of raw nutrition in their bowls.
This Instinct Raw Boost recipe is packed with proteins that provide a boost of natural probiotics, more antioxidants, and higher omegas.
The all-natural, minimally processed, protein-packed kibbles of real meat and non-GMO vegetables and fruits make this dry food pure and natural to support your puppys overall health.
This formula is manufactured in the USA using the best ingredients sourced from all over the world. This dry food is also free from potato, grains, soy, wheat, corn, by-product meal, artificial colors, or preservatives.
Pros
- Promotes a healthy immune system.
- Supports healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Cons
- Mashed chunks in some batches.
German Shepherd Puppies Dietary 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.
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Switching From German Shepherd Puppy Food To Adult Food
Switching your German shepherd puppy to adult food can be done between the ages of 9 months up to 1 year when your puppy has achieved about 90% of their adult size. The transition should be slow to prevent diarrhea and avoid upsetting your puppys intestinal tract.
Begin changing his diet by feeding a quarter of the adult food and three-quarters of the puppy food for about a week.
Next, feed your puppy with a portion of half adult food and half puppy food for several days and then introduce three quarter adult food and a quarter of puppy food for a few more days. Finally, introduce your puppy to adult food now.
German Shepherd Puppies Foods
This guide will teach you everything you need to properly feed your German Shepherd.We have suggestions no matter what age your German Shepherd is, whether its a puppy or an older dog.Enjoy!
Summary of Contents
- What is the Calories in the Best Dog Food For German Shepherd Puppy?
- Royal Canin German Shepherd Dry Dog Food
- Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Dry Puppy food
- Blue Buffalo Large Breed High Protein Dry Dog Food
- Purina Pro Plan Dry Puppy food
- ORIJEN Puppy Food for Large Breeds
- Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food
- Natural Balance Dry Puppy Food
- Open Farm Puppy Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Nulo Puppy Food Grain Free Dry Food
- What nutrients do German Shepherd puppies need?
- How can dog food help with common health problems in the German shepherd?
- What dishes are suitable for German Shepherds and their dogs?
- Do I need to provide supplements for my pups?
- What are the Top German Shepherd Puppy Foods?
- Consider these factors when choosing the Best Dog Food For German Shepherds Puppies
- FAQs about German Shepherd Puppy Food
- Final Verdict
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Best Dog Food For German Shepherd
German shepherds are a large breed that was bred to work. This high-energy dog has a lot of muscle and a healthy appetite. Choosing the best dog foods for German shepherd is an important part of helping it maintain a healthy weight and avoid some of the health problems this breed is prone to developing.
Contents
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
- EU approved
- Meets all AAFCO nutritional requirements
- Quality fiber sources and digestible ingredients for nutrient absorption and healthy weight
- Natural antioxidants
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The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds In 2021
We reviewed several of the current dog food for German Shepherds within the scope of this article. Our results point out that Dr. Garys Best Breed Holistic German Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for German Shepherds. This is a nutritionally dense food that is specifically designed for large breed dogs, including German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Dobermans.
Dr. Garys ingredients are all-natural, and the formula uses absolutely no fillers, no grains, and no meat by-products. The food also incorporates nutrients for joint health as well as fiber to aid in digestion. This is important as German Shepherds are often prone to both digestive health issues as well as joint problems. Dr. Garys food is also specifically formulated for not just large breed dogs, but for German Shepherds! You can rest assured that your dog is getting everything nutritionally that he needs to be happy and healthy.
Taste Of The Wild Dry Dog Food For German Shepherds
Taste of The Wild Dry Dog Food is one of the top favorites in this list simply because it is very tasty for dogs and it can provide complete nutrition to large breeds.
If you have a German Shepherd in your house, you might want to try this extremely palatable dog food that contains wild game proteins on the recipe, which makes it a very popular choice for dog owners.
It has roasted quail, smoked turkey, and roasted duck that can provide the rich flavor of unique and rare protein sources and also has K9 strain probiotics that are made for dogs to help with the digestion process.
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Understanding German Shepherd’s 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 canine’s 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, you’ll have to update your German Shepherd’s 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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