
How much to feed a German Shepherd
- 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.
What kind of food should a German Shepherd be eating?
“Human Food” You Can Freely Feed To Your German Shepherd
- Fruits and berries. Here is a safe list of fruits that your German Shepherd may show an interest in eating. ...
- Vegetables. German Shepherds also enjoy a few fresh vegetables at times. ...
- Nuts. Several nut varieties are entirely safe to feed to your German Shepherd. ...
- Grains. ...
- Dairy. ...
- Fish. ...
- Poultry. ...
- Animal protein. ...
What is the best diet for a German Shepherd?
There are 5 key nutritional needs that a German Shepherd puppy has, including:
- A protein-rich diet.
- Plenty of calcium.
- Lots of fat.
- Phosphorous
- High calorie levels to help growth.
How much should I Feed my German Shepherd?
How Much to Feed an Adult German Shepherd. Feed your adult GSD between 2.5 and 3.5 cups of dry kibble per day. Active male dogs should be eating at the upper end of this scale, so should be getting 3.5 cups. Inactive and older dogs, who need less food, should be eating 2.5 cups. Image Credit: Sidorov ruslan, Shutterstock German Shepherd Feeding Guide for Seniors
What are the nutritional needs of a German Shepherd?
What nutrients do German Shepherd Puppies need?
- The main nutritional requirement for German Shepherd puppies is protein. They require a minimum of 22% of the protein in their prepared diet.
- The second vital nutrient for your German Shepherd dogs is fats.
- The recommended healthy fats nutritional content for growing German Shepherd puppies is 8%.

What should a German Shepherd eat in a day?
How Much to Feed an Adult German Shepherd. Feed your adult GSD between 2.5 and 3.5 cups of dry kibble per day. Active male dogs should be eating at the upper end of this scale, so should be getting 3.5 cups. Inactive and older dogs, who need less food, should be eating 2.5 cups.
What human foods can German Shepherds eat?
German Shepherds can eat a range of human foods such as beef, chicken, pork, turkey, salmon, tuna, and eggs. They can also eat fruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas, berries, carrots, peas, pumpkins, and other foods such as rice and pasta, yogurt, cheese, and peanut butter.
What are German Shepherds favorite snacks?
The best overall dog treats for German Shepherds are the SmartBones SmartSticks. These treats are made with chicken, vegetables, and peanut butter. They are rawhide-free and are 99.2% digestible....1. SmartBones SmartSticks Dog Treats – Best Overall.Flavor:Peanut butterTexture:Hard chewy sticks1 more row•Jun 4, 2022
Can I give milk to my German Shepherd?
German Shepherds can drink milk as long as they are not lactose intolerant. Milk is high in calcium, vitamin D, and potassium and as a rich source of high-quality protein, contains all the essential amino acids. However, milk is high in fat and natural sugars, so you should give your dog a small amount.
What foods can German Shepherds not eat?
Foods your German Shepherd should avoid include avocados, chocolates, onion and garlic, artificial sweeteners, and raw potatoes. Some more toxic foods are grapes and raisins, bones, yeast dough, moldy food, and raw tomatoes. In severe cases, these foods can prove fatal.
What fruits and vegetables can German Shepherds eat?
German Shepherds can eat a wide variety of vegetables. Some of the best vegetables they can eat are carrots, peas, pumpkin, green beans, parsnips, cooked potatoes, and sweet potatoes. However, some vegetables are poisonous and must not be eaten, such as garlic, onions, leeks, chives, and wild mushrooms.
Can German Shepherds eat eggs?
Are you wondering… can German Shepherds eat eggs? Yes! Eggs could be a nutritious yet inexpensive addition to your German Shepherd's diet. They are especially useful for people who prefer to feed their dogs with fresh food rather than plain kibble.
Can German Shepherds eat bread?
The short answer to the question “can dogs eat bread?” is yes. Dogs can safely eat bread in much the same way as humans—in moderation. Plain white and wheat bread is generally safe for dogs to eat, provided they don't have any allergies, and it usually does not cause any stomach upset.
How old should a German Shepherd be to feed?
6-Week Old: German shepherd puppies of this age are likely to have not adapted yet. They will still require nutrients equal to that of what they get from their mother’s milk. 10-Week Old: At this point, you can feed other types of food to your German shepherd puppy besides their mother’s milk.
How many calories should a German Shepherd eat a day?
An average weighted German shepherd (35 kilograms) will then need 1400 calories per day. This only applies to German shepherds that do not exercise or inactive.
How much water should a German Shepherd drink?
So if your German shepherd weighs around 35 kilograms, he’ll need to drink an average of 60 ounces of water every day. Depending on the temperature and activeness, this amount can increase.
Can you take care of a German Shepherd without knowing?
So you’ve got yourself a German shepherd, and you think you can take care of them just fine without any knowledge. However, this will be your undoing. You’ll come to a realization that you can’t get by without studying about German shepherds.
Do German Shepherds eat humans?
German shepherds are similar to humans in the sense that they need to eat consistently. And just like us, they, too, have a specific feeding amount and nutrient requirements. You can’t just make them eat whatever you lay your eyes on. However, as their owner, you can’t always rely on your keen observation.
How Much Should A German Shepherd Eat?
On average, adult German Shepherds should eat at least 1,272 calories to 2,100 calories daily, depending on factors such as age and activity level. Older and less active German Shepherds tend to require around 1300 calories daily, while the active and energetic ones typically need at least 1700 calories a day.
What Affects How Much Your German Shepherd Should Eat?
As previously mentioned, your German Shepherd’s food intake depends on its activity level. The more active a German Shepherd the more calories and food it needs to eat to replace lost energy.
German Shepherd Nutritional Requirements
Other than simply minding the amount of food to feed a German Shepherd, you should also consider the quality of the food and the nutrients that it provides.
Choosing The Right Dog Food For Your German Shepherd
Since puppies have different nutritional needs as compared to adult German Shepherds, it can be quite confusing to determine which food you should get for your dog.
German Shepherd Feeding Guide
Now that we understand your German Shepherd’s caloric and nutritional needs let’s now look into the feeding process, particularly the specific feeding amounts, frequency, and mealtime length.
Feeding A German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherd puppies need more care and supervision than adults. So, let’s look further into how to feed them.
Feeding A Senior German Shepherd
Your German Shepherd’s 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.
What is the best dry food for German Shepherds?
Most Popular – A common dry food choice for German Shepherds is Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. Coming in 5lb, 14lb and 28lb bags, this mixture allows you to buy a smaller bag for your dog to try before buying a larger amount.
What are the nutritional needs of a German Shepherd?
There are 5 key nutritional needs that a German Shepherd puppy has, including: A protein-rich diet. Plenty of calcium.
How old is a puppy when it starts eating wet food?
12 Weeks Old. Around 12 weeks of age, the transition from wet to dry food begins. Ensure the transition is in small steps, to avoid causing any upset to the puppy (e.g. diarrhea and/or vomiting) As a guide, start with a 10% dry food, 90% wet food mix and increase the dry food by 10-15% each week after that.
How to transition a puppy from mother's milk to puppy food?
To help their little bodies with the transition from mother’s milk to puppy food, it is best to start with wet food (as it contains around 85% moisture) Using wet food helps to prepare their digestive systems for whole food, which will be introduced to a puppy’s diet in time.
Why is it important for German Shepherds to have a working dog?
Due to German Shepherds being large dogs with a working dog history, it is important that they meet certain dietary and nutritional standards including a diet that is rich in:
Is there gluten in Gentle Giants dry dog food?
There aren’t any grains, corn, wheat or gluten in this dry food, nor is there any artificial colors of flavors. Due to the digestion aids in this blend though, you may find your dog goes to the bathroom a little more than usual! 6. Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken.
Quick Checklist To Judge A Premade Raw Dog Food And Company
You can safely use this short checklist to find the best raw food for German Shepherds.
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.
Eukanuba Breed Specific German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Corn Meal, 3. Brewers Rice, 4. Dried Beet Pulp, 5. Fish Oil
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.
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.
Holistic Select Large And Giant Breed Puppy Food
Holistic Select offers a dry puppy food formula in lamb flavor or lamb and chicken flavor. Both flavors are grain-free. The formula includes DHA from salmon oil, prebiotics and probiotics, live yogurt cultures, digestive enzymes, fruits and vegetables, and antioxidant-rich superfoods.
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 .
How much fat should a German Shepherd eat?
Fat: A lean diet is important for German Shepherd puppies. Fat levels in your puppy’s food should never be higher than 15%. Carbohydrates: Your GSD puppy’s food should be comprised of between 40% and 50% carbohydrates.
What foods can dogs eat?
Bananas are high in useful potassium for your dog. Blueberries will go a long way toward preventing cell damage. Brocolli is low in fat and high in fiber. Brussel sprouts are low in fat and contain vitamins A, C, B1 and B6. Cantaloupe is high in fiber, potassium, vitamins A, C, and B6, niacin, and folate.
What do dogs need to have energy?
As previously mentioned, carbohydrates provide much-needed energy for your puppy. It converts carbohydrates to sugar which is then used to fuels your puppy’s daily escapades. They mostly come from cereal grains which are cooked just to the point that your puppy can easily absorb them.
How long does it take for a dog to get a food allergy?
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.
What is the best food for a puppy?
Cantaloupe is high in fiber, potassium, vitamins A, C, and B6, niacin, and folate. Carrots are high in fiber, vitamin A, potassium, and they’re also great for teething puppies and dental health in general. Try them frozen. Celery is high in fiber and especially good if your dog is overweight.
What are the best vitamins for a puppy?
Essential vitamins include: Vitamin A. B vitamins. Vitamin B-6.
What are the benefits of protein for a puppy?
And fats provide flavor, energy, and they promote the absorption of minerals in your puppy.
When can German Shepherd puppies eat adult food?
Keep in mind, German shepherd puppies don’t stop growing and aren’t ready to eat adult dog food… until they reach 12 to 24 months of age. 3. The dog foods below are listed in random order. Each was chosen because it meets specific selection criteria.
Why are German Shepherds considered large breed dogs?
However…. German shepherd puppies have a higher risk of developing a crippling form of canine hip dysplasia … if they’re fed a dog food that contains too much calcium for their larger breed type. 1.
Can German Shepherds eat dog food?
That depends on the age of your dog. Adult German shepherds can eat just about ANY brand of quality dog food. But to help lower the risk of crippling hip disease, shepherd puppies should eat a diet that’s safe for large breed puppies. View our best large breed puppy foods here.
German Shepherd Dog Feeding Chart
Below is the typical feed chart for the German Shepherd Dog. This chart provides you a rough guide on how much dry dog food (kibble) to feed your German Shepherd Dog.
How to Measure the Right Amount of Dog Food for Your German Shepherd Dog
Research has shown that most owners over-measure a cup of dog food. As a result, most dogs owners overfeed their dogs. This is because dog owners do not level off the cup when measuring out the food they give to their dogs.
How Much Food to Feed the German Shepherd Dog
You should feed your 13-week-old German Shepherd Dog puppy 3.6 cups of dry dog food (kibble) every day.
Best Food for German Shepherd Dog. German Shepherd Dog Feeding Guide
The German Shepherd Dog has different nutrient needs at different life stages. Therefore, the dog food that you feed your German Shepherd Dog at different ages should be the type that is appropriate for its age.
Feeding Guide for the German Shepherd Dog Puppy: 12 weeks to one year
The dog food that you feed your puppy should have the nutrients that will boost a puppy`s immune system since puppies easily get infected with the disease at this age.
Feeding Guide for the Young Adult German Shepherd Dog: Ages 1 year to 6 years
The dog food that you feed a young adult German Shepherd Dog should have the nutrients that will make a dog live longer.
Feeding Guide for Mature Adult German Shepherd Dogs: 6 years and older
You should feed the mature adult German Shepherd Dog food that has been formulated to improve their quality of life, increase their life expectancy, and increase their overall health.
What to feed a 12 week old German Shepherd puppy?
12 weeks old. Hard kibble on its own, small portions of cooked eggs, pieces of minced, plain Greek yogurt, a small spoonful of cooked, plain oats, goat’s milk if you and your dog like. Use this German Shepherd puppy feeding chart to determine what to feed your GSD.
How old is a GSD puppy when they eat milk?
Goat’s milk can be used throughout their lives, even as adults, to make their meals more enticing and encourage healthy eating habits. At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods.
How to tell if my puppy is hungry?
It’s difficult to tell when the growth spurt begins, but you might notice that your puppy always seems hungry. If you think your puppy is trying to eat everything, including his food bowl, then offer a small bit more food. If he seems slightly chubby or fat, then decrease the food by a small bit.
When do German Shepherds reach full growth?
German Shepherds usually don’t reach their full growth until 18 months of age. It isn’t harmful to keep a German Shepherd on puppy formula until their growth plates have fused over, which is generally around 12 to 18 months of age ( UCLA – Davis ).
Can German Shepherds have hip dysplasia?
Rapid growth is one of the contributing factors known to increase this risk of hip dysplasia in German Shepherds ( GSDVC.org.au ). You must understand how much to feed your German Shepherd puppy to avoid any health issues. It’s crucial that you don’t encourage your dog to gain a lot of weight for rapid growth. You don’t want fast growth.
