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25 Best Foods for a Picky Eater German Shepherd

By: Zyra Capalac
Zyra is a Special Project Coordinator of HomeLife Media and a writer for iHeartDogs.com. She has 3 dogs namely Skye, Luna, and one of them is a rescue, named Tesla.Read more
| February 14, 2023
We hear it all the time: “Why won’t my finicky german shepherd eat the expensive food I buy them?!” Dealing with a picky german shepherd can be frustrating, so we asked our I Love My German Shepherd Facebook community the following question, “What’s the best food for a picky eating German Shepherd?” We received hundreds of replies and summarized some of the best suggestions below.
Always remember to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your german shepherd’s diet, especially if they have any medical issues. iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links below may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

25 Best Foods for a Picky German Shepherd

I believe to a large degree, your dog has you trained. Dogs are very smart. As long as he isn’t having a medical reaction to his food, a good quality dog food is good enough. when i put my dog on a diet, she fought eating just dry dog food in evening, and only a small amount of canned and dry food mixed with her supplements in am. I did not give in, and she is now happy to have something to eat, in particular in the evenings. You have to be strong enough to allow your dog to give in to the food set out for her. of course, talk to your vet first. good luck.

Author: Connie K.

Likes: 2


Cook up some rice and hamburger or chicken and then mix it all together and freeze in small containers and give the dog a tablespoon or two sprinkled on top of “their food” and mix it in. Works great for my dig! The bowl is always licked clean. My vet suggested it. You can make two batches (1) with rice and hamburger and (1) with rice and chicken. Variety helps. Good luck!

Author: Betty W.

Likes: 4


The Honest Kitchen dehydrated.

Author: Katie A.

Likes: 1


I feed my boy Royal Canin GSD kibble for 1/2 his meal. The other half is fresh spinach, cooked sweet potatoes, blueberries and raw steak. He has been eating this for the past 2 years (he is 6) and he gets so thrilled when it’s finally meal time.

Author: Kathy S.

Likes: 3


My girl has a VERY sensitive stomach, which several vets have told me is common for GSD’s. Finally they told me to put her on Royal Canin GSD. I give her that and large carrots ( not the small ones…they are cleaned in bleach!), broccoli, green beans. Blueberries, apples and sweet potatoes, and chicken or turkey once in awhile. Carrots all she wants, the others at random. No table scraps! Good luck!

Author: Betty B.

Likes: 0


Fortunately Wellness brand has multiple wet flavors. I get some of each and rotate. The dry stays the same (Wellness).

Author: William T.

Likes: 0


We use Iams large breed mixed with little cae Caesars

Author: Katherine S.

Likes: 0


Rachel Ray chicken and sweet potato is our girls favorite ! Other brands she doesn’t finish the bowl

Author: Bill B.

Likes: 1


Yep I give mine canidae dry food and pedigree soft or little cease soft mix soft with dry he eats it all up

Author: Nancie R.

Likes: 0


My dog likes her food, but in the evening I mix in a small amount of something (small healthy treats, 6 fish kibble by Orijen, bone broth or a small amount of salmon or canned food).

Author: Linda B.

Likes: 2


Our GS is super picky! We use the Diamond Naturals Lamb (it’s the mint green bag), we then put warm water over it and I add some canned pedigree the beef, bacon and cheese one. It’s the only thing he will eat.

Author: Brittni C.

Likes: 0


I use taste of the wild ancient grains with 1 patty of lamb from company called RAW.

Author: Susan G.

Likes: 0


Believe or not my almost 9 year old shepherd loves the Purina infusions small (3oz) can variety (chicken/beef/lamb) mixed in with his Purina One Lamb and Rice ( 3/4 cup x 2, twice a day) his coat is gorgeous and he’s beautiful and content!

Author: Shelly K.

Likes: 1


I add half of a small Stella and chewy’s patty to his kibble. It’s raw, he eats everything in his bowl. He has never been food motivated but he loves the chicken.

Author: Lea A.

Likes: 0


Gentle Giants. That’s what mine have been eating. They like it. I also mix brown rice w carrots, or egg. Not every meal. For supper.

Author: Solona C.

Likes: 0


Dr Marty’s freeze dried mixed with warm water and dry food

Author: Patti T.

Likes: 0


I’ve had several GSDs. I feed them a variety of Nutrisource feed. Never had an issue.

Author: David K.

Likes: 0


Blue Wilderness, 12yrs old and still kicking around

Author: Gregory K.

Likes: 1


Fromm with lamb and rice

Author: Donna S.

Likes: 0


Feed the dog dry dog food and a bowl of water in the morning time . But don’t allow the dog to eat it put it just out of reach, not the water. Give the dog the water not the food . You go eat breakfast. Give the food to dog after its been out to do business. Offer the dry dog food, if refused tether dog crate dog with food just out of reach. That means half the day is gone offer food to pet. If it refuses boil hotdogs remove hotdogs don’t give to dog tether dog pour hotdog water from pot over dry food . Don’t let the dog eat the food. Set it just out of reach ,so the dog can only smell it not get to it. Give dog water go to work enjoy your day . When it’s time for dinner stir up food and set down the food to the dog and walk off. Hour later that bowl is empty after you haven’t fed him allllll day give him food that you want him to have. Also never feed at same time everyday….or you won’t sleep in on weekends  NO SNACKS UNTIL AFTER BOWL IS EMPTY

Author: Owen G.

Likes: 0


Victor-Ocean Fish. my gsd loves it. i also get flavors of victor with grain…..my vet recommended with grains

Author: Bigpoppa Heavyd C.

Likes: 0


Mine is the same way! Nevaeh just LOVES the Diamond Naturals brand…she actually does pirouettes through the kitchen when I pour her food now!!!

Author: Terri L.

Likes: 0


My Precious girl was the exact same way and I tried so many different high quality dog foods and she did the same to them all until we found she liked softer food but now we mix a soft package food with Taste of the Wild and now she eats it all.

Author: Johnny R.

Likes: 0


We mix conventional with a raw diet. He’s only 6 months at the moment but it’s worked with our previous 4 GSDs. They all have GSD Tummy so can be prone to diarrhoea but he loves Raw Chicken Wings, Lamb Ribs, Raw eggs including the shell. Chicken frames (from the Butcher) plus he has a sensitive canned meat with biscuits, pineapple to stop him eating his poop and charcoal tablet for the farts and poop too… oh plus treats and home made liver cake!! He eats better than we do!!! Here’s a pic of the monster. Just keep things varied and also warming food in the microwave can also help along with location. Sometimes they just want to eat somewhere else??? I have no idea why!!! Good Luck xx

Author: Rachel M.

Likes: 0


Bil jac. Has a dry called No more picky eater. Very, happy with. 4 German shepherd approved.

Author: Pamela S.

Likes: 0


Always consult your vet before making any health changes to your german shepherd’s diet, especially if they frequently suffer from any medical issues. iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links above may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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