What Should I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy
Your German Shepherd puppys diet should be based around a high quality, nutritionally complete puppy food. You may also wish to introduce them to fresh, lean raw meat however, dont feed your puppy any meat you would not feed to a fellow human being.
What is the best dry food for German Shepherd puppies? Best dry food for German Shepherd puppies. 1 Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy Food. Royal Canin is one of the worlds largest and most popular dog food manufacturers. 2 Hills Science Diet Large Puppy Food. 3 Purina ONE Large Puppy Food. 4 Eukanuba Puppy Dry Dog Food. 5 Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Food.
When to feed German Shepherd puppies? Typically, you will see most puppy owners beginning the process between the ages of five and six months old. 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.
Can German Shepherd puppies eat too much? Remember, the diet of a German shepherd puppy is not similar to that of an adult dog. 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 .
How Much Should A German Shepherd Eat
Three main factors impact how much food your German Shepherd should consume daily:
- Activity level
- Age
- Health
Some people may also consider their dogs weight when feeding them. If a dog is overweight, it may need to start eating less. In the same way, an underweight dog should probably get a little more.
But in general, German Shepherd owners can follow this basic outline:
- 16 weeks & younger: one-half to one cup of food per meal
- 16 weeks to nine months: one cup to one and one-third cup per meal
- Nine months to one year: two cups to two and one-half cups per meal
- One year & older: two and one-half cups to three and one-half cups per meal
Additionally, the average indoor pet needs to consume a certain number of calories. According to the American Kennel Club, a German Shepherd dog can weigh 50 to 90 pounds depending on its gender and breeding.
Dogs in this weight range need to consume anywhere from 900 to 1,350 calories per day. Because German Shepherds tend to be very active dogs, you may need to increase their calorie intake accordingly.
Foods Toxic To German Shepherds
Poisoning episodes in dogs are usually due to a lack of knowledge by the owner, as reported by Frontiers in Veterinary Science, so whilst we are learning what human foods German Shepherds can eat, we should also take a look at what foods they cant eat.
Below you will find a list of the human foods your German Shepherd cant eat due to their toxicity. Some of the poisonings could result in serious illness or even the death of your dog, depending on the quantity of the food consumed and their level of toxicity.
You can find out loads more about these poisonous foods in my top article here.
- Alcohol
- Onions, Shallots, Leeks, and Chives
- Potato
- Xylitol
- Walnuts
The above list covers the main foods that you German Shepherd cant eat. However, if you are unsure about anything your dog has accidentally consumed, the Pet Poison Helpline not only lists foods but also includes plants, medicines, and household items.
Alternatively, if you suspect your dog has consumed something toxic, consult your veterinarian immediately, as timing can mean life or death in serious cases of dog poisoning. The sooner its treated, the better chance your dog has of a full recovery.
Also Check: How To Calm Down A German Shepherd
Be Careful Of How You Prepare And/or Cook The Food
If youve ever looked into a range of foods that different dog owners may choose to feed their German Shepherd, youd know that raw meat, if not prepared and served properly, can carry harmful bacteria that your dogs might ingest.
Cook all animal products to kill bacteria, and cook grains, beans, and starchy vegetables for better digestion.
Get A Recommendation For Recipes By Vet Approved Experts In Dog Or Pet Nutrition
Someone certified in dog or pet nutrition would be best to give you recipes for homemade dog food.
As mentioned above your vet can point you in the right direction.
Proteins
Carbs
Calcium
And, essential fatty acids
Natural ingredients and a lower concentration of artificial preservatives can be a good thing.
But, it also needs essential nutrients like iron, copper, calcium, and zinc.
This is where well balanced commercial dry dog foods have an advantage its pre-made for you.
Vet Nutrition are an example of veterinary nutrition specialists
Read Also: Why Do German Shepherds Shed So Much Hair
Healthy And Recommended Gsd Diet Routine
- /
Is the food you feed your dog not providing it with enough nutrition and energy? Is your dogs health not improving after you feed it a certain type of food? Do you doubt the food you are giving your GS?
Questions like these occur in every dog owners mind. It is absolutely normal to be concerned about your pet. Many German Shepherd owners buy food that attracts them the most. This is not the best strategy to pick out a dog food for your beloved GS.
A German Shepherds body demands high-quality food that is rich in protein and good fats. The energy that comes from protein is what makes them so strong and active. However, if you feed inappropriate diet to your GS, your dog will become weak and develop many illnesses.
Contents
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
Recommended Reading: Can Pitbulls Eat Tomatoes
Should We Prefer Homemade Dog Food
Is homemade dog food really better for all dog breeds like German Shepherd Husky mix?
So many owners think that homemade food is superior to commercial products.
Dog owners must be aware of the side effects of readymade dog foods. This is often driven by the quality of ingredients. Put that way, feeding your dogs a variety of whole foods makes a lot of sense. In fact, there is a multitude of reasons why you might want to prepare homemade foods for your dog, according to pets nutritionists.
These include gaining control over your dogâs diet, appeasing picky eaters, combatting food intolerance issues, concern over food recalls, or simply for the bond-building joy of preparing a home-cooked meal for your dog.
Food & German Shepherd Health: Why Feed Homemade
Despite being a wonderful dog, German Shepherds are notorious for developing food allergies and/or food hypersensitivities. A study published in BMC Veterinary Research Journal found that German Shepherds are at a high risk of developing cutaneous adverse food reactions 1, or in simpler terms, dog food allergies.
CAFR can be responsible for a multitude of skin allergy issues like atopic dermatitis. Chronic allergic reactions are accompanied by excessive scratching, itching, and biting2. Eventually, this could lead to secondary bacterial or yeast infections in your GSD. Unfortunately, a lot of German Shepherd allergies arise from commercial dog food. Kibble ingredients like protein sources, high levels of animal fat, preservatives, meat by-products, food coloring, grains, and fillers contribute to more allergies in this breed.
Sadly, GSDs are predisposed to degenerative myelopathy, elbow and hip dysplasia, and osteoarthritis3,4,5,6. Because German Shepherds are prone to these skeletal and bone problems, its vital to maintain a healthy weight for GSD. An obese German Shepherd may have an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis and other joint maladies because the excess weight puts more strain on their joints, bone structure, and back . It could also potentially lead to degenerative myelopathy in GSDs.
Keep in mind that even grain-free kibbles with high-quality ingredients can have high levels of starchy carbs and bad carbs that contribute to the pet obesity epidemic.
Read Also: What Colors Do German Shepherds Come In
Hip And Elbow Displaysia
This is common among any large dog breed. Because of their large size and constant activity, a lot of stress is put on their joints. As they age, Displaysia can cause immense pain as they walk. While it can’t be avoided completely, you can take the steps to promote good joint health early on in their lives.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are supplements that are often added to foods. They help to keep the joints and ligaments soft to absorb shock.
They’re often included in dog foods made for seniors and those with a “Joint Health” label.
Core Health Concerns For German Shepherds
Most German shepherds are healthy dogs, but the breed is more susceptible to a number of few health concerns than other breeds are.
Many of the problems that afflict German shepherds are congenital, and therefore out of your control. However, other health issues develop in response to your pups environment or lifestyle, and you may be able to treat these in part by selecting optimal foods for your pup.
Some of the most common ailments that afflict German shepherds include:
Read Also: How To Potty Train A German Shepherd Dog
How Many Calories Does A German Shepherd Need Per Day
As you probably already know, German Shepherds are quite large dogs. They typically fall somewhere between 60 and 90 pounds.
According to the National Research Council of the National Academics, active dogs within this weight range should consume between 1,740 and 2,100 calories per day, whereas inactive or older dogs need between 1,272 and 1,540 calories per day.
If youve got a high-energy German Shepherd on your hands, then you should feed them according to the caloric requirement of active dogs.
However, if your dog has arthritis or a hereditary condition that caused them to be less active, then a lower-calorie diet would be a better approach to keep their weight down and avoid adding pressure on damaged joints.
German Shepherd Homemade Food Tips
Once you pick a recipe for your GSD or GSD puppy, its time to prepare it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Dont feel like cooking for your GSD? Here is the most comprehensive guide to help you find the best commercial kibble for your GSD.
You May Like: How To Draw A German Shepherd Sitting
Feeding Your German Shepherd A Holistic Diet: What You Need To Know
German Shepherds are a special breed of their own. And if you are a proud parent to one of them, you may wonder if you are feeding them a diet that suits their individual needs.
With holistic diets becoming a trend, its no wonder that this style of life has made its way into the dog food world. In this article we will discuss what a holistic diet is, if its a proper diet for your German Shepherd, and the best ways to implement this diet into your GSDs daily intake.
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!
For More Choices:Visit our Best Large Breed Puppy Food page
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.
Also Check: Is My German Shepherd Pregnant
Food Schedule For German Shepherd Puppy
From the beginning, for at least 6 to 7 weeks the pup must feed on mothers milk for passive immunity. Avoid giving cow or goat milk as they are of poor quality in comparison to that of the dogs milk.
Food schedule for the 1-month-old pup
You should let German Shepherd puppy taste new flavors and not entirely dependent on the mothers milk after 3-4 weeks. At this tender age offer the pup porridge or exceptional wet food available. At nearly 6-8 weeks start giving it a sparsely moistened dry food or you can even prefer chicken stocks. From 8 weeks onwards start offering the solid pup food and also a specialized puppy feed. At this stage, the milk consumption must halt from the pups diet.
Food schedule for the 2-month-old pup
Star is serving dehydrated food at this stage of the dog and by feeding him 4 to 5 times per day. But an important point to keep a note of is to feed him at particular times.
Food schedule for the 4-month-old pup
Increase the food quantity of dogs and serve it according to the pack of the dog food details. You can even start mixing foods such as fish, meat, or veggies along with dry food. But you shall also avoid rabbit or fish bones cause they can be proved fatal and harm the dogs teeth.
Food schedule for the 6-month-old pup
The daily food serving should reduce to twice a day with a simultaneous increase in the quantity. Approach a vet for a planned and proper diet.
Now Lets Break Down The Recipe For My Easy Homemade Dog Food Shall We
The recipe box below contains a printable version of my go-to recipe for homemade dog food, which consist of lean ground sirloin, brown rice, carrots, hard boiled eggs, parsley, and a few tablespoons of oil that is high in Omegas. But sometimes, especially since social distancing, Ive found that it is helpful to have a list of easy substitutes for when ingredients run low. Plug in or swap out any of the items below based on what foods your pup likes/needs and what you have on hand to create your pups ideal dog food flavor profile.
Meat || Lean ground beef, ground chicken, ground white or dark meat turkey, & ground pork are all great options. Just be sure to make sure that any meat you feed your animals is free of seasonings when purchasing! Dogs living with a kidney disease diagnosis need meals that are lower in phosphorus so for us a lean ground beef like ground sirloin is best the way to go!
Eggs || Eggs are one the top 5 allergens for dogs and the yolks are very high in phosphorus -which you want to limit in dogs with kidney disease. But, eggs are also one of the highest quality forms of protein you can feed your pet! Ultimately, a hard boiled egg is Hoochs favorite thing on the planet so, with our vets approval we opted to leave them in his food.
Recommended Reading: Are German Shepherds Good Running Dogs
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food
Formulated specifically for German Shepherds, this dog food contains ingredients that can tackle common health issues. It’s enriched with Omega fatty acids EPA and DHA to help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy.
To tackle joint issues, the formula also includes glucosamine and chondroitin. The main protein source is chicken by-product meal. There’s also a high level of fiber to support the breed’s sensitive digestive tract. These include brown rice, oats, peas, and much more.
There’s also natural chicken fat for energy and host of vitamins to ensure that your pooch stays healthy. The kibble has a hard texture to promote chewing.
Recommended Brands For German Shepherds
When you are out in the market to pick food for your dog, make sure you are not buying a bad dog food. Every GS has different diet requirements which depends on their age, weight, sex, and much more. There are certain dog food brands that are healthier than others. Below are some high-quality brands recommended for GSs and the other dog breeds.
You May Like: Why Is My German Shepherd So Skinny
German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart
6 Week Old German Shepherd
- At this age, it is crucial to ensure your puppy is receiving the same nutrients as if they were being fed by their mother
- Ideally, a 6 week old puppy should still be feeding from their mother
- It is tricky to replace the micro and macro nutrients that a puppy receives from their mothers milk, as well as any antibodies
- They are growing very fast, so they need enough nutrients to sustain their growth
10 Weeks Old
- As puppies are weaned off, the amount of puppy food they require increases
- They need to be fed at least 3 times a day
- To help their little bodies with the transition from mothers milk to puppy food, it is best to start with wet food
- Using wet food helps to prepare their digestive systems for whole food, which will be introduced to a puppys diet in time
- Again, they are growing very fast, so they need enough nutrients to sustain their growth
12 Weeks Old
- Around 12 weeks of age, the transition from wet to dry food begins
- Ensure the transition is in small steps, to avoid causing any upset to the puppy
- As a guide, start with a 10% dry food, 90% wet food mix and increase the dry food by 10-15% each week after that
- They need to be fed at least 3 times a day
- Still growing!
3 Months Old
5 Months Old
- Additionally, around 4-5 months of age introduce some live animal products into their diet such as actual bone, raw eggs and liver
- They need to be fed at least 3 times a day
- As a guide, feed them a total of 1-2 cups of dry food a day
1 Year Old