German Shepherd Feeding Guide: What And How Much Should A German Shepherd Eat
As German Shepherd owners, we strive to provide our dogs with the best care. And so we consider a lot of their needs, such as exercise, mental stimulation, and even social needs. But probably the most important one we have to address is their nutrition. But just what and how much should we feed a German Shepherd for it to be healthy?
Well, lets find out as we look further into a German Shepherds nutrition. In this article well discuss how much a German Shepherd should eat, its nutritional requirements, and Ill also provide a German Shepherd feeding guide to try and make the whole feeding process easier for you.
Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. They can get by on once per day, but its always better to split daily caloric intake between smaller meals instead of feeding it all at once. Again, bloat is a real problem for large breed dogs, and large meals seem to be a big cause of this.
How often should I Feed my German Shepherd puppy? How Feeding Changes as A German Shepherd Puppy Gets Older. Your puppy should be fed three or four times a day up to the age of four months. After this age, two larger meals at regular times will be sufficient. As your dog approaches 80-90% of its estimated adult size, around one year of age, they should be moved to a diet for adult dogs.
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.
Blue Freedom Puppy Grain Free Chicken Wet Dog Food
Also from Blue Buffalo is the Freedom formula. It’s a grain-free formula that can do wonders for your puppy’s overall health. Real chicken is used as the primary protein source.
It’s accompanied by chicken liver and chicken broth. When you open the can, you’ll notice the visible vegetables. The food has carrots and peas, which provide plenty of vitamins and minerals.
There’s also sweet potato. It acts as the source of carbs to keep your dog’s energy levels consistent throughout the day. The potatoes also provide a dose of fiber for better digestive health.
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What Can Puppies Eat
Heres a quick timeline of a puppys nutrition in the first few months of his life.
- 0-3 Weeks: Puppies should be with their mother and nurse as they please. The mothers milk has the nutrients necessary to provide proper nutrition and protect puppies from diseases. During this time, you dont need to worry about how much to feed puppies because their mother provides them with nutrition.
- 3-4 Weeks: Puppies will begin developing teeth and will begin weaning off their mothers milk. The puppy caregiver can blend a 50:50 portion of canned wet puppy food with a milk replacer in a flat saucer, gradually reducing the amount of milk replacer until youre only giving them puppy food. One should not be concerned if the puppies dont like the new food right away. It may take a few days to adjust to the new formula. Rubbing fingers in the mixture and then gently on the puppys nose and mouth can make the transition smoother.
- 4-6 Weeks: By this time, puppies should be fully transitioned to puppy food.
- 6-12 Months: Gradually begin to switch your puppy to adult food. Small breeds can switch between 7-9 months and larger breeds around the 12-month mark. It doesnt hurt to keep him on puppy food longer than needed to make sure hes getting all the nutrients he needs as a developing dog.
What Human Foods Can A German Shepherd Puppy Eat
Sometimes, your German Shepherd puppy deserves to be given a treat, and certain human foods are great options. There are proteins, veggies, fruits, carbs, and nuts eaten by humans that can you feed your puppy.
Proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, and beef are great sources to help your puppy gain lean muscle and become strong.
Safe fruits for your puppy include blueberries, apples, strawberries, watermelon, coconut, bananas, and mangos. They are packed with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Safe veggies for your German Shepherd puppy include green peas, carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, and cucumber. Safe nuts for your puppy are peanuts but they should be plain. Safe carbs for your puppy include rice and sweet potatoes because they are easily digestible.
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How Tall Is A 7 Month Old German Shepherd
Age Weight Growth 7 month old German shepherd 28.4kg 82.36% of total growth 8 month old German shepherd 30.1kg 87.36% of total growth 9 month old German shepherd 32.3kg 93.6% of total growth 1 year old German shepherd 34.5kg 100% of total growth
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 cup of food for each meal 9 months to 12 months: Approximately 2 cup of food for each meal
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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What Type Of Gsd Puppy Food To Feed
There are four types of puppy food: dry kibble, wet food, homemade food, and raw food.
Because puppyhood is a very brief period of time less than one year of your dogs life! and feeding complete and balanced nutrition is simply vital for adult health, most owners opt for commercial dry kibble that is nutritionally complete and balanced with wet food supplementation as needed.
Homemade dog food can be really challenging to make in a way that ensures it is complete and balanced nutritionally.
In most cases, you will need to work closely with your dogs veterinarian to add in additional vitamins and minerals for full and complete daily nutrition.
How Often Should You Feed A German Shepherd Puppy
| Puppys Age | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 year and older old | 2 | Yes, limited |
Break their total cups of food into multiple feedings spread thorughout the day for easy digestion.
How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level.
Feeding smaller meals throughout the day also supports your puppys blood sugar and energy level which helps them grow steadily and behave better in your home.
When you know how many times to feed a German Shepherd puppy per day its easy to see the need for a regular feeding schedule to keep track of his meals!
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How Big Is A 9 Month Old German Shepherd
9-month old German shepherd :59.9 centimeters: 95.1% of total growth. 1-year old German shepherd: 63 centimeters: 100% of total growth. 1-month old German shepherd: 14.17 centimeters: 25% of total growth. 2-month old German shepherd: 21 centimeters: 37.1% of total growth.
Feeding A German Shepherd Puppy A Homemade Diet
Research has shown that in the past, poorly balanced homemade diets have been harmful to German Shepherd puppies.
There is now abundant information available to anyone who is willing and able to produce a safe and balanced diet. Also, diet bases can be purchased to add to homemade diets, This should help to provide all the important nutrients that your puppy needs.
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However, modern cases studies have shown that well-meaning owners may still over-feed or create an unbalanced diet.
Many people can fall for the idea about some particular element of the food that: if some is good, more is better! Reports have shown that serious disorders can result from feeding a diet too rich and calcium or phosphorus. So, this is an area where you really can have too much of a good thing.
As with commercial foods, homemade diets must be properly formulated for a large breed dog. Do not deviate from recommended recipes as provided by a veterinarian. If possible, preferably a vet with a board certification in veterinary nutrition.
Recipes published in popular magazine and websites may not be nutritionally complete or suitable for a large breed puppy.
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Why Wont My German Shepherd Eat
Typically, your German Shepherd wont just stop eating for no reason. As a responsible pet owner, its your job to find out why your dog no longer wants to eat his food so you can make the necessary changes. Your German Shepherd may have stopped eating because he:
- Is bored with current food
- No longer has an appetite due to age
- Has dental problems or is in pain
- Has separation anxiety
- Is feeling unwell
- Prefers eating at certain times
You need to consider other possible reasons why hes not eating before you assume he is just not as hungry or even disliking his current food. Lets take a look in more detail at the more common reasons why your GSD stopped eating his food:
A Mixture Of Dry And Wet Foods
Most dog owners may prefer to feed their German Shepherd with a hybrid of both dry and wet foods. The beautiful thing about this food option is that your pet will enjoy the best of both foods. If your pet is on a dry meal diet, you may change to wet foods as toppings or a special treat.
However, it would help if you were sure that you are not exceeding your dog’s recommended calorie intake. Else, you may end up breeding an overweight, obese, and inactive dog.
Most dog owners mix both dry or wet foods in a bowl during each meal. Other people alternate both food types for morning and evening meals . In any case, you should seek your nutritionist or veterinarian’s advice to ensure that you are within the calorie limit for your pet.
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The Period Of Adolescence
Since the age of six months the period of so-called adolescence begins. A puppy tries to assert itself in the world and shows a high level of independence at that time and till the reaching the age of puberty.
Since this age, your pet begins to show disobedience and does not obey the commands it usually obeyed before. Do not allow it to behave in that way, otherwise it will become its habit.
This difficult period finishes usually with coming of the age of puberty. For female dogs it is often at the age of seven or eight months, when the first heat starts. Male dogs begin to spray at this time and it comes a bit later.
Attention!
The ability of guarding and protecting is also shown in this period. So, pay attention to the proper training of your favourite pet.
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Puppy Feeding Chart: How Much To Feed A Puppy By Weight
Curious to know how much should I feed my puppy? How much food to feed a puppy depends on his age and weight. Most dog and puppy food packages have a feeding chart on the label, similar to our chart below. Be sure to check your puppys specific food bag for the label, so you know how much to feed him. While this chart is a good baseline, we recommend double-checking with your vet as all dogs dietary needs are unique.
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When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing
Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger are require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen.
As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity.
Why Is My German Shepherd Not Eating Anything
German shepherds are big dogs, so its easy for them to completely swallow something they shouldnt, Check all their toys to make sure that a part of them hasnt gone missing. And look at anything else in your house your german shepherd can get too which they may have eaten. Why Is Your German Shepherd Not Eating?
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When Does A German Shepherd Puppy Start To Gain Weight
While there are exceptions, at this litter size, the puppies will normally be about 1% of the mothers pre-pregnancy weight. A healthy large breed puppy will normally double her birth weight during the first week. This is followed by a consistent weight gain of 5-10%. And moderates to an ultimate weight of around 70 times the puppys birth weight.
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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The Other Nutritional Requirement For A German Shepherd Is Fat
The fat comes from the protein and gives flavor to the food of a dog . However, feeding too fatty foods will be detrimental to the dogs health . While on the other hand, if your German Shepherds diet is low in fat, it will create a lot of skin problems in your dog
The ideal content of fat in a dogs diet helps keep his skin healthy. As a German shepherd sheds a large amount of skin throughout the year, it is very important that you are given the correct amount of fat in your food. The fat content recommended by AAFCO for the German Shepherd is 5% -8%.
Individual needs in the diet of German shepherds depend on a number of factors, including age, sex, lifestyle and much more . The feeding requirements for a young dog do not have to match the diet of an adult.
Sometimes younger German shepherds require a high-energy diet to keep them active. This is the case of dogs that live both indoors and outdoors. These dogs also require a diet rich in protein to regulate their body temperature.
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.
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