When choosing the best dog food for Dobermans, it is as well to know a little bit about the breed. These dogs are athletic and energetic as well as intelligent and clever working dogs. They excel as guard dogs but are also wonderful, loyal companions.
They are widely used in search and rescue and by the military. They are not the dog for everyone as they need to be taught well from the beginning, have regular exercise every day and be kept alert with tasks to occupy their minds. They are quite large dogs with the males standing at about, 25 to 28 inches at the shoulder. The females are slightly smaller.
Choosing the suitable foods for dobermans is not quite easy. There are some nutritional requirements as well as some health issues that you have to take into consideration.
Below here is our complete instruction about how to choose the products, continue reading for more details
Table of Contents
How much food should Dobermans eat?
These are active dogs and need a good diet whether they work or are a good companion at home. Ann adult male should probably consume around 2100 calories a day according the National Research Council Standards but an inactive dog would need less and a puppy or young adult would need more.
Young dogs are still using energy in their growth and a puppy may well consume about 1800 calories a day. An elderly dog would require less as he would use less energy and a neutered or spayed animal would need to have less to combat obesity.
What kind of diet is best for a Doberman?
These dogs usually do well on a fairly high protein diet that has meats or fish listed as the first two or three ingredients. Whole meat means that the amino acids that are provided enable the body to produce the protein it needs efficiently.
Meat meal is also able to do this but is manufactured from whole meat with the moisture removed. The products that should be avoided are ones that contain meat by products because the meat specified could be anything at all – including rats and the remains left from the slaughter house.
Grains with gluten like wheat and corn should be avoided as they can be the culprits producing allergic reactions and a dog’s digestive tract is very short and finds hard fibre difficult to digest.
Protein Requirements
Active dogs need a fairly high protein content diet but Dobermans can also suffer from kidney disease which is made worse by a very high protein diet.
A third of the diet for your Doberman should be about 35% of protein but it is as well to check with your vet to make sure all is well. He will know the weight of your dog and how active it is and will be able to advise you accordingly.
Fat Requirements
These dogs need quite a high amount of fat in their food. They are short coated and apart from needing to keep warm, they also tend to have a coat that dries out. The right sort of Omega fats will keep the coat healthy and glossy. The fats that provide the best sources of Omega 3 and Omega 6 are salmon oil, flaxseed oil and chicken fat.
The fat component of the food also supplies a good portion of the energy dogs need. The wrong types of fat, as in humans, can cause obesity and the problems that are caused in that way. 30% of fat is suitable for Dobermans.
Carbohydrate Requirements
Carbs give fibre and energy to the system. These dogs are very active and need a slow burning fibre like sweet potato to digest easily but release their energy steadily. Dobermans are prone to spikes and lows in their sugar level and a steady release of carbs into the system is the best.
25% of carbohydrates will work for this breed but the right sort of carbohydrates is important.
Mineral and Vitamin Requirements
These boost the immune system and promote overall health. In Dobermans and especially in puppies, the calcium component is important. These pups develop strong bone and need to do this slowly and steadily.
In adults a 2% amount of calcium is probably about right and this is found in most good dog foods. Fruits and vegetables supply antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibre
Are Dobermans prone to allergies and other illnesses?
Dobermans are particularly prone to bloat which can very often be fatal and it is as well to feed two or even three meals a day to avoid the build of gas in the stomach that causes the organ to turn in on itself.
It is a serious condition that needs immediate treatment. Another good idea is not to exercise for an hour before or an hour after eating.
They are not a breed that has a lot of allergy problems but avoidance of red meat and grains like wheat and corn is always a good idea. It also helps against hypothyroidism which sometimes occurs in the breed.
Some people believe that cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli may encourage hypothyroidism and, to be on the safe side, are best avoided. There needs to be more research on the subject.
Green veggies apart from those, are full of antioxidants, cleansing properties and pH balancing ingredients.
What foods are unhealthy for Pit bulls?
There are some foods that should not be given to any dogs and these are chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts and onions. Tea and coffee are also unsuitable and carrots, although harmless, are quite hard for a dog to digest.
Now Let’s Have A Look at Our 5 Top Picks So Far
1. CANIDAE Life Stages Dry Dog Food
This company makes a product that is designed for all ages from puppy to senior and has protein listed as the first four ingredients. These are chicken meal, turkey meal, fish meal and lamb meal.
They do not include any wheat, corn or soy and say that their collection of added vitamins and minerals is suitable for all age groups.
The company add ingredients for a healthy and good looking coat but do not specify what these are. They do not list what the fibre and carbohydrate content is and the percentage of the protein content is 36%.
best dog food for dobermans
Via: Amazon.com
Things we like…
- It is widely praised by the people who have used it.
- The protein content seems to be quite high.
- There is no wheat, corn or soy.
- It is sold as a natural food product.
Possible Cons…
- The ingredients are not listed individually.
- The protein is not whole meat.
- There is no list of which minerals, vitamins and fats are included.
- The carbohydrate content is not mentioned except to say that it is not wheat, corn or soy.
2. Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food- Pacific Stream
This product is grain free and has a high protein content. It has whole smoked salmon as the main ingredient as well as lamb and has fruits and vegetables. The fat added is Omega 3 which helps for a healthy coat.
It is tasty because some of the food is fermented and most people who purchased it said that their dogs accepted it happily and lots reported a glossy coat.
best dog food for dobermans
Via: Amazon.com
Things we like…
- Grain free is a great help to digestion and protects against some allergies.
- The protein sources are good whole meat and fish.
- Dogs appeared to find it tasty.
Possible Cons…
- Some dogs did not like the fish flavor but ate the other varieties.
- Some buyers reported that the kibble size sometimes varied.
- The price may be higher than some other similar products but the quality of the ingredients is good.
- One or two owners said that their pets drank more water when using this food.
3. Merrick Buffalo and Sweet Potatoes Recipe
This is a grain free recipe and the company have an ethical policy. They do not include any ingredients from China and do not use artificial flavors. The protein ingredient is the main part and is whole meat, deboned buffalo. They say the ratio is 70% protein and 30% other ingredients.
The fibre, carbohydrate content is sweet potato which is ideal for Dobermans. The manufacturers include both Omega 3 and Omega 6 as well as glucosamine and chondroitin for supple joints and strong bones.
best dog food for dobermans
Via: Amazon.com
Things we like…
Whole meat protein.
Sweet Potato fibre which is easy to digest and releases energy slowly.
No ingredients from China.
Vitamins and minerals included as well as the right fatty acids and extra joint care products.
Possible Cons…
- Price per bag is slightly higher than comparable products.
- Some owners report reactions to the food and their dogs had diarrhea.
- The company has been taken over and the formula may have changed slightly.
4. Holistic Select Natural Oatmeal
This company pride themselves on top quality, fresh meat and vegetables and add pro biotics and prebiotics to aid digestion.as well as enzymes to aid that digestion.
The main protein is lamb meal along with oatmeal. There are no fillers, artificial additives, meat by-products, wheat or wheat gluten. It has fresh fruit and veggies and natural fibres.
best dog food for dobermans
Via: Amazon.com
Things we like…
- The food is made to make it easy to digest.
- All natural ingredients and no by-products.
- Grain free
- Large and giant breed owners praised it for the way their dogs grew well on this food.
Possible Cons…
- Not whole meat protein.
- Some owners reported some diarrhea when they changed to this food.
- It is only shipped in USA.
5. Newman’s Own Adult Formula
This is manufactured in the USA to AAFCO standards and has no artificial ingredients. The main protein is whole chicken with organic brown rice. The company are happy to say that there are no antibiotics, hormones or chemicals.
The food is 70% organic with organic vegetables and contains no wheat or corn. The is grain free recipe is good for a dog’s digestive system.
best dog food for dobermans
Via: Amazon.com
Things we like…
- Organic for most of the ingredients.
- 20 years of experience in making holistic dog food.
- Care taken to avoid hormones and antibiotics in the food.
- Owners say the dogs find it appetizing.
- Responsible manufacturers started as a charity to help dog owners.
Possible Cons…
- Owners say it sometimes hard to find.
- Some reports say that the use by date is not very far ahead.
Conclusion
With their athletic build and active lifestyle, Doberman Pinschers are best fed a high-quality diet with a good source of protein and easily digested carbohydrates. As working, intelligent dogs they need to be in tip top condition but they are also loyal companions and wonderful companion dogs who need care with their chosen food.
They need a diet that has excellent sources of protein and that usually means whole meat or fish that allows the body to absorb the nutrients efficiently. A grain free diet also provides some protection against common allergies and is helpful in preventing bloat.
Dobermans are not picky eaters and will eat most things so leaving out food permanently is not a good idea. Smaller meals two or three times a day helps prevent bloat and releases nutrients steadily. It gives some control over how much the dog eats and keeps the weight under control.
Based on the things needed for the breed, my own choice of these food would be the Newman’s Own Formula.
It does not have too high a protein content and the ethical attitude of the company ensures no hormones and chemicals get into the food through some ingredients. The grains are brown rice and the main protein source is whole chicken with fresh fruit and veggies and with 20 years of holistic dog food preparation, the manufacturer can be trusted.
*Please keep in mind that with the above opinions, all of those come from my own experience. There are still some exceptions for some specific dogs. Consult your local vet for more information if your dogs are not in general cases