What is the Best Diet for Your German Shepherd?
Raw meats and bones are absolutely the best thing you can feed your German Shepherd. Feeding your German Shepherd a proper diet is critical for optimal health. Raw meat and bones are without a doubt the most approiate foods for dogs. Why is a raw diet the best? Raw diets are the most appropriate diets for dogs because that is the way nature intended it. Nature did not create Pedigree dog food. Iams doesn't fall off trees in Vermont. Man made dog foods were created because they are more convenient for dog owners and the business of dog food is profitable. Man made dog foods are inferiour to a raw diet because they mess with the biological nature of the thing. Friends don't let friends dogs eat grains. Grains are not supposed to be eaten by dogs (ever see a dog eating wheat or barley in a field?) because dogs are meat eaters. Their teeth are designed for ripping and tearing, not mashing up corn by-products. Canines are hunters. Predators. They chase and kill animals for meat. If nature intended dogs to eat vegtables or become vegans they would have a jaw and teeth structure similar to cattle. Not similar to other meat eating predators. Nature Developed the Hunter and Hunters Need to Eat What Nature Intended for Them to EatRaw, carnivore appropriate diets deliever high impact nutrition to your German Shepherd that they need to thrive and this is a fact of canine biology. Since dogs were domesticated 10,000 plus years ago man has been feeding them raw diets. The commerical dog food industry is less than eighty years old and you cannot change the entire biological structure of an animal in under 80 years. While dogs have come a long way from their Grey Wolf ancestors as far as behavior and living with us their digestive systems are exactly the same as they were thousands of years ago. As recent as the early 20th century dogs were still eating what nature intended. Raw diets provide high protein and low carbs and this is the formula mother nature intended for canines. Dogs are and will always be 100% pure carnivores. They only eat grains and dog food because we feed it to them. If you were to lay a piece of bread down along side a raw steak do you think the piece of bread would be eaten first? Imagine for a moment someone told you that people should eat twinkies for longer life and better health. Would you believe them? Probably not right. If someone came up to and said you know eating raw vegtables, meat, and fruits helps you live a longer life and helps balance your diet. You would probably believe them. Unless of course you are a vegetarian or vegan. Nature is perfect. We eat what nature provides us. Meat, nuts, grains, all of that is in our diet because it is the way nature intended. Yes, we eat the wrong foods daily because the wrong foods are fast, easy, and come in a bag (sound familiar?). Put Your Own Fears and Misconceptions Aside for a MomentMany dog owners fear that raw food will somehow cause their dogs to "become blood thirsty" or become aggressive. Raw meat only causes your dog to live longer and have a happier life because they are getting the nutrients they need to thrive. It does not lead to blood lust. Do you chase down cattle because you love steak? Some veterinarians argue raw food is dangerous because of bacteria. Well, yes, raw food does have bacteria, but nature gave dogs a serious digestive system to break down stuff that would make a human seriously ill. Dogs are perfectly designed to eat raw meat and bones. (It is worth mentioning that vetinarians receive the bulk of their diet training from commercial dog food company reps. Conflict of interest?) Bacteria and other possible problems associated with feeding a raw diet can be helped by proper storage, handling and feeding practices. Freezing extras, letting them thaw out and feeding at room temperature, picking up unfinished meals after 20-25 minutes and washing food bowls are easy ways to prevent bacteria from bothering your dog. The fact of the matter is dogs were designed to eat and digest raw meat, organs, and bones from prey items and that is the best diet for them. Not Sure if the Raw Diet is Your Cup of Tea but Want Healthier Alternatives?So you're not convinced. You feel like dry dog food is the best option for your dog or you are uncomfortable feeding raw meat, hearts, livers, and bones to your dog. Fortunately there are some options for you. Some dog food companies are starting to get it and they realize that dog owners are no longer falling for the B.S. that other companies are trying to sell them. They removed all the grains from their dog foods and used alternatives that while not completely perfect for your dog are much better than commercial foods that are loaded with grains and meat "by products." Ingredients to look for would include chicken meal, beef meal, lamb meal, venison meal, buffalo meal, and assorted fruits and veggies. If the product label says, "poultry meal" then you should suspect something is up. Why not say, chicken. The actual source of the protien meal should be listed and generic terms should be avoided. Any kind of "by product" on the list should be avoided. By products are all the bits and pieces (and who knows what else) that are not for use with humans. High Quality Grain Free Dog Food Recommendations:
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