Searching for dog food for German Shepherds with skin allergies?
Perfect! You’re in the right place!
Thanks to their strong, solid, and muscular wolf-like bodies, German shepherds need high-quality nutrition to maintain their energy requirements.
They also need quality protein for muscle strength and development as well as additional fat to supply energy.
Unfortunately, this dog breed is prone to skin allergies and a sensitive stomach.
This implies that the prospect of finding a dog food that best fits their diet can sometimes prove to be an intimidating task.
In this Digdoggy.com guide, you learn:
- The top 5 dog foods for GSDs with skin allergies
- How to pick the best foods
- Bad ingredients to avoid feeding a German Shepherd with skin allergies
And much more!
Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose the best food for GSDs with skin allergies.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Taste Of The Wild Dry Dog Food
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| View on Amazon |
Best dry food  | Best dry food | Wellness Complete Health Grained Dry Dog Food
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| View on Amazon |
Best protein  | Best protein | Victor Hi-Pro Plus Formula
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| View on Amazon |
Best For skin & Coat  | Best For skin & Coat | Eukanuba Breed Specific German Shepherd Dry Dog Food
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| View on Amazon |
best for Joints  | best for Joints | Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
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| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On January 9, 2022
Our top pick is Taste of the Wild Roasted Fowl.
As an alternative to grains, this fantastic formula comprises potent vitamins, minerals, vegetables, and fruits.
Efficiently delivering all the energy your canine friend needs to meet their daily activities.
What’s more, its probiotic blend keeps your dog’s digestive system healthy, whereas doses of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids offer coat, skin, and body nutrition.
To guarantee the safety and health of your pup, it doesn’t feature any grain, corn, filler, wheat, artificial flavors, or harmful preservatives.
However, be sure to test this food first as many reviewers experienced their dogs being gassy after feeding.
Our Top 5 Best Dog Dog foods For German Shepherds with Skin allergies
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 foods for GSD allergies! Keep reading to discover more about our top picks.
Read Also: >> What are the best treats for German Shepherds?
What Are The Different Types Of Dog Foods For German Shepherds With Skin Allergies?
- Dry kibble
- Wet canned food
- Freeze-dried
- Frozen-then-thawed
- Dehydrated
Dry kibble
This is one of the most popular types of dog food for German shepherds. It usually comes in a large bag, and is very easy to store, and doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
It features all the essential nutrients your dog needs and is also palatable, implying that your dog will always feel eager to eat her meal.
Wet canned
Wet canned dog food is easier to chew, swallow, and digest hence perfect for a German shepherd puppy who has just weaned from her mother.
Wet canned foods contain up to 80% moisture and support prompt digestion of nutrients, which is important in young pups.
Semi-moist
This type of dog food is strikingly similar to wet canned but has a water content of between 60 and 65%.
Freeze-dried
This is a relatively newer concept on the market.
This type of food is made from real cooked food that is put through a special process to help eliminate nearly all the moisture content.
This results in a light and airy food packed in an air-tight container for future applications. They can last for years if the package remains undamaged.
Frozen-then-thawed
This is another option that could potentially boost or strengthen the health of your pooch.
However, it is important to note that frozen dog foods should stay completely frozen even during the shipping period.
Each day, you will have to thaw a portion of the food for the next set of meals.
Frozen dog foods are available in two forms, including medallions and patties. Medallions look like meatballs whereas patties resemble large burger patty. Both thaw at the same rate.
Dehydrated dog food
Dehydrated dog food is made from raw, natural ingredients that are slightly processed before being slowly dehydrated to remove all the water content.
They don’t feature any preservatives and provide your dog with all the necessary nutrients she needs to grow and thrive.
Like their freeze-fried counterparts, dehydrated dog food only needs an amount of water to re-establish and is ready for consumption.
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What should you look for in high-quality dog food for german shepherds with skin allergies?
To be healthy, fit, and happy, your German shepherd needs a complete and well-balanced diet.
Below are what to look for in healthy dog foods for German Shepherds with skin allergies.
High protein
You already know that German shepherds are very athletic, muscular, and active dogs.
So, to support your pet’s energy levels as well as her athletic build, you need to feed her a diet that is rich in animal proteins.
Plant-based proteins are also welcome in well-balanced meals, but because they don’t feature some essential amino acids, they should be provided as backup sources of proteins.
Proteins from animal sources such as poultry, meat, and fish guarantee the most complete essential amino acids which are essential building blocks of your pup’s body.
Fats
Good food for German shepherds should feature low to moderate fats.
Fats are crucial for maintaining the integrity of your pooch’s cells and tissues, as well as the promotion of optimum coat and skin health.
Of great importance are the omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA. Omega-6 fatty acids are equally very important.
Carbs
Bearing in mind that German shepherds are agile and active dogs by nature, they require lots of energy, particularly those that exercise a lot every day.
Carbs are the primary source of readily available energy in meals and are equally a great source of fiber which helps indigestion.
In this case, you should go for a dog food that features antioxidant and fiber-rich fruits, legumes, vegetables, and perhaps whole grains if your pup doesn’t suffer from food allergies.
Vitamins
Vitamins are also essential for your dog’s overall health.
As a rule of thumb, look for a brand that is supplemented with all essential micronutrients.
Apart from standard minerals and vitamins, it is also important for your dog’s food to include chondroitin, glucosamine, and probiotic organisms.
What should you Avoid in dog foods for German Shepherds with skin allergies?
Obviously, there are a few things you would want to avoid when looking for the best dog foods.
Some of these things include:
Garlic, chives, and onions
These are known to cause gastrointestinal irritation in dogs and can potentially lead to red blood cell damage.
Chocolate, caffeine, and coffee
These food products contain substances known as methylxanthines, which are extremely dangerous to your dog’s health.
Preservatives, fillers, and colorings
Preservatives and fillers can lead to problems with your dog’s digestive tract.
Rendered fat
It offers flavor enhancement for kibble and is a great source of microorganisms and toxins.
Corn and wheat gluten
In dogs, gluten sensitivity is quite rare but still, you don’t want to put your pup’s health at risk.
Meat, grain meals, and by-products
It is important to note that meat meals such as bone and meat meal as well as by-products come from the rendering process.
And can contain dead animals from marketing barns, animal shelters, and other low-quality facilities.
Our Reviews Of The Top Dog foods For German Shepherds With Skin allergies
Pick #1: Taste Of The Wild Dry Dog Food
Synonymous with its use of very unusual animal proteins such as wild boar, pacific salmon, bison, roasted duck among others.
Taste of the Wild dog foods offer pet owners not only viable alternatives to mainstream brands.
But it arguably could be the only source of well-balanced nutrition for your pooch.
This grain-free high protein dry dog food is its typical product, boasting high-quality ingredients that will surely transform your hound’s overall health.
Taste of the Wild Wetlands dry dog food will provide your pup with a mouth-watering taste she will never forget!
Pros
- Highly digestible
- Fatty acid blend enhances both skin and coat health
- Doesn't feature any potentially harmful ingredients
Cons
- Relatively high price
Pick #2: Wellness Complete Health Grained Dry Dog Food
Made in the USA using only the finest globally-sourced ingredients.
The formula features high-quality proteins and wholesome grains that are expertly balanced to provide a complete diet packed with incredible nutrients your pup needs to thrive.
The antioxidant-rich ingredients at its disposal will ultimately boost your canine friend’s immune system, whereas balanced nutrients provide optimal energy.
Whitefish is an excellent source of high-grade protein, and this means your dog acquires the right protein content she needs to thrive and develop.
The omega-3 fatty acids at its disposal support healthy skin, coat, and overall body function.
It also features flaxseed in its nutrient-dense formula, which is not only rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber but also helps with digestion and a healthy coat.
Equally rich in antioxidants, probiotics, glucosamine as well as taurine that supports heart health.
Pros
- Improves digestive health
- Super addivctive to dogs
- High in antioxidants that help fend off disease-causing diseases
Cons
- Although it claims to be fortified with probiotics, none appear on its ingredient list
Pick #3: Victor Hi-Pro Plus Formula
If you are looking a dry dog food with top-notch meat meals, look no further than the VICTOR Hi-pro plus formula.
It boasts nearly 88% protein content, featuring beef, chicken, pork, fish, and gluten-free grains for an optimally balanced dog diet.
It is an extremely versatile recipe that is ideal for all life stages, including growing puppies as well as pregnant and lactating females.
What’s more, it provides sustained energy for high-performance dogs. Made from gluten-free grains, this amazing dog food by VICTOR is a complete and balanced diet your pup requires to stay healthy.
It is expertly formulated with scientifically advanced, proven VICTOR Core ingredients to boost healthy immune as well as digestive systems.
Superior digestibility ensures less food intake for improved pound-for-pound value.
Pros
- Formulated with ingredients to promote healthy digestive and immune systems
- Ideal for younger pups and those with high physical requirements
- Includes premium quality beef, pork, and chicken meals
Cons
- It has a relatively higher price tag
Pick #4: Eukanuba Breed Specific German Shepherd Dry Dog Food
A high-quality food can do wonders for your pup’s skin, and this is where the Eukanuba Breed-specific German shepherd proves handy.
Eukanuba features optimal levels of both omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for healthy skin and coat.
It has high-quality animal-based protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
All vital nutrients that your pup needs to build lean muscles and keep her joints agile at all times.
If you have a dog that is struggling to gain weight, then this amazing dog food is what you need to have at your disposal.
It has an optimum protein to fat ratio that wouldn’t allow an active German shepherd to become overweight.
The high-grade protein, fats, as well as carbohydrates in this all-natural dog food.
It also includes a specialized fiber system to boost healthy digestion. It is excellent for pups suffering from sensitive stomach, diarrhea, and gas issues.
Pros
- Breed-specific food
- Based on high-quality animal protein
- Rich in DHA and Vitamin E for healthy brain function
Cons
- It is not versatile since it's breed-specific
Pick #5: Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
Nutro Ultra Senior Dry dog food does a fantastic job of supplying senior dogs with adequate nutrient levels they need to stay healthy and strong.
The recipe’s main ingredients include chicken meal, whole brown rice, lamb meal, salmon meal, rice bran, brewers rice.
This combination is a great source of both healthy fats, protein, minerals, and vitamins that older German shepherds need to thrive.
For enhanced bone and joint health, the Nutro features chondroitin and glucosamine, which are important structural components of joint cartilage.
Because it has chicken as its main source of protein, this dog food also features omega-3 and -6 fatty acids essential for optimal joint and bone growth.
Pros
- Made with high-quality protein sources
- Includes natural sources of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids
- Offers complete and balanced nutrition for senior dogs
Cons
- Limited flavors, styles, and sizes
Nutritional needs of a German shepherd puppy:
It is imperative to note that German Shepherds have very strong and muscular bodies.
So they require high-quality nutrition to maintain their vast energy requirements.
It is not surprising that they require a high-quality protein diet ideal for their increased energy requirements.
In simple terms, they need protein for muscle growth and development as well as additional fat to supply energy.
On average, German shepherds require an average of 1740 and 2100 caloric intake.
Of course, less active and senior pups will need a fairly lesser calorie count.
German shepherd puppies need a minimum of 22% of protein for their growth whereas adult dogs need a maintenance protein of 18%.
Also, puppies need 8% of fats whereas adults need 5% to support their energy requirements.
German shepherds feeding guide: How often?
Puppy
The recommended daily food intake for German shepherd puppies is between 100g and 200g (one-two cups) per day.
Adult dogs
The recommended daily food intake is between 300g and 500g (three-five cups) per day.
Senior dogs
For senior dogs of about six or seven years old and higher, you will need to consult your veterinarian to help you to establish a viable feeding guide.
Regardless, you can feed your senior dog one or two times a day, depending on her nutrition needs as established by a qualified vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I give my German shepherd for itchy skin?
As earlier mentioned, German shepherds are a breed that is prone to skin allergies.
These allergens can come from either the food that you give your pup or from the environment.
If your pup’s skin allergy issues are triggered by food, you’ll need to consider a change in her diet.
It is important to note that itching due to a food allergy is mostly due to a particular food your dog will have been eating for a while and not just on one occasion.
If your dog suffers from allergies, it is highly recommended that you should select a limited-ingredient diet that is equally gluten-free.
Read Also: >> Should you buy a dog house for a GSD?
Our Top Pick: Taste Of The Wild Dry Dog Food
Our top pick is the Taste Of The Wild Dry Dog Food.
There is duck, smoked turkey as well as roasted quail; all highly interesting natural flavors that aren’t in your natural pet food.
It has a unique nutrition formula that brings your pup a nice selection of choice fowls in a single healthy package.
A yummy combination that brings its crude protein content to a steady 32%, perfect for German shepherds.
Final Thoughts on dog foods for German shepherds with skin allergies
There are potentially endless options when it comes to choosing the best dog food for german shepherds with skin allergies.
Unfortunately, not all of them are suited for your pup’s needs, implying that you need to do some research to ensure you get the right product.
All the products we have reviewed in this post are great for German shepherds.
They feature high-quality nutrients that will certainly boost your dog’s health and overall wellbeing.
