Best Diet For German Shepherds: Nutrition, Types, and More!

As a new German Shepherd owner, my most common question was, “What’s the best diet for German Shepherds?” Feeding your dog the proper nutrition and a well-balanced diet plan is critical to its overall health and well-being. To understand the nutritional requirements of your German Shepherd and how to provide for them, you must know what nutrients they need and in what amounts.

The best diet for German Shepherds is a high-quality, protein-rich diet consisting of 18-22% protein. Dogs can also derive nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables. However, all dogs must ensure they have the right balance of protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber for optimum health.

In this article, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the best German Shepherd diet and meal plan. This includes:

• The essential nutrients your German Shepherd needs to stay healthy and strong.
• A comprehensive list of foods that are safe for your German Shepherd to eat.
• An overview of the different types of dog food available, along with their pros and cons.
• German Shepherd meal plan, based on their age, weight, and activity level.

And tons more!

What Nutrients Do German Shepherds Need?

German Shepherds need at least 22% protein during growth stages and 18% protein once an adult. German Shepherd puppies need 8% fat, and adults require 5% fat to meet their energy needs. Carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water are also necessary for survival.

You must include these essential nutrients in a German Shepherd’s daily diet as they are involved in all of the body’s vital functions.

All commercial pet foods’ nutritional content must follow the guidelines developed by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials).

The MSD Vet Manual also publishes dog nutrient profiles which contain a ton of detail listing all the individual vitamins and minerals a German Shepherd’s diet needs.

Best Diet For German Shepherds

When considering the best diet for a German Shepherd, choose foods with high-quality animal-based protein sources such as beef, chicken, lamb, pork, eggs, fish, and plant-based proteins, such as grains, legumes, and vegetables. Also, the food should be abundant in fats, vitamins, and minerals.

The main nutritional requirement of a German Shepherd’s diet is protein. Protein has several functions:

• Provides energy.
• Builds and repairs muscles
• Forms new skin, hair, and nail cells.
• Keeps the immune and musculoskeletal systems strong.

The amount of protein required by puppies and adult German Shepherds is different. Growing puppies require a minimum of 22% protein, whereas adult dogs require a diet of 18% protein.

If feeding commercial dog food, protein is measured on a dry matter basis, meaning what’s left after the moisture is extracted. 

The second main nutritional requirement of a German Shepherd’s diet is fat. Fat comes from protein and provides energy. It is also necessary for the normal development and function of body cells, nerves, muscles, and tissues.

Again, the amount required for puppies and adult German Shepherds differ. The recommended fat content for growing puppies is 8% and 5% for an adult dog.

Your German Shepherd’s diet will also have different nutritional needs depending on life stage, size, activity level, and overall health:

• An active and growing puppy may need twice as many calories as an adult GSD.
• A pregnant or lactating dog will need considerably more calories.
• An elderly German Shepherd may need 20% fewer calories in their diet than middle-aged dogs.

“My active German Shepherd will require a completely different diet than a lap dog that likes to laze around all day.”

So, what are the recognized life stages of dogs? The AAFCO defines them as:

• Gestation/lactation (pregnancy and nursing).
• Growth (includes puppies).
• Adult maintenance.
• All life stages.

So that got me wondering, what exactly does “all life stages” mean?

A German Shepherd’s diet for all life stages meets the nutritional requirements for growth, reproduction, and adult maintenance. This diet is, therefore, suitable for GSDs of any age.

One thing to note is that an “all life stage” diet is generally higher in calories, so you would only choose this diet depending on your dog’s circumstances.

For example, if your dog is an adult, inactive, or needs to lose weight, you should choose a diet for adult maintenance. If your dog is working or highly active, you may choose a diet for “all life stages” due to the extra calories and nutrition.

Different quantities, ratios of nutrients, and feeding rates are advised for different life stages when selecting the right pet food.

What Can German Shepherds Eat?

So now we know what nutrients GSDs need, let’s look at what they can eat. These are the main foods of a balanced German Shepherd’s diet. However, they do come with some caveats, so read on!

Do you want to know more about what fruits and vegetables to include in your German Shepherd’s diet? Check out these two guides:

• 29 Fruits German Shepherds Can Eat
• 24 Vegetables German Shepherds Can Eat

What Can German Shepherds Not Eat?

You should not include many foods in your German Shepherd’s diet as they are toxic. I have listed the main ones in this table:

Alcohol	Avocado	Caffeine
Chocolate	Grapes	Garlic
Hops	Horse Chestnut	Macadamia Nuts
Mushrooms	Nutmeg	Onions
Leeks	Chives	Raisins
Rhubarb Leaves	Salt	Starfruit
Xylitol	Yeast Dough	Walnuts (Black)
Tomato (green)	Raw Potato	Shallots
Cocoa	Cherries	Moldy food

The Pet Poison Helpline lists many other poisonous stuff, including plants, household items, and medications. It is constructive, but hopefully, you won’t need their help if your dog avoids these.

You can also check out this article, Foods Toxic to GSDs

What Type of Dog Food is Best for German Shepherds?

We all want the best for our pets and want to feed our German Shepherd the best diet. But there are so many different types of dog food it can get confusing, and it’s difficult to know where to start.

So, here’s the thing.

The best dog food for German Shepherds is dry food, which is more practical for large breeds. It is also the least expensive, even if you choose a high-quality brand. Of course, you can feed other diets, such as wet, a mix of dry and wet, raw, home-produced, dehydrated, or freeze-dried.

Most owners feed commercial dry food or wet canned food. However, these are the main types of diet that you can provide your German Shepherd:

• Complete dry foods
• Canned wet foods
• A mix of dry and wet
• Home produced diets
• Complete raw diets
• Dehydrated
• Freeze-dried

If you opt for commercial dog food, it must be ‘complete’ and ‘balanced’ according to the strict guidelines of the AAFCO. ‘Complete’ means “the food must contain all the nutrients required,” and ‘balanced’ means “the nutrients present must be in the correct ratios.”

The AAFCO also provides information on understanding dog food labels. It’s a pretty heavy read, but it essentially means that manufacturers will nutritionally label dog food depending on the dog’s life stage.

If you choose to feed commercial dog food (dry, wet, or mixed), always check the packaging for what is known as “The Nutritional Adequacy Statement.” It was designed for vets, nutritionists, and dog owners to evaluate the food’s nutritional value to their pets. 

This statement should say that the food meets nutrient profiles established by the AAFCO according to the dog’s life stage or passed feeding tests designed to AAFCO standards. It is the key to meeting your German Shepherd’s nutritional needs.

“When choosing dog food, you should check the list of ingredients AND the nutritional content of the food.”

High-quality protein sources (beef, pork, chicken, lamb, etc.) should be high on the list of foods for your German Shepherd, as should quality sources of grains or vegetables and fats.

You should check that vitamins and minerals are also included. The best quality commercial dog foods will consist of additional protein sources, like fish, eggs, and plant-based proteins, like vegetables, legumes, and grains. 

The best diet for your German Shepherd should suit his size and lifestyle. But it is important to satisfy your dog’s needs and yours too! I will explain what I mean when we take a unique look at the different types of food you can feed your dog (see below).

Many pet food companies have invested millions of dollars into researching what ingredients contain the maximum levels to achieve a healthy, balanced diet that aids in essential puppy growth and mental and physical development.

Let’s now look at the popular types of dog food that should help you decide on the best diet for your German Shepherd.

Dry Foods

Dry dog foods are one of the most popular choices. Two main types of complete dry foods are KIBBLE and COLD-PRESSED DOG FOOD.

The latter is gaining popularity in the United States and other regions and is widespread in the UK and Europe. Cold-pressed food is deemed a higher quality kibble due to its cooking process.

So what exactly is kibble? Kibble is dry dog food made either through extrusion or oven baking. The food is produced under high pressure and high temperatures. All kibble is made the same way and using the same machinery. Even high-quality dry foods that use “human-grade” ingredients are made using the same process. 

What is cold-pressed dog food? Cold-pressed dog food is dry food made at much lower temperatures and cooked quickly before being pressed into the desired shape. This unique method means the food retains more nutritional value, flavor, aroma, and vitamins. All the goodness is retained in bite-size pieces. 

Dry dog food provides more nutrients per bite than wet food because they contain less moisture. That means you won’t have to feed as much to satisfy your German Shepherd’s appetite and nutritional needs. You may give dry food completely dry or add water to make it into a tasty “gravy.”

If you wish to compare dry food with canned wet food, dry costs less per serving, and there can be less waste as it can be left in your dog’s feeding dish longer, unlike canned. Dogs with dental problems may also benefit from dry food as it helps to clean their teeth and gums.

Dry dog food is the most practical choice for a large dog, especially a German Shepherd. However, dry food comes in all shapes and sizes, so a smaller sized variety can be suitable for smaller breeds.

It is also okay to feed your dog a pure dry diet and add cooked meat, fish, or vegetables, and this is what I do. I feed Willow cold-pressed dog food, and although this is a complete, balanced, high-quality food, I like to mix things up for my German Shepherd.

So, as you can see in the below photo, I’ll often add a small amount of cooked lean chicken, beef, pork, salmon, or even a spoonful of plain yogurt.

Occasionally my dog will have some tinned tuna or mackerel in oil, which is also excellent for her skin and coat. If I add a topping, I always slightly reduce the quantity of the food to ensure that she is not gaining extra calories.

Canned Wet Foods

Canned wet dog foods contain high moisture content – around 75%. There are some things to be wary of; not every canned food brand provides the protein your German Shepherd needs.

Also, the higher the water content, the fewer nutrients, so your dog has to consume more food to get the nutritional value their body needs.

Additionally, be wary of low-quality canned foods, as manufacturers often add wheat flour as a thickener or extra white rice or other grains.

Canned dog food can be more expensive, especially if you have a large dog breed, but it may be ideal if your dog enjoys eating a more considerable portion.

Other advantages of wet food are that it may be more suitable if your GSD is a fussy eater or if you have a senior dog who may have lost his appetite and find wet food more palatable.

Semi-moist Dog Foods

Semi-moist dog foods are not as popular as other types as they offer the least nutritional value and can be pretty expensive.

Unfortunately, manufacturers add sugar and salts to preserve moisture and shelf life. Therefore, a semi-moist diet may not be appropriate for your German Shepherd, especially if he is overweight and needs to lose a few pounds.

Many semi-moist foods are also loaded with artificial colors, chemical preservatives, and flavor enhancers. 

However, semi-moist food may be the best choice if your German Shepherd finds it challenging to digest all other types of dog food. Your dog may also enjoy the meaty taste and find this food more palatable if they are incredibly picky.

Semi-moist dog food is also very convenient because you simply need to open the pouch (usually resealable) and pour it into your dog’s bowl.

If you are considering this type of dog food, seek your vet’s advice to determine the calorie content of the food and an appropriate daily portion for your dog.

Dry Dog Food vs. Wet Dog Food

Dry Dog Food	Wet Dog Food (including semi-moist)
More practicable for large dogs	More practicable for a toy or small breeds
Inexpensive and less waste	More expensive than dry foods
Provides more nutrients per bite than wet	Good for picky and senior dogs
Convenient and easy to feed	Good for hydration if your dog doesn’t drink much
No need to refrigerate	There can be more waste if the food is uneaten
Good for “grazers” as can be left in the bowl longer	Good for dogs who have trouble chewing
Can add cooked meats, fish, or veg for variety	It has a longer shelf life than dry
Can add water to make a tasty gravy	Dogs can enjoy a larger portion per meal due to the high water content
Available in many shapes and sizes	Some dogs find wet more palatable than dry foods
Great for interactive feeders	Watch out for added salt and sugar in semi-moist
It can be good for the teeth	May contribute to gum disease

A Mix of Dry and Wet

A third option is choosing a mix of dry and wet foods. You can mix the foods in the same bowl or feed dry for the morning and wet for the afternoon feed (or vice-versa). Some German Shepherd owners that feed dry dog food like to add wet food as a topping.

Again, you will need to ensure you’re not increasing your dog’s calorie intake if mixing these foods, and you may need to seek the advice of your veterinarian to ensure that you are feeding the correct nutrition. If you choose this option, keeping to the same brand is advisable.

Pros of a Dry & Wet Mix	Cons of a Dry & Wet Mix
You get the best of both dry and wet	Need to track calorie intake
Can mix in the same bowl or at separate feeds	May require the advice of a vet
Provides variety	Recommended to keep to the same brand

Home Produced Diet

Some German Shepherd owners feed their dogs a home-produced diet (home-feeders). If you’re wondering exactly why someone would want to be a home feeder, here are the main reasons:

• They sought alternatives to commercial pet foods as they were concerned about the nutritional value of the ingredients and preferred “human foods.”
• They simply enjoyed preparing the food and strengthening the bond with their dog or satisfying their views.
• They believe their pets will not like or refuse commercial dog food.
• They may need a home-prepared diet to help with a diagnosis (e.g., for a food elimination trial).
• They may require a home-prepared diet if a dog has a combination of diseases for which no commercial diet exists.
• They sought comfort as a home-feeder for dogs with chronic or terminal illnesses.

There are several drawbacks to the home preparation of dog food. You can do it, but it takes a lot of dedication and hard work, and it may be more expensive than even the best quality dog food on the market.

Homemade diets can provide complete nutrition. However, you need to ensure your German Shepherd gets the right mix of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins, which is not easy.

Suppose you wish to prepare a home-cooked diet. In that case, it’s best to consult your vet or a pet nutritionist certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition who has the expertise to customize a healthy diet for your pet.

It is recommended to cook all animal products to kill bacteria that could make your German Shepherd sick. However, if you are a raw feeder (see below), you will likely disagree with this statement. Grains, beans, and starchy vegetables must also be cooked to make them easier for your dog to digest.

Never add foods that are toxic to dogs. These include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, avocados, and macadamia nuts, to name but a few.

Do you want to know more about homemade diets? Check out this article, A Beginner’s Guide to Homemade Food for German Shepherds.

My final thoughts on helping you decide on whether to become a home feeder would be:

1. Do you have the time to become a home feeder?
2. There are plenty of high-quality commercial dog foods on the market.
3. Your dog will require regular health checks to check for any nutrient deficiencies.

Pros of Home Produced Diet	Cons of Home Produced Diet
You are in control of your dog’s food and nutrients	Regular health checks are advised to ensure correct nutrition
May suit picky eaters	Expensive and time-consuming
Can help increase bonding
Can assist with a medical diagnosis or healing

Raw Diet

From three to four weeks onwards, it’s safe to start feeding a German Shepherd puppy raw food. Raw feeding is founded on providing dogs with the foods they would have naturally consumed in the wild.

Occasionally, there will be a trend for feeding dogs an all-raw diet (e.g., raw meat, fish, and veg) instead of specially formulated dog food. Still, ensuring that your German Shepherd gets all the nutrients it needs and isn’t at risk of poor health or disease is essential.

There are two crucial factors to consider when deciding to feed a raw diet to your dog. The first concern about raw feeding is ensuring you provide a complete and balanced diet, which is especially important for feeding a growing puppy.

Like homemade diets formulating raw diets can be difficult, especially if your German Shepherd is pregnant, lactating, or sick and therefore has different nutritional requirements. Ensuring you are not under or overfeeding essential nutrients can be challenging.

Again, you should consult your vet or a pet nutritionist before feeding raw.

The second most significant concern is food safety issues relating to bacterial or parasitic contamination. Food poisoning is also a main worry, and we cannot underestimate the health aspects of feeding raw foods to our pets.

If you are contemplating feeding your German Shepherd a raw food diet, you should ensure you follow the guidelines for the safe and proper handling of raw foods and are aware of all the associated food safety issues.

Many raw feeders will claim that a raw diet has numerous health benefits for your dog, including better digestion, a shinier coat, healthier skin, stronger teeth, less disease, and a longer and healthier life.

However, according to the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, the vast majority of the believed benefits of feeding raw foods remain unproven. Here’s what they say:

“No studies have examined differences in animals fed raw animal products to those fed any other type of diet (kibble, canned, or home-cooked) with the exception of looking at the effects on digestibility.

ACVN

If you choose a raw diet for your German Shepherd, you can prepare the food at home or purchase commercial raw food products. These range from complete foods, usually sold frozen or freeze-dried, to grain and supplement mixes combined with raw foods.

Pros of Raw Diet	Cons of Raw Diet
You control your dog’s food and nutrients	Need to ensure proper nutrition is provided
Aids better digestion	May be unsuitable for sick or senior dogs
Better stools	Risk of food contamination
Cleaner teeth and better breath	No proven health benefits & health checks advised

Dehydrated and Freeze-Dried

You can feed your German Shepherd a dehydrated or freeze-dried diet, which has become increasingly common in recent years.

These diets are similar in that they extract moisture from the food to preserve it and eliminate the need for artificial preservatives, but they vary in several ways.

Dehydrated Foods

Dehydrated foods are partially cooked at low temperatures to extract most of the water. The food is heated but not fully cooked, so nutrients and enzymes remain whole. They are a complete diet frequently seen as a step up from ordinary extruded kibble.

You must add warm water to dehydrated dog food to make it edible. As a result, the food has a texture comparable to canned wet food but is much less refined.

These foods are easy to store, and prepare, and have a long shelf life because they do not need refrigeration.

A dehydrated diet is also a good option if your German Shepherd has a sensitive stomach, as the food is easier on the digestive system due to the gentle cooking method.

Freeze-dried

Freeze-dried foods are essentially a raw diet that has been repackaged.

The raw ingredients in freeze-dried dog food are frozen first, and then placed in a strong vacuum to turn the moisture into vapor. After that, the food is sealed in an airtight container. Unlike a proper raw diet, this method reduces the number of bacteria such as salmonella.

Although freeze-dried food looks like kibble and does not need to be rehydrated before eating, your German Shepherd will find it more palatable and digestible if you add water first.

Freeze-dried foods are usually very high protein diets with fruits and vegetables occasionally added. This dog diet is an excellent alternative if you want to feed a raw diet but don’t like to handle raw food but want to provide a healthier and less processed diet.

You can also combine freeze-dried into your German Shepherds’ diet with other types such as kibble or wet.

Freeze-dried foods are more expensive than regular kibble, but as the food has the moisture removed, they are more nutritionally dense, so you feed your GSD less.

Pros of Dehydrated & Freeze-Dried	Cons of Dehydrated & Freeze-Dried
Nutrients remain intact	Very expensive
No added preservatives	Freeze-dried foods may still contain bacteria
Convenient	Freeze-dried products might be hard to source
Long shelf life and easy to store

How Much Food Should a German Shepherd Eat?

The amount of food your German Shepherd needs will largely depend on your pet’s size, activity level, age, and overall health. The key is to ensure you don’t overfeed or underfeed your dog. So, how much food should a German Shepherd eat?

An active adult German Shepherd weighing 70lbs (32kg) needs 1740 calories daily, whereas an active, larger-sized German Shepherd weighing 90lbs (40kg) needs 2100 calories daily. In contrast, inactive GSDs of similar weights only need 1272 calories and 1540 calories, respectively.

You also need to assess your dog’s activity level. German Shepherds who get minimal exercise may need 10% less than what’s recommended on the food label, whereas an active dog that regularly exercises may need 20% to 40% more.

I have certainly noticed that if my German Shepherd has a lot of exercise in a day, she will eat more. I suppose that’s a bit like you and me!

Working German Shepherds, such as police dogs, may need foods designed for working or performance dogs. These foods have a higher fat content to provide extra calories for their needs.

Additionally, you may need to make adjustments based on your dog’s health or body condition. Serious illness, pregnancy, or nursing can also increase a dog’s energy needs.

All commercial dog food will have recommended feeding guidelines on the packaging. I also found this helpful dog calorie calculator you can use.

Furthermore, you can refer to the National Research Council’s science-based guide for your dog’s nutritional needs or consult your veterinarian.

Pro Tip! Although dogs can eat just once daily, most GSD owners prefer feeding twice daily. Giving two meals daily makes it easier for the dog to digest the food, which helps control hunger and bloat (GDV), a life-threatening condition. I feed my German Shepherd twice a day.

How Much Food Should a German Shepherd Puppy Eat?

So, what about puppies, you may ask? How much should you feed a German Shepherd puppy?

A German Shepherd puppy needs about twice as many calories per pound of body weight as an adult German Shepherd. Therefore, a mature puppy weighing 45lbs (20kg) needs around 2100 calories, the same as an active adult twice its weight.

Here’s a rough guide on how much dry food to feed your German Shepherd puppy.

Weight of Puppy	Age of Puppy	Dry Food In Grams
8-10lbs	2-3 months	150-175
20lbs	2-3 months	300
40lbs	2-3 months	495
60lbs	2-3 months	695
20lbs	4-9 months	250
40lbs	4-9 months	420
60lbs	4-9 months	570
80lbs	4-9 months	695
100lbs	4-9 months	845
40lbs	10-12 months	330
60lbs	10-12 months	465
80-100lbs	10-12 months	560-670
120-140lbs	10-12 months	770-860
160-180lbs	10-12 months	945-1040

If you are feeding dry dog food, your brand choice should have the recommended feeding guidelines on the packaging for puppies (and adults). In addition, most brands display helpful tables or calculators on their websites.

Pro Tip! When my German Shepherd was a growing puppy, I visited my vet monthly to weigh her and get a quick overall check of her general health.

How Often Should I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy?

Puppies receive all the relevant nutrients from birth by feeding on their mother. However, it’s safe to begin the weaning process onto a new diet for your German Shepherd after three to four weeks.

As mentioned, a growing German Shepherd puppy has different nutritional needs than an adult dog. But did you know puppies also need feeding more frequently at various stages of growth?

German Shepherd Meal Plan

You should feed a German Shepherd puppy four meals daily between 6 and 12 weeks old. Puppies aged between 12 and 24 weeks require three meals a day, and from 24 weeks onwards, German Shepherd puppies should be fed twice daily.

AGE OF PUPPY	DAILY MEALS
6 to 12 weeks	4
12 to 24 weeks	3
24 weeks onwards	2

German Shepherd Puppy Diet

Growing German Shepherd puppies need to take in enough calories, fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals to meet the rapid growth that will set them on the right path to a healthy life. They should continue on a puppy diet until adulthood – up to 18 months in GSDs.

However, you may choose to feed your German Shepherd a puppy diet only for his first six months, as you can switch early to adult food in large breeds to help prevent too-rapid growth, which can lead to bone and joint issues. Many puppy foods explicitly labeled for large breeds are formulated to address these issues.

I transitioned my German Shepherd from her puppy food at just two months old. However, I fed her high-quality food suitable for this.

Can German Shepherds Eat Bones?

Do you remember the saying, “give a dog a bone?” But can German Shepherds eat bones as part of their diet?

German Shepherds can eat bones. They are a good source of nutrients, especially calcium and phosphorus, and help clean your dog’s teeth and keep them strong. However, never feed a cooked bone as cooking causes the bone to soften and splinter as your dog chews it and can cause injuries or choking.

Choose a sizeable raw bone larger than your dog’s muzzle so he won’t be tempted to swallow it. Beef or lamb bones are better than chicken or pork bones as they are stronger and won’t easily splinter. For example, a large beef shank bone would be just the thing for your German Shepherd.

Remember to supervise your GSD when giving him a bone.

What are the Best Treats for German Shepherds?

Many owners give treats and snacks as part of their German Shepherd’s diet, but they should not exceed 10% of your dog’s total daily calories. Also, dog treats don’t have to follow AAFCO standards, so many may provide little nutritional value.

But this isn’t true of all dog treats on the market.

The best treats for German Shepherds are carefully formulated for dogs and contain high-quality, nutritious ingredients. They should be low in fat and calories and free of additives, chemicals, and coloring.

There are some excellent high-quality treats you can buy. However, some can be pretty expensive, so shop around.

However, I’m happy to pay that bit more if it means my GSD stays healthy and happy. Willow loves her Dentastix treats, as shown in the photo below.

FAQs

What are the specific dietary needs of German Shepherds?

German Shepherds need a diet high in protein and fat, as well as moderate amounts of carbohydrates, to stay healthy and active. Protein is essential for muscle growth and development, and fat helps to provide energy. The ideal diet for a German Shepherd should include a combination of high-quality dry and wet foods and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Do German Shepherds Need Vitamins or Supplements?

German Shepherds don’t need to add vitamins or supplements to their diet if they eat good quality, complete, balanced pet food and are healthy. You should only give your dog vitamins or supplements if your veterinarian recommends them.

For example, my German Shepherd was recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the spine. In addition to her prescribed medication, her vet recommended she take YuMove Joint Supplements from Amazon, which contain glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support and to ease stiffness.

I have to say I’ve been pleased with how she is doing on them, so if your dog has a similar condition, I’d advise you to consult your vet.

How Much Water Should a German Shepherd Drink?

Adult German Shepherds should drink one ounce (30 ml) of water daily for each pound they weigh. Puppies will generally consume more, despite their smaller size. Some variables include age, size, activity level, type of food eaten (dry or wet), weather, medication, or lactation.

Ensure you keep your dog’s water bowl filled up and frequently change it throughout the day. If your dog is not drinking enough water, here are some fun ways to keep him hydrated:

• Give your dog ice cubes.
• Make doggie ice pops.
• Add water to dry food.
• Make fun playtime with a hose in the summer.

Final Thoughts – The Importance of Nutrition

So, there you have it – the best diet for German Shepherds. There’s certainly a lot to consider in this giant guide, but I hope I’ve given you enough food for thought!

When choosing what to feed your German Shepherd, the best advice I could give you is:

• Choose a meal plan that suits your dog’s life stage and your lifestyle.
• Invest in the best quality dog food you can afford.