Can I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy A Raw Food Diet
There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to answering this question. Its a personal choice.
Make sure to refrigerate meat intending to use within three days, or freeze as soon as it is purchased to avoid decay and pathogens that may make your puppy sick.
Adding in vegetables and fruits is a great way to balance your puppys nutrient requirements.
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.
The Importance Of Proper Puppy Nutrition
When it comes to feeding, its tempting to tell yourself a puppy is a puppy. But the truth is, food formulated for puppies is actually quite different than food formulated for older dogs.
Brain, organ, and bone development occurs rapidly in puppies and sets up the foundation for normal function and health throughout a dog’s life,” says Shmalberg.
Young dogs need higher levels of protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus when compared to adult dogs. Too few of these can cause deficiencies though too many can cause lifelong complications.
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German Shepherd Food Brands
Today there is a wide range of products present in the market but choosing the best and right which helps in building good strength of the dog and quite helpful for muscles and the digestive tract.
Some of the best dog foods are listed below:
- Holistic Select Large and Giant Breed Puppy Health Dog food
- Precise Holistic Complete Large Breed Adult Formula
- Royal Canin Giant Junior Dry Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein
- Iams Proactive
- Hills Science Diet Puppy
- Nutro Essentials Puppy
Types Of Dog Food For German Shepherds For Feeding Amount Chart
Different kinds of dog food are available for GS dogs. The most popular and the least expensive kind is dry food. But there is also wet canned food, raw food, home processed food, etc. You can also feed them a combination of wet and dry food. Just observe which kind of dog food your dog prefers the most and the nutritional value on the dog food label. Then, feed your dog the brand of dog food that is more nutritious and convenient for you to provide.
Look for animal protein sources in the ingredients list like pork, beef, chicken, lamb, fish, seafood, eggs, etc. But good branded dog foods contain multiple protein sources, including plant protein like beans and legumes, etc., the dog food should also have adequate starch, fiber, and fat sources.
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What Does A 4
Usually, 4-month-old German Shepherds weigh about 33-40 pounds if they are males and 31-35 pounds if they are females. The size differences between males and females will likely be obvious at this point if it already wasnt at birth. By four months, itll be easier to tell how big your particular dog might get.
At birth, a puppys size is largely dependent on where they were in the mothers uterus, which plays a significant role in their nutrition. Once they are born, genetics tend to take over. At 4-months-old, the puppies have been growing according to genetics for long enough for you to guess what their adult size might be. A dog that is small at this age is likely to remain small.
How Much To Feed A Puppy Based On Weight
Most people worry that they need to change their puppy’s calorie and food amount every day because they’re constantly growing. Thats not necessarily true. “To promote normal growth, most puppies need to be fed the same number of calories, and food, from about 4 months of age to 12 months of age,” says Dr. Shmalberg.
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German Shepherds That Shouldnt Eat Raw Dog Food
According to Dr. Doug Knueven, a holistic medicine specialist who consults for Natures Variety says raw diets do not suit all dogs.
Since raw foods are normally high in protein, they are not appropriate for dogs with kidney or liver problems. Too much protein stresses these organs, which can aggravate these conditions. Dr. Knueven also states that dogs on chemotherapy or immune-suppressing drugs should be restricted from eating raw food.
If your dog is suffering from pancreatitis or digestive problems, its recommended to start with a cooked homemade diet before switching to raw.
Feeding A German Shepherd Puppy Kibble
Kibble, also referred to as dry puppy food or dry food in general, is created to provide well-balanced nourishment for your dog at any life stage. When you head to the pet store, you will notice more selections of dry puppy food than anything else, and there is a reason for this. First of all, dry commercial dog foods are usually cheaper than the rest, and keeps for much longer.
We say its usually cheaper because top-quality dry dog food can still be quite expensive. Dry kibble is made up of pellets, and the sizes can vary. There are dry dog food options for large breeds like German Shepherds that see larger pieces, while kibble for small to toy breeds are noticeably smaller. The logic behind this is simple the smaller the mouth, the smaller the pieces.
Dry dog food is great for dogs for another reason they help promote dental hygiene. How does it do this? Dry puppy food is hard, which will scrape against the sides of your pups teeth to remove plaque and tartar and prevent buildup. You should be careful when feeding your German Shepherd pup any type of food. Read the label to make sure youre giving him the best.
Since kibble puppy food is dry, dog owners should make water easily accessible since your GSD puppy will be very thirsty.
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Change Of Food And Change Of Amount
How much to feed a German Shepherd puppy may also change based on when you begin the transition from puppy food to adult dog food.
If you choose to keep your GSD puppy on puppy food for longer, you may want to slightly decrease portion sizes per meal as your puppy grows up.
Conversely, if you switch your puppy over to adult food earlier, you may want to slightly increase portion sizes.
Discuss this with your veterinarian if you are unsure which approach is best for your puppys health.
German Shepherd Feeding Guide For Seniors
You will need to modify your German Shepherds diet when he changes from adult life stage to senior. Older German Shepherds have lower energy needs.
They will begin to have less physical activity and move slower, and so they will require fewer calories each day. You should increase in fiber amount in their diet because digestion tends to slow down in seniors
There are some commercially sold dog foods that are already adjusted for seniors. If you prepare your own dog food, you will need to reduce the calories primarily through the carbs.
Senior German Shepherds still require proper nutrition, especially for their bones and joints.
When it comes to treats, senior dogs should have healthy ones like whole-food treats such as apple slices or carrots.
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German Shepherd Nutritional Requirements
Other than simply minding the amount of food to feed a German Shepherd, you should also consider the quality of the food and the nutrients that it provides.
Feeding your German Shepherd with low-quality dog food will cause malnutrition and lead to overeating and health issues like poor skin, gastrointestinal issues, and osteoarthritis.
So, when it comes to choosing your German Shepherds dog food, you must look out for two important ingredients, protein and fat. The dog food you choose must provide at least 22% protein and 8% fat for puppies or at least 18% protein and 5% fat for adult German Shepherds.
That said, not all protein and fats are created equal. And so, do also consider the sources of such nutrients. Ideally, your German Shepherds protein must come from whole meat sources like beef, fish, poultry, and organ meats. In the same way, your German Shepherds fat must also come from healthy sources such as fish oil and vegetables.
What Human Foods Are Dangerous For A German Shepherd Puppy
Though your German Shepherd can enjoy human foods, some of them can cause harm and they should be avoided to avoid making your puppy ill.
Chocolate contains the theobromine toxin which causes health issues for your puppy these include rapid heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and hyperactivity.
Avocado is another toxic food for your puppy because it contains persin which causes serious gastrointestinal issues when eaten. Other foods to avoid feeding your German Shepherd puppy include onions, raisins, grapes, fruit pits, macadamia nuts, and sometimes dairy.
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Feeding A German Shepherd Puppy The Right Way
June 6, 2019 By Emily Patterson-Kane
The German Shepherd puppy is a popular addition to many households. Sometimes called the Alsatian puppy, the German Shepherd was initially developed for herding and now commonly used as a working dog or pet. This is your guide to providing all the nutrients your new puppy needs.
Many types of food can be provided. However puppy foods designed for large breed dogs are essential for puppies. This will help to avoid health problems caused by overly-rapid bone growth.
Read on to find out the ins and out of whats best for your German Shepherd puppy!
General Nutritional Requirements For German Shepherds
The first thing you need to remember is to feed your German shepherd dog food that meets their nutritional needs. I know this might sound obvious, but it is an easy mistake to make and can cost your dog a lot of trouble in his or her life.
When I consider the food feed to my German shepherds, I always think about their health issues first. A German shepherd is a medium to large breed dog, which means that he is at a higher risk for certain health problems, with bones and hips problems being the most notorious ones.
Genetics plays an integral part in the likelihood of them developing joint diseases, and too much rapid growth is another factor that can make these problems worse.
This is why, although German shepherds need basic nutrientssuch as protein, fat, carbs, and other vitamins and mineralsjust like other dog breeds, you want to be careful with dog foods that are too rich in nutrients as they can promote dangerously quick growth.
Aside from health issues, there are also other things that you need to take into account, including the size, age, and activity level of your dog.
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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.
However The Actual Amount Can Vary For Each Individual Puppy
How much to feed a german shepherd puppy. Feeding your german shepherd puppy feed what the breeder recommended especially for the first few weeks so as not to disrupt the digestive system. But, choosing the best food for a german shepherd puppy can sometimes be an impossible task due to the plethora of puppy food choices. German shepherd puppy feeding amount.
Dry kibble, wet food, or raw diets. How often should you feed a german shepherd puppy? A common age to switch gsd puppies from puppy food to adult dog food is 12 months.
Once your dog is a couple of months old, it will probably only need 3 meals per day. What to feed a puppy. You should not feed a gsd puppy, or any large breed puppy, kibble dog food made for mid size or small breed.
There are also specific formulas you may need to consider at some point, for example, special foods for. With any large breed puppy that is susceptible to bone growth issues such as hip dysplasia, feeding a quality all life stages, large breed puppy formula, or raw dog food is the best method to regulate growth. How much you should feed a german shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors that you have control over.
Eventually, the puppy will be used to eating the food completely dry. You should remove the water overnight. Its crucial to watch for each of these milestones as they come.these, more than weight or height, will help determine if your german shepherd puppy is developing normally.
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German Shepherd Feeding General Guidelines
Most vets will tell you to watch the dog and not the bowl when deciding how much to feed a German Shepherd. What they mean by this is that you should always be aware of your dogs body size, shape, and condition, and not being too strict with charts and graphs of food measurements.
If your dog seems to be gaining weight, reduce the number of calories they consume. Start with reducing treats or any table scraps you may be feeding him.
If he is still gaining weight, you can slowly reduce the amount of food you give him during his regular meals.
On the other side of the spectrum, if your dog is overly thin, lethargic, and not doing well, you may be feeding her too little. Increase the amount of food in each meal by small increments. ¼ cup at a time is usually sufficient.
Do not make drastic changes to your dogs feeding schedule or the amount you give. Do not suddenly remove an entire meal. All changes to your dogs diet should be made gradually, ideally over the course of several weeks.
Canned Or Dry Food For German Shepherd Puppies
Most dogs will always opt for the sweet smell of wet, canned food, but that is not the best idea for German Shepherds. Canned food is typically higher in fat due to its wet consistency and it can cause dental issues for your dog as he gets older.
Dry food naturally removes any build-up and plaque from your dogs teeth, keeping them as healthy as possible.
Dry food is also better for digestion and is normally more protein-based with less fat. Get your puppy off to the right start by keeping him lean and keeping his teeth healthy.
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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.
When To Switch From Puppy To Adult Food
Puppy foods tend to contain more nutrients and calories than adult food, to meet the nutritional requirements of your dog. As such, whether you feed a dry or wet variant, the puppy food you give will have higher levels of protein and fat. If you continue to feed this to an adult dog, they will be more prone to put on weight because of the high fat content. Moving over to adult food is an important stage in your dogs development.
Small breed dogs are usually fully mature by around 10 months, medium dogs by 14 months, but large breed dogs can take up to 24 months to fully mature.
With your German Shepherd, wait until he reaches around 80% of his anticipated adult weight before making the transition to adult food.
- Feed ¾ puppy food and ¼ adult food for the first week.
- Feed ½ puppy food and ½ adult food for the second week.
- Feed ¼ puppy food and ¾ adult food for the third and final week of the transition.
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