How Long Should I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy Food

Dr Garys Best Breed German Dog Diet

Rating:

German Dog Diet is one of 13 dry recipes covered in our review of the Dr. Garys Best Breed product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, oatmeal, brown rice, dried beet pulp, chicken fat
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: All life stages
• Best for:German shepherd puppy or adult

Dr. Garys Best Breed German Dog Diet derives most of its animal protein from chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 22% fat and 34% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.

We like the fact the formula also includes zinc proteinate and other chelated minerals which provides superior absorption and nutrition. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewOur german shepherd has had a lot of itching problems since she was about 1 year old. We have tried different foods, supplements, sprays and shampoos. Nothing has seems to work as well as when we switched to this food. Scabs that were on her for months due to her itching them open all the time have finally healed over. She is still a little itchy, but significantly better than before. And she loves the food too! We used to leave her food bowl full all day because she would only pick throughout the day. With this food we are only doing 2-3 cups morning and night because she scarfs it all down in minutes! Glad we finally found something that she loves and works so well!

Should You Feed A German Shepherd Puppy Supplements

The majority of commercially available kibble food is balanced and complete, and of high quality for your German shepherd puppy.

Therefore, there is almost no reason to supplement your puppys diet with vitamins, additives, or herbal supplements because adding these supplements can even cause harm.

Do not supplement your dogs food unless given a directive by the veterinarian. In such cases, the vet will prescribe canine-safe products that will cover the German shepherds special needs.

Human supplements often contain harmful substances to animals and are unregulated or minimally effective. Therefore, never give human supplements to your German shepherd puppy.

Types Of Diet For German Shepherd Puppies

German Shepherds are lean and strong dogs, which means that they need a diet that is high in lean proteins, but low in fats and carbohydrates. A GS that is overweight will have trouble losing weight because of the way that their body is made.

Overweight puppies will also have too much pressure put on their hips and since hip dysplasia is a real concern for GS, you want their hips to grow well. Stay away from foods that are high in filler as well because that will contribute to weight gain without positive benefit.

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Healthy Weight Guidelines For German Shepherd Puppies

How much should your puppy weigh? Thats hard to say, as males and females grow to be different sizes. Different lines of German Shepherds also grow to different sizes and at different speeds.

However, we can say this. Puppies shouldnt be as roly-poly as you think. At any stage of their growth, you should be able to feel their ribs. If you cant feel your puppys ribs, you should cut back on how much you are feeding them for a while.

Remember that growing too quickly can cause bone and joint problems in German Shepherds. Obesity is also a major health problem in all dog species. If you have questions about your German Shepherd puppys weight, you should talk to your veterinarian.

Finding The Best Dog Food For Your German Shepherd

The day has long gone when choosing a dog food as simple as picking one available in the pet section of your local supermarket or pet supply store. Today there are a myriad of pet food brands available, and each brand can have multiple formulas. Enough for every dog owner, even the most experienced ones, to get confused.

The good news is pet food producers have done an excellent job of creating products that help a dog thrive. They have created a precise formula for each life stage and every breed of dogs. This actually makes your job easier when you think about it.

In general, you just need to pick a dog food that is breed and age-appropriate. In the case of our German shepherds, we are going to pick a food made for medium to large dogs according to our dogs current life stage.

Of course, youll still need to do a bit of analysis, which I described in detail in my best German shepherd foods review and buying here. As long as you follow my guidelines there, you should be able to choose which food works best for your German shepherd dog.

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How Long To Feed German Shepherd Puppy Food

Feeding a German Shepherd puppy food is generally about how long the manufacturers recommend you to feed your dog. There are three general times for this one month, six weeks and eight weeks.

The when to stop feeding german shepherd puppy food is a question that has been asked many times. It is important for owners of German Shepherds to know when it is time to stop giving their dog food.

How Much Food To Feed A 35

You should feed your 35-Pound German Shepherd Dog 2.6 cups of dry dog food every day.

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

Our recommendation on how much food to feed your German Shepherd Dog also assumes that you feed your German Shepherd Dog a dog food that has an energy content of 389 kilocalories per cup, and that your German Shepherd Dog is reproductively intact.

Also, we assume that your German Shepherd Dog is not overweight or underweight.

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

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Do German Shepherds Eat A Lot

As a large breed dog, you can expect a German Shepherd to have a huge appetite. They are always eager to eat, may it be dry food, raw, or canned food.

However, it is crucial to know when or how much to feed a German Shepherd to avoid weight problems and severe diseases. After all, being a responsible owner can contribute significantly to your dogs quality of life.

How Much Should I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy

To begin with follow the guidelines provided by the feeder, the feed manufacturer, or by your veterinarian.

For example, you could expect to start feeding your puppy a total of around 3 cups a day of a high-quality kibble.

However this will vary depending on how calorie dense the food is and how it is formulated.

Puppies will quickly develop individual needs for food types and amounts based on their size, activity level, and other factors.

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Can German Shepherds Be Vegetarians

Generally, German Shepherds can thrive and survive on a vegetarian diet, provided that they are supplied with enough nutrients, proteins, fats, and calories on a daily basis.

However, the best way to plan a vegetarian diet for your dog is to consult your vet or pet nutritionist, so your dogs health may not be compromised by an unsure lifestyle change.

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Introduction To Feeding The German Shepherd Dog

Most dog owners do not know how to properly feed their dogs.

Also, most dog owners overfeed their dogs.

That explains why 59 percent of dogs and cats are overweight, according to research.

Overfeeding your German Shepherd Dog will make your German Shepherd Dog overweight and obese. Obesity leads to worse health problems for your German Shepherd Dog.

Fortunately, the German Shepherd Dog is a dog breed that does not become overweight very easily.

Nevertheless, you still need to pay careful attention to what you feed your German Shepherd Dog and how much food you feed your German Shepherd Dog.

Furthermore, when you overfeed your German Shepherd Dog, you waste dog food. Wasting dog food is the same as wasting money. Dog food is a recurring expenditure that adds up to a lot of money over the lifespan of your German Shepherd Dog.

German Shepherd Dogs have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years.

When you feed your German Shepherd Dog the right type of food and the right amount of food, your German Shepherd Dog will be of the right body weight and the right body condition .

Similarly, underfeeding your German Shepherd Dog is as bad of a problem as overfeeding your German Shepherd Dog.

When you underfeed your German Shepherd Dog or feed your German Shepherd Dog an incomplete or unbalanced diet, you reduce your German Shepherd Dog`s quality of life.

The right amount of food that your German Shepherd Dog needs depends on six important factors.

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German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart & Guide

November 20, 2021 by Garrett Yamasaki

German Shepherds are some of the most beloved dogs out there. They are smart, strong, and loyal dogs that make amazing guard dogs but also family pets. It comes as no surprise that many people are looking to buy GSD puppies. In fact, they are among the few dog breeds whose popularity never seems to decline.

However, when new dog owners get a new pet, many dont really understand how much food they should feed a German Shepherd puppy. This is why weve created a German Shepherd puppy feeding chart to help new owners understand the feeding requirements of their pets.

No matter the dog breed, all puppies need balanced nutrition and good exercise for their energy levels. If you manage to satisfy those needs, your GSD puppy will grow healthy and strong.

So, no matter if youve got an 8-week old puppy or a young adult German Shepherd that has reached its second year of life, weve got you covered.

Below you can find our German Shepherd puppy feeding chart, as well as some advice on how to properly feed your GSD.

Of course, there are several things you need to take into consideration, and well talk about that later on. Because of this, take this German Shepherd puppy feeding chart as a guide and not as a set rule.

Which Is Bigger A German Shepherd Or A Gsd

For example, canine researchers now know that male German Shepherd puppies typically grow up to be quite a bit heavier and taller than female GSD puppies. So if you are caring for a boy puppy, your pup may eat more and grow faster than if you were caring for a girl puppy! Also, your puppys parents can influence adult size regardless of sex.

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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.

What If My German Shepherd Puppy Wont Eat

You need to understand why your puppy cannot eat because it will help you determine the way to deal with the issue.

There is no need to worry if the puppy lost appetite shortly and goes back to normal eating without any sign of illness.

If the puppy loses appetite and takes a few days without improvement, take your puppy to the vet to find the problem because your dog might be sick.

If the vet finds that the puppy is sick, they may suggest a special diet that will boost their immunity and give them extra nutrients to better their recovery.

The puppy may have stopped eating because of behavioral issues therefore, you may need to feed them same time to get a routine.

Treats and human food that is given to the puppy may need to be reduced and also you can try different kinds of food.

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German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Schedule

While some breeders and puppy owners believe in free feeding, where your puppy always has access to dry kibble, this is not advisable because it makes it quite difficult to figure out how much your puppy is really eating!

Rather, work with your breeder and veterinarian to develop a set, fixed feeding schedule that supports slow, steady growth.

It helps with housebreaking as well.

Feeding Guide For The Young Adult German Shepherd Dog: Ages 1 Year To 6 Years

The dog food that you feed a young adult German Shepherd Dog should have the nutrients that will make a dog live longer.

A good dog food for the young adult German Shepherd Dog should also have the nutrients that will minimize the chances of your German Shepherd Dog getting infected with common dog diseases.

Also, a good dry dog food for the young adult German Shepherd Dog should help clean your dog`s teeth as your dog chews on the food.

Below is our best dog food recommendations for the young adult German Shepherd Dog

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What Do You Feed A German Shepherd Puppy

Your German Shepherds athletic body, as well as his energy, health, and condition, depend in part on what you choose to pour into his bowl and knowing how much to feed your German Shepherd puppy.

This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating!

Most dog foods on the market will adequately sustain your dogs life.

But you dont want adequate

You want your dog to bloom with health!

Feed a German Shepherd puppy a dry kibble from a major, research-based and vet-backed dog food manufacturer. Dry kibble is the most convenient, economical choice for most puppies. Look for a food created especially for large breed puppies that states the formula is a complete and balanced meal.

American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

Top 5 Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes

Caloric Content: 3,740 kcal/kg

Feeding Instructions: 3 2/3 4 ½ cups a day for an adult dog

Key Features

Most Inexpensive If you are searching for a dry dog food for your German Shepherd that isnt super expensive, then American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a great choice for you.

It is on the lower end of the price spectrum however, it is still a good dry dog food from a reputable brand that is manufactured in Kansas, USA.

This mix comes in a 4lb, 12lb or 24lb bag, offering the option to choose a smaller bag to begin with to see if your furry friend likes it and then move on to a bigger bag later on.

A 4-pound bag holds about 17 cups, a 12-pound bag holds about 52 cups and a 24-pound bag holds about 104 cups that should last for a while! It can have a strange smell though, which can be off-putting to humans and dogs alike, and can be a little hard for senior dogs to digest sometimes.

This Salmon & Sweet Potato blend offers protein and amino acids through real, deboned salmon, ensuring leaner muscles while still tasting great.

The addition of both chickpeas and sweet potato allow for slow-release energy, which means your best friend will have endless energy all day long.

And lets not forget everything is grain-free, corn-free, wheat-free and soy-free, which is perfect for German Shepherds with sensitive stomachs.

Pros

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German Shepherd Puppy Diet: After 6 Months

When your German Shepherd puppy reaches 6 months of age, its daily food intake should be reduced to twice a day. When we do this we can increase the food portions and eating time accordingly. A vet can provide you with a correct and tailored diet and/or food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. Our German Shepherd diet chart below should be taken into account depending on the age, lifestyle and size of your German Shepherd puppy.

After 6 months, you should give your German Shepherd puppy shatterproof bones, such as beef, to gnaw on. This should be done in order to strengthen the puppys teeth and gums. For more, take a look here for more about Bones For Puppies.

German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Amount

How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat.

Consider the following factors for how much to feed German Shepherd puppies:

• Activity the daily energy expenditure of your pup
• Age puppies tend to need more food and calories than senior dogs
• Health any medical conditions that might affect not only the type of food, but the amount

Heres a brief look at how much to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their lifestyle.

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