Your German Shepherd Dog Is Getting Older
As your German Shepherd gets older, their appetite will lessen. This isnt the only reason that an older dog may stop eating, though. If the food is too tough for them to chew or swallow, they wont want to eat. Senior dogs may also have fewer teeth and can struggle with kibble.
Switching to dog food designed for senior dogs can help. You may also want to try wet food or to make it mushier so that its easier for your dog to eat.
These are the top reasons as to why your German Shepherds appetite may be impacted. The good news is that you now know what to do about it regardless of the circumstances.
They Are Not Fed Enough
You once went to a picnic with your German Shepherd. All was going well until they drove their heads right in the picnic mat. You cover your face in embarrassment.
Goodness, gracious!
Even if your dog just ate a minute ago, they always look for food. Why is that?
The reason why they eat everything could be because you are not feeding them enough.
German Shepherds are large dogs. Their average weight ranges from 49 pounds to 88 pounds .
With that weight, they have to be fed correctly. If not, they will look for food sources elsewhere.
Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way
If you havent trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether its barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs youll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog wont listen, youll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, thats given proven results. Not to mention the fact, youll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether theyre going to be well-behaved or not, youll only have to worry about how much fun youll have with them!
And in most cases its still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether theyll be naughty or not. Instead, youll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOURE NOT.
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German Shepherd Bloat: Prevent This Dangerous Condition
Bloat in dogs is known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus . Dogs with deep chests are more at risk of GDV.
In addition to German Shepherds, these include Doberman Pinschers, Gordon Setters, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Saint Bernards, and Standard Poodles.
Bloat in German Shepherds is life-threatening. The causes are unknown, but there are known risk factors including eating or drinking too quickly and too much exercise after eating. Prevention includes feeding your dog two smaller meals a day and keeping them inactive following meals.
As weve just mentioned, bloat is extremely dangerous in dogs. If your German Shepherd starts to bloat, you will need to treat it immediately and take steps to prevent GDV from occurring in the future.
Read on to learn all about bloat in German Shepherds and what you can do to prevent this condition from occurring with your beloved pup!
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What Is The Treatment For Anorexia
Treatment will very much depend on what the underlying cause of the anorexia is. Often once this has been addressed, their appetite will return to normal. Sometimes this may take a few days and additional measures may be required. Depending on your dogs condition your vet may give an injection or tablet to stimulate their appetite. These need to be given with some care, as they dont fix the problem they simply make the dog want to eat. In some cases, if its going to be longer than a couple of days while your pet heals, or the treatment takes effect they may suggest placing a feeding tube. This is passed into the oesophagus so your dog can receive a liquid diet via the tube. This isnt permanent its just to keep them fed until they start eating by themselves.
If you are worried about your dogs appetite, then dont hesitate to get in touch with your vet. Finding and treating the underlying cause is the best way to approach this situation. To get your dog back up and about again.
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Is Your Dog Just Tired
We humans generally tend to have to feed animals! Especially when our beloved four-legged friend looks at us with wide eyes and begs. Mum and owner are often weak: .Spread through out the day, a larger number of treats and delicacies can come to it .Some pet owners exaggerate it really, so that the four-legged already has no hunger for his usual food.The sausage, the cheese and the many treats are much tastier than his regular food.
No Daily Feeding Routine
All dogs, not just German Shepherds, rely heavily on routine. Having routines helps them understand their day and allows them to become comfortable in their environment.When it comes to eating, its really important to set two appropriate times once in the morning and once in the evening, and then stick to it. Most adult GSDs are fed just twice a day. For puppies, this varies.Day grazing should not be something you engage in with your German Shepherd. He shouldnt have too many treats or tidbits throughout the day, and his food should not be left out for him to pick at. By sticking to certain times you are training your German Shepherd to become hungry at those times. Yep, it really does work like that!
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Causes Of A Lack Of Appetite In German Shepherds
There are many reasons why a German Shepherd may not be eating. One of the most common reasons is that the dog is not hungry.
This could be due to several factors, such as stress, anxiety, or changes in their environment. Another reason for lack of appetite could be an illness or injury.
Dogs who are sick or hurt often do not have much need and may refuse to eat altogether.
Some medical conditions can cause a dog to lose its appetite, including liver disease, pancreatitis, and intestinal parasites.
If your German Shepherd is not eating, it is essential to take them to the veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.
How Long Does It Take A German Shepherd To Finish A Meal
German shepherds normally take anywhere from 10 minutes to 15 minutes to finish the meal, given that you followed the proper feeding guidelines properly. If your dog shows signs of slow eating, we recommend sending them to your vet. If you think your dog is already full before finishing his portion, there is no problem.
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Onion Garlic Leek And Chive
Who doesnt like the tantalizing aroma of onions or garlic sizzling in a pan?
These herbs, which happen to be members of the Allium family, form the basis of many culinary masterpieces that delightfully cheer human taste buds.
However, as much as theyre enticing for us humans, theyre not safe for dogs.
VCA Hospitals lays bare that these herbs are toxic to dogs, with garlic being the most poisonous.
The consumption of any of these herbs causes severe stomach upset accompanied by nausea and mouth irritation.
Additionally, eating this fearsome foursome combination can lead to an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Furthermore, a high level of Allium toxicity can damage the red blood cells, causing hemolytic anemia, which leaves your German Shepherd short of oxygen.
Therefore, whether raw, cooked, powdered, or frozen, always keep these members of the Allium family away from your pup.
How Long Can A German Shepherd Go Without Eating
German Shepherd can go for five to seven consecutive days without eating as long as they are still drinking water.
However, if your German Shepherd has refused to drink water for 48 hours, it is time to bring your dog to the emergency veterinary clinic.
This is a potentially life-threatening situation and your dog will need professional medical care, according to Dr. Phillips Animal Hospital.
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Follow 80% / 20% Dry Kibble To Wet Dog Food Mix
Substituting a small amount of kibble for wet dog food is widely recommended by veterinarians as a way to increase nutrition, water intake and to make the food A LOT more appetizing.Wet dog food is considerably tastier, juicier, has a higher protein content with fewer preservatives and additives. Adding a small amount to every mealtime will be irresistible for your German Shepherd.You should keep the amount of wet dog food small because its extremely rich. Adding too much will have the opposite effect and may even disrupt your GSDs digestion.
Increase Activity To Stimulate Appetite
German shepherd dogs need an average of 2 hours a day of exercise. Those 2 hours should be made up of physical and mental stimulation. Walking and playing fetch are everyday physical activities. Mental activities could include training and puzzle toys.
Exercise does not have to be done all at once and can be more accessible when broken up throughout the day. Proper exercise is essential to your dogs overall health and to avoiding problem behaviors. Increased activity should increase your dogs appetite.
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Other Solutions For Picky Dogs
A slow feeder dish can entice picky eaters.
- Adding kibble to puzzle toys is a great way to make mealtime more exciting. This might be an actual puzzle feeder dish or a toy like a KONG. Feeding meals in a puzzle toy was a go-to when our dog Walter was a puppy. He still eats one meal a day from some sort of interactive toy.
- Sticking to a schedule helps your dog understand theres a finite time to eat and that food is not available all day.
- Drinking more water can help kibble-avoidant dogs. I like to keep extra bowls of water out. Investing in a pet fountain may encourage hydration, as well.
Offer An Extra Meal To Their Normal Routine
Begin by feeding your dog a bitmore of their current food spread out over one more meal per day. Add a quarterto half a cup of extra food per meal.
You can also take their regularfeeding and the additional food and increase their feeding schedule to fourtimes per day, splitting the food equally at each feeding.
This routine allows your dog to space out their food more evenly, so they dont fill up too quickly and then ignore their later meals. Its also gentler on their stomachs and makes digestion easier since theres less food sitting in their belly at one time.
If you want to make a German Shepherd gain weight the right way, youre going to have to plan for multiple feedings and watch how much you feed them so they dont get fat, but build muscle.
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If Your German Shepherd Suddenly Eats Nothing Checklist For Acute Cases:
Your GSD looks at you with wide eyes and suddenly refuses to eat? This behavior may indicate an injury. Please carefully open the mouth and look at the teeth and gums well.
- Does your four-legged friend have a foreign body in its mouth?
- Did he break off a tooth?
- Is her quadruped injured on the palate or on the gums?
- Is his gum on fire?
- Does he have worms
- Is there an gastrointestinal issues,
If you can answer yes to any of these questions, please schedule a vet visit.
Theyve Grown Tired Of Their Food
Some dogs thrive on the same kibble for every meal for most of their lifetime. However, there are fussy GSDs that prefer variety.
In these cases, they might refuse to eat food that they dont consider to be appetizing. This issue is most common for dogs that are given access to table food or are fed a wide variety of dog food.
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You Just Got Your German Shepherd
As Golden State German Shepherd Rescue charity explains, there is often an initial adjustment period when a puppy or adult dog goes to their new forever home.
This is exciting but can also cause anxiety. Anxiety can then cause a dog to not have an appetite or to get an upset stomach for a period of time.
Hes Uncomfortable In His Environment
Dogs are very sensitive animals and their survival instincts creep into everyday life more than we realize. Just like with humans, your dogs behavior will change dramatically when hes not comfortable in his environment.Whats considered a change? A change in the environment could be a new neighbor, a new pet, a new person in the household, a loss of someone in the house, or maybe you moved house entirely, the list is quite extensive.If your German Shepherd doesnt feel safe and secure with his environment or he just isnt sure of something, he isnt going to eat and in severe cases wont even drink. Think about your close surroundings and if something has changed. In cases like this, its just a matter of time before your German Shepherd gets accustomed to the change and regains normal composure.
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When Should I Worry About My German Shepherd Not Eating
Most owners know that a poor appetite isnt a good sign. When should you worry about your German Shepherd not eating, though?
This depends on a few different factors. If your German Shepherd has skipped just one meal but appears to have plenty of energy and is in good spirits, you shouldnt be too concerned. In case their appetite is back after the following meal or the meal after that, then your pooch may be fine.
You should continue to keep an eye on their appetite as well as their health and energy levels.
If your dogs lack of appetite is accompanied by other health or digestive issues, dont wait as long. It is best to take them to the vet as soon as possible for treatment.
In general, if your German Shepherd is still not eating by the second day, take them to the vet as their health can begin to decline after this.
When Should I Worry About My Dog Not Eating
You dont need to worry immediately if your dog is not eating unless they are displaying other signs of being unwell. If your dog is not eating for 24 hours or more, or it is a long-term problem then get them checked at the vet. If your puppy is not eating, you need to go to the vet straight away as they cant go as long without food.
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What To Do When Your Dog Wont Eat Their Food But Will Eat Treats
It is common for dogs to not eat their food, but eat treats or table scraps. This is referred to as partial anorexia and it typically occurs because your dog doesnât feel well.
Partial anorexia means a dog will eat, but only if something special, such as treats or table scraps like chicken or beef, are added to the food. Sometimes, dogs will refuse everything but will eat something as peculiar as a fast-food hamburger.
Full anorexia is when a dog wonât eat anything, including normal dog food, special treats, food doctored up with cooked ground beef, chicken, baby food, or anything you offer. Both problems can be serious, but full anorexia is an even bigger issue. Learn more about Home Care of Anorexia in Dogs.
Reasons for anorexia in dogs can vary from minor issues, such as a stomach upset, to serious and even life-threatening problems. For more information â please see this article: My Dog is Not Eating, What Do I Do?
How To Get Your German Shepherd To Stop Eating Rocks
There are a number of things that you can do to reduce how much your German Shepherd eats rocks that I will mention below.
You can look at the book Training Your German Shepherd on Amazon to get more tips about how you can train your GSD.
Make sure its diet is right
Giving your German Shepherd a good diet could help to reduce its rock eating. Its thought that dogs will eat dirt sometimes when they arent getting enough nutrients so getting a good diet is something that should help to prevent rock eating. You can read on nutritional guidelines at petswebmd here.
If you are unsure of what food to get for your German Shepherd, consider getting dog food designed specifically for German Shepherds. You can get a GSD specific dog food on Amazon here and one for GSD puppies on Chewy here.
Give it exercise
Since boredom could be what is causing it to eat rocks it would help to make sure that it is getting enough exercise provided that it is definitely not ill. Generally, it is recommended to give a German Shepherd an hour of exercise daily. You can do so by teaching it to play fetch, letting it swim, walking it for an hour or having a dog walker do it for you.
Give it other things to chew on
Train it to come to you
You can also train your German Shepherd to come to you when you call it. That way when you see your German Shepherd eating rocks or when it is about to eat them you can call it to come to you which will help you to reduce the number of rocks that will be able to eat.
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