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Immediately you try searching for the best guard dog, the German Shepherd usually pops amongst the first five breeds listed. The canine is very brave, devoted, and pretty aggressive when it comes to protecting its family. For it to display these characters, nevertheless, the pet has to be well-fed and trained. For the latter, the breed is very easy to train due to its exquisite intelligence. But… what is the best dog food for German Shepherd?
Well, the German Shepherd dog is a large-sized breed which falls in the group of the working canines. The breed needs an active lifestyle and that’s why it makes a great companion and protector. For it to firmly develop this kinetic spirit, nonetheless, you have to care for it accordingly.
Just like you expect him to be loyal and active, you have to provide your German Shepherd dog with the best care, particularly the diet. The canine has an average height of 55-65 cm and a weight of 22-40 kg. So, you can’t just feed him like your daughter’s Chihuahua with a mass of 1.5-3 kg.
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In the market, you’ll come across a wide range of feed and brands but don’t be swayed by the flashiness. Choose only the best dog food for German shepherd or else you expose your precious guardian to a health disorder. The dog breed has a variety of genetic disorders which they’re highly prone to if poor fed. One of these health issues is the Gastric Dilatation Volvulus or GDV, which is pretty common in large-breed dogs.
Since today we are talking about feeding your German Shepherd dog, let’s look at the aspects you need to consider before choosing your pet’s food.
Essential Nutritional Requirements of a German Shepherd Dog
Protein
For some time, various veterinarians and animals’ nutritionists have been in the debate arguing if dogs are carnivores or omnivores. While we won’t contradict any of the perceptions, a German Shepherd undeniably needs high protein content in its diet. This ensures the canine remains strong and healthy throughout the course. The protein level should be at least 22% in every diet.
Fat
The main role of fat in the dog’s meal is to give it taste and improve its palatability. While feeding your German Shepherd, the food nutrients should come from protein and in moderate quantities. Excess fat can cause health conditions like Pancreatitis and if it’s too low it can cause various skin problems.
While feeding your German Shepherd, you have to consider aspects like age and health status, just as with the other dog breeds. If the canine has a problem gaining weight, feed him the right food. Else, you’ll raise your dog in a fantasy without ever growing his weight.
To avoid misconception error, consult your veterinarian to make sure your dog is not underweight because of an illness. If yes it’s an infection, a professional vet should guide you on the best dog foods for German shepherds to gain weight. A good diet should have a significant amount of fat and that of protein. This will ensure the canine’s body is getting the calories needed to put on weight, as well as nutrients to build muscles.
Best Dog Food for the German Shepherd Breed
A good example of a dog meal which you can get for your underweight pet is a premium kibble like Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Natural Adult Dry Dog Food. This now takes us to today’s subject on the best dog food that you can get your German Shepherd on Amazon Store.
1. Taste of the Wild High Protein Real Meat Dry Dog Food
Due to its active lifestyle, a German Shepherd Dog requires a heavy meal that will provide the needed energy. With the Taste of the Wild High Prairie High Protein Real Meat Dry Dog Food, your canine gets optimum energy that he needs. Among the ingredients contained are sweet potatoes and potatoes which are rich in dietary fiber. Real meat, nonetheless, is the first ingredient to provide the right quantity of protein your German Shepherd Dog needs for growth. the best dog food for german shepherds with skin allergies.
Some of this meat is from various game animals, such as buffalo, ocean fish meal, and Roasted Bison & Venison. Thus, the dog food brings a taste of the wild to your dog right at home. Apart from the wild meat, other ingredients present include lamb meal, pea protein, blueberries, egg product, tomato pomace, chicken meal, etc. The high protein is to ensure your precious pet has lean and strong muscles. This is our best dog foods for german shepherds.
All the ingredients in the Taste of the Wild High Protein Real Meat Dry Dog Food are from sustainable sources. Check more about Taste of the wild dog food reviews.
Pros
- Highly nutritious and energizing
- Has antioxidant for a robust immune system
- Contains Amino Fatty Acid for healthy skin and coat
- No grains or artificial flavors
- Palatable and highly digestible
Cons
- Fit for Adult German Shepherd dogs
- The size of the kibble is very small for an adult dog.
- This can make your dog gulp without chewing.
2. Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe Dry Dog Food
The recipe of Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe Dry Dog Food comprises of simple-but-nutritious ingredients that your Shepherd dog will cherish. The diet is a natural dog meal with added minerals and vitamins, as well as prebiotics to facilitate healthy digestion.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe Dry Dog Food has no Poultry By-Product, Wheat, Fillers, or even artificial flavors & preservatives. Thus, your dog won’t experience any complication if under medication involving gastrointestinal disorder. The dry dog food contains farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient to support lean muscle mass and healthy organs. Other ingredients in Rachael Ray Nutrish’s Recipe include Brown Rice, Peas & Carrots, Chicken Fat, and Beet Pulp.
The role of the latter is to provide wholesome fiber for prebiotics to support a healthy digestive tract for proper digestion.
Pros
- Contains natural ingredients, such as carrot & peas
- Rich in protein & wholesome carbs
- Utilizes natural preservatives & flavors
- Has prebiotics
- Omega-6 and omega-3 are present to nourish the skin and coat.
Cons
- Fit for adult German Shepherd dogs
3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
If your German Shepherd Dog is having problems putting on weight, get him the Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Natural Adult Dry Dog Food. Instead of grains, the diet has high protein from chicken & Fishmeal, alongside complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, peas, and carrots.
The high-protein meat is meant to satisfy your dog’s “natural” desire of meat, whilst building and maintaining his lean muscle mass. On the other hand, the complex carbs fuel the canine’s active lifestyle and facilitate the health of the skin and coat.
The recipe of this diet by the Blue Buffalo Wilderness manufacturers contains a perfect blend of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that your pet needs for growth. The Glucosamine, for instance, ensure the Shepherd has stable joints and overall mobility for use in her daily runs.
You may also interest: Blue buffalo dog food reviews
Pros
- 100% complete and balanced diet
- Rich in protein (34%) and fat (15%), hence, excellent for adding some weight in your dog
- Natural dog food from sustained sources
- It’s grain-free and has no artificial preservatives or flavors.
- Contains cranberries and blueberries which have high antioxidants for a healthy immune system.
Cons
- Designed for Adult Shepherd dogs
- Uncontrolled usage can cause obesity
4. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken and Brown Rice Puppy Dog Food
The dog meal is formulated with high-quality food compounds that your German Shepherd puppy requires when growing. Real chicken is the first ingredient and it provides your young pet with high-quality protein to help in developing healthy muscle mass.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken and Brown Rice Puppy Dog Food contain wholesome grains, veggies, and fruits to ensure it’s a complete and balanced diet. The dry dog food also has ARA and DHA compounds to support your dog in the eye and brain development.
This Blue Buffalo’s recipe comprises high-quality ingredients from natural sources like peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes. After blending, the mix is further added with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals to make it tasty and promote healthy digestion.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken and Brown Rice Puppy Dog Food have no compounds like artificial flavors, chicken by-product meals, and wheat. The diet is for a Shepherd puppy, hence, only the ingredients which support healthy growth and development are included. This is the other best dog foods for German shepherds.
Pros
- A highly nutritious and balanced diet
- Small-bite kibble for puppies’ jaws
- Rich in antioxidants
- Contains essential vitamins and minerals for growth
- Has the essential fatty acids for a healthy and shiny coat
Cons
- Created for puppies
5. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food
A German Shephard is a very intelligent pet. If you want his loyalty, you have to show allegiance as well. Get Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food to connect with your dog in no time. The canine food predominantly is for a purebred German Shepherd which is 15 months and above. The reason for this age range is because the kibble is exclusively for an Adult Shepherd’s long and strong muzzle. This makes it easier for your dog to grasp and chew, even though the kibble’s texture is harder to strengthen the teeth.
In its formula, the Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food contains various ingredients to promote your dog’s health. Some of the essential ingredients include Brewer’s Rice, Pork Meal, Chicken Fat, Fish Oil, Chicken By-Product Meal, and Green Tea Extract.
Additionally, the dog diet has glucosamine and Chondroitin to boost and maintain bone & joint health. The best dog food for german shepherds with sensitive stomachs.
Pros
- Highly digestible proteins and fibers
- Facilitate healthy skin and coat using fish oil
- Improves digestive performance
- Promote bone and joint health
Cons
- Meant for purebred German Shepherds from 15 months and above
6. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Puppy Dry Dog Food
Just as with kittens, puppies are very playful. Combined with the genetics of their parents, the German Shepherd puppies become physically active right from their tender age. As such, you need to provide them with diets which have excellent nutritional value.
One of the best diet that will boost the growth of your pet big is the Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Puppy Dry Dog Food. The dog meal is for purebred Shepherds which are between 8 weeks to 15 months of age. Similar to the “Adults” version of the food, this diet has kibble exclusively for the long, strong muzzle of the German Shepherds.
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Puppy Dry Dog Food contains top-notch ingredients which will give your puppy a robust immune system. This role will be facilitated by the antioxidants in the compounds like vitamin E. The dry dog food has highly-digestible proteins and fiber to ensure your canine has optimal stool quality. The best dog food for german shepherds with sensitive stomachs.
Pros
- Highly digestible proteins and fiber
- Immune system support
- Improves digestive performance
- Promote bone and joint health
- Helps maintain healthy skin and burnished coat.
Cons
- Fit for German Shepherd puppies
7. Iams Proactive Health Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food – Chicken
A German Shepherd is a dog breed which is very different from the rest. It has a higher sensitivity to the skin and more prone to hip dysplasia than rest of breeds. With Iams Proactive Health Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food, nonetheless, your pet is guaranteed full health and activeness. The dog meal is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of German Shepherds, particularly those with a sensitive digestive system.
This canine recipe by Iams has chicken as the primary ingredient, so, your pet will get the optimum protein that he needs for a healthy heart and strong muscle mass. Instead of wheat or soy or fillers, the dry dog kibble has ground whole-grain corn & sorghum, alongside chicken fat to fuel your Shepherd optimally.
As a diet for Sensitive digestive system, Iams Proactive Health Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food comes with a natural flavor and preservative.
Pros
- Highly nutritious and well-balanced
- Facilitates healthy digestion
- Supports healthy heart
- Contains fatty acids for a healthy and shiny coat
- Has natural Rosemary extract and mixed Tocopherols to maintain freshness
Cons
- Fit for Adult German Shepherd dog
8. Eukanuba Breed Specific Adult German Shepherd Dog Food 30 Pounds
To match with your pet’s active lifestyle, Eukanuba Breed Specific Adult German Shepherd Dog Food 30 Pounds contains all the required dietary nutrients. The dog food has high-quality animal-proteins from real chicken and fish meal to facilitate strong, lean muscles and also the overall body condition. With the Glucosamine and Chondroitin in the Chicken by-product meal, your Shepherd will have agile joints to match his high-permanence.
The Eukanuba’s canine meal has quality Chicken Fat and optimum carbohydrates from Cornmeal and Ground Whole Grain Sorghum. Thus, keeps your lovely working dog healthy and properly fueled. As one of the best cheap dog food for German shepherd, this diet has DHA and Vitamin E from Fish Oil. Therefore, it ensures your pet has a healthy brain and enhanced mental sharpness.
Eukanuba Breed Specific Adult German Shepherd Dog Food 30 Pounds is also guaranteed to reduce the accumulation of tartar (dental calculus) in less than a month. This is enhanced by the included 3D Dentadefense system, which you’ll only find in Eukanuba’s dog diet.
Pros
- Premium kibble with high-quality animal protein
- Optimal fats and carbs to enhance activeness
- Promotes mental intelligence and healthy brain
- Contains Omega-6 And -3 Fatty Acids for healthy skin and coat
Cons
- Recommended for adult German Shepherd dog ( 1 year and above)
Feed Your German Shepherd Dog Right
A German Shepherd is a dog that many people desire to have due to its genetic activeness and friendliness. Due to the high level of intelligence and aggressiveness, he is the top pick you’ll find patrolling military barbed wire fences. Despite its excellent functionality, though, the Shepherd requires proper care, particularly when it comes to feeding. The canine is highly prone to sensitivity disorders than most of the other breeds.
Therefore, pick the recommended best dog foods for german shepherd 2023 to maintain his strong, large build and overall wellness optimally. If it’s the young ones, ensure you use the right large breed puppy formula that will ensure proper growth and development. The Adult German Shepherd, on the other hand, provides a nutritious feed with an excellent balance of fat, carbs, fiber, vitamins, and most importantly meat protein.
Also, it’s worth to note a Shepherd has a shorter colon than the rest of large-breed dogs. Hence, you ought to feed him precise and digestible diet to avoid conditions like sensitive stomach, blot, and hip dysplasia.
