10 Best Dog Foods for German Shepherds – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks
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If you are a proud pet parent to a German Shepherd, you may be searching for the perfect dog food to satisfy their needs. This tends to be challenging since there are so many options to choose from, and it can quickly become confusing.
If you’re looking for a guide to help you decide on the best dog foods for your German Shepherd, this list of reviews may bring you at least a step closer. While we recommend specific brands and types of food, we always advise consulting your vet for more details about your dog’s ideal diet. With that said, let’s dive in!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Ollie Fresh Dog Food Chicken Recipe |
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Budget Buy
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula |
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Check Price |
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ORIJEN Amazing Grains |
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Check Price |
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Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition |
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Check Price | |
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Purina Pro Plan Specialized Large Breed |
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Check Price |
The 10 Best Dog Foods for German Shepherds
1. Ollie Fresh Dog Food Chicken Recipe – Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Rice, Carrots, Chicken Livers, Peas, Potatoes, Spinach, Cranberries, Salmon Oil |
| Protein content: | 24% minimum |
| Fat content: | 14% minimum |
| Calories: | 377 kcal/cup |
The best overall choice you can offer for your pup’s nutrition is Ollie’s food subscription service. Ollie is a brand of carefully designed meal plans that will provide your German Shepherd with all the best high-quality nutrients. The best part about Ollie is that all meal plans are entirely tailored to your puppy. Once you start creating your own meal plan, Ollie will include your pup’s breed, age, weight, activity levels, and, most importantly, any existing allergies.
While Ollie offers many unique meal combinations, this chicken with carrots recipe is one of their most popular choices.
While the Ollie subscription plan may be a bit more expensive than commercial dog food, it’s worth it as you’ll give your dog a meal made only from the best, fresh ingredients. Ollie dog food comes in packs that can stay fresh in the fridge for around 4 days, however, Ollie food can be safely stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. For the convenience of use and storage, Ollie includes a free scoop and container for storing the food.
- High-quality, fresh ingredients
- Entirely customizable meal plans
- It comes with a free scoop and container
- Expensive
2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy
| Main ingredients: | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Blueberries |
| Protein content: | 24% minimum |
| Fat content: | 14% minimum |
| Calories: | 377 kcal/cup |
The Blue Buffalo dog food recipe is an excellent value choice with delicious meat as the first ingredient. Blue Buffalo offers high-quality ingredients for a very affordable price, making it the best dog food for German Shepherds for the money. Their food is formulated with real meat, whole grains, veggies, and fruits, and does include traces of legumes such as peas, which are not harmful in small amounts. Blue Buffalo consists of a mix of kibble and small, “LifeSource Bits” packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support the healthy immune system of your dog.
While these bits provide beneficial nutrients for your dog, some dogs may not enjoy them and may avoid them altogether.
- Affordable
- Great for picky eaters
- Excellent source of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Includes LifeSource bits packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- Your dog may avoid eating the LifeSource Bits
3. ORIJEN Amazing Grains Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Whole Herring, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Eggs |
| Protein content: | 38% min |
| Fat content: | 16% min |
| Calories: | 483 kcal/8oz cup |
The ORIJEN Amazing Grains is our choice when it comes to dog food for large breeds like German Shepherds. This brand of dog food offers impeccable quality with a 90% animal ingredients content. Its high levels of protein will keep your German Shepherd strong and energetic. While some owners may dislike the fishy smell of this kibble, the mackerel, herring, salmon, and pollock will support your dog’s skin and coat and boost their immune systems. ORIJEN Amazing Grains is grain inclusive, so your dog will have an excellent fiber intake, promoting their digestive health.
While the price of this dog food brand may be a bit higher compared to others, the company ensures all ingredients are of high quality. When transitioning to ORIJEN dog food, do so gradually, as it can cause loose stools in some dogs.
- The first five ingredients are fresh animal protein
- High protein content
- 90% animal ingredients
- No legumes
- Supports digestive health
- Expensive
- Strong fish smell
4. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Puppy Food – Best for Puppies
| Main ingredients: | Chicken By-Product Meal, Wheat Gluten, Corn, Oat Groats, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Fish Oil |
| Protein content: | 28% minimum |
| Fat content: | 14% minimum |
| Calories: | 331 kcal/cup |
Royal Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition dry food is one of the best choices when it comes to German Shepherd puppies. This food will ensure your puppy is well-nourished and it is suitable for all puppies between 8 weeks and 15 months old. It is packed with antioxidants and vitamin E to boost your pup’s immune system and also contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which aid in proper bone and joint development.
While this food might be a bit more expensive, it will ensure your puppy has all the right nutrients for healthy development. It’s grain inclusive, so your pup will maintain healthy digestion.
- Specifically made for German Shepherd puppies
- Antioxidants and vitamin E protect the immune system
- Grain inclusive
- Glucosamine and chondroitin support bone and joint development
- Expensive
5. Purina Pro Plan Specialized Large Breed Beef & Rice Entree Canned Dog Food – Vet’s Choice
| Main ingredients: | Beef, Liver, Wheat Gluten, Chicken, Rice |
| Protein content: | 9% minimum |
| Fat content: | 2% minimum |
| Calories: | 309 kcal/can |
The Purina Pro Plan is a specialized canned dog food for adult breeds over 50 pounds, including German Shepherds. Since beef is the first ingredient of this food, it has high protein levels, and it is packed with other healthy ingredients, it’s our vet’s choice. While this food is specifically tailored for adult dogs, it is packed with 23 essential vitamins and minerals to ensure your pooch gets all the best nutrients they need. It is only suitable for large breeds since the calcium and phosphorus content promotes strong bones, teeth, and lean muscles for large dogs. You can offer your dog this canned food as a complete meal or a topper to their regular dry food and kibble.
- Made with real beef
- Packed with calcium and phosphorus
- Vet approved
- High in protein
- 23 essential vitamins and minerals
- Suitable for adult large breeds only
6. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Brown Rice, Oat Groats, Chicken Fat, Pork Meal, Fish Oil |
| Protein content: | 22% minimum |
| Fat content: | 17% minimum |
| Calories: | 321 kcal/cup |
Royal Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition dry dog food is an ideal choice for your German Shepherd since it is specifically made for this breed. The kibble shape and size are ideal for the German Shepherd’s strong muzzle, promoting chewing. Although this kibble is suitable only for adult dogs over 15 months old, it will ensure their bones and joints are healthy due to the glucosamine and chondroitin content.
This food may be a bit expensive for some pet parents, but it will offer your German Shepherd a high-quality meal packed with all the essential nutrients, including the EPA and DHA from fish oil, ensuring healthy skin and coat.
- Specially designed for German Shepherds
- Kibble shape promotes chewing
- EPA and DHA from fish oil promote healthy skin and coat
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint and bone strength
- Suitable only for dogs over 15 months old
- Expensive
7. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Water Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Chicken Fat, Egg Product |
| Protein content: | 32% minimum |
| Fat content: | 18% minimum |
| Calories: | 422 kcal/cup |
Taste of the Wild is another excellent food choice for your German Shepherd. Taste of the Wild High Prairie dog food contains roasted bison and venison, both excellent novel protein sources. It’s important to note that this food includes legumes such as peas, which may be linked to a lower level of vitamins and insufficient nutrients according to the FDA. However, it also contains plenty of beneficial probiotics, aiding in healthy digestion, a better immune system, and overall well-being.
Since this is a grain-free formula, make sure to check with your vet first as most dogs will benefit from a grain-inclusive diet.
- High levels of roasted bison and venison-based protein
- US-made by a family-owned brand
- Suitable for all breeds
- Affordable
- Some picky dogs may not like the taste
- Grain-free diets are not ideal for all dogs
8. Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Salmon, Barley, Rice, Oat Meal, Canola Meal, Fish Meal, Beef Fat |
| Protein content: | 26% minimum |
| Fat content: | 16% minimum |
| Calories: | 467 kcal/cup |
Purina Pro Plan is another fantastic choice you can offer your German Shepherd. The first ingredient is delicious salmon, packed with omega-3 fatty acids that are incredibly beneficial for your pup’s joint health. Salmon also contains high levels of proteins so your German Shepherd can maintain their muscular, lean body. Since Purina Pro Plan may have recently changed its original formula, it may cause minor stomach issues for your pooch until it gets used to it.
While this dry food may have an unpleasant smell according to some owners, dogs seem to love its taste, and this food doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or colors.
- The first ingredient is real salmon
- Rich in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for joint, skin, and coat health
- It contains easily digestible oatmeal and natural prebiotic fiber
- High protein level
- No artificial colors or flavors
- The new formula may cause stomach issues
- Unpleasant smell
9. Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Oats, Chicken Fat, Lamb Meal, Salmon Meal |
| Protein content: | 22% minimum |
| Fat content: | 13% minimum |
| Calories: | 350 kcal/cup |
Nutro Ultra dry dog food is an excellent choice specifically designed for large breeds such as German Shepherds. It contains chicken, salmon, and lamb, all excellent sources of high-quality protein. It contains no artificial coloring, flavors, or preservatives and all the ingredients are non-GMO. Some consumers report there has been a recent price increase, which may make this dog food less affordable for some pet parents.
While this food is only suitable for adult German Shepherds, it will ensure your pooch gets all the nutrients they need to stay well-nourished.
- No artificial preservatives, flavors, colors, or chicken by-product meal
- No legumes
- The first ingredient is real chicken
- High-quality protein source from chicken, lamb, and salmon
- Only suitable for adults
- Recent price increase
10. Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic German Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat, Egg Product |
| Protein content: | 25% minimum |
| Fat content: | 12% minimum |
| Calories: | 456 kcal / cup |
Dr. Gary’s Best Breed is tailored toward German Shepherds. It is packed with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to help keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny, and paired with glucosamine it aids in joint and connective tissue health. Some dogs may dislike the taste of this kibble, although it can be paired with wet food until they get used to it.
While the kibble is enjoyed by most dogs according to reviews, it might be too small for some dogs to chew, causing a mess on the floor surrounding the food bowl.
- Great source of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids
- Fiber content ensures healthy digestion
- Specifically tailored for German Shepherds
- Glucosamine helps support healthy joints and connective tissue
- Some dogs may dislike the taste
- Kibble pieces are small
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Food for German Shepherds
When it comes to the ideal dog food for your German Shepherd, there will be several factors to decide on. Once you choose between dry or wet dog food, you need to lay down all the ingredients you’d like to see in your dog’s regular meal. Larger more active dogs need a high protein content to help them maintain their strength and lean bodies. You will also need to consider the type of meat the diet will include, as some dogs may be allergic to the protein source in their food, in which case novel proteins such as bison can be helpful.
Whether you include grains in your dog’s regular diet will depend mostly on their allergies. A grain-inclusive diet is usually very beneficial for most dogs, providing them with an excellent fiber source to aid in better digestion. However, some dogs are allergic or have sensitive stomachs, so a vet may suggest your turn to a grain-free diet. It is important to always talk to your vet before changing your dog’s diet, as they will recommend the best possible meal plan for your pup.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article will help at least a little bit in finding the perfect dog food for your German Shepherd. Depending on what you need, you may opt for delicious canned dog food that will leave your dog always wanting more, in which case the Purina Pro Plan canned dog food may be your best option.
You may want a delicious, nutritive, yet affordable meal, in which case the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula may take the spotlight. On the other hand, going for a more premium option will ensure only the highest quality ingredients are what your dog gets, so consider the ORIJEN Amazing Grains.
However, if you want one of the best options on the market, try out the Ollie subscription plan. The company makes feeding your dog healthy food stress-free and convenient.
Featured Image Credit: Snezhana_G, Shutterstock
