Choosing the Right Food Diet for German Shepherd

German Shepherds are primarily carnivores. They prefer meat. Their stomachs and digestive systems are relatively straight, unlike the digestive systems of humans, which are more curved. Some parts of the digestive tract are even shorter in some large breeds compared to others. This style of digestive system can make it more difficult for dogs to digest vegetables and plant matter. For this reason, German Shepherds should eat mostly meat.

German Shepherds need other nutrients besides just meat, however. If you examine the ingredients on most dry, commercial dog foods, you will see that meat and its byproducts make up the most of the dog food material.

You should always be sure that you give your dog the best quality food you can. Paying a little bit more translates into years added on to your dog’s life, happiness and health. If you have better dog food, your dog will have a higher-quality of life.

Good dog food does not have any cheap fillers that can make their stomachs upset. You don’t want to deal with the repercussions of a dog with an upset stomach!

There are a number of good commercial dog foods that you can purchase for your dog. Some of these brands include Nutro Natural, Eagle Pack and Prairie by Nature’s Variety. Most German Shepherds will consume about 30 to 40 pounds of dry food every month as adults. At about $30 - $35 a bag, that can be a very decent expense to make sure that your dog stays healthy and happy.

Some owners will find that their dogs need additional nutrients to fight diseases common the dog, including hip dysplasia and skin problems. There are a number of commercial supplements on the market that currently help your dog get the following nutrients: - ascorbic acid (vitamin C) - omega 3 fatty acids - cod liver oil - msm/glucosamine - B-complex vitamins - Iodine - Flavinoids

Vitamin C is very important to the German Shepherd. It is an antioxidant that helps with the connective tissues and muscles. MSM/Glucosamine, on the other hand, is very beneficial with joints. Fatty acids are great with the immune system and cod liver oil helps the coat look great. Thyroid functioning is helped through iodine, while garlic with bioflavinoids are great for their hearts.

If you prefer to give your dog a diet made from all fresh ingredients, try the following receipe. Get 10 pounds of regular hamburger meat (not the lean stuff!) Mix it together with Total cereal (if the dog is not allergic to wheat) and a box of oatmeal flakes. Add in 10 eggs and a jar of wheat germ. Soften the food with 1.25 cups of canola oil and 1.25 cup of molasses. You can add in 10 small packs of unflavored gelatin for additional firmness.

Mix the ingredients together well, rolling it into meatballs about an inch or two in diameter. Freeze whatever meat you don’t feed the dog in a day or so.

German Shepherds will digest this recipe very well, but you will have some concerns about some organisms. Freezing the food will be an extra level of security for your animals. The meet can be cooked until it is medium or well done, cooled and fed to your dog. Supplements should be given as well.

         

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