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What Food To Feed German Shepherd

Nutritional Requirements For German Shepherd

The perfect dog diet | What to feed your dog | German Shepherd

As your puppy grows into adolescence, his nutritional needs will change. He no longer needs as many nutrients as when he was a puppy. At this age, your dog needs to eat adult formula food, and ideally, the food should also contain joint supplements to keep his arthritis under control.

Check at the dog food bag and see if there is wording such as Complete and balanced nutrition based on AAFCO guidelines for adult maintenance. Most German shepherds that are primarily pets will be fine eating an adult maintenance dog food formula.

But suppose your German shepherd is a competition dog that actively participates in recreational or competitive canine sports. In that case, he will be better off with a formula for all life stages.

What if your dog is underweight? Consuming a high-calorie dog food together with some additional calories and protein such as cheese and egg might be the best answer. What if your dog is overweight? Then his diet should probably consist of food that provides good nutrition but with more fill so that he can meet all his nutritional needs and lose weight.

How Much Food Should I Give My German Shepherd Puppy How Often Should I Feed My Puppy

Young puppies need to eat 3-4 times a day in small amounts.

If necessary, you can divide the food into two larger meals, but make sure you are not feeding them so much that they start to vomit. The puppies will not necessarily be regulated, so it is easy for them to eat ad nauseam and then vomit, you have to regulate the amounts for them.

The food for German shepherd puppies is very different from the adult dog food

Blue Freedom Puppy Grain Free Chicken Wet Dog Food

Also from Blue Buffalo is the Freedom formula. It’s a grain-free formula that can do wonders for your puppy’s overall health. Real chicken is used as the primary protein source.

It’s accompanied by chicken liver and chicken broth. When you open the can, you’ll notice the visible vegetables. The food has carrots and peas, which provide plenty of vitamins and minerals.

There’s also sweet potato. It acts as the source of carbs to keep your dog’s energy levels consistent throughout the day. The potatoes also provide a dose of fiber for better digestive health.

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German Shepherds And Food Allergies

Dogs that develop food allergies are most often allergic to just one component in their diet, and that is most often proteins. Food allergies do not develop overnight, but instead, take time to show themselves through noticeable symptoms

The most common way to determine if your GSD is allergic to any food that its eating is if you notice out of season itching. This can be localized like on its ears or paws, but it can also present as a whole body itch for no apparent reason.

The only way to diagnose a food allergy is by introduction of a hypoallergenic dog food for a length of time, typically 8-10 weeks. Then if the symptoms disappear, the original suspect food is reintroduced to see if the allergy returns. If it does, then there will be a step by step process of adding proteins to the hypoallergenic food to see which exact protein is the cause of the allergy.

This is, just as it sounds, not the fastest or most simple undertaking. Therefore, if you do suspect that your dog has a food allergy, your veterinarian is the best person to lead you and your dog through this process.

Raw Food To Never Feed Dogs

IAMS ProActive Health Adult German Shepherd Dry Dog Food ...

Did you know you should never feed your dog a raw potato? Potatoes belong to the nightshade family of vegetables, which includes tomatoes. Like tomatoes, raw potatoes contain solanine, a toxic compound to some dogs, says the AKC. However, cooking a potato reduces the levels of solanine.

Never give your dog raw or undercooked salmon or salmonid species of fish. It can contain the Neorickettsia Helminthoeca parasite, which causes salmon poisoning disease. This disease can be fatal. Plus, the small brittle bones can choke your dog or lodge in his stomach or intestines.

Boneless fish is allowed but not more than once a week. Dont feed fish with sharp spines and barbs. Avoid feeding wild pork, bear meat, or meats from wild animals, not even after freezing. Wild meats may contain more parasites than farm-raised meats,

Please do your research so that you know what vegetables, fruits, meats, and ingredients are safe to feed!

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What Do German Shepherds Like To Eat

Fifty years ago, caring for a dog was more simple Fido could eat table scraps at mealtime, and not as much thought was given to the nutritional value of his intake. However, times have changed.

If your Shepherd is like Allie, they will pretty much devour anything placed in front of them after a quick sniff inspection.

The only thing I have found that Allie doesnt like to eat is celery. German Shepherds will naturally like to eat foods such as meats, some fruits, and vegetables.

What To Look For In Dog Food For German Shepherds

All dog food brands claim to be the best option for your dog. If you know what to look for, you can see past marketing tactics and focus on the most important elements to pick the dog food thats right for your German Shepherd.

Protein

Make sure to select foods that contain a high percentage of protein from fish, meat, or poultry ingredients. Puppies need at least 22 percent protein in their diets, while you can cut back the amount for adults to 18 percent.

While protein is a requirement for your dog, you should be wary of high protein dog food products. Protein is calorie-dense and can cause your dog to gain weight more easily. As you probably know, putting on too much excess weight can lead to health problems for your dog down the line.

Fatty Acids

Choose a dog food that contains fatty acids such as omega-6 and omega-3. These contribute to a healthy coat and healthy skin.

Fiber

Look for products with fiber from natural, easily digestible carbohydrates such as vegetables and whole grains.

AAFCO Guidelines

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Feeding Your German Shepherd Puppy Raw Food

Feeding raw food to your German Shepherd puppy means that they are always eating wholesome, fresh, allergen-free foods that do not have any fillers and preservatives.

Raw food is easy to digest for your puppy and can help prevent Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Raw food means that your puppy does not eat unnecessary carbs allowing them to maintain a healthy weight.

However, uncooked raw foods can cause contamination with pathogens causing illness to your puppy. Unbalanced raw food can also affect the overall health of your puppy.

Raw foods such as muscle meat, edible bone, liver, vegetables, and fruits will ensure that your puppy is getting all the necessary nutrients. Consult with your vet to come up with raw diet recipes for your puppy.

Is Raw Meat Good Dog Food For German Shepherds

How To Feed RAW Food To A German Shepherd – K9 Mukbang

You can feed your German shepherd raw meat, but it all depends on your preference. If you decide to feed your German shepherd on an entire raw meat diet, ensure its from the best sources.

If you pick this direction, you should be aware of the risks involved in it.

Your German shepherd risks not getting enough nutrients from an entirely raw meat diet. It would be best if you understood that your German shepherd might become malnourished as its not getting other essential nutrients like carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

The higher the risk of contracting diseases- undercooked or raw meat will have a high concentration of salmonellae and E coli.

Choking hazard- meaty weight-bearing bones like lamb thighs which are hard to crack, risks choking your German shepherd.

If you decide to settle on an entire raw meat diet for your GSD, it would be best if you considered talking to your veterinarian and discuss whether its the right path to take.

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Raw Dog Food Nutritional Guidelines

So, what does a German Shepherd raw diet plan looks like?

The recommended guidelines for a BARF diet consist of 70% uncooked muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone, 10% vegetables and fruit, 5% liver, and 5% other organs.

Your GSDs raw diet plan should also follow the AAFCOs guidelines to create a balanced meal that supports life and proper function in dogs. AFFCO , and it states every dog meal should have 6 indispensable nutrients. These include protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water.

A proper raw diet should consider your pups weight, health conditions, size, and activity level.

*If feeding the Prey model, this method typically consists of 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, and 10% organs . No fruits or veggies.

Can You Feel The Rib Cage Of A German Shepherd

During appropriate weight gain as your puppy grows, you should be able to feel but not see your puppys rib cage. Err on the side of leanness unless your veterinarian specifically directs you otherwise. Another common question new puppy owners often ask is, How long should I feed my German Shepherd puppy food?

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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:

General Nutritional Recommendations For German Shepherds

German Shepherd

All dogs require a balance of protein, fat and carbohydrate in their diet, though dogs of certain sizes may require a slightly different ratio than smaller dogs. Large-breed dogs like the German Shepherd, for example, may require more protein than smaller dogs to help support their lean muscle mass. Smaller dogs usually require more fat than larger dogs to support their faster metabolisms. As a large-breed dog, your German Shepherds diet should provide high levels of protein with moderate fat and limited carbohydrate content. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, adult dogs need at least 18% protein and 5% fat while puppies need 22% protein and 8% fat. If you want your dog to be as healthy as possible, however, you should choose a diet that provides more than the minimum for these nutrients.

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Why Do German Shepherds Get Diarrhea

Causes of German Shepherd diarrhea include eating rotten food, eating something that causes irritation or is toxic, changing diet, food allergy or intolerance, and overeating. Other reasons are parasites, viruses, bacterial infections, illness, stress, or medication. The breed is prone to a sensitive stomach.

The German Shepherd breed is well known for having a sensitive stomach and can relatively quickly get diarrhea. But dont worry, as your dog may have just eaten something they shouldnt or may have caught a mild stomach bug.

Even if you always keep a watchful eye on your German Shepherd, its amazing how they sometimes manage to get hold of something they shouldnt!

Learn More on The Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs

As described in the above video by veterinary expert Dr. Katy Nelson, it is important to recognize whether your German Shepherd has a common stomach upset or something more serious. These are the common causes of diarrhea in dogs:

  • Overeating
  • Medications
  • Pancreatitis

So, now we know the causes of diarrhea in German Shepherds, lets look at how to treat this unpleasant stuff

Can German Shepherds Eat Bones

Do you remember the saying give a dog a bone? But can GermanShepherds eat bones?

German Shepherds can eat bones. They are a good source of nutrients, especially calcium and phosphorus. However, never feed a cooked bone as the cooking causes it to soften and splinter as your dog chews it and can cause injuries or choking. Choose a large raw bone larger than your dogs muzzle.

Beef or lamb bones are better than chicken or pork bones as they are stronger and wont easily splinter. Bones can also help to clean your dogs teeth and keep them strong. Always supervise your GSD when giving him a bone.

The best bone to give to your dog is one that matches their size, as dogs will try to swallow them. Bones should be larger than the length of the muzzle, making them impossible to swallow whole. For example, a large beef shank bone would be just the thing for my German Shepherd, and she certainly thinks so!

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Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Large Breed Dry Puppy Food

This recipe from Blue Buffalo is a great option that has everything your puppy needs to stay healthy. Its protein content is 35 percent, which is well above the recommended amount.

Most of that protein comes from wholesome meat sources like deboned chicken and fish. While the kibble has more fat than your pup needs, it’s all good fat. The omega fatty acids will keep your dog’s fur healthy while also supporting ocular health.

When it comes to minerals, you’ll be happy to know that this kibble offers the recommended calcium and phosphorus ratio of 1.2:1.

Victor Select Nutra Pro Active Dog & Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food

Feeding RAW Food To A German Shepherd – K9 Mukbang

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Blood Meal, 3. Whole Grain Millet, 4. Chicken Fat , 5. Yeast Culture

Made from gluten-free grains, this balanced diet by VICTOR is ideal for large breed dogs with moderate to high levels of daily activity. You will find all the high-quality nutrition for your German Shepherds diet while steering clear of unnecessary fillers like soy and corn. The impressive nutrient profile with chicken meal as a primary ingredient ensures a delicious blend for your Shepherd.

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The Modern German Shepherd

When you think of a German Shepherd, a canine with a wolf-like appearance comes to mind. Most people find German shepherds to be an intimidating breed, fierce in looks and personality. In truth, there are many different types of German Shepherds and make for very faithful companions that love to lead. They are a very zealous and energetic breed. Your German shepherd pup will play, bounce, run and fetch all day long if you will allow it.

Its a breed of dogs that starts with being a little over one pound. But, by the first year, they can gain weight up to 60 pounds. They are not a breed prone to obesity, either. They are a very active breed of dogs. Besides, GSDs have such a superior aptitude for training and are so intelligent that you will find them performing many different jobs.

German Shepherds make superb search and rescue dogs. Youll find them providing disability help as well as working with the police and in military roles.

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How Can A Homemade Diet Help German Shepherds With All Of This

Home-cooked food for German Shepherd ensures that your pup always eats fresh, wholesome, and allergen-free foods as no chemicals, additives, or fillers are used when cooking at home, hence preventing allergies.

More importantly, home cooking for your GSD allows you to pick only those ingredients that you know wont cause an allergic reaction to your German Shepherd. If you dont know what foods can trigger allergies in your GSD, we strongly suggest doing an At-Home Food Dog Allergy Test before choosing ingredients for your German Shepherds next meal. Plus, it could save you a trip to the vet.

Homemade dog food is easier to digest than kibble more easily digestible food means more efficient absorption of nutrients. Dogs with homemade diets absorb nutrients more efficiently thus, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids act more quickly on the skins inflammatory response, preventing or relieving symptoms of skin allergies, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and/or a potential case of Perianal Fistulas.

A condition like EPI in GSDs requires a low-fat diet and highly digestible food. Homemade cooking allows you to create the low-fat diet needed to feed your dog, plus research confirms that fresh diets are, in fact, more digestible than even a seemingly nutrient-rich kibble10.

Remember each dog is different, and always consult with your vet before making any changes to your GSDs diet.

German Shepherd Puppy Diet: 2 Months Old

German Shepherd Diet

At two months of age, you can start to slowly decrease the moistening of your German Shepherd’s dry food. Eventually, the puppy will be used to eating the food completely dry.

Following the German Shepherd puppy food chart, from 2 until 4 months old, a puppy will eat 4 or 5 times a day. This has to be carried out with one very important addition: discipline. A puppy needs to learn that it will not be fed constantly throughout the day, but at specific times. This is part of a puppys socialization and early education.

We start of by placing a bowl of food down for 10 minutes, this should give the puppy enough time to finish its meal. After 10 minutes, we suggest taking the bowl of food away, even if your puppy hasn’t finished eating.

A puppy’s food bowl must only be available to the dog for 10 minutes. This 10 minutes should be enough time for the puppy to eat all of its provided food. As already mentioned, after 10 minutes, you should take the food bowl away, even if the puppy hasn’t finished eating. This pattern will introduce the puppy’s food schedule and allow it an opportunity to become accustomed to particular feeding times.

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