Want to know about German Shepherd Dog Foods? Learn more about dog food for a German Shepherd…
When you’re thinking about what to feed a German Shepherd dog you must be aware that each breed of dog has its own particular requirements for nutrition. These have been passed on from one generation to the next and are unique to each breed, much like their temperament, coat and physical structure.
Healthy German Shepherd Food
The genetic makeup of the animals cannot be altered by its diet, so it is better to give the right food that supports the canine’s healthy growth and development. Therefore the German Shepherd Dog food should be the particular item required by that breed.
In order to figure out what the breed must be fed, there are certain basic considerations. The nutritional sources should be the same as the ones found in the native land of their ancestors. These will be easily assimilated in the digestive and glandular systems. The next consideration should be a good balance of protein in the diet, along with the use of balanced fatty acid, carbohydrates, vitamins as well as minerals based on the specific requirements. There is no point in overdosing the dog with anything that it does not require because its body will not be able to process and handle the extra nutrients. Generally the pet owners feeding the dog adequately will end up saving a lot of money in terms of food cost as well as from avoiding unnecessary trips to the vet. If the dog is malnourished, this would result in different contra indications like liver disease, skin problems and bone loss.
Nutrient-Rich Ingredients
For a German Shepherd dog food that is prepared fresh is recommended because it would not have any preservatives and would have a high quality of ingredients. By spending two hours every week the owner can prepare fresh food which ends up being cheaper and healthier than the prepackaged store variety. Canned food is especially expensive, and your dog can miss out on nutrients or you could feed your dog something it doesn’t need in excess.
Catering to the Short Colon
The dog requires a high fiber diet because it has a very short colon. The high fiber diet will slow down the movement through its digestive tract and allow more of the nutrition to be drawn out from the processed food. Of course the fiber should be of the right kind. Good sources of fiber for the German Shepherd are cabbage, beef, leafy greens, wheat and alfalfa. It is not a good idea to feed the dog with fish or soy.
It also requires much larger amounts of calcium in its diet as compared to other breeds. This is necessary because the German Shepard dog is prone to hip displacement and bone plate injuries. The other dogs would suffer from kidney stones if they were fed with so much calcium.
