What You Should Do If Your German Shepherd Has Diarrhea
Diarrhea in German Shepherds is without a doubt one of the most common manifestations of many illnesses and diseases. It is not a disease in itself, but a symptom. Although this symptom can mask a serious problem, it can also be nothing of concern. Nevertheless, diarrhea should not be taken lightly. Even if it is just a slight negligence of the digestive system, it can lead to many other problems such as dehydration if not resolved right away.
What Are Some Common Health Problems German Shepherds Face
Some common health problems German Shepherds face include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and allergies. This breed of dog is also susceptible to obesity, so it is important to choose a food that will help them maintain a healthy weight.
German Shepherds are also prone to joint problems, so a food that is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin is important for this breed of dog.
How Much Dog Food To Feed A German Shepherd
Since German Shepherds are a larger breed of dogs, they require a large amount of food to fill their tummy. For adult German Shepherds, you can feed them about 2.5 to 3.5 cups of quality kibble a day and slowly feed it twice a day. Modify the feed according to your dogs size, weight, age, and day-to-day activity involvement. Feeding your dog high protein food will build its muscle mass. If accompanied by vitamins and minerals, then that will improve your fuzz mates mental health. Feeding our pets with the right food will influence their physical growth only if you have blended in vitamins and minerals in a sufficient amount.
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The Best Food For Adult German Shepherds
Adult German shepherds need an adult dog food or a food formulated for all life stages. You’ll have a lot more choice when it comes to the nutritional profile in adult dog recipes.
Large breed puppies need food with a moderate amount of protein and a modest amount of fat. But some adults may benefit from higher protein content and fat content it all depends on your dog’s activity level. Active dogs and dogs with higher energy levels do well on higher protein diets because it helps them build muscles.
Senior dogs often do better on higher fiber foods. They may also benefit from low-calorie foods, or you can simply reduce the serving size on their standard dog food.
Bloat is a common health issue for German shepherds. You may help reduce their risk by feeding your dog wet food that doesn’t contain animal fats, like chicken fat, in the first four ingredients.
Some German shepherds also suffer from food allergies. A food allergy test can help you determine what your dog is allergic to so you can choose the right recipe for their needs.
Home Remedies For Dog Diarrhea
A great many cases are mild and, with your vets advice, may be treated without a trip to the office. They may respond to a regimen of very basic treatments, including:
Fasting
Withholding food for 12 to 24 hours, and providing water in small amounts frequently, can clear the cause of the upset and allow the gastrointestinal tract to settle. Its usually the first line of attack for diarrhea. Before you decide on a fast, be sure that your dog is healthy enough to endure it. Puppies, and elderly dogs, for example, need nutrients. Also, a fast may not be appropriate for small dogs who do not have the physical reserves of their larger cousins.
Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, so make sure to give your dog access to water at all times. You may also offer unflavored Pedialyte to help maintain electrolyte balance under a vets advice.
Kitchen Cures for Dog Diarrhea
After a fast, simple foods are usually introduced slowly. Many dog owners start with foods that act as binders, which can help normalize stool consistency. Some tried-and-true methods include:
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Canidae All Life Stages Premium Dog Food
This reasonable dog food, labeled as the CANIDAE All Life Stages Quality Canned Food, is one of the recommended meals for all pets. It has created 0 percent sweeteners for your dog and 100 percent minerals, which renders it a healthy diet for all dogs.
I have discussed more of thisdog food for the stomach of a German shepherds key specifications below!
This is the right solution for owners to indulge in food products, but frankly, if you want Canidae once for your dog, I can guarantee you that for the next thousand times you will purchase this.
Therefore, this gluten and fructose livestock and healthy vegetable formula are well preserved with much of its organized existence. This is balanced with a wonderfully excellent nutritional blend of balanced vitamins and aerosolized amino fats.
After preparing this meal, it is usually engineered so that your pet will enjoy it and can comfortably eat it. Therefore, the key point of purchasing this product as probiotic strains, nutrients, is the medical aspect.
Specifications
Things we dont like
- Limited options for ingredients
Final Verdict
As most brands on the market deliver breed specific food, so, dog owners are generally frustrated when buying dog food for dogs, but now the wait is over! This is a dry form product, available in four sizes ranging from 5-pounds to 44-pounds for dogs of all ages.
Buying Guide
So, lets take a deep look at the factors given below!
Moderate Fat Content
Easy to Digest
Essential Additives
Probiotics
Puppy Food For German Shepherd Sensitive Stomach
Since some gastrointestinal ailments are considered congenital, it is essential that you start your canine on a good diet plan at a young age.
However, the diet needs of your German Shepherd puppy are quite different than those of an adult dog. For this reason, you may need a sensitive stomach puppy food.
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Common German Shepherd Stomach Problems
Sam Shephard is an experienced German Shepherd owner and has learned throughout the years how to optimize the breeds health and wellness.
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German shepherds make wonderful pets, but, unfortunately for them and their owners, they often suffer from health problems. Common among these are digestive issues and a sensitive stomach. These range from mild to fatal, so its very important to keep an eye on your dogs health and bowel movements.
If you own a German shepherd, you should consult regularly with your vet about your dogs diet. Depending on what issues it has, you may need to adjust by eliminating certain kinds of food, adding supplements, or even designing a raw food diet.
With attention and care, you should be able to keep your dogs stomach issues in check so that he can live happily and you dont have to clean up too many messes.
What To Feed A Dog With Diarrhea
Its finally time to for your dog to have a small mealbut what do you feed a dog with diarrhea? Look for bland, easily digestible food that is soothing to the GI tract.
No matter which of these foods you choose, you should start with a small amount:
- For small breeds, start with a tablespoon of food
- For large breeds, start with a golf ball-sized portion of food, around 2 tablespoons
Here are a few great foods to try:
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Best Foods For A German Shepherd With A Sensitive Tummy
We used dog food with Salmon listed as the number one ingredient. We also fed our GS 3 times a day with the smallest portion before bed. Changing from 2 to 3 feedings a day made a huge difference. The last feeding before bed was just a handful so he would not get an empty stomach. We also added cooked chicken.
Upvotes: 5
Our vet has us using Science Diet low-fat ID. Its a prescription. We use both the cans and dry food.
Upvotes: 11
ProPlan sensitive skin & stomach, salmon & rice! Use this for my German Shepherd and for my Lab. Highly recommend!
Upvotes: 12
My girl loves Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin and does well with it. I also cook chicken and rice.
Upvotes: 1
After trying multiple Rx and non-rx brands, my hospice foster did best on Purina Pro Plan for Sensitive Skin and Stomach . I think dogs, like people, are individuals what works best for one may not work for another.
Upvotes: 3
Vet check firstEPI is very common in GSDs Weve had 2 with it that required medication and the y did wonderfully on BilJac feed. One of our shepherds now cant process grain and he does great on grain free kibble grain free isnt good for young dogs, but he started on it at 8, so we feel ok about itAgain, a vet will help you diagnose what is wrong and the proper course of care
Upvotes: 2
Out of my 4 shepherds 2 have sensitive stomachs and we use Victor professional for all of them and they all do great on it.
Upvotes: 13
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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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Best Dog Foods For German Shepherds With Sensitive Stomachs
Finding the best dog food for German Shepherds with sensitive stomachs can be a nightmare.
You always hope with every new food you pour into their bowl that this will finally be the one.
And then
Your beautiful dog is in discomfort and pain with stomach problems again.
But
It doesnt have to be this way!
In the next few minutes, Ill show you the best dog foods for German Shepherds with sensitive stomachs.
Whats more?
Ill guide you through what you can do to help calm their bellies. so you can finally bring them the sorely-needed relief they deserve.
Lets get started right away.
Why Does Your German Shepherd Have Diarrhea
German Shepherds are well known for their stature, intelligence, and. . .sensitive stomachs. Unfortunately , this can sometimes result in diarrhea. Diarrhea is a loose or soft stool, usually occurring more often than typical bowel movements.
Diarrhea is a common problem for all dogs, not just German Shepherds , and in many cases is quite mild.
If your dog ate something it shouldnt have, you may just need to wait for it to pass out of its system. However, sometimes diarrhea can accompany more serious health issues. Its important to know what to look for so you know whether your dog needs to go to the vet.
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The Best Supplements For German Shepherds
One of the best ways to address your German shepherd’s unique nutritional needs is to add all-natural, air-dried supplements to their diet. Supplements can fill in nutritional gaps and help support your GSD’s overall health.
Here are some of the best supplements for German shepherds:
Fish Oil
Hip dysplasia and joint pain are common health issues for German Shepherds. Adding a fish oilsupplement can help you get more omega-3s into your dog’s diet, which can help protect their joint health.
In a meta-analysis of studies on osteoarthritis in pets, omega-3s for dogs were found to have the highest amount of evidence to support their effectiveness. For the highest concentration of omega-3s, choose a fish oilsupplement made from wild-caught pollock and salmon, like this Omega Oil.
Joint Relief Supplement
Inflammation can contribute to joint pain and deterioration. A Relief Supplement is made with natural anti-inflammatory ingredients, like turmeric, antioxidants, and green-lipped mussels . It can help keep your German shepherd feeling good into their golden years.
Probiotics
A probioticsupplement helps support German shepherds digestion, especially if they have sensitive stomachs. Probiotics can promote digestive health by adding beneficial bacteria to your dog’s digestive system. In veterinary studies, probiotics showed promise for addressing a variety of doggy digestive issues.
When To Call Your Vet
If your puppy has just had a couple bouts of loose stool and is otherwise happy and doing great, there is no need to panic. It will likely resolve on its own.
Signs to call your veterinarian to schedule an appointment:
- Diarrhea that lasts more than a day
- Bloody or black stool
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What Is The Healthiest Food For A German Shepherd Puppy
Its important to choose specially formulated puppy food to support your young pups growth. Experts at the German Shepherd Dog Club of America advise looking for food that lists good protein, such as beef, chicken, or turkey, as the first ingredient. They also recommend avoiding foods that list chicken by-product meal, meat meal, or corn products as the main source of protein. Once youve narrowed down your options, seek advice from your veterinarian on which food will work best for your puppy.
Finally, according to a 2019 report by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 56 percent of dogs in the US are overweight or obese. Its a serious problem that can lead to a variety of health issues in dogs, including diabetes, osteoarthritis pain, and hypertension. Being a responsible pet parent means feeding your German Shepherd the appropriate amount of high-quality food for a well-balanced diet. When you do, youll have a happy, healthy dog eager to join his family on outdoor adventures.
Editors’ Recommendations
Other Dog Diarrhea Solutions
Sometimes, bland food is not enough to heal the gut and stop the diarrhea. Additional support, such as medications or supplements, may be required to resolve the problem. But before you offer any of the below to your dog, consult your veterinariantheyre in the best position to assess your dogs condition and determine what treatments will most effectively treat it.
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Preventing Stomach Problems In German Shepherd Dogs
There are some things that you can do to prevent your dog from developing any of these conditions. The most common and simple ways to do this are by making sure that your dog is eating a diet thats suitable for it.
To make sure that youre not going to put your dog at risk for developing stomach problems, its important that you make sure you know that youre getting quality food. Quality food, for a German Shepherd, isnt necessarily the same quality food that you might get for another dog.
Of course, youre going to need to make sure that you get a good mixture of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. For a Shepherd, this equates to roughly 20% of its calories coming from protein and 5% coming from fat However, more important than the breakdown of nutrients is the quality of the ingredients and the specific ingredients used. Try to go without gluten-free or at least low grains.
In terms of protein, youre going to want to make sure that you choose a high-quality protein source. Good sources of protein for Shepherds would be those that come from whole meats like beef, fish, and other organ meats. Chicken isnt the best food for Shepherds because foods made with chicken often come with a lot of byproducts that arent good for anybody, especially not a Shepherd with a sensitive stomach.
Who Is Raw Paws
Raw Paws is one of the suppliers that provide frozen raw food diets to dog owners like you. So lets take a closer look at a few of their products.
All of Raw Paws products are sourced from local farms that treat their stock ethically. This means Raw Paws is a small-scale manufacturer.
What this means for you and your dog is healthy meat, free from toxins.
RawPaws ship their food frozen in styrofoam containers filled with dry ice. And its guaranteed to reach your door within 48 hours still frozen rock solid.
From my research, there have been no complaints about the food being thawed on arrival.
On a side note, their website is super easy to navigate with all kinds of great information.
Theres no guesswork on your part when it comes to portion size or how to transition your dog from a cooked diet to a raw food diet.
I like the fact that Raw Paws offer an auto-ship service. This means youll never end up with an empty freezer and a sad dog, looking at a bowl of kibble!
You can get 20% off your first Auto-Ship by using this code: AUTO. Plus youll get 10% off all your future auto-shipments.
And they offer free shipping all across the United States thats a serious bonus!
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Taste Of The Wild Sierra Mountain
Formulated with novel proteins, Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain nourishes your canine companion with the perfectly balanced diet nature has intended. This grain-free dog food is a perfect lamb meal with peas and sweet potatoes that deliver your dogs highly-digestible energy.
After the cooking process, it contains specific K9 strain probiotics added to the recipe to retain their efficacy. It also includes antioxidants and prebiotics to help support a healthy metabolic function, immune system, optimal growth of bones, joints, lean muscles, and overall health and wellness.
This high-quality dog food only uses quality ingredients from trusted and sustainable local and global sources. The essential minerals are effectively combined with amino acids to augment their absorption in the body and ensure maximum benefit with a delicious taste of the wild your dog will surely love.
Specifications
- Recommended for dogs with chicken intolerance, sensitive stomachs, and also for picky eaters
Cons
- Few buyers complained of its strong smell.
Our Verdict
Our team gladly gives a thumbs up to this grain-free lamb meal recipe that combines premium natural animal protein, vegetables, legumes, and fruits to complement your pets healthy digestive system, strong bones, and shiny skin especially recommended for German Shepherd with delicate guts. However, few buyers commented on its strong smell.
Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain