German Shepherd’s were bred to be strong working dogs so it is only right that they have a diet that will suit their needs. They are a high energy breed with a hearty appetite. Giving your dog the right food means they’ll be happier, look better and hopefully require fewer vet visits as well as longevity.

Every dog is different so you need to purchase a food that will provide for your dog’s individual needs. There is dog food available on the market that have been specifically designed for German Shepherds, in order to avoid any possible allergies.

These are best dry food brands for your German Shepherd:

ROYAL CANIN BREED HEALTH NUTRITION German Shepherd Adult dry dog food

This food is recommended by many veterinarians as it helps the digestive sensitivity that German Shepherds are prone to. This is achieved by highly digestible L.I.P proteins found in the food. It is important to remember that protein plays a vital role in a German Shepherds growth.

This food is unique in the sense that the kibble shape, size, texture and formula are adapted to the German Shepherd. Royal Canin always has a distinctive meaty smell that in all honesty smells good enough for me to eat so it’s no surprise that many dogs also find it irresistible.

The food helps support the digestive system, promotes a balance in the intestinal flora, supports bone and joint health and dogs fed this food have always been seen to have nice glossy healthy looking coats, having hypoallergenic effects.

EUKANUBA Breed Specific Adult Dry Dog Food

This is another brand of food specifically designed for German Shepherds. LIke Royal Canin they also focus on easy to digest proteins to help with the German Shepherd’s digestive sensitivities. This food is enriched with FOS prebiotics and essential antioxidants (Vitamin A,C,E and carotenoids) for a health immune system and natural regeneration of healthy cells. The main difference with this food has got to be the dental benefits. It was developed with Oral B experts in dental health to help mechanically remove plaque, maintain strong teeth and can reduce the build up of new plaque by 80% in as little as 28 days from feeding this diet. It is available from online stores and is similarly priced to Royal Canin making it an affordable complete food to feed.

Having worked alongside dogs for many years and within the pet food industry I have come across many different foods available for dogs and have seen the benefits of good quality food especially for dogs with stomach sensitivities. Diet plays a vital role in overall health and it can be quite the minefield to decide which food is best for your beloved pooch.

Some of the brands of food I would personally feed my dogs are:

Orijen Dog Food Whole Prey Adult 6 Fish

There are not many brands of food that can compete with Orijen. It is hands down one of the best dry dog foods you can feed and you’ll be hard-pressed to find another that contains the amount of care and preparation that goes into every bag. Rated 5 out of 5 by allaboutdogfood.co.uk it has absolutely positive glowing reviews from many happy dog owners. Using fresh high quality ingredients fit for human consumption you too would agree that it is very palatable. Natural and hypoallergenic it would suit German Shepherds well. It is loaded with 80% protein-packed fish to support lean muscle mass, supple skin and coat. It is rich in fruit, vegetables, herbs and probiotic bacteria to promote health. With no cereal or grains it is not putting pressure on the digestive system to overwork. Being a single protein fish based diet it will suit German Shepherds digestive sensitivities well. Orijen dog food features a Biologically Appropriate protein level of 38% which closely replicates the natural diet. High ratios of fresh fish provide a rich source of glucosamine and chondroitin, which is derived naturally from fresh ingredients without adding synthetics to the food. This is excellent for a large breed of dog like the German Shepherd as it will support their bone and joints throughout their life. Unfortunately this food does not come cheap especially for a larger breed of dog but as the kibble is extruded and of excellent quality, the recommended feeding amount is lower and therefore a bag will last longer. Not to mention about the anti-allergenic effects, which will save your a lot of money, in the end. As this food is regarded as such high value to dogs I often use this kibble as treats for training as they just can’t get enough of it!

Acana Wild Prairie

Acana is on par with Orijen and has the added advantage that it is priced slightly less so you are still getting great food. Acana contains a high meat content (although not quite as high as Orijen), a broad range of vegetables, fruits, herbs and no cereal/grains. Acana believe that modern dogs are largely unchanged from wolves and the ingredient lists for their food is tailored to reflect this. Each food is based on the type of foods that would once have been available to wolves in certain North American environments. Acana also attempts to recreate the variety that a wild diet would entail with several meat and fish sources in each food as well as a whole host of vegetables, fruits and herbs. When it comes to the taste test it is extremely palatable and the dogs look and feel great on it. I recommend Acana Wild Prairie for your German Shepherd as it has a great mix of nourishing cage-free chicken, free-range turkey, nest-laid eggs, and wild caught fish making this food great for those who are conscious about welfare as well as all of these being white meats that are nice and gentle on the stomach.

Lily’s Kitchen Adult Chicken & Duck

Lily’s kitchen use the best raw quality ingredients to reflect on a dog’s natural diet. With the option of many different flavours to suit your dog’s preference and available in dry food or wet food you can be sure your dog will love it. You definitely feel like you are feeding something special as the food mimics that of home-cooked good wholesome food like your grandmother would have cooked. Lily’s kitchen worked alongside vets and nutritionists to create a balanced diet and only gently cook their meals in small batches in order not to lose nutritional integrity. They produced a range of grain-free recipes for dogs that have intolerances to grains or have sensitive tummies and never use artificial additives, preservatives, colours or flavours, nor do they use any pet food fillers like meat meal, bone meal, animal derivatives or by-products. Something I love about Lily’s kitchen is that the ingredients are all organic. This is great for those of you like me who are concerned about animal welfare and environmental health. I believe Lily’s kitchen is reasonably priced for the good wholesome food that it is and it is widely available.
I recommend feeding your German Shepherd Lily’s Kitchen adult chicken and duck complete dry dog food. This recipe is perfect for sensitive stomachs and contains salmon oil, a fantastic source of Omega 3 & 6, great for the coat, heart, brain and joints.

Naturediet – Sensitive

For those of you who prefer to feed their puppies wet food, then Naturediet would suit your dog well. Based upon holistic principles, Naturediet blends only the most suitable ingredients for a natural approach to overall health and digestion. There are no hidden nasties in the food and only contains a high meat content, rice, ground bone and seaweed meal. I like the fact this food is steam cooked within the pack so it retains all the natural goodness from the food. The food is very palatable and unlike some wet foods the dog’s stools are firm and consistent. The cost of food works out at just under £1 a tray but it seems the more you buy in bulk the cheaper it is. This food could easily be mixed with a dry food to keep costs down. I recommend feeding Naturediet – Sensitive as this is nice and gentle on the stomach.

Whichever of these foods you decide to choose for your dog be sure that you are feeding a good wholesome diet that your dog deserves. Your dog will love you for this.