Food for German Shepherds: types and features of choice

The famous phrase says: "We are responsible for those who have tamed." That is why, if you decide to have a pet or already have a beloved pet, it is very important to follow the rules for keeping it and the principles of care. So, an integral part of the maintenance of any animal is nutrition.

Particularly noteworthy is the diet of some breeds of dogs, in particular, German shepherds. German Shepherd Owner's Choice it can consist of natural food as well as dry or wet prepared food... Today, more and more pet owners prefer ready-made feeds mainly because of convenience and time savings.

This is what we will talk about today in our material.

Generally speaking, proper nutrition of your pet is the key to its health. That is why it is especially important to pay attention to the choice of a specific type of finished feed. To date, there are 2 options on the zoological market: dry and wet food. Let's consider how these varieties differ.

Dry food is one of the most popular feeding methods for domestic German Shepherds. The specific brand and variety should be chosen depending on the individual characteristics of the dogs, and it is better to consult a veterinarian before buying.

Today, dry food of several classes can be found on the zoological market. The most common classification includes the following varieties:

• Economy class;
• regular;
• premium.

Economy class feed is ready-made dry mix, which consist of the simplest and cheapest ingredients (offal, cereals and soy). Accordingly, the price for them is low. It is not recommended to buy such food and feed it to your pet. The thing is that it is based on meat products that belong to category 4D (sick, aging and dying animals).

Regular are foods that are designed for constant nutrition. In their production, products of higher quality and healthier for the body of the German Shepherd are used. However, even this class of feed contains some chemical impurities. So, in the composition you can find colorants, sweeteners and flavor enhancers. At the same time, the energy value of Regular feed is higher than that of economy class mixtures.

The best dry mix for feeding German shepherds is food, super premium... It is this option that meets all the requirements for a healthy diet for an animal. This mixture consists of fresh and quality animal meat (beef, poultry or lamb). In addition, cereals and even eggs may also be present in the composition.

However, in addition to these groups, there are other categories: for example, holistic feeds, which have high nutritional properties, respectively, the price for them is very high.

At its core, wet dog food is an alternative to common canned foods that humans eat. Although this variety of dog food is versatile, feeding your German breed pet with wet food on an ongoing basis is not recommended... Canned dog food for German shepherds can only act as a kind of delicacy, which they receive at regular intervals.

There are many characteristics of wet food for German Shepherds that have a positive impact on the animal. Among them are:

• the presence of a large amount of protein;
• the wet version contains fewer carbohydrates (first of all, this concerns feeds that belong to the "premium" and "luxury" classes);
• in the production process of wet canned dog food, no additional chemical and artificially synthesized substances (for example, stabilizers) are used;
• the wet variety is an ideal food for aging animals, as well as for those German shepherds who suffer from diseases of the digestive system, gastrointestinal tract, urinary system.

Today on the market and in stores there is a wide variety of food for German shepherds. Some of them are produced by well-known companies that have already won the love and recognition of customers, while others are the products of little-known companies that have just entered the market.

Many buyers are primarily attracted by low-cost dog food. Such brands are common among economy class feeds.

• Happy Dog. There are both dry and wet varieties, the meat base can consist of buffalo, game, duck, lamb and turkey, the mixture can be eaten even by those dogs that are prone to all kinds of food allergies.
• Chappi. This food is considered complete, some individual varieties may include brewer's yeast, which regulates metabolic processes in the dog's body.
• Purina One. This variety is in great demand among buyers, it contains useful substances that have a positive effect on the functioning of the animal's gastrointestinal tract.
• Pedigree. Food for German shepherds from this brand is considered quite balanced and contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals that are needed for the full growth and development of the animal.

Another category of pet owner includes people who believe that only the very best should be provided to pets. That is why they prefer dry mixes of a higher class, in particular, holistic. Generally speaking, it is considered that this particular class of food is the most suitable for feeding domestic German Shepherds. Among the high-end feeds, several of the most popular manufacturers should be singled out.

• Royal Canin. This trade mark has existed on the zoological market for over 50 years. During this time, the company managed to gain a reputation as a brand that cares about the health of pets. The range of the company includes more than 100 options for dry and wet dog food, produced according to the most modern scientific developments. Food from the Royal Canin trade mark is recommended not only by pet owners, but also by veterinarians as a basis for nutrition for German shepherds.
• Grandorf. Grandorf has an impeccable reputation among consumers, as it produces and sells feed rich not only in fresh and quality meat, but also in other ingredients that help to avoid intolerances or allergies. For example, the mixtures contain probiotics that support and restore the functioning of the intestines of the German Shepherd Dog, as well as strengthen the animal's immunity.
• Acana. The motto of this company is the production of food that best suits the biological needs of dogs, which are predators by nature. All lines and series that make up the range of the Acana brand are carefully thought out and saturated with essential nutrients.

Thus, today on the zoological market you can find a huge variety of food for German shepherds. In accordance with the individual physiological characteristics of your animal, as well as your financial capabilities, you can choose the most optimal option.

Choosing food for your German Shepherd is a demanding task. In order to acquire the most successful option, you should adhere to some principles.

• First of all, pay attention to the country and the manufacturer. Choose only licensed trademarks and brands that have proven themselves well.
• Read carefully the composition indicated on the food packaging. Try to avoid products that contain a lot of chemical impurities and artificial ingredients.
• The physiological characteristics of your animal play an important role in the choice of food. For example, if your shepherd dog is prone to food allergies, then it is better to choose a hypoallergenic harmless food.

Among other things, it is important to observe some of the feeding habits of your pet. Moreover, this rule applies to both adult dogs and German shepherd puppies.

If we talk about adult and mature animals, then they need to be given about 700 grams of dry mixture per day. However, such an amount of food is not recommended to be given at a time, it must be divided into 2 meals.

The consumption rate in each case may be different - usually it is indicated on the package. In the first few days of feeding the baby by "drying" it is permissible to soak it in warm water - so it will be easier for the puppy to chew.

See below for the Royal Canin German Shepherd food.