Raw Meat Diet For German Shepherd

How Much To Feed A German Shepherd Puppy Per Day

Once you have decided what dog food to feed your GSD, the next step is to determine how much you should feed your German shepherd puppy. To figure this out, let your German shepherd puppy eat as much as he wants in a thirty-minute period. Pick up the bowl after your puppy is full and measure how much kibble is left in the dog bowl. Do this for several days to get the right amount of food.

As your puppy enters growth spurts, youll find that his appetite increases drastically. At this point, observe your pup carefully. If he always seems hungry and looks thin, you may need to put more food into his bowl. If he appears to be chubby or has diarrhea, you should slightly cut back on the amount of food he eats.

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Keys To A Healthy Gsd Puppy

Veterinary research tells us that large breed puppies such as the German Shepherd need a different diet and feeding schedule than do medium or small breed puppies.

Incorrect feeding early in life can result in a lifelong impact to your puppys health!

In fact, diet is only one of three vital keys to raising a healthy GSD puppy.

Environment and genetics each intersect with your puppys diet to determine how healthy he or she will be as an adult.

For this reason, your first and best resources to create a healthy German Shepherd puppy feeding guide should be your veterinarian and your puppys breeder.

Even if you dont want to keep your new pup on the same food the breeder was using, wait a few weeks before beginning the food transition so your puppy can settle in first.

Is A Raw Diet For Dogs Cheaper

Because of its fresh ingredients, raw dog food can be a high-value and more expensive treat for your pup. But, there are some ways that it can be a cheaper way of feeding.

• Feed one raw meal a day instead of two For a raw diet, one meal can be enough to provide the nutrients your dog needs.
• Use Raw as a Tasty, High-Value Treat Feeding your pup a tasty with a high-value meal would be the best treat for them.
• Make Raw an Occasional Meal According to Steve Brown, a canine nutritionist, author, and consultant, one raw meal per week could be a great help to improve your canine’s health.
• Buy in Bulk Storing a bulk of raw food in the freezer would help you save money, even gas.
• Spend Money on Great Food, Not in Veterinary Bills If you choose the fresh and safe way of feeding your dog, your money spent on it will be worth it.

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Typical Feeding Requirements For German Shepherds

German Shepherd puppies need more food than an adult German Shepherd. This is because they have boundless energy, and they need plenty of good calories to keep them healthy, happy, and to keep that energy up.

When a puppy is weaned, its good to start it with wet food, at around 8-10 weeks old. Puppies also need to eat about three to four for smaller meals a day for about six months, and then that can be reduced to one to two meals a day.

At about 12 weeks old, if you decide you want to feed your German Shepherd dry food, you can start transitioning. Start with about 10% dry mixed in with the wet, and then increase that by about 10% each week.

Ensure that you are feeding your puppy food that is specifically made for puppies, as those provide the necessary vitamins and nutrients for them to grow up healthy and strong.

At about four months old, a German Shepherd puppy can be introduced to live animal products, such as bones, pieces of liver, and eggs. Remember to not give them too much, though, because that can mess up their digestion and health.

Puppy food is a lot different than adult food because manufacturers put more emphasis on the different nutrients puppies need while theyre developing their internal, muscular, and skeletal systems.

-Shepped

An older dog will also be better able to digest other foods, so those can be introduced more often. Remember, German Shepherds require a large amount of protein, and a fair amount of fat as well.

Ingredients That Really Matter

Now check out the last 5 ingredients

Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, and Green Peas. Those are the only ingredients that are remotely healthy, and they are right at the bottom of the list.

They don’t even feature in the greater scheme of things. And even if they did, the kibble is still sterile and so are these ingredients.

Here’s a rundown from Dr. Becker from best to worst dog food types.

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Is It Safe To Feed All Kinds Of Raw Meat To Your German Shepherd

So, knowing that German shepherds have a tolerant stomach thanks to their wolf ancestors and genetic build, is it safe for them to eat all types of raw meat? The answer is, yes, for the most part.

While most raw meat is safe for a German shepherd to consume, we advise you not to feed your pet any raw meat that you wouldnt cook and eat yourself.

We suggest following the same guidelines you would use when choosing and cooking meat for you and your family.

Yes, a German shepherd may have stronger stomach acids than us but they are not wolves. Domesticated animals can sometimes have weaker gastrointestinal systems due to various factors such as genetics.

Ensure that you inspect the expiration date of any meat you are considering feeding your dog. If the date has passed, do not feed it to your pooch. This can cause stomach upsets and a messy floor.

Lets take a look at some of the risks associated with raw meat when its fed to a German shepherd.

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How Much Raw Food To Feed German Shepherds

You can determine how much raw food to feed your GSD based on calories needed by his weight. The only downside is that you need to know how many calories ingredient contains and add them up. Quite a cumbersome process if you ask me.

The body weight percentage option is the method of choice for many raw feeders . Its simple, and it works with any raw diet.

As a general rule, raw feed your dog about 2% to 4% of his ideal adult weight.

However, a dogs food intake will vary depending on his weight, metabolism, activity level, lifestyle or other factors. Use the guidelines below as a German Shepherd raw diet calculator.

You have a 4 scenarios to determine how much to feed your dog.

• Weight maintenance: Feed 2% 2.5% of their current weight in pounds per day.
• Active dogs : Feed 3% 4% of their current weight in pounds per day.
• Senior, less active, or overweight dogs : Feed 1.5% 2% of their current weight in pounds per day.
• Underweight dogs : Feed 3% 3.5% % of their current weight in pounds per day.

For instance, if your GSD weights 65 pounds and you want to maintain his weigh, you would multiply the 65 pounds by either 2% 2.5%.

But, which one do you use?

If your GSD is inactive, but his weight is ideal, then use 2%. For an average activity level dog that receives anywhere from an hour to several hours of exercise a day, a middle ground like 2.25% is recommeded. If you feel your dog is more active, you may need to feed 2.5% or more to maintain a healthy weight.

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Raw Dog Food Delivery Service

If you are a German Shepherd owner with a busy lifestyle and dont have much time to cook for your pet and wish your GSD could enjoy the benefits of eating raw food, a raw dog food delivery service is for you.

BARF World is one of our favorite options and the best raw food for German Shepherds available in the market.

This raw dog food company is the pioneer of raw diets for dogs. They deliver Biologically Appropriate Raw Food straight to your door. Their formula is a balanced blend of raw meat, fruits, vegetables, organs, and bone. Plus, its supplemented with 4 other key ingredients.

BARF World states their food has helped generations of dogs become free of allergies, itchy skin and coats, digestive problems, obesity, and weight problems, among other issues.

All of their ingredients are USDA sourced, and their formulas are developed with the input of a veterinary nutritionist to meet the nutritional guidelines for dog food.

The best part of feeding BARF World is that you never have to worry about balancing ingredients, portion sizing,grinding, chopping, measuring, mixing, potential pathogens in raw ingredients, and all the risks and hassles involved in cooking raw dog food on your own.

In our experience, its a huge time-saver, and you can spend time on more important things like walks or training. We think its worth the cost after you add up the prices of all the ingredients youll need to cook a recipe and the convenience of it.

When People Find Out We Make Our Own Dog Food At Home They Always Ask Us What About A Raw Diet So Let’s Get That Out Of The Way First

There are LOTS of thoughts and theories on feeding your dog a raw diet especially a dog that is living with kidney disease. Our vet however, was personally opposed to feeding a raw diet due to the fact that dogs, just like us, are very susceptible to food poisoning. Besides that, a raw diet can be tricky to get just right! You run the risk of giving your dog a horrible belly ache by mixing a raw diet with cooked treats, so if you decided to go raw it is important to have both raw meals and raw treats planned for your pup at all times. NO MIXING the two! Since raw and cooked foods digest at different rates any combination of the two can wreak serious havoc on your pup’s gut which can lead to some pretty unpleasant situations for you – if you get my drift.

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How Often Should I Feed My Adult German Shepherd

For most adult German Shepherds, feeding twice per day, around 10 to 12 hours apart is healthy.

Regardless of the feeding schedule you choose, avoid allowing your German Shepherd to exercise vigorously after consuming a large meal for at least 1 2 hours. This is especially true if your dog eats its food rapidly.

Giving your dog time to fully digest their meal will help minimize problems with bloat, intestinal obstruction, or other serious digestive disorders.

Can German Shepherds Eat Raw Meat Benefits And Dangers

Yes, German Shepherds can eat raw meat. Their digestive systems are fully capable and resilient enough to digest raw meat such that it wont negatively affect their health.

That said, you need to consider some risks and potential problems that may arise from giving your German Shepherd raw meat before you incorporate them into your dogs diet.

In this article well look into the benefits and risks of feeding your German Shepherd raw meat and determine whether or not you should feed them to your dog.

Large governing bodies such as the American Veterinary Medical Association , Centers for Disease Control & Prevention , and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration highly discourage feeding dogs raw meat. They state that raw meat is dangerous and can make both you and your German Shepherd sick.

With that said, here are some potential dangers of a raw meat diet:

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Is All Raw Meat Safe For Dogs

For the most part, all raw meat is safe for a German Shepherd. This caution of for the most part is to make you aware that you should never feed your dog raw meat that you wouldnt cook and eat for yourself.

This means that you should always follow the same guidelines that you would use for yourself and your family when choosing meat to serve to your GSD. Make sure that you check the expiration date, and do not pick meat to serve to your dog if the date has passed.

How Much Should A German Shepherd Puppy Have On Raw Diet

Puppies need 30% protein and 10-20% fat in their diets. Feeding a german shepherd puppy raw food will meet these needs, as well as provide the minerals that are needed for healthy bones.

Raw meat is not recommended for all dogs, including German shepherds. If you decide to switch your german shepherd puppy to a raw diet, its important to do so gradually over two weeks by mixing increasing amounts of raw food with decreasing amounts of kibble.

If you are not keen to feed your German shepherd puppy on raw meat, you can still give it a healthy diet by feeding it high-quality dry kibble without grain fillers. This type of kibble is often made from animal products rather than grain and doesnt contribute to the development of diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

When deciding to feed a raw diet to german shepherds, it is important to speak with a vet to determine if this diet would be appropriate. The article above offers tips for those who want to feed a raw diet as well as those who prefer their German shepherd puppy to eat dry kibble or a combination of both.

As always, thank you so much for reading! If this was helpful at all, please share it with people you know who would like this information as well. Have a great day!

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Disadvantages Of Eating Raw Chicken For German Shepherds

Chicken is among the most popular proteins on the planet. Since it has reduced fat and a greater protein ratio than other meats, its a good choice for lean protein. Its critical to ensure that the chicken is thoroughly cooked to a safe temperature. Its because some germs that might cause illness are commonly found on chickens.

However, if you do feed raw chicken to your german-shepherd, the following issues could occur.

Helps Maintain A Healthy Weight Along With Maintaining Heart Health

According to research, eating 25-30 grams of protein, each meal can help your german-shepherd feel more satisfied. Protein-rich meals can help your dog feel fuller even when it eats less, which aids with weight management. Reduced risk factors for heart disease, like high triglyceride levels & high blood pressure, are associated with a healthier weight. Chicken is a high-protein food that can help your dog lose weight and lower the risk of heart disease.

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Why I Feed My Dogs A Raw Diet

That’s an easy question to answer

• Simply because I want to control the ingredients that are going into my dog’s bodies.
• Ingredients I can eat too not that I’ll ever eat green tripe though!
• I want ingredients that promote the optimal health of my dogs.

And unfortunately, as you’ve seen, with kibble, that’s not always the case.

Now I want to move on to a positive note

Homemade Dog Food Sources

• Meats: chicken, turkey, beef, bison, pork, lamb, venison
• Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, zucchini, summer squash, spinach, kale, collard greens, chard, thawed frozen peas
• Complex carbohydrates: brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, lentils, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, winter squash

Recommended Serving Amounts

• 2 pounds of food per day for a 100-pound dog
• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of food per day for a 50-pound dog
• 1/2 to 3/4 pound of food per day for a 25-pound dog
• 5 to 6 1/2 ounces of food per day for a 10-pound dog

This information is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Every dog’s dietary needs are different. Please consult with your veterinarian and use personal judgment when applying this information to your own dog’s diet.

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Health Dietary Changes In German Shepherds

If the following health conditions are present in your GSD, a fresh homemade food diet coupled with these recommendations can help remedy them.

Chart Source: NomNomNow.com

Pro Tip: German Shepherds are a high-risk breed for skin allergies and coat problems. Adding a couple of fish oil squirts to their meals will provide relief and nourishment to keep skin and coats in tip-top condition. Also, probiotics are an affordable way to reduce your dogs inflammatory responses to food allergens.

Is It Safe For Your German Shepherd To Eat Chicken Bones

You adore your dogs, and nothing makes your faithful canine buddy happier than chewing on a tasty bone. If you believe this is natural, you are mistaken.

German Shepherds cannot consume raw or cooked chicken bones at any time. Chicken bones can create choking hazards, blockages, perforations, and lacerations. Raw bones can also carry bacteria like Salmonella, making you or your pet sick.

If you want to add bones to your german shepherds diet, raw ground bone pieces as part of a raw diet are a safer option.

Although your german-shepherd can not eat raw chicken, it may be beneficial to feed it cooked chicken because cooked chicken brings several different advantages with itself.

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