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Best Dog Food for German Shepherds
- Authors
- Name
- ChewyChoice team
Introduction
The German Shepherd is known for being an energetic dog breed originally bred for herding and protecting purposes. These sturdy and quick dogs need a rounded diet to keep up with their lifestyle and maintain their strong muscles. Selecting the right food for German shepherds is crucial to ensure they stay healthy and free from any health problems. It's important to provide them with a diet tailored to the requirements of large breeds, like them.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of German Shepherds
Considerations for Selecting the Best Dog Food for German Shepherds
When talking about the nutritional needs of German shepherds, it is important to know their needs differ based on their lifestage. For example, German shepherd pups have different requirements compared to adult or senior dogs. It's best to feed them with puppy formulas until they're 12-24 months old then switch to adult maintenance food. Senior dog food might be needed around age 7 to support aging joints and metabolism. Also, German shepherd pups face a higher risk of developing canine hip dysplasia, if they’re fed with too much calcium for their larger breed type.
Choosing the food for German Shepherds can be hard because each of them is unique. It's important to consider various factors when picking their dog food. One key factor is the age of the dog. Pups have different dietary requirements than adult dogs. So choosing a meal that suits their age is essential.
Understanding AAFCO Guidelines for German Shepherd Nutrition
AAFCO guideline specifies the minimum nutritional needs of both puppies and adults. For instance, adult dogs need at least 18% protein while puppies need around 22.5% protein on a dry matter basis.
Keeping breed needs and AAFCO guidelines in mind. Convert the nutritional analysis to a dried-matter basis for easier comparison. More importantly, consulting with a veterinarian. This ensures that the chosen food meets the needs of your pup based on their life stage and specific needs.
Meeting High Energy Demands of German Shepherds
Due to their working breed nature, German shepherds are highly active and they have strong energy needs. As a result, their diet should be high in calories, proteins, and fats to sustain their energy levels for tasks like herding, tracking, agility, and protection duties.
Optimizing Protein Sources for Lean Muscle Support
Additionally, German shepherds require protein from animal sources, like chicken, lamb, fish, and eggs to support lean muscle mass. The protein should be easy to digest and highly absorbable by their bodies.
Best Dog Food for German Shepherds July 2024
1. ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Protein
Fat
Carbs
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Salmon
- Whole Herring
- Chicken Liver
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, which is crucial for large, athletic dogs like German Shepherds that are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
- Essential omega fatty acids like EPA, and DHA, sourced from fish oil and chicken fat are included to promote skin and coat.
- The addition of glucosamine and chondroitin is beneficial for maintaining health, crucial for larger more active breeds like German Shepherds.
- Probiotics are incorporated to support wellness.
Cons
- The formula includes plant proteins like lentils and beans which might be less digestible, for dogs compared to animal based proteins.
Sample Review from buyers
Orijen Original has been my primary choice of dog food for many years. Occasionally if it's not available I'll purchase other Orijen formulations, but overall I trust that Orijen dog food is high-quality and nutritious.
2. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken & Rice Formula Large Breed Dry Puppy Food
Protein
Fat
Carbs
- Chicken
- Rice
- Corn Gluten Meal
- Whole Grain Corn
- Poultry By-Product Meal (Source Of Glucosamine)
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The formula includes glucosamine which is vital for German Shepherds to maintain joints.
- High-protein formula(31% protein on a dried matter basis) crafted with real chicken as the first ingredient.
- DHA from omega-rich fish oil nourishes brain and vision development.
- It maintains a balanced calcium and phosphorus ratio for bones and teeth.
Cons
- May be higher in calories than needed for some less active German Shepherds, leading to weight gain if not portioned correctly.
Sample Review from buyers
My dog loves ProPlan. She's still getting puppy food for a few months, but she will transition to adult dog food. It's a good quality food at a reasonable price.
3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein
Fat
Carbs
- Deboned Chicken
- Chicken Meal
- Brown Rice
- Oatmeal
- Barley
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Top-notch protein sources, like deboned chicken and chicken meal can help your active German Shepherd build muscles and grow.
- Complex carbohydrates provide enough energy support needed by Shepherds.
- Ingredients like Fish meal, flaxseed, and fish oil provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to keep your Shepherds coat shiny and skin healthy.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin are included which is beneficial for the skeletal development and overall health of Shepherds.
Cons
- A bit pricey compared to lower-quality options.
Sample Review from buyers
Recommend the Large Breed Puppy formula over the regular formula. My Lab puppy had digestive issues with the other, but not with this. She loves it and she looks beautiful at age 8 months.
4. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food
Protein
Fat
Carbs
- Brewers Rice
- Chicken By-Product Meal
- Brown Rice
- Oat Groats
- Chicken Fat
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The primary ingredients in this dog food are brewers rice and brown rice providing carbohydrates for energy.
- It includes glucosamine and chondroitin to help keep the joints healthy and mobile beneficial for active breeds prone to hip and elbow issues.
Cons
- Certain ingredients like cellulose (as filler) and artificial preservatives like citric acid have sparked debates due to their inclusion in the formula.
Sample Review from buyers
my shepherd has a delicate digestion and we switched to Royal Canin and how have almost no issues. One of his sibling brothers has the same issue and they have tried several brands of food for his as well. I have suggested Royal Canin to them and he is doing so much better.
5. VICTOR Purpose Hero Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Protein
Fat
Carbs
- Beef Meal
- Peas
- Sweet Potato
- Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols)
- Menhaden Fish Meal (source of DHA-Docosahexaenoic Acid)
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Sourced and Made in the USA.
- Top-notch meat sources, like beef meal, chicken fat, and fish meal can help your active German Shepherd build muscles and grow.
- Inclusion of glucosamine and chondroitin provide valuable support for active Shepherds
- The formula contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
- It also includes probiotics and prebiotics like inulin to promote health and immune system function.
Cons
- The product contains peas and garbanzo beans, which may not be easily digestible for some dogs compared to animal based proteins.
- It incorporates plant based ingredients like potatoes and tomato pomace that might not be suitable for dogs with sensitivities or allergies, to specific plant proteins.
Sample Review from buyers
Been feeding 6yr old German Shepherd this awhile until recall. New food made him gain weight and stool wasn't as good. We're both glad it's back and love Victor!!
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I safely switch my German Shepherd puppy to adult food?
Between 12 and 24 months, take into account your puppy's breed size and switch to the appropriate adult formula to fulfill their evoling nutritional needs. The timing for switching to adult food depends on how fast your dog grows, with smaller breeds typically maturing faster than larger breeds.
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