It is very important to feed your German Shepherd puppy a food with a protein content of 25% – 26% until he is at least two years old while his/her bones are still developing. This lower protein promotes slower growth of puppies that will be 50 lbs. or larger at maturity. A slower growth rate can help minimize common joint and bone problems often found in large breeds.
A diet with controlled levels of protein, fat and calories can help maintain a healthy growth rate and promote proper bone formation. Fat content can be anywhere between 15% -20%. We use a super premium dog food called Victor (see the link in the sidebar) which contains no corn, wheat, soy or gluten. Our adult dogs are fed the Beef & Brown Rice Formula and our puppies are fed the Professional Formula which contains 26% protein and 18% fat. We will include a small bag of this food with your puppy.
We also recommend Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Lamb &Rice Formula. If you are unable to find the same dog food, mix a little of the food you will be giving your puppy with the Victor dog food until you have made the transition. Continue feeding your puppy a dog food with 25%-26% protein until your puppy’s bones are completely developed by age two years. You can then vary your dog food according to the activity of your dog.
Supplements: Use a natural vitamin and mineral supplement for your puppy. We use NuPro (see link to site in sidebar), which provides a full range of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and essential omega fatty acids – All in their Natural Raw Forms. Our dogs and puppies also get a fast acting liquid pro-biotic called Health-Gard (see link to site in sidebar), which is added to their water every day. Occasionally, a raw egg and raw meat is a good addition to your dog’s nutrition.
A word about dog bowls. It is best to use non-porous bowls and buckets. Stainless steel or ceramic are excellent. These bowls will not absorb germs or bacteria like plastic. This will make for a healthier pet. Wash them with hot soapy water or toss them in the dishwasher.