Whether you’ve recently gotten a German Shepherd puppy or have had one for some time, it’s never too late to give him the best nutrition. Your puppy has specific needs so you can’t grab just anything off the shelf. Let’s look at some of the factors you should consider when choosing the best dog food for a German Shepherd puppy.
Background on German Shepherds
As might be expected, German Shepherds originated in Germany. The intelligent, obedient, and loyal companions were trained as shepherd dogs in the late 1800s.
While we use the term German Shepherd as an all-encompassing name for the breed, there are five varieties. These are the American, two West German, East German, and Czech lines.
German Shepherds have been loved by their owners for ages so it’s no surprise that they were the second most popular dog breed in 2019.
Benefits of Getting Specific Dog Food
Each dog breed has different nutritional needs. Here are some of the main benefits of finding the best dog food for your German Shepherd puppy.
Keeps Them Healthy
Each dog breed has different nutritional needs. Here are some of the main benefits of finding the best dog food for your German Shepherd puppy.
Addresses Health Concerns
While German Shepherds don’t have many ailments, research shows that good health starts with your puppy’s nutrition.
When you find the best dog food for your German Shepherd puppies, you set the foundation for their adult dog years. They’ll be less likely to deal with issues like hip dysplasia, allergies, and arthritis.
It Addresses Your Puppy’s Caloric Needs
German Shepherds are very active. However, they have slower metabolisms than other dog breeds of a similar size and activity level. By getting the best dog food for your German Shepherd puppy, he’ll get the right balance of calories and nutrients. Puppies only need 500 calories per day.
Important Characteristics to Look For
To choose the best dog food for your German Shepherd puppy, it’s important that you know what to look for. Here are some of the essential items.
Animal Protein
Animal protein should be the first ingredient in the dog food you choose. German Shepherd puppies need at least 22% animal protein to build lean muscle mass.
Fatty Acids
Look out for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These are needed to maintain your puppy’s healthy skin and coat.
Fiber
Your puppies can eat grain and carbohydrates as long as they are digestible. The right dog food can have up to 5% fiber content.
Balanced Nutrition
Some of the other nutrients you should look for include calcium, phosphorous, as well as between 8 – 10% of fat content.
Your German Shepherd puppy deserves the best and taking care of his nutrition is a great place to start. When you’re shopping for your puppy’s dog food, you should pay attention to its ingredients. That’s how you keep them healthy.
