Canine Nutrition: Your German Shepherd Deserves The Best

Throughout the history of the German Shepherd breed, these dogs have served as loyal, faithful companions and servants for humankind. As you read this article on your computer screen, thousands of brave German Shepherds the world around are on duty as watchdogs, police dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, bomb dogs, drug dogs, sheepherders or military dogs. No other breed works harder than the German Shepherd. Your German Shepherd deserves care fit for a king or queen, including a high quality diet to sustain this hard-working dog's complex nutritional needs.

Unfortunately, the German Shepherd breed has been known to suffer from allergies that manifest themselves in skin problems. By feeding your beloved German Shepherd a special diet that you prepare yourself, in your own kitchen, using German Shepherd dog food recipes that incorporate ordinary ingredients that you can purchase at the local grocery store, you can help alleviate some of the problems caused by your German Shepherd's nutrition and allergy issues.
Providing for your German Shepherd's care means you should provide the best dog food you can afford. An economical solution to high-priced premium dog foods is to make your own dog food. Start with five basic ingredients, and turn them into a collection of German Shepherd dog food recipes that your dog loves.

The five main ingredients found in nutritious dog food are protein, starch, vegetable, fat and seasoning. Have fun with these components to find the combination of ingredients that get the most excited reaction from your German Shepherd.

When putting together dog food recipes for your German Shepherd's nutrition, use eggs or lean meat for the protein. There are dozens of ingredients you can use for the starch. Start with oatmeal, breadcrumbs, baked potatoes, steamed rice or boiled noodles. Try different cooked vegetables until you find one your dog likes. Some dogs like tomatoes while others like peas, carrots or celery. You'll know you've found the right one for your German Shepherd's nutrition when your dog begs for more!

Any changes to a German Shepherd's care should be made gradually to give your dog time to adjust to the change. The same is true of changes to German Shepherd nutrition. When you pick your puppy up from the breeder, contact the breeder in advance and ask for a sample of your puppy's food so you can continue feeding your new puppy the food to which it is accustomed. Slowly wean your puppy off the breeder's food by replacing the breeder's food with your homemade, nutritious food, in small amounts at a time, until eventually your healthy, nutritious dog food is the only food your German Shepherd is eating.

If your dog has been diagnosed with a medical condition or is undergoing treatment for any medical problems, you should consult with your dog's veterinarian before you make any changes to your dog's diet. Similarly, if your dog is taking medication, you should ask your vet about changing your dog's diet. You vet can alert you to any foods that interact negatively with the medicine your dog takes.

Jan Ryan, a dog show judge and expert in German Shepherd nutrition, is sought after as a guest lecturer and panelist at dog breeders' conferences and conventions. German Shepherd care, including nutrition, should be top-rate because these dogs are so dedicated to working for humankind. A varied diet of homemade food is the best diet to feed your German Shepherd. Store your favorite German Shepherd dog food recipes in a scrapbook or notebook. Save German Shepherd information in the same place, so you have a one-stop location for important information about your dog.