The famous phrase reads: “We are responsible for those who have tamed”. That is why if you decide to have a pet or already have a beloved pet, it is very important to follow the rules of its content and the principles of care. So, an integral part of the content of any animal is food.
The diet of some dog breeds, in particular, German shepherd dogs, deserves special attention. By the choice of the owner of the German shepherd it can consist of both natural food and dry or wet ready-made feed.. To date, an increasing number of pet holders prefer precisely prepared feed, mainly because of convenience and time savings.
However, it is worth remembering that even in the case of feeding the animal with ready-made mixtures, it is necessary to approach the choice of a specific type and brand of feed quite carefully.
This is what we will talk about today in our material.
Kinds
Generally speaking, proper nutrition of a pet is the key to its health. That is why it is especially important to pay attention to the choice of a specific type of finished feed. Today, there are 2 options on the zoological market: dry and wet food. Consider the differences between these varieties.
Dry food
Dry food is one of the most popular ways of feeding domestic German shepherd dogs. The specific brand and variety should be chosen depending on the individual characteristics of the dogs, and before buying it is better to consult with a veterinarian.
Today in the zoological market you can find dry food of several classes. The most common classification includes the following varieties:
- Economy class;
- regular;
- premium
Economy class fodder is ready-made dry mixes.which consist of the most simple and cheap ingredients (offal, cereal and soy). Accordingly, the price is low. It is not recommended to buy such feed and feed it to your pet. The thing is that its basis is meat products that fall into category 4D (sick, aging and dying animals).
Thus, the nutritional value of such mixtures is quite low.
Regular - this feed, which are designed for continuous nutrition. In their production, products of higher quality and beneficial to the body of the German Shepherd are used. However, even this class of feed contains some chemical impurities. So, in the composition you can find dyes, sweeteners and flavor enhancers. At the same time, the energy value of Regular class feed is higher than that of economy class mixtures.
The best dry feed for German shepherds is feed, super premium. It is this option that meets all the requirements that apply to a healthy diet for the animal. This mixture consists of fresh and high-quality animal meat (beef, poultry or lamb). In addition, cereals and even eggs may also be present.
However, in addition to these groups, there are other categories: for example, feed-holistics, which have high nutritional properties, respectively, the price for them is very high.
Wet
At its core, wet dog food is a kind of alternative to ordinary canned food that people eat. Although this type of dog food is versatile, feeding your pet German breed wet food on an ongoing basis is not recommended. Dog canned food for German shepherds can act only as a kind of delicacy, which they receive with a certain frequency.
Of course, there are exceptions, and a veterinarian may recommend a completely wet diet to some individuals, but without a special medical indication you should not completely switch to this feed.
There are many characteristics of wet food for German shepherds that have a positive effect on the animal. Among them are:
- the presence of a large amount of protein;
- the wet variant contains less carbohydrates (first of all it concerns feeds that belong to the premium and luxury classes);
- in the process of producing wet canned dog food, no additional chemical and artificially synthesized substances (for example, stabilizers) are used;
- the wet variety is an ideal food for aging animals, as well as for those German Shepherd dogs that suffer from diseases of the digestive system, gastrointestinal tract, urinary system.
However, it is worth noting that due to the presence of such a large list of positive qualities, the cost of wet food is significantly higher than the price of its dry counterpart.
Manufacturers Overview
To date, the market and in stores represented a wide variety of feeds for German shepherds. Some of them are produced by well-known companies that have already won the love and recognition of customers, while others are products of little-known companies that have just entered the market.
Many buyers are primarily attracted to low-cost dog food. Among the feed economy class distributed such brands.
- Happy Dog. There are both dry and wet varieties, the meat base may consist of buffalo, game, duck, lamb and turkey, the mixture can be eaten even by dogs that are prone to all sorts of food allergies.
- Chappi. This food is considered to be complete, in some individual species may include brewer's yeast, which regulate metabolic processes in the dog's body.
- Purina One. This variety is in great demand among buyers, it contains nutrients that positively affect the work of the gastrointestinal tract of the animal.
- Pedigree. Feed for German shepherds from this brand are considered quite balanced and contain in their composition all the necessary vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the full growth and development of the animal.
Another category of pet owners includes people who believe that pets should be given only the best. That is why they prefer dry mixtures of a higher class, in particular, holistics. Generally speaking, it is believed that this particular class of feed is most suitable for feeding domestic German Shepherd Dogs. Among the high-class feed should be identified several of the most popular manufacturers.
- Royal Canin. This trademark has existed on the zoological market for over 50 years. During this time, the company managed to win the reputation of a brand that cares about the health of pets. The company offers over 100 varieties of dry and wet dog food produced according to the latest scientific developments. Feed from the Royal Canin brand as a basis for German Shepherd dogs is recommended not only by pet owners, but also by veterinarians.
- Grandorf. Grandorf has an impeccable reputation among consumers, as it produces and sells feed that is rich not only in fresh and high-quality meat, but also in other ingredients that help avoid intolerance or allergies.For example, the mixtures include probiotics, which support and restore the work of the intestine of the German Shepherd Dog, as well as strengthen the immune system of the animal.
- Acana. The motto of this company is the production of food that best meets the biological needs of dogs, which are by nature predators. All rulers and series included in the Acana brand assortment are carefully thought out and saturated with the necessary nutritional components.
Thus, today in the zoological market you can find a huge variety of feeds for German shepherds. In accordance with the individual physiological features of your animal, as well as your financial capabilities, you will be able to choose the most optimal option.
How to choose?
The choice of food for the German shepherd is a responsible task. In order to acquire the most successful option, you should adhere to some principles.
- First of all, pay attention to the country and the manufacturer. Choose only licensed brands and brands that have had a good time to prove themselves.
- Carefully read the composition indicated on the package with feed. Try to avoid products that contain large amounts of chemical impurities and artificial ingredients.
- The physiological characteristics of your animal play an important role in the choice of food. For example, if your shepherd is prone to food allergies, it is best to choose a hypoallergenic harmless food.
By following these simple rules, you buy a mixture that does not harm your dog.
Feeding features
Among other things, it is important to observe some features of feeding your pet. And this rule applies to both adult dogs and puppies of the German shepherd.
If we talk about adult and mature animals, then they need about 700 grams of dry mix per day. However, this amount of food is not recommended to be given at a time, it should be divided into 2 meals.
Introducing "drying" as puppy food can be done from 2 months, and in 3 it is recommended to completely transfer the pet to such food.
The consumption rate in each case may be different - it is usually indicated on the packaging. In the first few days of feeding your baby with “drying”, it is permissible to soak it in warm water - it will be easier for the puppy to chew.
About the Royal Canin feed for the German Shepherd look further.