German Shepherds are known to be courageous, intelligent, protective, strong and obedient.
Having a German Shepherd somehow gives you a certain pride for a couple of reasons. They are known for their skills, making them a famous choice for roles such as service dogs, police K9 (including search and rescue units), and even as guides for persons with disability.
And it is your role as the owner to provide the best dog food for German Shepherd for them to grow healthy and be able to fulfill whatever job you wish them to take.
Large breed dogs such as GSD tend to have different demands when it comes to their food and nutritional requirement. They absolutely have bigger physique, bones and nervous system compared to other breeds.
Sometimes when we see a German Shepherd we tend to think they have no vulnerabilities and that they are always healthy and strong. However, just like any other dog, this four legged buddy can be really fragile and prone to diseases.
Common among GSDs is to have hip dysplasia, sensitive digestive system that can lead to diarrheas, and bloating. Also, due to their active and athletic lifestyle they tend to stress out their joints more than any other dogs. They also have denser double coat; and compared to other breeds, their skin is more sensitive. So picking the right daily nutrition is a must.
Top 10 best dog food for german shepherd 2020
1. Orijen Adult Dog Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Orijen Adult Dog food is specially formulated for your German Shepherd’s diet. Proteins like free-run chicken, turkey, whole egg, wild caught fish, regional fruits and vegetables are very much present on this formula.
85% of each bag contains premium animal meat ingredients such as bones, bone marrow which is known to be a rich source of amino acids, calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, and chondroitin. On the other hand, organ meat such as fresh liver and tripe are good sources of vitamins A, B and D and minerals including iron and zinc are also included as ingredients. The 15% of the remaining are fresh fruits and vegetables.
Formula uses Butternut Squash which is a healthy fiber plus it is rich in vitamin B6 for immune support. With cranberries and blueberries that helps promote healthy urinary tract. Licorice Root that soothes the digestive tract even cleanses the colon and insulin levels is very much suitable for your sensitive GSD’s stomach. Loaded with Angelica Root and Fenugreek that defends your GSD’s kidneys against chronic damages.
I recommend this dog formula for the ingredients used are farmed and fished regularly. They arrive in the factory fresh and raw in a daily basis, they are loaded with proteins needed to ensure muscle build up and energy consumption of your GSD yet limited in calories to prevent gaining excessive weight. So you can assure that every pack of Orijen Adult Dog food is free from preservatives without any artificial additives.
2. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd
There are different kinds of dog breeds depending on what your preferences are for every dog is not created equal. For German Shepherd pet owners I recommend Royal Canin Dog food.
Royal Canin is known for making a formula on specific breeds targeting its specific nutritional qualifications, requirements and issues.
It is formulated for GSD’s needs and nutrient requirements. With its complex recipe of Vitamins and antioxidant all together they maintain a healthy immune system which will help your GSD’s active lifestyle. This will avoid and prevent him for getting sick and fight immunity disorders.
It is highly picked digestible protein and specific fibers helps GSD maintain a proper and balanced intestinal fermentation. Protein sources plus soluble and insoluble fibers when combined helps food to move though the digestive tract for proper nutrition absorption and digestion.
The exact amount of glucosamine and chondroitin gives your GSD the healthy joints they need so experiencing hip dysplasia as they grow old can be avoided. Royal Canin also focuses especially on maintaining a healthy heart. Enriched with DHA for cognitive development and support.
For dogs like German Shepherd they have more sensitive coats exposing him easily to harmful radicals, Royal Canin dog food helps your GSD’s skin healthy with Omega 3 and Omega 6.
3. Precise Holistic Complete Dry Dog Food
The precise dry dog food is said to be the healthiest dog food this company has ever made. It is formulated for over all wellness of the dogs to achieve happiness and harmony throughout its lifetime. It promotes nutritional health for life which is suitable for your German Shepherd.
Formula contains a good bacteria called Bacillus Coagulans GBI-30 6086. By giving probiotics its food supply they can overgrowth bad bacteria which can cause stomach problems in your dogs. Precise holistic is designed to meet your GSD’s protein needs while not making them gain too much weight, they provide no fillers so you can assure that you only get the exact nutrients and minerals.
This dry food also contains herbal ingredients such as Peppermint, dandelion and chamomile. These herbs serve as digestive aids which helps in healthy bile flow and saliva production. It also provides balanced Omega fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6 which promotes healthy skin and coat for your constant shedding GSD, helps allergic reactions and cognitive developments.
I recommend Precise Holistic Complete Dry Dog Food for its cell protectors such as selenium, rosemary and turmeric plus antioxidants that aside from protecting and promoting healthy immune system, they defend and protect cells against harmful cells that can cause and contribute cancer cell build up.
4. Taste of the Wild, Canine Formula
Taste of the Wild dog food is pretty famous among pet owners in different kind of breeds as well as among German Shepherds. The company makes both dry dog food and canned foods suitable for puppy and adult dogs.
Despite of the company’s past issues on contaminated ingredients, pet owners are still happy and contented with the product today. The brand has come far from their previous mistakes making this one deserving to be on the list.
One of the known formula is made with premium meats such as roasted bison and venison. These ingredients are mixed with selected fruits and vegetables that the company think your dogs will eat when they are in the wild. Its grain-free formula provides digestible energy that comes from natural antioxidants.
It is said that your pet’s immune system is found in the gut, so you must choose a dog food which promotes good digestive tract to support healthy digestion, which, apparently, is one of the targets and missions of this brand.
Every bag of Taste of the wild dry dog food, provides long lasting energy which is needed on your GSD for its active lifestyle. It contains essential probiotics with chicory root that helps keep digestive and immune system healthy and intact.
5. Eukanuba Breed Specific Adult German Shepherd Dry Dog Food
Just like the Royal Canin line, Eukanuba dry dog food also offers a specific dog food for a specific kind of breed. Eukanuba dry dog food believes that by specifying your dog food based also on the specified dog breed, it can easily target its needs and issues.
I recommend Eukanuba to your German Shepherd for its unique 3D DentaDefense System which is proven and tested to lesses tartar build up to 28 days, GSD is large breed so you need to feed them well so this feature is suitable for your dog to have stronger and healthier teeth.
Formula also contains L-Carnitine plus taurine which is formulated to support a healthier heart. With zero fillers to ensure you get the proteins and carbs your GSD deserves.
GSD is also known as having a sensitive stomach, Eukanuba provides a nutritious formula, formulated for sensitive dogs. Ingredients include beet pulp with higher FOS for digestive health and nutrient absorption. Made with lamb or chicken, these also helps support and aid joints issues.
As a pet owner we only wanted what is safe and effective formula for our pets. Eukanuba Breed Specific formulas have undergo 120 quality tests and checks before it is packed and sold to you. Every bite of this formula ensures quality ingredients that will make a positive difference to your pet’s life.
This formula is not just suitable for German Shepherds but also breeds like Belgian Malinois, Sheepdog and Tervuren.
6. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Blue buffalo is formulated based by the diet of the wolves which is an ancestor of dogs.
I recommend Blue Buffalo dry dog food for its unique LifeSource Bits. Life Source Bits contains the exact amount antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that helps support immune system in any life stages your German Shepherd needs.
They have antioxidant enhancing formula to achieve optimum nutrients your pet needs to strive each day. Contains Apples, Spinach, Blueberries and pumpkin that are known to have Vitamins A, C, lutein, zinc, magnesium and potassium.
It has calcium and phosphorus for healthier and stronger bones, glucosamine to avoid stressing out the joints which is needed for GSD for its very active and athletic lifestyle plus it is made with grain free ingredients with no artificial preservatives, colors and flavors.
Though they have been changing their packaging, still they offer you premium and high quality ingredients you love in the past.
7. Nutro Adult Dry Dog Food
Nutro Ultra has a wide variety of formulas and products you can choose from depending on your preferences. They have foods for puppies, adult large and small breeds, senior dogs and even canned and dry dog food.
The formula covers all basic essential vitamins and minerals your GSD needs. From protein for leaner muscles down to healthier and shiner coat. The formula doesn’t have any rare nor exotic ingredients on them which some owners find it really understandable if you have a sensitive and food intolerances.
Nutro Ultra has low glycemic foods which are advisable for GSD to help them on their energy and sugar level.
What is unique about this formula is that they uses Vitamin E as their natural preservatives which is uncommon among other dog foods. The formula also contains no artificial sweeteners and colors. Their product line is ethoxyquin free.
Nutro Ultra dry dog food is created to promote holistic wellness on your dog’s being.
8. Merrick Classic Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food
This dry dog food is specially formulated for large breed dogs like your German Shepherd. Ingredients contain chicken with brown rice and green pea dog food which is a great source for proteins, for muscle development and energy consumption.
The formula contains 60% meat ingredients and the 40% remaining are form plant based such as fruits, vegetables and even grains.
Other ingredients including turkey and chicken meal plus sweet potatoes are good source of carbohydrates that are gluten free, rich in fiber as well as betacarotene. The company uses only natural flavor, may it be from meat, diary, or plant sources, to make the dog food more tasty and pleasing to your dogs. It also contains salmon meal plus flaxseed oil which is known to have Omega 3 and Omega 6 for shiny and healthier coat.
The healthy contents and ingredients doesn’t stop there. Various probiotics such as dried lactobacillus plantarum and dried lactobacillus casei both are fermentation products which aids the proper digestion among your GSD are also present.
GSD needs a constant active lifestyle for it is bred to be high on energy, intelligent and athletic. If you tend to take your GSD for a jog, they may prone to overweight and obesity, this formula is also suitable for those kinds of problems, shifting to a new diet.
I recommend Merrick Dry dog food for they are using human grade ingredients which is safe for humans, so if it is safe for humans to eat, then is basically safe for your pets to eat too.
9. Redpaw X-Series Fitness
The Redpaw X-Series Fitness Dog food is one of the best dog food for German Shepherd for it is strictly into the micro and macronutrient levels of the food. Each single ingredient of it contains and will live to its purpose, to benefit your dog’s whole wellness.
This is formulated for those dogs who are moderately active to active lifestyle dogs so this is suitable for your GSD. If your dog is active it is understandable that it needs more than just ordinary dog food, so Redpaw X-series Dog food provides nutritional support for dogs specifically for those dogs like, exercising dogs, fitness dogs, or even service dogs.
This formula supports the development of the muscles while your dog’s fitness level increases. It gives the protein he needs for the daily activities to promote leaner muscles.
The company believes that in order for your dog to work and serve its purpose as what the nature intended him to do, they have selected the right amount of proteins, fats, carbs, fibers, vitamins and minerals.
It is said that the way your dogs react to their dog food is through its skin — by shedding its coat, so Redpaw X-Series fitness has the solution for the constant shedding of your dog’s fur. The formula contains fatty acids that will prevent and support your GSD’s sensitive coats.
The promise of the company is that they are not serving and making an ordinary dog food but it is a dog food full with optimized nutrition right for your active dogs.
10. Tuffy’s Nutrisource Large Breed Dog Food
Nutrisource together with the PureVita foods has been manufacturing for the last 50 years making the best formula for your pets.
I recommend Tuffy’s Nutrisource dog food for its knowledgeable authorized distributors and sellers. They offer customer service support for a 100% warranty and guarantee. Even a transparent presentation for traceability. They are offering their consumers loyalty programs which is a great market strategy to retain customers.
Tuffy’s Pet foods creates not just premium dog food providing the right amount of proteins, vitamins and minerals, they promote a cleaner and greener environment. They are using the 3R’s, reduce, reuse and recycle. They even have offices which has geothermal system that is cooling the entire building into an environmental friendly way. We all know that geothermal does not emit harmful gasses such as greenhouse gasses that contributes to air pollution even harmful to ozone layer.
Not just they are offering guaranteed quality among their products giving your pets the nutrients it needs as they age, they share their company success through charities and causes which is a goal every company should be a model to.
Conclusion
As a pet owner we only want what is best for our German Shepherd; a dog food which will provide him the nutrients and minerals he needs for his active and athletic lifestyle.
Finding the right food may not be easy but it’s definitely possible. There are many formulas in the market, so many that it would be too time-consuming to browse all of them one by one. This article has filtered a lot of options and come up with this list of best dog food for German Shepherd to make it simple for you.
I hope this article has been helpful. Thank you for reading!
The best German Shepard food at the most reasonable price also that is tasty
That right William
Our site have quality contents developed through proper study, comparison and research from valuable sources. German Shepherds are popular for their highly intelligence, strength, courage, protection as well as their obedience to its owner. With their reputation, they are held as one’s pride ,and they have also been used as service dogs by police as well as guides for people with disability. With this, providing your German shepherd with the best dog food is inevitable to ensure that they are healthy to carry on their tasks in excellence. With their large size, they will have different needs compared to other dogs.
Hi Lura.
Thank you for comment.