Science Diet For German Shepherd

German Shepherd Raw Food Risks

Generally, dogs can eat raw meat without getting poisoned or sick. Their bodies are built to process meat and bones fast.

Though there are potential upsides to BARF and some veterinarians recommend it, there are some disadvantages.

• Uncooked or feeding raw poses a higher risk of contamination with potentially harmful pathogens that can sicken your pet and possibly be transmitted to humans.

• Feeding whole bones to dogs present a risk of choking, broken teeth, intestinal obstruction, or internal punctures.

• Cooking a nutritionally unbalanced raw food diet can jeopardize your dogs health.

To minimize these risks, you need to:

1. Thoroughly wash all meats, organs, and other raw ingredients.

2. Getting raw products from reputable grocery stores/butchers with high sanitary standards is recommended.

3. Feeding only raw bones that are small with a lot of joints or ground bones. NEVER feed cooked bones. They become softer after cooking and are at greater risk of splintering when chewed. Avoid big bones.

You should feed raw under the guidance of a vet nutritionist. He or she can provide nutritional guidance and/or recommend a raw food delivery service for your GSD.

Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health Dog Food

The Holistic Select pet food company has been around for more than a decade. One of the tenets that Holistic Select thrives on is in creating dog food that is 100% natural, high-quality, and that support the digestive health systems for dogs.

Our rating

We gave the Holistic Select Puppy Dog Food a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Pros

Unique Health Support

Why we choose this as the best food for the German Shepherd puppy is because of its exceptional health support. Many puppies find it challenging to digest foods during the first couple of days. The Holistic Puppy Health Dog Food is built with this in mind. It has a blend of probiotics and enzymes that make it easy for your puppy to digest.

Healthy Fat Sources

While Holistics advertising stresses on the merits of the digestive systems, its also worth noting that this dog food is a source for healthy fats. These are obtained from the whole grains and lean meat of lamb instead of chicken fat. Chicken fat is not unhealthy per se, but lamb is way more nutritious.

Cons

Considering how big or quickly your German Shepherd puppy grows, a single bag of food may run out rather fast. If you have a small budget, this could pose a challenge given the high price of the Holistic Select Puppy Health Food.

A majority of people are beginning to embrace a holistic lifestyle and this includes the food they eat. Precise believes that dogs should not be left behind in this movement.

Our rating

We rated this dog food product 4.4 out of 5 stars.

What Is The Best Dog Food For German Shephard Puppies

Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, so it’s important to find a food that’s specifically designed for puppies. Look for a food that has high levels of protein and fat, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Puppies also need more calories than adult dogs, so make sure the food you choose has a high calorie content.

As your puppy grows, they will need less calories and protein, so you’ll need to switch to a food that’s designed for adult dogs. Consult with your veterinarian to find the best food for your German Shepherd puppy.

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Can German Shepherds Eat Bones

Do you remember the saying, give a dog a bone? But can GermanShepherds eat bones as part of their diet?

German Shepherds can eat bones. They are a good source of nutrients, especially calcium and phosphorus, and help clean your dogs teeth and keep them strong. However, never feed a cooked bone as cooking causes the bone to soften and splinter as your dog chews it and can cause injuries or choking.

If you want to know more about this topic, head over to this article, Can German Shepherds Eat Bones?

Choose a sizeable raw bone larger than your dogs muzzle so he wont be tempted to swallow it. Beef or lamb bones are better than chicken or pork bones as they are stronger and wont easily splinter. For example, a large beef shank bone would be just the thing for your German Shepherd.

Remember to supervise your GSD when giving him a bone.

German Shepherd Calorie Requirements

So, how much should I feed my German Shepherd?

The caloric needs of dogs are based on their weight. An adult German Shepherd usually weighs between 50 and 90 pounds, meaning most GSDs need between 1165 and 1808 calories daily.

Make sure you follow the 10% rule when feeding treats to your dog. Food would equal 90% of the total calories and treats the remaining 10%.

• For instance, if a GSD weighs 65 lbs., he would need 1480 calories daily. For those eating treats, thats 1276 calories in food and 142 in treats . Usually, most full-grown dogs eat two meals per day. However, since GSDs are prone to bloating, divide his daily meals into three meals. You need to split 1276 into three meals of 425 calories each.

You can use this calculator to find the exact caloric needs of your dog based on his weight.

Pregnant or lactating GSDs may need up to 2 to 4 times the food they usually need as the mothers energy requirements increase after delivery and during lactation. Be sure to talk to your vet.

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What Is It That German Shepherds Cannot Eat

Many foods are toxic to German Shepherds and I have listed the top ones in this handy list for you. I found that the Pet Poison Helpline also lists tons of other poisonous things including plants, household items, and medications. Its really helpful, but I hope you dont need your help if your dog avoids this.

Problems With Changing Dog Foods

Think again about frequently changing your dogs food if they have stomach issues.

One of the biggest mistakes owners make is trying too many diets on their own before seeking veterinary attention. In haste to help your sick German Shepherd, you might think frequently changing foods is a good option.

And some dog owners might feed over a dozen diets, sometimes for only a couple of days at a time, before quickly switching foods again. This kind of feeding routine makes it much harder to get to the bottom of things.

Food changes take time to show effects and dont happen in just a few days. Stick with one food and note your dogs diarrhea, upset stomach, and other gastrointestinal issues for a couple of months to see an effect.

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How Can You Help Your Dog With Kidney Disease

During the first phase, provide your dog with plenty of fluids. This helps flush the kidneys, which may revive mildly damaged kidney cells.

The kidneys may start functioning better after this, though they will continue to decline afterward.

This also creates a healthier environment in the kidneys, which may stop some of the damage for a short time.

Its also possible that this method will not return any kidney function or that the returned kidney function will be short-lived.

Once the first stage of treatment is completed, nutrition becomes very important. A correct diet is essential for a dogs overall health and longevity.

Food that is lower in protein than the average adult maintenance diet will help reduce metabolic waste, which can make your pet feel better.

There are many therapeutic diets available for pets with kidney disease for this reason. As we discussed in this article, there are many options you can choose from.

What Is The Best Food For An Adult German Shepherd

The best food for an adult German Shepherd is a diet that is high in protein and fat. This breed of dog is known for its high energy levels and need for exercise, so a food that can help them maintain their energy levels is important.

A diet that is too low in calories can cause your German Shepherd to become overweight or obese, which can lead to health problems. When choosing a food for your German Shepherd, it is important to read the label carefully and choose a food that is right for their age, weight, and activity level.

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Dog Food & Feeding Pattern For German Shepherds Age

A) For New Born

The average newborn German Shepherd puppy weighs around 370 600 grams during birth. To derive their nutrition, they are highly dependent on their mothers milk.

However, in a case where the mothers milk is unavailable, top quality powdered milk should be fed to the pups at regular intervals.

German Shepherd puppies almost double their weight when they complete 1 week. As the pups gradually start gaining weight and mobility, they crave more and more milk. Due to this reason, their feeding amount changes on a weekly basis.

Nutritional Profile Of A Baby Dog Milk

• Ultra-Digestible Protein: Supports faster growth and development.
• Omega Fatty Acid: Optimizes brain and eye development.
• Essential Vitamins: Boost metabolism in puppies.
• Antioxidants: Build strong resistance against infections and diseases.

Which Baby Dog Milk Should I Feed My Newborn German Shepherd Puppy?

You can find various milk replacers in the market for puppies. Yet the one which stands out in terms of quality and nutrition is Royal Canin Baby Dog Milk which has a dietary profile similar to that of maternal milk. The benefits of Royal Canin Baby Dog Milk:

• Offers high energy and protein levels.
• DHA boosts cognitive skills and nervous functioning in pups.
• Exclusive homogeneous formula of milk makes it easier to digest.

Best Starter Dog Foods For German Shepherd Newborns

1) Arden Grange With Chicken Weaning Puppy

2) Royal Canin Maxi Starter Food

B) For Puppy

How Much Food Should A German Shepherd Eat

The amount of food your German Shepherd needs will largely depend on your pets size, activity level, age, and overall health. The key is to ensure you dont overfeed or underfeed your dog. So, how much food should a German Shepherd eat?

An active adult German Shepherd weighing 70lbs needs 1740 calories a day, whereas an active, larger sized German Shepherd weighing 90lbs needs 2100 calories a day. In contrast, inactive GSDs of similar weights only need 1272 calories and 1540 calories, respectively.

You also need to assess your dogs activity level. German Shepherds who get minimal exercise may need 10% less than whats recommended on the food label, whereas an active dog that regularly exercises may need 20% to 40% more.

I have certainly noticed that if my German Shepherd has a lot of exercise in a day, she will eat more. I suppose thats a bit like you and me!

Working German Shepherds, such as police dogs, may need foods designed for working or performance dogs. These foods have a higher fat content to provide extra calories for their needs.

Additionally, you may need to make adjustments based on your dogs health or body condition. Serious illness, pregnancy, or nursing can also increase a dogs energy needs.

All commercial dog food will have recommended feeding guidelines on the packaging. I also found this helpful dog calorie calculator you can use.

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Hills Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Food

Rating:

Large Breed Chicken Meal is one of 6 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Hills Science Diet product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, whole grain wheat, whole grain oats, whole grain sorghum, corn gluten meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Growth
• Best for:German Shepherd Puppies

This classic Science Diet formula gets the majority of its animal protein from chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 12% fat and 53% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 46%.

A fully-balanced, large-breed puppy diet. Contains just the right amount of calcium for controlled skeletal growth to help lower the risk of canine hip dysplasia in shepherd puppies. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewAfter doing research, I found that many large boned puppy foods had much more calcium than recommended by the Veterinary Council. Science Diet is much stricter about the ingredients. I switched and feel much better about my German Shepherds food! My dog loves it!

What To Do If My German Shepherd Does Not Want To Eat

You are used to your German shepherd running to the kitchen upon hearing their food poured into the bowl but lately, they seem not interested or even not finish their food.

There are a few reasons that may be making your German Shepherd puppy not eat their food. These include dental problems, health conditions, or does not like the food.

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German Shepherd Raw Diet

Like homemade diets, formulating a raw diet for German Shepherds requires lots of effort and planning. There is more risk of contamination and nutritional imbalance due to its raw nature.

Raw dog food usually consists of uncooked and unprocessed animal-based products. These include raw meat, bones, vegetables, fruits, eggs with shells , and dairy products such as butter and cheese made from raw milk without pasteurization or homogenizing. A raw dog diet resembles the diet that dogs ate in the wild millions of years ago.

Raw dog food is a growing trend These diets provide canines with more nutrients than cooked foods and help them protect their teeth, coat, and digestive functions, among other health benefits. Read our German Shepherd raw diet guide to learn about raw feeding GSDs and their benefits. We recommend visiting our best raw dog food article to find the best brands to feed your dog.

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Can I Feed Treats To My German Shepherd Puppy

Yes, treats are acceptable, provided they are healthy, rich in protein and nutrients, with no added sugar or preservatives. Many store-bought snacks for dogs, including puppies, are not as natural or high-quality as claimed. Naturally dried meats with low sodium, or dehydrated vegetables and meats, are the best choice to avoid any additives commonly found in treats.

If youre training your puppy, treats are a great reward. Treats should be given in small portions, and only on a limited to occasional, until your dog reaches six months. You can gradually increase treats from six to twelve months, provided they are consistently small in portion.

Its essential to ensure that these tasty rewards dont interfere with your puppys natural eating habits, as this can cause overeating or skipping meals if excessive treats are consumed.

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Benefits Of German Shepherd Raw Diet

So, what are the benefits of a BARF diet for german shepherd?

Among the benefits of raw dog food, according to veterinarian Dr. Ian Billinghurst and other proponents of raw feeding dogs, are:

• Increased agility

In the largest study to date on the effects of raw food on dogs, Belgian researchers Dr. Gerard Lippert and Bruno Sapy examined more than 500 dogs over a period spanning five years concluded that raw feeding dogs could add as much as 32 months to a dogs life5.

Dr. Peter Dobias, who has 30 years of veterinary experience and has advocated for raw pet diets since 1995, agrees with the study and says,From my experience, if people feed a raw diet, they will increase their dogs lifespan by 25 percent, Generally, raw-fed dogs are so much healthier. The changes are profound.7

Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy

Rating:

Complete Health Large Breed Puppy is one of 13 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, peas, ground brown rice, salmon meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Growth
• Best for:German Shepherd puppy

Complete Health Large Breed Puppy derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken as well as chicken meal and salmon meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 14% fat and 45% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%.

Sample buyer reviewMy almost year old GSD loves this food! I transitioned him to this at 9 weeks. He was on another grain free puppy food but was not large breed. This food for high marks and I wanted to have a food that contained grains and was formulated for large breeds. My dog had no issues transitioning and loves his food. Like a lot of GSDs he does have a sensitive tummy and most treats dont agree with him so we use this as a training treat as well and he still loves it.

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German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Guide: Birth To 12 Weeks

All dogs should stay with their mother for no less than eight weeks, ideally up to ten weeks. During this time, the mother will nurse the pups until they are old enough to begin eating puppy mush.

Puppy mush is usually regular dog kibble thats been soaked in water, formula, or homemade puppy milk made with human-grade ingredients.

After the puppies are fully weaned from their mothers milk, they will get all of their nutrition either from puppy mushmade progressively drier every few daysor other puppy-safe foods.

Its important to continue feeding your puppy whatever the breeder started them on, at least for the first few weeks. This will help prevent gastrointestinal distress.

Also, be certain it is food intended for puppies and not adults or senior dogs. Adult dog foods do not have the proper nutrients to support a growing puppy.

Once your German Shepherd puppy is homebetween 8 and 12 weeksyou may begin weaning them off of the breeders food and introducing their new foodif youve decided to switch, that is.

Over the course of the next few weeks slowly introduce the puppys new food into her old food, adding more of the new food each day.

Start with ¾ of the serving of the old food and ¼ of the new food. After a few days, make it half and half. After the first week or so, make it ¾ the new food and ¼ the old food.

Then by two to three weeks, your pup should be fully on her new food.