Best Dog Food for German Shepherds
German Shepherds are quite vulnerable to digestive issues and gastrointestinal problems, which is why they need to eat the right foods. Read on to know more about how to determine the best food for German shepherds.
German shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds, and it is not difficult to understand why. Not only does this breed possess an impressive appearance and build, but it is also tremendously intelligent and fiercely loyal.
If you have recently adopted a German shepherd, or are considering adopting one, you should know that the breed requires quality food, along with veterinary care and a significant amount of exercise.
In this blog, we will discuss the foods that are ideal for the health and wellness of your German shepherd.
Best Dog Foods for German Shepherds:
1) Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain:
This dog food is lamb-based, and is prepared using ingredients of the highest quality. Since Taste of the Wild intends to mimic the diet of wild canines, the product is prepared in the absence of grains.
Packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals, Taste of the Wild provides your dog with the energy that it needs to flourish. The omega fatty acids, meanwhile, promote skin and coat health.
Every serving of this food contains proprietary pro-biotics, along with pre-biotics and anti-oxidants, which encourage healthy digestion, immune functioning, and overall wellness and health.
Every ingredient used to prepare Taste of the Wild has been obtained from sustainable and reliable USA and global sources. The food is free of any wheat, corn, artificial colors, and artificial flavors.
2) Natural Balance L.I.D Lamb & Brown Rice Formula:
This is a diet made up of limited ingredients, and is based on easily digestible brown rice and lamb protein. Hence, Natural Balance does not contain any extra ingredients like artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
A limited ingredient diet is particularly suitable for dogs who struggle with food allergies. In fact, these diets can serve as an excellent tactic for entirely preventing such allergies in the first place, which makes them highly beneficial for dog breeds that frequently deal with allergies.
The diet has been prepared in a way that makes it suitable for canines in every stage of life, thereby making it a good choice for German shepherd dogs of any age.
3) CANIDAE Grain Free PURE Dry Dog Food:
This soy-and-grain-free dog food contains numerous proteins and easily-digestible carbohydrates, including peas, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes. Real lamb, the primary ingredient present in CANIDAE Grain Free Pure Dry Dog Food, is not only easy to digest, but is one that is thoroughly enjoyed by dogs of all breeds.
Equipped with four distinct pro-biotics, CANIDAE boosts gastrointestinal and immune functioning, while the supplemental minerals, vitamins, and anti-oxidants ensure that your German Shepherd benefits from a balanced and fulfilling diet.
The diet also contains multiple ingredients that are rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which help improve your dog’s coat and skin health.
4) Wellness Complete Health Whitefish and Sweet Potato:
This limited-ingredient, whitefish-based dog food is prepared using whole foods, and does not contain any artificial additives. In addition, Wellness has been equipped with minerals and vitamins that can help ensure that your dog is meeting his nutritional requirements.
The diet is free of allergens such as soy, wheat, corn, as well as artificial preservatives, colors and flavors. Since Wellness does not contain any unidentifiable meat-meals or meat byproducts, you can have full knowledge about the ingredients contained in your German shepherd’s diet.
It is also rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, and also contains a number of antioxidant-abundant ingredients. Pretty much every dog owner is satisfied with the product, reporting that the food was palatable and easily digestible. In fact, several owners who tried the product out even reported an improvement in their dog’s digestion and stool quality.
Wellness has been prepared in the US, and fulfills strict and stringent food-safety practices and criteria.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Foods for Your German Shepherd:
In the second half of this blog, we will be discussing the most important factors that you should keep in mind while picking foods for your German shepherd pup or dog.
1) The absence of allergens:
Since German shepherds are particularly vulnerable to food and digestive allergies, you might want to opt for foods which do not contain the biggest allergy culprits, such as beef, chicken, wheat, and corn.
2) The presence of chondroitin and glucosamine:
German Shepherds are also prone to developing joint conditions such as arthritis, try using food products that contain chondroitin and glucosamine. These compounds are present in connective tissues, and can be very effective in relieving pain from arthritis and other conditions that attack the joints and tissues.
3) The presence of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids:
Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can be invaluable additions to any German Shepherd’s diet, since these fatty acids can promote coat, skin, and joint health. In addition, they can also work to lower inflammation throughout the body.
4) The presence of pro-biotics:
Pro-biotics contain healthy bacteria that can calm your German Shepherd’s digestive system down, and boost its overall functioning. Once again, this is specifically important owing to the breed’s tendency for gastrointestinal problems.
5) Easy to digest:
Since dogs have quite sensitive stomachs that make them prone to digestive problems, you should make sure that you are not adding to their sufferings by feeding them food that they find hard to digest. The problem is that there is no surefire way to determine the way in which any given food will impact a dog until they consume it. However, in order to stay on the safer side, you can stick with food items that are generally tolerated well by dogs, such as rice and lamb.
6) Chewing rather than gulping:
German Shepherds often also deal with bloating, which is why you should encourage your pup to chew his food instead of eating it. In addition, make sure that your dog is not eating hastily, since that might not allow the teeth to sufficiently break the food down, and cause digestive troubles. Since it is likely that your dog will chew larger pieces of kibble, you could try and draw size comparisons between various options before choosing a particular food.
Final Word:
Since German Shepherds are particularly prone to food allergies and gastrointestinal problems, it is important that particular care is taken to ensure that the foods that they consume are right for them. We hope that this blog will help you learn about some of the best dog food for German shepherds, as well as determine the right kind of food for your particular German shepherd dog.
If you want to learn more about German shepherds and their suitable diets, please feel free to check out the blogs on our website.
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