Published on: 02/11/2020, updated on: 10/15/2021

Best Dog Food for German Shepherd Puppies and Adults

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Known for their protective instincts and sharp intelligence, the German Shepherd is a popular choice for military and police applications. However, this dog makes an amazing family pet today. German Shepherds are a strong, large, and very active breed. These dogs have particular health and physical needs that are met through the use of specialized, high-quality foods.

As such, you need to opt for the best dog food for German Shepherd to keep your friend healthy and happy. The best dog food for German shepherd puppies can also manage and prevent some of the genetic health conditions of this dog breed. In this guide, we will answer your questions about which dog food is best for your German shepherd puppy. We will review some of the best products from top brands to streamline your decision-making process.

Our top pick is the Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Puppy Dry Dog Food. This food is formulated for large breed puppies and it is perfect when it comes to taste and nutrition. It is made with all-natural ingredients and it is a 100% complete and balanced diet.

The Best Dog Foods for German Shepherds Are:

1. Orijen High-Protein Grain-Free Dry Dog German Shepherd Food

ORIJEN Dry Dog Food

If you are looking for a top-quality adult dog food for German Shepherds, Orijen has got you covered. This dry dog food formula contains freeze-dried, cage-free turkey and chicken, nest-laid eggs, and wild-caught herring and flounder for powerful protein.

It also contains low-glycemic fresh fruits and veggies, which help to limit carbohydrates and promote good digestive health. The food does not contain added fat or synthetic protein.

All the ingredients used to make this great dog food are fresh and regional. The formula is also biologically appropriate, and the combination of nutrition and vitamins is perfect for German Shepherds.

This grain-free formula is very rich in protein, as it contains 36 percent crude protein. The crude fat content is 35 percent while the crude fiber in this food is 5 percent. It also contains chondroitin and glucosamine to keep the joints of your dog strong and healthy.

Specs

  • Grain-free
  • Adult
  • 25 pounds

Pros

  • Made with free-run chicken and turkey
  • Very rich in protein
  • Formulated to naturally and biologically meet your dog’s needs
  • Regional and fresh ingredients

Cons

  • The crude fat is a bit high

2. Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Large and Giant Breed Puppy

Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Large and Giant Breed Puppy

If you are looking for the best dog food for large and giant breed puppies, you should consider this natural dog food from Holistic Select. This food comes in lamb and chicken flavor. The two flavors are completely gain-free.

It comes with DHA from salmon oil, live yogurt cultures, vegetables, fruits, probiotics, prebiotics, and antioxidant-rich superfoods. The first two ingredients on the list are chicken meal and lamb meal. The formula of this food greatly contributes to the development and growth of German Shepherd puppies.

The food contains 25 percent crude protein. The crude fiber content in the food is 4.5 percent, which is great, as it enhances digestion. The crude fat is just 16 percent, and the calcium to phosphorus ratio is 1.3 percent to 1 percent respectively. A cup of the food contains 433 calories, which is ideal for growing puppies.

This food is formulated with a unique digestive health support system that is focused around natural fibers, probiotics, prebiotics, botanicals, and digestive enzymes. The premium ingredients used to make this food help to support healthy growth in German Shepherd puppies. It does not contain meat by-products, wheat gluten, wheat, fillers, or artificial flavors and colors. It also comes in a 30-pound bag, which is pretty large enough to serve for a long time.

Specs

  • Grain-free
  • Puppies, Adults
  • 30 pounds

Pros

  • Complete and balanced daily diet
  • Made with DHA for healthy brain and eye development
  • Contains digestive enzymes
  • Contains natural fiber
  • Made with the finest quality protein, veggies, and fruits

Cons

  • The protein level is a bit low

3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain-Free, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain-Free, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food is one of the best German Shepherd dog food in the market. It comes with the perfect ingredients for large breed dogs such as German Shepherds.

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The recipes of this food even cater to German Shepherds with food allergies. This food is very rich in protein, as it contains 34 percent protein and 15 percent fat. With this composition, your German Shepherd will remain active and lively all day long.

It also comes in different flavors: Chicken, Duck, and Salmon. Another unique feature of this meal is that it entails the LifeSource Bits. These are meaty bits that contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. LifeSource Bits are cold-pressed, which help to preserve the integrity of the ingredients. This formula also boosts joints and longevity.

Other ingredients included in the food are veggies, whole grains, and fruits. This food also contains nutrients that help in treating digestive issues and food allergies. This food does not contain by-products, wheat, soy, corn, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

It is a completely grain-free formula that is made with healthy carbohydrates including peas and sweet potatoes to help fuel the active lifestyle of your German Shepherd. It also contains omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to support coat and skin health. This food features a precise blend of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

Specs

  • Grain-free
  • Adult
  • 24 pounds

Pros

  • Packed with real chicken
  • Contains LifeSource Bits
  • Natural and premium ingredients
  • Grain-free

Cons

  • Some German Shepherd dogs do not like the LifeSource Bits
Blue Buffalo Wilderness for Dogs | Chewy

4. Royal Canin Giant Junior Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Giant Junior Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin is one of the top brands in the dog food manufacturing industry. While other top brands focus on making extra profits, this company competes on excellent taste and formulas. This food features a blend of chondroitin and glucosamine, two ingredients known to support the growth of the spine.

Hip dysplasia is a common issue among large breed dogs, and the Royal Canin Giant Junior Dry Dog Food is formulated to tackle this issue.

In addition, this food is a complex combination of vitamin E, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It also comes with taurine. These ingredients help to boost the immune system of your German Shepherd. They also help your dog to age healthily. This food also prevents your dog from having heart issues, thanks to the added L-carnitine

The formula is also great for their nervous system. The food is formulated for dogs between 8 and 18-24 months with an expected adult weight of more than 100 pounds. It also supports muscle development with adapted protein levels. The adapted energy intake and balanced mineral content also promote healthy joints and bones.

This food also supports optimal weight and dental care with kibble adapted to their unique jaw size and shape.

Specs

  • Breed Specific
  • All life stages
  • 30 pounds

Pros

  • Suitable for all life stages
  • Promotes healthy bones and joints
  • Formulated to meet the nutritional needs of your German Shepherd
  • Aids developing immune system

Cons

  • It is a bit expensive
  • It is not completely grain-free

5. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food with Roasted Bison and Venison

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain Free Dry Dog Food with Roasted Bison and Venison

If you are looking for a high-quality protein dog food for your German Shepherd, this is one of the best options you have. This dog food for German Shepherd is packed with a wide range of high-quality protein sources. Some of the sources of protein include buffalo, chicken, lamb, venison, bison, fish, and beef. The protein sources of this food make it a great choice for very active dogs. In total, this food contains a minimum of 32 percent protein.

The formula is completely grain-free, which means you do not have to worry about grain allergies. It also contains high-quality carbs, with sweet potato, potato, and yucca as the primary sources of carbohydrate. This food also comes with loads of veggies and fruits including tomatoes, peas, and berries to provide high levels of minerals and vitamins.

Taste of the Wild does not use artificial preservatives; it only uses natural preservatives. The firm also steam dried the food with purified water to make sure it is free from chemicals. In terms of price, it is also one of the most affordable dog foods for German Shepherd dogs in the market. This grain-free formula also has no trace of corn, filler, and wheat. It also features antioxidant fatty acid blend for healthy coat and skin. This means it is rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.

Pros

  • Grain-free
  • Variety of vegetables and fruits
  • Varied, high-quality protein sources
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • A few customers complained of allergic reactions

6. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Large Breed Dog Food

Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Large Breed Dog Food

The fourth dog food on our list is the Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Large Breed Dog Food. This food is specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of large breed dogs such as German Shepherds. This food contains four different high-quality protein sources. The protein sources include Whole Earth Farms, deboned chicken, chicken meal, and whitefish.

This food is best for less active dogs, as the protein count is a little bit low. In addition, the Whole Earth Farms also includes chondroitin and glucosamine for the bone and joint health of your German Shepherd. The Complete Health Large Breed dog from Wellness comes with a variety of vegetables and fruits, including tomatoes, apples, carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes, making it very rich in vitamins and minerals.

Wellness is also known for making products that are free from chemicals, preservatives, additives, by-products, artificial colors and flavors. This food does not contain common allergens such as soy, corn, and wheat. Nevertheless, this food contains rice, which might result in allergenic reactions in some German Shepherds.

For tackling the issue of overburdened joints and hips, this food contains chondroitin and glucosamine. The calorie content per kilogram of this food is 3,400 kilocalorie. This food is also high in antioxidants, thanks to the blueberries present in it. It also contains flaxseed that supports healthy skin and coat.

Specs

  • Grain-free
  • Adult
  • 30 pounds

Pros

  • All-natural ingredients
  • High-quality protein content
  • Free from additives and preservatives
  • Free from common allergens
  • Supports healthy bones and joints

Cons

  • It contains rice, which might result in allergenic reactions in some dogs.
Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Dog Food | Chewy

The Best Dog Foods for German Shepherd Puppy Are:

1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Puppy Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Puppy Dry Dog Food

The Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Puppy Dry Dog Food is one of the best dry dog food for German Shepherds. This brand produces dry German Shepherd puppy food inspired by the natural wolf-like instincts of a dog. This is a grain-free food that features a high-protein formula. This protein-rich food is formulated to satisfy the carnivore inside your German Shepherd puppies.

The major ingredients used to make this food include chicken meal, deboned chicken, and fish meal. These ingredients would meet all the protein needs of your German Shepherd pup. It also contains sweet potatoes that provide the carbohydrate your little friend needs for energy. This food contains healthy fruits and vegetables such as carrots, cranberries, and blueberries. These ingredients provide your puppy the antioxidants it needs to stay healthy against illness.

This dry dog food for German Shepherd contains 35 percent crude protein and 6 percent crude fiber. It also contains a reasonable level of fat, which is just 14 percent. The phosphorus ratio level of the food is 1 percent while the calcium content is just 1.2 percent, which is perfect for the growth and development of this breed.

This food also contains ARA, DHA, and other vital fatty acids found in mother’s milk, to help support retinal health and cognitive development. It does not contain poultry by-product meals, wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.

Specs

  • Grain-free
  • Puppy
  • 24 pounds

Pros

  • Development of healthy muscle
  • Packed with real chicken
  • A perfect blend of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins
  • Recipes that satisfy your puppy’s natural love for meat
  • Grain-free formula

Cons

  • A bit pricey
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Regional Recipe Dog Food & Treats | Chewy

2. Fromm Family Foods Gold Large Breed Puppy Dry Food

Fromm Family Foods 727050 Gold Large Breed 33 Lb Puppy Dry Food (1 Pack),

This dry dog food from Fromm Family is one of the best dog food for German Shepherd puppies out there. This food comes with all the basic nutrients that growing German Shepherd puppies need, in the right proportion. It contains at least 26 percent protein, 3.5 percent fiber, and at least 14 percent fat.

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The minimum level of calcium content in this food is 1.08 percent along with 1.02 percent minimum phosphorus. The calcium to phosphorus ratio level is 1.06:1. Per kilogram of this meal also contains 3,809 calories.

The major ingredient of this dog food includes a chicken meal, duck, chicken, pearled barley, oatmeal, menhaden fish meal, brown rice, lamb, dried whole egg, dried tomato pomace, potatoes, and chicken fat.

Fromm has been producing natural, whole, high-end ingredients dog foods to provide puppies with all the basic nutrition they need. This food is specially formulated for larger breeds and their unique growth.

The nutrient contents in the food will promote strong bones, lean muscle growth, and high eye and brain development. It also contains probiotics and prebiotics that enhance digestion.

This food includes salmon oil that will leave the coat of your puppy shiny and silky. The food does not contain any trace of corn, wheat, fillers, or preservatives.

Specs

  • Large breed puppy
  • puppy
  • 33 pounds

Pros

  • Large quality
  • Best for growing and developing large breed puppies
  • Affordable
  • Balanced diets
  • All-natural ingredients

Cons

  • A higher protein level would have been better

3. Chicken Soup for the Soul Large Breed

Chicken Soup for the Soul Large Breed

This dry dog food seems like underappreciated dog food for German Shepherds. Nevertheless, it is one of the best dog food for German Shepherds out there. Many German Shepherds love this food, and it is formulated for both German Shepherd adults and puppies.

This food contains 27 percent protein and 13 percent fat, which is moderate for German Shepherds. The major ingredients of this food are turkey, chicken, turkey meal, and chicken meal. It is available in two packages: 15 pounds and 30 pounds.

The food is formulated to support wellness, happiness, and health. It is made with 100 percent all-natural ingredients. It helps to build lean muscles and strong bones in your large breed German Shepherd puppy. This dies is also rich in antioxidants and it also contains DHA for adequate brains and eye development.

Specs

  • Grain-containing
  • Puppies
  • 30 pounds

Pros

  • 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for puppies
  • All-natural ingredients
  • Contains DHA
  • Help reduce plaque and clean teeth
  • Contains L-Carnitine for strong bones and lean muscles

Cons

  • It is not grain-free
Chicken Soup for the Soul Dog Food | Chewy

Buying’s Guide: Things to Consider When Buying the Best Dog Food for German Shepherd Puppies

There are some vital things you need to consider when looking for the best dog food for your German Shepherd puppies. Putting these factors into consideration will help you make the best buy-decision. Here are some of the things you should consider:

Ingredients

This is the single most important thing you need to consider when shopping for dog food for your German Shepherd. You need to ensure that the food contains all-natural ingredients.

The ingredients should be fresh and you should also make sure that the food contains all the basic ingredients your puppy needs. You should also watch out for harmful ingredients or allergens.

Protein Level

German Shepherd dogs need a healthy dose of at least 22 percent high-end protein in their meal in order to grow and maintain their impressive physique. You should also ensure that the sources of protein are animals such as beef or chicken. You should stay away from foods with byproducts, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors.

Fat Level

Another vital thing you should consider is the level of fat in the food. A high amount of fat is not really good for German Shepherds, as it can result in obesity. Nevertheless, fats are very important for healthy skin coat, joints, and bones. It also helps to lubricate the internal systems.

The recommended amount of fat for German Shepherd dogs is 15 percent to 30 percent, and it should be animal-based fats.

Vitamins and Minerals

Minerals and vitamins promote healthy brain activity in German Shepherds and enhance their overall well-being. As such, you need to make sure that your dog’s food contains minerals and vitamins.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best dog food for your German Shepherd is very important, as this plays a major role in their growth, development, and overall well-being. From the products reviewed in this article, our top choice is the Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Puppy Dry Dog Food. This food is formulated for large breed puppies and it is perfect when it comes to taste and nutrition. It is made with all-natural ingredients and it is a 100% complete and balanced diet. It is formulated for German Shepherd puppies and your German Shepherd pup will gobble it up happily

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