Best dog food for German Shepherds for variety and balance

Royal Canin Maxi Adult Dry Dog Food is specially formulated to meet the needs of large breed dogs –such as German Shepherds – ensuring they stay active, strong and healthy. With an adapted kibble size (1cm), it's a dry food that's easy for large dogs to chew and digest. The formula is highly digestible, containing high-quality protein and balanced fibre to support gut health. One happy customer shared: "My boy’s coat is so shiny, and he is very healthy," highlighting the positive impact this food has on digestion and overall wellbeing after suffering from a sensitive stomach.

Large breed dogs carry significant weight, which puts stress on their bones and joints. This formula includes essential nutrients to provide bone and joint support, helping maintain mobility and long-term health. As one dog owner put it: "Both dogs love it, and Royal Canin is always a quality product."

Enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA), this kibble also promotes a healthy coat and skin, preventing dryness and irritation. With 26 per cent protein, it offers a balanced diet, though it has a higher carbohydrate content from maize, wheat and rice. Some pet owners may prefer a higher-protein option, but when fed according to guidelines, this formula provides the right energy balance for active dogs.

In general, large breed dogs thrive on this kibble, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a complete and balanced diet for their German Shepherd.

As large dogs enter their golden years, they need specially formulated nutrition to support ageing gracefully. Hill's Science Plan Mature Adult Large Breed Dog Food with Chicken is designed to maintain energy levels and support vital organ health, ensuring your senior dog stays active and happy. With quality protein, this formula maintains lean muscle mass while being easy to digest. One satisfied customer noted: "[It's] used by pedigree dog breeders – balanced food and easily digested," highlighting its quality amongst professional breeders.

Older dogs require extra care for their heart, kidneys and bladder. This food contains balanced minerals to support these vital organs, helping to maintain long-term health. Additionally, the omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E promote a shiny coat and healthy skin. One pet owner shared: "Noticed a difference in her coat very quickly, so can only imagine it's working on other parts of her as well."

Hill’s Science Plan ensures your large breed dog gets veterinarian-recommended nutrition tailored to their ageing needs. Whether it’s supporting joint health, digestion or a strong immune system, this complete and balanced formula is designed to help your dog enjoy their senior years with vitality.

Be aware that this kibble contains maize and wheat as the main ingredients, which could be a concern for dogs with grain sensitivities or allergies. If your dog has dietary restrictions, you may want to consider alternative options.

Eukanuba German Shepherd Dry Dog Food is specially designed for GSDs over one year old. This balanced recipe was developed with vets and provides high-quality animal protein, essential vitamins and minerals to support a long, healthy life.

With added L-Carnitine, it helps dogs burn fat naturally while maintaining lean muscle. Prebiotics and beet pulp promote healthy digestion and nutrient absorption, ensuring overall wellbeing. Glucosamine and chondroitin support strong joints and active mobility, keeping your dog moving comfortably.

The unique hexagon-shaped kibble, combined with DentaDefense technology, helps maintain clean and healthy teeth. Made with chicken and turkey plus lots more nutrient-dense goodness, this premium dog food provides complete nutrition for your furry companion. Do take a look at the ingredients if your dog has sensitivities, as it does contain maize, rice and wheat.

A customer review exemplifies what a difference switching to this kibble made to their GSD, who was suffering from joint issues for over three years, resulting in frequent visits to the vet. The vet recommended a diet change to support the dog's condition, as surgery was a possibility. Switching to breed-specific Eukanuba, rich in glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate, made a significant difference. Within months, his health improved, eliminating the need for further vet visits. Despite the cost, the owner finds the product invaluable for their dog's health, commenting: "Basically, I couldn't recommend this product more."

Royal Canin Dog Food German Shepherd Puppy / Junior Dry Mix is specially designed for German Shepherd puppies and their developing digestive system. It contains easy-to-digest proteins and balanced energy to prevent stomach discomfort. The formula supports strong bone growth, healthy joints and a shiny coat. It also helps strengthen the puppy's immune system and natural defences. In addition, the kibble is specially shaped to suit a growing German Shepherd puppy's jaw and mouth. If your pup is very young, you can add some water to it to make the kibble softer for your puppy to eat.

Customers praise this puppy food for being high quality, with one GSD owner commenting, "It's great to know she gets all the goodness she requires from this product." There are also several comments about this food smelling better than other dry dog foods; it "actually smells like real food," says one customer.

It is expensive puppy food, but it's certainly a top option for giving a German Shepherd puppy the best start in life.

Starting a raw diet early may help protect German Shepherd puppies from hip and elbow dysplasia. Bella & Duke's article on common German Shepherd health problems cites a 2014 study that suggested raw food and bones could reduce the risk. For dogs with these conditions, raw food provides natural glucosamine, chondroitin and collagen for joint health. Balanced omega-3s help reduce inflammation, while vegetables and berries offer antioxidants to protect cells.

First, you provide details about your pet’s age, weight and health. Then, a tailored meal plan is recommended, with options to exclude ingredients.

Customer reviews highly praise Bella & Duke's raw dog food service and the positive health benefits it's had on their dog. As one customer says: "The quality of food is great—our dog gets lots of comments on his beautiful coat which is thanks to the nutrition-rich food."

The 500g tubs arrive frozen. To defrost, place one in the fridge’s bottom drawer for 24 hours before feeding. You can choose from a range of box sizes (4kg–20kg), and DPD delivers it straight to your door.

Handle raw pet food like human food—clean all surfaces, utensils, and bowls thoroughly after use.

Bella & Duke's raw dog food subscription is flexible, ensuring fresh meals without long storage times.

Lily’s Kitchen is a popular UK dog food brand known for its high-quality, fresh ingredients, which create delicious, nutritious meals. It’s a favourite among both dogs and their owners. As a B-Corp, Lily's Kitchen works with nutritionists to create tasty recipes using healthy, eco-friendly ingredients.

This selection of three tasty, balanced dog food recipes in Lily's Kitchen Classic Multipack offers your dog fresh meat, vegetables and herbs in every meal. Made with wholesome, natural ingredients and no cheap fillers, it’s a nutritious and irresistible choice for your dog.

Lily's Kitchen dog food is good for dogs because it uses fresh, high-quality meat, fish, offal, vegetables, fruits, herbs, and botanicals. Real meat is easier to digest than processed meat, and the high meat content supports muscle and tissue growth, keeping dogs healthy and satisfied.

Our tester, Lola, and her owner, Nicola, were impressed with Lily's Kitchen dog food. Nicola said: "One thing I really love about Lily's Kitchen is the amount of different recipes there are for dogs to try." Lola, now 13 years old, still has lots of energy and a puppy-like spirit, thanks to the Lily's Kitchen food and treats she eats. Her fur is shiny, and her nose is always wet, which her owner attributes to the quality of the food.

Read our full review of Lily's Kitchen dog food.

Forthglade British Classics Variety Pack is a hypoallergenic wet dog food. This British Classics Variety Pack is a great choice for a German Shepherd because it provides high-quality, protein-rich meals that support their muscle condition and energy levels, and it's tasty to eat, too! Each recipe—Chicken Casserole, Lamb Shepherd’s Pie and Beef Family Lunch—contains 75 per cent single-source British protein, which is essential for a strong and active breed like the GSD.

The meals also include fruits and vegetables for a balanced diet, ensuring your dog gets essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Plus, they are grain-free and free from junk or fillers, making them easy to digest and suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies.

Since the food is gently steamed, it retains its natural nutrients and flavour. It can be served as a standalone meal, mixed with kibble, or used as a topper, giving you options based on your dog's likes.

Overwhelmingly, customers highly praise the quality of Forthglade dog food. One customer writes: "I have a German Shepherd who absolutely loves Forthglade dog meat." The review continues: "As it has a good selection and range of flavours, she enjoys every flavour. The only drawback is the cost, at £1.87 a tray. However, those trays are 395g each.

The Burns Large & Giant Breed Original Chicken & Brown Rice diet is an excellent choice for larger dogs who tend to wolf their food. Developed by Veterinary Surgeon John Burns, it offers controlled levels of protein and fat to help maintain an ideal weight and reduce joint stress. This food is designed to keep big dogs in top condition with added joint support ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, salmon oil, and antioxidants.

The kibble size, about 2 x 2cm and triangle-shaped, is perfect for larger mouths, encouraging chewing and supporting dental health. One customer shared: “The large-sized kibble stops her eating too fast. We also add water to slow her down,” highlighting how it helps curb fast eaters.

This natural, complete and hypoallergenic diet is highly digestible and great for sensitive dogs. While it’s on the pricier side, the 12kg bag lasts a long time if you follow the feeding guide and supplement with other foods. Overall, it’s a wholesome premium food that keeps large breed dogs healthy and in great condition.

Barking Heads Big Foot Golden Oldie dog food is specially designed for senior dogs. It contains 50% freshly prepared free-run chicken, healthy grains like rice, and vegetables such as peas and carrots. The recipe includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support, 25 per cent less fat with L-Carnitine for maintaining a healthy weight and slow-release carbs for energy. It’s packed with essential vitamins, minerals and beta-glucans to boost immunity and support organ function. Made with natural ingredients, it’s free from fillers and approved by vets, providing quality nutrition for your ageing dog.

Sarah McNamara, Pet Nutritionist at Barking Heads, says: "Lower calories are needed, therefore, foods with lower fat level but higher protein are recommended to keep them in lean condition and not put excessive weight on ageing joints."

Customer reviews highly praise this kibble for tempting fussy dogs to eat and keeping them in good condition. As one review comments, "Our dog had gone right off his food, so we did some research and started him on the Big Foot Golden Years, and what a change! He eats everything every time."

It is another premium-priced dog food, but it is a nutrient-dense kibble that will give your dog everything it needs within the portion size. A little will go a long way, especially with a senior dog.