How Much To Feed A German Shepherd Dog

What Is The Worst Dog Food For A German Shepherd

It depends on the individual dog.

But, very generally, foods that are inadequate or unbalanced nutritionally, and contain low quality ingredients might be bad.

Refer to the dog food considerations guide mentioned above for more indicators of bad dog foods.

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. This can be specific to the individual dog or puppy.

Also, 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.

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.

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:

• Hip dysplasia
• 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.

How Much Should You Feed A German Shepherd Puppy

Dogtime.com recommends estimating the total amount of food based on its expected adult weight with the goal of gaining 1 to 2 grams per pound each day. Puppy foods vary based on composition and most brands provide a recommended amount based on weight. Because puppies grow so rapidly during the early stages of their life, they require two to four times as much food as an adult dog.

Puppies eat often and in small quantities, needing more protein, vitamins, minerals and fats to support their rapid growth. German shepherd puppies are fed food formulated for large-breed dogs, helping them grow while supporting the development of strong bones and joints. When a puppy reach six months, reduce the number of meals from four to two, reducing the amount based on the guidelines provided by the manufacturers. German shepherds are at risk for hip dysplasia. To prevent future orthopedic injuries, feed them controlled amounts of food on a diet designed to promote slow, sustained growth. Their ribs should be easily felt but not visible with a defined waist. German Shepherd World recommends supplementing dry food with liver or some kind of pet meat as well as squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin or carrots.

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Should You Feed Your German Shepherd Dry Or Canned Food

Commercial dog food is available in three forms: dry, canned, and semi-moist.

Commercial dry dog foods normally contain about 10 percent moisture. They have a longer shelf and are the least expensive option than other forms of dog food. Not forget to mention they also promote healthy teeth and gums.;

In the past, there were many complaints about the palatability of dry foods. But this issue seems to be more of a past issue as the competition among pet food manufacturers has driven the taste of dry food products more enticing than ever. All of these pros make them a wildly popular choice among dog owners.

Out of the three, wet foods are the tastiest food for dogs. They have a high moisture content, which helps to keep your dog hydrated. They are very convenient because they are easy to store and they contain very few preservatives.

The downside is they are the most expensive choice; they spoil quickly and dont provide the chewing necessary to keep a dogs teeth clean.

Semi-moist foods are the less favorable option because many dogs have difficulty digesting these foods. They contain high levels of sugars to keep the morsels soft. They also include food coloring to make the foods more visually appealing to humans but dont benefit dogs at all.;

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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There Are Two Ways To Determine How To Feed Your Puppy

The most pressing questions you probably have about your new puppy are how much to feed them and how often lets go over a few things to consider.

Many people use the food bag as a starting point to decide how much to feed their dogs. However, a label on commercial food is one of the easiest ways to overfeed your growing puppy.

Dog food labels may raise feeding guidelines by up to 25% to ensure the diet meets or exceeds NRC requirements. Its more accurate and healthier for your puppy if you calculate and measure meals yourself.

Feeding your puppy involves regularly evaluating and tracking their weight. You should be able to assess how close your pup is to their ideal weight just by looking at them.

Weight charts are useful guides, but they dont account for an individuals variations from the norms. Also, dont forget to include treats in your calculations for daily food allowances!;

If you give a lot of treats during training, for example, you need to account for it by decreasing meal sizes according to your pups weight or body condition.

Assessing Body Condition

Drake Center for Veterinary Care uses a body scoring system modified from Purinas charts and other sources.

Puppies will vary in their body scores and may change rapidly within a few days. Pups often lose their abdominal tuck right after a meal.;

Puppies under 16 weeks old commonly have a pot-bellied appearance without much abdominal tuck.

Volume

Calories

What Do I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy What Do German Shepherd Puppies Eat

In terms of knowing what to feed your puppy, its always best to ask your vet and to make sure you ask the breeder or rescue shelter/adoption centre what they were feeding the puppy beforehand .;

Commercially available dog food suitable for puppies is usually labeled as puppy food somewhere on the label. It might be higher in calories and nutrients to cater to growing puppies, or have some type of formulation intended for the nutritional requirements of puppies.

Some All Stages dog food may also be ok.

Dog food that is specifically for puppies can include puppy milk, dry puppy food and canned puppy food.

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Nutritional Requirements For German Shepherd

As your puppy grows into adolescence, his nutritional needs will change. He no longer needs as many nutrients as when he was a puppy. At this age, your dog needs to eat adult formula food, and ideally, the food should also contain joint supplements to keep his arthritis under control.

Check at the dog food bag and see if there is wording such as Complete and balanced nutrition based on AAFCO guidelines for adult maintenance. Most German shepherds that are primarily pets will be fine eating an adult maintenance dog food formula.;

But suppose your German shepherd is a competition dog that actively participates in recreational or competitive canine sports. In that case, he will be better off with a formula for all life stages.

What if your dog is underweight? Consuming a high-calorie dog food together with some additional calories and protein such as cheese and egg might be the best answer. What if your dog is overweight? Then his diet should probably consist of food that provides good nutrition but with more fill so that he can meet all his nutritional needs and lose weight.

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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.

German Shepherd Feeding Guide: Best Dog Food For Puppies Adults & Seniors & Other Faqs

Weve put together this German Shepherd feeding guide to include important information and considerations related to feeding German Shepherds.

We separately cover feeding guidelines for puppies and adult dogs, but also outline what might be some of the best dog food brands and products for each.

We cover considerations including :

General dog feeding guidelines

How much to feed a dog per day

Feeding a GSD puppy

Feeding an adult GSD

Feeding a senior GSD;

Whether you have just brought a puppy into your home, or you just want to brush up on your general dog food knowledge for an adult dog this guide might be a good place to start.

Lets take a look!

*Additional Notes

• Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food
• Wellness CORE Dry Dog Food Puppy Puppy Formula Natural, Grain free,;protein rich , with the calories and DHA needed for healthy development in puppies.;All natural and contains no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, or artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.

You can find product summaries of these dog and puppy food products further down in the guide below .

Onto the rest of the guide

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General Feeding Guidelines For An Adult German Shepherd

As stated above, no information is a substitute for the advice of your vet. Get a vets advice for feeding your adult GSD.

And, the set of considerations listed above and in other linked guides are good for general information.

Adult German Shepherds have generally reached maturity they are no longer a puppy, and also arent considered a senior German Shepherd.

Commercially available dog food is usually labelled as adult dog food on the label.

All Stages dog food may also be suitable for some Adult GSDs.

Adult German Shepherds might be considered adult between the ages of about 14 to 16 months, and 6 to 7 years but, confirm with your dogs vet.

However,;another set of considerations to take into account might be:

General guidelines all come down to good nutrition in the ingredients used, and a balanced diet of proteins, fats/oils, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and water.

When it comes to the ingredients listed on a dog food product label, you should be aware that dogs and German Shepherds are omnivores.

They can have both plant and animal based ingredients in their diets, but to be at their healthiest they need to have;animal protein;.

Its a good sign if the meat in the dog food contains more meat than by-products if it is listed first on the label as an ingredient.

Contrary to;popular myth, they also say that high protein diets;do not cause kidney damage;or hyperactivity in your German Shepherd.

See a vet for a specialised food plan in the above scenarios.

What To Feed My German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are big dogs, and they have a hearty appetite. Although dogs are not obligate carnivores by nature, they thrive on a protein-rich diet. Ideally, most of the protein you feed your GSD will come from animal and meat sources rather than plant sources. Feed a minimum of 22% protein, although we would aim for 25% protein at the very least.

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How Many Calories Does A German Shepherd Puppy Need

The number of calories that your puppy needs depend on certain factors such as age, weight, and activity level. Active puppies need more calories to sustain their energy levels.

German Shepherd puppies require at least 500 calories per day, but the amount increases as their weight also increases.

You need to calculate the RER of your puppy and multiply by two to know exactly the number of calories they need. The formula of RER is 703/4.

For example, if your German Shepherd puppy weighs 20kgs their RER is 703/4 = 662. Therefore, their daily intake should be 1324 calories.

Taste Of The Wild Southwest Canyon

Rating:

Southwest Canyon is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Beef, peas, garbanzo beans, lamb meal, canola oil
• Type: Grain-free
• Profile: All life stages
• Best for:Adult shepherds and puppies

Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon derives the majority of its animal protein from fresh beef and lamb meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 17% fat and 43% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.

Its nice to find a recipe containing natural source preservatives which means Southwest Canyon contains no BHA, BHT or other toxic additives. A super-popular, grain-free brand and a healthy, all life stages option for any German shepherd. Easily recommended.

Sample buyer reviewMy dog loves this food! He eats it enthusiastically and it has really helped him thrive! He is energetic, has a gorgeous coat, and devours his meals!

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Orijen Puppy Large derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 23% fat and 26% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.

Ever since its founding, Champion Petfoods, the well-respected maker of Orijen, has always advocated for a meat-based, biologically appropriate diet. This is a proven, balanced design which makes this particular recipe a top option for growing Shepherd puppies.

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Scientifically Formulated German Shepherd Puppy Food

Hills Science Diet Large Breed Puppy- Terrific for Coat and Skin Health!

Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats.

Feed a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company.

Dont buy boutique formulas, as these companies dont always quality check or feed test their formulas, and many have been found linked to causing deadly heart conditions in dogs .

The brands recommend here meet the World Small Animal Veterinary Association criteria and have no reported cases of DCM. Purina and Hills all have boarded Diplomates of ACVN on staff and Ph.D. Animal Scientists and Nutritionists work to ensure quality control and exceed nutritional standards. .

Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. Theyll eat eagerly and have a shiny coat and bright eyes with a scientifically based commercial diet that meets their needs.

German Shepherd Puppy Diet: Newborn

For a German Shepherd puppy to develop and grow properly, it is imperative that they first nurse on their mother’s milk. The first milk they receive is a protein and antibody-rich type of milk known as colostrum. This gives the puppy’s immune and central nervous systems a boost. They then progress on to regular breast milk.

Puppies will nurse for at least 6 to 8 weeks, gradually being weaned on to solid food at about 4 weeks. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a puppys first milk, as it provides them with 90% of its natural defenses. In addition, a puppys first feeding contributes to proper blood flow and helps oxygenate the puppy’s organs.

If, for any reason, the puppy cannot suckle its mother, don’t give them cow or goat milk. These milks are very poor quality in comparison to a puppy’s mother’s milk. If your German shepherd puppy has to be prematurely weaned, a veterinarian will be able to prescribe specific infant formula and establish the appropriate dosage for your puppy.

A dogs breed type does however influence this feed. For example, a Chihuahua and a German Shepherd should not be fed the same food. This is because hese breeds have different nutritional needs. Take a look here to find out more about the diet for a prematurely weaned puppy.

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