German Shepherds are intelligent, easily trainable, and obedient. Hence, they are good working or guard dog breeds. As working dogs, German Shepherds are highly active and energetic. Thus, it is always good to give your German Shepherd the best dog food.
German Shepherds are good family dogs. They are loyal and intelligent. But, they are highly active dogs and need daily or regular exercise. Because of this, give your German Shepherd quality food that can satisfy their bodies’ needs.
AT A GLANCE (SEE ON AMAZON):
- Our Top Pick: ACANA Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Red Meat Recipe
- Runner Up: Canidae All Life Stages Premium Dry Dog Food
- Also Great: Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dry Dog Food
- Also Great: Purina ONE True Instinct High Protein Dry Dog Food
- Also Great: CANIDAE- All Life Stages Large Breed Formula
What Is The Best Dog Food For My German Shepherds?
What should I feed my German Shepherd?
There are too many options out there. Various brands and different dog food companies have prepared varying formulas to come up with the best dog foods for German Shepherds.
Our pet experts have researched and compiled a list of dog foods perfect for our German Shepherds.
Here are the top five that made it on our list.
Our Top Pick
- One (1) 13 lb bag of ACANA Grain Free* Red Meat Recipe Dry Dog Food
- High protein dog food recipe features 60 percent* high-quality animal ingredients and 40 percent** wholesome fruits, vegetables and nutrients and fiber to help support digestive health
- A freeze dried coating adds rich flavor dogs crave, while Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids help support healthy skin and a shiny coat
Runner Up
- Contains 1- 5 Lb. Bag of Canidae All Life Stages Chicken Meal and Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
- Nutritionally dense kibble that nourishes in every bite, crafted with chicken along with wholesome grains and made without corn, wheat or soy
- Complete and balanced goodness for all ages, breeds and sizes. One bag to feed them all, perfect for multi-dog homes
Also Great
- Contains (1) 11.5 Pound Bag of Dry Dog Food
- Grain-free dog food recipe made with simple, delicious and natural ingredients plus added vitamins, minerals and taurine
- Real salmon is the #1 ingredient
Also Great
- Real beef is the number 1 ingredient in this high protein dog food, which supplies 32 percent protein for strong muscles, including a healthy heart
- Purina ONE natural dog food made with protein-rich beef bone broth for dogs, added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients crafted by a veterinarian-recommended brand in Purina-owned, U.S. facilities
- 100 percent nutrition for adult dogs with 0 percent fillers or animal by-product so that every ingredient in this dry Purina ONE dog food has a purpose
Also Great
- Contains 1- 30 Lb. Bag of Canidae All Life Stages Large Breed Turkey Meal and Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
- Nutritionally dense kibble that nourishes in every bite, crafted with turkey along with wholesome grains and made without corn, wheat or soy
- Complete and balanced goodness for large breeds of all ages. One bag to feed all your big dogs, perfect for multi-dog homes
The German Shepherds as a Breed
The German Shepherd is generally a medium-large dog breed whose origin is traced back to Germany.
Loved for their trainability, German Shepherds are great working dogs and were prominently used as herding dogs to manage sheep years ago.
Well-trained German Shepherd puppies grow up obedient, intelligent, and easy to train. Hence, present trends in dog training utilize german shepherds for more complex tasks and work as service and therapy dogs, search-and-rescue, police and military roles, and even acting.
Physically, adult German Shepherds are handsome dogs with a strong build covered by a double coat and a thick undercoat.
Depending on their hair, there are two types of German Shepherds. The more common type is the medium-haired German Shepherd. The other, the long-haired German Shepherd, is a rarer type.
Adult German Shepherds tend to suffer from elbow and hip dysplasia which causes them to develop arthritis and suffer from pain as they grow older. This condition is generally attributed to improper practices while they were still puppies and as young pups.
What Should You Feed A German Shepherd?
Commonly raised as action dogs, German Shepherds have certain nutritional needs since they are prone to musculoskeletal disorders like hip dysplasia. Hence, it is always worth looking at the ingredients in every dog food product to see if it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which could help prevent these disorders.
They must be fed with dog foods that will keep their joints and muscles healthy, added with daily exercise and proper training.
One way to avoid this disorder is to provide your German Shepherd puppy with dog food containing glucosamine and chondroitin.
Additionally, one of the best dog foods for German Shepherd puppies is chicken meal or lamb meal, which abounds with animal protein. The high protein content helps them develop lean muscles and a strong body structure.
The time a German Shepherd puppy spends on rough exercises should also be monitored to avoid this ailment.
Since they are large breed dogs, German Shepherds must have a properly balanced diet supplemented with vitamins and animal proteins to keep their lean muscle mass.
Being active dogs, the best dog food for them would be one that is not only rich in high-quality animal protein like chicken meal and lamb meal. Their dog foods should also contain healthy grains and fiber. Great sources of these are brown rice, sweet potatoes, barley, and other vegetables and fruits.
Some dry dog food for German Shepherds is grain-free to avoid food allergies. Yet, there are still a lot of options to provide your dogs with the much-needed carbohydrates to stay active.
To maintain skin and coat health, German Shepherds need dog foods with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
It is important to monitor your dog’s physical appearance according to its body size, shape, and condition.
Your Choice
Of course, there are other dog food choices out there. We know it is not easy to choose from among the choices. Thus, we have just listed the best based on our research.
However, in choosing what food is best for your German Shepherd, it is best to understand your dog. Know what your furry friend needs based on his activities, lifestyle, life stage, and size.
A properly balanced diet and nutritious dog food for your German Shepherd are essential in keeping him healthy. Hence, make sure to give your dog quality food that would help support his active, energetic, and strong lifestyle.
Quality dog food and proper monitoring of the physical and mental health of your German Shepherd would ensure his well-being.