The key to having a strong and healthy German Shepherd is feeding them a complete and well-balanced dog food. The breed exerts a ton of energy on a daily basis especially if they are actively working. That’s why it’s important to feed your German Shepherd a dog food brand filled with rich proteins and healthy fats.
When searching online for the best dog food for a German Shepherd, you will find thousands of options to choose from. The endless varieties of dog food brands can leave any German Shepherd owner scratching their head, when trying to make a decision.
So what is the best dog food for a German Shepherd? Our dog food nutritionists have researched analyzed over 1800 dog food brands for the very best based off the nutritional needs of a German Shepherd. Here are the best dog food brands for a German Shepherd for 2024.
- Real Meat is #1 Ingredient
- High Protein Level (25.0% min)
- High Fat Level (12.0% min)
- 100% Complete and Balanced
- No Corn, Wheat or Soy
- No By-Products, Artificial Flavors, Colors or Preservatives
- Exceed AAFCO Standards
ACANA® Heritage Meat Dry Dog Food
ACANA’s Heritage Meats Formula is a grain-free, protein-packed recipe, loaded with over 60% of traditional heritage meat. The protein-rich diet exceeds all requirements for a healthy dry dog food for your German Shepherd. The 5 star formula is extremely palatable and is exactly what German Shepherds love.
According to ACANA’s website, the meat delivered before processing in their Kentucky Dogstar Kitchen is fit for human consumption. Made in Kentucky, Acana Heritage Meats features a WholePrey ratio which mimics the wild prey diet a German Shepherd needs for performance. ACANA Heritage Meats Formula consists of real angus beef, Yorkshire pork and grass-fed lamb.
Ingredients: Deboned beef, deboned pork, beef meal, whole red lentils, whole pinto beans, whole green peas, pork meal, beef fat, whole green lentils, whole chickpeas, whole yellow peas, deboned lamb, pollock oil, lentil fiber, natural pork flavor, beef tripe, beef liver, beef kidney, pork liver, pork kidney, beef cartilage, whole pumpkin, whole butternut squash, mixed tocopherols (preservative), dried kelp, zinc proteinate, collard greens, turnip greens, whole carrots, whole apples, whole pears, freeze-dried beef liver, freeze-dried pork liver, freeze-dried lamb liver, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, vitamin A acetate, D3 supplement, chicory root, turmeric, sarsaparilla root, althea root, rose hips, juniper berries, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product.
Caloric Content: 3405 kcal/kg (388 kcal per 8 oz cup)
| Guaranteed Analysis | |
|---|---|
| CRUDE PROTEIN | 29.0% min |
| CRUDE FAT | 17.0% min |
| CRUDE FIBER | 6.0% max |
| MOISTURE | 12.0% max |
| DHA | 0.15 min |
| EPA | 0.15 min |
| CALCIUM | 1.4 min |
| PHOSPHORUS | 1% min |
| OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS | 2.1% min |
| OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS | 0.8% min |
| GLUCOSAMINE | 300mg/kg |
| TOTAL MICROORGANISMS | 100MM CFU/lb min |
Wysong® Optimal Diet Dry Dog Food
With a high 42.0% min protein level and 14.0% min fat level, Wysong Optimal Diet Dry Dog Food is a excellent choice for your German Shepherd. Developed by Veterinarian Dr. Wysong, the palatable formula is packed with protein-rich organic chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal and fish meal.
In addition to protein-rich meat and fish sources, the 5 star dry dog food includes a low glycemic index, low levels of carbohydrates, probiotics and a variety of micronutrients. The scientifically designed kibble is perfect for any life-stage German Shepherd. Additionally, Wysong is made with healthy fatty acids, healthy digestive fiber and rich antioxidants as well.
Ingredients: Organic Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Fish Meal, Pea Protein, Peas, Potato, Chicken Fat, Flaxseeds, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Eggs, Montmorillonite Clay, Crab Meal, Whey, Natural Chicken and Fish Flavor, Coconut Oil, Chia Seeds, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Tomato Pomace, Calcium Propionate, Choline Chloride, Organic Barley Grass, Blueberry, Dried Kelp, Yogurt, Apple Pectin, Fish Oil, Yeast Extract, Citric Acid, Chicory Root, Hemicellulose Extract, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Yeast Culture, Carrots, Celery, Beets, Parsley, Lettuce, Watercress, Spinach, Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Vitamins (Ascorbic Acid [Source of Vitamin C], Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Lactis Fermentation Product, Pepper.
| Guaranteed Analysis | |
|---|---|
| CRUDE PROTEIN | 42.0% min |
| CRUDE FAT | 14.0% min |
| CRUDE FIBER | 5.5% max |
| MOISTURE | 10.0% max |
| OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS | 0.7% min |
| OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS | 2.1% min |
Zignature® Zssential Multi-Protein Dry Dog Food
Per guaranteed analysis, Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula is 100% complete, balanced and fits perfectly into a German Shepherd’s diet. The first 5 ingredients in this ultra-premium formula is made with turkey, salmon, lamb and duck.
Additionally, antioxidant rich fruits, legumes, and vegetables are also added. The combination of these ingredients make this brand extremely palatable for German Shepherds. Zignature Zssential formula is made with limited-ingredients and contains no potatoes, grains, chicken, eggs, tapioca, corn, glutens or soy.
Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Meal, Salmon, Lamb Meal, Chickpeas, Duck Meal, Pea Flour, Peas, Sunflower Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid), Flaxseeds, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Natural Flavors, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Salmon Oil, Salt, Dried Kelp, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate), Vitamins (Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Blueberries, Cranberries, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate).
Caloric Content: 422 kcal/cup
| Guaranteed Analysis | |
|---|---|
| CRUDE PROTEIN | 32.0% min |
| CRUDE FAT | 16.0% min |
| CRUDE FIBER | 5.5% max |
| MOISTURE | 10.0% max |
| CALCIUM | 1.2% max |
| PHOSPHOROUS | 1.0% max |
| OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS | 4.5% min |
| OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS | 2.0% min |
Orijen® Original Dry Dog Food
One of the best dry dog food brands for German Shepherds is ORIJEN Original. Take a look at the 5 star ingredient list to get a better idea why this is the #1 dog food brand for German Shepherds. Over 85% of the formula is made up of farm-fresh poultry, wild-caught fish and protein-rich eggs.
Compared to conventional dry dog food formulas, ORIJEN has 3 times the meat, which include 16 meat sourced ingredients. In addition to fresh Kentucky farm-raised meat and wild-caught fish, 15% of the formula is made up of antioxidant rich fruits and wholesome vegetables as well.
Ingredients: Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, yellowtail flounder, whole eggs, whole atlantic mackerel, chicken liver, turkey liver, chicken heart, turkey heart, whole atlantic herring, dehydrated chicken, dehydrated turkey, dehydrated mackerel, dehydrated chicken liver, dehydrated turkey liver, whole green peas, whole navy beans, red lentils, chicken necks, chicken kidney, pinto beans, chickpeas, green lentils, alfalfa, chicken fat, natural chicken flavor, herring oil, ground chicken bone, chicken cartilage, turkey cartilage, dried kelp, freeze-dried chicken liver, freeze-dried turkey liver, whole pumpkin, whole butternut squash, kale, spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, whole carrots, apples, pears, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, zinc proteinate, mixed tocopherols (preservative), chicory root, turmeric, sarsaparilla root, althea root, rosehips, juniper berries, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product.
Caloric Content: 3940 kcal/kg, 394 kcal/cup
| Guaranteed Analysis | |
|---|---|
| CRUDE PROTEIN | 38.0% min |
| CRUDE FAT | 18.0% min |
| CRUDE FIBER | 4.0% max |
| MOISTURE | 12.0% max |
| DHA | 0.2 min |
| EPA | 0.2 min |
| CALCIUM | 1.4 min |
| PHOSPHORUS | 1% min |
| OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS | 3% min |
| OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS | 0.8% min |
| GLUCOSAMINE | 600mg/kg |
| CHONDROITIN SULFATE | 600mg/kg |
| TOTAL MICROORGANISMS | 100MM CFU/lb min |
Farmina® Natural & Delicious Wild Boar Grain-Free Formula Dry Dog Food
If you are looking for a ultra-premium dog food for a German Shepherd, take a look at Farmina. 95% of the protein in this 5 star formula is from quality animal sources which makes for a low ash count. Additionally, the ingredients found in Farmina Natural Delicious Wild Boar Recipe is fresh and never frozen which provides optimum flavor and nutrition for your German Shepherd.
The #1 ingredient found in this premium dry dog food is high protein wild boar which makes up a minimum of 42% of the kibble. The fresh boar meat is followed by; dehydrated board meat, potato, deboned chicken, dehydrated chicken and chicken fat per ingredient list on the bag. 30% of the formula is made with wholesome vegetables, rich antioxidant fruits, chelated minerals and essential vitamins for optimum German Shepherd performance as well.
Ingredients: Boar Meat, Dehydrated Boar Meat (Source of Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate), Potato, Deboned Chicken, Dehydrated Chicken (Source of Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate), Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dehydrated Egg Product, Herring (Source of Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate), Dehydrated Herring (Source of Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate), Herring & Salmon Oil Blend (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Carrots, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Chicory Root Extract, Fructooligosaccharide, Yeast Extract (Source of Mannan-Oligosaccharides), Dehydrated Apple, Dehydrated Pomegranate, Dehydrated Sweet Orange, Dehydrated Spinach, Psyllium Seed Husk, Dehydrated Blackcurrant Berry, Dehydrated Blueberry, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Turmeric, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Beta-Carotene, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Selenium Yeast, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Aloe Vera Gel Concentrate, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Extract.
Caloric Content: 1,964 kcal/lb, 468 kcal/cup
| Guaranteed Analysis | |
|---|---|
| CRUDE PROTEIN | 37.0% min |
| CRUDE FAT | 18.0% min |
| CRUDE FIBER | 2.60% max |
| MOISTURE | 10.0% max |
| ASH | 7.90% max |
| CALCIUM | 1.3.0% min |
| PHOSPHORUS | 0.95% min |
| OMEGA-6 | 3.3.0% min |
| OMEGA-3 | 0.9% min |
| DHA | 0.5% min |
| EPA | 0.3.0% min |
| GLUCOSAMINE | 900 mg/kg min |
| CHONDROITIN SULFATE | 600 mg/kg min |