How Much Should I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy

Swapping Puppy Food Brands

You should initially feed the same diet the puppy was eating before you adopted them.

Consider continuing with this diet and then with the equivalent adult dog formulation.

If you plan to change to a different food do not do so in the first few weeks.

Then gradually include increasing proportions of the new food over a period of two to four weeks.

Best Food For German Shepherd Dog German Shepherd Dog Feeding Guide

The German Shepherd Dog has different nutrient needs at different life stages. Therefore, the dog food that you feed your German Shepherd Dog at different ages should be the type that is appropriate for its age.

For example, during its puppy stage, your German Shepherd Dog needs the type of dog food that has been designed to help boost a puppy`s weak immune system.

On the other hand, the adult German Shepherd Dog should have already developed a good immune system. So, during the adult stage, you should feed your German Shepherd Dog the type of dog food that has been designed to prolong the life of a dog.

Nevertheless, some dogs still do well eating the same food at every stage of their lives.

However, feeding your German Shepherd Dog dog food that has been optimized for its age will ensure that your German Shepherd Dog grows well, lives well, and lives long.

How Often Should You Feed Your German Shepherd Puppy

Now that you know how much to feed your puppy every day, the next question is, how do you distribute the meals? Do you just lump it at once and leave it for the pup to eat at their convenience, or do you set up mealtimes and apportion? Of course, the latter makes more sense. It is also an excellent way to start training your dog.

Most puppies start with small quantities and few meals. Therefore, provide feeds specially formulated for puppies. It will help you not to compromise the nutritional quality. The following guide will help you understand the feeding frequency according to the puppys age.

• At 8 12 weeks, a German Shepherd puppy eats four times a day.
• At 13 weeks to 6-months, a German Shepherd puppy eats three times a day.
• At 7 12 months, a German Shepherd puppy eats twice a day
• At one year or older, a German Shepherd can eat once a day

Not all dogs clear out their meals within minutes. Some are slow eaters and could take longer to finish a meal. This especially happens when the puppies are young and not accustomed to pet food. It is also the stage when your pup can develop picky eating habits. But you can avoid it by following these steps:

• Serve the recommended quantity
• Leave the food down for about 10 20 minutes.
• Discard the remaining food after feeding time is over.
• Do not feed the puppy until the next session.
• At the next feeding session, reduce the quantity by the amount that the puppy left.

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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.

German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart

There are three aspects of this German Shepherd puppy feeding chart, namely the German shepherd feeding amount, feeding frequency, and mealtime lengths.

It is important to find out the appropriate feeding amount, frequency, and length for your German shepherd without leaving out one of them. That way, you can accurately find out the best way to feed your dog.

Lets start with the most basic of them all, the feeding amount.

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Merrick Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe

Top 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes

Caloric Content: 3,641 kcal/kg

There is also chondroitin and glucosamine, which assists with a German Shepherds mobility, as well as both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to help with a shiny coat and healthy skin.

There has been some suggestion however that the kibble size is too small for some dogs, however this is not necessarily a negative for all dogs.

Additionally, this dry food is gluten free and does not contain any artificial colors, preservatives or flavors, as well as being poultry-free for any dogs that may have poultry allergies.

Eukanuba Puppy Dry Dog Food Chicken

Eukanuba cares for both your pocket and your pups well-being. So, you get three different packaging options for your puppy. Its main ingredient is high-quality chicken that your puppy will devour. While the formula is enhanced with targeted levels of calcium and phosphorus. You see, German Shepherds need calcium. But, too much can harm them.

But, Eukanuba has been in this business for over fifty years. And, they only provide products par excellence. So, if you are looking for choices in the market, Eukanuba is a sensible addition to your dogs diet.

Pros

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.

Pros

Pros

Pros

Pros

• Theres a change in the formula

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How Much To Feed The Adult Raw Fed Dog

You got your first delivery of Doggy Moggy Beef now what? How much do you feed your dog?

GUIDELINES NOT RULES

When deciding how much to feed your dog, think in terms of guidelines not rules. Consider all the variables that might affect your decision. Age of the dog and its level of physical activity. Are they healthy? Is your dog in heat? Is your dog pregnant/nursing? Are they currently at a healthy weight? Are they lay-abouts indoors or are they roaming the property outdoors? What other food are they receiving during the day?

Take for example our Bernedoodle, Philly. It was a no brainer that when she was pregnant and nursing she required more food to fuel her body and her puppies. After the puppies were weaned, it became obvious she was gaining weight and we needed to reduce the amount she was being fed as the demands on her body returned to normal. What worked before, wasnt working any more. We lowered her food intake, added some more exercise and she is now back to her ideal weight.

The variables in your dogs life can change so its important to keep an eye on your dogs food intake depending on what season of life they are in. The percentages below are guidelines, not rules. Much like monitoring our own weight and food intake, we need to pay attention to our dogs and take action when it is obvious that changes need to be made.

IS YOUR DOG AN IDEAL WEIGHT

Its important to weigh your dog when you start them on a raw food diet for the following reasons:

How Much Should I Feed My Gsd Puppy

A normal healthy GSD puppy will require anywhere between 1 to 2.5 cups of food depending on the age and lifestyle. A larger puppy may also need more food, and the gender of your pooch may play a part as well since males are largely bigger than females. As your GSD reaches adulthood, you will need to feed it anywhere between 2 to 3.5 cups of food daily.

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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.

How Do You Make Homemade Dog Food

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Do You Have To Follow A German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart

While weve given you a German Shepherd puppy feeding chart, its important to note that this should only serve as a guideline and not as strict rules you should follow.

Weve mentioned several times already that there are several features you should consider when calculating the amount of food your GSD puppy needs. This includes their age, weight, growth rate, and overall health condition.

Also, active dogs might need more food than couch potatoes, so always make sure your dog gets enough energy to get them through the day.

A proper diet is of utmost importance when youve got a growing GSD puppy. If you dont feed them properly, you might end up with a dog with many orthopedic issues and other health problems.

Its also important to note that you should contact a vet before changing your dogs food. Always consult a professional, as they might know your dog has different nutritional needs that youre unaware of.

Health Conditions That Can Appear From Improper Diet

Weve already mentioned that German Shepherds are prone to many health conditions. Of course, the best way to prevent them is to buy from the best German Shepherd breeder you can find.

Good breeders will conduct many health tests on their breeding dogs to make sure that they are in perfect health. None will breed a dog that isnt at least one year old and many will wait until their studs and mother dogs are much older.

At the same time, theyll conduct genetic tests to make sure their dogs are free of many health issues, including hip dysplasia.

However, many health problems, especially musculoskeletal disorders, can be avoided with proper nutrition and feeding your dog high-quality dog foods, such as Royal Canin.

This is because many health conditions come from malnutrition and inflammation. The most common cause is calcium deficiency. A healthy dog needs to consume a perfect amount of calcium and phosphorus to stay strong.

On the other hand, dogs with an overabundance of protein in their diet can have kidney problems. Pancreatitis is also common in dogs that eat food high in fat or if they eat lots of human food and table scraps.

Heart diseases are also common, especially in dogs that eat too much fat and salt. These conditions can be deadly, and they can abruptly shorten a German Shepherds lifespan.

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How Much Should I Feed My Adult German Shepherd Dog

Now that your German Shepherd is out of the puppy stage, theyre ready for a balanced diet as an adult dog. Food for adult dogs will contain various amounts of calcium, protein, fiber, and other nutrients that arent present in puppy food.

If you give a puppy recipe to an adult dog, youll be putting them at risk of obesity. This can also cause too much stress on kidneys and other critical organs, which could lead to serious consequences.

You should feed your adult German Shepherd proper dog food two times per day. You can schedule feeding sessions to be once per day, but its better to split the meal to avoid bloating.

Once again, to determine the quantity of food you should give your adult German Shepherd, you need to check their weight first. Then, use the general dog food measurement chart to get an estimation of the daily serving amount.

Is My Puppy The Right Weight

You can also refer to German Shepherd puppy growth charts to see if you puppy is gaining weight and within the normal range.

However, keep in mind that some dogs will be unusually small or large but still be perfectly healthy.

Do not try to maximize growth rates as this can lead to health problems later.

But if you puppy is not showing a steady increase in size, or your puppy lacks appetite, consult with a veterinarian.

Ensure that you are familiar with how to assess the body condition of your puppy. You can ask about your puppys condition at veterinary wellness examinations.

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Lifetime Expenses Of Owning A German Shepherd

The life expectancy of a German Shepherd is 9 to 13 years. Within this period, you will need to provide everything they need to live out their carefree lives.

From the data I discussed in the former section, we can compute the lifetime expenses of having a German Shepherd puppy companion.

The estimated expenses for the first year cost around $2,795 to $5,495, including the puppy.

Assuming that the average monthly cost for your dog is $160 for the succeeding years, we can estimate that the lifetime cost of tending a GSD is around $18,155 to $25,835.

However, this amount doesnt include miscellaneous expenses that may arise. Emergencies can happen anytime and you need to financially prepare for these situations.

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Month Old German Shepherd

At 4 months old, you can begin introducing more live animal products into their diet. Ingredients like actual bone, pieces of liver, and raw eggs are great to help your dog pick up the nutrients that may be lacking in their dry dog food.

Avoid giving them too much, though, by following the guidelines weve given you above.

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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!

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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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.

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