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 her meal will help minimize problems with bloat, intestinal obstruction, or other serious digestive disorders.
German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart By Age
As a general guideline, heres how much you should feed your German Shepherd puppy daily by their age and cups of food:
- 8 weeks old: 1 to 1 ½ cups of food spread over 4 meals daily
- 12 weeks old: 1 ½ to 2 cups of food spread over 4 meals daily
- 6 months to 9 months old: 2 cups to 3 cup of food spread over 3 meals daily
- 9 months to 12 months old: 3 cups to 3 ½ cups of food spread over 3 meals daily
- 12 months old and above: 3 ½ to 4 cups of food spread over 2 meals daily
Adjust the amounts based on your dogs lifestyle. A more active puppy might need extra calories, while a lower energy puppy doesnt need as much food per day. These are guidelines only.
So, feel free to adjust the amounts based on your German Shepherds energy needs.
| Puppy Age | Total Cups of Dry Kibble | Number of Meals Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks old | ||
| 6 months to 9 months old | 2 3 cups | |
| 9 months to 12 months old | 3 3 ½ cups | |
| 12 months old and above | 3 ½ 4 cups | 2 |
Offer your dog their food around the same time each day. If they dont eat their meal in 10 to 15 minutes remove their dish. Wait an hour and offer them the same meal to see if theyve changed their mind about eating.
German Shepherd Feeding Guide: Adult Years
Once your German Shepherd has ended his puppy stage and transitioned into adulthood, hes ready to eat a balanced adult diet.
Adult dog food will have a different ratio of calcium, protein, phosphorus, and other nutrients than puppy food does.
Feeding an adult dog a puppy formula can cause obesity as well as put too much strain on kidneys and other vital organs. Long term use of inappropriate food for an adult dog can have catastrophic consequences.
That said, there is no need to panic if your adult GSD eats a bowl of puppy food now and then.
Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. They can get by on once per day, but its always better to split daily caloric intake between smaller meals instead of feeding it all at once.
Again, bloat is a real problem for large breed dogs, and large meals seem to be a big cause of this.
If youre not home for twice-daily feedings, you can use an automatic feeder. These will dispense the proper amount of food at set times each day so your dog isnt left waiting for meals.
Throughout the years, Ive fed a number of different high-quality dog foods to my German Shepherds.
One of my consistent go-tos is Royal Canin Adult Breed German Shepherd dry dog food. I feed my adult dogs this particular blend for a number of reasons.
In addition, this blend also uses optimal levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to make a GSDs coat pop, so to speak. You really can see the difference.
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Feeding German Shepherd Puppies A Raw Diet
Raw diets for puppies are made purely from raw meats and raw ingredients. The diets are formulated to satisfy their primal instincts. According to vet Dr. Ian Billinghurst, a raw food diet greatly improves skin and coat health, builds up lean and strong muscles and has a lower risk of causing allergies.
| Pros |
| Poses a high risk of contamination |
Suggested feeding amount per day: 900 calories daily per 10 lbs of weight
Who is this for? Picky eaters and puppies with sensitive stomachs. A great option for dog owners who prefer to handpick every ingredient that goes into their puppys food.
Does Raw Wild Meet Minimum Standards To Be A Complete And Balanced Food
Yes, Raw Wild formulates its food to meet the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials .
And their food meets the dog food nutrient profiles for all life stages.
Raw Wild offers an impressive Guaranteed Analysis of:
- Crude Protein, minimum 18.0%
- Crude Fiber, maximum 0.45%
- Moisture maximum 70.0%
When I look that the guaranteed analysis of diet I formulate for my dogs using Animal Diet Formulator, its in the same range.
So Im happy with what Raw Wild offers here in terms of guaranteed minimums.
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How Much Food To Feed A 8
You should feed your 8-month-old German Shepherd Dog puppy 4.1 cups of dry dog food every day.
Ration this food into two or three separate portions and give it to your German Shepherd Dog puppy over the day.
Our recommendation on how much food you should feed your 8-month-old German Shepherd Dog puppy assumes that the weight of your German Shepherd Dog is typical for its age.
The typical weight for a 8-month-old German Shepherd Dog puppy is 56.4 lbs .
Our recommendation on how much food to feed your German Shepherd Dog also assumes that you feed your German Shepherd Dog dog food that has an average calorie density .
Use our German Shepherd Dog food calculator to calculate a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your German Shepherd Dog.
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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Optimal Feeding Time For German Shepherds
Another common question from new German Shepherd pet parents is, When should I feed my German Shepherd?
To reach optimal health and growth, young German Shepherd puppies should have a tight daily feeding schedule.
Young puppies have a faster metabolism compared to adult dogs. Thats why they need shorter meal intervals, preferably only a few hours apart. Not only that, a puppys blood sugar is regulated through these frequent feeding times.
In general, the last meal of your puppy for the day should be hours before its bedtime, so they have enough time to digest the food before they go to sleep.
As for transitioning puppies to adult German Shepherds, the three meals should be given in the morning, noon, and nighttime, so they may be provided with a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This is crucial for their growth, especially if they are active and working dogs. Having a feeding schedule can also help monitor their food intake to avoid weight-related issues.
The optimal feeding time for adult and senior German Shepherds would be during the morning and night for their two meals daily.
Lastly, as owners, we must seldom give treats to our German Shepherds, preferably only during training. Too much of anything may be bad for your dog.
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German Shepherd Puppy Diet: Newborn
For a German Shepherd puppy to develop and grow properly, it is imperative that they first nurse on their mother’s milk. The first milk they receive is a protein and antibody-rich type of milk known as colostrum. This gives the puppy’s immune and central nervous systems a boost. They then progress on to regular breast milk.
Puppies will nurse for at least 6 to 8 weeks, gradually being weaned on to solid food at about 4 weeks. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a puppys first milk, as it provides them with 90% of its natural defenses. In addition, a puppys first feeding contributes to proper blood flow and helps oxygenate the puppy’s organs.
If, for any reason, the puppy cannot suckle its mother, don’t give them cow or goat milk. These milks are very poor quality in comparison to a puppy’s mother’s milk. If your German shepherd puppy has to be prematurely weaned, a veterinarian will be able to prescribe specific infant formula and establish the appropriate dosage for your puppy.
A dogs breed type does however influence this feed. For example, a Chihuahua and a German Shepherd should not be fed the same food. This is because hese breeds have different nutritional needs. Take a look here to find out more about the diet for a prematurely weaned puppy.
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How To Transition Your German Shepherd To A New Food
Puppy milk may not work on a three-month-old pup anymore. It only fits a week-old German Shepherd.
You may need to mix dry and wet foods at a certain age for your pup, or maybe you want to incorporate raw foods in their adult diet just like many dog owners do.
From mothers milk to puppy food and adult dog food, there will always be a lot of food transitions when it comes to your puppy.
You just have to make sure you know how to do it correctly, and you provide the most nutritious dry dog food or wet food.
Switching your dogs diet instantly will not only affect your dogs weight but can also cause digestion problems and loss of appetite. You should give enough time for your dog to adjust to a new food gradually.
Like other shepherd breeds, you should allow a 7-day transition period from feeding German Shepherds their old food to their new diet.
According to the American Kennel Club , 25% of your dogs new diet is given in the first couple of days, with 75% of their old diet. Then gradually increase it to 50% on the third day, and 75% on the 5th day.
However, you must monitor your dogs response while switching the proportions of their diet. If there is discomfort, vomiting, or diarrhea, you may opt to slow down the process even more or consult your vet directly.
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The Best Food For German Shepherd Puppies Adults And Seniors
At Native Pet, we love a GSD. German shepherd dogs are the third most popular dog breed in America, and it’s easy to see why. These pups are loyal, brave, and intelligent. They’re gentle with children and discerning with strangers. And for their service and devotion, they deserve the best dog food and treats. But, what is the best food for German shepherd dogs?
While some dog food brands sell food designed specifically for German shepherds, the difference between those recipes and other high-quality dog foods mostly comes down to marketing. And, you may end up paying more just because the bag has a picture of your dog’s breed on it. Skip the GSD-branded products and instead learn what German shepherds need from their food.
Here’s how to identify the best formula based on your German shepherd’s life stage, choose a high-quality food, and add supplements to address their unique needs.
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When To Stop Feeding German Shepherd Puppy Food
Another common question new puppy owners often ask is, How long should I feed my German Shepherd puppy food?
Figuring out when to take German Shepherds off puppy food is the topic of continued debate.
Different breeders have different feeding philosophies about the best time to transition from puppy food to adult dog food.
This process can occur as early as 16 weeks or as late as one year.
Typically, you will see most puppy owners beginning the process between the ages of five and six months old and 1 year.
How Much Food To Feed A 40
You should feed your 40-Pound German Shepherd Dog 2.8 cups of dry dog food every day.
Ration this food into two or three separate potions and give it to your German Shepherd Dog over the day.
Our recommendation on how much food to feed your German Shepherd Dog also assumes that you feed your German Shepherd Dog a dog food that has an energy content of 389 kilocalories per cup, and that your German Shepherd Dog is reproductively intact.
Also, we assume that your German Shepherd Dog is not overweight or underweight.
Use our German Shepherd Dog food calculator for a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your German Shepherd Dog.
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Best Dog Food For German Shepherds
A good dog food for your German Shepherd puppy must be formulated for large breeds. Moreover, it should provide the sufficient nutrients needed for growth and development.
There are many commercial dog foods in the market, but you can also offer your GSD puppy homemade dog food or a raw diet. Whats important is its nutritious and healthy for your dog.
Consulting a vet is strongly advised to give your German Shepherd the best diet suited for its lifestyle.
To help you in this dilemma, the list below has dog food options you may want to consider offering to your GSD puppy:
Check out this video for a vets brief guide to feeding your dog a raw diet:
Another vital factor to note is your dogs age and sex. We know a German Shepherd is a large breed dog. However, males tend to grow bigger and heavier than females, needing more food consumption.
A German Shepherd puppy may need to eat at frequent schedules with smaller meals, while adult ones may not need to be fed much often but will need more significant meal portions each time.
Overall, these dog food choices can cater to your German Shepherds needs. They have different pros and cons, so consulting your vet may be the best thing to do to know the best choice for your dogs feeding plan.
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How Does Diet Affect The Health Of Growing Shepherds
Recently it has come to light that a proper diet for puppies does more than prevent malnutrition. As part of this proper diet, there are many things that should never be fed to German Shepherds.
Orthopedic Problems
Many orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia have a strong hereditary component. However, people often discount the role of diet in bone developmental issues.
Theres a clear link between obesity in puppies and the resulting exacerbation of hip, elbow, and back problems.
However, your German Shepherd pup doesnt have to be overweight to suffer a myriad of health challenges.
Merely creating an oversized puppy, as is often the case for show animals and people fixated on large dogs, can lead to several painful disorders:
- Elbow dysplasia
- Panosteitis Generalized inflammation of the long bones in puppies common in German Shepherds.
- Wobblers More common in Great Danes and Dobermans, Wobblers is a condition whereby the spinal canal is too narrow, causing neurologic instability.
Overnutrition and over-supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals lead to paradoxical malnutrition of the bone, and subsequently improper development.
Nutritional experts have modified their recommendations regarding the diets of large-breed dogs.
Many nutritionists and veterinarians advocate feeding German Shepherds and other large-breed puppies an adult or professionally-formulated homemade diet to limit the occurrence and severity of developmental problems.
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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.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A German Shepherd
The life expectancy of a German Shepherd is between nine and thirteen years. This breed of dog is known for being a healthy and hardy breed, but there are some health problems that can shorten their lifespan.
It is important to feed your German Shepherd a diet that will help them maintain their health and keep them at a healthy weight to help ensure a long and happy life.
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Week Old German Shepherd
At 6 weeks old, your job as a new owner is to make sure that your puppy is receiving the same level of nutrition that they were getting from their mothers milk.
Ideally, your puppy should still be nursing from their mother, because most foods are going to have a hard time replacing the needed micro and macronutrients, along with the natural antibodies that are found inside of the mothers milk.