Best Dog Food for German Shorthaired Pointers: Top Picks!
German Shorthaired Pointers, GSPs, are very popular dogs, particularly as a sporting dog breed. Some are working dogs, some are hunting dogs, and some are just big, lovable companions! No matter which type your GSP is, they’ll need a lot of exercise to stay in the healthiest conditions, which means they will also need a lot of great, healthy dog food.
To find that food, check out my reviews below.
You will want to ensure that any food you choose has at least 2-3 good sources of meat protein within the top five ingredients of the food. Products that contain corn, soy, and wheat should be avoided, and carb levels should be relatively low. Foods that contained named sources of fat such as chicken fat or omega fatty acids are preferred.
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Reviews of Best Dog Food for German Shorthaired Pointers
Best Dog Food for German Shorthaired Pointer - Taste of the Wild Wetlands Dry Dog Food
Taste of the Wild is one of the most popular for medium/large and large breed dogs because of its high-protein levels and the quality ingredients that the food is made of. You can get this food in many different varieties as well, but the Wetlands formula is most popular.
The first four ingredients in this food are duck, duck meal, chicken meal, and sweet potatoes. That makes for three good sources of protein and one reliable source of carbohydrates that is not an indigestible grain. What this means is that the main ingredients in Taste of the Wild food is food that will give your pet a good muscle-to-fat ratio that is key to their good health.
Another benefit of this food is its price. Compared to other premium dog foods, this food is much less expensive. It also comes with the added benefit of probiotics and immune system boosting chicory root in the formula.
Plus, this food will make your dog feel "wild:"
High Protein Dog Food for GSP - Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Formula Dry Dog Food
If you have a very active dog and are willing to spend a bit more on their food, Wellness CORE Grain-Free dry dog food is a good option.
This food has the highest protein minimum of any dog food I’m reviewing today at 34%. The protein also comes from great sources, with the first four ingredients being listed as deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, and peas. The main fat source is named chicken fat. No grains, filler, or by-products are used in this food.
This food has many of the pros that owners love in a good dog food: pre and probiotics, glucosamine, vitamins, and chelated minerals. All of these things will help your GSP absorb the best of the nutrients from the food.
Natural Food for German Shorthaired Pointer - Nature's Variety Prairie Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
This next food is another good source of protein and fat for your GSP, but it is not as good as the first two options. The first five ingredients in Nature’s Variety Prairie Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe food are chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, brown rice, and barley. There are only two sources of protein in these first five ingredients, but they are good sources.
That being said, it’s still a great food. In fact, every GSP is different, and some will not need as much protein as others. If you believe that your dog won’t need more than 30% protein that other foods I’m reviewing provide, this is a great option.
Chicken fat is the main source of fat, and all carbohydrates are whole grains. The food contains no corn, wheat, soy or other fillers, which is essential when feedings your GSP. Chelated minerals and added fatty acids help your dog absorb nutrients and have a healthy coat.
Another great option that is lower protein than some of the foods really meant for large breed dogs is this one from Purina Pro Plan. Since GSP can be medium-sized or large-sized, this food is a great option at a 26% protein minimum.
However, the second source of protein is a by-product poultry meal, which I don’t love. Still, this is a good, affordable food for those looking for something more friendly to their budget than other foods that have absolutely no filler or by-products. This food has good levels of nutrients and probiotics, which will result in good health and firm stool.
Runner Up for the Best Dog Food for German Shorthaired Pointers - Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets
The last food on my recommendation list is another grain-free option that will help your GSP live a very healthy life. This food has a 20% protein minimum which is very low, but for some smaller and less active GSP, it will be perfect. The carbohydrates make up the first ingredient (sweet potatoes) and the second ingredient is real venison, so you can be assured of the quality in this food.
The formula contains no other meat-based proteins, so this is actually a good food for dogs with sensitivities to other meats. It does contain chelated proteins for better absorption and a number of great added vitamins and fatty acids.
Final Thoughts
When your puppy is young, you will want to consider what is the best puppy food for German Shorthaired Pointer dogs. Your puppy will use a lot of energy, so it naturally will need more calories than an adult dog. Depending on what kind of activities your dog will be doing, the amount of food you should feed them can vary. Consider their energy use while deciding how much to feed them.
Watch for weight or health changes, and adjust from there. No matter how much food you ultimately need to feed your GSP, the best dog food brand for German Shorthaired Pointers will not change.
Make sure that you choose an adult or all life stages food meant for medium/large brands when they are over 8 months to one year and a normal puppy food for when they are younger. Take note that GSP are not considered to be a large/giant breed.
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