A lot of vets and dog experts have recommended feeding your dog fish due to the nutritional value and health benefits your dog will derive from it. Now you’ve decided to incorporate fish into your German Shepherd’s diet. But you don’t know how to go about it.
You don’t have to panic any longer because, in this article, I will be revealing the best fish to serve your German Shepherd and also how to incorporate fish into your dog’s diet without any adverse effects. Without further waste of time, let’s get down to the main reason for this article.
Is fish good for German Shepherd dogs?
Absolutely yes; including fish in your German Shepherd dog’s diet is a very nice idea. Among all proteins, fish is the best you can ever give your dog to eat. It contains an adequate amount of protein and a lower quantity of saturated fats than normal beef. It is easily digestible, and it is less likely to cause stomach upset in your German Shepherd dog.
Fish is nutritionally dense, and the positive effects of fish on dogs cannot be overemphasized. Fish is one of the most common components of all commercial dog foods. It is found in mostly all dog foods because of its high nutritional content.
If you are still bothered about feeding your German Shepherd Dog fish, I will like to tell you to proceed because you will never regret feeding your GSD fish.
However, is it all fish you can give to your German Shepherd? Keep reading to get the answer to this crucial question.
What kind of fish can German Shepherd dogs eat?
Not all fish are good for dogs. When considering feeding your German Shepherd fish, I will advise you to go for smaller, wild-caught, less bony, and younger fish. These fish are naturally healthy, and they pose less threat to your dog’s wellbeing.
Some of the best fish you can feed your German Shepherd are:
- Whitefish
- Salmon
- Herring
- Cod
- Sardine
- Mussels
These fish listed above are nutritionally dense. They are very rich in protein, minerals, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids.
What are the fish I should not feed my German Shepherd Dog?
There are a lot of things you should never feed your German Shepherd, and some of them include:
Tilapia: Tilapia is a very bony fish that can be very hard to debone. It is a fish that usually breeds in dirty water. It also has low nutrients compared to sardines, salmon, etc.
Shellfish: Another set of aquatic creatures you should avoid for your German Shepherd Dogs are shellfish. They include shrimp, lobsters, crayfish, crabs, etc. Although most of these fish are nutritionally dense, they have an exoskeleton, which makes them harmful to dogs. You can only feed your GSD shellfish when you break off their shell and cook their edible parts.
Smoked or raw salmon: Salmon is a highly nutritious fish, but you should always cook it properly before giving it to your dog. An improperly cooked salmon harbors a toxic parasite (Neorickettsia helminthoeca), which can easily harm your dog.
Farm-Raised Fish: Farm-raised fish are usually reared in awful conditions with little or no industry regulation governing how they should be reared and fed. They are usually kept in unhealthy ponds with foul smells where the fish can easily be attacked by bacteria. Farm-raised fish are usually toxic for dogs due to the way they were bred.
Apart from all the fish listed above, larger and older fish such as the ones listed below should also be avoided because they are usually likely to have high levels of mercury that have accumulated in their tissues and bodies. These fish are:
- Sharks
- King Mackerels
- Tilefish
- Swordfish
What is the best fish food for German Shepherd dogs?
There is a lot of already processed commercial fish food in stores for those that won’t have the chance to cook the fish themselves.
Some of the best fish foods you can buy for your German Shepherds are:
Orijen Dog Six Fish Recipe
This is a dog food made by Orijen. It is in the form of a pellet, and it is suitable for dogs of all sizes. This feed is nutritionally dense and enriched with varieties of nutrients from six different fish, which are Atlantic mackerel, herring, monkfish, Acadian redfish, flounder, and silver hake.
This dog food has 85% quality animal ingredients and 0% grains. This feed will have no adverse effects on your dog, and it is also easily digestible.
You can buy the dog, the Orijen Dog Six Fish Recipe, at a discounted price by clicking here.
Wellness: Whitefish and Sweet Potato
The Wellness Whitefish & Sweet Potato is a dog food made solely from whitefish and sweet potatoes. It is a dry food that is suitable for most adult dogs. This feed is 100% natural and free from additives or preservatives.
This feed has a reasonable amount of calcium that makes your dog’s bones stronger, therefore preventing him from developing arthritis.
This feed also helps to improve your dog’s immune system and make it 100% efficient against pathogens. There is also the presence of Omega 3 fatty acids that help your German Shepherd dog maintain his lustrous coat.
You can buy the dog, the Wellness Whitefish & Sweet Potato, at a discounted price by clicking here.
Purina Grain-Free Alaskan Cod, Salmon, and Sweet Potato Recipe
Purina is known for producing the best-quality dog foods. This particular recipe was made by a qualified pet owner who saw the need to make a highly protein-rich wet food for dogs.
This feed is a wet feed that incorporates highly nutritious Alaskan cod and salmon, as well as sweet potatoes that contain prebiotic fibers. There is also an addition of important minerals and vitamins to make this feed a balanced diet for your dog. The fish used in this recipe was said to be gotten from fisheries that earn the MSC certificate.
This German Shepherd feed is also grain-free, so your dog won’t be exposed to stomach upset after eating it.
You can buy this dog food at a discounted price by clicking here.
Purina ONE Smartblend Natural Sensitive Stomach Dry Food (Salmon)
This is another masterpiece made by Purina. The main ingredient in this feed is salmon, which contains nutrients that help your dog build strong bones and muscles.
Oatmeal, rice, and other nutritious ingredients are included in this dry meal. This meal is suitable for dogs of all sizes. There is also an addition of useful minerals such as omega-6 fatty acids and vitamins E and B-complex to help your dog maintain a healthy coat.
There is also the presence of natural glucosamine, which helps your dog’s joints and makes your dog less susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia. You can buy the German Shepherd feed here.
All these four fish foods listed above are very good for your German Shepherd, and their sole aim is to help your dog live a healthy life.
You may also like to check out the Best dog food for German Shepherds with skin allergies
What are the health benefits of feeding German Shepherds fish?
There are a lot of health benefits attached to feeding your German Shepherd fish. A GSD in the growing stage requires at least 22% of protein, and an adult GSD needs 18% and 5% fat. All these proteins and fats can be derived in the right quantity from fish.
Some of the health benefits of feeding your German Shepherd fish include:
Provision of Vitamin A
Fish such as herring and cod are very rich in vitamin A. This vitamin helps to improve your dog’s eyes and make them healthier. It helps to prevent eye disease, gives your dog clearer vision at night, and also helps to reduce the risk of being blind in the future.
Provision of iron and zinc
Iron and zinc help dogs in so many ways. They help the dog to repair worn-out tissues and also help to prevent damage to certain cells. They also boost the immune system of dogs, therefore making them less susceptible to diseases.
Provision of Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a very useful compound obtained from the shells of shellfish and the bones of fish. It helps dogs prevent osteoarthritis and any other issues that may affect their bones.
Provision of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids
This fat is present in fish, and it helps dogs to maintain lustrous and shiny coats by facilitating the rate at which their skin produces oil.
Final Thought
German Shepherds are highly energetic, and they need the best nutrition to live a healthy life. Incorporating fish in your German Shepherd’s food is a very good idea because it will help your dog in so many aspects.
I believe this article has been able to answer your question, “Can German Shepherds eat fish?”
If you enjoyed the article, kindly share it on your social media platforms and with friends who you feel needed this. Doing this will help to create more awareness and give GSD owners an idea of how fish can help their pooch live a healthy life.
Before you go, you can also read: