German Shepherd Puppy Diet Chart

How Much Food Is Enough To Feed A German Shepherd Puppy

We all know how German Shepherd puppies can fast and easily grow into big dogs, and sometimes its hard to predict which food amount is right for our dogs.

German Shepherd dog is a large breed dog, and you cant compare his food chart to the food chart, for example of the poodle.

The right food amount is calculated based on the age of your German Shepherd puppy, and his weight at that moment.

Below you can find a food chart by weight which we have been created so that you can easily follow which food amount is right for your GSD puppy.

The Second Month Of Gsd Puppies Lives

Puppies begin to investigate their surroundings as soon as they pass one month of age.

Although breastmilk should serve as their primary source of nutrition, now would be a good time to attempt to introduce the pups to puppy food.

The puppy food should be made out of 1/4 food mixed with 3/4 water, as their stomachs still arent prepared for large amounts of food.

Also, if youre adopting a German Shepherd pup, it should be at least eight weeks of age.

Make sure to get the same puppy food that the breeder used, at least for the first few weeks, until they get used to the new environment.

How Many Cups Of Food Does A German Shepherd Need

Knowing how many cups of food to feed your German Shepherd becomes a bit trickier when you consider the vast differences in calories and energy-dense foods from each manufacturer.

While calories vary from brand to brand, you may use this chart to approximate the number of cups of food of dry kibble your adult German Shepherd needs.

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German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart By Age

As a general guideline, heres how much you should feed your German Shepherd puppy daily by their age and cups of food:

• 8 weeks old: 1 to 1 ½ cups of food spread over 4 meals daily
• 12 weeks old: 1 ½ to 2 cups of food spread over 4 meals daily
• 6 months to 9 months old: 2 cups to 3 cup of food spread over 3 meals daily
• 9 months to 12 months old: 3 cups to 3 ½ cups of food spread over 3 meals daily
• 12 months old and above: 3 ½ to 4 cups of food spread over 2 meals daily

Adjust the amounts based on your dogs lifestyle. A more active puppy might need extra calories, while a lower energy puppy doesnt need as much food per day. These are guidelines only.

So, feel free to adjust the amounts based on your German Shepherds energy needs.

Offer your dog their food around the same time each day. If they dont eat their meal in 10 to 15 minutes remove their dish. Wait an hour and offer them the same meal to see if theyve changed their mind about eating.

German Shepherd Dog Food Calculator

Similarly, to calculate how much water your German Shepherd Dog needs, check out our German Shepherd Dog water calculator

â Select the name of the dog food that you feed your German Shepherd Dog from the list.

â If the name of the dog food that your feed your German Shepherd Dog is not on the list, then find the bag or can of your dog food, the bag should have written on it how many kcals per cup is in the dog food. Enter this value in the calculator in the place of the dog food name.

â Enter the current weight of your German Shepherd Dog.

â Select your German Shepherd Dog`s age range, activity level, and neuter status.

â If your German Shepherd Dog is overweight or underweight, and you want your German Shepherd Dog to lose or gain weight, enter the ideal weight of your German Shepherd Dog for its current age in the `How much you wish your dog currently weighs` box. Leave this box blank if your German Shepherd Dog is of normal weight.

To know how much German Shepherd Dogs typically weigh at different ages, check out our article and calculators on German Shepherd Dog weight and growth.

CONSULT A LICENSED VETERINARIAN FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR DOG ON A WEIGHT LOSS OR WEIGHT GAIN DIET.

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What About The Chart On Dog Food Bags

Youve likely seen the feeding chart on the back of commercial dog food bags. These charts can seem pretty straightforward at first glance.

However, they dont take into consideration the size, weight, activity level, or overall health of each individual dog.

For that reason, its best not to treat these dog food packaging feeding guides as gospel. Instead, use them as a starting point.

Observe your dog, see how he looks and feels, and note any changes in his bathroom habits, weight, or energy level. Adjust his meals accordingly.

The other problem with these packaging guides is that they arent clear on how to feed your dog. Generally speaking, they talk about daily intake, not per meal.

For example, if the guide says you should feed your dog 3 cups, its not suggesting that your dog eats 3 cups at every meal. It means to split that 3 cups total over the entire day.

If your dog eats 3 times per day, that would be 1 cup at each meal for a total daily intake of 3 cups.

To further confuse dog parents, some manufacturers do list per-meal serving sizes, not the total daily intake! In these cases, if you read it incorrectly, you would end up underfeeding your dog.

To help mitigate some of this confusion, it may be helpful to ask your vet how many calories your dog should be consuming each day.

Then you can check the calorie content in the dog food and measure things from there.

Do German Shepherds Need Vitamins Or Supplements

You may choose to take vitamins and supplements, but do German Shepherds really need them?

Healthy German Shepherds dont need to add vitamins or supplements to their diet if they eat a good quality, complete, and balanced pet food.

You should only give your dog vitamins or supplements if your veterinarian recommends them, as in my case.

My German Shepherd has been recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the spine. In addition to her prescribed medication, she takes YuMove Joint Supplements from Amazon. Her vet recommended these, and they contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin for joint support and easing stiffness.

I have to say Ive been pleased with how she is doing on them, so if your dog has a similar condition, Id advise you to consult your vet.

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How Much Food To Feed A 9

You should feed your 9-year-old German Shepherd Dog 3.8 cups of dry dog food every day.

Ration this food into two or three separate portions and give it to your German Shepherd Dog over the day.

Our recommendation on how much food you need to feed your 9-year-old German Shepherd Dog assumes that the weight of your German Shepherd Dog is typical for its age.

The typical weight for a 9-year-old German Shepherd Dog puppy is 68.9 lbs .

Our recommendation on how much food to feed your German Shepherd Dog also assumes that you feed your German Shepherd Dog dog food of that contains 389 kilocalories of energy per cup.

Use our German Shepherd Dog food calculator for a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your German Shepherd Dog.

What Are The Nutritional Requirements For German Shepherds

The six basic nutrients are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins.

These essential nutrients are required as part of the dogs regular diet and are involved in all of the basic functions of the body. Good nutrition plays a large part in the appearance and vitality of your dog.

The minimum dietary requirement has been established for many nutrients. Keep in mind, these are the minimum requirements, and not what will give your German Shepherd optimal health.

To understand more, lets focus on the two most important building blocks of your German Shepherds nutrition: proteins and fats.

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How Many Calories Does A German Shepherd Puppy Need

The number of calories that your puppy needs depend on certain factors such as age, weight, and activity level. Active puppies need more calories to sustain their energy levels.

German Shepherd puppies require at least 500 calories per day, but the amount increases as their weight also increases.

You need to calculate the RER of your puppy and multiply by two to know exactly the number of calories they need. The formula of RER is 703/4.

For example, if your German Shepherd puppy weighs 20kgs their RER is 703/4 = 662. Therefore, their daily intake should be 1324 calories.

What Nutrients Do German Shepherd Puppies Need

Puppies should eat about 500 calories daily, increasing to about 1,600 calories around 15 or 16 months old. Adults will need between 1,700 calories and 2,400 calories every day. Senior dogs require less, between 1,300 and 1,600 a day. Owners need to read labels and consider all the different needs their pup has when choosing what to feed them.

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Can You Free Feed A German Shepherd Puppy

The German shepherd is a medium dog breed according to the AKC. Therefore, free-feeding is not a good idea.

For the German shepherds, feeding schedules work better. If the puppies are free-fed the puppy may eat the leftover at any time even when they are not hungry. Sticking to a feeding routine help the puppy to stay healthy and prevent obesity.

When you have a schedule, managing their weight and house training will improve.

The puppy usually relieves themselves around 15 minutes after eating or drinking, therefore, when they feed at the same time every day and are taken outside after a while, accidents will be minimized.

Tips For Feeding A German Shepherd Dog

You can find a ton of dog feeding guides online, and while they each hold merit, its best to talk to your vet about your dogs specific feeding needs.

Getting a personalized recommendation from your veterinarian is worth the time, expense, and effort. That said, there is still plenty of good information in this article that should give you an idea of your dogs nutritional needs at each stage of life.

Its likely that your vet will give you plenty of options, including suggesting you follow this guide and make small adjustments as needed.

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Raw Food To Never Feed Dogs

Did you know you should never feed your dog a raw potato? Potatoes belong to the nightshade family of vegetables, which includes tomatoes. Like tomatoes, raw potatoes contain solanine, a toxic compound to some dogs, says the AKC. However, cooking a potato reduces the levels of solanine.

Never give your dog raw or undercooked salmon or salmonid species of fish. It can contain the Neorickettsia Helminthoeca parasite, which causes salmon poisoning disease. This disease can be fatal. Plus, the small brittle bones can choke your dog or lodge in his stomach or intestines.

Boneless fish is allowed but not more than once a week. Dont feed fish with sharp spines and barbs. Avoid feeding wild pork, bear meat, or meats from wild animals, not even after freezing. Wild meats may contain more parasites than farm-raised meats,

Please do your research so that you know what vegetables, fruits, meats, and ingredients are safe to feed!

Months Old German Shepherd Puppy Feeding

At two months of age, you can start to slowly decrease the moistening of your German Shepherds dry food. Eventually, the puppy will be used to eating the food completely dry.

Following the German Shepherd puppy food chart, from 2 until 4 months old, a puppy will eat 4 or 5 times a day.

This has to be carried out with one very important addition: discipline. A puppy needs to learn that it will not be fed constantly throughout the day

Accepting and adapting to a diet plan is very important for a puppys intellectual development.

Food for German shepherd puppies should be higher in calories, fats, proteins, and calcium than adult German Shepherd dog food.

This is because puppies are still growing and developing and therefore need better nutrition.

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German Shepherd Dog Feeding Guidelines

It is important that the owners of the German shepherd know the amount of food that their dog requires daily. Feeding too much or too little can cause health problems in your dog . If you provide a diet with excess fat to your puppy, it is more likely that you can develop hip dyslexia.

With a balanced diet one can ensure that the dog properly develops its internal systems and maintains its energy levels.

Your German Shepherd will grow rapidly during its first 12 months of life, so it is necessary to increase the amount of food in your diet as it grows. Ensuring that the puppy of the dog receives the proper amount in its nutrition, and in the right proportions is essential for the development of a healthy adult German shepherd.

Up to 6 weeks

At 6 weeks of age, you should make sure that your puppy is receiving the same level of nutrition that they were receiving from breast milk.

Ideally at this early age, a puppy should be breastfeeding for its mother, because it is difficult to replace with food the necessary micro and macronutrients, along with the natural antibodies found in breast milk.

From 6 to 10 weeks

Between 8 and 10 weeks, you can start to wean them from your mother, and start increasing the amount of food for puppy dogs that you are giving them.

It is best to start with a diet of wet food, to help your body adapt to the transition. Wet foods contain about 85% moisture, which prepares your digestive system for all the food that we will give you in the coming weeks.

What If I Feed My Adult German Shepherd Puppy Food

Essentially, offering puppy food to your GSD once in a while wont do huge damage, but if its not necessary, theres no reason to do it.

The dog will not get any benefit from it actually, quite the opposite will happen if it becomes a regular routine.

If you feed an adult canine this type of food, you run the risk of your pet becoming overweight and putting an unnecessary burden on their kidneys and other essential organs.

Consuming food filled with calories to a dog that has already reached its full grown size will only result in an obese pup with a high risk of health problems.

The main reason why dogs are offered different types of food during different stages of their lives is to attend to the specific needs and requirements of German Shepherds.

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Feeding Requirements For The German Shepherd Breed

Every dog deserves to have a healthy and balanced diet that keeps them full between mealtimes.

However, the feeding requirements for German Shepherds will vary from dog to dog, and this can make it challenging to hit all of their nutritional needs.

There are a few considerations you want to keep in mind, and we outlined them below.

German Shepherd Nutritional Requirements

Other than simply minding the amount of food to feed a German Shepherd, you should also consider the quality of the food and the nutrients that it provides.

Feeding your German Shepherd with low-quality dog food will cause malnutrition and lead to overeating and health issues like poor skin, gastrointestinal issues, and osteoarthritis.

So, when it comes to choosing your German Shepherds dog food, you must look out for two important ingredients, protein and fat. The dog food you choose must provide at least 22% protein and 8% fat for puppies or at least 18% protein and 5% fat for adult German Shepherds.

That said, not all protein and fats are created equal. And so, do also consider the sources of such nutrients. Ideally, your German Shepherds protein must come from whole meat sources like beef, fish, poultry, and organ meats. In the same way, your German Shepherds fat must also come from healthy sources such as fish oil and vegetables.

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Create A Positive Meal Time Experience

If you have a new puppy that youve just brought home they might feel scared, anxious, or stressed. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips:

• Always offer fresh water during their meal times.
• Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle.
• Dont pester them while they eat, reach into their food bowl to remove food, or try to play with them.

I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. If your new German Shepherd puppy still isnt eating, try feeding them by hand.

What Human Foods Are Dangerous For A German Shepherd Puppy

Though your German Shepherd can enjoy human foods, some of them can cause harm and they should be avoided to avoid making your puppy ill.

Chocolate contains the theobromine toxin which causes health issues for your puppy these include rapid heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and hyperactivity.

Avocado is another toxic food for your puppy because it contains persin which causes serious gastrointestinal issues when eaten. Other foods to avoid feeding your German Shepherd puppy include onions, raisins, grapes, fruit pits, macadamia nuts, and sometimes dairy.

June 6, 2019 By Emily Patterson-Kane

The German Shepherd puppy is a popular addition to many households. Sometimes called the Alsatian puppy, the German Shepherd was initially developed for herding and now commonly used as a working dog or pet. This is your guide to providing all the nutrients your new puppy needs.

Many types of food can be provided. However puppy foods designed for large breed dogs are essential for puppies. This will help to avoid health problems caused by overly-rapid bone growth.

Read on to find out the ins and out of whats best for your German Shepherd puppy!

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