The best canned dog food for German Shepherd puppies are food formulations are made specifically for large breed puppies to provide the needed nutrition as well as cater to specific requirements of individual German Shepherd puppies by being grain-free or limited ingredient diet to cater to food sensitive puppies.
Not all puppy foods are alike and feeding the correct diet to a large breed puppy such as a German Shepherd is important for proper growth. Compared to smaller breeds large breeds grow at a different rate than smaller breeds therefore need different nutritional requirements to cater to their specific requirements.
German Shepherd puppies can grow too fast and big therefore they require a good blend of food that will provide them with the right quantity of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Growing puppies require more protein than adult dogs to support healthy muscle development.
Puppies also need high energy because they use up a lot of it and therefore the food has to have the required calories to sustain them while fiber, vitamins, and minerals contribute to their overall health and well-being.
Puppy food is formulated to be both wet or dry. An alternative to dry dog food is wet dog food.
The benefits of canned dog food compared to dry food include:
- Contains few preservatives and carbohydrates
- Protein content is higher
- It is easier to chew and suitable for puppies, adults as well as senior dogs
- Contains a high content of moisture that supports hydration and healthy digestion.
In this article, we review in depth the best canned dog food for German Shepherd puppies.
- Best Overall - Wellness Complete Health Natural Canned Dog Food Just for Puppy
- Best Runner Up - Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Puppy Wet Dog Food
Overview Of The Best Canned Dog Food for German Shepherd Puppies
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The Top Picks
Below is the detailed review of the top picks of the best canned dog food for German Shepherd puppies.
Wellness Complete Health Natural Wet Canned Dog Food Just for Puppy - Best Overall
The Wellness Complete Health Natural Just for Puppy is a nutritious all-natural ingredient puppy food. It is a grain inclusive formulation with protein, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and packed with nutrients for the overall healthy growth and well-being of a puppy.
A German Shepherd puppy requires a good protein-rich diet for muscle development, essential fatty acids for brain and eye development, and nutrients for support of its immune system. This is all provided by the Wellness Complete Health Natural puppy food. This is a good selection as a puppy food for proper development and growth.
Top ingredients: Chicken broth, Chicken, Chicken liver, Salmon, Ground Barley
Key features:
- Contains DHA for healthy brain development
- Has Omega-6 fatty acids and flax seeds for healthy skin and coat
- Contains fruits and vegetables that provide antioxidants for boosting the immune system
- Inclusive of calcium and phosphorus for the development of strong bones and teeth
- Contains a high-quality protein for strong healthy muscles
- Grain inclusive (Barley)
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High-Protein Grain-Free Puppy Wet Dog Food - Best Runner up
A holistic nutrition puppy canned dog food is essential for healthy development and growth. This is exactly what Blue Wilderness High-Protein Grain-free puppy wet food offers by having quality protein for the development of strong healthy muscles, essential fatty acids for brain, skin, and heart health, and nutrients for support of the immune system and overall well-being of a puppy.
This puppy formula is also grain-free and gluten-free catering to puppies that have food sensitivities and allergies. It is an all-around nutritious and tasty food suitable for German Shepherd puppies.
Top ingredients: Turkey, Chicken broth, Chicken, Chicken liver, Potatoes, Fish oil, Pea protein
Key features:
- A high protein diet consisting of quality proteins
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- Does not contain wheat, soy, corn, or by-product meals
- Contains DHA for brain and cognitive development
- No preservatives and artificial flavors
- Contains omega-6 fatty acids which support healthy skin and shiny coat
Solid Gold Love at First Bark Grain-free Wet Puppy Food - Best Budget Pick
If you’re looking for an affordable canned puppy dog food with high proteins and superfoods with minerals and vitamins for your German Shepherd puppy, Solid Gold meets this specification.
The food contains beef and beef liver as the main protein sources for healthy and strong muscle development as well as vegetables such as spinach and pumpkin sweet potatoes which are superfoods containing vital vitamins and nutrients that support a puppy’s immune system.
Most importantly the puppy food is grain-free and gluten-free which minimizes allergic flare-ups by food-sensitive puppies. This puppy food provides overall nutritious food for healthy growth.
Top ingredients: Beef, Potatoes, Water sufficient processing, Beef liver, Dried egg whites
Key features:
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- Contains no wheat, corn, or soy
- Contains high-quality beef and beef liver
- Packed with vitamins and minerals for support of the immune system
- Easily digestible for puppies as well as during the weaning life stage
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food -Best Limited Ingredient Canned Dog Food
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food is another great option of a limited ingredient dog food. This limited ingredient dog food formula does not contain the common ingredients that cause allergic flare-ups in dogs therefore it is perfect for puppies with allergies and food sensitivities.
The food is packed with essential vitamins, that is, vitamin A and B12 which help support the German shepherds’ immune system. Also, this easily digestible formula has Omega-3 which is good for the cognitive development as well as Omega-6 which helps maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin.
Natural Balance also contains premium quality animal protein which helps to build muscle tissue and mass in a German shepherd puppy. Different flavors are also available.
Top ingredients: Lamp, Brown rice, Lamp broth, Lamp liver, Lamp meal
Key features:
- Contains premium quality animal protein source
- Has essential vitamins and minerals, vitamin A and B12 to support the immune system
- Contains essential fatty acids, that is, Omega-3 and 6
- Easily digestible
- For a limited ingredient diet for dogs with food sensitivities and allergies
- Best for puppies and adult dogs
Purina Pro Plan Focus High protein Wet Puppy Food - Best Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
The Purina Pro Plan Focus Wet Puppy Food is a grain-free high protein puppy food that is well-formulated for the proper growth and development of a puppy.
A grain-free diet minimizes allergic reactions in puppies prone to food allergies. The puppy food does not contain wheat, soy, corn, or peas. For overall healthy development, the food contains essential fatty acids, proteins, and nutrients. This puppy food effectively caters to a German Shepherd puppy nutrient needs.
Top ingredients: Turkey liver, Meat by-products, Water, Beef, Chicken, Salmon
Key features:
- Grain-free
- Contains omega-3 for brain and vision health and omega-6 for healthy skin and coat
- High protein diet containing quality protein sources
- No artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives
- No wheat. soy, corn, or pea
- Great for puppies with food sensitivities
Nutro Puppy Canned Wet Dog Food
Nutro Puppy Canned Wet Dog Food is a grain-free nutritious food for puppies that contains wholesome ingredients providing essential nutrition to a growing puppy.
The formula is made from non-GMO ingredients and has high-quality proteins and vitamins for healthy growth. Different flavors are also available. With Nutro canned puppy food, you are assured to have quality nutrition that will be beneficial to the overall health and well-being of your German shepherd pup as they grow up.
Top ingredients: Chicken, Pork broth, Chicken broth, Sweet potatoes, Chicken liver
Key features:
- Grain-free
- Made with high-quality protein as the first ingredient
- Contains vitamins and minerals for healthy growth
- Made with non-GMO ingredients
- No artificial preservatives and flavors
- No chicken by-product meal, soy or wheat
Important Features To Consider
When selecting German Shepherd puppy food, the following are the important key considerations of the food to provide the best nutrition for a puppy.
Protein formula
Growing German Shepherd puppies require more protein in their diet due to this life stage where they are rapidly growing.
The canned dog food should contain a rich source of lean protein preferably from animal protein such as meat, fish, or poultry to provide the essential protein for building and sustaining muscle mass.
Avoid canned dog food that does not provide a quality animal protein as the main ingredient.
Limited Ingredient Diet or Allergen-free Food
Food allergies may develop in some German Shepherd puppies and it is important to provide them with food formulated with limited ingredients that do not cause allergic reactions.
Some food formulations exclude common allergens such as grain, corn, soy, chicken, wheat, and beef. Depending on a puppy’s specific needs, select the best canned dog food having in mind this important factor.
With the guidance of your veterinarian, you will be able to know if your puppy requires this food type.
Healthy Fats and Carbohydrates
Fats and carbohydrates are essential for providing calories that are used as energy. German shepherd puppies are very energetic and burn a lot of calories as they play and they require energy sources from food to replenish them.
Excess fats or calories can also cause rapid weight gain which results in excess weight which cannot be supported by the underdeveloped puppy bones. This can lead to bone and joint problems therefore a good balance of the required levels in the food is essential. Puppy dog food is formulated to have this appropriate balance.
Essential fatty acids are also important for healthy growth. These consist of Omega 6 fatty acids that help to maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin as well as Omega 3 which supports brain development and health.
Additional ingredients
There are essential food elements that support the health of a German Shepherd puppy.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are essential elements that promote joint and bone health. They are found in meat and poultry protein sources and support joints and mobility in dogs.
Other essential vitamins and for skeletal development include vitamin D, vitamin a, zinc, copper, and manganese. Lack of these leads to abnormal orthopedic development. Look out for them in the canned dog food.
Controlled levels of phosphorus and calcium are also essential for bone health as well as probiotic inclusive foods which are also beneficial because they promote good digestive health of dogs.
Whole Foods
In order for a German Shepherd to get all the essential nutrients they require for proper growth and health, the dog food has to contain whole food that provides essential nutrients and minerals which help to provide a strong immune system. Look out for this and also ensure no artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers are included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is canned food good for puppies?
Canned dog food is good for puppies. Both dry and canned puppy food provides the required nutrients for the healthy growth of a puppy and should both be incorporated into their diet. However, canned dog food has the advantage of having higher meat protein, higher natural fats, lower carbohydrates, fewer chemical preservatives, more protein choices, and easier to chew which is beneficial for puppies.
Conclusion
German shepherd puppies have different nutritional needs compared to adult dogs as well as smaller breed dogs. They require important nutrients for healthy joints, bone, and brain development.
These puppies also grow fast and their growth rate is dependent on the food they eat and therefore should be fed to grow at an average rate rather than maximum. The dog food has to have the correct balance of the required proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins and minerals essential for proper growth and development.
In comparison to dry dog food, canned dog food has the benefit of having a higher concentration of animal protein ingredients, has fewer preservatives, and much easier to chew and digest for puppies. It is a good food option for your German Shepherd puppy during the weaning stage, growth, and before the transition to adult dog food.
I hope this article helped you to identify and know the best canned dog food for a German Shepherd puppy as well as key features to consider during the process of purchase to get the best product for your puppy.
By having these factors in mind you should be able to select the best suitable food for your puppy’s individual needs. If you liked this article you may also like to know the best canned dog food for adult German Shepherds.
To learn more about German Shepherds, check out the below resources.