The German Shepherd Dog, often abbreviated as GSD, is a famous breed, and finding dog food appropriate for this breed is not a challenge either. However, it’s essential to understand that German shepherds are considered notorious for food allergies. For this reason alone, we recommend delicacies that are safe based on your dog’s age and nutritional requirements. Remember, even though an adult German Shepherd may not experience serious issues with poor diet, puppies are considered at risk of severe health issues such as canine hip dysplasia (caused by excess calcium intake), which can cripple your canine friend and totally degrade his/her quality of life on your watch.
NOTE: German Shepherd puppies are constantly growing and need special nutrition for optimum growth and health. Do not introduce your puppy to adult food until they have attained at least one to two years of age.
The Best Foods for Your German Shepherd Dog
It’s prudent to consult with your doctor to determine your dog’s health and the type of diet required. When you begin your search, keep in mind that not all foods out there labeled “best for German Shepherds” are really the best. Many contain ingredients that may be problematic and less desirable. Below is a list of the best German Shepherd foods available in the market. Read on to select your preferred food based on your dog’s age and nutritional requirements.
- Cornucopia Slow Roasted Organic Chicken & Liver — ORGANIC
A product of Cornucopia Pet Food, this dog food is made of the highest human-grade ingredients and is designed to supply your German Shepherd with the purest and non-toxic proteins and limited amounts of carbohydrates. With no added sugars, flavors, or preservatives, this dog food is considered one of the safest pet foods on the planet. The Slow Roasted Organic Chicken & Liver from Cornucopia has more Metabolizable Energy per can than most other pet food on the market, thus saving you money as your dog will require less food to achieve nutritional requirements.
Main ingredients: Certified organic chicken, organic pumpkin, organic sweet potatoes, and organic carrots, Organic Stahlbush Island Farms Pumpkin.
Details:
- No euthanasia drugs of any kind are present.
- No Hormones, Pesticides, or Herbicides
- No preservatives
- 100 percent organic
- Available in 12.8oz or the new 6.0oz cans
- 100% manufactured in the USA
- Adult dog: 3oz. Per 10-20lbs of body weight, twice per day
- Puppies and nursing dogs: free-choice basis, three to four times daily.
- Cornucopia 12-Can Variety Pack
As the name suggests, this German shepherd dog food comes in 12 cans (12.8 oz. each) made of a mix of up to 11 flavors. The varieties come with organic, non-GMO chicken, Turkey, wild-caught fish, and organic farm-fresh vegetables, all certified by Oregon Tilth. Like the Cornucopia Slow Roasted Organic Chicken & Liver, the Cornucopia 12-Can Variety Pack is made by Dr. Geoffrey Broderick of Cornucopia Pet Foods. Make sure you buy a product displaying the USDA Organic Logo and Oregon Tilth Logo.
Main ingredients: Pure Organic Turkey, Chicken w/ Egg Dinner, Turkey & Giblets Dinner, Pure Organic Chicken, Purrfect Dinner
Details:
- Organic varieties include Organic varieties, Pure Organic Chicken, Pure Organic Turkey, and Superbowl.
- No Antibiotics
- No Hormones, Pesticides, or Herbicides
- No Aspartame, MSG, or Natural Flavors
- No Preservatives and added sugars
- 100% manufactured in the USA
- Adult dogs: 3oz per 10-20lbs of body weight, twice per day.
- Puppies and nursing dogs: free-choice basis, three to four times daily
- Cornucopia Slow Roasted Pure Turkey
Cornucopia Slow Roasted Pure Turkey is manufactured from the best quality non-GMO, human-grade ingredients. This special German Shepherd dish is literally a product of pure organic turkey with its own savory natural juices without any additional water. The method of making it enables the tasty real organic turkey gravy to be released and absorbed into the protein-rich, organic turkey rolls.
Main ingredients: Organic turkey gizzards and Livers, organic oat fiber, organic tapioca, organic carrots, and organic Stahlbush Island Farms Pumpkin
Details:
- No antibiotics or other kinds of drugs
- No preservatives
- No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors
- No Wheat, Corn, or Soy
- Good for preventive nutrition
- 100% manufactured in the USA
- Scoop it or slice it into portions and top it up with the gravy
- Adult dog: about 3oz per 10-20lbs of body weight, twice a day.
- Puppies, pregnant and nursing dogs: Free-choice basis, three to four times daily.
- Cornucopia Pure Organic Chicken
Constantly eaten by the developer, Dr. Broderick of Cornucopia Pet Food, the Pure Organic Chicken is made with certified organic chicken, organic pumpkin, organic sweet potatoes, and organic carrots. This dog meal is certified by the Oregon Tilth certifying agency to ensure quality, safety, and positive outcomes.
Main ingredients: Organic Chicken meat, chicken gizzards, chicken livers, chicken hearts, Organic Rice Bran, Organic Tapioca, Organic Carrots, and Organic Stahlbush Island Farms Pumpkin
Details:
- Non-toxic and high in metabolizable energy allowing pets to live a longer and healthier life
- Packed with essential nutrients including vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, and Antioxidants
- Easy to Digest
- Good for preventive nutrition
- No artificial flavors, sugars, or preservatives
- No antibiotics or any other kind of drugs
- 100% manufactured in the USA
- Adult dogs: Feed about 3oz per 10-20lbs of body weight, twice daily.
- Puppies, pregnant and nursing dogs: As you desire, three to four times daily
- Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Roasted Lamb Dry Dog Food
Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain is lamb-based, good-quality dog food, and a family-owned brand. The wild taste is intended to imitate the presumed wild canid diet and is produced without any grains. This dog food is designed to promote problem-free digestions, making it a good choice for all the delicate German Shepherd breed sizes. Most German Shepherds like the taste of this product, and many owners report increased energy and improved coat quality.
Main ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, peas, sweet potatoes, vegetables
Details:
- Formulated with probiotics to support proper digestion
- Made with antioxidant fruits, blueberries, and raspberries
- Tomato and tomato pomace to provide vitamin C and other unique antioxidants such as concentrated lycopene
- It has the right dose of omega fatty acids in every bite for proper skin, fur, and joint health.
- Artificial flavors and colors added.
- It comes in 28lb., 14lb., and 5lb bags.
- 100% manufactured in the USA
- Adult dogs (75-100 pounds): add 1/2 cup for every 10 additional pounds.
- Puppies, pregnant and nursing dogs: Free-choice feeding three to four times a day
- Natural Balance LID. Lamb & Brown Rice Formula
The Natural Balance LID. Lamb & Brown Rice Formula is a diet based on lamb protein and brown rice, which are easy-to-digest ingredients. It’s perfect for your German Shepherd because it’s primarily designed for dogs that are prone to food allergies. The natural amino acids in lamb maintain the strong muscles of your German Shepherd, while brown rice fiber helps sustain a healthy digestive system. This delicious dog food is supplemented with vital vitamins and minerals and is balanced for all types of German shepherds.
Main Ingredients: Lamb meal, rice bran, brown rice, brewers rice, canola oil, brewers dried yeast, dried tomato pomace,
Details:
- No unnecessary ingredients such as artificial colors and flavors
- It contains all nutrients and vitamins essential for your German Shepherd
- Suitable for German Shepherd breeds of all ages
- Supports a healthy and shiny skin
- 100% manufactured in the USA
- Adult dogs: Four to five cups, three times a day
- Puppies: Up to 2 times per pound of body weight
Bottom Line
The German Shepherd is a unique dog, and every dog enthusiast loves its intelligence, loyalty, and beautiful appearance. If you own one, the best way to show it some love is by investing in healthy dog food. Remember, just like humans, dogs also suffer stomach upsets and other diet-related issues. This is why you need to keenly select your food to ensure your canine friend does not only get a full stomach but also benefits from the most nutritious ingredients of your food of choice. The dog foods in this list are perfect considerations as you seek to raise a healthy, energetic, and happy dog.
