Treats can delight or harm. These 5 favorites your German Shepherd will beg for—and 5 to avoid at all costs.
If there’s one universal truth about German Shepherds, it’s this: they are highly food motivated. Whether you’re training your pup to master a new trick or just want to spoil them rotten (no judgment here), treats are your secret weapon.
The challenge? The pet treat aisle looks like it exploded in a factory of confusion. Colorful packages promise everything from “dental health” to “hip support,” and meanwhile, your German Shepherd would happily accept a cardboard box as payment for their unconditional love. Let’s cut through the noise and figure out exactly what treats deserve a spot in your pantry.
The 5 Treats Your German Shepherd Will Absolutely Love
1. High-Quality Freeze-Dried Liver Treats
Listen, if treats were currency, freeze-dried liver would be hundred-dollar bills in the German Shepherd economy. These nutrient-packed morsels are like doggy crack (the legal, healthy kind). Freeze-dried liver maintains all the nutritional value of fresh liver without the mess and smell that’ll have your house smelling like a butcher shop gone wrong.
Why GSDs go crazy for them:
- Pure protein power: German Shepherds need substantial protein to maintain their muscular build, and liver delivers it in spades
- Intense flavor: The freeze-drying process concentrates the taste, making these treats irresistible
- Training gold: Break them into tiny pieces, and you’ve got yourself hundreds of high-value rewards
When it comes to motivation during training sessions, few things compete with the aromatic appeal of liver treats. Your German Shepherd will suddenly develop the focus of a laser-guided missile.
Just remember: liver is rich, so moderation is key. Too much can lead to loose stools, and nobody wants that cleanup duty.
2. Dental Chews (The Right Ones)
German Shepherds have big teeth and powerful jaws, which means they need substantial chews to keep those pearly whites actually pearly and white. Quality dental chews do double duty: they satisfy your GSD’s natural urge to chew while scrubbing away plaque and tartar.
Look for dental chews that have the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval. These aren’t just marketing gimmicks; they’ve actually been tested and proven effective. Your German Shepherd gets to enjoy an extended chew session, and you get to avoid astronomically expensive dental cleanings at the vet.
| Dental Chew Feature | Why It Matters for GSDs | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Prevents choking hazards | Large or extra-large sizing |
| Texture | Effectively cleans teeth | Firm but not rock-hard |
| Digestibility | Gentle on sensitive stomachs | Highly digestible ingredients |
| Duration | Keeps them occupied | 15-30 minutes of chew time |
Pro tip: Supervise your GSD with any chew treat. These dogs are enthusiastic eaters, and you want to make sure they’re actually chewing, not attempting to swallow things whole like a furry vacuum cleaner.
3. Sweet Potato Chews
If you’re looking for a treat that’s both healthy and keeps your German Shepherd occupied, sweet potato chews are your new best friend. These chewy strips are made from (you guessed it) dehydrated sweet potatoes, and they’re packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Sweet potatoes are particularly brilliant for German Shepherds because:
- They support digestive health (always important for dogs with sensitive tummies)
- They’re loaded with beta-carotene for eye health
- They provide sustained energy without the sugar crash
- They satisfy the urge to chew without the calorie bomb of some commercial treats
The best part? You can actually make these at home! Slice sweet potatoes into strips, dehydrate them, and boom – you’ve got homemade treats that cost a fraction of store-bought versions. Your GSD won’t know the difference, except maybe they’ll love you even more for the fresh-baked goodness.
4. Frozen Treats for Hot Days
German Shepherds have that gorgeous double coat, which is fantastic for colder weather but can turn them into overheated fluff balls in summer. Enter: frozen treats! These icy delights are perfect for cooling down your pup while giving them something delicious to work on.
Frozen treat ideas that’ll make your GSD’s summer:
- Plain frozen yogurt (make sure it’s xylitol-free!)
- Frozen bone broth cubes
- Peanut butter and banana frozen in a Kong
- Watermelon chunks (seedless, of course)
On a scorching summer day, nothing brings more joy to a German Shepherd than a frozen treat that challenges them mentally while cooling them down physically. It’s entertainment and temperature regulation rolled into one icy package.
Just watch those portion sizes. Frozen treats are still treats, and they count toward your dog’s daily caloric intake. A good rule of thumb: treats should make up no more than 10% of your GSD’s daily calories.
5. Dehydrated Meat Treats (Single Ingredient)
When you read the ingredient list and it says “beef” or “chicken” or “duck” and literally nothing else? That’s what we call a winner. Single-ingredient dehydrated meat treats are about as close to nature as you can get without actually hunting prey (which, let’s be honest, your German Shepherd would love but your neighbors would not).
These treats are:
- Protein-rich and perfect for building muscle
- Low in fat compared to many commercial treats
- Great for dogs with allergies since there are no mystery ingredients
- Highly palatable without artificial flavors
You’ll pay a bit more for quality single-ingredient treats, but your German Shepherd’s health is worth every penny. Plus, when you’re not feeding your dog a chemistry experiment wrapped in a meat-flavored coating, you’re setting them up for long-term wellness.
The 5 Treats Your German Shepherd Should Never Have
1. Anything Containing Xylitol
Let’s start with the absolute worst offender: xylitol. This artificial sweetener is showing up in more and more products, from peanut butter to baked goods to some dog dental products (ironic, right?). For dogs, xylitol is incredibly toxic. We’re talking even small amounts can cause life-threatening drops in blood sugar and liver failure.
Always check ingredient labels. If you see xylitol listed, that treat goes directly in the trash, not in your dog’s mouth. This includes:
- Sugar-free peanut butter
- Some dental chews
- Certain baked goods marketed as “low sugar”
- Sugar-free gum (obviously, but people sometimes forget)
There is zero safe amount of xylitol for dogs. None. Zilch. This is non-negotiable.
2. Rawhide Chews
I know, I know. Rawhide has been around forever, and it seems like every pet store dedicates an entire aisle to these things. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: rawhide can be genuinely dangerous, especially for powerful chewers like German Shepherds.
The problems with rawhide include:
- Choking hazards: GSDs can bite off large chunks and attempt to swallow them
- Digestive blockages: Rawhide doesn’t digest well and can cause intestinal obstructions
- Chemical processing: Many rawhides are treated with harsh chemicals and bleaches
- Country of origin concerns: Some imported rawhides have quality control issues
The few minutes of enjoyment your German Shepherd might get from a rawhide chew simply aren’t worth the potential emergency vet visit when a large piece lodges in their throat or intestines.
Opt for safer alternatives like bully sticks, sweet potato chews, or rubber chew toys designed for power chewers.
3. Grapes and Raisins (And Anything Containing Them)
Even experienced dog owners sometimes don’t realize that grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. The frustrating part? Scientists still aren’t entirely sure why they’re toxic, but they absolutely are. Some dogs can experience kidney failure from eating even a small amount.
This means:
- No trail mix (even if your GSD gives you puppy eyes on your hike)
- No raisin cookies or granola bars
- No “just one grape” because they’re begging so cutely
- No grape juice or wine (obviously, but just covering all bases)
The toxic dose varies between dogs, which makes it impossible to determine a “safe” amount. The only safe approach is complete avoidance. If your GSD accidentally snags a grape, contact your vet immediately.
4. Chocolate (Yes, Still Chocolate)
You’ve probably heard this one a million times, but it bears repeating because people still accidentally give their dogs chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs metabolize much more slowly than humans. The result? Potential heart problems, seizures, and in severe cases, death.
The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is:
| Chocolate Type | Theobromine Content | Danger Level for GSDs |
|---|---|---|
| White chocolate | Very low | Low (still not recommended) |
| Milk chocolate | Moderate | Moderate to high |
| Dark chocolate | High | Very high |
| Baking chocolate | Very high | Extremely dangerous |
A German Shepherd might need to eat more chocolate than a Chihuahua to reach toxic levels, but why risk it? Keep all chocolate products securely stored where curious noses can’t find them. And yes, this includes chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and that fancy artisan chocolate bar you were saving.
5. Corn Cobs and Cooked Bones
Rounding out our list of forbidden treats are two items that seem innocent but can wreak absolute havoc on your German Shepherd’s digestive system.
Corn cobs are deceptively dangerous. Dogs love the taste of corn and will happily gnaw on a cob, but these things don’t break down in the digestive tract. They’re the perfect size and shape to cause intestinal blockages, which often require emergency surgery to remove. Just scrape the corn kernels off and toss the cob where your dog can’t get it.
Cooked bones (especially chicken, pork, and rib bones) splinter easily and can cause:
- Mouth and tongue injuries
- Choking
- Intestinal punctures or blockages
- Constipation
Raw bones from a reputable source are generally safer, but cooked bones should never be given to dogs. If Grandma offers your GSD “just a little chicken bone,” politely but firmly decline.
Making Smart Treat Choices
Here’s the bottom line: your German Shepherd trusts you completely to make good decisions about their diet. They don’t know that the chocolate cake could make them sick or that the rawhide bone could cause a blockage. They just know it smells good and they want it.
Being a responsible GSD parent means doing your homework, reading ingredient labels, and sometimes being the “bad guy” who says no to those pleading eyes. But trust me, when your dog is healthy, energetic, and thriving well into their senior years, you’ll know you made the right choices.
Stock your pantry with the good stuff (freeze-dried liver, sweet potato chews, and single-ingredient meats), avoid the danger zone (xylitol, chocolate, grapes, rawhide, and cooked bones), and watch your German Shepherd live their best, treat-filled life. After all, those tail wags and happy zoomies are what it’s all about!
