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If you’ve adopted a puppy recently or one will soon join the family, it’s time to consider the best puppy dog foods for German Shepherds because these furry cuties love to eat! And puppies need lots of calories to support healthy growth and development. After all, think about all the changes your little one will undergo in their first year or two of life.
Regarding their size, German Shepherd dogs change from darling little chunks to oversized lap dogs in a hurry. Plus, their brains get bigger and bigger as they grow because puppies need a place to keep all the new information they’re learning! From new sights and scents to tricks and no-no behaviors, German Shepherd puppies are constantly snooping out new things. But they couldn’t do it without you!
Part of good pup parenting is providing the cleanest and healthiest food possible. But with so many options on the market, finding the right food for your German Shepherd puppy can be a pain. To help ensure your pup stays healthy and happy as they transition through life, we created a list of the best puppy dog foods. Before we present the list, though, take a look at what you should keep in mind as you peruse puppy foods.
Things To Consider When Choosing the Best Puppy Dog Food for German Shepherds
Feed Your German Shepherd Puppy Quality Ingredients
Your puppy needs quality food that’s packed with nutrition, not fillers. Be sure the first ingredient is always real meat. Avoid meat meals and meat by-products if possible. Many dog foods now boast of using human-grade ingredients versus feed-grade. Human-grade foods used in puppy food are subjected to the federal standards used to ensure foods are edible for people.
If you want your dog to have the best ingredients possible, seek puppy foods made with human-grade ingredients. Also, when choosing the best puppy dog food, skip options containing the following ingredients: corn syrup, preservatives such as BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, propyl gallate, added colors, corn, wheat, and soy. For more information, find out about the 5 Ingredients That You Need To Watch For In Your Dog’s Food.
Choose Food Formulated for German Shepherd Puppies
Puppies grow and develop fast and need nutrient-dense food specially formulated to keep up with their accelerated growth. Feeding your puppy food formulated for adults can leave them lacking in protein, fat, calcium, and DHA, a long-chain fatty acid that supports healthy brain development. If your dog is old enough for regular food, we’ve put together a list of the Best Dog Foods to help you choose the one that’s right for your dog. Puppies, however, need essential nutrients to fuel their growth and help them become the best adult dogs they can be.
However, you’ve also got to be careful they don’t get too much of a good thing, as certain nutrients, particularly calcium, can cause problems when given in excess. Stick with foods designed for puppies to be sure your little one gets an adequate amount of the all-important nutrients they need for healthy growth.
Want to know more about the nutrients your puppy needs? Check out Do Puppies Really Need Special Puppy Food?
Feed According to Size and Breed
With dog breeds ranging from tiny to giant, puppies can vary in size and weight depending on their genetics. Know your German Shepherd puppy’s current weight and an expected average weight for adulthood. How many calories your puppy requires will depend on their size. Talk to your vet about feeding recommendations to ensure your fur kid gets adequate nutrition to support their growth.
RELATED: How Much and How Often to Feed Your Puppy
Look for an AAFCO Standards Statement
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a voluntary organization regulating animal and pet foods’ sale and distribution while establishing ingredient definitions, setting guidelines for feeding trials, and creating food label guidelines. While AAFCO doesn’t test foods itself, it lays out the nutritional standards to which most pet foods adhere. Be sure the puppy food you choose includes an AAFCO statement, so you know the brand is complete and balanced for the puppy life stage.
Wet Dog Food vs. Dry Dog Food vs. Fresh Dog Food
With different options in the type of food you can feed your German Shepherd puppy, you’ll need to decide if your dog will eat dry, wet, or fresh foods. Or will they do best with a combination of dry and wet or fresh? When it comes to differences in types of food, consider these facts:
- Wet food is more easily digested than dry kibble and provides a higher moisture content.
- Fresh food offers great digestion and more nutrients per calorie than a bowl of kibble.
- Dry food is easier to portion out and doesn’t spoil as quickly when left out.
With these things in mind, it’s time to begin the search for your puppy’s perfect food. But with our list of the best puppy dog foods, you’re sure to find the right one in a hurry!
Considering dehydrated dog food? See our list of the Best Dehydrated Dog Foods.
Top-Rated Dog Foods for Puppies
#1 – Ollie
Not just for adult dogs, Ollie delivers fresh meals that help puppies thrive, too! Ollie can always be trusted to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals containing only carefully sourced ingredients from trusted farms. And because these dog food experts slow-cook foods at low temperatures in small batches, their recipes maintain maximum nutrition from human-grade, high-quality chicken, beef, turkey, and lamb, as well as superfoods such as fish oil and chia seeds. Fresh fruits and veggies also provide a wealth of health benefits and a yummy taste, too!
With Ollie, you’ll get clean and balanced nutrition that never contains any by-products, fillers, artificial flavoring, or preservatives. And when you buy a meal plan, you can set a regular schedule that sees vacuum-sealed food packages delivered right to your door, so your pup always has a fresh meal at the ready. Ollie’s recipes are veterinarian-formulated and made in the USA.
At a Glance:
- Minimally processed ingredients with no added hormones or antibiotics
- Slow-cooked at low temperatures in small batches
- All recipes are free from corn, wheat, and soy
- Made in US facilities from carefully sourced, human-grade ingredients
- Vet-formulated balanced recipes for all life stages
- AAFCO Statement: A board-certified veterinary nutritionist helped Ollie formulate their balanced and complete, human-grade recipes, abiding by the AAFCO standards
Give your pup a fresh start with Ollie and save 60% off your first box!
#2 – The Pets Table
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