How Much And Often Should I Food My Puppy German Shepherd
As we mentioned earlier, puppy foods usually have more calories per ounce than regular dog foods. Thats important because puppies have small stomachs. They need lots of calories for growth but they cant eat a lot of food at one time with their small tummies. This means that your German Shepherd puppy needs multiple meals per day so he can get all of the calories he needs to grow.
Breeders and veterinarians usually recommend that young German Shepherd puppies have about four meals per day when they first go to their new home. These are small meals since puppies that are 2 ½ to 4 months old cant eat a lot of food at one time. As your puppy gets bigger, he can eat more food at each meal so you can reduce the number of meals he eats from 4 to 3 by six months. Between six months and 12 months you can reduce the number of meals from three to two per day. Its recommended that adult German Shepherds eat two meals per day or three if your dog has any problems with just two meals.
There are formulas to figure out how many calories your puppy/dog needs but, frankly, the math is complicated. Its easier to use an online calculator or check the National Research Councils recommendations for calories. You can also use the suggested feeding guidelines on the food you buy although these wont be as precise.
If youre feeding a 3-month-old German Shepherd puppy weighing about 30 pounds, he will need about 1490 calories per day, just running around and being a normal puppy.
German Shepherd Feeding Guide: Senior Years
Large breed dogs, such as the German Shepherd, age faster than most smaller breed dogs.
This is evident by the fast decline in health, joint flexibility, and energy in older large breed dogs compared to same-age smaller breeds.
Because of this, its important for your dogs longevity and happiness to pay attention to signs of aging. When your GSD moves from the adult life stage to senior, you need to adjust her diet.
Large breeds reach the older stage around half of their assumed life expectancy.
A German Shepherds life expectancy is anywhere from 10 to 15 years, which means theyd be considered older and borderline senior at around 5 or 6.
This is a good time to ask your vet if you should make any changes to her diet or if its okay to continue with her normal adult meals.
Inevitably, your GSD will need to switch over to a senior diet. Older large breed dogs have lower energy needs. They move slower or less overall and therefore wont need as many calories each day.
Older dogs also tend to slow down their digestion, so an increase in fiber might be a good choice for your senior GSD.
Since the calories in senior-specific dog food have already been adjusted, youll likely still be feeding the same measured amount based on your GSDs weight.
Do be sure to confirm this with your vet, however. Not all foods are created equal.
Important Factors For Selecting The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds Specifically
In addition to selecting a product that possesses the characteristics youd want in any good dog food, there are a few additional factors you should consider when purchasing the very best dog food for German shepherds. This will help you address the specific needs of your dog.
Some of the most important things to look for in a dog food for German shepherds include:
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Taste Of The Wild Dry Dog Food For German Shepherds
Taste of The Wild Dry Dog Food is one of the top favorites in this list simply because it is very tasty for dogs and it can provide complete nutrition to large breeds.
If you have a German Shepherd in your house, you might want to try this extremely palatable dog food that contains wild game proteins on the recipe, which makes it a very popular choice for dog owners.
It has roasted quail, smoked turkey, and roasted duck that can provide the rich flavor of unique and rare protein sources and also has K9 strain probiotics that are made for dogs to help with the digestion process.
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Wellness Complete Health Large Breed
The Complete Health Large Breed by Wellness uses deboned chicken and chicken meal as its main source of protein. It also contains salmon meal, which adds to the omega fatty acid content provided by flaxseeds.
Apart from providing optimum amounts of protein for lean muscle mass, these ingredients boost skin and coat health.
This dry dog food is further an excellent choice for German Shepherds because of its fiber and probiotic content. It boosts their digestive system and promotes optimum gut health.
Additionally, it is enhanced with antioxidants for heart and eye health as well as chondroitin and glucosamine, which are essential for strong joints.
| Nutrition Facts – Wellness Complete Health Large Breed |
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| Top Ingredient |
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Health Concerns For German Shepherds
German Shepherds are prone to contract health problems that are related to bone, muscles, and joints. One such common health issue is hip dysplasia where it involves the malfunctioning of hip joints due to exercising too much, feeding too much, or injured themselves. In order to cure you can feed dog food for hip dysplasia to your pet. Elbow dysplasia is another problem that occurs mostly in German Shepherds that have a long line of badly bred ancestors and are caused mainly by poor genetics. Another health concern seen in many large breed dogs today is diabetes because of their huge body and large food intake. Diabetes can incur due to genetics or environmental conditions, but you can control it with an appropriate diet and adequate exercise.
What Is The Puppy Food For German Shepherd Puppy
Sorry if youre perplexed. I know its not an easy choice! But its one of the most crucial choices youll ever make. If youre still unsure which type of puppy food for german shepherd puppy is best for you, I recommend comparing the characteristics and functionalities of the puppy food for german shepherd puppy listed above. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
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The Different Types Of Diets
Before you can know how to properly feed your German Shepherd, you need to decide what type of diet will be best for them. There are a few different kinds of diets you can feed your dog, so knowing which one will be best might be a bit confusing. Take a look at the diets below and make a careful decision on whats best for your German Shepherd.
What Are Some Common Health Problems German Shepherds Face
Some common health problems German Shepherds face include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and allergies. This breed of dog is also susceptible to obesity, so it is important to choose a food that will help them maintain a healthy weight.
German Shepherds are also prone to joint problems, so a food that is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin is important for this breed of dog.
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Whats The Best Time To Feed A German Shepherd
The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. If its easier for your schedule you can feed 3 smaller meals around the same time that you eat at breakfast, lunch, and dinnertime.
German Shepherd puppies who are on 4 daily feedings are best fed:
- In the mornings
- The afternoon
- In the evening for their last meal
If youre feeding your dog 3 times a day, the best times are:
- In the morning before you leave for the day
- Around noon
- In the evening
German Shepherd puppies 12 months and older are best fed twice a day:
- In the morning before you leave home
- In the evening, before their last walk of the day
Each family will have different schedules, so adjust your feeding times accordingly. Aim for equally spaced out meals at the same time each day so your German Shepherds routine stays regular.
What Is The Best Diet For A German Shepherd Puppy
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When such an endearing pet like a German Shepherd puppy arrives home, it’s hard not to fall in love immediately. As a particularly affectionate breed, the German Shepherd will reciprocate this love in abundance. Since they will grow up to be a medium to large dog breed and their diet is an essential way to ensure they develop properly. Common mistakes when feeding a German Shepherd puppy include giving too much or too little food and giving them food of inferior quality. For this reason, many dog guardians ask what is the best diet for a German Shepherd puppy?
AnimalWised answers this by providing information on how much to feed a German Shepherd puppy, what type of food is best and how does this change as they grow. To do this we also provide a helpful German shepherd puppy food chart for when and how to feed these puppies properly.
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Which Foods Should I Avoid Feeding My Puppy
German Shepherd puppies and most dogs should never eat chocolate, xylitol , avocados, cherries, fruits with stones, and foods that contain caffeine or alcohol. Its also best to avoid deep-fried foods or fatty trimmings from ham or bacon, and these foods can impact heart health and lead to excessive weight gain.
Best Dry Food For German Shepherd Puppies
Chicken Soup for the Soul Large Breed Puppy Dry
Chicken Soup for the Soul seems like an underappreciated food. I fed this food to one of my girls when she was pregnant and refusing to eat anything. She loved it. Her puppies ate it when they were weaned and they grew like weeds. I eventually had to stop feeding it because they were gaining so much weight! Chicken Soup for the Soul Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food has 27 percent protein and 13 percent fat so its a good choice for large breed puppies. The first ingredients are Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Meal, and Turkey Meal. Comes in a 15 and 30-lb bag. Chewy.com has the 30-lb bag for $26.99 or $25.64 with autoship.
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What Kind Of Dog Food Should I Feed A German Shepherd With A Sensitive Stomach
There are 3 main types of foods for sensitivities in your GSD.
When feeling overwhelmed shopping for dog food, focus on the three main types of dog food that work best for German Shepherds who have sensitive stomachs:
1. Limited ingredient dog food: A limited ingredient dog food helps to troubleshoot any food sensitivities your dog might have. These formulas are widely available in different formats, such as dry dog food or canned. And many are also grain-free. Limited ingredient dog foods contain fewer ingredients than regular commercial dog food. Generally, the food has one source of protein so you can find a food that doesnt upset your German Shepherds stomach. They also are usually crated with low to moderate levels of fat, and some have added probiotics to aid digestion.
2. Hypoallergenic dog food: Hypoallergenic dog food for German Shepherds is made from proteins that have been broken down into simpler, more easily digestible amino acids. This makes the protein less likely to cause a bad reaction and make your dog sick. Look for labels that state they are hypoallergenic and avoid foods that have multiple sources of protein.
| Sensitive Dog Food Type |
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| Dogs with true food allergies only available with a veterinarians recommendation and prescription |
Choose one of these formulas for sensitivity in your GSD.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Large Breed Adult Farm
Lean protein and essential nutrients are the keys to optimal health for your German Shepherd and this Nutro Wholesome Essentials Large Breed Adult Farm-Raised Chicken Recipe has both. Featuring fresh farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient, this recipe is rich in lean protein to support your dogs lean muscle mass. It also contains digestible whole-grain carbohydrates like whole brown rice and whole-grain sorghum for supplemental energy and fiber. This recipe contains natural sources of joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin with plenty of fiber for healthy digestion. Dried fruits and vegetables provide natural sources of key nutrients while vitamins and chelated mineral supplements are included for balanced nutrition. Overall, this recipe provides 21% protein with 13% fat and 330 calories per cup and it is full of real chicken flavor your dog will love.
- Pros: Real farm-raised chicken first ingredient, digestible whole-grain carbohydrates, dried fruits and vegetables, joint-supporting nutrients, chelated minerals
- Cons: Not a grain-free recipe
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Male Or Female German Shepherd Dogs: Which Is More Mild
Male German Shepherds tend to be more violent than female German Shepherds, according to studies.
As a result, families should think twice before selecting a male companion in favor of a girl. A home lacking children and sufficient training could benefit from a male guardian, who is more likely to excel at protecting and defending.
German Shepherd Puppy Diet Requirements
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pet owners and veterinary professionals about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients. fda.gov
Large puppies like German Shepherds usually go to their new homes when they are between 8 and 10 weeks old. By this age they have been weaned and they are eating solid foods such as a good puppy food.
Puppies are growing fast in the first few months. They use up lots more calories than adult dogs because they are building muscle and bone, not to mention the fact that their brain is developing. Plus theres all that time spent in play. Play is undoubtedly fun for puppies but its also an important way to help muscles and bones grow and develop. And it burns up lots of calories.
German Shepherd puppies need plenty of calorie-dense nutrition, especially in their early months. Foods formulated for puppies typically have more calories per ounce than adult dog foods for this reason.
Puppies need more protein than adult dogs. According to AAFCO , puppies need 22 percent protein in their diet compared to 18 percent for adult dogs. These are minimum nutritional requirements. Most good puppy foods will exceed this protein percentage.
Foods that have about 30 percent protein and 9 percent fat, by dry matter basis, are considered ideal for most large breed puppies.
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Wet Food For German Shepherd Puppies
Wet or canned food is one step closer to a real food diet for your GSD puppy. There are a number of benefits to wet food, but they typically come at a greater premium. GSD puppies can be fussy eaters with kibble, but this usually isnt the case with wet food.
One of the biggest benefits of a wet food diet is how easy it is to identify low-quality food. You want to be able to see visible chunks of meat in the food. If you cant, it is likely it is not the very high quality.
Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Formula
Top 5 Ingredients: Beef Meal, Grain Sorghum, Ground White Rice, Dried Yeast, Egg Product
The Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Formula 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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Is It Ok To Put A Raw Egg In Dog Food
The answer is complicated. While some experts believe that raw eggs are perfectly safe for dogs, others believe that they can be dangerous. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
If you decide to feed your dog raw eggs, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure the eggs are fresh. Second, only feed your dog eggs that have been properly refrigerated. Finally, don’t forget to wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw eggs.
If you’re still not sure whether or not to feed your dog raw eggs, talk to your veterinarian. They can help you make the best decision for your pet.