How Much Food Should My German Shepherd Puppy Eat

Recipe Variations: What Natural Foods Can I Feed My Dog

Home-cooked dog food diets can be one of the best ways to keep your best friend happy and healthy. As always, check with your vet before testing a new dog diet, but here are some of my best recommendations:

• Protein: Rascal digests ground turkey really well but you can try ground beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and Rascals personal favorite: venison. If you dont have a meat grinder, you can ask your butcher to grind it for you or cut it up super fine before cooking.
• Vegetables: Spinach, butternut squash, cranberries, cauliflower, apples, green beans. Here is an entire list of AKC approved fruits and vegetables you can give your dog.
• Grains & Carbs: Rice, quinoa, barley, whole grain pasta, and potatoes can be great options. If you can believe it, Rascal is actually allergic to rice. I wish I were kidding.

How Much And How Often To Feed A Senior German Shepherd

Senior German shepherds tend to experience weight fluctuation, meaning that the amount of dog food your dog should eat varies greatly depending on your dogs body condition. Generally, senior dogs will be benefited from eating more often with less portion size.

Lets say if I used to feed my dog twice a day, then I would feed him three times a day during his senior year. Three meals per day is a maximum you should give unless your vet specifies otherwise.

As for the portion size, I would suggest speaking to your vet to get an optimal ration. One last thing that Id like to add is that water is an essential part of your dogs diet. Its necessary to aid in digestion, flush the toxins out, and maintain a body temperature, so dont forget to provide easy access to clean, cool fresh water at all times.

Feeding Length Of Your German Shepherd Puppy

You need to observe your German shepherd in order to determine his mealtime lengths. Take note of how long he takes to finish a normal portion of food.

You also need to observe how long he takes to be full and pay careful attention to if he is still hungry after eating his portion.

Usually, German shepherds will take around 10 to 15 minutes to complete a meal, providing that you adhered to the customary feeding instructions. If you notice that your dog is displaying signs of eating slowly, you should pay a visit to your vet.

On the other hand, if you notice that your German Shepherd is still hungry after completing a meal, you should also pay a visit to your vet.

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Easy Homemade Dog Food Recipe

Jump to RecipeMy easy homemade dog food recipe combines lean ground sirloin, wholesome brown rice, fresh vegetables, hard boiled eggs, and tender herbs

***Please note, I am not a veterinarian, just a very passionate dog owner! The information in this blog post documents our own personal experiences, research, and the recipes that we feed our dogs under our veterinarian’s careful supervision. Please, consult with your vet and use your own personal judgment when considering transitioning to a 100% human-grade food diet for your pup. This post was updated with video August 16, 2020, updated with additional recipe links 9/14/2020, updated 1/7/2021 with metric measurements, updated 1/3/2022 with recipe links for hydrating meals.***

Effect Of Weather On How Much Food Your German Shepherd Dog Needs

German Shepherd Dogs that live in cold environments need more food than German Shepherd Dogs that live in hot environments.

Hot weather, on the other hand, does not increase the amount of food your German Shepherd Dog needs. Hot weather only makes your German Shepherd Dog need more water.

Since most German Shepherd Dogs live in a temperature-controlled environment as their owners. Therefore, owners do not need to increase or decrease the amount of food they give to their German Shepherd Dogs based on the outside weather.

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How Does Diet Affect The Health Of Growing Shepherds

Recently it has come to light that a proper diet for puppies does more than prevent malnutrition. As part of this proper diet, there are many things that should never be fed to German Shepherds.

Orthopedic Problems

Many orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia have a strong hereditary component. However, people often discount the role of diet in bone developmental issues.

Theres a clear link between obesity in puppies and the resulting exacerbation of hip, elbow, and back problems.

However, your German Shepherd pup doesnt have to be overweight to suffer a myriad of health challenges.

Merely creating an oversized puppy, as is often the case for show animals and people fixated on large dogs, can lead to several painful disorders:

• Elbow dysplasia
• Panosteitis Generalized inflammation of the long bones in puppies common in German Shepherds.
• Wobblers More common in Great Danes and Dobermans, Wobblers is a condition whereby the spinal canal is too narrow, causing neurologic instability.

Overnutrition and over-supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals lead to paradoxical malnutrition of the bone, and subsequently improper development.

Nutritional experts have modified their recommendations regarding the diets of large-breed dogs.

Many nutritionists and veterinarians advocate feeding German Shepherds and other large-breed puppies an adult or professionally-formulated homemade diet to limit the occurrence and severity of developmental problems.

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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How Much To Feed A German Shepherd Per Day

It differs between puppies, adults and seniors.

Weve listed rough amounts above.

As a reminder:

A vet should be able to tell you how much to feed a dog per day, and the number of meals they should have in a day

The packaging of the dog food usually also tells you how many cups of food to feed them per day which you might space out over the number of meals they have. This is helpful when using commercial dog brand products nutritionally formulated for dogs of different sizes and life stages.

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.

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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.

Skip The Fancy Brands: A German Shepherd Diet You Can Afford

Feeding a well-balanced diet is an important part of your German Shepherds overall healthcare. However, that doesnt mean you have to break the bank by feeding food marketed as premium or super-premium. According to nutritionists at Tufts Universitys Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, less expensive food that meets your dogs nutritional needs is often a better option, provided its produced by companies with years of experience and knowledge in the pet food industry. These companies usually test their products more thoroughly, making them just as good as premium brands.

• What is the healthiest food for a German Shepherd puppy?

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Week Old German Shepherd Puppy

At 2 weeks old, your German Shepherd puppy will still be with his mother. He should be reliant entirely on his mothers milk. These small pups will begin to open their eyes to take in the world, but otherwise will not be straying anywhere.

In larger litters, make sure that all of the puppies are growing and gaining well. Pups that dont seem to be getting enough milk might need to have formula supplemented to them in order to get their weight up to a healthy level. If you are worried about this at all, contact your veterinarian.

When To Move On From Puppy Food

You typically want to move on from puppy food as the dog approaches physical maturity. For a large breed like the German Shepherd, you should start transitioning into adult food starting at around 12 to 24 months old.

Make sure to do this switch slowly over a one to two week period by mixing and gradually increasing the adult food with the puppy food to avoid or minimize gastric upset.

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Diy Dog Food Seasoning

While dogs cant have all of the same aromatics as humans can they can have a small variety of dried or fresh herbs and spices that contain great nutrients and help flavor their meals. Use a few teaspoons sprinkled on top or mixed into the food. These are some easily digestible herbs and spices to try:

Homemade Dog Food Sources

• Meats: chicken, turkey, beef, bison, pork, lamb, venison
• Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, zucchini, summer squash, spinach, kale, collard greens, chard, thawed frozen peas
• Complex carbohydrates: brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, lentils, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, winter squash

Recommended Serving Amounts

• 2 pounds of food per day for a 100-pound dog
• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of food per day for a 50-pound dog
• 1/2 to 3/4 pound of food per day for a 25-pound dog
• 5 to 6 1/2 ounces of food per day for a 10-pound dog

This information is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Every dog’s dietary needs are different. Please consult with your veterinarian and use personal judgment when applying this information to your own dog’s diet.

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Keys To A Healthy Gsd Puppy

Veterinary research tells us that large breed puppies such as the German Shepherd need a different diet and feeding schedule than do medium or small breed puppies.

Incorrect feeding early in life can result in a lifelong impact to your puppys health!

In fact, diet is only one of three vital keys to raising a healthy GSD puppy.

Environment and genetics each intersect with your puppys diet to determine how healthy he or she will be as an adult.

For this reason, your first and best resources to create a healthy German Shepherd puppy feeding guide should be your veterinarian and your puppys breeder.

Even if you dont want to keep your new pup on the same food the breeder was using, wait a few weeks before beginning the food transition so your puppy can settle in first.

How Much Food Should A German Shepherd Puppy Eat

Feeding a puppy can be tricky, but keep in mind that you want them to eat enough to grow strong without getting fat. From two to three months old, vary between 1-2 cups with an average of about 1.5 cups per day.

Double that to about 3 cups once they are six months, transitioning to about 3.5 cups a day by the time they are a year old.

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Tools Needed For Cooking Dog Food At Home

• Food Processor: Before I start cooking a batch of homemade dog food, I blend up all the vegetables in my food processor. This Cuisinart food processor is my go-to. Its a bit smaller than traditional food processors but works just as well as a larger model. Blending up the veggies nice and fine will speed up the cooking process.
• Dutch Oven: I make the entire batch in my large Le Creuset round Dutch oven. I love using a Dutch oven because I can ground the meat first, and then finish off the batch right in the same pot. The process is very similar to making chili except for dogs. Ya knowDog Chili. .
• Measuring Cups: Rascal has his own set of measuring cups now because it makes measuring out food ingredients and the finished batch WAY easier.
• Meal Prep Containers: This is basically meal prepping for your dog, so you will need some great Tupperware.

Taste Of The Wild High Protein Real Meat Recipe Dry Dog Food

German Shepherds are built to be muscular. Though we wouldnt want them to grow out of their puppy bod, its still paramount to keep the protein intake sufficient. The Taste of the Wild High Protein Real Meat Recipe Dry Dog Food will make sure your pup has everything he needs to achieve the lean and strong build like hes intended too. One of its ingredients is real meat thats rich in fatty acids and lean protein. This product is best for puppies with high energy levels. The best thing about it is its made from sustainably sourced ingredients without artificial flavoring and preservatives.

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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.

How Much Water Should A German Shepherd Puppy Drink

Your German Shepherd puppy needs to drink 6 ounces of water per day for every 3.5 kilograms of body weight. Therefore, if your puppy weighs approximately 35 kilograms, he needs to have about 60 ounces of water every day.

If your dog is engaged in a lot of physical activity, or if the weather is hot, then this amount may need to be increased. You may notice that your dog is panting and this is a clear sign of dehydration. Always keep the water bowl full.

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How Much To Feed A German Shepherd Puppy

The feeding amount to feed a german shepherd mainly depends on how old age your German shepherd is. Overall, there are four ranges that you need to keep in mind.

• 16 weeks and below: ½ cup of food for each meal
• 16 weeks to 9 months: Approximately 1 and ½ cups of food for each meal
• 9 months to 12 months: Approximately 2 cups of food for each meal
• 12 months and above: Approximately 3 cups of food for each meal

In addition to the age, youll also have to consider how active your dog is. An active dog may require a bit more than the numbers in this list, and an inactive dog will need a slightly less amount.

Dont feel bad if youre having trouble figuring out how much to feed your German Shepherd. Theres a lot to grooming and exercising this breed, but the diet is one of the most important parts. Youll need to know how much food should go into that gorgeous furry body regularly.

Every dog is different so its best to check with your vet for the best feeding schedule depending on your dogs age, activity level, and health. But this guide can act as a solid benchmark.