Best Dog Food Brands For German Shepherds

Best Foods For German Shepherd Puppies

Below are five of our natural dry dog kibble recommendations that are made from natural ingredients, and all have the best overall nutritional content as guided by the AAFCO.

We have also considered the overall product rating given by dog owners across the world, as well as the reputation of each brand, so that you know you are choosing the best products from expert companies.

Nomnomnow Fresh Food Delivery

Overall Best German Shepherd Dog Food: The best way to keep your German Shepherd healthy for the long term is to feed him a balanced diet made from quality ingredients. Most pet experts agree that fresh food is one of the best options, and NomNomNow is the company to trust. This company makes fresh pet food perfectly portioned according to your dogs calorie requirements and sends it to your door in automatic monthly shipments. You simply provide some information about your dogs age and breed, then NomNomNow does the work. Every recipe is made with wholesome, natural ingredients and prepared in small batches to preserve the nutritional integrity of those raw ingredients. Choose from several recipes with different protein and fat ratios according to your dogs needs.

• Pros: Fresh food delivered to your door, made with wholesome natural ingredients, prepared in small batches, pre-portioned for your dogs needs, no artificial additives, complete and balanced
• Cons: Expensive compared to traditional kibble, not breed size-specific

How Many Meals A Day Should A Gsd Have

A hungry, fast-growing German Shepherd puppy should eat as much as possible, but meals should be limited to 3 a day. After 12 weeks, your German Shepherd should have two meals or 3 to 4 cups of dog food a day.

However, many adult German Shepherds dont eat two meals a day. Just watch closely how your dog behaves and if it needs those two meals or not.

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Are German Shepherds Healthy Dogs

Generally speaking, German Shepherds are healthy dogs. But, since theres no such thing as 100% healthy dogs, German Shepherds are still prone to certain health conditions. Many of those diseases are congenital, but a lot of them can be controlled by you. With a proper diet, regular vet checkups, and plenty of exercise, your pup may avoid conditions like obesity or bloat.

The most common health issues that strike German Shepherds are perianal fistulas, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, food allergies, food intolerance, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel, disease, and bloat.

A lot of health conditions can be improved with the use of the right food, but many can also become worse if your dog eats poor-quality kibble.

Nutrition For German Shepherds

German shepherds are large canines that weigh more than 50 pounds when fully grown. It is critical to provide them with food that is nutrient-dense enough to meet their daily energy requirements.

So, what precisely constitutes decent German Shepherd dog food? The following is a list of standard dog food components and how they affect your German shepherd breed:

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Is It Ok To Put A Raw Egg In Dog Food

The answer is complicated. While some experts believe that raw eggs are perfectly safe for dogs, others believe that they can be dangerous. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

If you decide to feed your dog raw eggs, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure the eggs are fresh. Second, only feed your dog eggs that have been properly refrigerated. Finally, don’t forget to wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw eggs.

If you’re still not sure whether or not to feed your dog raw eggs, talk to your veterinarian. They can help you make the best decision for your pet.

Merrick Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe

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

Caloric Content: 3,641 kcal/kg

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.

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Specifically Designed For Adult German Shepherds: Royal Canin

• Lots of fiber and easily digestible proteins
• Vitamins and nutrients to support a healthy coat
• Includes DHA and EPA for joints and bone health

Cons:

• A 30 lb bag costs over $75

Royal Canin designed this particular food for the German Shepherd breed, particularly those over fifteen months of age. This food is perfect for German Shepherds who have shown signs of digestive issues, such as bloating or recurring upset stomachs. The Royal Canin for German Shepherds is even formulated to promote skin and coat health! The only real downside to the Royal Canin choice is the price a 30 lb bag is between $75 and $80 , depending upon if you order it and have it shipped . However, this food is not only designed specifically for German Shepherds, it addresses some specific nutritional needs of the breed. If your dog is prone to health issues, then spending the extra dough for this special formula food may be well worth it!

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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Solid Gold Barking At The Moon High Protein Duck Peas & Egg Recipe

If your German Shepherd is a working dog, both protein and fat are of the utmost importance. We like this Solid Gold Barking at the Moon High Protein Duck, Peas & Egg Recipe because it is specifically formulated to be loaded with these nutrients. It contains multiple sources of quality animal protein to provide a full 41% crude protein with 20% crude fat for energy. Youll also be glad to know that it is a holistic recipe made with all-natural ingredients to maximize nutrition and digestibility. It contains grain-free carbohydrates like peas and chickpeas with fresh fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources for key nutrients. It also contains probiotic supplements for digestion with chelated minerals to ensure optimal nutrient absorption. Simply put, if you want to provide your dog with a high-quality, digestible source of balanced nutrition with a focus on protein and energy, this is a great option.

• Pros: High in animal protein , holistic natural recipe, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, rich in omega fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables, chelated minerals, probiotics
• Cons: Contains some plant protein , not a large-breed recipe

What Is The Best Dry Food For Senior German Shepherds

If we ignore brands and manufacturers for a second, we can think about the food itself. For any dry food or kibble to qualify as the best for your senior German Shepherd, it must contain the correct nutrition, particularly enough protein to sustain muscle mass and enough fat to insulate him and provide energy. It should additionally have some omega fatty acids to promote proper skin health and coat maintenance in your senior German Shepherd.

But before you make your buying decision, you should at least know what the other top options are and how they compare against each other. Thats precisely what Ill cover in the rest of this article. It includes a detailed review and comparison of the following four best dry dog foods for your senior German Shepherd:

• Royal Canin German Shepherd Adult Breed-Specific Dry Food
• Eukanuba German Shepherd Dry Dog Food
• Diamond Naturals Senior Dog Food
• Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food

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The Best Food For Adult German Shepherds

Adult German shepherds need an adult dog food or a food formulated for all life stages. You’ll have a lot more choice when it comes to the nutritional profile in adult dog recipes.

Large breed puppies need food with a moderate amount of protein and a modest amount of fat. But some adults may benefit from higher protein content and fat content it all depends on your dog’s activity level. Active dogs and dogs with higher energy levels do well on higher protein diets because it helps them build muscles.

Senior dogs often do better on higher fiber foods. They may also benefit from low-calorie foods, or you can simply reduce the serving size on their standard dog food.

Bloat is a common health issue for German shepherds. You may help reduce their risk by feeding your dog wet food that doesn’t contain animal fats, like chicken fat, in the first four ingredients.

Some German shepherds also suffer from food allergies. A food allergy test can help you determine what your dog is allergic to so you can choose the right recipe for their needs.

Can I Buy Something Similar Cheaper Elsewhere

One of the most common questions that a lot of customers ask is, Can I buy something similar cheaper elsewhere? The short answer is no. When you are looking for a quality cheap dog food for german shepherd, the most important thing to know is that cheap is not always better. You should carefully research the best cheap dog food for german shepherd before buying and consult the prices on some online sales websites to make the best decision.

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Choosing The Best Dog Food For Your German Shepherds Can Prevent Illnesses

As a medium to large breed dog, Germans are predisposed to hip dysplasia.

Having the appropriate nutrients as a puppy can help prevent the joints from growing too quickly and malforming.

Obesity can exacerbate this problem, so you should try to keep your GSD at an optimum weight.

Bloat or stomach twists usually affect dogs with deep barrel chests. The German Shepherd falls in this category.

Certain kibble helps prevent this by making them into a doughnut shape as this will force dogs to slow down when they are eating.

There are also slow feeders that you can use but its advisable to feed Germans 2 3 small meals a day to prevent them from scarfing their meals just because they are hungry.

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Puppy Dry Dog Food

Royal Canins German Shepherd Puppy dry dog food is engineered to meet the nutritional needs of purebred German Shepherd puppies from two to fifteen months old. The special formula helps maintain bone & joint health with additions like glucosamine and chondroitin to support your German Shepherds large, growing body. Its a great choice to ensure you have a happy, healthy dog!

• Exclusive, specially designed kibbles specifically for a German Shepherds long, strong muzzle encourage healthy chewing
• The recipe helps protect a puppys developing immune system and natural defenses with an exclusive complex of antioxidants including vitamin E
• Aids gastrointestinal health with highly digestible proteins and fibers, which also promotes optimal stool quality

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What Are The Best Chicken

When choosing the best grain-inclusive dog food for dogs with chicken-related sensitivities, careful consideration is necessary because animal protein is vital in any dogs diet. Chicken is the most prevalent protein in grain-inclusive dog foods, mainly because it is the cheapest protein on the market. However, many dogs have allergic reactions to poultry, and German Shepherd owners must find alternative diet options for their dogs. Below are two of the best chicken-free grain-inclusive dog food options available.

German Shepherd Puppy Food Buying Guide

How you engage with and how you feed your German Shepherd puppy is critical to ensuring a long, healthy, happy life for your pet. This is why feeding your German Shepherd a high-quality diet is extremely important. The ideal diet for your German Shepherd puppy is well balanced and contains all the antioxidants and nutrients your puppys developing muscles and mind need to grow. In fact, veterinarians recommend a diet that consists of at least 22% of protein and 8% fat for your growing Shepherd. While shopping for food for your German Shepherd, we recommend you consider these factors.

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Cheap Senior Dog Food

Cheaper foods might not provide optimum nutrition for your German Shepherd. But, high-quality dog foods usually provide 100% complete and balanced nutrition with consistently high-quality ingredients. This means from bag to bag or can to can, your dog will get consistent optimal nutrition.

In addition, these dog foods generally have a higher nutrient and energy density than the lower-cost foods. This translates into smaller feeding portions as the kibble is more nutritionally and calorically dense. Therefore, premium dog food gives you the best value while providing your dog with high-quality nutrition.

Buy the highest-quality dog food for your senior German Shepherd that you can afford.

Senior Dog Food Vs Regular Dog Food

Is there more to senior dog food than just a name on the packaging and fancy marketing?

When comparing an adult or all-life stage diet to one labeled for senior dogs, you might not notice a difference.

However, upon closer inspection of senior dog foods there are extra ingredients included to help not only fortify senior dog foods, but to improve digestibility, reduce inflammation, and support joint function.

But, dont assume that all dog foods marketed for senior dogs are the right match for your German Shepherd. Moreover, some dog foods marketed towards all life stages are actually a great match for seniors.

You just need to know what to look for in the ingredients to make an educated decision.

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Senior Dogs And Chewing

Remember dogs, especially German Shepherds, have a need to chew and need a suitable outlet for this. Provide your senior dog with appropriate German Shepherd chew toys to fulfill this need.

Dogs dont just eat for nutrition, they have a behavioral need to lick and chew so this need must be met by providing suitable chewing items. Aim for 30 minutes of chewing a day of a safe product or item made specifically for chewing sessions.

If youre worried about giving your dog Nylabones or other chews to sink their teeth into, then supervise them and use stuffed KONGs to see how they handle them. Rotate chews regularly to keep your German Shepherd interested and keep their teeth healthier.

Best Dog Foods For A 12

At 12-month, a German Shepherd can digest a variety of types of food. If you prefer to use dry or wet food, you can change from puppy to adult dog food. You can also change to a raw food diet at this age.

The best food for your German Shepherd is one thats rich in high-quality animal protein with plenty of healthy fats and the optimal balance of essential nutrients.

Heres a list of the best dog food you can find for your 12-month-old German Shepherd:

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Thoughts On Best Nourishing Dog Food For Your German Shepherd In 2022

Exercise Requirements For German Shepherds

Before we get into the best German Shepherd dog food reviews, one thing I must mention, as it’s common for pet owners to ignore. While food is one of the keys to a healthy GSD, play time and exercise are especially important for this dog breed.

Dog owners looking to adopt a GSD should know is that a German Shepherd is a very high energy animal that requires daily exercise it’s non-negotiable if you want to have a healthy dog. Because GSDs are a smart breed, like other herding breeds, they require a job to live life to the fullest, which provides them with sufficient mental stimulation.

The GSD will keep you on your toes, ready for anything. Playing dog Frisbee, fetching balls, performing in obedience training and agility trials, or even just playing on the beach if youre game, theyre game. And you better be game!

With this out of the way, let’s talk about how to feed a German Shepherd for health, what is the best dog food for a German Shepherd dog, and what are their nutritional needs.

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