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What Should German Shepherds Eat

Month Old German Shepherd Puppy Weight

What Can German Shepherds Not Eat: Never Feed These 12 Foods to Your GSD

When your GS puppy is 2 months old, you can expect him or her to weigh between 16 and 20 pounds, depending on the sex of the puppy. Females will always be a little lower on the scale than their male counterparts.

They are bigger dogs and do gain weight quicker than other breeds, but you still want to watch for signs of gaining too much too quickly or being underweight.

Newborn German Shepherd Daily Caloric Intake Requirement

Measuring with kitchen devices is a better idea than counting calories when you are taking care of a newborn pup. It is dangerous to use caloric intake because your pup is constantly growing. Focusing on caloric intake can prevent your puppy from growing.

Purchase measuring cups, a doppler, a feeding syringe, measuring spoons, bottles, and more.

What Is The Healthiest Food For A German Shepherd Puppy

Its important to choose specially formulated puppy food to support your young pups growth. Experts at the German Shepherd Dog Club of America advise looking for food that lists good protein, such as beef, chicken, or turkey, as the first ingredient. They also recommend avoiding foods that list chicken by-product meal, meat meal, or corn products as the main source of protein. Once youve narrowed down your options, seek advice from your veterinarian on which food will work best for your puppy.

Finally, according to a 2019 report by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 56 percent of dogs in the US are overweight or obese. Its a serious problem that can lead to a variety of health issues in dogs, including diabetes, osteoarthritis pain, and hypertension. Being a responsible pet parent means feeding your German Shepherd the appropriate amount of high-quality food for a well-balanced diet. When you do, youll have a happy, healthy dog eager to join his family on outdoor adventures.

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Foods Toxic To German Shepherds

Poisoning episodes in dogs are usually due to a lack of knowledge by the owner. So, while we learn what human foods German Shepherds can eat, we should also 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 severe illness or even the death of your dog. It depends on the quantity of the food consumed and the level of toxicity.

You can find out loads more about these poisonous foods in my top article here.

  • Onions, Shallots, Leeks, and Chives
  • Yeast dough

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.

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Feeding A German Shepherd Puppy A Homemade Diet Or Fresh Food

What to Feed Your German Shepherd Dog? Diets and Feeding Methods for ...

Homemade diets or have become a growing trend. You need a recipe or a subscription service for fresh dog food . Whats difficult about opting for homemade dog food is the nutritional profile. As we mentioned, kibble and wet food you buy from the store have all been formulated to provide balanced nutrition. Many of the recipes were created by vets and pet nutritionists.

If you do not have these credentials, you may not know how to make homemade food that provides your German Shepherds with everything they need. Sure, you can look up recipes online, but how much do you trust all the so-called experts without real credentials?

If you can get your hands on a recipe that incorporates all the nutritional values your German Shepherd pup needs, then fresh food is what we recommend most. It is the least processed out of all the types of dog food we have discussed so far, and it will also be irresistible to many dogs in terms of taste. Your trusted vet may also recommend temporarily feeding your German Shepherd a fresh food diet if he suffers from medical issues.

But are there drawbacks? Like with any other food, fresh diets also come with their fair share of disadvantages. Human-grade ingredients will not keep as long as processed puppy and adult food, and it can really get expensive. It is also very time-consuming to prepare and again, you should make sure you have consulted with your vet or pet nutritionist to work together to find the best recipe.

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How Long Should A German Shepherd Take To Eat Each Meal

The average German Shepherd normally finishes its meal within 10 to 15 minutes.

If your dog refuses to eat his food, then remove his dish and put it down again for the next meal.

Consider seeing a vet if this goes on for a few days, especially if you see signs of discomfort.

As German Shepherds are known for experiencing digestive issues.

A quick solution could be to try specially made dog food for German Shepherds with sensitive stomachs.

Feeding And Exercise Warning

Give your dog the time to digest its food after hes had a meal.

Never let your pup play hard right after you feed them.

Wait 2 hours before and after feeding your dog its meal before heaving exercise or playing hard with them to avoid any gastric problems.

A light, slow walk is fine after eating if its not long and doesnt stress your dog.

Be sure to use these best exercises for a growing German Shepherd puppy to avoid injury and teach your dog valuable coordination and balance skills.

These gentle exercises keep your puppys joints healthy and help them learn confidence skills while getting to bond with their favorite person

YOU!

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Taste Of The Wild Ancient Prairie Canine Recipe

The Ancient Prairie Canine Recipe by Taste of the Wild is best for active dogs because it has some of the highest protein and calorie content amongst premium dry dog food brands.

Although its top protein sources are buffalo, pork, and chicken, this variant also contains roasted venison and bison, which imparts a unique flavor that German Shepherds love.

For fiber and carbohydrates, this dry dog food uses ancient grains. That includes quinoa, millet, sorghum, and chia seeds. For that reason, it is highly digestible and is naturally high in omega fatty acids and antioxidants. Additionally, it is rich in probiotics that support your GSDs gut and boost their immune system.

Nutrition Facts Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie Canine Recipe
Top Ingredient

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What Not To Feed

What Should German Shepherds Eat? 34 Things to Enrich Their Diet

1. Keep raw meat away from your dog If you have been serving your dog raw meat, stop it today. Raw meat has the tendency to cause indigestion and stomach infections.

2. Nuts cause hair fall in dogs Nuts and German Shepherds dont make a great combination, so better to break the combination before it can harm the dog. The high concentration of salt in dried nuts induces hair fall in dogs, and this effect is more pronounced in the case of German Shepherds.

3. Say no to corns, soy and wheat If you dont want your dog to get constipation, avoid giving it corn, soy, wheat and maize. These foods have high levels of starch, which causes constipation. Continuously feeding such food to the dog can make it lethargic and pave the way for more serious diseases.

4. Beware of lentils The less, the better. Lentils are known to do more harm than good to the German Shepherd, so flush it out of its diet. You must be particularly wary of Channa and rajma which on many occasions have proved to be disastrous for dogs.

What points to consider when feeding commercial dog food

Royal Canin for German Shepherds: An ideal food for dogs of all ages

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German Shepherd Raw Diet Vs Kibble

I know youve already made your mind up, but I need to share my story.

My brother and his wife adopted a 1-year-old purebred GSD from the local rescue who was fed kibble her whole life. This dog had an expensive surgery that required us to pay for it , and she stayed with my sister in law and the dog went to work with her.

My brother tries to keep up his diet, but he works from home. His girlfriend has a 4-5 hour commute every day! The dog is only fed kibble at night when she gets home from work. In addition, they feed her by hand because apparently, thats how she likes it. I would like to think that this is not the case, but after watching my sister-in-law do this the dog gets overly excited for each bite.

Lets not forget that they still feed her kibble! And then she poops . And then when she comes home from work she immediately goes outside to defecate.

A few weeks ago, the poop was bloody. My sister-in-law took her to the vet, and it turns out she had an infection . The poops are still not normal theyre also runny at times. They saw the vet again, and the doctor said she has food allergies. Everyone wants to know what it is so they can change her diet.

My sister-in-law says she isnt keen on cooking for their dog when they arrive home from workso what does she do? She feeds her kibble because its convenient! At least thats what she told my brother.

Feeding A Senior German Shepherd

Your German Shepherds diet will then again change as it turns into a senior. This is as senior dogs typically require fewer calories due to lower energy needs brought about by lesser activity and slower digestion. Therefore, to keep your senior German Shepherd in shape, you must consider a low-calorie, high-fiber, and moderate protein and fat diet.

Usually, you can keep on feeding your senior dog with a decreased amount of its adult food or with specially formulated food for older dogs. But, considering older dogs may already have medical conditions that need to be addressed, your best bet would be to consult with a veterinarian to come up with the ideal diet for your senior German Shepherd.

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German Shepherd Food Tip From Jeff:

Since 2005, I’ve recommended various sources to our visitors for dog food. Today, I’ve found that Chewy has the absolute most incredible selection, offers auto ship & free delivery. Many of the quality formulas we discuss for feeding German Shepherds and other breeds on this website can only be found on line, not in brick & mortar stores.

Premium blends, grain free, working breed formulas and more! If you don’t plan on reading the rest of this website, at least do yourself a favor and check out Chewy. I promise you will not be disappointed in the thousands of brands they stock!

Purina Beyond Natural Grain Free Ground Wet Dog Food

What should a German Shepherd Puppy Eat? (The Ultimate Guide To A ...

Image courtesy Purina

Purina Beyond Natural Grain Free Ground Wet Dog Food is a delicious and nutritious wet dog food. It’s made with real meat, vegetables, and fruit.

This recipe is grain-free and free of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It’s also high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

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How Much To Feed A German Shepherd

There is no definite answer to how many cups of dog food should I feed my German shepherd? as it would depend on many factors. Nonetheless, here are some simple guidelines to help you get started.

  • A 60-pound German shepherd should eat 3 cups of kibble per day.
  • A 70-pound German shepherd should eat 3 1/2 cups of kibble per day.
  • An 80-pound German shepherd should eat 3 3/4 cups of kibble per day.
  • A 90-pound German shepherd should eat 4 1/4 cups of kibble per day.

Even though these numbers serve as a good starting point, you might still need to make an adjustment based on how active and how obese your dog is. Please also note that these are generic recommendations only make sure to check the food bag for specific feeding instructions.

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Fruits That German Shepherds Can Eat

German Shepherds are not carnivores they are omnivores this means that you should include a certain amount of non-meat foods in their diet. You can add a portion of this in the form of fruits.

Fruits should only be given to your German Shepherd in small amounts and should be introduced slowly.

Fruits contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are great for the overall health of your German Shepherd. They can also be used as treats, either fresh or frozen.

Dried or canned fruits are missing the most beneficial vitamins and nutrients and have high sugar concentrations, so avoid giving your German Shepherd dried or canned fruits.

Fruits are high in fiber, so they can benefit your German Shepherds digestive tract in small amounts, but larger amounts will cause diarrhea and other gastric disorders. Fruits are also packed with natural sugars. You can use them as energy boosters on long walks.

However, even though these sugars are natural, they can cause problems for your German Shepherd. Avoid feeding fruits to German Shepherds with diabetes, pancreatitis, excess weight issues, etc. Certain berries have low sugar counts and can be given in larger amounts.

It is safe for your German Shepherd to eat the flesh of most pitted and seeded fruits. However, the pits and seeds themselves are choking hazards, potential intestinal blockers, and can also be toxic.

Fruit
  • Kidney failure

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Orijen Dry Dog Food Puppy Large Biologically Appropriate & Grain Free

As it says right on the packaging, this option from Orijen is biologically appropriate dog food. Itâs designed to meet the nutritional needs of large puppies without giving them any unnecessary extras.

You wonât find any potentially harmful additives or plant proteins. Instead, it has healthy meat and carbs. Protein makes up 38 percent of the recipe. It comes from an array of meat sources, including chicken, turkey, fish, meat organs, and more.

Thereâs also plenty of complex carbs to give your dog a constant supply of energy. To make sure that their bones grow in a healthy way, it has that magic 1.2:1 ratio of calcium and phosphorus.

Months Old German Shepherd Puppy Feeding

Why Do German Shepherds Eat Grass?

At two months of age, you can start to slowly decrease the moistening of your German Shepherds 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

Accepting and adapting to a diet plan is very important for a puppys intellectual development.

Food for German shepherd puppies should be higher in calories, fats, proteins, and calcium than adult German Shepherd dog food.

This is because puppies are still growing and developing and therefore need better nutrition.

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Complete Guide To What German Shepherds Can & Cant Eat

German Shepherds are never far away when you are cooking and eating. As such, you may often be tempted to share a bit of whatever you are cooking or eating with your German Shepherd.

But what can you safely share? What foods can and cant a German Shepherd eat?

In this article, we have compiled as comprehensive a list as possible of the foods that your German Shepherd can eat and those that it cannot.

The lists are divided into food groups for ease of reference the can eats of each food group are listed first, immediately followed by the cant eats of that group.

  • Final Thoughts
  • What Human Foods Can German Shepherds Eat

    While German Shepherds can eat human food not all human foods are safe for your GSD. They like chewing on the occasional raw bone, but should not be fed cooked chicken bones.

    Avoid anything spicy or with sugar, and NEVER give your dog chocolate it can be fatal. In addition, steer clear of foods like grapes, raisins, and garlic.

    Here are examples of some human foods German Shepherds like to eat:

    • Cooked chicken breast

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    What Is The Best Food For German Shepherds With Joint Problems

    If your German Shepherd has joint problems, you’ll want to find a dog food that is rich in omega-three fatty acids. These essential nutrients help to reduce inflammation and pain in the joints.

    There are many brands of dog food that offer formulas specifically for dogs with joint problems. These foods often contain ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which are known to help relieve joint pain.

    Now let’s chat in more detail about the best dog foods for your furry friend.

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