Best Food For German Shepherd Puppy

Royal Canin Dry Food 1kg

Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy dry dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred German Shepherds 8 weeks to 15 months old.

Royal Canin knows what makes your German Shepherd puppy magnificent is in the details. These highly intelligent and playful puppies have big nutritional needs as they develop into faithful watchdogs. They can benefit from the right large breed growth formula to provide immune system support and bone and joint health as well as support digestive health all of which is important for the breed during puppy hood.

Ingredients

Chicken by-product meal, wheat gluten, corn, oat groats, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, chicken fat, brewers rice flour, brown rice, natural flavors, dried plain beet pulp, fish oil, sodium silico aluminate, monocalcium phosphate, vegetable oil, calcium carbonate, pea fiber, potassium chloride, psyllium seed husk, L-lysine, salt, fructooligosaccharides, sodium tripolyphosphate, vitamins , hydrolyzed yeast , choline chloride, taurine, DL-methionine, glucosamine hydrochloride, trace minerals , marigold extract , Yucca schidigera extract, chondroitin sulfate, carotene, rosemary extract, preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid.This diet contains 3639 kilocalories of metabolizable energy per kilogram or 331 kilocalories ME per cup on an as fed basis .

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German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin German Shepherd Adult dry dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred German Shepherds 15 months and older As a result of increased demand, you may experience difficulty purchasing certain products in the coming months. If you need an alternative diet recommendation or help locating a product, please contact our Nutritional Advisors at 800-592-6687 or via our Live Chat function.

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Health Dietary Changes In German Shepherds

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

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.

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General Nutritional Recommendations For German Shepherds

All dogs require a balance of protein, fat and carbohydrate in their diet, though dogs of certain sizes may require a slightly different ratio than smaller dogs. Large-breed dogs like the German Shepherd, for example, may require more protein than smaller dogs to help support their lean muscle mass. Smaller dogs usually require more fat than larger dogs to support their faster metabolisms. As a large-breed dog, your German Shepherds diet should provide high levels of protein with moderate fat and limited carbohydrate content. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, adult dogs need at least 18% protein and 5% fat while puppies need 22% protein and 8% fat. If you want your dog to be as healthy as possible, however, you should choose a diet that provides more than the minimum for these nutrients.

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 , and dairy products such as butter and cheese made from raw milk without pasteurization or homogenizing. A raw dog diet resembles the diet that dogs ate in the wild millions of years ago.

Raw dog food is a growing trend These diets provide canines with more nutrients than cooked foods and help them protect their teeth, coat, and digestive functions, among other health benefits. Read our German Shepherd raw diet guide to learn about raw feeding GSDs and their benefits. We recommend visiting our best raw dog food article to find the best brands to feed your dog.

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Orijen Adult Dog Food

This protein rich recipe is one of the richest around, with 85% of the ingredients being poultry, fish or egg products. Approximately two thirds of the meat content in this recipe are all fresh or raw, meaning that your German Shepherd will be getting his nutrients in the most nourishing form.

It is 100% grain and gluten free and it is packed with a variety of fruit and vegetables to provide your German Shepherd with his vitamins and minerals. It also comes in three different flavors the Original, Regional Red and Six Fish, so if you have a fussy pooch then there a few choices for him to choose from, and all of their recipes have whole fish in which helps to maintain a healthy heart.

We love that this is biologically appropriate, in that the recipe is based on a whole prey diet that mirrors the ratio of a wild diet. It incorporates a balance of meat, organs, bones, and cartilage. While that might not sound too appealing to you, your German Shepherd will love it!

Can German Shepherds Eat Regular Dog Food

Yes, GSDs can eat a wide range of foods that are generic in nature.

However, because of their large size and their activity levels, they might require a special diet. For instance, they need 18%-22% protein in their meals, with their caloric levels ranging from 1,200 to 2,100 calories per day. This also depends on your dogs activity levels and overall health.

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Recommended Supplements For German Shepherds

Here are the best breed-specific supplements GSDs may benefit from.

• Hip & Joint: German Shepherds are prone to bone and joint problems like osteoarthritis. To prevent or alleviate these problems, its wise to supplement their diet with Glucosamine and Chondroitin to help maintain an active lifestyle and support joint tissue. Finn Hip & Joint is an excellent choice.
• Digestive health: Giving dog probiotics can help with issues like Inflammatory Bowel Disease and EPI, both common in this breed. It can also help reduce your dogs inflammatory responses to food allergens.
• Immune system: GSDs are more susceptible to cancers than most dogs, particularly as they age. Adding dog immune system supplementation may help boost your dogs defenses. Cannabidiol products like CBD for dogs have also been shown to can anti-carcinogenic properties and promote immune health.

Because of the risk of bloating in GSDs, you should avoid raised dog bowls, give small frequent meals, invest in a slow feeder, and avoid vigorous exercise after meals. You may also want to add a multivitamin like Zesty Paws Multivitamin Chews to ensure your GSD pup gets the recommended balance of vitamins and minerals.

Always consult your vet before making any changes to your dogs diet.

Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food Puppy Large Breeds

Give your German Shepherd the best start in life so that he or she can grow to their full potential with balanced minerals that promote strong bones and strong teeth. Hills Science Diet Large Breed Puppy dry food has a delicious chicken flavor and is made with the optimal level of calcium for controlled bone growth: a unique developmental need of large breed puppies. This dog food is made with natural ingredients and uses DHA from fish oil to support your large dogs eye development and brain function for a happy, healthy dog.

• High-quality protein helps your large dog build and maintain muscle.
• Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
• Science Diet is the recipe #1 Veterinarian Recommended

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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!

German Shepherd Puppy Diet: After 6 Months

When your German Shepherd puppy reaches 6 months of age, its daily food intake should be reduced to twice a day. When we do this we can increase the food portions and eating time accordingly. A vet can provide you with a correct and tailored diet and/or food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. Our German Shepherd diet chart below should be taken into account depending on the age, lifestyle and size of your German Shepherd puppy.

After 6 months, you should give your German Shepherd puppy shatterproof bones, such as beef, to gnaw on. This should be done in order to strengthen the puppys teeth and gums. For more, take a look here for more about Bones For Puppies.

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Ingredients To Look For In A Healthy Dog Food For German Shepherds

When picking out the best dog food for German Shepherds, look for these ingredients on the ingredients panel:

• Unprocessed protein sources like deboned chicken, beef, or fish
• Fish oil and flaxseed oil for omega fatty acids
• Grain-free or whole grain
• Blueberries, kale, spinach, broccoli, and beets for antioxidants
• Easily digestible carbohydrates like barley, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes

You should also read the guaranteed analysis panel for a crude protein content of 30% or higher, a crude fiber content of 6% or higher, a crude fat content of 20% or higher, and amino acids like arginine, leucine, and carnitine.

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German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Amount

How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat.

Consider the following factors for how much to feed German Shepherd puppies:

• Activity the daily energy expenditure of your pup
• Age puppies tend to need more food and calories than senior dogs
• Health any medical conditions that might affect not only the type of food, but the amount

Heres a brief look at how much to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their lifestyle.

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Adult German Shepherd Calories Per Day

• Inactive German Shepherds: 1,272 to 1,540
• Active German Shepherds: 1,740 to 2,100

These calorie amounts are based on The National Research Council of the National Academies for dog nutritional feeding.

There are also guidelines on how much to feed your German Shepherd written on the food packet. These are guidelines only, so you may need to adjust accordingly for your dogs individual needs. This is affected by their activity levels and unique metabolism.

Then, theres also the number of cups of food your GSD eats that you might want to know.

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.

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Hills Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Food

Rating:

Large Breed Chicken Meal is one of 6 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Hills Science Diet product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, whole grain wheat, whole grain oats, whole grain sorghum, corn gluten meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Growth
• Best for:German Shepherd Puppies

This classic Science Diet formula gets the majority of its animal protein from chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 12% fat and 53% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 46%.

A fully-balanced, large-breed puppy diet. Contains just the right amount of calcium for controlled skeletal growth to help lower the risk of canine hip dysplasia in shepherd puppies. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewAfter doing research, I found that many large boned puppy foods had much more calcium than recommended by the Veterinary Council. Science Diet is much stricter about the ingredients. I switched and feel much better about my German Shepherds food! My dog loves it!

More Really Good Gsd Puppy Foods

We have placed an asterisk next to foods that have added taurine. Not all dog/puppy foods need to add taurine if the meat content is high or for other reasons, but some companies do add the amino acid. Adding taurine to a food is not a guarantee that your dog/puppy wont get heart disease since it also depends on other ingredients in the food as well as genetic and health factors.

The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food

The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food is a great option if you are interested in feeding your German Shepherd a diet consisting of fresh, whole foods with the convenience of home-delivery on a schedule you create yourself. The Farmers Dog uses human-grade meat and vegges in simple recipes that are specially formulated to suit your dogs unique dietary needs. All the meals are made fresh and delivered shortly after production and all diets are veterinarian-approved. If you are looking for a high-quality but convenient option for your German Shepherd, The Farmers Dog might be exactly what you are looking for.

Adirondack 30% High-Fat Puppy & Performance Recipe Dry

Adirondack 30% High-Fat Puppy & Performance Recipe Dry Dog Food is a premium quality food that contains no corn, wheat, or soy. The first ingredients are Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, and Chicken Fat. It has 30 percent protein and 20 percent fat. No artificial colors or flavors. Chewy.com has 5, 15, and 30-lb bags available. The 30-lb bag costs $49.49 or $47.02 with autoship.

Kinetic Performance Puppy 28K Formula Dry

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What Are Some Common Health Problems German Shepherds Face

Some common health problems German Shepherds face include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and allergies. This breed of dog is also susceptible to obesity, so it is important to choose a food that will help them maintain a healthy weight.

German Shepherds are also prone to joint problems, so a food that is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin is important for this breed of dog.

Do German Shepherd Puppies Need Special Nutrients

To keep up with the rapid growth of German Shepherd puppies, it is important to offer them a diet that is specifically designed with large-breed puppies in mind. German Shepherd pups require an appropriate combination of calories, calcium, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to ensure maximum nourishment.

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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.

Best Foods For Senior German Shepherds

Is your Senior German Shepherd Overweight? Has your pup started to get a sensitive stomach as they have gotten older? As your best friend continues to age, their nutritional needs are going to change. German Shepherd dogs arent typically prone to being overweight. But, any breed can put on extra pounds without the right amount of exercise as they age.

Its also possible that your pup develops a more sensitive stomach as they age. This means your vet may recommend a dog food designed to aid your pup in proper digestion. Or, if they have a problem staying regular, a higher fiber dog food may be the right call. In no particular order, lets look at our favorite dog foods for senior German Shepherds.

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