GERMAN SHEPHERD: A COMPLETE GUIDE WITH TIPS FOR CHOOSING THEIR IDEAL DIET

German Shepherd: Specific Dietary Needs

The German Shepherd is a large dog, generally acclaimed for its athletic qualities. As such, your German Shepherd's diet should be adapted to their level of physical activity. These are some of the specific characteristics that you should consider when choosing the right dog food for your German Shepherd:

• This is a powerful, muscular dog with a well-developed chest; assets that make for a great athlete. This is a key determining factor for choosing their diet.

• The German Shepherd's digestive system is often quite delicate. Therefore, their dog food needs to be easily digestible.

In addition to the specific features related to the breed, it's important to take into account other factors, such as age, weight, physical activity, and any potential or reported diseases.

What type of food should I give my German Shepherd?

First and foremost, you need to make sure that your dog's typical dietary needs are met, in terms of protein, minerals, etc. Then, opt for kibble adapted to your German Shepherd, which will effectively meet the requirements of the breed.

When choosing their ideal dog food, you should look for:

• Digestible dog food: rice is the most digestible source of starch.

• An antioxidant complex that will promote the good health of your German Shepherd Dog.

• Food that helps strengthen your dog's joints: due to their high activity level, German Shepherds' joints are subject to a lot of stress. Ideally, their diet should be supplemented with chondroprotectors, as well as contain chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine to strengthen their joints, slow the onset of osteoarthritis, and reduce the risk of inflammation. More importantly, their diet should be supplemented with Omega-3 fatty acids via the addition of a quality, well-conserved fish oil.

When and how should I feed my German Shepherd?

Once you’ve chosen the ideal food for your German Shepherd, you'll also need to learn when and how to feed them. We recommend that you give them their meals at the same, fixed time each day to avoid possible digestive disorders. The amount of kibble provided should be adapted according to your dog's weight and daily activity level.

Here are some recommendations for how best to feed your German Shepherd Dog:

• Give them their meals in a quiet place, away from possible sources of distraction: It's important to create a pleasant environment for mealtimes, as this facilitates digestion and promotes a balanced diet.

• We recommend that you split your German Shepherd's daily food ration into two or three small meals: The idea is to distribute their food throughout the day, so as not to overload their digestive capacities. It also stops them from feeling hungry.

• Give them the correct amount of dog food: This will depend on different factors, such as your dog's age, weight, activity level (normal or sustained), and reported illnesses. Your vet or an animal nutritionist specialist can help you determine the appropriate amount of food for your dog.

• Also, make sure that your German Shepherd Dog has constant access to a water source: Hydration is an integral part of a healthy diet and is essential to the good health of your pooch. Make sure you change their water bowl every day so that the water is always fresh.

• Treats: In addition to their regular food, you can certainly offer your furry friend a healthy treat from time to time. Little pieces of fruit or cooked vegetables are a great, natural option! However, be careful with this if your dog is overweight.

• Forbid certain foods: Of course, some foods are toxic to dogs. Sugar, cold meats, and chocolate are dangerous foods for dogs. Chicken and rabbit bones are also not recommended as part of a healthy and balanced diet.