The 8 Best German Shepherd Dog Foods: Tested & Evaluated 2024

German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the world and for a good reason. They’re highly intelligent, easy to train and great with people. What’s not to love about them?

To be as happy and active as they are, German Shepherds need a good diet. However, it is challenging to determine which dog foods in the Australian market suit them. To help you decide, our expert team, in collaboration with other canine professionals, have tested the various brands and developed a list as your guide in selecting the best dog food to fit your Shepherd's needs.

Today, we will reveal the results of this months-long research to help you choose the top German Shepherd food options. So let's dive in!

Australia's Best Dog Food For German Shepherds Reviewed

If you want to be sure your dog is eating only the best stuff, you can’t go wrong by choosing Petzyo (our number 1 best dog food in Australia). This Australian brand offers premium formulas that are AAFCO and PFIAA compliant, meaning they’re suitable for dogs of all ages.

Among three different recipes, the Kangaroo & Sweet Potato has everything you need in a German Shepherd’s diet. The first ingredient is a kangaroo, which is red meat with the highest protein level. It’s hypoallergenic, so even the most sensitive pooches can enjoy this food.

The second ingredient is sweet potato, which is great for dogs. It’s low in fat but high in vitamins, and it’s good for overall health, including the cardiovascular and digestive systems. The recipe also contains superfoods like blueberries and turmeric. They’re both rich in fibres and minerals, and have anti-inflammatory effects on the dog’s body.

Compared to Eureka, this brand is our first choice because it has the right amount of protein, fat, and fibre content to keep our dogs' meals highly nutritious. Their protein sources are carefully selected to protect your dogs from food sensitivities.

Related: Petzyo Dog Food Review

And now for the best part. Petzyo recipes provide your German Shepherd with all the important nutrients without emptying your wallet every month. Plus, they offer fast shipping across the entire continent, so your pooch won’t stay hungry for long.

What we like about this brand is that it is locally sourced and very affordable, so you can give your dogs a high-quality meal at a budget-friendly price.

Also, we like that it is formulated for dogs at all life stages, so you don't have to worry about switching brands to fit your dog's age.

Not all German Shepherds lead active lives, but those that do, need the nutrition that supports their working dog lifestyle. This means food that provides lots of quality protein sources and a decent amount of fat to fuel all that energy. Eureka fits that description to a T.

This small Australian company makes air-dried dog food with one of the best ingredient lists we’ve seen. The list is not very long, and that’s a good thing! Mostly, it consists of meats and offal, with each part of the animal specifically named.

Besides the meat, bone, and offal, there are only a few select additions like salmon oil and flaxseed that boost the Omega-3 levels or chicory root, which is a rich source of fibre.

Compared to the first option, Petzyo, we placed Eureka in second because it has more protein and content, which is justified by its price being more expensive to fit the lifestyle of German Shepherds. As dog owners, especially those who have active dogs, we consider these things to help sustain their energy needs.

Related: Eureka Dog Food Review

Overall, it’s a food we love, but it comes at a price. Eureka is also not available at your local pet store - you’ll have to order it through their website, however, they offer a subscription model that’s very easy to use.

We love how they have a free delivery service in Australia, especially for those who can afford a subscription because it is very convenient if you are too busy to go to the store and if you are ordering in bulk.

Also, we like how their products are high-quality, only getting the best ingredients available, and they do not use fillers, which makes their dog food packed with nutrition.

No matter how well they’re treated, some dogs gulp their meals as if it were their last. It doesn’t take more than a blink of an eye to see the bottom of the bowl. While inhaling food can be dangerous, teaching your dog to eat slower isn’t easy. But what you can do is buy large-sized kibble that can’t be swallowed, like these by Meals For Mutts.

Aside from the kibble size, what makes this food great for German Shepherds are the ingredients. The main protein is fish, which is hypoallergenic and high in proteins. Both salmon and sardines are high in fatty acids which are important not only for bones and cartilage, but the immune system overall. They also protect against cardiovascular diseases, help with brain development and improve coat and skin condition.

Compared to the first and second options, this brand offers a solution for dogs to eat slowly and not swallow it directly. This is a smart choice for us to keep our dogs' digestive systems healthy.

This recipe is grain-free, so the main source of carbs are chickpeas and seasonal vegetables. These are also a good source of fibre, which helps with digestion. Kelp and alfalfa are both rich in minerals and have anti-inflammatory properties which help in the case of arthritis and similar conditions.

We love how this brand considered the size of their kibbles. It gives our dogs more time to enjoy their meals and at the same time, we are sure that they are getting the best ingredients.

Also, we appreciate that they included ingredients to help with joint pains. Our dogs, like us, also need nutrition for their joints for them to move around freely as they age.

Puppies grow faster than lightspeed. Over just a few months, their weight can go from 1 to 30 kilograms. This obviously puts a lot of strain on their body, so they need to eat food with all the important nutrients for growth.

This is one of the best foods for a German Shepherd puppy you can find on the market. The formula meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO, which means it contains all your pup needs to grow healthy. The main protein is salmon, which is rich in omega fatty acids. These help with brain and vision development in puppies, among other things.

Compared to the first three options, this fourth one is cheaper. However, you can bet that the low price does not compromise the ingredients they put into our dogs' meals because this dog food is still packed with nutrients.

The kibbles are small so that young pups can easily chew them, and crunchy to help with keeping their teeth clean. To promote a young pup’s gut health, these kibbles contain 80 million live, active probiotic cultures.

This grain-free recipe contains sweet potatoes, peas and tomatoes. These veggies are rich in minerals and antioxidants that provide support to a pup’s immune system. And thanks to the Yucca schidigera extract, your pup’s number two won’t smell kilometres away.

What we love about this brand is its specific formulation for puppies. They included ingredients that help our puppies in terms of digestion, immune system, and development.

Also, we like how they considered adding Yucca extract to help with the poo smell, which is definitely a plus for us if you are living in areas that are not well-ventilated.

Some dogs simply don’t do that well with kibble only. Or maybe you just want to spoil your canine companion with something more tasty. Either way, good canned food like this option from K9 Natural can help.

All the wet food formulas from K9 Natural are extremely rich in protein, making them the perfect choice for active German Shepherds. Not only that, but the protein in question comes from a great source: New Zealand grass-fed animals. You can see this brand’s dedication to quality in the ingredient list: it’s not only “meat” that’s listed, but every specific part of the animal used, including liver, tripe, kidney, and heart. All of these are great for your dog. By the way - a good mix of meat, offal, and bone is a better option than just lean meat. These cans contain 90% of exactly that.

Unlike the previous options, this is the first canned dog food on the list. However, it is one of the best protein sources with the highest protein content, making it our fifth option, especially for dogs who prefer wet food instead of kibbles alone.

But what is the remaining 10%? Well, mostly a few selected veggies, green lipped mussels, eggs, and vitamins and minerals.

If you are looking for canned food for your German Shepherd, this is a really good option. 

We recommend this brand if you consider mixing this into your dogs' meals as it is a great source of protein, with various meat.

We also love their ingredients because they are highly palatable for picky eaters.

Ziwi Peak recipes use only top-quality ingredients and it’s one of the best food you can feed your pooch with. But given the price, we know that it can be too pricey for lots of Australian households. For that reason, only, this food is not at the top of our list. But if you can fit it into your monthly expenses, then you won’t go wrong.

The first thing you notice about Ziwi Peak food is that they’ve named all their protein sources. The ingredient list doesn’t just say “lamb,” it specifically tells you all the parts of the lamb used in the recipe. You know precisely what your dog is eating at all times.

Related: Ziwi Peak Dog Food Review

This is air-dried food, meaning it’s not cooked at high temperatures like most kibbles. The air-dry technology kills the bacteria while preserving all the good ingredients. In other words, it provides your pooch with only the good nutrients, while the bad things are destroyed in the process.

Compared to the previous brands, Petzyo, Eureka and even the canned food option, this one stands out in terms of how they preserve the nutrients in their dog food without compromising the safety of our dogs, making it the sixth option in our list.

As you can see, this food is high in proteins and fats. And because of that, daily portions are smaller than with other kibbles. So when you add the numbers, it turns out the price difference isn’t that big in the long run.

We love how the portions can be adjusted according to your dog's needs because it reduces the cost of the food per serving.

Also, it is good for dogs of all ages, so you can be confident giving this to your furry friends.

Very active pooches require food that’s high in protein and fat content, like this one by Absolute Holistic. It’s well rounded, with everything a dog needs to stay healthy while in training.

The kibbles are made using the air-drying technology, meaning they’ve kept all the nutritional benefits of a raw food diet. We can say this food mimics what your dog’s ancestors used to eat back in the day. The jerky texture is perfect because even the pickiest pooches won’t skip on eating something that resembles fresh meat so well.

Compared to the previous option, this brand also uses air-drying technology, and they are also NZ owned. However, the reason why we included this dog food in our list is its ingredients that can compete with Petzyo and Eureka.

All the ingredients are high in quality and sourced from free-range farms and the coasts of New Zealand. All meat parts are named in the ingredient list, leaving no room for shady ingredients. One of the most interesting ingredients is the green-lipped mussel, which is endemic to New Zealand. It’s a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, both of which are beneficial for hip and joint health.

Just by looking at the ingredient list, it’s clear this food is rich in vitamins and minerals. And we can thank kelp for at least half of them. This sea plant contains about 60 minerals and vitamins and 21 amino acids. It’s also high in protein and fibre and supports digestive and glandular functions.

What we love about this brand is that it includes green-lipped mussels that improve our dogs' joint health and the inclusion of parsley powder which prevents bad breath.

We also recommend this, especially for our active dogs, because the high protein and fat content of this brand can help provide them with the extra energy that they need.

As our canine companions get older, they become less active. This means that all the extra weight they might have puts a strain on joints. In the case of German Shepherds, this might be even more problematic, due to joint issues. For that reason, we want our pooches to be as fit as possible, even with lower physical activity.

This recipe by Ivory Coat uses turkey as a main source of protein. Turkey is low in fat but rich in proteins. It gives your elderly dog all the important nutrients without being too caloric. What’s more, the turkey used in the recipe is sourced from Australia, which is always a plus.

This is a grain-free recipe, and the main source of carbs are potatoes. They’re rich in manganese, phosphorus, copper, potassium, and vitamin B6 and C. Along with peas, they’re also a great source of fibre, so together, they promote the dog’s gut health.

This brand is Australian owned so their ingredients are locally sourced, especially the protein and it has a low fat content than others which makes it a good choice if your dog is not that active.

Related: Ivory Coat Dog Food Review

Another thing worth noting is the amount of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. Aside from improving the overall skin and coat condition, these acids play a big role in promoting cartilage and bone health. This is important for dogs of all sizes and ages, but especially the older ones.

We like this dog food because it is specifically formulated for older dogs, considering all the nutrients that they need to keep them healthy.

Also, we love how they included superfoods as a source of antioxidants for muscle restoration and to slow down the aging process, which is definitely great for older dogs.

The Basics Of German Shepherd Diet

Different breeds have different needs. When searching for the best food for German Shepherds, your best bet is to flip the packaging and study the ingredient list. Here’s what you need to pay attention to.

Protein

Large breeds have a long road from being a pup to an adult in terms of weight. And to help them get to their full size, they need a diet rich in proteins. By that, we mean a protein content higher than 22% (1).

Aside from numbers, you should also pay attention to the way protein sources are named. Ideally, you want the ingredient list to say “beef” or “chicken.” The second-best options are meat meals.

Calories

German Shepherds are a strong, working breed. This means their diet should be highly caloric, but the exact amount depends on their activity levels. Dogs that get plenty of regular exercise should eat between 1600 and 2400 calories each day. Those that are considered moderately active should be fed 1500 to 1900 calories, while lazy pooch should eat 1400 to 1650 calories per day. In general, German Shepherds are prone to obesity, so you should keep a close eye on the number of calories you’re feeding your dog.

Supplements

Well-rounded food needs to contain all the important vitamins your dog needs. These include vitamin A, B1, B12, B5, B9, D, E and K (2). If the dog food has the AAFCO statement, it means it contains all the vitamins that meet your dog’s daily requirements (3).

Related: What is AAFCO? The Association of American Feed Control Officials
Related: What Is the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA)?
Related: AAFCO vs PFIAA: Dog Food Standards Comparison Australia

What To Consider Before Buying Food For Your German Shepherd

When it comes to German Shepherds, there are a few health issues this breed is more susceptible to than others. Here’s what they are and what ingredients can help in dealing with these problems.

Food Allergies

German Shepherds are susceptible to food allergies, which are usually exhibited as dry and itchy skin, especially on the paws. In many cases, it also manifests through diarrhoea.

If a dog has a food allergy, it means that the body’s immune system is reacting to a certain ingredient in food, which is usually a protein. It takes time for the antibody reaction to occur, so the allergies might not be noticeable unless your pooch has been eating the same brand or food type for a prolonged period of time.

The ingredients that are most likely to be allergens are dairy products, eggs, beef, chicken, soy and gluten. So ideally, you should try and avoid these ingredients in your dog’s diet.

Bloating

Like other deep-chested breeds, German Shepherds are at high risk of bloating. Unfortunately, not a lot of dog parents are aware of this being a potentially fatal situation. Bloating develops when a dog’s intestines and stomach get twisted and trap gas.

While it’s not scientifically proven what exactly causes bloating to happen, one of the possible causes is fast eating, or better said, gulping down food. If your pooch does that too, then it’s better to go for larger kibbles. This will force your dog to actually chew, rather than just swallow the entire food bowl content.

Joint Issues

German Shepherds are big dogs, so they’re at greater risk of developing arthritis and other joint issues. Omega -3 and -6 fatty acids have tons of benefits for a dog’s health, including bones and joints. But dogs can’t produce these acids themselves, so they need to get them through food.

The Final Verdict

Food requirements differ from breed to breed. For German Shepherds, that’s food that’s hypoallergenic and promotes both joint and digestive health. And that’s exactly what Petzyo offers. It uses ethically sourced proteins and is rich in fatty acids and most importantly, doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket.

We definitely recommend this brand because we can observe that our German Shepherds are very satisfied with the taste and the nutrition that they are getting from this dog food.

But if you’re looking for a bigger recipe range, you can’t go wrong by choosing Eureka.

References

1. “Vet Recommended Feeding Guidelines For Your German Shepherd Dog”. August 15, 2020. Shepped. Retrieved December 13, 2023. https://www.shepped.com/feeding-guidelines/

2. Tupler, T. February 1, 2021. “Dog Nutrition: Guide to Dog Food Nutrients”. PetMD. Retrieved December 13, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_whats_in_a_balanced_dog_food

3. LaMon, V. December 28, 2020. “What is AAFCO and What Does it Do?” PetMD. Retrieved December 13, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/centers/nutrition/dog-food-label-lessons-what-is-an-aafco-statement

4.  Grognet, J. October 27, 2022. “Bloat (or GDV) in Dogs — What It Is and How it’s Treated?” American Kennel Club. Retrieved December 13, 2023.  https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/bloat-in-dogs/