What Dog Food Should I Feed My German Shepherd

Types Of Diet For German Shepherd Puppies

German Shepherds are lean and strong dogs, which means that they need a diet that is high in lean proteins, but low in fats and carbohydrates. A GS that is overweight will have trouble losing weight because of the way that their body is made.

Overweight puppies will also have too much pressure put on their hips and since hip dysplasia is a real concern for GS, you want their hips to grow well. Stay away from foods that are high in filler as well because that will contribute to weight gain without positive benefit.

Foods Your German Shepherd Should Avoid

Given that different varieties of foods are available in our homes, either manufactured or homemade, they all have varying effects on your canine friends when ingested.

Well use the traffic lights colors to categorize the foods your German Shepherd should not eat based on the severity of their effects. Heres what I mean by that:

• GREEN will represent foods that arent poisonous to your pooch but cause mild effects once consumed. These effects include mild diarrhea, irritation, and vomiting. Additionally, your German Shepherd should only eat these foods in moderation since they have long-term adverse side effects if eaten too often.

• YELLOW will be the foods that cause moderate to severe effects once ingested by your furry canine friend. They may cause severe stomach upsets, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your dog consumes these foods, you should immediately consult a vet.

• RED will show the highly toxic foods that your pup should never consume. These foods have high toxicity levels, and once eaten, they might put your Shepherds life in danger.

In the ideal world, you wouldnt give your German Shepherd any of these foods because theyre not among their natural diet.

But lets find out which foods belong in each color-coded category.

Feeding Length Of Your German Shepherd Puppy

You need to observe your German shepherd in order to determine his mealtime lengths. Take note of how long he takes to finish a normal portion of food.

You also need to observe how long he takes to be full and pay careful attention to if he is still hungry after eating his portion.

Usually, German shepherds will take around 10 to 15 minutes to complete a meal, providing that you adhered to the customary feeding instructions. If you notice that your dog is displaying signs of eating slowly, you should pay a visit to your vet.

On the other hand, if you notice that your German Shepherd is still hungry after completing a meal, you should also pay a visit to your vet.

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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe Grain

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Salmon, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Peas, 4. Pea Protein, 5. Menhaden Fish Meal

Truly inspired by the natural diet of wolves, this recipe by Blue Buffalo Wilderness features grain-free ingredients and other protein-rich sources to balance the nutrition for large-breed dogs. Feed your German Shepherd dog a bowl filled with wholesome goodness and nourishment loaded with antioxidant-enriched ingredients for ultimate development and maintenance.

General Nutritional Requirements For German Shepherds

The first thing you need to remember is to feed your German shepherd dog food that meets their nutritional needs. I know this might sound obvious, but it is an easy mistake to make and can cost your dog a lot of trouble in his or her life.

When I consider the food feed to my German shepherds, I always think about their health issues first. A German shepherd is a medium to large breed dog, which means that he is at a higher risk for certain health problems, with bones and hips problems being the most notorious ones.

Genetics plays an integral part in the likelihood of them developing joint diseases, and too much rapid growth is another factor that can make these problems worse.

This is why, although German shepherds need basic nutrientssuch as protein, fat, carbs, and other vitamins and mineralsjust like other dog breeds, you want to be careful with dog foods that are too rich in nutrients as they can promote dangerously quick growth.

Aside from health issues, there are also other things that you need to take into account, including the size, age, and activity level of your dog.

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American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

Top 5 Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes

Caloric Content: 3,740 kcal/kg

Feeding Instructions: 3 2/3 4 ½ cups a day for an adult dog

Key Features

Most Inexpensive If you are searching for a dry dog food for your German Shepherd that isnt super expensive, then American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a great choice for you.

It is on the lower end of the price spectrum however, it is still a good dry dog food from a reputable brand that is manufactured in Kansas, USA.

This mix comes in a 4lb, 12lb or 24lb bag, offering the option to choose a smaller bag to begin with to see if your furry friend likes it and then move on to a bigger bag later on.

A 4-pound bag holds about 17 cups, a 12-pound bag holds about 52 cups and a 24-pound bag holds about 104 cups that should last for a while! It can have a strange smell though, which can be off-putting to humans and dogs alike, and can be a little hard for senior dogs to digest sometimes.

This Salmon & Sweet Potato blend offers protein and amino acids through real, deboned salmon, ensuring leaner muscles while still tasting great.

The addition of both chickpeas and sweet potato allow for slow-release energy, which means your best friend will have endless energy all day long.

And lets not forget everything is grain-free, corn-free, wheat-free and soy-free, which is perfect for German Shepherds with sensitive stomachs.

Pros

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 pet’s 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 Shepherds health or nutrition.

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 findfull disclosure here.

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Best Dog Food For German Shepherds: Nutrients For Puppies

Puppies can grow rapidly during their first eight months of age so they require a lot of nutrients in order to support the development of their bones and muscles. When it comes to food, make sure that you give them something that is made for their breed type.

You need to feed them large breed puppy formulas because they are made to support the calorie, carbohydrate, and calcium needs of your dogs.

Small breed formulas usually have low calorie and fat contents, which may leave your dogs malnourished. Adult formulas wont be a good idea for your puppies as they would have a hard time digesting them.

Your puppies need a total of 500 calories per day and it has to increase gradually as they grow. When the puppy reaches young adulthood, he should be able to consume about 1,500 to 1,700 calories a day.

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What Can German Shepherds Eat

So now we know what nutrients dogs need lets take a closer look at what exactly they can eat. These are the main foods German Shepherds can eat. However, they do come with some caveats, so read on!

These are the caveats to be aware of:

• If a fruit contains pits or seeds, these must be removed as they contain toxic cyanide.
• Most vegetables should be cooked first to help with digestion.
• Fruits, vegetables, dairy, and nuts should be fed in small amounts no more than 10% of daily calories.
• Although dogs can eat some nuts, they are not recommended due to their high-fat content, which can cause an upset stomach.
• Its not advisable to feed raw eggs or raw fish due to the risk of salmonella or listeria.
• Some dogs are lactose intolerant and can not eat certain dairy foods, depending on how much lactose they contain.

I wrote complete guides to all the fruits and vegetables your German Shepherd can eat where you can find a ton of helpful information. These articles also include the nasty ones to watch out for!

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Eukanuba Breed Specific German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Corn Meal, 3. Brewers Rice, 4. Dried Beet Pulp, 5. Fish Oil

Building on the belief that dogs thrive on a carnivorous diet, Eukanuba has made a breed-specific dog food for German Shepherds to fulfill their nutritional needs in all ways possible. Their recipe uses high-quality animal proteins to provide essential amino acids for muscle nourishment and contains both taurine and L-carnitine to support heart health.

Apart from that, the special diet also includes beet pulp and FOS to encourage better digestion. Another unique feature of this dog food is that it uses a DentaDefense System that prevents tartar buildup for up to 28 days, significantly improving your German Shepherds dental hygiene.

Wellness Complete Health Large Breed

The Complete Health Large Breed by Wellness uses deboned chicken and chicken meal as its main source of protein. It also contains salmon meal, which adds to the omega fatty acid content provided by flaxseeds.

Apart from providing optimum amounts of protein for lean muscle mass, these ingredients boost skin and coat health.

This dry dog food is further an excellent choice for German Shepherds because of its fiber and probiotic content. It boosts their digestive system and promotes optimum gut health.

Additionally, it is enhanced with antioxidants for heart and eye health as well as chondroitin and glucosamine, which are essential for strong joints.

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Seinor German Shepherd Foods

Large breeds typically start to show symptoms of aging at five years or older. Whether your dog is losing muscle strength or experiencing joint pain, the right formula can help keep an aging German Shepherd active and healthy.

Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food

Nutro calls this formula a nutritional powerhouse, and wed have to agree. Containing premium-quality protein, fruits, and vegetables, as well as glucosamine and chondroitin to promote joint health, this dog food has everything an aging German Shepherd needs to remain healthy.

Main Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Rice Bran, Lamb Meal, Salmon Meal

• Protein: 26%

Know When You Are Feeding Your German Shepherd Puppy Too Much

While not every puppy owner is overly keen to do it, you can tell a lot just by examining your puppys stool.

Doing so can give you a more clear handle on how often you should be feeding your German Shepherd puppy and how much it should be consuming during the course of the day. If a GSD puppy has too much food to process through its digestive system, it will begin to show in its stools.

Soft or wet stool is a good indication that there is too much food for the puppy to digest or process through the digestive system.

If your puppys stool is consistently solid and does not cause your puppy to overexert itself while going potty, this is a good indication that you are striking the proper balance in terms of how much food you are feeding your puppy.

Even if you feel that your puppy is too skinny, do not dramatically increase its food intake. Do so gradually, and keep an eye on the consistency of their stools to give you an idea of how much of their increased food intake is actually being retained.

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What Is The Best Type Of Food To Transition Your German Shepherd Puppy To

Puppy food for large breeds with a high protein level is best for German Shepherd puppies. Whenever possible, it is always a good idea to continue the same brand and essential formulation, but to switch to the adult version when appropriate.

You will not only avoid any issues with finicky behavior but will also help ensure that your puppy continues to meet its essential nutritional needs. The outcome of taking these steps will be better overall health for your dog.

Replace 1/4 of their current food with the new food for two days. Then, you will replace half the food for two days and three-quarters for two days, ultimately making the switch totally to the new food. This process should take two to four weeks.

This video helps put the process of switching your dog over to another food into perspective. This relatively simple step is an essential way of making sure that your dog is nourished.

Avoid adding supplements, because they may add too many nutrients that are already present in the food. Eggs, cooked vegetables, or yogurt make suitable additives for better digestion or flavor variety if you want to provide a treat.

Diamond Naturals Premium Large Breed Formulas

Heres a power-packed meal to provide antioxidants, probiotics, essential vitamins, and added minerals. The superfoods in the meal promote a long and hearty life for your fluffball. Diamond Naturals formula is specifically for large breed puppies. They need more nourishment to sustain their bone development.

GSDs tend to suffer from elbow and hip dysplasia. So, it is imperative to fortify their immune systems as well as ossein buildout. That will make sure that your pooch does not suffer from joint pains in their adult life.

Furthermore, the antioxidants in the blend prevent cancer. The probiotics in the mix keep the gut flora flourishing, and the omega fatty-acids keep the skin, coat, and vision healthy.Diamond tops it all up with a great price tag to give you the ultimate value for your money.

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Homemade Dog Food For German Shepherd Adults And Puppies Recipes

Before putting your chefs hat on to make any homemade dog food recipe, you should first consult your vet and run the ingredients by them to get it approved for your German Shepherd.

They can even help you create a feeding schedule and give you insight into foods your dog can or cant eat .

Also, note that we didnt include serving size in the following recipes since the portions will change depending on the weight, age, activity level, and general health condition of your German Shepherd.

That being said, lets get down to business!

Elbow And Hip Dysplasia

Unfortunately, the primary health concern for German Shepherds is hip dysplasia, which is a malformation of the joint. It is a condition that can get worse if your dog is overweight or obese, so keeping her at a healthy weight is imperative. If your dog is overweight*, you should choose a dog food that uses a weight management formula, which will be lower in fat.

Another thing that can help this condition is to look for dog foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin , as they stimulate the body to repair damaged cartilage.

*Females can weigh up to 71 lb , while males usually weigh up to 88 .

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How Much Food Should I Give My German Shepherd Puppy How Often Should I Feed My Puppy

Young puppies need to eat 3-4 times a day in small amounts.

If necessary, you can divide the food into two larger meals, but make sure you are not feeding them so much that they start to vomit. The puppies will not necessarily be regulated, so it is easy for them to eat ad nauseam and then vomit, you have to regulate the amounts for them.

The food for German shepherd puppies is very different from the adult dog food

German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Guide: 12 Weeks To 6 Months

After approximately 12 weeks of age, puppies can be trained to eat fewer meals a day, at set times, and with set amounts. While you still dont want to limit their food too much at this age, its also not a good idea to just let them pig out whenever they want.

Large breed puppies have a tendency to overeat, and concerned puppy parents often give in to their pups cries for more. This sets your German Shepherd up for obesity, heart problems, liver issues, joint pain, and a host of other medical conditions.

Instead of letting your puppy have a free-for-all on a bag of kibble, ask your vet what they recommend. Theyll look at your German Shepherd puppy as an individual as well as considering the breed as a whole.

The vet will also consider the pups overall health, activity level, and metabolism.

While your vets recommendation should overrule anything you read online, here is a decent middle ground feeding guide for most German Shepherd puppies.

This potbelly baby stage means she is not quite mature enough for reduced feedings.

Watch her body composition, shape, and weight. When she starts to look more like an older puppy and the potbelly is slimming down, you can reduce the feedings to 3 per day.

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