what is the best food to feed a 20week old german shepard pup?

Answer 1

DEFINATELY NOT science diet. purina, iams and eukanuba.
Alot of people believe to feed what the vet recommends, WELL the vet is a pet doctor NOT a nutitionist. What the vet recommends is because they get a 40 percent profit on the food. THAT IS a fact..........FEED the dog a good quality all natural food like innova canidae, solid gold, wellness. NOT the store bought crap full of fillers like corn and artifical preservatives.

Start with a grade of 100:


For every listing of "by-product" or "digest", subtract 10 points
For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points
If Lamb is the only animal protein source (not including eggs), subtract 5 points.
For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points
If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 5 points
If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients subtract 5 points (i.e. "ground brown rice", "brewer’s rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain)

If the protein sources are not meat meal or there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points
If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points
If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points
If the food contains any animal fat, subtract 2 points However, if the fat is chicken fat subtract only 1 point
If it contains wheat subtract 2 points
If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
If it contains salt or sugar, subtract 1 point each

Extra Credit:


If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
Or if any of the meat sources are certified hormone free add 3 points and/or if any of the meat sources are certified pesticide free add 2 points
If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points
If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points
If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points
If the food contains digestive enzymes, add 2 points
If the food contains fruit, add 3 points
If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points
If the food contains barley, add 2 points
If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points
If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point
For every different specific animal protein source other than the first one add 1 point (count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "turkey" as 2 different sources; do not count eggs)
If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point

101+ = ***** (5 stars)
94-100 = ****
86-93 = ***
78-85 = **
70-77 = *
<70 = no stars

Answer 2

Science plan puppy large, or science plan natures best puppy food large. Recommend by my vet and breeder. Feed him the correct amount for his weight and age from the feeding chart o the bag.


whatever he is eating now if you are going to change do it gradually over a week or so as any sudden change can bring about upset stomach. Also feed him 3/4 times a day at first large bodied dogs are susceptible to 'bloat' which can kill them. He may like soft puppy food mixed in at first or as a treat 1 weetabix with water, not cows milk though!!

Also search the net in your area for local GSD rescue sites they have great free info and contacts for advice!

Have great fun with your pup, they can be magnificent pets!!

Answer 3

He should be on a large breed puppy food. I like Purina ONE and ProPlan, because meat is the #1 ingredient, they are rice based (rice is more digestible than corn) and they don't have by products. Or you can go on line to places like Flint River Ranch for more natural diets. Just be sure you get a large breed puppy food so he doesn't grow too fast, which can contribute to hip dysplasia and developmental bone diseases. And if you do change his food, do it over several days, gradually mixing in the new diet and decreasing the old so his gut has time to adapt and he doesn't get the runs! I also believe in feeding 10-20% fresh foods- cooked chicken, cooked and raw beef, cooked and raw vegetables- because even the best dog foods are processed and stored. Good Luck!

Answer 4

I feed my GSD pups BETA puppy, I have tried a number of different ones over the years but have found this one to be the best, I have got a 7 month old b1tch on it at the moment and she was at the vets the other day to be weighed and she is 30kgs and in perfect health, my vet has given it the green light also he said he thought it was one of the better ones, but just so long as a pup thrives on whatever you give it then that is ok.

Answer 5

Hi James, I would, as others have suggested, keep him on a name brand puppy feed he likes.
At I think it is nine months, start gradually mixing in adult dog food. Depening on his needs (ask vet), you will probably continue mixing more and more adult food in until that's all he gets. I have heard that the transition can be rather abrupt, or can take a bit of time.
But, the main thing is to keep the extra nutrients he needs for the moment.
I do not think that there is a need to keep him on puppy food until he is fully matured physically at 2-3 years, but certainly for the next several months.

Answer 6

Any puppy chow is good but ask your vet. Since German Shepards are large breed dogs you don't want their body mass to grow faster than what their bones can support. Yes, puppies need increased protein, vitamins and minerals but bones mature at a slower rate than the rest of the body and if they cannot keep up with the growing demands then they can malform, fracture or misalign ( hip displasia, rickets, pathological fractures, etc.) Please discuss this with you vet and good luck. GSD puppies can be a handful.

Answer 7

The very best food for large breed puppies you can afford. There are lots of different makes. Purina,Iams and Science Formula being the best. A Shepherd needs the best DOG foods available and plenty of it to reach full size and the strength it should have.
May I also stress that correct handling is even more important with them and other 'Guard' breeds. Find a good training centre (your Vet will be able to help with this).
They are beautiful, intelligent, loving dogs and a joy to own!

Answer 8

I have used both Iams and Science Diet puppy foods. With one puppy who would eventually be a large 200 lb dog (Mastiff) I also supplemented with baby cereal. Iams is a little richer product and some pups don't tolerate it well. That's when I tried Science diet. Another great choice if it's dry food you're looking for is Nutro Max Puppy. It contains the highest amounts of vitamins, minerals and linoleac acid...which is imperative for great coats and skin.

Answer 9

I find that the best food to feed a 20 week old german shepard pup.......is the postman! start as u mean to go on!

Answer 10

The best premium you can afford. Puppy food has to have alot of nutrients for growth etc. Start him out right.