Next, we present a series of recommended feeds for German Shepherds, which will guarantee that your dog enjoys iron health. Before choosing the food for your German Shepherd, you should bear in mind that it is important to know very well the nutritional needs that your dog has and what components can help better prevent the most frequent health problems in this breed.
What Nutritional Needs Does My German Shepherd Have?
The German Shepherd is one of the best-known dog breeds in the world. His spectacular beauty, strength, and intelligence of him make him an excellent pet. Many people choose this breed of dog as a companion animal, guard dog, police dog, search and rescue dog, or dog for self-defense. As in most breeds, the German Shepherd also has a tendency to suffer from some hereditary health problems.
- Joints: This breed is prone to certain pathologies in its joints, such as hip or elbow dysplasia. These pathologies are hereditary and degenerative, which is why they cause a lot of pain and an abnormal way of walking.
- Eyes: we can find hereditary eye problems such as cataracts and corneal pannus.
- Digestive system: German Shepherd Puppy dogs have a proportionally shorter digestive system than other breeds. If we add this to the fact that they have higher permeability and a lower proportion of intestinal defenses, we find that this breed is prone to digestive problems. In addition, it is possible that some German Shepherds suffer from stomach torsion due to the morphology of their chest.
What is this about? Genetically uncontrolled breeding of this breed has existed for a long time. For this reason, the best thing to do when purchasing a German Shepherd is to do it in the hands of professional breeders, to avoid possible hereditary health problems. However, this breed is so strong that the vast majority of specimens are healthy animals with an average life span of 12-14 years.
Of course, your German Shepherd’s diet plays a huge role in its physical condition and general health. A well-fed dog from an early age will enjoy a better state of health, avoiding excessive visits to the vet.
What Food Do I Choose To Feed My German Shepherd Dog?
The German Shepherd is a large breed dog that in the early stages of its life experiences rapid growth. For this reason, it is essential to administer a special feed for German Shepherd puppies that covers all their needs, always paying special attention to the calcium/phosphorus content, since growth disorders are very frequent due to diets excessively rich in calcium.
Go for well-trained and vaccinated Wustenbergerland Elite German Shepherds, where you’ll also get full tips on how to feed your K9.