Best Dog Food For German Shepherds
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German Shepherds are highly intelligent, active, loyal, and easy to train breed.
They are originally bred in Germany as a breed of working dogs to oversee livestock.
When considering shopping for dog foods for this breed, know that these canine friends belong to the family of large, active, energetic, and well-muscled dogs.
Their foods should contain high-quality ingredients that are packed with essential macronutrients and vitamins.
Keep reading to learn more about your German Shepherd’s nutritional needs and to receive some tips for picking the best dog food to meet them.
At A Glance Best Dog Food For German Shepherds To Buy:
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Dog Food For German Shepherds
BEST FOR ALLERGIES  2. Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR WEIGHT LOSS  3. Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food | BEST FOR PUPPIES  5. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food | ||
Protein 32.0% Min | Protein 26.0% Min | Protein 21% Min | Protein 27.0% Min | Protein 29.0% Min |
Fat 18.0% Min | Fat 16.0% Min | Fat 12% Min | Fat 12.0% Min | Fat 13.0% Min |
Fiber 4.0% Max | Fiber 4.0% Max | Fiber 4% Max | Fiber 3.5% Max | Fiber 5.0% Max |
Calories 370 kcal/cup | Calories 429 kcal/cup | Calories 382 kcal/cup | Calories 359 kcal/cup | Calories 366 kcal/cup |
Dietary Needs Of German Shepherds
All dogs have the same basic nutritional needs for protein, fat, and nutrients. What you may not realize, however, is that dogs of different sizes have different needs when it comes to the ratio of those nutrients.
German Shepherds also need more calories than smaller dogs, but fewer per pound of body weight.
Here are some of the top things to look for in a large breed dog food:
- High-Quality Protein. Protein is the most important nutrient for any dog, but it is particularly important for large breed dogs to maintain lean muscle mass. Look for premium animal sources for protein.
- Moderate Fat. Fat provides your dog with a concentrated source of energy as well as essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, but you want to keep the content moderate to avoid feeding your dog so many calories that he becomes obese.
- Joint Support. Large breed dogs have a higher risk for bone and joint problems than smaller breeds, so look for a recipe that contains joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Digestibility. Many large breed dogs have sensitive stomachs, so you want to make sure that the recipe you choose is made with digestible ingredients and free from low-quality fillers and artificial additives that could upset its stomach.
Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best dog food for large breeds. Here’s what you need to know:
How To Choose The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds?
The best place to start when looking for the best dog food for large breeds is a high-quality diet formulated for large-breed dogs.
This will help ensure that your dog gets the protein it needs to build healthy muscle without so much fat that it becomes overweight or obese.
In terms of specific nutritional needs, your dog requires at least 18% crude protein, 5% crude fat, and no more than 5% fiber in its diet. That is the bare minimum, however, so keep that in mind.
When it comes to protein and fat, your German Shepherd will be able to digest animal-based ingredients better than plant-based ingredients.
Meat, poultry, and fish are excellent sources of protein for dogs, and healthy fats include things like chicken fat and salmon oil. Your German Shepherd can digest certain carbohydrates as well like whole grains, starchy vegetables, beans, and legumes, but protein should be the star of its diet.
In addition to protein, fat, and digestible carbohydrates, your large breed dog can benefit from certain supplements.
Probiotics, for example, help to ensure smooth and regular digestion while chelated minerals provide a biologically valuable source of key nutrients. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also important for German Shepherd dogs to support their bone and joint health.
The Top 5 Best Dog Foods For German Shepherds
When picking a dog food for German Shepherds, look for high-quality ingredients such as premium animal proteins, healthy animal fats, and digestible carbohydrates. You want to make sure the protein is high enough to maintain its lean muscle mass with just enough fat for energy.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 32.0% Min
- Fat: 18.0% Min
- Fiber: 4.0% Max
- Calories: 370 kcal/cup
- Great grain free dog food
- Excellent quality food at a great price
- Reduces allergies in dogs
- Nutrient-dense and calorie-dense
- There are issues with stocking due to delay delivery
- Has no resealable strip or zipper to keep it airtight
It comes with a unique taste of the wild with roasted bison. Its number one ingredient is real meat with the optimal amino acid profile. This formula is a natural food full of essential vitamins and minerals. Plus, fruits and vegetables serve as superfoods for natural antioxidants.
It is also nutrient rich and highly digestible with guaranteed species-specific, probiotics that survive and thrive in the GI tract.
Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 26.0% Min
- Fat: 16.0% Min
- Fiber: 4.0% Max
- Calories: 429 kcal/cup
- Easy on the stomach
- Rich in animal protein
- Rich in healthy fats
- Inconsistent volume of food in the bags
The product also contains no corn, wheat or soy that may trigger allergies in German Shepherds. Some of its other ingredients such as rice and oatmeal give easily digestible sources of carbs. While fish oil serves as a source of EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid that offers support for healthy joints and mobility.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 21% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 382 kcal/cup
- Affordable
- Bite sized kibble is just right
- Single source of protein and carbohydrate
- Prevents stomach issues
- Seems not to help with skin issues
Additionally, it is a clinically proven blend of antioxidants with adequate vitamins C and E that support a strong immune system in dogs. This Hill’s Science formula is also full of high quality, easily digestible ingredients that provide complete and balanced nutrition. This consequently helps maintain your pup’s body weight balance.
Eukanuba Senior Lamb 1st Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 27.0% Min
- Fat: 12.0% Min
- Fiber: 3.5% Max
- Calories: 359 kcal/cup
- Made with excellent ingredients
- Glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
- Low-calorie recipe
- Easy on delicate stomachs
- The kibble size may be a deterrent to some pups
It also delivers 100% complete and balanced nutrition for senior maintenance with 0% filler.
The product has a lot of antioxidants that promote a strong immune system. This Eukanuba formula comes with an excellent blend of fats, carbs, and vitamins that promote healthy sustained energy levels.
Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 29.0% Min
- Fat: 13.0% Min
- Fiber: 5.0% Max
- Calories: 366 kcal/cup
- Supports dental health
- Enhances healthy growth
- Often recommended by vets
- Chelated minerals
- Zipper could be made a little better
It is well made to contain an adequate level of protein, fat, carbohydrates and essential vitamins and minerals that help support puppy German Shepherds’ overall health and vitality.
This formula is prepared with natural and delicious ingredients to offer a guaranteed taste that your puppy will fall in love with. It generally supports growing puppy’s teeth and bone, healthy muscle growth, and optimum nutrient absorption.
Our criteria
We try to follow the recommendations of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association when selecting the best dog foods for German Shepherds. We look for foods that meet the following criteria as much as possible:
- Foods that are AAFCO-approved, preferably with food trials.
- Nutritional research and testing is paramount.
- We prefer dog foods that are formulated by staffs of veterinary nutritionists.
- Good quality control is essential.
- A food’s nutrition is more important than ingredients that sound appealing to a dog’s owner. Marketing should not be the deciding factor in the food you buy for your dog.
We also take into consideration the recent warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about a possible link between grain free dog foods and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. This investigation is ongoing. It has now been expanded to include exotic meats used in dog foods.
How Much Should You Feed Your German Shepherd By Age?
With the right amount of essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins, the best way to measure how much you should feed your dog is through the measure of calories intake.
- Puppies grow so fast. This means that they need a high level of daily intake of calories. Ideally, they will need 40 calories per lb in a day. Thus, a puppy weighing 40 lb will need 1,600 calories per day. Read more about the best puppy food here
- Adults are very active both physically and mentally. It is therefore important that they are fed adequately. An average adult of this breed will need a large amount of calorie, at least 1,500 calories in his diet. Moreover, a very active adult will need 30 calories per lb, meaning a total of 2,100 calories.
- Seniors need fewer calorie intake because of less activity and poor body metabolism. Experts often recommend that they should be eat less than 20 calories per lb, meaning they should be eating something around 1,200 calories per day. Read more about the 5 Best Healthy Senior Dog Foods here
German Shepherd Food Allergies And Food Related Health Issues
Generally, German Shepherds are usually very strong and healthy dogs. There are a number of health challenges that may befall this breed. Here are some of the common health issues that your dog may be exposed to:
- Food Allergies – German Shepherds commonly pick up food allergies. Some of the symptoms that often exhibit as a result of this health condition are dry, itchy ears, skin or paws. Click here to read more about the best dog food for skin allergies
- Hip Dysplasia – Larger dogs like German Shepherds are very prone to hip Dysplasia. In fact, it is the primary health concern for this dog breed. People describe is as the malformation of the joint. It often gets worse for dogs that are obese. The best way to manage this health issue is by feeding your dog with food that uses a weight management recipe.
- Bloat – As part of deep-chested breeds, German Shepherds stand a high risk of having bloat. This condition occurs when their stomachs or intestines get twisted thereby trapping gasses in. One cause of bloat is gulping of food down the throat. That is why it is advisable to train your canine friend how to eat slowly.
- Perianal Fistulas – This is the small tunnels that are around a German Shepherd’s anus linking the anal glands to the exterior. They can be very painful to these dogs and are also quite common among this breed.
Final Thoughts
Finally, getting the best dog food for your German Shepherd should not be a rocket science itinerary if you have the right information. Knowing your dog’s age and health condition will definitely go a long way in helping you choose the right food for your pup.
Generally, German Shepherds are extremely active and energetic and they will need foods that contain high-quality ingredients. Therefore, you should avoid foods with grains such as wheat and corn, as most German Shepherds are prone to food allergies from these.
