7 Best Dog Food for German Shepherd with Sensitive Stomach
German shepherds can develop sensitive stomachs. Thus, such dogs need a special diet gentle on their stomach without compromising the overall nutritional balance.
With the vast majority of brands in the market, it may be hard for you to choose the best food for a German shepherd with a sensitive stomach. We know you want the right type of food for your GSD. As you know, a slight mistake in the type of dog food for German shepherds you choose can bring disastrous results.
Hence why this article is here to guide you, the reason being, in this section, we have reviewed the top 7 best dog food for German shepherds with sensitive stomachs.
Top 7 Best Dog Food For German Shepherds With Sensitive Stomachs
| First Choice | Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet, Grain Free Natural Adult Dog Food |
| Second Choice | Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin Recipe |
| Best Gluten-Free | Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Sensitive Skin & Stomach with Probiotics, Salmon Dry Dog Food |
| Best canned food | Merrick Chunky And B.B.Q. Grain-Free Canned Wet Dog Food |
| Best for all life stages | Lucy Pet Formulas For Life- Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food |
| Best food for puppies with sensitive stomachs | Nulo Frontrunner Dry Puppy Food |
| The second alternative for puppies | Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Salmon Recipe Dry Dog Food |
Best Shampoos For German Shepherd Puppies
First Choice: Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet, Grain Free Natural Adult Dog Food
This limited ingredient recipe is a product of the blue buffalo family tailored for dogs with sensitive stomachs. As a limited ingredient recipe, this dog food is specifically formulated for dogs who seem to react to each ingredient. This dog food that supports digestion in German shepherds has turkey as its first protein.
Unlike beef or chicken, this turkey is highly digestible and rarely causes allergies.
As a source of protein, this turkey recipe ensures that your dog’s muscles are well built and provide the necessary energy for your German shepherd.
Besides having animal protein, this blue buffalo basics limited ingredient diet has been enriched with potatoes, peas, and pumpkin. This pumpkin is a great source of fiber that helps digestion, ensuring your dog’s poop is well-formed.
As a limited ingredient diet, you will not find any wheat, eggs, corns, or dairy products that can bring up digestive issues on your German shepherd with a sensitive stomach. What you see on the label of this dog food is what you get. There are no low-quality ingredients in this dog recipe, which can make your dog have stomach issues.
Furthermore, this blue buffalo basics limited ingredient diet has a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support your dog’s general well-being.
Your dog will get the right amount of mineral and essential vitamins that will support his immunity, skin, nails, and eyes in every bite.
The included flaxseed and fish oil in this dog recipe provides omega 3 and 6. These fatty acids aid in the cognitive development of your dog. Besides that, these omega fatty acids help nourish your dog with a sensitive skin
Brown rice, and oatmeals which are digestible, provide healthy carbohydrates to your active adult dog.
Most dog parents like how this hypoallergenic food has helped their dogs who had sensitive stomachs. Others like how this dog food has many nutrients even though it’s a limited ingredient diet ( L.I.D).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Natural dog food | There have been complaints that this dog food has lead traces. |
| No grains, artificial flavors, beef or chicken | |
| Enriched with omega 3 and omega 6 |
Second Choice: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin Recipe
The hill’s science company boasts itself as a veterinary-approved dog food company that produces high-quality dog food.
And one of the best dog food in the line of adult formulas for German shepherds with a sensitive stomach is this hill science diet dry dog food, which promotes your dog’s digestive and general health.
First, this highly digestible recipe has great prebiotic fiber sources that support a healthy gut in your dog. This prebiotic ensure the normal flora in your dog’s gut is balanced; as you know, any disturbance can result in stomach sensitivity in your dog.
Also, this recipe has chicken meal as its first ingredient to provide your dog with the right protein. These proteins ensure your dog’s muscles are well built.
Consequently, this formula has been boasted with a host of macro and micronutrients that nourish German shepherds with sensitive stomachs. These macro and micronutrients help strengthen the gut lining of your stomach. Additionally, they help remove any inflammation on your dog’s guts.
This recipe formulated with a decade of cutting-edge research has a great taste, with no artificial ingredients. All this dog food has is natural ingredients tailored to meet your dog’s needs.
Also, if you want your German shepherd dog to have a lustrous coat, then choose this dog food. The reason being, it has been packed with vitamin e and omega 6 fatty acids, which leave your dog with shiny and healthy skin.
Altogether, this recipe is made in the U.S.A. with no artificial flavors, by-products, or low-quality ingredients that can bring more digestive issues to your German shepherd.
Most dog parents like how this recipe has made their dogs look better than before. Some love how their dogs have ceased having an itchy skin. At the same time, other like how their dogs have started developing well-formed poop.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Made of natural ingredients | Pricy |
| Highly digestible | |
| No chicken by-products |
Best Gluten-Free: Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Sensitive Skin & Stomach with Probiotics, Salmon Dry Dog Food
Large dog breeds like the German shepherd with sensitive stomachs will need a specially formulated diet, providing nutrients for proper growth.
And one of the top dog recipes for German shepherds that fit such a bill is this dry dog food from Purina Pro plan. This dog food has salmon as its first ingredient. This salmon has high protein content that maintains lean muscle mass on your German shepherd.
Next, this recipe has oatmeal which is gentle on your dog’s gut and easily digestible. Consequently, this dog food for German shepherds with sensitive stomachs has been fortified with natural prebiotic fiber that nourishes specific intestinal bacteria.
Also, in this recipe, you will find probiotics that support your dog’s gut and overall immune health.
This dry kibble for adult German shepherds has Glucosamine and omega 3 fatty acids that support your dog with plenty of joint issues
Another thing, this dog food is an excellent source of omega 6 fatty acids sourced from sunflower oil. This omega 6 ensures your dog’s skin is healthy. After putting your dog on this diet, he will have a healthy skin and coat
There are no grains like corn, wheat, soy, low-quality ingredients, or egg products in this dog food, which can worsen food allergies in dogs. Additionally, there are no artificial ingredients that most dog food brands include to add bulk–rather, you will find a completely balanced diet full of natural ingredients that will leave your dog licking its paws and mouth after every meal.
General dog parents like how this dog food has lots of nutrients. Some are also happy that this dog food has no corn, wheat, or any other grains.
However, some dog owners dislike the smell of this dog food.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High protein formula | High moisture content |
| Fortified with pre and probiotics | |
| Rich in omega-3 fatty acids |
Best Canned Food: Merrick Chunky And B.B.Q. Grain-Free Canned Wet Dog Food
If dry food is not your dog’s taste, then you can start your dog on wet food like this Merrick Chunky and B.B.Q Grain Free Canned Wet Dog food. This delectable recipe will leave your dog licking his paws after every meal.
In this recipe, you will find real, wholesome USDA inspected deboned beef as its first ingredient. This deboned beef provides the right amount of protein to build your dog’s muscles.
Besides that, this wet food for German shepherds with sensitive stomachs has whole foods like carrots, apples, and pea, which are easy to digest
All ingredients have been sourced in the U.S.A., ensuring your dog always gets the best nutrients in the body.
Next, this wet food for German shepherds with sensitive stomachs comes with a natural beef flavor that even your picky fur friend will find hard to resist.
The flaxseed oil in this recipe is a good source of linoleic acid and omega fatty acids, which will help nourish the coat of your German shepherd throughout.
Other essential minerals in this grain-free formula include copper, zinc, and manganese, which nourish your German shepherds with gastrointestinal issues.
Just open this tin, pour it in the bowl and let your dog enjoy this irresistible gravy. If you don’t like it that way, you can use this canned food for German shepherds with sensitive stomachs as a food topper in your dog’s dry kibble.
Most dog parents like the consistency in this wet dog food. At the same time, other dog owners like how this recipe has no artificial ingredients that are harsh on dog’s tummies.
However, other dog owners don’t like how they received their packages damaged. It’s an error that probably happened during shipping.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No artificial colors or preservatives | Packaging of this canned food is not that great |
| Big chunks of beef for added flavor | |
| Many macro and micronutrients | |
| Plenty high-quality ingredients |
Best For All Life Stages: Lucy Pet Formulas For Life- Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food
The Lucy Pet Formulas for life-sensitive stomach & skin dry dog food is a veterinary-approved recipe set for all life stages. Whether it’s your feisty puppy, active adult, or senior shepherds consuming it, this recipe with balanced nutrients will leave your German shepherd dog with a sensitive stomach feeling better.
This dog recipe has prebiotic fiber that helps achieve an optimal balance of the dog’s gut normal flora. With such prebiotics, your dog with a sensitive stomach will have a well-formed stool that is not stinky.
Next, this high-quality dog recipe has world caught deboned Alaskan salmon, which has high levels of protein. This digestible protein helps in tissue repair as well as builds your dog muscles.
This Alaskan salmon is also rich in omega fatty acids. These fatty acids nourish your dog’s skin, brain, and eyes.
With a calorie content of 3575 Kcal/kg, this dog food is an excellent choice for dogs like the German shepherd
Other than that, this delicious recipe has pumpkin included. This pumpkin is a great source of fiber that aids in digestion. Other than that, this pumpkin has multivitamins that nourish your dogs with digestive issues throughout.
Furthermore, the Lucy pet formula for life has taurine that keeps your dog’s eyes and hearts healthier.
Do grains in your German shepherd dog food make your dog have bloat and diarrhea? Then here is a good alternative grain-free recipe that you should consider—this dog food has no grains that most dog food brands incorporate as sources of carbohydrates.
Lastly, this dog food has well-sized and perfectly shaped kibbles for easy chewing by your small or big GSD.
Overall, most dog owners like how their dogs responded well when on this dog food.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No artificial flavor or ingredients | Not perfect for dogs with chicken intolerance |
| Perfect for all life stages | |
| Has taurine for your dog’s eyes, and heart | |
| Veterinary approved dog food |
Best Food For Puppies With Sensitive Stomachs: Nulo Frontrunner Dry Puppy Food
The unfortunate thing is that German shepherd puppies can also develop sensitive stomachs. Thus such puppies will need puppy food structured for German shepherd puppies with a sensitive stomach.
And one of the excellent choices for Germans shepherds with a sensitive stomach is this Nulo Frontrunner Dry Puppy Food. This puppy food is enriched with antioxidants and probiotics that strengthen and nourish your pup’s gut health.
Additionally, this dog food has been structured for puppies as 77% of this recipe is animal protein.
We know this is a good quotient as puppies need a high percentage of proteins to help build their muscles as they translate to adulthood.
Although most dog food brands boost the protein levels in their dog foods with plant-based proteins, this Nulo frontrunner dry puppy food steers clear away from that, as it believes animal protein is always superior to plant-based proteins.
Also, this dog recipe has included ancient grains like brown rice and oat, which the dog’s ancestors ate in the wild.
These grains ensure your German shepherd dog is always full in between meals and provide the needful nutrients.
We know most dog parents don’t prefer grain-free dog food as it has been previously associated with canine dilated cardiomyopathy (D.C.M.) in many dogs.
Other essential ingredients of this dog food include deboned chicken, deboned turkey, chicken meal, and oatmeal which generally nourish your German shepherd with a sensitive stomach.
This dog food for German shepherds has been fortified with D.H.A., which helps develop the general cognitive function of your puppy.
You will also not find corn, tapioca, and soy that most German shepherds with sensitive stomachs react to.
Another thing, all the ingredients in this dog food meet the requirements of the USDA & F.D.A.
Most reviewers like how this dog food has made their dogs happy and healthy. However, others don’t like how their dogs develop loose stool after consuming this grain-inclusive recipe.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rich in protein dog recipe | Most dogs develop loose stool |
| Fortified with prebiotics to support digestion | |
| Enriched with antioxidants for immunity | |
| With miscanthus grass that promotes the feeling of fullness | |
| No artificial ingredients |
The Second Alternative For Puppies: Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Salmon Recipe Dry Dog Food
The whole earth farms take pride as a top dog food brand that uses natural earth-based ingredients to make wholesome and nutritious dog food for German shepherds with a sensitive stomach.
This German shepherd puppy dog food has no artificial ingredients that most German shepherds with a sensitive stomach react to. Also, in this recipe, there is no corn, wheat, or soy.
This complete balanced nutrition has all the key ingredients sourced from the U.S.A.; thus, you are assured of its quality.
With high-quality protein content from chicken and salmon meal, your dog will develop lean muscles.
Furthermore, this high-quality food has a good balance of macro and micronutrients that nourish your dog’s gut every day.
After consuming this dog food for a few days, your dog will develop great shiny skin, and any stomach sensitivity issues will be a thing of the past.
Next, this dog food has flaxseed and sunflower oils that are natural sources of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids strengthen your dog’s skin—and lastly, ensure his general eyesight is great.
So if you want a German shepherd puppy food that will be considerate of your German shepherd’s sensitive stomach, then look no further. This Whole earth farms grain free puppy chicken & salmon recipe dry dog food will leave your German shepherd nourished and feeling good although
Mot dog parents like how this grain-free food has been giving dogs wholesome nutrients. Other dog parents like how their dogs responded positively when they started eating this dog food.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No corns or by-products | Some dogs can develop stinky farts after eating this dog food |
| With natural flavor | |
| High-quality ingredients |
What Is The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds With Sensitive Stomach?
The best dog food for German shepherds with a sensitive stomach should always be free of artificial ingredients that can be harsh on your dog’s sensitive stomach.
Also, this dog food should be tailored for dogs with sensitive stomachs. For example, if your dog has grain allergy, then the best diet for such a dog should be grain-free food. Most importantly, don’t forget to look for food for GSDs that will supply enough calories per day to your dog.
However, when choosing the best dog food for your German shepherd with a sensitive stomach, don’t do the decision alone. Speak to your veterinarian, who will guide you appropriately.
Do German Shepherds Have A Sensitive Stomach?
The German shepherd is ranked as one of the dog breeds with sensitive Stomach issues. Thus such a dog will need extra check and care when looking for the best recipe that will suit him.
And one of the best ways to care for your German shepherd with a sensitive stomach is choosing a high-quality recipe with favorable ingredients to provide your dog with proper nutrition daily.
Do German Shepherds Need Special Food?
Unless your German shepherd has a medical issue, he may not require special dog food.
However, German shepherds suffering from sensitive stomachs or diabetes may need dog food. As always, ensure you choose a recipe that will provide your dog with enough calories per day
What Nutrients Do German Shepherds Puppies Need?
Puppies will need more nutrients than their adult counterparts. This is necessary to help them grow healthy. The key nutrients that shepherd puppies need include protein, fiber, fats, and carbohydrates. Your dog will also need a host of multivitamins like Vitamin A, B COMPLEX, E, and vitamin C. Your dog will also require amino acids like proline, lysine, and arginine
How Do You Switch Your Dog To New Food?
Don’t switch your dog to new food all of sudden. You will need a plan. First, use 80 % of old dog food and 20 new food for 3- 4 days. Then reduce the percentage of old food to 60 percent. Follow this routine for 3-4 days. Go reducing to 20 % old food and 80 % new food.
The whole transition process can take you a couple of days or even weeks. What you will need is patience. And throughout, notify the vet If your dog develops diarrhea or inconsistent bowels.
What Are The Symptoms Of Sensitive Stomach On German Shepherds?
- Gastritis- this condition is characterized by the inflammation of the stomach lining
- Canine parvovirus- this viral disease is transmitted from dogs to dogs – dogs with this parvovirus have stomach upset, high fever, and appear lethargic.
- Colitis- Colitis is the inflammation of the colon, and it can lead to stomach sensitivity to German shepherds
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency- this condition happens when there is insufficient production of the pancreatic enzyme. With this insufficiency, your dog is unable to digest fats, carbohydrates, and proteins
- Inflammatory bowel disease- IBD is a chronic disease that affects your dog’s intestinal tract. Your dog’s gut becomes inflamed, thus making him develop chronic vomiting, chronic diarrhea, and chronic stomach pain
- Bloat – the German shepherd is one of the dog breed susceptible to bloat. Also known as gastric dilation volvulus – the intestines of your dog twist, thus trapping gas. This condition can also make your GSD develop a sensitive stomach.
- Food intolerance – Food intolerance happens when your dog reacts to a certain ingredient in any dog recipe. A good example of food intolerance is lactose and gluten intolerance which causes stomach sensitivity to German shepherds.
- Food allergy – such an allergy happens when your dog’s immunity overreacts to a certain ingredient in your dog’s diet. Mostly such a dog can develop an adverse reaction when it consumes certain protein. For example, I know you have heard some dogs do not eat chicken, beef as they are allergic to them—such is an example of food allergy
Conclusion
German shepherds with sensitive stomachs will need special recipes tailored for them. And with the top 7 dog food for german shepherds with a sensitive stomach we have reviewed, it will be much easier when you go to purchase food for your German shepherd.
