How To Choose The Best Food For Your German Shepherd
As previously mentioned, dogs of all ages, sizes, and activity levels all have different requirements. A lactating dam will need nutrients closer to that of a puppy than a full-grown adult male working dog.
There are certain kibbles that are suitable for all life stages that can help you keep your dog in optimum health with minimum effort.
Best Overall German Shepherd Dog Food
Dr. Garys Best Breed dog formula for German Shepherds 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.
Unlike most kibble for large dog breeds, this brands kibble is highly digestible, which helps avoid typical large dog-bred problems such as bloating.
Most GSD dog parents report only positive reviews about this dog food, including helping with loose stool, food allergies, coat health, sensitive tummies, and other benefits.
- Formulated specifically for German Shepherds
- New Zealand green-lipped sea mussels support joint health
- Essential vitamins support immune system health
- Meets all AAFCO nutritional requirements
- Quality fiber sources and digestible ingredients for nutrient absorption and healthy weight
- Natural antioxidants
The Best Dog Treats For German Shepherds
We think that the best treats are all-natural, whole foods like carrots or homemade peanut butter oatmeal balls. Its simply, really, just take some all-natural peanut butter, mix it with oat and freeze it.
If youre a no-grain family, you can replace it with a pumpkin.
However, if youre looking for a convenient treat to give during training, heres a favorite of ours.
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Purina Pro Plan For Large Breed Puppy
Top ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Corn Gluten MealType: Dry
With live probiotics for better digestive health, Purina has your furkids best interest at heart with their specially formulated kibble.
Naturally sourced glucosamine from fish meal and DHA from omega-rich fish oil for developing your puppys brain and vision.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy Chicken is made up of chicken as the first ingredient and has no corn, wheat or soy. This means it should be easy for your german shepherd puppy to digest. The formula is also free of artificial flavors and preservatives.
Its important to note that this product can be used with puppies from 8 weeks old through 12 months old, but you should talk to your vet before switching your furry friend over to a new diet.
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Best Costco Dog Food For German Shepherd
The best dog food for German Shepherds we found at Costco is KIRKLAND Natures Domain Grain-Free.
Made with salmon meal and ocean fish meal for quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids, this formula offers great nutrition for the overall health of your German Shepherd.
It offers a digestive support system for your GSD thanks to dried chicory root, a natural prebiotic and probiotic that helps support a healthy digestive system. The fiber from dried chicory root helps maintain the proper balance of beneficial bacteria in your German Shepherds intestines.
Active9probiotics are canine-specific probiotics developed just for Kirkland Signature dog food formulas. You will find these probiotics in this formula. Each pound of food provides 100 million live, active cultures that help support healthy digestion and help your dog maintain an active lifestyle.
If you regularly shop at Costco and like the Kirkland brand, this is your best choice at the store. You can also find it on Amazon.
Calories, transition & other GSD food tips.
How To Feed A German Shepherd Dog
Before switching your dog to any new diet, always consult with a veterinarian. Remember that no article on the internet, including this one, can replace a consultation with a vet.
German Shepherd dogs tend to require more calories than the average large-breed dog. This is attributed to their high energy level which we’ve discussed above. Even at rest, the GSD isnt a couch potato hes going to be where the action is.
However, it is possible for some German Shepherds to be lazy and prone to obesity. This is especially true if the dog is older or has an underlying health condition that causes excess weight gain. It is important to not overfeed GSDs and feed the best dog food diet for German Shepherds that is appropriate for their life stage and health condition.
Below, I will take a look at the three life stages and two common health conditions of German Shepherds and the type of dog food they will require at that point. These are my most recommended brands, but we’ll also take a look at the best German Shepherd dog food reviews from pet owners to see what they have to say after switching to a new diet.
Also Check: Royal Canin Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food
What Causes A Sensitive Stomach And Diarrhea In German Shepherds
You might not always know what causes stomach sickness in your GSD.
There are multiple causes why German Shepherds can have diarrhea. This could range from eating something they should not to a sudden change of food.
If you are inclined to change your dogs food, remember to do it gradually over at least a seven to ten-day period. You can do the food switch by mixing a small amount of the new food with the original food. As each day passes continue to add more of the new food while including less of the original diet.
If at any point your German Shepherd gets upset to the stomach or has diarrhea, stop the new diet and let them have a few days of rest on their original normal diet before trying with the introduction of the new food again.
Choosing A Dog Food For German Shepherds With Health Problems
When choosing a brand or product for your sick dog, there are multiple factors to consider. What can exacerbate their problem and what can help them?
Dogs suffering from hip dysplasia will benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin.
For dogs with a sensitive gut, you can try formulas that feature limited ingredients and have probiotics that promote gut health and can boost your dogs immune system.
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Natural Balance Lid Large
If your German Shepherd suffers from food allergies, a limited-ingredient diet like this lamb meal and brown rice formula might be a good option. It contains only a single type of animal protein. And brown rice provides the grains and fiber, so its gluten-free!
Natural Balance L.I.D. Large-Breed Formula Dog Food
Great for German Shepherds with allergies or sensitive stomachs, this limited-ingredient recipe has lamb meal and brown rice, making it gluten-free.
This recipe comes in a larger kibble size for bigger teeth. It features premium ingredients like chicken, oatmeal, pumpkin, and cranberries. Its available in 15- and 30-pound bags.
Holistic Select Natural Large- and Giant-Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
With a larger kibble size and premium chicken protein, this holistic recipe is a great choice for larger breeds like German Shepherds.
Nutritional Profile That Is Balanced:
German Shepherds are extremely energetic and have voracious appetites. They will require adequate calories as well as a healthy balance of food categories to maintain their energy and keep them robust and smart. Although the caloric demands of a GSD vary depending on weight as well as other characteristics such as age, gender, and activity level, the ideal range for dogs of their size is between 1,700-2,400 calories per day. They require more than simply adequate calories. The finest food for a German Shepherd dog is one that is not only high in energy but also carefully prepared to satisfy the breeds nutritional requirements. Protein, healthy fats, carbs, fibers, omega 3, and omega 6 are a must in their diet. So, choose food with these nutritional values.
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Can German Shepherds Eat Bones
Do you remember the saying, give a dog a bone? But can GermanShepherds eat bones as part of their diet?
German Shepherds can eat bones. They are a good source of nutrients, especially calcium and phosphorus, and help clean your dogs teeth and keep them strong. However, never feed a cooked bone as cooking causes the bone to soften and splinter as your dog chews it and can cause injuries or choking.
If you want to know more about this topic, head over to this article, Can German Shepherds Eat Bones?
Choose a sizeable raw bone larger than your dogs muzzle so he wont be tempted to swallow it. Beef or lamb bones are better than chicken or pork bones as they are stronger and wont easily splinter. For example, a large beef shank bone would be just the thing for your German Shepherd.
Remember to supervise your GSD when giving him a bone.
Potential Gut Health Issues
German Shepherds have a community of bacteria and other microbes that work together to keep the body healthy. Keeping this balanced is very important for overall health, including digestive, mental, and immune well-being. For these reasons, we prefer food with digestive enzymes/benefits to ensure our German Shepherds gut remains in good shape. Picking the right dog food is vital for keeping your dogs gut healthy.
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Preparation Of Our Homemade Diet
All of the information above might seem intimidating, but I assure you that making the actual meals for our dogs takes no more than 20 minutes of actual hands-on time.
First, we cook our complex carbs, whether theyre grains, legumes, or starchy vegetables.
While that pot is simmering on the stove, we cook the meat in a separate pan in coconut oil and ground turmeric. After its cooled a bit, we add chunks of meat to our food processor and pulse until theyre broken down into 1/2- to 1-inch pieces.
Then, we gather whatever vegetables or fruits we have in the kitchen , chop them up as needed, and toss them into the food processor.
We also add a few clean, crushed eggshells to the mix. A few pulses turns all this food into smaller pieces, making them more digestible for our dogs.
Finally, we add the cooled, cooked carbs to the food processor and do a couple more pulses to combine. Everything should have a finely crumbled texture by this point.
Since dogs have short digestive tracts, its crucial that you break down the food to increase its bioavailability that is, making all the nutrients in those wholesome ingredients more digestible in a dogs system.
I prepare enough food to last my two pugs an entire week. Its unbelievably easy, and I like knowing exactly what goes into their food. Friends will watch us feed our pugs and remark that it looks good enough for them to eat!
American Journey Active Life
The American Journey Active Life Formula Large Breed Dry Dog Food is a well-rounded, balanced diet that provides 24% high-quality protein from real, deboned salmon as the first ingredient.
It includes fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and healthy nutrients like sweet potatoes, blueberries, cranberries, and carrots. It also contains natural fiber from wholesome, easy-to-digest grains like brown rice and barley.
This large breed formula features a larger kibble size and is formulated to meet specific nutritional requirements for a large breed dog. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also added to support and maintain healthy joints, bones, and muscles.
Specification
Read Also: Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Problems With Changing Dog Foods
Think again about frequently changing your dogs food if they have stomach issues.
One of the biggest mistakes owners make is trying too many diets on their own before seeking veterinary attention. In haste to help your sick German Shepherd, you might think frequently changing foods is a good option.
And some dog owners might feed over a dozen diets, sometimes for only a couple of days at a time, before quickly switching foods again. This kind of feeding routine makes it much harder to get to the bottom of things.
Food changes take time to show effects and dont happen in just a few days. Stick with one food and note your dogs diarrhea, upset stomach, and other gastrointestinal issues for a couple of months to see an effect.
Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream
- Grain-free formula.
This recipe is made without grain, potatoes, by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors or preservatives. Only 100% natural ingredients are used in this formula. Its made with smoked salmon, which is a taste that many dogs love as much if not more than chicken or red meat. Salmon is also the first ingredient.
This dog food recipe is also packed with extra nutrients and antioxidants. These will help boost your pups immune system. They will also help keep your German Shepherds digestive system in tip top condition.
We love that this recipe contains Taste of the Wilds proprietary probiotics. This will ensure your German Shepherds gut health is a priority during their adult years.
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Best Cheap Dog Food For German Shepherds
If you are looking for the cheapest dog food for German Shepherds, IAMS Protective Health kibble is your top choice.
For a fraction of the price of other GSD dog foods, this dry food is formulated to provide your GSD pup with sustained healthy energy from a blend of wholesome grains, carbohydrates, and a power-packed trio of proteins for strong muscles.
It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for strong bones and joint development.
Omega 3 & 6 from chicken fat is added to help with supper cost and slot health. We also found beet pulp and natural probiotics for healthy digestion.
- Not a breed specific formula
Now Let’s Break Down The Recipe For My Easy Homemade Dog Food Shall We
The recipe box below contains a printable version of my go-to recipe for homemade dog food, which consist of lean ground sirloin, brown rice, carrots, hard boiled eggs, parsley, and a few tablespoons of oil that is high in Omega’s. But sometimes, especially since social distancing, I’ve found that it is helpful to have a list of easy substitutes for when ingredients run low. Plug in or swap out any of the items below based on what foods your pup likes/needs and what you have on hand to create your pup’s ideal dog food flavor profile.
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Vet Recommended Dog Food For German Shepherd Puppy
- Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy Food
This is a top of the line food that comes in dry or wet. It is made for German Shepherds and has everything good for your puppy. It also has a taste that puppies love, which makes it easy for them to eat. This dog food is also formulated with nutritionists who created this high quality formula with just what your puppy needs from puppyhood through adulthood. The formula includes vitamins and minerals as well as probiotics, antioxidants and omega-3s to promote healthy skin and coat. Plus it helps maintain joint mobility by providing chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine to support cartilage development during playtime activities like climbing the stairs or chasing after their ball! Your German Shepherd pup will grow up strong and healthy thanks to this premium kibble diet designed by vets specifically for growing puppies!
Transition: How To Switch From Puppy To Adult Dog Food
Making the transition between puppy to adult food or from one brand to another is not as hard as you think. All you need to do is replace the original food with the new kibble gradually.
You can do this slowly or over the course of a month, depending on how much of the old kibble you still have.
The most common method is adding 20% of new dog food daily, so by the 5th day, your dog will have transitioned to the new food.
What I like to do is mix their new and old kibble together in a container and serve.
Adjust the radio until all the old dog food is used up, so when youre nearing the end of the bag, just throw a handful into the container!
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What Is The Best Dog Food For German Shepherd
German Shepherds are a popular breed in the United States, coming in at second right behind Labradors.
They look imposing and are great guard dogs, but they are also wonderful family pets and service dogs. The first guide dog in America was a GSD called Buddy.
The best you can do for these gorgeous animals is by offering them the best dog food for German Shepherds. Read more below!
Ingredients For Rascals Homemade Dog Food:
- All-Natural chicken stock or water
- Macaroni noodles
Note: We add in a supplement nutrient blend from a company called Just Food For Dogs very similar to dog vitamins as well as Omega oil to make sure he is getting enough healthy fats. I highly recommend adding both of these into your dog food so you can rest assure that they are getting proper nutrients.
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Feeding Treats To A German Shepherd
You can include small portions of fresh components to your puppys dry kibble for taste and flavor. But dont add more than a spoonful or two so your dog doesnt eat only the fresh ingredients and ignore the healthy kibble!
These components shouldnt make up over 10% of their daily calories to avoid them gaining excess weight.
GSD puppies enjoy eating: