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How Much Food Does A German Shepherd Eat

Types Of Diet For German Shepherd Puppies

How Much do German Shepherds Eat?

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.

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.

Meal Plans For German Shepherds

The amount of food you should give your German Shepherd depends on her age, size, activity level, health condition, food type, and brand. Underfeeding or overfeeding your dog has serious consequences. So as your pet grows, you need to weigh and feed her with the food quantity that matches her weight.

Puppies typically eat more than adult German Shepherds because they need more nutrients and calories to grow and develop body parts.

Moreso, if your German Shepherd is a couch dog, it will consume less food than working police or sled German Shepherd dog that exercises all day. Working or security dogs need food with high protein content to provide extra calories for their daily activities.

Another essential thing to consider is your dog’s health condition. If your dog is ill or pregnant, your vet may recommend increasing the amount of food you give your dog. Pregnant or lactating dogs typically need more calories and high energy foods to keep up with daily energy demands.

Build Your Dog’s Custom Meal Plan

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Is All Raw Meat Safe For Dogs

For the most part, all raw meat is safe for a German Shepherd. This caution of for the most part is to make you aware that you should never feed your dog raw meat that you wouldnt cook and eat for yourself.

This means that you should always follow the same guidelines that you would use for yourself and your family when choosing meat to serve to your GSD. Make sure that you check the expiration date, and do not pick meat to serve to your dog if the date has passed.

What Foods Not To Feed My German Shepherd Puppy

3 Eternally Hungry Dog Breeds That Can

You can read more in this guide about what foods might be dangerous for dogs .

It is also important to note that any new food you introduce to your German Shepherd that produces a negative reaction in their body you should also avoid.

Make sure when you are transitioning between your current dog food and new dog food, that you do so gradually so as not to upset your dogs stomach, and so you have an opportunity to see how the new food affects your dog.

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How To Know If Youre Not Feeding Them Enough

Underfeeding is also a common concern. You might try to avoid overfeeding, but end up not giving your German Shephard puppy enough food.;;

Looking out for signs of underfeeding is important. German Shepherds do have a lot of hair in general, which can make it more difficult to see the physical signs. If you do see that your puppy is not looking healthy and too skinny, then you are most likely not feeding them enough.

Running your fingers through their coat can be another way of determining if you are feeding them enough. If you can feel the bones of their ribcage, then you are also likely not feeding them enough.;;

Be sure to slowly adjust the diet if you find that your German Shepherd puppy looks too skinny. You do not want to suddenly introduce a lot of extra food into their daily diet. Rather increase the food slowly. Look at how the puppy responds to the increase in food. This will help you reach an appropriate amount of food without overfeeding your German Shepherd puppy in the process.;;

Dry Food And Wet Food

If you havent had a dogbefore, this may come as a surprise to you. Dogs have two types of food, dryand wet. The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition recommends feeding your dog a balanced diet where hegets 50% of calories from wet food and the other 50% from dry food. If youhavent tried out wet foods before, you can check out PEDIGREE Chopped Ground Dinner.

The main differencebetween wet and dry food is moisture content. By giving your dog a mix or wetand dry foods, you help with his digestion and also help him hydrate if hedoesnt drink enough water. If youre following a diet that involves both wetand dry foods, you can feed him wet food during the day and dry food for hisevening meal, or vice versa!

An additional benefit ofusing both types of food is that your dog will not get tired of having just onetype of food, and this will help diversify his diet.

Read Also: How Does A German Shepherd Puppy Look Like

Raw Diets Cooking For Dogs And Other Alternative Feeding

This article has been focusing mainly on commercially available dry kibble since that is what most pet parents ultimately choose for their dogs.

However, there are many dog owners that choose to feed alternative diets. These include raw diets and cooking regular people food for dogs.

There are many viable options for feeding your healthy German Shepherd, but there are just as many harmful fads, too.

As with commercial foods, be sure to speak with your vet before starting your dog on a raw diet or home-cooking her meals. Whats healthy for humans isnt usually healthy for dogs.

That means youll need to learn a lot about canine metabolism, life stages, and nutritional needs before you embark on that journey.

Weve covered the holistic diet approach right here if youre interested in learning more. Feeding your dog an alternative diet can be a fun way to bond with your pup and feel good about providing whole, nutritious, natural foods that support your GSDs health and wellness.

How Much Water Should A German Shepherd Drink

German Shepherds Eat TOO MUCH!

Adult German Shepherds should drink one ounce of water for each pound that they weigh every day. Other variables include age, size, activity level, type of food eaten , weather, medication, or lactating. Puppies will generally drink more, despite their smaller size.

Always make sure your dogs water bowl is filled up at all times and frequently changed throughout the day. If your dog is reluctant to drink water, here are some fun ways to keep him hydrated:

  • Give your dog ice cubes.
  • Make doggie ice-pops.
  • Add water to dry food.
  • Make fun playtime with a hose in the summer.

PRO TIP! Get a dog water fountain such as the PetSafe Drinkwell from Amazon. I like this one as it has two large tiers and even comes with filters.

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Why Is My German Shepherd Always Hungry

German Shepherds tend to have a healthy appetite so it can feel like they eat a lot. If you ensure that the food you give is properly measured and that you have chosen food that is suitable for large breeds, then the following are reasons that your GSD could be showing signs of being hungry all the time.

  • Lots of Exercise The more exercise your dog gets, the more energy they burn off, and the greater their requirement for food to replenish this energy source. One hour of moderate exercise per day is considered a minimum for this breed. Any more than this and your German Shepherd may require more food.
  • Anxiety and Stress Anxiety and stress not only cause a lack of appetite but may lead to stress eating. Find out what is causing anxiety in your dog, and remove these stressors.
  • Illness Diabetes, Cushings disease, malabsorption syndrome, and SIBO are some of the illnesses that can cause your dog to want to eat more. Look for other symptoms of illness and consult with your vet if your dog is showing any signs.
  • Bad Habits Dogs are creatures of habit, and this means that they will benefit from having set meal times and routines. Try to feed your dog at the same time every day. If you feed a meal early, they may still expect food at their usual allotted time.

Purina One Smartblend Natural Puppy Dog Food

Crafted with love and care, Purina ONE SmartBlend is an epic meal for your dog. The yummy chicken flavor satisfies your poochs taste buds, and the nutrient-rich formula will keep you happy, too. Purina believes that your canine deserves only the best. So, they give you dry dog food for large breed puppies that is free from preservatives. There are no artificial colors, fillers, or flavors.Purina simply does not do meal fillers.

Vets across the globe recommend Purina, and they are so sure of their high-quality that Purina offers you to take the 28-day Challenge. If you dont see a visible improvement in your dogs coat, skin, energy levels, and well-being, they are satisfied to give you your money back.

Also Check: Who Would Win In A Fight German Shepherd Or Pitbull

How Long Do Puppies Eat Puppy Food

Dont overlook the importance of planning and allowing for a transitional process when changing dog food. Imagine eating the same meals every day. Then, suddenly, you switch to something completely different. Youll probably experience a tummy ache or;other gastrointestinal problems.

The same thing goes for your puppy. Remember that its a process that should take a minimum of six days, and sometimes longer .; Heres a video that highlights the transition process so you know how to properly change your puppys food.

Eagle Pack Power Adult Dog Food

Which Royal Canin food can I feed to my German shepherd ...

Rating:

Eagle Pack Power is one of 7 dry recipes included in our review of the Eagle Pack product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, pork meal, ground brown rice, peas, chicken fat
  • Type: Grain-inclusive
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best for:Adult shepherds only

Power Adult derives the majority of its animal protein from fresh chicken and pork meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 21% fat and 38% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.

A time-proven, grain-inclusive design free of any legume concentrates. Contains safe, natural antioxidant preservatives. No BHT or ethoxyquin. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewIf you have a dog that is extremely active this is a GREAT dog food. My Shepherd and Retrievers were skinny because they are highly active dogs. I switched to this food because of the nutrition and calories that it intails. My dogs are bulked backed up and love the taste!

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Get Back To The Roots With Herding Trials

German Shepherds were originally herding dogs, and if you have the means, you can engage in old traditions. Herding is an excellent exercise for the GSD. Moreover, herding will engage your dogs intellect.

You and your dog can take herding lessons and participate in various competitions. Some Shepherds compete for simple titles such as Excellent, while others compete against various herding dogs for trophies. Alsatians can participate in breed-specific trials or classes against other herders like Australian Shepherds.

This is an example of a German Shepherd performing a herding trial. You can observe how alert and mentally engaged the dog must be and how attuned to the handler. Note how much speed and endurance the Shepherd possesses.

German Shepherd Puppy Diet: Food Plan After 4 Months

Between 4 and 6 months of age, the number of meals should be reduced to 3 a day. The food quantity should be increased and an extra margin of 2 minutes to eat should be provided. The packaging of quality commercial dog food will detail the appropriate suggested amount of food for the puppy, depending on its age and weight. If you have any doubts, consult your veterinarian.

You should eventually start mixing fresh food, such as meat, fish or vegetables, with the commercial dry feed. Beware of forbidden foods for dogs. Some people ask about a raw diet for a German shepherd puppy, but we recommend these such foods should always be cooked and never given to a dog raw. Avoid chicken, rabbit and fish bones, as they can shatter and harm a dogs teeth.

Wet food should be given in moderation because given in excess, it can cause the development of plaque and cause the dogs feces to smell. Meanwhile, treats for dogs should only be used as positive reinforcement during their training and learning period, never as a food supplement.

Under no circumstances should you give your German Shepherd, or any dog, human food leftovers. Human food contains salt, sugar and seasoning contents which are very harmful to a dog’s health. In addition, if you do offer your dog your food, it will pester you during meals. For more, take a look at some of the harmful effects of treating a dog like a human.

Read Also: Can German Shepherds Live In Apartments

Homemade Dog Food For German Shepherd Adults And Puppies Recipes

Before putting your chefs hat on to make any homemade dog food recipe, you should first consult your vet and run the ingredients by them to get it approved for your German Shepherd.

They can even help you create a feeding schedule and give you insight into foods your dog can or cant eat .

Also, note that we didnt include serving size in the following recipes since the portions will change depending on the weight, age, activity level, and general health condition of your German Shepherd.

That being said, lets get down to business!

German Shepherd Feeding Guide: Nutritional Needs How Much & How Often

How much Should you Feed a German Shepherd Puppy in a day? | GSD Diet Plan |

Knowing how to feed your German shepherd properly is one of the first basic things you have to get right as a German shepherds owner. Failure to do it right can expose your dog to a number of health-related concerns such as hair loss, skin disease, and infection.

While there is no hard and fast rule for feeding a dog, there are some general best practices that all vets and animal healthcare professionals agree on. Here are the most common questions new and experienced German shepherd owners have about feeding German shepherds and their answers.

Also Check: What Age Can German Shepherds Have Puppies

What Might Be The Minimum Standards Commercial Dog Food For German Shepherds Has To Meet

Pet food generally doesnt have its own specific and enforceable regulations in any country.

There are general regulations for animal food in some countries.

In the US for example, The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires that all animal foods, like human foods, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled

Theres also a voluntary membership association called AAFCO that outlines some standards in the US.

In Australia, Pet food is essentially self-regulated with voluntary industry standards applied through the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia

In different countries, regulations, standards and labelling requirements can differ.

So, be aware of what these are, and where the gaps and limitations in them might be.

You will be required to do additional research to ensure what you are getting in each pet food product, and cover information you might not get given on a label.

Note that standards are the minimum, and not the standards you should necessarily follow for optimal health.

Also note that certain phrases like organic dog food mean different things in different countries.

Check what different phrases mean by law in your country.

What Can German Shepherds Eat

So now we know what nutrients dogs need; lets take a closer look at what exactly they can eat. These are the main foods German Shepherds can eat. However, they do come with some caveats, so read on!

PROTEINS
Watermelon

These are the caveats to be aware of:

  • If a fruit contains pits or seeds, these must be removed as they contain toxic cyanide.
  • Most vegetables should be cooked first to help with digestion.
  • Fruits, vegetables, dairy, and nuts should be fed in small amounts no more than 10% of daily calories.
  • Although dogs can eat some nuts, they are not recommended due to their high-fat content, which can cause an upset stomach.
  • Its not advisable to feed raw eggs or raw fish due to the risk of salmonella or listeria.
  • Some dogs are lactose intolerant and can not eat certain dairy foods, depending on how much lactose they contain.

I wrote complete guides to all the fruits and vegetables your German Shepherd can eat where you can find a ton of helpful information. These articles also include the nasty ones to watch out for!

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