What We Feed Our German Shepherds — Real Diet Tips from a Dog Mom

I will be honest — feeding two German Shepherds has been a journey. Júpiter and Pluto are picky eaters and if their food does not have something delicious in it, they simply walk away. I created that problem myself by spoiling them early on, but at this point I have no regrets — they eat well and they are healthy.

Here is everything we give them every day and why it works for us.

Their main food — grain free large breed kibble

We feed Júpiter and Pluto WholeHearted Grain Free Large Breed dry dog food — available at Petco. We alternate between the beef and pea recipe and the chicken and pea recipe depending on what is available. It is a grain free formula specifically designed for large breeds which means it has the right balance of protein, fat and joint support that a German Shepherd needs.

We chose this food because:

• Real beef or chicken is the first ingredient
• Grain free — important for Júpiter who has skin allergies
• Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
• Has probiotics for digestive health
• Omega-3 fatty acids for a healthy coat

They eat twice a day

Júpiter and Pluto eat twice a day — morning and evening. We follow the portion guidelines on the bag based on their weight and activity level. Consistent meal times help with digestion and keep them on a routine which is important for large breeds.

The secret — we always add something delicious

Here is the thing about Júpiter and Pluto — if their bowl has only dry kibble, they look at it, look at us, and walk away. I made them picky by adding extras from the beginning. But I would do it again because they genuinely enjoy their food now and eat with excitement.

Cooked chicken and vegetables

We cook chicken and mix it into their food with vegetables. This softens the kibble a little and makes it much more appealing to them. They go from barely interested to eating the whole bowl in minutes. The chicken adds extra protein and the vegetables add vitamins and fiber.

Vegetables they love

We give them carrots, sweet potatoes and other vegetables mixed into their food. Vegetables are great for German Shepherds — they provide vitamins, fiber and natural antioxidants. We have also noticed their coat looks shinier since we started adding vegetables regularly to their diet.

Peanut butter — their favorite treat

Júpiter and Pluto are absolutely obsessed with peanut butter. We give it to them as a treat and they go crazy for it. Make sure you always use peanut butter that does NOT contain xylitol — that ingredient is toxic for dogs. Plain peanut butter with no added sugar or salt is the safest option.

Frozen chicken paw — daily treat

Almost every day we give them a frozen chicken paw. It keeps them busy for a long time, naturally cleans their teeth and they absolutely love it. It is like a natural chew treat that also gives them extra nutrition. This has become such a part of their routine that they wait for it every day.

Bacon as a special treat

Every now and then we give them a small piece of bacon. They love it — the smell alone makes them go crazy. We keep it occasional and in small amounts since it is high in salt and fat, but as a special treat it makes them very happy.

When they have an upset stomach

We have noticed that when Júpiter or Pluto feel sick they go outside and eat green grass on purpose. After that they usually vomit and then stop eating well for a day or two. We let them rest, give them plain food without extras and they always bounce back to normal on their own. It is their natural way of cleaning their system.

They are picky and I created that problem

I will be completely honest about this — Júpiter and Pluto are picky eaters and it is entirely my fault. From the beginning I got them used to having something delicious added to their food every single time. If there is nothing extra in the bowl — no chicken, no broth, no treats — they sniff it, look at me and walk away. They are waiting for the good stuff.

At this point I have accepted this completely. They eat well, they are healthy and they enjoy their food. The pickiness is the price I pay for spoiling them and I would do it again.

My weakness — I share my food with them

I am weak when it comes to saying no to Júpiter and Pluto. When I am eating and they come to sit next to me with those eyes, I share. I know I am not supposed to but they get me every time. They have learned exactly how to look at me to get what they want and it works every single time without fail.

I am careful about what I share — nothing toxic, nothing too salty or fatty in large amounts. But the occasional bite of what I am eating? They win that battle consistently. I try, I really do.

Peanuts — they love the whole seed

Júpiter and Pluto love peanut butter but we also give them plain unsalted peanuts as a treat — the whole seed, completely plain with no salt and nothing added. They go absolutely crazy for them. The crunch, the flavor — they love eating them that way just as much as licking peanut butter off a toy. It is a healthy and safe treat as long as you always make sure there is no salt or added ingredients.

What they do when their stomach is upset

We have noticed that when Júpiter or Pluto are not feeling well they go outside and deliberately eat green grass. After eating it they usually vomit and then stop eating well for a day or two. We let them rest, give them plain food without any extras and they always bounce back to normal on their own. It is their natural way of cleaning their system and we trust it. As long as they come back to normal we do not panic — it is just their body doing what it knows how to do.

Every dog is different and what works for Júpiter and Pluto may not work for every German Shepherd. Always consult your vet if you have questions about your dog's specific nutritional needs.

🐾 Written by Júpiter & Pluto's mom — real experience feeding two German Shepherds. Always consult your vet for specific nutritional advice.