Best Nourishing Dog Food for Your German Shepherd in 2023

What is the Shepherds Diet (Food List)?

German Shepherds are one of those dog breeds that grow quickly into adulthood. One of the main problems these dogs face is musculoskeletal issues, which weaken their bones and joints. It is essential to feed them with proper food that includes as many nutrients as possible. We recommend you feed them large breed puppy food for german shepherds formula that will contain protein in ample amounts, which will support their lean muscle mass. Another important feature to include is making sure that the German Shepherd diet food supplements glucosamine and chondroitin to increase strength in bones. Some of the below mentioned food list when included in your Shepherd’s diet will influence improve its health:

• Kibble dry pet meal
• Frozen meat
• Thawed meat
• Wet canned canine food
• Organic hound diet
• Semi moist dog food
• Dehydrated dog food

How Much Dog Food To Feed a German Shepherd?

Since German Shepherds are a larger breed of dogs, they require a large amount of food to fill their tummy. For adult German Shepherds, you can feed them about 2.5 to 3.5 cups of quality kibble a day and slowly feed it twice a day. Modify the feed according to your dog’s size, weight, age, and day-to-day activity involvement. Feeding your dog high protein food will build its muscle mass. If accompanied by vitamins and minerals, then that will improve your fuzz mate’s mental health. Feeding our pets with the right food will influence their physical growth only if you have blended in vitamins and minerals in a sufficient amount.

Health Concerns For German Shepherds

German Shepherds are prone to contract health problems that are related to bone, muscles, and joints. One such common health issue is hip dysplasia where it involves the malfunctioning of hip joints due to exercising too much, feeding too much, or injured themselves. In order to cure you can feed dog food for hip dysplasia to your pet. Elbow dysplasia is another problem that occurs mostly in German Shepherds that have a long line of badly bred ancestors and are caused mainly by poor genetics. Another health concern seen in many large breed dogs today is diabetes because of their huge body and large food intake. Diabetes can incur due to genetics or environmental conditions, but you can control it with an appropriate diet and adequate exercise.

Best Brand Of Dog Food For German Shepherd

Royal Canin German Shepherd Dog Food

Royal Canin has mastered themselves in formulating unique diet meals for German Shepherds. The main factor that makes them stand out among others is that they offer effective nutritional dog food from pure and original ingredients. Not just improving your pet’s body structure but also providing complete overall body development.

Natural Balance Dog Food

Natural Balance combination of love for pets plus their innovative knowledge of dog food formula makes them unique in creating premium dog food products. They are known to make products that meet the high nutritional, good taste, and clear all safety standards. Their innovative L.I.D (limited ingredient diet) is a hit with providing simple and specific nutritional formulated formula diet food for your pet.

Blue Buffalo Dog Food

Blue Buffalo has always indulged in producing dog food with the finest high-quality ingredients from the very beginning of its journey. None of their German Shepherd dog food contains soy, wheat, or corn. Blue’s every bite is rich in antioxidants that help improve your pet’s immune system. All of the pet food is slowly processed and not overcooked since overcooking may eliminate its nutritional value. We would recommend Blue Buffalo if you are looking out for a premium quality dog food product.

Purina Dog Food

Purina Dog Food comes made with a classic blend of vegetables, meat, and grains that makes it up to a complete diet. Every ingredient is sourced from trusted and genuine sources and thoroughly tested before use. They have a wide range of meat protein used in making their dog food, such as anchovies, beef, pork, chicken, catfish, and chicken livers. Vets test every batch of hound food to ensure that it has optimum nutritional levels in the food.

Merrick Dog Food

Merrick dog food comes crafted with a mix of vegetables, fruits, wholesome grains, and meat. Made using high-quality ingredients that deliver leading industry levels of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and essential fats. Their full source range of dog food is rich in protein with nutrient-rich organs and cartilage lacking peas or lentils. Thus, it is ideal for pets with allergies and a sensitive digestive system. Another feature of Merrick dog food is that you can get it at a budget-friendly price.

Ingredients To Avoid Feeding German Shepherd

Chocolate

Keep chocolate bars and cocoa powder always out of your hound’s reach. We’ve studied that the toxic ingredient in chocolate is methylxanthines that could cause harm to your dog. At times if German Shepherds consume chocolate, it may lead to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or low blood pressure.

Grapes

Both types of grapes -fresh and dried ones are toxic to German Shepherds. Researchers have not yet concluded as to why so. But they have witnessed dogs having severe kidney failure symptoms, abdominal pain, and vomiting when consumed too many grapes.

Avocado

Avocado is not highly toxic for canines but is mildly harmful to German Shepherds’ bodies. There’s a toxic ingredient in avocado that is called persin, which increases the obesity of pets. The fat content can lead to pancreatitis that can malfunction the whelp’s pancreas and affect its digestive system.

Caffeine and alcohol

Caffeine or alcohol, also in small quantities, can harm your German Shepherd Dogs’ internal system. Consuming it may lead to dangerous complications in your dog’s body such as increased hyper activeness and restlessness. Avoid foods such as raw yeast dough and baked goods with liquor.

What to Consider While Buying Best Food for German Shepherds?

We have pinned down some important factors that you must look for before choosing best food for german shepherds. Your requirements may vary from your dog’s weight and age, but no worries, we have covered them all for you. Make sure to get your German Shepherd checked with your vet and note down all ingredients which may not be suitable for consumption by your pet.

Calorie Requirements

As we’ve said before, German Shepherds are dog breeds that grow huge within 8 months. At their growing stage, they are vulnerable to bone-related issues. So at this time, we have to feed them a low-calorie diet that will lead to their slow growth process. Get a pack of high fiber dog food that is low in calories and feed them about 4 small meals throughout the day rather than 1 big meal.

Meat as 1st Ingredient

At their growing stage, it is crucial to keep the muscle and bone structure healthy. Your fur buddy’s food must contain at least 24% of protein and 8% of fat to help its physical development. Ensure including meat such as pork, beef, duck, chicken, fish, and lamb in their meals. High protein meat will build your dog’s muscle structure by increasing its mass and making your pet look bulky.

Carbohydrates

Carbs are said to be the quickest ingredients to get an immediate source of energy. We recommend that it should be the second most important ingredient in your pup’s food after meat. Foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, and beetroots are easily digestible, even for puppies with a sensitive stomach. Carbs are a good source for the underweight and those that need healthy fats to keep their body weight stable.

Fatty Acids

Look out for canine meals that contain an ample source of fatty acids that can be sourced from vegetables and fish oils. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids will keep your pooche’s skin healthy and give a shiny coat. Fatty acids also help reduce the excess shedding of dog hair which you can see in most German Shepherds. These fatty acids will prevent your pet from cardiovascular disease or any other heart-related issues.