Key Points
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German shepherd nutrition is essential in keeping your dog's health up.
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Most quality dog foods are pricier, but you're paying for good ingredients and meals catered to your dog's needs.
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Look for high-protein dog food for your German shepherd but look out for sensitivities like chicken in your dog.
Better watch out for those zoomies! Feeding your German shepherd a high-quality diet will get them up and moving. You might want to ensure you have ample space ready for them to burn off all that energy.
According to The Kennel Club, "Though dietary protein is important for dogs’ overall health and well-being, it is particularly important for active dogs that require more protein to meet their energy needs and fuel their muscles. To help support active dogs, it is recommended to feed food with a guaranteed level of protein at 26% or higher."
Finding the right high-protein dog food isn't an easy task, however. With so many brands on the market, where do you even start? The best dog food for your pup might not be the best for someone else's, which is perfectly okay. Each dog has unique needs, so this list has more than one brand for you to consider.
Always ensure your dog is healthy before switching foods, and don't switch out the food all at once. Take time to change your dog's diet, as going too quickly leads to digestive upset.
Royal Canin German Shepherd Breed Health Nutrition
Royal Canin German Shepherd Dog Food uses quality ingredients to provide your dog with the best German shepherd nutrition possible. Inside each bag are ingredients supporting the health of your dog's digestive tract, bones, joints, skin, and coat.
It's no secret that Royal Canin German Shepherd Dog Food offers your shepherd a balanced diet. Vets and nutritionists created the formula to cater to German shepherds' needs. The essential fatty acids from the fish oil to the unique dried beet pulp benefit your dog's health. Your dog meets their nutritional needs with this dog food and added benefits that help support health overall.
Royal Canin knows that chewing is necessary, unlike other dog kibbles that are too small for your dog's mouth. Finding a bigger kibble size is necessary if your shepherd inhales other brands. Not only does Royal Canin ensure your dog has to slow down, but the bigger-sized kibble means your dog's teeth also get clean.
The major downside to this brand is the price. A bag ranges from $63 to $160, depending on the size you get. The smallest size available is the 17-pound bag. Yes, the formula keeps your dog's needs in mind, but there is always the chance your dog won't like the kibble.
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein
Blue Buffalo Wilderness is only one part of the Blue Buffalo family line. When the company started in 2003, the promise to feed pets as a family member began. The promise to never use corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-products remains the same 20 years later.
German shepherds need a high-protein diet to keep active. That is where Blue Buffalo Wilderness comes in — it contains more meat that dogs love while adding whole grains for complete nourishment.
Blue Buffalo contains exclusive LifeSource bits to enhance your dog's food, perfect for a large breed diet. These bits are darker kibble containing plenty of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that veterinarians and animal nutritionists select to keep your pet healthy. These bits are cold-formed to minimize heat exposure that degrades the potency of the nutritional value.
The unique proteins that Blue Buffalo uses also have a downside: Many dogs are sensitive to these ingredients. Before switching, consult your vet about what is best for your dog. Chicken bothers many dogs with sensitive stomachs, so consider that before buying.
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Orijen Original Dry Dog Food
A list dedicated to finding the best dog food wouldn't be complete without Orijen Original. This gourmet brand holds fresh and dehydrated animal protein, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Each recipe of Origen Original is grain free and emulates what a dog would eat in the wild.
Each bag contains 36 percent of proteins, 41 percent fats, and 23 percent carbs. Depending on the line you buy, these ratios will be different. Orihen has nine different varieties of dog food that all cater to different needs. Large breeds benefit from the original as it has the highest protein count for high-energy dogs. No matter the line, they are all grain free.
Orijen understands that your German shepherd needs the energy to move but also understands that their brand might not suit every dog's needs. Orijen is honest in stating that dogs that need specialty diets don't benefit from their formula. Another risk is that the brand uses eggs, which many dogs are sensitive to.
Like many brands, the price is higher than average. The payoff is that you know your dog is getting everything they need with fewer supplements than other brands.
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Canidae All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula
Canidae Multi-Protein Formula is vet formulated for all dogs of all ages, including different breeds and sizes. It's ideal for families with dogs of different breeds who still want to give their pets high-quality food.
The Canidae Multi-Protein Formula fits the bill for pup owners who want food that benefits active dogs, from puppies to seniors. With fortified vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, probiotics, and amino acids, this dog food helps promote a healthy immune and digestive system.
Whole foods are the priority, so inside each bag are rice, potatoes, oatmeal, and barley for healthy carbohydrate sources and fiber. Just like the brands before, one ingredient causes pet parents to pause. Canidae uses tomato pomace, which many people feel is a filler. The most likely reason for having tomato pomace is for an additional source of fiber.
The largest bag costs around $66, making it one of the more affordable brands for large breeds.
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Hill's Science Diet Adult Large Breed
You might be familiar with this established brand as it's been around for a long time. Hill's Science Diet is made in Topeka, Kansas, and the company ensures that only high-quality ingredients make up the brand's food. Hill's has a Global Pet Nutrition Center that tests and studies how their food affects dogs and how to improve their quality.
Hill's Science Diet suits the large breed diet and smaller breeds for multidog households. Considering the diet is excellent for all dogs, it's suitable for your dogs from puppyhood to senior status. The adult, homemade dog food recipes for large dogs are explicitly formulated for those with high energy needs.
Real meat is the first ingredient used in Hill's dog food. Your dog gets their needed protein, but chicken is the most common meat. If your dog has chicken sensitivity, Hill's is not the food to pick for your household.
The biggest downside to Hill's Science Diet is many of the recipes include ingredients such as yellow peas, pea fiber, and soybean meal. Peas and legumes may cause heart disease in dogs, but more research is needed to determine the significance of the link.
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Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult
Nutro Ultra Large Breed is a brand that uses all-natural, non-GMO ingredients to manufacture healthy dog food for your large breed. One of the key features in keeping this 90-year-old brand alive is how they choose ingredients. They don't use ingredients that aren't ethically or sustainably sourced.
Real meat is at the top of the ingredient list, but like many brands, chicken is the most common. Some other formulations include lamb and salmon instead of chicken to cater to sensitive stomachs.
Nutro Ultra Large Breed formula is on the pricy side, but the price allows for quality ingredients. Overall, the brand is one of the best dog food brands for large breeds.
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Best Dog Food For You
Finding the best food for your dog doesn't have to be complex. The list above offers the top six brands that cater to your German shepherd's needs.
If kibble doesn't suit your needs, making your own homemade dog food recipes is an option. Vets agree that the food you feed your dog should be high in protein and have as few fillers as possible. You want the healthiest ingredients, so avoid things like soy meal, corn, and wheat.
If you have more questions about the right dog food for your shepherd, take a look at BreedExpert for more information!
