German Shepherds are strong, highly active dogs that require a quality high-protein diet to stay fit and healthy throughout their lives. Without a proper diet, it can be tough for these dogs to keep a healthy weight on. If your German Shepherd needs to gain weight, you must figure out what commercial foods are the best to help them do so in a healthy way.
We put together a list of reviews of the best foods that you can offer your German Shepherd for healthy weight gain.
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A Quick Look at Our Favorite Picks in 2024
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Best Overall
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Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Food |
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Best Value
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula |
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Premium Choice
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VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus |
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Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy Food |
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Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic German Dog Food |
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The 6 Best Foods for German Shepherds to Gain Weight
1. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dog Food – Best Overall
| Crude protein: | 32% |
| Crude fat: | 18% |
| Crude Fiber: | 4% |
The best overall food for German Shepherds for weight gain is Taste of the Wild Prairie Grain-Free dog food. This formula has roasted bison and venison as the main sources of protein, which are known to help support optimal bone health and build lean yet powerful muscles. Included are all the vitamins and minerals in the form of real fruits and vegetables that a German Shepherd needs to maintain such a large physique.
Also included are various probiotics that help dogs properly digest their food and therefore, absorb all the nutrition available in the food.
Antioxidants in the form of tomatoes, blueberries, and raspberries are also readily available in each bite, as these help ensure that your pooch will not become ill while trying to put weight on. This formula is made in the United States, so it undergoes all the strict regulations that are necessary to ensure that your dog is getting real food. No fillers such as grains, corn, soy, or artificial ingredients are included.
- Contains no fillers or grains
- Includes powerful antioxidants
- High in protein and fat
- Less budget-friendly than some other options on the market
2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dog Food – Best Value
| Crude protein: | 24% |
| Crude fat: | 14% |
| Crude Fiber: | 5% |
Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula is designed to promote holistic health in large breed dogs like the German Shepherd. It contains real meat, whole grains, and fresh veggies as its base, which are all things that your dog needs to gain weight and fuel an active day.
What is unique about this brand is that it contains LifeSource Bits, which are a blend of antioxidant-rich nutrients made to fill in nutritional gaps.
Glucosamine, which works to optimize joint and bone health, is also included. Chelated minerals are featured in the formula, which gives pups the ability to easily digest and absorb the vital nutrients that they need so the development of deficiencies does not become a risk. You will never find any corn, soy, wheat, or animal by-products on the ingredients list.
Without a doubt, Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula is the best food for German Shepherds to gain weight for the money.
- The first ingredient is real protein
- Includes LifeSource Bits
- Features glucosamine for healthy joints
- Some dogs do not enjoy the flavor as-is
3. VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus Dog Food – Premium Choice
| Crude protein: | 30% |
| Crude fat: | 20% |
| Crude Fiber: | 3.8% |
Made up of real beef, sorghum, chicken fat, and fish meal, this quality food is sure to help any German Shepherd gain pounds and maintain a healthy weight as time goes on. VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus is nutrient-dense and high in fat, which is essential for dogs that need to gain weight. The ingredients in this food are sourced in the United States and include multiple types of animal protein to optimize muscle and weight growth.
VICTOR made this formula with the growing and high-performance dog in mind, so it is sure to fulfill the appetite of your German Shepherd while helping them put on needed weight. This formula is an excellent option for expectant and breastfeeding mothers who have a hard time keeping on enough weight to manage their babies.
- Nutrient-dense and high in fat
- Ideal for underweight and lactating mothers
- Provides sustained energy for a day full of activity
- Includes a nominal amount of healthy carbohydrates
- Includes animal meal, which is not as optimal as real meat
4. Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy Food – Best for Puppies
| Crude protein: | 28% |
| Crude fat: | 14% |
| Crude Fiber: | 3.8% |
Royal Canin German Shepherd food was designed to cater to German Shepherd puppies up to 15 months of age. The formula includes higher calcium and phosphorous levels than adult food to ensure the proper growth of bones and the efficient development of joints as a pup’s body quickly grows. A specially formulated antioxidant complex is included to optimize defenses, while a German Shepherd puppy naturally strengthens their immune system.
One of the best things about this food is that the kibble comes in the form of tiny pellets, which makes chewing and digestion easy for pups with small mouths and growing teeth. The texture is crunchy, but not so hard that little teeth can’t break through each piece of kibble.
- Designed just for German Shepherd puppies
- Formulated to bulk up pups while supporting optimal health
- Kibble sizes are small enough for little teeth to chew
- Contains fillers such as wheat gluten and animal by-products
- See Also: Do German Shepherds Make Good Pets?
5. Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic German Dog Food
| Crude protein: | 25% |
| Crude fat: | 12% |
| Crude Fiber: | 4.5% |
Made with nutritionally dense ingredients, Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic German food is just for large breed dogs like the German Shepherd. Protein is offered in the form of real chicken, fish, and eggs to ensure that your dog has access to all the building blocks necessary for a strong, bulky body.
Also included are New Zealand sea mussels, which are thought to strengthen connective tissue. Every ingredient is easy to digest, which means your pooch will absorb all the available nutrition in each bite.
Both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are focused on in this formula, as the acids help produce a bright, shiny, and healthy coat. Unlike other commercial food on the market, this one does not include fresh fruits and vegetables but instead, relies on yeast and supplements to achieve a complete nutritional profile.
The kibbles are large and crunchy, though, which can be tough for younger German Shepherds to chew.
- Formulated just for large breeds like German Shepherds
- Includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- Does not contain any fruits or veggies and instead utilizes supplements
- Kibble pieces may be too large and crunchy for young puppies
6. Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dog Food
| Crude protein: | 20% |
| Crude fat: | 11.5% |
| Crude Fiber: | 4% |
Made with real chicken, whole grains, and high-nutrient ingredients like beet pulp and flaxseed, Hill’s Science Diet large breed dog food is full of protein and fat, which can help an underweight German Shepherd achieve a healthy weight gradually and safely. This formula was created by veterinarians based on scientific nutritional evidence and is designed for easy digestion.
The formula does not include any artificial colors, ingredients, or preservatives. All aspects of food production take place in facilities in the United States that are owned by the Hill’s Science Diet company, which helps ensure that every morsel meets strict federal guidelines.
However, this formula has less protein and fat than some others, so your German Shepherd may require more of it to meet their daily nutritional needs as they gain weight.
- Made with real chicken and whole grains
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Contains less protein and fat than some other options
- Kibble pieces may be too large for puppies
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Foods for German Shepherds to Gain Weight
Ensuring that your dog maintains a good weight is essential to their overall health and wellbeing. If you feel like your German Shepherd is underweight and want to help them pack on some pounds, choosing the right food can help.
Why Is My German Shepherd Underweight?
Several factors can contribute to your dog’s difficulty in gaining or maintaining a healthy weight, and these include picky eating, ongoing stress, illness, and even age. If you find your dog is being picky, you may want to try and change their food to something more palatable. Stresses such as moving to a new home, new pets, or other changes in the environment can cause them to lack an appetite.
Of course, your pooch could also be sick, but this is typically a short-term situation that is easily remedied when your dog is feeling better.
We recommend getting advice and guidance from a veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns regarding your pet’s diet and weight.
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Tips for Finding Food to Help Your German Shepherd Gain Weight
It’s a good idea to opt for premium-quality foods if you want your dog to gain some extra weight. These foods typically prioritize high-quality, absorbable nutrients, and the food is usually well-balanced and nutrient-dense. Cheaper foods may be easier on your budget, but over the long term, the poor-quality ingredients can cause health issues.
The most vital ingredient is protein. Protein is essential for muscle development and maintenance, so the food you choose should have a quality protein source listed as the first ingredient. This can include beef, chicken, or fish, but these should be at the top or very close to the top of the ingredient list.
Healthy fats are also important, and should also come from a good source such as fish oil or flaxseeds. These healthy fats gain help your dog gain weight fairly quickly.
How We Selected These Foods for German Shepherds to Gain Weight
This buyer’s guide was carefully crafted by our writers and editors in collaboration with our team of in-house veterinarians. The dog foods here are rated on a combination of factors: brand reputation, customer reviews across multiple retail outlets, personal experience, and in some cases, feedback from our own dogs! Together, we choose and review only the best dog foods available, to help you make the most informed decisions that foster the well-being of your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online since 2004, which means we have a lot of experience with dog foods. We are a team of passionate dog owners who care about our pups as much as you do yours. We want the best for every canine on the planet. Dogster’s writers, editors, and veterinarians are deeply invested in the well-being of our pets, and we believe that all pet owners share this dedication to providing only the highest quality products and services for our dogs.
Conclusion
Choosing quality food for your German Shepherd is the most important step that you can take when trying to help your pooch gain weight. The quality of the nutrients is just as important as the calories that are necessary for weight gain. We highly recommend our first pick, Taste of the Wild Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food, because it is full of quality antioxidants and contains no fillers.
Don’t overlook Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula, though, as it has a unique blend of LifeSource Bits for optimal immune function and glucosamine for healthy joints. We also highly suggest VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus because of its high fat content. It is designed to provide sustained energy throughout the day.
Which of the commercial food options on our reviews list interests you the most? Let us know about your favorite picks in our comments section.
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Featured Image Credit: Victoria Antonova, Shutterstock
