Feeding your German Shepherd the right food is crucial for their long, healthy, and happy life. With the alarming rate of cancer in dogs, making informed dietary choices has never been more critical. This guide delves into understanding the specific nutritional needs of German Shepherds, exploring both homemade and raw food options, and addressing common concerns about dog food quality and safety.
Understanding the Challenges in Dog Food
The dog food market is often confusing, with many products containing by-products, growth hormones, antibiotics, and common fillers like brewer’s yeast, tapioca starch, and pea protein. This can lead to diets high in carbohydrates, which break down into sugar. It’s a stark contrast to the optimal nutrition dogs need. Even veterinarian-recommended foods may not be the best choice, and the idea of vegan dog food for an omnivorous species leans more towards carnivore is questionable. A diet mirroring a human fast-food regimen is unlikely to promote optimal health.
Breed-Specific Nutrition is Key
Just as human nutritional needs vary, so do those of different dog breeds. The concept of “breed-specific” nutrition is paramount. For instance, German Shepherds have a uniquely short colon compared to other breeds of similar weight. This necessitates a high-fiber diet to slow digestion, allowing for better nutrient absorption. While organic ingredients are a plus, their benefit is diminished if they don’t align with a specific breed’s digestive capabilities. This article is based on the foundational work of canine nutritionist William D. Cusick, who specialized in breed-specific nutritional guides.
William D. Cusick’s research indicates that the German Shepherd, originating from Germany’s Alsatian region, historically thrived on a diet rich in beef, wheat, and leafy greens like cabbage and alfalfa. Conversely, diets high in fish, soy, or rice are considered less ideal for this breed.
Why This Matters: Real-World Impact
The shift towards a breed-appropriate diet has yielded significant results for the author’s own German Shepherds. By basing their diet on beef, wheat, and cabbage, and avoiding fish, soy, and rice, the dogs exhibited increased energy levels, improved muscle mass, and overall better health. The inclusion of garlic in their diet, for example, acts as a natural pest repellent, reducing the need for chemical flea and tick medications.
Preparing homemade dog food, while requiring an initial time investment of about two hours per week for fourteen portions, is a cost-effective solution, estimated at around $40 per week. This ensures a healthy, nutritious, and palatable meal from a dog’s perspective. However, it’s crucial to follow precise recipes, as ingredient ratios are vital. For instance, while a small amount of garlic is beneficial, excessive amounts can be toxic to dogs.
Nutritional Breakdown for German Shepherds
The following table outlines key nutrients and their best food sources, crucial for a balanced German Shepherd diet:
| Nutrient | 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 a balanced diet, consider specific nutritional supplements found on dedicated dog health pages, which are essential for optimal health.
Transitioning to Raw Food
The journey continued with a transition to raw food in 2016, inspired by the positive impact observed in a rescued German Shepherd named Neko. While commercial raw food options exist, creating a breed-specific raw recipe replicating the nutritional profile of the author’s cooked meal proved to be the ultimate goal. This involved meticulous analysis and rebuilding the recipe using resources like “Unlocking the Ancestral Diet.” Despite initial reservations from some regarding raw feeding, particularly concerning meat quality and safety, solutions were found through careful sourcing.
Ensuring Raw Food Safety
A common concern with raw feeding is the potential for contaminants like E. coli and Salmonella. However, dogs possess a highly acidic stomach environment (pH around 2.0) that naturally neutralizes these bacteria, especially when consuming raw food consistently. This protective acidity can be compromised with commercial kibble or cooked diets. Fortunately, after a two-week transition to a raw diet, a dog’s stomach acidity typically returns to its optimal protective level. Years of feeding raw diets have shown no issues with contaminants when proper sourcing and consistent feeding practices are maintained.
When selecting meat sources, partnering with trustworthy farms that avoid growth hormones and antibiotics is paramount. For example, sourcing from suppliers like Harmony Farms ensures high-quality meat crucial for creating the best food for a German Shepherd. In 2020, the author began offering their meticulously crafted raw version of the “Best Food for a German Shepherd” recipe for sale, making this superior nutrition accessible to other owners.
For those interested in exploring further, resources like “Raw, Fed and Nerdy” offer science-based approaches to raw feeding, and “Canine Nutrition” by William D. Cusick provides valuable insights into breed-specific dietary needs. Always consult with a canine nutritionist, rather than a veterinarian, for significant dietary adjustments or concerns.
