How To Choose The Best Food For German Shepherd Breed (2019)

Every dog breed has a specific protein level that it needs to function at its best. German Shepherds are no different! Protein is easily the most important part of their diet, so you should pay close attention to the protein amount and protein source of your German Shepherd's food.

Protein is important because of how muscular and active this breed of dog is. This requires that they get enough protein to sustain their muscles during all this activity!

Protein Levels

Adult German Shepherds should get around 18% protein in their food; puppies need a bit more than that at 22%. If your dog’s food falls near these levels, then it is a good option.

Protein Sources

Remember that every protein is different and that some proteins work better for dogs. Cheaper dog foods use low-quality protein sources and unspecified meats to fill the protein value of the food.

The best protein sources for an active breed like this one are high-quality options such as whole beef, chicken, and lamb. These should be real meat and not filler or by-products. This is something to look out for with chicken specifically.

While some German Shepherds like fish, most do not benefit from eating it, so it’s better to stick to popular meat sources instead.

The next important thing to pay attention to in your German Shepherd’s food is the amount of fat. Like protein, fat will give your dog energy and even help keep their coat shiny! This is an important macronutrient to make sure that your dog is getting.

Fat Levels

The food you choose for your dog should have around 5% fat. If it’s a puppy, you should aim for 8% to help aid their growth into a full-sized, fun-loving dog!

Sources Of Fat

There are tons of different fat sources used in food. They all have their advantages and disadvantages, so you will want to check what fat is used in the food that you choose.

For German Shepherds, you’ll want to choose something like vegetable oil, animal fat, or flaxseed. These all are high in essential fatty acids (such as Omega-3 and Omega-6). These fatty acids are responsible for high energy levels and shiny coats.

Some people believe that fish oils can be dangerous to German Shepherds, so you will want to avoid fish oil as a source of fat in your dog’s food to be on the safe side. Though nothing has been proven, it’s good to exercise caution in cases like this.

In addition to fats and proteins, your dog is going to need a good source of carbohydrates to stay healthy.

When choosing a carb source, look for complex carbohydrates that will break down slowly and provide your dog energy for a long time. Sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, and oats are all great choices.

Digestible carbohydrates like barley, rice, and oats along with vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes are the best choices.

German Shepherds are apt to gain weight very easily. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can be dangerous for your dog because extra weight puts extra stress on their joints, which could lead to problems in the future.

If you notice your dog is gaining weight quickly, you may want to check the calories that you are feeding them daily and decrease it by about 100 calories each week until they are eating a smaller amount that still satisfies them. This will help keep them from gaining more weight.

Daily caloric intake for most German Shepherds should be between 1700 and 2200 calories per day. If your dog’s activity level changes, adjust their food intake as well.

If you are not sure if your dog is overweight, use this video to check. Obesity can be a real issue in large breed dogs, so you should be careful about this.

There are also a few extras that can be very beneficial in foods for German Shepherds that you should keep an eye out for when food shopping.

Glucosamine & Chondroitin

Both of these ingredients help to promote good joint and cartilage health. Large breed and active dogs like German Shepherds a have high risk for joint and hip conditions because of their size, body type, and activity levels.

Avoid Potential Allergens

Without even realizing it, you could be making your dog deal with allergy issues because of their food! Many dog foods contain wheat-based products, soy, or corn. Each of these items can cause food allergies in dogs.

There you have it - the top five dog foods for German Shepherds and why they rank that way. Among these options, I definitely believe that the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Adult Dog Food is the best choice for German Shepherds.

In addition to having the right levels of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, it’s also free from fish and potential allergens that could cause your dog problems. Plus, it includes great health-boosting ingredients that could help your dog’s body to move better for more years.