The German Shepherd dog breed originated in Germany is a large-sized working dog. They are intelligent, alert, obedient, curious, loyal, courageous, confident, and caring. Adult males grow to be 24 to 26 inches in height while the female adult German Shepherds grow to be 22 to 24 inches.
This means your adorable German Shepherd puppy with cute pointy ears is going to need proper nutrition to live a healthy life.
Providing your dog with the best dog food possible throughout his life can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be. Consulting with a veterinarian and discussing your puppy’s nutritional needs at each new stage of his life will keep you on track to providing him with proper nutrition.
Best Dog Food for German Shepherd Puppy
1. Hill’s Science Diet
Hill's Science
$57.99
Features
- A large breed puppy food specially made with an optimal level of calcium for controlled bone growth
- Uses a balanced set of minerals to promote strong bones and teeth in large puppies. Caloric content: 3970 kcal/kilogram(394 kcal/cup). Mix increasing amounts of your pet's new food with decreasing amounts of the old food over a 7-day period
- Uses DHA from fish oil to support healthy brain and eye development for growing dogs
- High-quality protein helps your large pup build and maintain lean muscle
- Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
Hill’s Science is suitable for German Shepherds up to one year old. Your puppy will love the flavor of this tasty and nutritional food.
Key Specifications
- Weight – 30.4 pounds
- Dimensions – 24” X 20” X 5.5” inches
- Shipping – Only in the United States
- Warranty – Yes
- Why We Recommend – It supports a healthy immune system and strong muscles.
This dog food is specially formulated for puppies that will grow up to be more than 55 pounds. This chicken and oats recipe contains optimal levels of calcium that is excellent for controlled bone growth. The formula has natural ingredients that are easy to digest and has vitamins C and E as well as antioxidants to support a healthy immune system.
Your puppy will be exposed to a wide range of elements such as germs, bacteria, canine diseases, and more throughout their puppyhood. Just a fun trip to the dog park can expose your dog to other canines that are sick. This dog food keeps your puppy’s immune system strong to help fight off the many diseases, germs, and bacteria they will come into contact with on a daily basis.
German Shepherds are known for experiencing hip dysplasia during their adult years. Starting your pup out with the right food from the beginning will keep their joints and muscles strong. This nutritious meal provides essential amino acids, minerals, and vitamins that help keep your puppy healthy and energetic.
Overall, you can feel confident feeding your dog this nutritious meal during their puppyhood. The formula and natural ingredients provide all the nutrition your puppy needs during this stage in his life.
Pros
- Supports a healthy immune system
- Natural ingredients
- Contains antioxidants and vitamins
- Supports healthy joints
Cons
- Only available for puppies up to one year old
- Only ships in the United States
There are no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors in Hill’s Science. The natural combination of the ingredients creates a desirable aroma that will attract your puppy to their food bowl every time.
2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness
Blue Buffalo Wilderness
$55.98
Features
- PACKED WITH REAL CHICKEN: A recipe made to satisfy your puppy’s natural love for meat, this high protein puppy dog food features real chicken to help encourage strong muscle growth
- HEALTHY INGREDIENTS: BLUE Wilderness grain free puppy food is made with the ingredients to help promote healthy development including DHA and ARA, important fatty acids found in mother's milk, to help support cognitive development and retinal health
- ANTIOXIDANT-RICH LIFESOURCE BITS: A precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support immune system health, life stage needs and a healthy oxidative balance
- A NATURAL DOG FOOD: BLUE dry dog food is made with the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals; BLUE contains NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives
- Contains one (1) 24-lb bag of BLUE Wilderness High Protein Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food, Chicken
Blue Buffalo Wilderness is grain-free but high in protein. It contains an essential fatty acid that is found in canine’s mother’s milk which supports healthy development.
Key Specifications
- Weight – 24.2 pounds
- Dimensions – 24.5” X 15.5” X 4” inches
- Shipping – In the United States only
- Warranty – Yes
- Why We Recommend – It includes DHA that supports cognitive development and meets the overall needs of growing German Shepherd puppies.
It contains real meat as it’s the first ingredient which means it’s packed with protein for your growing pup. The protein is high quality and is sourced from deboned chicken with the added touch of fish meal. The combination of wholesome vegetables and fruits along with high-quality protein creates the ultimate healthy meal for your puppy.
A special ingredient that is found in this puppy food that you rarely find in others is DHA, which is a fatty acid that is usually found in canine mother’s milk. This essential ingredient supports retinal function and the development of cognitive learning.
This natural dog food is also enhanced with minerals and vitamins that are essential to your puppy’s health and growth during their puppyhood.
Pet parents that are concerned about unhealthy ingredients can set their fears aside because this dog food doesn’t contain soy, wheat, corn, or chicken by-product meals.
Pros
- Contains DHA for healthy development and growth
- No Artificial colors, flavors or ingredients
- Features red meat as the first ingredient
- High in Protein
Cons
- Only ships in the United States
- Only comes in a 24-pound bag
Blue Buffalo Wilderness provides your dog with the nutrition he needs. You can feel confident feeding your puppy this formula especially since it contains DHA which is an essential ingredient found in their mother’s milk.
3. Royal Canin
Royal Canin
$83.69
Features
- Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy dry dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred German Shepherds 8 weeks to 15 months old
- Exclusive kibble shape designed specifically for a German Shepherd’s long, strong muzzle to encourage chewing
- Helps protect a puppy’s developing immune system and natural defenses with an exclusive complex of antioxidants including vitamin E
- Aids digestive health with highly digestible proteins and specific fibers to promote optimal stool quality
- Maintains bone & joint health with glucosamine and chondroitin to support large, growing bodies
Royal Canin for German Shepherds is a unique source of insoluble fibers and protein sources that supports a healthy immune system. It is suitable for puppies from eight weeks to 15 months old.
Key Specifications
- Weight – 30.3 pounds
- Dimensions – 26” X 21” X 5” inches
- Shipping – Only in the United States
- Warranty – Yes
- Why We Recommend – It supports digestive health and is suitable for puppies with a sensitive stomach.
This easy to digest kibble for German Shepherd puppies has special shape, texture and size kibble bites. Good digestive health is essential during puppyhood. This dog food is excellent for sensitive digestive systems. All puppy’s digestive systems aren’t fully developed and often have difficulty absorbing nutrients the same way adult dogs can.
This specially formulated food and easy to digest kibble is the perfect combination that supports digestive health in your puppy. It helps balance intestinal flora and great stool quality as well as balances intestinal flora.
This tasty puppy food also supports your German Shepherd puppy’s healthy joints and bones because it has an excellent source of phosphorus and calcium.
Taurine, Lutein, plus vitamins C and E, as well as other antioxidants, helps your puppy maintain an ideal healthy weight. These same vitamins along with the other nutritional ingredients also help develop your puppy’s natural defenses and support a healthy immune system.
Pros
- Supports a healthy immune system
- Promotes optimal digestion
- Supports healthy joints
- Easy to digest
- High-quality ingredients
Cons
- Only ships in the United States
- Only for dogs up to 15 months
Overall, this Royal Canin is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s easy for your dog to digest and supports a healthy immune system. This puppy food will keep your German Shepherd puppy coming back for more.
4. Iams Proactive Health
Iams Proactive Health
Features
- Contains one (1) 30.6 lb. bag of IAMS Smart Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken
- 1st ingredient is real, farm-raised chicken
- Promotes healthy cognition with omega-3 DHA for smarter, more trainable puppies
- Promotes strong muscles with quality protein
- Made with 22 key nutrients like those found in mother’s milk
Iams Proactive Health contains farm-raised chicken and 22 essential nutrients to support overall good health. It supports healthy joints, strong muscles, and a strong immune system.
Key Specifications
- Weight – 31.2 pounds
- Dimensions – 5.2” X 19” X 24” inches
- Shipping – Only in the United States
- Warranty – Yes
- Why We Recommend – It’s easy to digest and supports strong bones, a healthy immune system, and a shiny coat.
This dog food is recommended by veterinarians due to the high-quality ingredients and many benefits it provides puppies. It’s formulated and created to provide proper nutrition for puppies that grow up to weigh more than 50 pounds.
The ingredients start with farm-raised chicken and also include 22 key nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are found in canine mother’s milk. Omega-3 DHA promotes healthy cognition which makes it easier to train your already-intelligent German Shepherd puppy. All of these ingredients assist in building healthy muscles, strong joints, and an overall strong immune system.
Other healthy ingredients in this dog food formula include beet pulp, vegetables, fruit, and wholesome grains. This puppy food provides overall healthy nutrition that supports optimum health during your pup’s growing years.
The combined ingredients support healthy joints from puppyhood which will benefit your dog later in life since German Shepherds are known for developing hip dysplasia.
Pros
- Builds strong muscles
- High-quality protein ingredients
- Builds healthy joints
- Promotes healthy cognition
- The first ingredient is farm-raised chicken
- Supports a strong immune system
Cons
- Only ships in the United States
Overall, Iams Proactive puppy food is an excellent source of protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients found in canine mother’s milk. Your puppy will enjoy eating this tasty and easy to eat food throughout their puppyhood years.
5. Eukanuba
Features
- Eukanuba puppy large breed dry dog food is complete and balanced nutrition for large breed puppies up to 15 months old with an expected adult weight over 55 pounds
- Supports muscle growth and bone health in active pups with high-quality animal protein and optimized levels of calcium and phosphorous
- Supports healthy brain development with clinically proven levels of DHA for smarter, more trainable puppies
- Provides concentrated energy from fat and carbohydrate levels beneficial for growing puppies
- High-quality chicken is the first ingredient for protein that powers their day
Eukanuba contains DHA that is sourced from natural fish oil which helps make your pup smarter and more trainable during their puppy years. This formula promotes healthy digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall good health.
Key Specifications
- Weight – 33.5 pounds
- Dimensions – 5.7” X 19.5” X 24.5” inches
- Shipping – Only in the United States
- Warranty – Yes
- Why We Recommend – It provides 100% complete nutrition for fast-growing German Shepherd puppies.
This specially formulated dog food contains high-quality calcium and protein for strong bones and muscles. This is highly important for German Shepherds, so they keep their body in optimal health as they grow into adulthood and face the obstacle of possibly developing hip dysplasia.
Your puppy will develop lean muscles and strong bones from the beginning of their life which keeps them healthy, energetic, and in overall good health. The healthy ingredients in this puppy food also include DHA which is naturally found in canine mother’s milk. This essential nutrient promotes smarter and easy to train puppies.
All puppies have a developing digestion system. This is why it’s important for pet parents to provide high-quality puppy food that contains natural, healthy ingredients and added vitamins and minerals.
This particular dog food contains natural beet pulp that helps your pup’s digestive system easily absorb nutrients. Your puppy will have a healthy radiant coat, healthy skin, and overall good health when eating this diet on a daily basis.
Pros
- Clinically proven DHA levels
- Contains natural fish oil
- Promotes nutrient absorption
- Supports healthy digestion
- Easy to digest and absorb nutrients
- Helps build strong lean muscles
- Promotes healthy skin
- Promotes a radiant coat
- Contains high levels of Omega-6 Omega-3 fatty acids
Cons
- Only ships in the United States
- Only suitable for puppies up to 24 months
Your pup will be in optimal health during their puppyhood years with this nutritional, well-balanced dry puppy food for German Shepherd puppies.
Bottom Line
The food listed above is the best German Shepherd puppy food in the industry. Pet parents often find themselves feeling overwhelmed when it comes to choosing their puppy’s food. The common reason the decision is so complicated is due to the fact dogs need to eat the same type of food on a daily basis otherwise it causes stomach upset and issues with the digestive system.
The dry puppy food mentioned above all contains essential ingredients that provide overall good health as puppies grow. As a pet parent, you can feel confident knowing you are choosing the best dog food for your German Shepherd puppy.
We did all the research and homework for you, the only thing you need to choose is your favorite option from the list. Our top pick is the Royal Canin since it contains natural, healthy ingredients, DHA, and other essential vitamins and minerals.
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Razvan
Razvan is a dog trainer and veterinary technician with over 10 years of experience working with dog daycares, animal shelters, vet clinics and private dog training. Razvan is one of the lead publishers on Dog Struggles covering the latest product reviews and dog health advice.
