5 Best Dog Foods For German Shepherds: Only the Best for GSDs!

Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach is a dog food formulated with salmon and rice, intended to cater to dogs that have sensitive stomachs or food allergies. As salmon and rice are generally easy for dogs to digest and have a pleasant flavor, this dog food receives positive reviews from most canines. Although not all German shepherds experience food allergies, numerous canines encounter digestive issues, prompting us to recommend this Purina Pro Plan product.

Characteristics

• Fortified with glucosamine-rich ingredients , which can help protect your shepherd’s joints as she ages
• Contains few common allergens, such as corn, wheat or soy
• Fortified with vitamins and minerals to help ensure your dog receives a balanced and complete diet
• Manufactured in company-owned factories, located in the USA

5. CANIDAE Grain Free PURE Dry Dog Food

The CANIDAE PURE Dog Food is a type of dog food that does not contain grains or soy, but has various protein sources and carbohydrates that are easy to digest, such as sweet potatoes, chick peas, and peas. It highlights that it has real lamb as its main ingredient, which will be appetizing for most dogs, including German shepherds, and can be easily digested.

Characteristics

• Fortified with four different pro-biotics to help support proper gastrointestinal function
• Formulated with supplemental antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to ensure a complete, balanced diet
• Contains ingredients that are rich in both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, for skin and immune system health

Important Factors for Selecting the Best Dog Food for German Shepherds, Specifically

Aside from choosing a dog food with desirable traits, it is necessary to take into account some other aspects when buying the ideal dog food for German shepherds. This will aid in meeting your dog’s specific requirements.

When choosing dog food for German shepherds, it is crucial to consider certain factors such as:

• Because German shepherd often develop food allergies, it may be helpful to select dog foods that do not include some of the most common allergens, such as corn, wheat, chicken and beef .
• Because German shepherds may develop osteoarthritis and other joint maladies, you should look for products containing glucosamine and chondroitin , which may help treat or prevent such problems .
• Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are valuable additions to your German shepherd’s diet, as they are believed to help promote joint health, maintain good coat condition, as well as reduce inflammatory responses by the body.
• Dog foods that include probiotics may be able to help soothe your German shepherd’s digestive system and improve its function. This is especially important given the breed’s frequent gastrointestinal issues.
• To help further avoid digestive problems, it is wise to provide your pup with a food that your dog seems to digest well . Unfortunately, you’ll never know how a given food will affect your dog until you try it. However, it may be helpful to seek out ingredients most dogs digest well – such as lamb and rice – at the outset.
• Because German shepherds often suffer from bloat , it is wise to encourage your dog to chew rather than gulp , and eat slowly. Your pup is more likely to chew larger kibble pieces , so try to compare the sizes of various options when making your selection.

BONUS: Should You Feed a Homemade Diet?

Due to the ever-changing recalls and details about commercial dog foods, an increasing number of dog owners are choosing to prepare their dogs’ meals at home. While dogs enjoy homemade food, creating dog food at home is not equivalent to cooking for oneself or one’s human family. It is critical to follow specific regulations to ensure the wellness of your dog.

The popularity of homemade diets is rising due to the ability to regulate ingredients and avoid recalls on dog food. Moreover, a lot of individuals seek to maintain a healthier lifestyle, which extends to their pet dogs. Some opt for homemade diets as they comprise whole foods that are commonly deemed more beneficial than processed dog food.

Before changing your dog’s diet to homemade food, certain aspects should be taken into account since home-cooked dog food may not be suitable for everyone.

• Be sure to find a dog food recipe that is complete and balanced. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to feed an incomplete or imbalanced diet to your dog.
• It takes time to measure ingredients and prepare the food correctly. Be sure you have a schedule that allows enough time to properly make your dog’s food on a regular basis.
• Make sure you can afford the ingredients to make your own dog food. Homemade food is typically less expensive than commercially prepared fresh or raw dog food, but it usually costs a little more than kibble.
• If you have a picky dog, you may need to source multiple recipes so you can change the diet periodically and keep your dog interested.

Proper Nutrition for Dogs

For dogs to flourish, it is imperative to meet their nutritional requirements, just as humans. Dogs’ nutritional needs are distinct from ours, and consequently, sharing your food with them isn’t a feasible solution. Feeding dogs an insufficient or uneven diet can result in a scarcity of vitamins and nutrients.

To meet their energy needs, dogs require a sufficient amount of calories, which vary depending on their life stage and level of activity. Seeking advice from your veterinary provider is recommended to determine your dog’s daily caloric intake requirement.

A homemade dog diet should contain an appropriate balance of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat. Vitamins and minerals must be added to the food to ensure it is complete and balanced.

• At least 10% protein , such as chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef
• Up to 50% carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta , and potatoes (also provides some fiber)
• About 2.5-4.5% fiber , which can come from vegetables like peas, green beans, and carrots
• At least 5.5% fat , usually in the form of vegetable oil
• Vitamin and mineral supplements (dog-specific; can be purchased from a reputable company like BalanceIT.com )

The initial step in preparing meals for your dog is to consult with your veterinarian to commence. Your veterinarian might furnish you with some recipes to experiment with, or you could require a recommendation to a veterinary nutritionist or a vet whose expertise lies in canine nutrition.

What to Watch for When Feeding Homemade Dog Food

When switching to homemade dog food, it is essential to keep a close eye on your dog. Ensure that you communicate with your veterinarian about any changes you observe, whether positive or negative. Maintaining a log of your dog’s weight and physical condition over time is the best approach. At least once every week, weigh your dog, and if there is unintentional weight gain or loss, inform your vet. If your dog is responsive to any ingredient, look for signs of vomiting or diarrhea. If you experience any symptoms of sickness, document and report them to your vet straight away.

How to Prepare Homemade Food for Dogs

It is crucial to adhere to a complete and balanced recipe when making dog food at home. After selecting a suitable recipe with the assistance of your veterinarian, it is time to begin.

1. Before you begin, it’s best if you have ready a food scale, food processor, pots and pans, and containers or bags for portioning the food.
2. Purchase fresh, high-quality ingredients that are not canned, seasoned, or heavily processed.
3. Set yourself up in a clean area of the kitchen that is free of foods that may be harmful to your dog .
4. Measure out the ingredients. Use a food scale if possible for accuracy.
5. Cook ingredients as directed on the recipe
6. Mix food and supplements together well (ideally, use a food processor to blend ingredients).
7. Place food in containers and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
8. In general, refrigerated food will stay fresh for three to four days. Frozen dog food is best within about two months. Avoid feeding homemade dog food that has been in the freezer for more than six months.

Preparing food in large quantities and storing it in pre-portioned containers in the fridge or freezer is a popular choice among pet owners as it can save both time and money. However, it may be wise to test your dog’s reaction to the new diet by starting with smaller portions.

It is crucial to seek advice from your holistic vet regarding any alterations you plan to make to your dog’s diet, in order to confirm their suitability based on your dog’s current well-being. Prior to introducing any dietary changes, take note of your dog’s weight as a reference point. This way, you can adjust the amount of food provided should there be significant weight fluctuations. The activity level, age, and overall health of your dog will determine the amount of food required.