Breed Advisor is reader supported! This page contains affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, may earn a small commission. Find out more here.
In this guide we’ll take a look at the best dog food for German Shepherds.
We’ve compared the quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money.
Our top recommended German Shepherd dog food is Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon.
Click the green button below to find the best price!
German Shepherds are an intelligent, athletic, working breed. Their large size, muscular build and high activity levels mean they have unique nutritional needs.
Healthy growth and muscles
Being a large breed, young German Shepherds benefit from a large breed puppy food until around 18 months of age, supporting a steady, controlled rate of growth that protects developing joints.
As adults, a diet with a good quality protein source and appropriate protein content (ideally more than 22% crude protein) will help maintain your German Shepherd’s lean, athletic muscle mass.
Digestive sensitivity
German Shepherds are well known for having sensitive stomachs and are more prone than most breeds to digestive issues, including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Choosing a highly digestible diet with quality protein sources (26-30%), and avoiding excessive fillers or plant-based proteins, can help support gut health. Diets enriched with prebiotics and probiotics are a smart choice for this breed.
Bloat prevention
As a large, deep-chested breed, German Shepherds are at increased risk of bloat, a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists on itself. To reduce this risk, it’s a good idea to feed 2-3 small meals a day rather than one large one. Choosing large kibble, or bowls designed to slow eating, can help too.
Joints
German Shepherds are particularly prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and other joint conditions. Although diet cannot prevent this, it’s sensible to choose a diet enriched with supplements to support healthy joints, such as glucosamine and chondroitin.
Skin and coat health
German Shepherds can be prone to skin allergies and coat issues. A diet enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oils, can help support skin health and maintain a healthy coat.
German Shepherds are a capable, devoted breed with a distinct set of dietary needs, from joint support to digestive care. Since they’re prone to certain health conditions, it’s important to speak with your vet about the right nutrition for your dog’s individual needs.
All of our dog food suggestions are carefully selected by professionals. We extensively research the products to check if they’ve been approved by governing bodies before making recommendations. You can read more about our stringent review standards here. And remember, always consult your veterinarian first, before changing your dog’s food.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon is a fish-based diet that packs a powerful punch when it comes to nutrition, flavor, and value. It’s an ideal choice for the German Shepherd.
A diet based on whole deboned salmon, this food is rich in both amino acids and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to promote excellent skin and coat health and optimal energy levels in dogs. The top ingredient is a great source for joint health.
Included in this formulation is LifeSource Bits, a unique combination of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to promote health and wellness through a strong immune system.
This food is grain-free and also contains no by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Blue Buffalo Wilderness is food packed full of flavor, making it one of the best salmon dog foods for picky eaters, as well.
The Honest Kitchen Turkey Recipe is a powerhouse food formulation that offers excellent nutrition and tremendous flavor to encourage hearty eating in active dogs. This formual is consistently rated among the best dog foods for German Shepherds
This diet contains no grains, utilizing fiber and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables in its carbohydrate base. Among the superfoods included in this recipe are cranberries, spinach, and carrots.
Dehydrated turkey is the sole protein and primary ingredient contained in this premium quality diet. This meat is easy to digest and rich in the amino acids required for healthy muscles in the Shepherd. The Honest Kitchen Turkey Recipe contains no corn, wheat, soy, by-products, or preservatives.
Holistic Select Grain-free provides this breed with a highly palatable and easily digestible food to support their growth and development. Enriched with both taurine and l-carnitine, this diet is a vital help in encouraging cardiac health.
Each item included in this food formulation is easy to digest and is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction in the German Shepherd. This formula does not contain beans, which some owners found difficult to find.
Glucosamine has been added to this recipe to reinforce proper joint health. That is an important factor in making it one of best dog foods for German Shepherds.
A diet that places a high emphasis on digestibility, Holistic Select is also one of our top choices for dogs that can suffer from IBD.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie is a premium diet that delivers big on both nutrition and value. One of the best dog foods for German Shepherds (as well as many other breeds) available on the market today, this diet contains no grains, taking its carbohydrate content from exceptional quality fruits and vegetables.
Each carbohydrate selected for inclusion in this food formulation was chosen for its high concentration of dietary fiber and antioxidants to support good digestion and a healthy immune system.
The main ingredient in this food is buffalo, a novel meat that is easy for dogs to digest and that is also unlikely to trigger food allergies in the sometimes skin sensitive breed. Taste of the Wild High Prairie is also free from corn, wheat fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Probiotics have been included to boost digestion and encourage the development of healthy gut flora.
Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Adult is a power-packed food formulation that contains all of the nutrients active breeds like the German Shepherd, Doberman Pinschers, and other similar breeds need to remain healthy and well.
This diet contains no grains and places a high emphasis on diverse proteins to ensure excellent nutrition. Its primary ingredients include salmon, Menhaden fish meal, and turkey meal. These lean proteins are easy for dogs to digest, and thus, are the most nutritionally viable for them.
Considered to be one of the best dog foods for German Shepherds available for purchase today, Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Adult includes probiotics in its formula to assist with fluid digestive processing.
The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile and capable breeds in existence. Confident, courageous, and remarkably intelligent, this breed has earned its place as a trusted partner in police and military work, search and rescue, herding, and family protection. Beneath its imposing presence lies a dog of deep loyalty, forming close bonds with the family it’s devoted to protecting.
Originally bred to herd and guard livestock across demanding terrain, the German Shepherd carries that working heritage into everyday life. It is a breed built for purpose, combining strength, stamina, and sharp intelligence in equal measure.
Though often perceived as serious or aloof with strangers, the German Shepherd is affectionate and even playful with its own family, thriving on close companionship and a sense of job to do.
A breed of exceptional intelligence, the German Shepherd requires consistent mental engagement to stay content and well-behaved. This is a dog built for activity, and daily exercise is essential both for physical health and to prevent the restlessness or destructive tendencies that can emerge in an under-stimulated Shepherd.
As a large, deep-chested breed, the German Shepherd can be predisposed to bloat, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals rather than one large one, along with a large-breed food formulation featuring appropriately sized kibble, can help encourage slower eating and reduce risk.
German Shepherds are also well known for a predisposition to hip and elbow dysplasia, making joint support and a healthy body weight throughout life especially important. This breed can additionally be prone to digestive sensitivities, including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), so a highly digestible diet is often a priority. The best dog foods for German Shepherds should contain a minimum of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat to support their muscular, active build.
Determining how much of the best dog foods for German Shepherds to feed can vary widely based on the individual dog’s activity level. The best course of action for owners is to consult the suggested serving sizes listed on the packaging as a starting point, then adjust to reflect the dog’s weight, age, appetite, and how physically demanding their daily routine is.
Though German Shepherds are a highly active working breed, they should not be free fed. All food should be measured and intake monitored closely to help maintain a lean, healthy body condition, which in turn helps protect their joints.
German Shepherds are working athletes that require a diet built around high-quality animal protein to fuel their daily energy needs and support lean muscle. Whole meats are the best option, but meat meals also provide an excellent, concentrated source of quality protein. By-products fall short of the nutritional standard this active breed needs and are best avoided.
Plant-based proteins such as corn, wheat, and soy can be difficult for the German Shepherd to digest, and this breed in particular is known for a sensitive stomach. These ingredients have also been linked to food sensitivities and skin issues in many dogs, so foods relying heavily on them are best left on the shelf. Chemicals, additives, artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors are similarly unsuited to the needs of this breed.
To support healthy digestion and a strong immune system, German Shepherds benefit from high-quality, easily digestible carbohydrates sourced from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. The key consideration for any carbohydrate in a German Shepherd’s diet is its fiber content and digestibility, given how common gastrointestinal sensitivity is in this breed. German Shepherds that show sensitivity to grains may do best on a grain-free diet.
The best dog foods for German Shepherds place a strong emphasis on healthy fats from premium animal sources. These essential fatty acids support the breed’s coat and skin health, and provide sustained fuel for its high energy reserves. Animal-based fats such as chicken fat and oily fish are ideal, while plant-based oils like coconut, canola, and safflower also contribute valuable essential fatty acids.
Supplements can meaningfully improve the effectiveness of a German Shepherd’s diet. Given this breed’s predisposition to joint issues, glucosamine and chondroitin are especially valuable additions, alongside prebiotics and probiotics to support their often-sensitive digestive systems.
Shepherd owners, here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for your breed:
The best diets for German Shepherds base their entire recipe on quality animal protein. Whole meats are the best option, but meat meals are also an excellent choice.
These ingredients can be difficult for the German Shepherd’s sensitive digestive system to process and may trigger allergic reactions or skin issues in this breed.
Chemicals, fillers, artificial flavorings and colorings, and mystery ingredients offer no nutritional value and can worsen digestive sensitivity or trigger allergic reactions in the German Shepherd.
Given this breed’s predisposition to hip and elbow dysplasia, glucosamine and chondroitin are important additions. Prebiotics and probiotics also help support the German Shepherd’s frequently sensitive stomach.
All foods appropriate for the German Shepherd should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, confirming it meets the standard for a complete and balanced diet.
Before You Go, Get a FREE Gift Card for Your Pet Supplies…Click Here
FREE Gift Card Offer from Chewy.com No Thanks
