Before Anything Check Your German Shepherd
Before anything you should check your german shepherd to see if theres anything wrong with them. Doing this will make it easier to find out the exact cause of their loss of appetite, and will provide valuable information to you and your vet .
To check your german shepherd do the following.
Check Their Body Over
The first thing you should do is check them over. You should especially look for any problems in their mouth or with their teeth that could be causing them not to eat. (
As well as that, give their body a once over as well. You should be looking for parasites, injuries and lumps or bumps that could be causing them discomfort.
And remember, if you do find something that shouldnt be there, take them to the vets right away.
Keep An Eye On Their Behavior
You should also make sure youre keeping an eye on your pups behavior as well. If your German shepherd isnt drinking either, then its a serious cause for concern which will need to be addressed immediately.
But also look for other things, do they still seem as energetic and active as usual, or are they lethargic? Are they going to the toilet normally or is there a problem?
All of these are indicators that something could be wrong with your pup!
Make Sure They Havent Eaten Anything
Lastly, you should make sure that your german shepherd hasnt eaten anything in their environment either. German shepherds are big dogs, so its easy for them to completely swallow something they shouldnt,
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.
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.
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What To Feed A German Shepherd Puppy
Wondering what to feed your GSD puppy?
Your German Shepherds athletic body, as well as his energy, health, and condition, depend in part on what you choose to pour into his bowl and knowing how much to feed your German Shepherd puppy.
This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating!
Most dog foods on the market will adequately sustain your dogs life. But you dont want adequate
You want your dog to bloom with health!
Your GSD pup eats nearly double the amount of an adult in order to maintain growth rate and their higher daily energy needs.
Balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature.
There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food.
How Much Should I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy
To begin with follow the guidelines provided by the feeder, the feed manufacturer, or by your veterinarian.
For example, you could expect to start feeding your puppy a total of around 3 cups a day of a high-quality kibble.
However this will vary depending on how calorie dense the food is and how it is formulated.
Puppies will quickly develop individual needs for food types and amounts based on their size, activity level, and other factors.
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German Shepherd Feeding Guide By Age
As mentioned above, the age and development stage of your German Shepherd will play a big part in what foods are best suited for him.
To make your research easier, were breaking down the GSD feeding guide into age-based categories. Simply find your dogs age or developmental stage below to find the right information at the right time.
Be sure to check with your vet before beginning, switching, or stopping a feeding program. The information provided here is for research purposes only. Always take your vets advice for your individual dogs needs.
Finding The Best Dog Food For Your German Shepherd
The day has long gone when choosing a dog food as simple as picking one available in the pet section of your local supermarket or pet supply store. Today there are a myriad of pet food brands available, and each brand can have multiple formulas. Enough for every dog owner, even the most experienced ones, to get confused.
The good news is pet food producers have done an excellent job of creating products that help a dog thrive. They have created a precise formula for each life stage and every breed of dogs. This actually makes your job easier when you think about it.
In general, you just need to pick a dog food that is breed and age-appropriate. In the case of our German shepherds, we are going to pick a food made for medium to large dogs according to our dogs current life stage.
Of course, youll still need to do a bit of analysis, which I described in detail in my best German shepherd foods review and buying here. As long as you follow my guidelines there, you should be able to choose which food works best for your German shepherd dog.
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How To Feed A German Shepherd Puppy
Your German Shepherd puppys health, energy, and athletic performance will depend on the food you give him.
It is more difficult and scary to choose what to feed your German Shepherd puppy.
The majority of dog food on the market can provide enough nutrition to sustain your dogs health. You dont need enough.
Your dog should be healthy and happy!
They can be protected from later joint problems as they age by using balanced formulas.
Quality nutrition is more critical in the early stages of growth. High-quality food is essential for these children.
Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken
Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp
Caloric Content: 3,323 kcal/kg
The Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken Dry Dog Food is a veterinarian-approved dry dog food mix with a huge range of ingredients. It contains a great blend of farm-raised chicken, oatmeal and rice, as well as fruit and vegetables such as blueberries, carrots, apples and tomatoes.
This mix is suited to all stages of a German Shepherds life, from puppy to senior, and is a natural formula that contains both prebiotics and probiotics to assist with digestion and the absorption of food in your dogs stomach.
Vitamins A and B12 are included, as well as Taurine for optimal health. Although there arent any genetically modified inclusions in this food, some dogs who are very picky eaters have not enjoyed it. It is generally a quality choice for your German Shepherd though.
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Dry Food Wet Food Or Both
Many pet-food companies have worked with canine-nutrition scientists to develop special formulas for both large- and small-breed puppies.
- Canned food is the most expensive to feed, and dogs often find it most palatable. Be careful of all-meat claims, though. Your dog should have a complete, balanced diet to fulfill nutritional requirements. Meat alone may not do it.
- Semi-moist food is available in one-serving packets. It is usually made to look like hamburger.
- Kibble is the most economical, and the major makers offer a complete and balanced diet for dogs of all sizes and ages. Dry food can be fed exactly as it comes from the bag.
Some dog owners say there is an oral-hygiene advantage in hard kibble because the friction produced helps to keep the gums and teeth healthy. Kibble can be moistened, either with water or canned food. Although unnecessary, that addition may make food tastier.
How Much Water Should A German Shepherd Puppy Drink
Your German Shepherd puppy needs to drink 6 ounces of water per day for every 3.5 kilograms of body weight. Therefore, if your puppy weighs approximately 35 kilograms, he needs to have about 60 ounces of water every day.
If your dog is engaged in a lot of physical activity, or if the weather is hot, then this amount may need to be increased. You may notice that your dog is panting and this is a clear sign of dehydration. Always keep the water bowl full.
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Feeding A German Shepherd Puppy The Right Way
June 6, 2019 By Emily Patterson-Kane
The German Shepherd puppy is a popular addition to many households. Sometimes called the Alsatian puppy, the German Shepherd was initially developed for herding and now commonly used as a working dog or pet. This is your guide to providing all the nutrients your new puppy needs.
Many types of food can be provided. However puppy foods designed for large breed dogs are essential for puppies. This will help to avoid health problems caused by overly-rapid bone growth.
Read on to find out the ins and out of whats best for your German Shepherd puppy!
Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Formula
Top 5 Ingredients: Beef Meal, Grain Sorghum, Ground White Rice, Dried Yeast, Egg Product
Caloric Content: 3,518 kcal/kg
The Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Formula Adult Dry Dog Food is a wonderful choice for your German Shepherd who is no longer a puppy.
This mix is enhanced with superfoods and probiotics to assist with overall health and development, as well as antioxidants, omega fatty acids for your furry friends coat and skin and nurturing minerals.
It includes protein, such as beef and fish, as well as fruit and vegetables such as blueberries, peas, kale and coconut. There has been some indication that this food is not suited to super picky eaters, however this dry food is generally a good choice for German Shepherds.
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How Does The Right Food Play A Role In Your German Shepherds Health
The Happy Puppy Site states that a lot of problems German Shepherds can encounter are due to bone growth that occurs too rapidly. These issues include hip dysplasia.
Choosing the right food and feeding the right amount both play a leading role in making sure your puppy grows at an acceptable rate. The first several months of a German Shepherd Dogs life are crucial for ensuring an appropriate growth rate.
A raw diet might prove beneficial once your dog has reached adult size. One of the possible benefits is reducing the possibility of hip dysplasia.
When your puppy has a growth rate that follows a proper pace, the dog will reach the appropriate proportions when they are supposed to.
Even though all dogs run the risk of injury, a puppy that grows at the appropriate rate has healthier bones.
Food Requirements Of German Shepherd Puppies
Puppies have the ability to store energy in a seemingly endless way. This means that they need a constant supply of calories the right types of calories to keep their energy levels high and help them become happy and healthy adult dogs.If this is the first time you have a German shepherd puppy, you are probably going to ask yourself some questions about your diet. Feeding a puppy is very different from feeding an adult dog . Younger children need to maintain a regular feeding schedule and their growing bodies require more nutrients from their food than adult dogs.
Questions like
- How much food should I give my puppy?
- How many times a day should I feed my puppy?
- How much should a puppy eat?
If you do not follow the proper guidelines one can simply be supercharged to your puppy or have it lacking nutrients and minerals vital for its growth.
As a general rule, it can be said that you are feeding your puppy excessively if he can not see or feel his rib cage.
While, for humans, this is considered a sign of malnutrition, it is actually a guide you can use to help find out if your puppy is getting enough calories from his diet.
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General Nutritional Requirements For German Shepherds
The first thing you need to remember is to feed your German shepherd dog food that meets their nutritional needs. I know this might sound obvious, but it is an easy mistake to make and can cost your dog a lot of trouble in his or her life.
When I consider the food feed to my German shepherds, I always think about their health issues first. A German shepherd is a medium to large breed dog, which means that he is at a higher risk for certain health problems, with bones and hips problems being the most notorious ones.
Genetics plays an integral part in the likelihood of them developing joint diseases, and too much rapid growth is another factor that can make these problems worse.
This is why, although German shepherds need basic nutrientssuch as protein, fat, carbs, and other vitamins and mineralsjust like other dog breeds, you want to be careful with dog foods that are too rich in nutrients as they can promote dangerously quick growth.
Aside from health issues, there are also other things that you need to take into account, including the size, age, and activity level of your dog.
Determine Which Type Of Food To Feed Your Gsd Puppy
A happy pup makes a great companion. German Shepherd puppies are particularly vulnerable to growth abnormalities and certain conditions such as bloat. Many of these conditions can be avoided by good nutrition. Here we present to you the different types of food options available to try. We recommend trying out each type of food to break up the monotony in your pups diet.
Foods that often trigger allergic reactions include soy products, wheat, corn, pork, beef, milk, eggs, artificial flavorings, preservatives, additives, and sugar. This is why we always recommend grain-free and artificial-flavoring free diets for growing dogs.
If you do notice any of these symptoms, consult your vet immediately. You may have to change your pups diet.
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Tips For Feeding A German Shepherd Dog
You can find a ton of dog feeding guides online, and while they each hold merit, its best to talk to your vet about your dogs specific feeding needs.
Getting a personalized recommendation from your veterinarian is worth the time, expense, and effort. That said, there is still plenty of good information in this article that should give you an idea of your dogs nutritional needs at each stage of life.
Its likely that your vet will give you plenty of options, including suggesting you follow this guide and make small adjustments as needed.
Green Foods And Fruit
Its important to also be aware that just because a food may be healthy for you, it does not mean that it is good for your GSDs health. So keep in mind that table scraps covers a lot more than just a chunk of meat it also includes certain fruits and vegetables.
For more detailed information about what not to feed your GSD, take a look at this post.
Remember that German Shepherds are first and foremost carnivores. Their digestive systems are not adequately equipped to handle the consumption and processing of leaves and bulbs, whether cooked or not. However, there are some fruits and green vegetables that are actually good for your GSD in small quantities.
Here are some fruits and vegetables which are safe for your GSD to consume:
- apples
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Should You Feed Your German Shepherd Dry Or Canned Food
Commercial dog food is available in three forms: dry, canned, and semi-moist.
Commercial dry dog foods normally contain about 10 percent moisture. They have a longer shelf and are the least expensive option than other forms of dog food. Not forget to mention they also promote healthy teeth and gums.
In the past, there were many complaints about the palatability of dry foods. But this issue seems to be more of a past issue as the competition among pet food manufacturers has driven the taste of dry food products more enticing than ever. All of these pros make them a wildly popular choice among dog owners.
Out of the three, wet foods are the tastiest food for dogs. They have a high moisture content, which helps to keep your dog hydrated. They are very convenient because they are easy to store and they contain very few preservatives.
The downside is they are the most expensive choice they spoil quickly and dont provide the chewing necessary to keep a dogs teeth clean.
Semi-moist foods are the less favorable option because many dogs have difficulty digesting these foods. They contain high levels of sugars to keep the morsels soft. They also include food coloring to make the foods more visually appealing to humans but dont benefit dogs at all.