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What Is The Best Food To Feed A German Shepherd

Transitioning To The Raw Wild Diet

The perfect dog diet | What to feed your dog | German Shepherd

Transitioning to a raw diet can be stressful for dog owners. But unless you have a finicky eater, you should be able to make the transition smoothly.

Raw Wild recommends the following steps to transition a puppy to the Raw Wild diet:

  • Go cold turkey and switch out your puppy’s kibble for Raw Wild.
  • Feed your puppy three times a day until around six months of age.
  • Reduce feeding to twice a day from 6 months old.
  • Feed your puppy 2 to 3% of their ideal adult body weight.
  • For mixed breed pups with an unknown adult body weight, feed 10% of current weight.
  • Always monitor weight and adjust meal sizes accordingly.
  • For adult dogs, Raw Wild recommends making the transition like this:

  • Try the cold turkey method and feed 1/2 of your dog’s daily Raw Wild ration twice a day. My advice is to feed it separately from kibble.
  • If after two days your dog is still resisting the new food, do the following:

  • Return to feeding kibble.
  • Replace a percentage of the kibble with Raw Wild for example, 90% kibble 10% Raw Wild.
  • Gradually increase the amount of Raw Wild, while reducing the amount of kibble until you are feeding only Raw Wild.
  • Keep in mind that many dogs vomit up their first raw meal. My Charley did precisely that and promptly ate it again.

    So don’t stress out if it happens, it’s normal and likely because they wolfed their new dog food down too quickly.

    Best Diet For German Shepherds

    German Shepherds grow to a large size dog breed between 60 to 90 pounds that is well muscled, slightly tapered, angular and longer than deep chested when fed a breed appropriate diet. Adult German Shepherds require 1,300 to 1,600 calories per day of high quality dog food for senior or less active dogs, and from 1,700 to 2,400 calories daily for active or working dogs.

    If choosing a dry kibble diet, select a a quality formula like these Recommended Dog Food Brands with protein level around 24% and fat levels around 14%. Shepherds require quality protein which should come from a named meat source. Most premium kibble formulas work and Raw Dog Food is even better. Grain free kibble is another option but is very calorie dense and high in protein. We mention this with caution as some German shepherds seem to have difficulty tolerating grain free kibble and end up with soft and runny stool. For excellent insight on choosing a quality kibble to feed your German Shepherd, take a look at our Feeding Dry Dog Food section.

    Holistic Select Large And Giant Breed Adult Health Dog Food

    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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    Best Dog Food For German Shepherd: Nutrients For Adults

    If you dont know yet, German Shepherds actually have a shorter colon compared to other large breed dogs. It means that they are always having a hard time digesting their food. This is the reason why your dog should have a precise diet to prevent any problem in their stomach.

    An adult German shepherd actually needs about 1,700 to 2,400 calories per day. This is because of their huge build and their active lifestyle. For a senior or less-active dog, they have to consume about 1,300 to 1,600 calories per day.

    For their food, it should have 18 to 24 percent protein and about 14 percent fat level. The protein should come from meat sources like pork, beef, fish, chicken, lamb, and more. You should also look for food with healthy fat, especially from canola oil, flaxseed or chicken.

    Can You Free Feed A German Shepherd Puppy

    German Shepherd Diet

    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.

    Also Check: When Do German Shepherd Ears Go Up

    Raw Paws Raw Meaty Bones

    Raw Paws offers a nice variety of raw meaty bones . This means you don’t need to try and source these from a butcher.

    Which can be difficult since most butchers remove all the meat from bones.

    Beef marrow bones are a great source of protein, chondroitin, collagen, calcium, and phosphorous.

    Bone marrow releases adiponectin which is linked to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It also builds immunity and supports kidney function.

    Although I don’t recommend marrow bones for anything other than recreation for your dog. They are too hard to break and can cause damage to their teeth.

    The other bone choices on offer are an excellent variety. There’s everything from:

    • Lamb.
    • Wings.
    • And quarters.

    You can add these to your dog’s diet by substituting 1 or 2 meals a week with RMB which is what I do.

    Or you can opt to feed your dog a prey model raw diet using these very meaty bones.

    And like I mentioned before, RMB are a wonderful way to stimulate your dog’s need to rip, chew, and tear. And not to mention the natural teeth cleaning RMB offer!

    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.

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    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!

    What Makes Dog Food Good For German Shepherds

    Best Food for a German Shepherd Puppy

    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!

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    The Modern German Shepherd

    When you think of a German Shepherd, a canine with a wolf-like appearance comes to mind. Most people find German shepherds to be an intimidating breed, fierce in looks and personality. In truth, there are many different types of German Shepherds and make for very faithful companions that love to lead. They are a very zealous and energetic breed. Your German shepherd pup will play, bounce, run and fetch all day long if you will allow it.

    Its a breed of dogs that starts with being a little over one pound. But, by the first year, they can gain weight up to 60 pounds. They are not a breed prone to obesity, either. They are a very active breed of dogs. Besides, GSDs have such a superior aptitude for training and are so intelligent that you will find them performing many different jobs.

    German Shepherds make superb search and rescue dogs. Youll find them providing disability help as well as working with the police and in military roles.

    Best Dog Food For German Shepherd With Sensitive Stomach

    Sensitive stomach and allergies can usually be solved by one formula. Dog food companies generate recipes that solve both or either problem. Experts say more dogs have allergies in the past 10 to 15 years due to low-quality dog food companies marketing their ill-designed food to gullible or ill-informed consumers. Luckily, high-quality brands can step in to solve the problem.

    Hills Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin Dog Food is a great way to battle both itchy skin from allergies and a sensitive stomach. Simple, minimal ingredients allow for easy digestion and a settled stomach. A boost of Omega 6 fatty acids and Vitamin E help nourish skin and build a glossy coat. Vitamin C and E build a stronger immune system so that allergies are diminished.

    Read Also: When To Neuter A German Shepherd

    Best Dog Food For German Shepherds With Food Sensitivities

    Some GSDs may have trouble with food sensitivity. This term is a bit confusing as it can be used to refer to both allergies and digestive issues. However, many limited ingredient dog foods address both issues by removing certain ingredients from their recipes.

    If your German Shepherd is suffering from food sensitivity, he may benefit from a limited ingredient dog food. Your vet can help you determine which option is best for your dogs needs.

    Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey and Potato Recipe for Adult Dogs* contains easily digestible sources of protein and carbs and has pumpkin added to ease digestion.

    None of the foods in the Basics line contain corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or eggs. There is a grain-free version of this food available.

    Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb and Sweet Potato Recipe for Adult, Large Breed Dogs* is grain-free and does not contain corn, wheat, soy, or dairy proteins which are common culprits of food sensitivities.

    Nutro only sources non-GMO ingredients and does not use artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

    Best Dog Food For German Shepherd Dogs Young And Old

    #Pettamilvlog

    April 26, 2019 By Happy Puppy Team

    Choosing the right food is one of the most difficult parts of owning a German Shepherd, or any dog for that matter.

    We all want whats best for our pups, but the world of pet food can be pretty confusing.

    In this article, well give you the tools you need to find quality food for your GSD, as well as share some recommendations based on our own research.

    Products included in this article were carefully and independently selected by the Happy Puppy Site team. If you decide to make a purchase from one of the links marked by an asterisk, we may earn a small commission on that sale. This is at no extra cost to you.

    Recommended Reading: When Do German Shepherd Ears Go Up

    Taste Of The Wild Sierra Mountain

    Best Grain-Free Option

    This is a sponsored placement, in which an advertiser pays a fee to be featured in this article. Learn more

    About: Taste of the Wild Sierra Canine Formula is a lamb-based dog food, made from high-quality ingredients. Taste of the Wild is designed to mimic the presumed diet of wild canids, so it is made without any grains.

    Features:

    • Formulated with probiotics to help promote proper and problem-free digestion
    • Taste of the Wild is made in the USA, under some of the strictest food safety requirements in the world
    • Made with real, antioxidant-rich fruits, such as blueberries raspberries
    • Contains both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which may promote skin, coat and joint health

    PROS

    Taste of the Wild is usually well-received by owners and their dogs, and is considered a pet owner favorite. Most dogs appear to enjoy the taste, and owners report a number of health benefits, including increased energy, improved coat quality and problem-free stools. In short, this lamb-based, grain-free, pro-biotic fortified is an excellent choice for most shepherds.

    CONS

    Taste of the Wild kibble is relatively small many owners have compared it to the size of puppy kibble. This may encourage your shepherd to gulp rather than chew, which is less than ideal. Additionally, some owners have reported their dogs teeth do not remain as clean while using this food.

    Lamb, lamb meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas…,

    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.

    Also Check: Thin German Shepherd

    Which Food Is Best Recommended For Adult German Shepherds

    For the adult food recommendations, we based our choices on similar aspects to the puppy formulas. We chose the food with the most natural and organic ingredients, the highest nutritional benefit, and the overall reputation of the company. Adult German Shepherds do not need as much protein or fat as a puppy since they are done growing. However, we still searched for the highest-quality adult food with the proper balance of protein, fat, fiber, and calories for an active adult German Shepherd.

    Best Dog Food For German Shepherds

    Best Dog Food for German Shepherd puppies ð?

    The best dog food for your German Shepherd, or any breed, is an important question and topic for dog owners.

    Gone are the days of feeding the family dog table scraps or fending for themselves in the neighbors garbage cans as the primary source of their diet.

    Like humans, dogs thrive on good quality food in the correct quantity and on a regular schedule.

    This article will explore the overall dietary needs of a large, active breed like the German Shepherd and specific dog food ingredients that help German Shepherds thrive.

    Lets explore the paw-fect diet for German Shepherds

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    Best Brand Of Dog Food For German Shepherd

    Royal Canin German Shepherd Dog Food

    Royal Canin has mastered themselves in formulating unique diet meals for German Shepherds. The main factor that makes them stand out among others is that they offer effective nutritional dog food from pure and original ingredients. Not just improving your pets body structure but also providing complete overall body development.

    Natural Balance Dog Food

    Natural Balance combination of love for pets plus their innovative knowledge of dog food formula makes them unique in creating premium dog food products. They are known to make products that meet the high nutritional, good taste, and clear all safety standards. Their innovative L.I.D is a hit with providing simple and specific nutritional formulated formula diet food for your pet.

    Blue Buffalo Dog Food

    Blue Buffalo has always indulged in producing dog food with the finest high-quality ingredients from the very beginning of its journey. None of their German Shepherd dog food contains soy, wheat, or corn. Blues every bite is rich in antioxidants that help improve your pets immune system. All of the pet food is slowly processed and not overcooked since overcooking may eliminate its nutritional value. We would recommend Blue Buffalo if you are looking out for a premium quality dog food product.

    Purina Dog Food

    Merrick Dog Food

    The Doggy Bag A Take Home Message

    German Shepherds tend to live the longest, healthiest lives when they are kept in a leaner body condition, receive life-stage-appropriate balanced nutrition, plenty of exercise and routine veterinary care. This is why working with your veterinarian to find the best dog food for German Shepherds is so vital to your petâs overall health and well-being.

    Regardless of which dog food you choose for your furry family member, it is important to follow feeding instructions carefully, You should also consult with your veterinarian if you are ever concerned about your German Shepherdâs health or nutrition.

    READ NEXT: 15 Top Dog Food Brands

    Disclosure: We may earn affiliate commissions at no cost to you from the links on this page. This did not affect our assessment of products. Read more here and find full disclosure here.

    Also Check: How Many Cups Of Dog Food For German Shepherd

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