12 Best Dog Food for German Shepherds: 2024 Guide

Introduction for the Best Dog Food for German Shepherd

German Shepherd is a large dog breed with a thick coating and medium fur. This loyal, intelligent, muscular, and friendly dog breed has certain food requirements.

They need high protein, natural fibers, moderate fat, vitamins, and minerals to stay energetic and healthy. Adult German Shepherds need 20%-25% protein and a puppy needs 22%-26% protein.

The best dog food for Shepherds is the one that has the following points:

• It contains a high amount of protein.
• It is crafted with the required amount of fat, carbs, and all essential vitamins & minerals.
• It contains essential nutrients to avoid common health issues like sensitive digestion, joint problems, or weight management.

But….

The problem starts with finding nutritionally balanced and economical dog food for your dear friend. Finding the right food with all the above-listed requirements is difficult due to multiple options in the food market. You need to spend your time, effort, and money searching for the best dog food for your Shepherds.

To save time, make your pet happy, and reduce your worries.

This researched article contains the list of the 12 best dog food brands for German shepherds, along with 5 FAQs at the end of this article.

List of the Best Dog food for German Shepherds

Certain parameters are used to make this hand-picked list of dog food for German Shepherds and those are as follows:

• Above 4 stars rating.
• Made in the USA dog food.
• Highest Ratings.
• Follow AAFCO standards.
• The required amount of protein contains.

We prefer high protein and completely balanced food on our list.

Let’s start exploring some of the premium quality dog food for Shepherds.

ORIJEN Puppy Large Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food

Your growing German Shepherd puppy needs more nutritionally balanced food. They have high -protein and energy needs that can be fulfilled by Orijen’s best dog food for German Shepherd puppies. 

This formula is crafted with 85% animal ingredients to make mealtime tastier and wild. It provides 38% protein, 16% fat, and 451 kcal/cup calories. This grain-free recipe contains fresh, raw animal ingredients, and peas.

The salient features of this recipe are as follows;

• Multiple animal sources of protein are used.
• It contains calcium to support bones and joints.
• It contains fatty acids for skin health.
• The food contains a freeze-dried coating for raw taste.

Summarization

Flavor	Large Puppy
First 5 ingredients	Chicken, Turkey, Salmon, Whole Herring, Chicken Liver
Lifestages	Puppy
Food type	Dry
Price	Click to check the price on Chewy.com Click to check the price on Amazon.com

Pros

• It has no corn, wheat, or soy.
• It does not contain wheat ingredients and tapioca.
• It is gluten and grain-free.

Cons

• It comes in large bags only.
• It has only one recipe.

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin breed-specific dry dog food for German shepherds will delight your dog with its mouthwatering aroma and rich taste. This with-grain adult dog food has perfect shape and size kibbles for oral health. 

It is suitable for 15-month-olds and older Shepherds. It is a complete and nutritionally balanced food for overall body development. this recipe claims to provide 22% protein and 17% fat.

The salient features of this dry dog food are as follows:

• It contains chicken and pork meal for protein.
• There are fatty acids for skin health.
• It has glucosamine and chondroitin for joint and bone health.
• It contains natural fibers and easy-to-digest animal protein.

Summarization

Flavor	Health Nutrition
First 5 ingredients	Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Brown Rice, Oat Groats, Chicken Fat
Lifestage	Adult
Price	Click to check the price on Chewy.com Click to check the price on Amazon.com

Pros

• It has no wheat, corn, or soy.
• It has no artificial preservatives.
• It has various bag sizes

Cons

• It has no other flavor.
• It is not suitable for grain-sensitive dogs.

Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic German Dry Dog Food

Dr. Gary’s German dog recipe contains a balanced amount of protein, fat, and other essential nutrients. It has no other flavor and keeps your pet energetic and active for the day. This best dog food for German Shepherd provides  25% protein and 12% fat.

The salient features of this recipe are as follows:

• Chicken and menhaden fish are the main source of animal protein,
• It has the perfect ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids for skin health.
• It contains natural fiber for gastrointestinal functions.
• It supports joint health.
• It contains taurine for heart health.

Summarization

Flavor	German
First 5 ingredients	Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat
Lifestage	All lifestages, Adult
Price	Click to check the price on Chewy.com Click to check the price on Amazon.com

Pros

• It has no corn, wheat, or soy.
• It has no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.
• It is a vet-recommended formula.

Cons

• It is not suitable for grain-sensitive shepherds.
• It has no other recipes.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Large Breed Adult Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Give your muscular BFF the taste of 4 animal ingredients in a single formula through Chicken Soup for the Soul. It comes in 2 delicious recipes to make mealtime fun and energetic. This best dog food for Shepherds is crafted with Chicken, turkey, duck, and salmon, to enhance the taste and protein content. It provides 23% protein and 12% fat.

The salient features of this recipe are as follows:

• Chicken and turkey are the main sources of animal protein.
• It contains Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat.
• There are Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support.
• It is crafted with wholesome fruits and veggies to support the immune system.
• Chirovy roots provide natural fiber for healthy digestion.

Summarization

Flavor	Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice
First 5 ingredients	Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Brown Rice
Lifestage	All lifestages, Adult
Price	Click to check the price on Chewy.com Click to check the price on Amazon.com

Pros

• It has no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.
• It has no corn, wheat, or soy.
• No-byproduct meals are used in this formula.
• It is economical.

Cons

• It has no small bag sizes.
• It is not suitable for grain-sensitive dogs.

Puppy Chow High Protein with Real Chicken Large Breed Dry Puppy Food

German Shepherd puppy needs more protein and calories for their growing body. Puppy Chow crafted high-protein puppy dog food to make them more active and healthy. It provides 27.5% protein and 10% fat. This 100% complete balanced dog food for German Shepherds is useful for puppies under 24 months of age and is crafted with premium ingredients and grain.

The salient features of this recipe are as follows:

• Chicken is the key source of animal protein.
• Minerals and vitamins ( as available in mother’s milk)are added to this recipe.
• It contains added calcium for strong teeth and bones.
• This recipe has DHA for brain development.

Summarization

Flavor	Real Chicken
First 5 ingredients	Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Brewers Rice, Soybean Meal
Lifestage	Puppy
Price	Click to check the price on Chewy.com Click to check the price on Amazon.com

Pros

• It is economical.
• It is good for chicken lovers.

Cons

• It contains chicken by-product meals.
• It is not for gluten and grain-sensitive puppies.

Zignature Limited Ingredient Formula Trout & Salmon Meal Dry Dog Food

German Shepherds are prone to sensitivities and vets recommend to avoid allergy-causing ingredients from their meals. Zignature limited-ingredient dog food helps dogs with food allergies and weak digestive systems. There are 9 other delicious recipes with the same formula for your fuzzy BFF.

We are reviewing the Trout & Salmon recipe that provides 31% protein and 14% fat. It is crafted with probiotics and a lesser number of ingredients.

The salient features of this best dog food for German Shepherd are as follows:

• It contains Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12 for healthy skin.
• It supports gut health.
• It is crafted with wholesome foods.
• It contains low-glycemic.

Summarization

Flavor	Trout & Salmon
First 5 ingredients	Trout, Salmon Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal
Lifestage	All life stages, Adult
Price	Click to check the price on Chewy.com Click to check the price on Amazon.com

Pros

• It is chicken-free.
• It has no corn, wheat, wheat, gluten, or soy.
• It contains premium ingredients.
• It has 10 recipes.

Cons

• It is costly.
• It is not for pea-sensitive dogs.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Large Breed Adult High-Protein Red Meat Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness recipes give a wild taste with real animal ingredients without by-product meals. This dog food brand comes in 2 tempting recipes to boost your pet’s energy level. The Real Meat recipe is made with real beef, venison, and lamb ingredients.

This best dog food for German Shepherds provides 28% protein, 13% fat, and all other essential nutrients in a balanced amount.

The salient features of this best dog food for shepherds are as follows:

• Beef is the key source of animal protein.
• It has Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support.
• There are antioxidants to support the immune system.
• It has taurine for a healthy heart.
• Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids are present in this recipe for skin health.

Summarization

Flavor	Red Meat
First 5 ingredients	Deboned Beef, Beef Meal, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Barley
Lifestage	All life stages, Adult
Price	Click to check the price on Chewy.com Click to check the price on Amazon.com

Pros

• It has no corn, wheat, or soy.
• It has no artificial flavors or preservatives.
• No poultry byproducts are used in this recipe.

Cons

• It has no small-size bags.
• It is economical.

American Journey Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food

American Journey has 2 premium recipes to fuel your pet’s day with its high-protein and real animal ingredients. This Salmon & Sweet Potato recipe provides 30% protein and 12% fat (per dry label analysis) to start a healthy and active day. This best dog food for German Shepherds is crafted by experts, vets, and professionals.

The salient features of this recipe are as follows:

• Salmon is the main source of animal protein.
• It has amino acids for lean muscle and overall health.
• It contains natural fibers for digestive health.
• There are Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support.
• This recipe is added with essential minerals and vitamins to make it a powerful food.

Summarization

Flavor	Salmon & Sweet Potato
First 5 ingredients	Deboned Salmon, Turkey Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, Sweet Potatoes
Lifestage	All life stages, Adult
Price	Click to check the price on Chewy.com Click to check the price on Amazon.com

Pros

• It has no corn, soy, wheat, grain, or poultry byproduct meals.
• It is good for grain-sensitive dogs.

Cons

• It comes in a single bag size.
• It is not for pea-allergic Shepherds.

Solid Gold Nutrientboost Leaping Waters Sensitive Stomach Grain-Free Cold Water Salmon & Vegetable Dry Dog Food

Solid Gold’s recipe has an exotic aroma and mouthwatering taste to thrill the energy level and cravings of your picky eater. It is crafted with all essential minerals and vitamins to help large breed dogs in overall body development. This recipe is specially designed for the gut health of your pet.

The Salmon & Vegetable recipe is packed with 20 superfoods to make it more healthier. This grain-free recipe is useful for shepherds with sensitive digestive systems and improves their digestion. It provides 26% protein and 15% fat. 

We highly recommended it and selected it as the best dog food for German shepherds.

The salient features of this recipe are as follows;

• It is packed with Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids for skin health.
• It has antioxidants for a healthy digestive system.
• There are 90 million patented live probiotics for a strong immune system.
• Salmon is the main source of animal protein.

Summarization

Flavor	Salmon & Vegetable
First 5 ingredients	Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Chickpeas, Lentils, Peas
Lifestage	All life stages, Adult
Price	Click to check the price on Chewy.com Click to check the price on Amazon.com

Pros

• It has no artificial dyes, BHT, BHA, or carrageenan.
• It has no corn, wheat, soy, grain, or gluten.
• It is useful for gluten-intolerant dogs.

Cons

• It has no other recipe.
• It comes in 2 bag sizes.

BIXBI Liberty Fresh Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

Bixbi believes in providing quality ingredients in their 4 nutritionally balanced dog food formulas. They are not only attentive towards ingredients but also make their food delicious. These delicious recipes are crafted with love and care to make hunger time more tasty and healthy.

This Chicken recipe is a valuable gift for your muscular chicken lover. It provides 30% protein and 15% fat.

The salient features of this recipe are as follows:

• Chicken is the main source of animal protein.
• It is easy to digest.
• It is a limited-ingredient diet.
• It contains natural fibers

Summarization

Flavor	Chicken
First 5 ingredients	Chicken, Whole Yellow Peas, Egg, Red Lentils, Chicken Fat
Lifestage	All life stages, Adult
Price	Click to check the price on Chewy.com Click to check the price on Amazon.com

Pros

• It is made with cage-free chicken.
• It has no corn, soy, or sugar.
• It has 4 other recipes.

Cons

• It Is not for pea dislikes.

Go! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Salmon + Cod Recipe Dry Dog Food

Go Soloution’s grain-free recipe helps in easy digestion and calming digestion sensitivities. Your BFF can choose one more recipe to make eating more interesting. This Salmon recipe is crafted with real salmon, trout, and cod. It includes fruits and veggies. This best dog food for Shepherds provides 34% protein and 16% fat.

The salient features of this recipe are as follows:

• Salmon is the main source of animal protein.
• There are fatty acids in this recipe for healthy skin and a shiny coat.
• It has antioxidants to support the immune system.
• It is packed with probiotic and prebiotic fibers for gut health.

Summarization

Flavor	Salmon & cod
First 5 ingredients	De-Boned Salmon, De-Boned Cod, Salmon Meal, Turkey Meal, Lentils
Lifestage	All life stages, Adult
Price	Click to check the price on Chewy.com Click to check the price on Amazon.com

Pros

• It has no wheat, corn, or soy.
• It is suitable for grain and wheat-sensitive dogs.
• It has no byproduct meals, artificial preservatives, or added hormones.

Cons

• It has peas.

Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight & Joint Support Chicken Flavored Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

The common problems in German Shepherds are joint pain and weight management. The Hills Science diet with their experts and vets crafted a delicious recipe to manage your dog’s increasing weight and make stronger joints. 

This best dog food for German Shepherds provides 23% – 26.2% protein and 10.5% – 13.1% fat. This chicken-flavoured recipe helps your overweight pet to reduce weight and become active.

The salient features of this recipe are as follows:

• It has antioxidants for immune health.
• Chicken is the main source of animal protein.
• It has Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support.
• There is Omega-3 fatty acid.

Summarization

Flavor	Chicken
First 5 ingredients	Chicken, Brown Rice, Chicken Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Powdered Cellulose
Lifestage	All life stages, Adult
Price	Click to check the price on Chewy.comClick to check the price on Amazon.com

Pros

• It has no potatoes.
• It is economical and vet-trusted.
• It has rice for easy digestion.

Cons

• It contains corn, wheat, soy, or gluten.

Comparison of the Best Dog Food for German Shepherds

Dog Food	Bag size	Protein content	Other available flavors	Specification
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food	17-lb bag 28-lb bag 30-lb bag	22%		Healthy skin Digestive performance Support bones and joints
Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic German Dry Dog Food	4-lb bag 13-lb bag 28-lb bag	25%		Gastrointestinal health Sensitive digestion Skin health Support joints and bones
Chicken Soup for the Soul Large Breed Adult Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food	13.8-lb bag 28-lb bag 40-lb bag	23%	Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice Beef & Brown Rice	Healthy skin Strong Immune System Support Joint & muscles Oral health.
Puppy Chow High Protein with Real Chicken Large Breed Dry Puppy Food	30-lb bag	27.5%	Real Chicken	Brain development Strong bones & muscles.
Zignature Limited Ingredient Formula Trout & Salmon Meal Dry Dog Food	4-lb bag 12.5-lb bag 25-lb bag	31%	Trout & Salmon Catfish Goat Duck  Kangaroo Lamb Pork Salmon Turkey Venison Whitefish	Healthy Skin Sensitive digestion
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Large Breed Adult High-Protein Red Meat Dry Dog Food	24-lb bag 28-lb bag	28%	Red MeatBison	Joint health Healthy Immune system Skin Health
American Journey Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food	24-lb bag	30%	Salmon & Sweet Potato Chicken & Sweet Potato	Strong Immune System Support Joints Healthy skin & coat
Solid Gold Nutrientboost Leaping Waters Sensitive Stomach Grain-Free Cold Water Salmon & Vegetable Dry Dog Food	3.75-lb bag 22-lb bag	26%	Salmon & Vegetables	Strong Immune systemSensitive digestion
BIXBI Liberty Fresh Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food	4-lb bag 11-lb bag 22-lb bag	30%	Chicken Beef Lamb Fisherman’s Catch	Overall body development
Go! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Salmon + Cod Recipe Dry Dog Food	4-lb bag 11-lb bag 22-lb bag	34%	Salmon & cod Lamb & Wild Boar	Sensitive digestion Healthy skin Strong immune system
Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight & Joint Support Chicken Flavored Large Breed Adult Dry  Dog Food	25-lb bag	26.2%	Chicken	Weight Management Joint Support Skin Health
ORIJEN Puppy Large Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food	13-lb bag23.5-lb bag	38%		Brain development Healthy skin & coat

Tips to Buy the Best Dog Food for German Shepherds

• Identify the body needs of your BFF.
• Check the ingredient list of dog food.
• Check the protein content of the food.
• Buy dog food as per the life stage of your pet.
• Buy only large or all-breed dog food.
• Use limited-ingredient food for food allergies or sensitive digestion.
• Consult your vet.
• Check the ratings and customer reviews on the online platforms.
• Prefer to buy premium dog food brands.

Conclusion

German Shepherds are intelligent, energetic, and friendly dog breeds. They need a balanced protein-to-fat ratio with quality dog food to stay happy and healthy. The best dog food for shepherds is the one that contains all essential nutrients with delicious taste and exotic aroma to make them active the whole day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)