Nutritional requirements: German Shepherd

Dry food

Crunchy kibble

• BF^® Active High Energy: German Shepherds are naturally active working dogs with a high energy expenditure. This kibble meets that increased energy requirement and supports strong muscle development with extra high-quality proteins. Thanks to the easily digestible ingredients and added fibers, the German Shepherd's naturally sensitive intestinal transit remains optimally supported.
• BF^® Adult Grain-Free Turkey: Since the German Shepherd is known for a sensitive digestive system and an increased risk of skin allergies, this hypoallergenic mono-protein recipe with turkey is ideal. It is completely grain- and gluten-free to prevent intestinal irritation. The added salmon oil cares for the sensitive skin, while glucosamine and chondroitin protect the heavily burdened joints of this large breed.
• BIOFOOD Bio Chicken: This pure and organic food fits perfectly with the need for easily digestible, high-quality proteins to relieve the German Shepherd's intestines. The natural fibers stimulate a stable gut flora, while the included salmon oil helps keep the Shepherd's thick, double coat shiny and in top condition.
• BF^® Weight Control (Crunchy): When a German Shepherd lives as a house dog and is less active, obesity is a lurking danger. Because extra kilos are directly harmful to this breed's sensitive hips and elbows, this formula offers a solution: rich in protein (32%) and fiber and low in calories and fats (8%). The high protein content maintains muscle mass, L-carnitine stimulates fat burning, and glucosamine and chondroitin provide the joints with the extra support they desperately need.

Pressed kibble

• BF^® Pressed Salmon Grain-Free: This is the ultimate combination for the German Shepherd that has both a sensitive stomach and sensitive skin. Because salmon is the only animal protein source and the kibble is completely grain-free, this significantly reduces the chance of digestive problems. The extra Scottish salmon oil also supports a dense, healthy coat and supple joints.
• BF^® Pressed Lamb: Lamb is known for being very mild on the stomach and intestines, which fits perfectly with the German Shepherd's fragile digestion. This hypoallergenic and gluten-free pressed kibble ensures minimal strain on the digestive system. In addition, the added salmon oil contributes to strengthening the skin barrier.
• BF^® Pressed Adult: An excellent, all-round pressed base kibble for the healthy, adult German Shepherd that is less active as a house dog. The combination of beef, chicken, and fish provides the necessary amino acids for a powerful muscular system. The cold-pressed structure ensures very high digestibility and calm gastrointestinal function, which is essential for large, active dog breeds.
  
  Note: There is no scientific evidence that dogs get gastric torsion purely by eating dry food; factors such as anatomy, eating speed, and portion size play a much larger role. A dog that eats calmly, receives several smaller meals, does not move intensively immediately after eating, and lives in a stable, calm environment simply has less chance of everything going wrong at once. For more information and tips on gastric torsion, click here.

Wet food

Adding wet food to a German Shepherd's kibble offers four important nutritional and practical benefits, with the organic range from BIOFOOD, part of BF®Petfood, forming a perfect, pure supplement:

1. Relief for the sensitive stomach and intestines
German Shepherds are known for their relatively short digestive tract and sensitive gastrointestinal flora. Wet food is already partially hydrated, making it easier to digest than pure dry food. This reduces the strain on the intestines and ensures better absorption of nutrients.

2. Optimal hydration to support the kidneys
Large, active working dogs like the German Shepherd do not always drink enough on their own to maintain their fluid balance. Wet food consists of 75% to 80% moisture. This supports kidney function and helps prevent urinary tract problems in active dogs.

3. Healthy variety and pure quality for sensitive skin
The German Shepherd is prone to skin problems and allergies. The certified organic wet food from BIOFOOD uses pure raw materials from organic farmers, without artificial additives. The varieties are completely grain- and wheat-free and hypoallergenic, which ideally suits the Shepherd's sensitive digestion and coat.

4. Ideal for hiding essential joint supplements
Due to their hindquarter structure, German Shepherds need extra support for their joints (such as loose glucosamine or salmon oil). This can be added over the food. Wet food mixes perfectly with this, allowing the dog to eat medication or supplements effortlessly and tastily.

The BIOFOOD Organic wet food range for the German Shepherd:

• View the complete BF Petfood Wet Food Collection for all organic wet food options.
• BIOFOOD Organic 100% Chicken: Tasteful, pure organic meat from animals with plenty of living space. Excellent to combine with pressed or grain-free kibble to keep the gut flora stable.
• BIOFOOD Organic Beef Menu: Complete meals enriched with organic vegetables and herbs. This ensures very high acceptance among Shepherds that sometimes show varying appetites due to stress or exertion.

Meat food

For the active and athletic German Shepherd, the steamed BF Petfood Meat Food offers a healthy, gluten-free, and extremely easily digestible addition to the daily menu. These high-quality, steamed meals are rich in fresh meat, fresh fish, and natural herbs. They help maintain stable and firm stools, which is a common challenge for this breed.

• Support during transition: German Shepherds switching from a crunchy kibble to a pressed variant (which is less heavy on the stomach) can be extra supported by this meat food for a smooth transition without diarrhea.
• Staying lean and muscular: Thanks to the pure, steamed ingredients, it offers full volume in the stomach without excess fats. This helps to keep the Shepherd in the necessary athletic condition and prevent obesity.
• Practical and shelf-stable: The meals in handy portions, such as the Meat Food Complete Chicken/Lamb, are shelf-stable outside the refrigerator. This makes them very convenient as an energy-rich reward after intensive dog sports training or long patrol walks. Also available as an 800 g sausage.

Guidelines for combining

Combining wet food or meat food with dry food provides variety and a balanced diet. This can be done by mixing it, but it can also be given separately. For example, kibble in the morning and wet food in the evening. If you add wet food, you must reduce the amount of kibble to prevent obesity. A general rule of thumb is: replace 100 grams of kibble with approximately 300 to 400 grams of wet food.

Additional products

The additional products from BF®Petfood are extremely suitable for the German Shepherd, as they have been specifically developed to support dogs in a natural way without burdening their sensitive digestive system with sugars, chemical additives, or excess carbohydrates. This makes the range ideal for this working breed, which is known for its eagerness to learn, great need to chew, and strong predisposition to joint complaints (such as hip and elbow dysplasia).

• Low-carbohydrate meat snacks (Meat Chunks & Meat Bars): These pure reward snacks are completely grain- and gluten-free. They contain only high-quality proteins, making them perfect as a healthy reward during intensive training (such as IGP or agility) without the dog gaining weight. You can find them in the BF Petfood Meat Bars Collection (such as the Meat Bars Venison) and the crunchy BF Petfood Meat Chunks Collection (such as the Meat Chunks Chicken & Salmon or Meat Chunks Lamb).
• Nourishing fats and salmon oil (Sheep fat & Liquid fat): Products from the BF Petfood Liquid Fats Collection — such as the Omega+ Liquid Sheep Fat with Salmon Oil — are rich in essential omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. They nourish the dense stock hair or long stock hair coat from the inside out, support heavily burdened joints, and protect the sensitive stomach and intestinal flora.
• Functional 3-in-1 biscuits: These easily digestible, low-fat biscuits from the BF Petfood 3-in-1 Biscuits Collection offer targeted action for specific problems. Use the Grass & Poop - Natural dog biscuits to make stools firmer and counteract the eating of grass or poop. The Bark & Relax variant helps naturally calm stress-sensitive or watchful Shepherds, and Garlic & Herb makes the Shepherd less attractive to ticks and fleas.
• Rawhide chew bones: Made from top-quality, natural connective tissue from South America. In the BF Petfood Rawhide Chew Bones Collection, you will find strong bones (such as the Roll Extra Large Dental) that force the German Shepherd's powerful jaws into long-term chewing. This stimulates the production of calming hormones (endorphins) and ensures effective cleaning of the teeth.
• Supplements: German Shepherds are powerful dogs that put intensive strain on their musculoskeletal system. You can find targeted support in the BF Petfood Supplements Collection. The Souplesse products (such as the Sheep Fat Souplesse) protect the cartilage and keep the hips and back supple. Specific options such as the Sheep Fat Probiotics Mini or loose probiotics restore the gut flora and ensure stable stools. In addition to effective, natural yeast tablets with garlic that make the dog less attractive to unwanted guests, at BF®Petfood you will also find tablets that contribute to healthy teeth with fresh breath, a shiny coat, good skin, and more peace of mind during stress.
  

More information about mixed feeding can be found here.

For more information, feel free to email: info@bfpetfood.nl or use the contact page.