Ensuring your German Shepherd lives a long, healthy, and happy life is a top priority for many dog owners. Beyond adequate physical activity and mental stimulation, providing the best possible nutrition is paramount. With concerns about cancer being the leading cause of death in dogs, understanding dog food ingredients and their impact is crucial. This guide delves into the specifics of feeding German Shepherds, drawing on expert advice and practical experience to help you make informed decisions about their diet.
Understanding the Challenges in Dog Food Selection
The dog food market presents numerous challenges for owners seeking high-quality nutrition. Many commercially available dog foods contain by-products, ingredients from animals treated with growth hormones and antibiotics, and common fillers like brewer’s yeast, tapioca starch, and pea protein. Consequently, a significant portion of these foods, often around 50%, consists of carbohydrates, which convert to sugar upon digestion, offering little true nutritional value. This can be likened to humans subsisting on a diet of fast food, with similar detrimental health consequences. Even dog food recommended by veterinarians, often manufactured by large corporations, may not be the optimal choice for your German Shepherd. As with human food, reading labels is essential, and the alarming rates of human cancer may offer a parallel to the health issues seen in dogs. For those interested in a deeper understanding of cancer’s metabolic origins, Thomas Seyfried’s textbook, “Cancer as a Metabolic Disease,” provides comprehensive insights.
Breed-Specific Nutrition is Key
Just as human dietary needs vary, so do those of different dog breeds. The best food for a German Shepherd should be tailored to their specific breed characteristics. While cost is a factor for most owners, it’s advisable to feed the best food you can afford and strive for improvement when possible. Understanding that breed matters in dog nutrition is fundamental. For instance, the inclusion of organic blueberries in a dog’s food is beneficial only if blueberries offer genuine nutritional value to that specific breed. This article aims to provide foundational knowledge on German Shepherd nutrition, supplemented by resources for understanding the needs of other breeds. The information presented is largely based on research and the guidance of the late canine nutritionist, William D. Cusick, whose breed-specific nutritional guides and recipes serve as a basis for feeding German Shepherds. A free copy of his comprehensive guide, “Canine Nutrition,” is available for download.
It is crucial to note that this information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified canine nutritionist, not necessarily a veterinarian, before making significant changes to your dog’s diet or if you have any concerns. For those seeking in-depth knowledge or custom raw food recipes for any breed, Raw, Fed and Nerdy is a highly recommended resource.
William D. Cusick’s Insights on German Shepherd Nutrition
According to William D. Cusick’s work, “Canine Nutrition & Choosing The Best Food For Your Breed Of Dog,” the German Shepherd, originating from Germany, possesses a uniquely short colon relative to its body weight. This physiological trait necessitates a high-fiber diet to slow down the digestive process, allowing for more efficient nutrient absorption. While this results in larger stool volume, it ensures better assimilation of food. Historically, the Alsatian Region’s environment provided German Shepherds with primary food sources of beef, wheat, and leafy greens such as cabbage and alfalfa. Consequently, a diet incorporating these elements is recommended as the ideal base for the breed. Conversely, commercial dog foods heavily reliant on fish, soy, or rice are considered less suitable for German Shepherds.
The Importance of Diet and Practical Feeding
Understanding your German Shepherd’s ideal dietary components is one aspect; practically implementing this in a way that your dog will readily consume is another. While dogs in the wild naturally consume a varied diet including the stomach contents of their prey (which can include partially digested plant matter), this is not feasible for domestic dogs. Therefore, owners must find ways to provide these essential nutrients. Inspired by William D. Cusick’s work, the author successfully fed his German Shepherds a homemade cooked diet for seven years before transitioning to a raw food diet, observing significant improvements in energy levels, muscle mass, and overall health. Furthermore, the inclusion of garlic in their diet acted as a natural pest repellent, eliminating the need for external flea and tick medications. This demonstrates the profound impact that feeding the best food for a German Shepherd can have on their well-being.
Preparing Homemade Dog Food: Effort vs. Reward
Preparing your dog’s food from scratch requires an investment of time. The author found that preparing 14 portions of cooked food, including cleanup, took approximately two hours per week. This homemade diet, stored in a dedicated refrigerator, cost around $40 per week, a price considered well worth the cost for providing healthy, nutritious, and palatable food. It is crucial to emphasize that attempting to create homemade dog food without a precise recipe can be detrimental. Ingredient ratios are critical for nutritional balance. For instance, while a small amount of garlic can be beneficial as a pest repellent, an excessive amount can be toxic to dogs. Therefore, obtaining a reliable recipe is strongly advised for those serious about feeding the best food for a German Shepherd.
Nutritional Breakdown for German Shepherds
The following table outlines key nutritional needs for German Shepherds and lists common food sources that align with a breed-specific diet, focusing on beef, wheat, and vegetables like cabbage and carrots.
| Nutritional Need | Best Food Sources |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A Palmitate | Cabbage, carrot, broccoli, squash |
| Vitamin B-1 | Cabbage, carrot, yellow corn, squash, broccoli |
| Vitamin B-2 | Broccoli, cabbage, squash, beef |
| Vitamin B-6 | Chicken, beef, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, carrot, squash, potato |
| Vitamin B-12 | Beef |
| Vitamin D | Cheese |
| Vitamin E | Broccoli |
| Niacinamide (B3) | Broccoli, chicken, squash, carrot, beef |
| Biotin | Carrot (raw) |
| Folic Acid | Broccoli |
| d-Calcium Pantothenate (B5) | Yellow corn, broccoli, squash |
| Para Amino Benzoic Acid (PABA) | Whole-grain wheat |
| Calcium | Cheese, broccoli, cabbage, squash, garlic |
| Copper | Squash, cheese, potato, garlic |
| Iodine | Cheese |
| Iron | Cheese, broccoli, squash, beef |
| Magnesium | Cheese, squash, broccoli, whole grain wheat, cabbage |
| Manganese | Garlic, squash, whole grain wheat, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, yellow corn |
| Phosphorus | Cheese |
| Potassium | Broccoli, squash, carrots, cabbage, potato |
| Zinc | Beef, squash, broccoli |
In addition to these core nutrients, owners may consider incorporating specific nutritional supplements not typically found in food, which can be found on the Dog Health page. These supplements are considered essential for optimizing the diet of a German Shepherd.
Transitioning to a Raw Food Diet
The author began transitioning his German Shepherds to a raw food diet in August 2016, inspired by the positive effects observed in a rescued German Shepherd named Neko. Despite a spinal injury, Neko, who was transitioned to raw food, showed remarkable improvements. Initially, a commercial raw food product suitable for German Shepherds was used, though it wasn’t breed-specific. The noticeable benefits in Neko convinced the author of the superiority of raw feeding. However, wanting to maintain the precise nutritional balance of his meticulously crafted cooked diet, the author set out to recreate the best food for a German Shepherd in a raw format.
Crafting a Breed-Specific Raw Diet
Over a four-week period, the author meticulously analyzed the nutritional profile of his breed-specific cooked German Shepherd recipe and reconstructed it into a raw food equivalent. The process involved extensive spreadsheet work and utilized the insights from the book “Unlocking the Ancestral Diet.” While William D. Cusick expressed reservations about raw feeding, his concerns primarily related to the quality and safety of the meat supply, which are valid considerations. By addressing these concerns and ensuring a high-quality meat source, the author successfully developed a raw food version of the optimal diet for German Shepherds. Neko was the first to transition seamlessly, followed by Sylvester and the other German Shepherds. The dogs have thrived on this raw diet, which the author considers the best food for German Shepherds.
Ensuring Safety in Raw Feeding
A common concern regarding raw feeding is the potential presence of contaminants like E. coli, Salmonella, or Campylobacter. While dogs can become ill from these bacteria, the risk is significantly mitigated by consistent raw food consumption. Naturally, dogs are scavengers with highly acidic stomachs (around pH 2.0) that effectively neutralize harmful bacteria in raw or even decaying meat. Dogs accustomed to commercial kibble or cooked diets lack this robust natural protection. Fortunately, within approximately two weeks of consistent raw feeding, a dog’s stomach acidity returns to its optimal pH level, providing full protection against such contaminants. The author has experienced no issues with their raw-fed dogs over six years. For a detailed understanding, the veterinary article “Gastric Acidity, Digesting Bones, Gut Transit Time, and Salmonella” offers further information.
Regarding the meat supply, sourcing from trustworthy farms is essential to guarantee high quality and avoid growth hormones and antibiotics. Harmony Farms is a local supplier that provides the author with meat for his dogs, ensuring a consistent supply of safe and high-quality ingredients, which is vital when preparing the best food for a German Shepherd.
In 2020, the author began offering his meticulously developed raw version of the Best Food for a German Shepherd recipe for sale.
