Dry dog food is the easiest option when it comes to feeding your German Shepherd puppies with nutrition-packed meals. In addition to meeting all your pup’s nutritional requirements, it is readily available and much more affordable. There are also many excellent options to choose from.
The best dry dog food for German Shepherd puppies should contain a minimum of 22% proteins, 8.5% of fat and no more than 8% easily digestible carbohydrates. It should also contain calcium, phosphorus, and other vitamin A and minerals for optimal growth.
Let’s go over the nutritional requirements of German Shepherd puppies and how to choose the healthiest dry food. We’ve also compiled some of the best dry foods as recommended by vets for you to choose from.
Related posts:
- The Best Food For German Shepherd Puppies: A Beginner’s Guide
- The Best Dog Food for a 12 Months German Shepherd
- How Much Does It Cost to Feed a German Shepherd Puppy in the First Year?
Why do German Shepherd puppies need the best dog food?
German Shepherd puppies need dog food designed for large breed puppies to ensure controlled joint and bone growth. This is because large-breed puppies are prone to certain health risks like hip dysplasia and other Orthopedic conditions.
The best dog food for German Shepherds will ensure your puppy grows healthy, strong, energetic, and with lovely skin and coats.
Nutritional requirements for German Shepherds puppies
German Shepherd puppies require a balanced diet that contains four types of nutrients below. These ingredients will ensure that your pup grows and develops optimally for a longer quality of life.
1. Proteins
Proteins help the puppies in building up their body tissues. The recommended protein level for the optimal growth of a German Shepherd puppy should be at least 22%. Proteins can be found in chicken, salmon, beef, lamb, eggs, and dairy.
2. Fats
Fats are important for healthy skin, fur, brain, and vision. The recommended fat level per dry matter basis is 8.5%. Fats can be found in fish oil, chicken fat, and beef fat.
3. Digestible carbohydrates
Because puppies are incredibly energetic, they need digestible carbs to provide them with energy. For optimal activity, 20% of carbs is recommended on a dry matter basis. Digestible carbohydrates can be found in rice, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and whole oats.
4. Micronutrients
In addition to these key nutrients, German Shepherd puppies also need micronutrients like calcium, phosphorus, DHA, and omega-3, and vitamin A. They also need fiber to promote digestion and bowel movement and clean water to help with bodily functions.
For large dog breed only: Foods specially formulated for German Shepherd puppies:
Veterinarian and pet advisor Dr. Leslie Brooks advises that large-breed puppies should be fed on dog food specifically labeled “For large-breed puppies.” Obviously enough, right?
Choose a dog food that is specially formulated for German Shepherds puppies or large breed puppies can ensure your pups are getting the nutritional requirements at every stage of their growth.
The opposite side is giving your pup the wrong food that may lead to serious growth and digestive problems.
Things to consider before choosing dog food for German Shepherds puppies
1. Their growth
Puppies may need different nutrients at different stages depending on their growth rate.
For instance, a puppy in the weaning stage (between three to four weeks) will need more antioxidants which are found in foods containing Vitamin C and E.
In contrast, a teething puppy will need wet dog food which is easily digestible food on its tummy to minimize intestinal upset.
Also, choose a specially formulated kibble for your puppy’s size. For instance, a younger puppy may have difficulty eating larger food pieces than an older puppy.
2. Teething
If your dog is teething, which starts at around three weeks, you may want to consider food that contains calcium like dairy and bone broth for strong and healthy teeth.
On the other hand, if the dog has teething problems, wet food may be a better option than dry food until they recover. Alternatively, you add wet canned food to their kibble to make it soft and palatable.
2. The body weight
An underweight puppy has different dietary requirements from an overweight puppy. Be mindful of your dog’s weight when choosing its food. You do not want to underfeed or overfeed your puppy.
3. Activity Level
Puppies that are extremely active require foods high in carbohydrates to keep up their energy levels. If your dog is not as active, you want to keep the carbs down to avoid obesity.
4. The puppy’s health and genetic conditions
If your dog has food allergies, food sensitivity, or a sensitive stomach, you may want to talk to your vet before considering any dog food. The vet will recommend a diet that agrees with your dog’s condition and even suggests the portions to feed and the frequency..
How To Choose The Healthiest Dry Food For German Shepherds Puppies?
With all the many dry foods out on the market, it can be hard to choose the healthiest for your pups. To find the best, we recommend:
Four steps to look for complete and balanced dog food
Read through the bag to find the statement “complete and balanced.” This is an assurance that the food has all the basic nutrients – protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins and water – necessary nutrients for your pup’s growth.
Step 1. Check the recommended age for the dog food
This will tell you whether this food is ideal for your puppy’s age and need.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials developed nutrient profiles to establish minimum and some maximum nutrient concentrations for dogs (and cats).
These profiles are updated when new findings from research in pet nutrition become available. They provide practical guidance for pet food manufacturers.
There are two dog food nutrient profiles:
- Growth & Reproduction: Puppies and pregnant or lactating dogs have different nutritional needs from adult dogs.
- Adult Maintenance: Dog foods formulated for adult maintenance have the nutrients adult dogs need. Dogs over the age of one are considered adults, except for some large and giant breeds who do not fully mature until age two.
You may see variations of these nutrient profiles on dog food packaging. A dog food that fits into the Growth and Reproduction nutrient profile may state it’s formulated for puppies or gestational mothers.
Step 2. Read the food label
The label is the most important thing you should check when deciding which puppy food to pick. Let’s use on dog food from our picks, IAMS Smart Puppy Large Breed Dry Puppy Food with Real Chicken, as an example. Here are the 3 things you would like to read on the packaging:
a. List of ingredients
The list of ingredients should have the main ingredient as the first ingredient then followed by the rest according to their percentage.
For instance, in the label below the first five ingredients, are chicken as the main ingredient, ground whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, ground whole grain sorghum, corn gluten meal and dried plain beet pulp.
b. Guaranteed analysis & calorie content
Guaranteed analysis shows the minimum and maximum composition of each ingredient while the calorie content shows how many calories to be sure that your puppy is getting the required calories per day
c. Feeding guidelines
This will show you how much food and how many times you should feed your puppy.
Watch this video if you want to better understand the wording on a dog food packaging means:
Step 3. Go through users’ reviews
Head over to the user review section and look at what other dog parents say about the food. Are there any claims of pups reacting to the food? Do the users recommend or warn against the food? Of course, you want to go with what the majority of the reviewers say.
For instance, if looking to buy Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Puppy Dog Food, you’d go to this review section to see what other users have to say. You can also check dogadvisor.com or dogforums.com.
Step 4. Consulting your vet
It’s good practice to always consult your vet before starting your pup on any food. The vet is in a better place to advise on what type of food to go for or what ingredients to avoid.
Best dry foods for German Shepherds Puppies
There are hundreds of dog foods out there with fancy names and ingredients, which make it so hard for dog owners to find the right food for their pups.
To help you narrow down your search, we asked a couple of vets to suggest the best dog food for German Shepherds puppies. Below is the list we’ve compiled based on their recommendation.
1. Purina Pro Plan – For sensitive skin and allergies
| Why do we like it? This dog food is ideal for all large breed puppies weighing over 50 pounds, GSD included. It is specially formulated for puppies with sensitive skin and stomachs. |
| Features: • Designed to meet the nutritional requirements of puppies for optimal growth • Contains salmon as the major ingredient – a major source of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, which promote healthy vision, brain, and skin • Promotes the dog’s immune system • Contains easily digestible ingredients like oats and rice. • Food ingredients are also gentle on the stomach to minimize flare-ups • Contains the recommended amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals important in building strong bones and teeth |
2. NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE – Large Breed Puppy Dry Food
| Why do we like it? NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE works very well for German Shepherd puppies up to 18 months. It is made with real chicken, among other high-quality ingredients. |
| Features: • Made with real chicken and brown rice. • 100% complete and balanced and made with safe and high-quality ingredients • Does not contain GMO ingredients • Contains omega-3 fatty acids like DHA, which support healthy brain and eye development • Contains essential antioxidants which promote healthy immunity • The dry food includes chicken meal which contains glucosamine and chondroitin |
3. Hill’s Science Diet
| Why do we like it? This dry food has optimal calcium levels to promote proper joint and bone growth. It helps prevent forms of hip dysplasia. Ideal for German Shepherd puppies of all ages. |
| Features: • Made with chicken meal and oats • Recommended by vets • Complete and balanced for German Shepherd puppies • Made with fish oil that contains DHA for healthy brain and vision • Made with high-quality proteins for muscle build-up • Promotes healthy and strong bones and teeth in older puppies Perfectly sized pellets • Free from GMO ingredients, artificial flavors, fillers and preservatives |
4. Purina ONE Natural, High Protein, Large Breed Dry Puppy Food
| Why do we like it? Delicious dry food for large breed puppies like GSD. It is specially formulated for superior vision and healthy brain development. |
| Features: • Made with real chicken as the main ingredient to provide the protein needed for strong and healthy muscles • Contains DHA to support eye and brain development • Builds a strong immune system • Contains natural sources of glucosamine, which supports the proper growth of joints and bones • To be fed for one to two years depending on the puppy’s size • Delicious perfectly sized kibbles • All natural, made with no fillers, artificial flavors or preservatives |
5. IAMS Smart Puppy Large Breed Dry Puppy Food with Real Chicken
| Why do we like it? This is an all-natural dog food specially made for large-breed puppies of all ages. It is made with real, wholesome ingredients. |
| Features: • Specially made for the optimal growth of puppies of all ages • Made with real chicken as the first ingredients • Contains omega-3 DHA for excellent brain development • The chicken fat contains omega-3 fatty acids for shiny fur, healthy skin, and coat • Helps to build healthy bones, joints and muscles • Made with 22 non-GMO ingredients for complete and balanced nutrition • Recommended by vets • Contains no fillers, preservatives, artificial flavors, and sweetenersEasily digestible and gentle to the digestive tract |
Conclusion
Hopefully, we’ve helped you learn how to choose the best dry dog food for your German Shepherd puppy. Making the right food choice will ensure that your puppy grows healthier, stronger, and more energetic. The best food will also lengthen your pup’s life. Don’t forget to consult your vet before settling on any food.
Further Questions
At what age do I start to feeding my GSD puppies commercial dog food?
Weaning for a GSD puppy should start at around 6 to 8 weeks while still maintaining nursing. Complete weaning should be from 8 weeks when the puppy is fed on puppy food only.
How is puppy food different from adult dog food?
Puppy food contains more protein and fats, and certain minerals than adult dog food to support their growing brain, vision, nervous system, immune system, bones, and joints.
When should German Shepherd puppies transition to adult dog food?
German Shepherd puppies should transition to adult dog food from 12 to 24 months. The transition should be gradual, and the puppy should be constantly monitored.
More posts on feeding your German Shepherds
Must read:
- The Best & Worst Dog Foods Ever – According to a 45-Year Veterinarian
- Worst Dog Food for German Shepherds
- Is Grain-Free Good for German Shepherds?
- How to Stop Food Aggression Towards People in German Shepherds?
Choosing the best dog food:
- The Best Food For German Shepherd Puppies
- Best Cheap Dog Food for German Shepherds (Dry and Wet Food)
- Best Dry Dog Food for Your German Shepherd Puppies: How to Choose?
- The Best Dog Food for a 12 Months German Shepherd
- What To Look For When Buying Dog Food for German Shepherds?
- Is Royal Canin German Shepherd Dog Food Any Good? Read This First
On feeding your German Shepherd:
- How Much Does It Cost to Feed a German Shepherd Puppy in the First Year?
- How Much Does an 8-Week-Old German Shepherd Puppy Eat in a Day? A Feeding Guide
- How Much Does a 3-Month-Old German Shepherd Dog Eat in a Day? A Feeding Guide
- How Much Does a 6-Month-Old German Shepherd Dog Eat in a Day? A Feeding Guide
- Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Ice Cream?
- 17 Human Foods That Are Safe For German Shepherds to Eat
- The Benefits of Feeding German Shepherds Raw Food
- How to Feed Your Dog Raw Food on a Budget?
- Is It Ok to Give Raw Meat to My German Shepherd Puppy?
For picky eaters:
