German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart
German Shepherds are large, wonderfully intelligent animals. Their breed needs to be carefully fed to ensure that they do not gain weight excessively.
GS are especially prone to hip dysplasia and excessive weight will only exacerbate any problems. Knowing how much to feed a German Shepherd puppy can help you avoid these potential problems.
Ideally, they should be on food with lean protein and low fats to keep their slim physique. Puppies should be fed about 2 cups of food daily,on average.
The amount of food depends on the crude fat contained within the food. A puppy should eat 3 times a day, moving to 2 times a day at around a year old.
What Is The Importance Of Water To Your German Shepherd Puppy
One of the reasons water is so vital to your German Shepherd puppy is because of its influence in the metabolic process. This process includes breathing, blood flow, brain activity, and digestion.
Sufficient water, which makes up most of the blood supply, allows the blood to transport oxygen and clear away toxins that can harm your puppy. Because insufficient water negatively impacts this process, a dog is at risk of organ damage.
How much water your puppy gets also allows them to regulate their body temperature. Panting uses respiration to help release water, which is why youll notice your German Shepherd Dog puppy panting more during hot weather or after exertion.
However, panting is a double-edged sword, in that your puppy loses more water during this process. When hot weather or heavy physical exertion is making your puppy pant more, the dog will require more water.
Proper metabolic processes will help safeguard your German Shepherds health. When everything functions correctly, your dog will have an appropriate energy level. An adequate energy level helps ensure proper health.
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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Water Helps Dogs Function
Water facilitates every metabolic process that occurs in a dogs body, Otto says. The wet stuff helps your pet digest food, think through an agility course, breathe in fresh oxygen, and pulse blood through his veins.
Blood is mostly water, she says. Getting nutrients to the body requires water. Your brain and muscles need water to work well. Water is the heart of everything.
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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Warning Signs That Your Dog Is Dehydrated
How can you be sure that your dog is getting enough water? Its not possible to measure out and keep track of how much water your dog is drinking every minute of the day.
Cases of extreme dehydration are typically associated with illness or overheating, but a consistent state of mild dehydration can have risks too. Its helpful to be able to identify signs of dehydration in your pet so that you can take action.
If youre worried that your dog may be dehydrated, here are a few areas to check:
What Are The Conditions That Cause Polydipsia In German Shepherds
Although the chronic disease is relatively rare in German Shepherd puppies, some puppies are more predisposed to these conditions than others. A thorough evaluation by your vet will help diagnose these issues if present.
Cushings disease, according to Blue Cross, is a hormonal disorder where a dogs body makes too much cortisol, caused by either a benign tumor or steroid treatment.
Dogs with Cushings disease will often have excessive thirst and urination issues, along with other symptoms that include fatigue and hair loss. Daily medication might be necessary.
VCA defines diabetes as a disease where the pancreas cannot properly regulate insulin. Increased thirst and urination are common symptoms.
Dogs with diabetes will require insulin shots to survive. Unlike diabetes in humans, canine diabetes responds poorly to oral medications.
A uterine infection in dogs, also known as pyometra, has symptoms that include excessive water consumption. Spaying, as long as the uterus and ovaries have been wholly removed, eliminates this health threat.
Because pyometra, according to the ACVS, is life-threatening, prompt care from a veterinarian is essential to recovery.
Kidney problems include several chronic or acute conditions that impact the kidneys. An increased intake of water amounts is one of the most common signs of kidney disease. Other symptoms might vary based on the specific kidney disorder.
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What To Season Homemade Dog Food With:
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 digestable herbs and spices to try:
- Basil
- Ginger
Changing A German Shepherds Food From Dry To Wet
If your German Shepherd is being fed on a dry food diet, then your dog will require more water than if they were placed on a wet food diet. The wet food allows the German Shepherd to receive a large amount of their daily required water intake, due to its 60-80% moisture content. Larger breeds of dogs such as German Shepherds require much more water intake than smaller breeds and therefore any opportunity to replenish this water is important for the dogs health.
The opportunity for the dog to eat good quality wet food also aids their nutritional support and can sometimes be much easier for the dog to eat than dry food. Usually, this is a benefit if your German Shepherd has any new or existing teeth and gum concerns, in which dry food may become painful to eat. Therefore, the wet food provides both nutritional support and hydration for the dog within their meal.
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How To Check For Dehydration
Dehydration is a serious concern for all dogs, so knowing the symptoms of dehydration can help you to tackle the problem before it causes serious health concerns.
Some of the most common symptoms of dehydration include:
- Vomiting & Diarrhoea
- Sunken Eyes
- Loss of Appetite
The symptom of Loss of skin elasticity is easily tested by lifting a small portion of skin on the back of your German Shepherd and determining how quickly it falls back in to place as expected. If the skin remains lifted for more than a few seconds, then your German Shepherd may be dehydrated and require a drink of water.
Most of the common symptoms are easily spotted and providing your German Shepherd only has mild symptoms then the act of providing water to your dog should rehydrate them.
As always, the best treatment for dehydration is prevention. You should ensure that your German Shepherd always has an adequate water supply available to them.
How Much Water Should A German Shepherd Drink
Adult German Shepherds should drink one ounce of water for each pound that they weigh every day. Other variables include age, size, activity level, type of food eaten , weather, medication, or lactating. Puppies will generally drink more, despite their smaller size.
Always make sure your dogs water bowl is filled up at all times and frequently changed throughout the day. If your dog is reluctant to drink water, here are some fun ways to keep him hydrated:
- Give your dog ice cubes.
- Make doggie ice-pops.
- Add water to dry food.
- Make fun playtime with a hose in the summer.
PRO TIP! Get a dog water fountain such as the PetSafe Drinkwell from Amazon. I like this one as it has two large tiers and even comes with filters.
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Is Homemade Dog Food Cheaper
Homemade dog food is more affordable than you might think. Its very relative to how large your dog is, but Ill break down the numbers for you The last dry kibble dog food Rascal was prescribed was over $90 a bag. A homemade batch costs us roughly
- 3 lbs ground turkey- $10.49
- 2 lbs sweet potatoes- $5.19
- 3 carrots- $1.04
- 2 lbs macaroni noodles- $3.34
Grand total: $21.87 per batch
Your meat/protein will be the largest cost. I always pick up ground turkey when its on sale and freeze it until we need it for a batch.
What Nutrients Does A German Shepherd Puppy Need
German Shepherd puppies require a protein-rich diet to help them grow well and have sustained energy for their active lifestyle. Your puppy needs at least 22% protein in his diet. High-quality protein sources include fish, chicken, and beef.
According to our German Shepherd puppy feeding chart, your pup needs 5% of fat in their diet for healthy skin and coat. The recommended amount of carbs for your puppy is 5% to 8% and should come from fruits and vegetables such as peas and potatoes.
Your puppy also requires minerals, vitamins, probiotics, antioxidants, water, and omega fatty acids in their diet to ensure that their immunity is healthy.
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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 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.
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Diet Plan For Adult Gsd And Seniors:
The German shepherd has a special skill to grow very fast and proper feeding plays a vital role in their growth and grooming .
After 12 months German Shepherd is treated as adults and their diets should be changed prospectively. Their diet should be balanced containing proteins, calories, phosphorus, and other nutrients.
while the adult GSDs need 18 % of protein and 5% fat for their proper growth and should be fed twice a day. Its dogs tendency to eat whatever food are kept infront of them, you will have to be careful of giving them good quality products in a balanced way.
Providing Excess food full of fat will make your dog chubby and they will not be so active, apart from it they will become obese which may give birth to diabetic problems.
Activeness depends on proper nutrition also if you think that your dog has become an adult and start giving raw food then you may be mistaken as it is harmful in their metabolism activities and will remain unhealthy.
Coming to older breeds, their body has already been adjusted with the nutrition they have taken. Their digestive system also becomes weak over time and giving food full of fiber will be a good choice. They may need 20% fewer calories than adults. You can follow the same diet schedule as the adult ones considering their weight.
The proper diet plan will not only let them become healthy but also allow them to live longer.
How Do Slurps Work
If your dog doesnt drink enough or can be fussy when theyre out and about, Slurps can help. Made from all natural ingredients and high omega 3 fish oils, they are super tasty so dogs lap them up.
Just pour over food or give to them as a drink between meals. . Some people even make Slurps into ice cubes!
If youd like to order Slurps, please click HERE for our most popular mixed pack.
*https://www.vets-now.com/pet-care-advice/dehydration-in-dogs/
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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.
How Much Should A German Shepherd Eat
On average, adult German Shepherds should eat at least 1,272 calories to 2,100 calories daily, depending on factors such as age and activity level. Older and less active German Shepherds tend to require around 1300 calories daily, while the active and energetic ones typically need at least 1700 calories a day.
Note, however, that these values are specific to adult German Shepherds, and a German Shepherd puppys diet will differ significantly.
Puppies will need twice the amount of calories per pound of weight as compared to adult dogs. And so given that adult dogs need about 35 calories per pound of weight daily, a German Shepherd puppy will need 70 calories per pound of weight a day.
Meaning, a 3-month-old puppy weighing 30 pounds will need at least 2100 calories daily to cater to its growth and development.
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Do German Shepherds Drink A Lot Of Water
With German Shepherds, specifically, they DO drink a lot of water, but for a reason. On average, the German Shepherd will require an ounce of water per pound of their body weight every day, which is about 0.3 liters per pound. Yes, they need more water than we do on a daily basis from their size and way of training.
Food Requirements Of German Shepherd Puppies
Puppies have the ability to store energy in a seemingly endless way. This means that they need a constant supply of calories the right types of calories to keep their energy levels high and help them become happy and healthy adult dogs.If this is the first time you have a German shepherd puppy, you are probably going to ask yourself some questions about your diet. Feeding a puppy is very different from feeding an adult dog . Younger children need to maintain a regular feeding schedule and their growing bodies require more nutrients from their food than adult dogs.
Questions like
- How much food should I give my puppy?
- How many times a day should I feed my puppy?
- How much should a puppy eat?
If you do not follow the proper guidelines one can simply be supercharged to your puppy or have it lacking nutrients and minerals vital for its growth.
As a general rule, it can be said that you are feeding your puppy excessively if he can not see or feel his rib cage.
While, for humans, this is considered a sign of malnutrition, it is actually a guide you can use to help find out if your puppy is getting enough calories from his diet.
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Why Do German Shepherd Puppies Drink So Much Water
If your dog is drinking excessively it is possibly because he is losing excess amounts of water for any of a number of reasons. While a number of diseases result in excess water intake and urine output, the most common of these diseases include kidney failure, diabetes mellitus and Cushings disease.
How Much Water Should My Dog Or Cat Drink
Textbooks define normal water intake as 1-2ml per kilogram of bodyweight per hour . For example, a 10kg dog, like a Westie, would be expected to drink approximately 480ml in 24 hours. Marked variation can be seen between individuals, dependent on the amount of water taken in with their food , and water lost through exercise and panting.
What is Polydipsia?
Polydipsia is defined as more than 100ml per kg per day.
Some pets may have noticeably increased drinking, whilst still drinking less than this amount. More than 50ml/kg/24hrs may raise suspicion about polydipsia, whereas over 100ml/kg/24hrs is definitely polydipsia. Polyuria refers to an abnormally high urine production.
Why is my dog or cat drinking so much water?
Water balance is tightly controlled by the body through regulation of water intake and water loss in the urine. Lack of water intake or excessive water loss causes the pituitary gland in the brain to release anti-diuretic hormone . ADH signals the kidneys to conserve water and to concentrate the urine.
In these circumstances, the thirst centre in the brain is also triggered to stimulate drinking. Increased drinking can occur either because the concentrating mechanisms of the kidneys fail, the kidneys do not respond to ADH, ADH is not produced or released, or because there is an excessive stimulus to drinking .
What are the most common causes of my dog or cat drinking more?
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