Do german shepherd puppies need special dog food?
While german shepherd puppies don't necessarily need special dog food, a nutritionally tailored large-breed or german shepherd puppy food formula will usually offer the best nutrition. Large-breed puppy food formulas can help keep your puppy from growing too quickly, which can cause orthopedic disease, a common problem for german shepherd puppies. Talk to your vet about the best foods for your german shepherd puppy, as well as expert advice on how much and how often to feed.
Should german shepherd puppies have wet or dry food?
Most german shepherd puppies can have either wet or dry food, so it may come down to your dog's tastes and health status and your individual preferences. Wet food offers healthy hydration and high palatability, and it is also a must for very young puppies who cannot yet digest dry food. However, for older puppies, dry food can be left out for longer, and it can be healthy for your puppy's teeth, too. Talk to your vet for expert advice on the best foods to feed your german shepherd puppy. She may recommend wet puppy food, dry puppy food, or a combination of both!
When should german shepherds stop eating puppy food?
German shepherds should stop eating puppy food as soon as they have reached maturity and stopped growing. Large-breed dogs continue growing for longer, so they usually need to eat puppy food for longer than smaller breeds. Although expert opinions vary, most recommend that german shepherds transition to adult food around age 12-18 months. However, your vet can give you the best guidance on when to transition based on your dog's growth and unique health needs.