German Shepherd Puppy Calories By Age
| Puppy Age | Number of Feedings | Average Calories |
| Puppies – Weaning to 12- weeks | 4 per day | 1200 – 2400 calories |
| Puppies – 3 to 6-months | 3 per day | 2000 – 2200 calories |
| Puppies – 6 to 12-months | 3 per day | 2700 – 3900 calories |
| Puppies – 12 to 18-months | 2 per day | 3300 – 4250 calories |
What is the best food to feed a German Shepherd?
These are the main different types of food that you can feed your German Shepherd:
- Complete dry foods
- Canned wet foods
- A mix of dry and wet
- Home produced diets
- Complete raw diets
When should you feed a German Shepherd puppy?
Feeding Your German Shepherd Puppy
- Feed what the breeder recommended especially for the first few weeks so as not to disrupt the digestive system.
- Fresh, clean water should be available to the puppy during the day. ...
- Feed 3 times per day from 8 to 12 weeks of age and twice per day thereafter.
What is the best diet for a German Shepherd puppy?
- Protein: Look for puppy food that has a dry matter protein content of at least 31%. ...
- Fat: A lean diet is important for German Shepherd puppies. ...
- Carbohydrates: Your GSD puppy’s food should be comprised of between 40% and 50% carbohydrates. ...
- Fat-To-Protein Ratio: The right balance is essential for your puppy’s optimal development. ...
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
How much should German Shepherd puppies eat?
A German Shepherd puppy that is younger than four months old will need at least 80-90 calories per pound of body weight in order to grow and develop. Once a German Shepherd puppy reaches four months of age, then you can reduce his calorie requirements to around 40-60 calories per pound of body weight.
What nutrients do German Shepherd puppies need?
The nutritional requirements of German Shepherds are a minimum of 22% protein during growth stages and 18% protein for adult dogs. Puppies need 8% fat, and adults require 5% fat to meet their energy needs. Carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water are also necessary for survival.
What should I not feed my German Shepherd puppy?
German Shepherds can not eat chocolate, grapes, raisins, avocados, garlic, onions, leeks, wild mushrooms, macadamia nuts, walnuts, alcohol, and salty foods. Other poisonous foods include xylitol, yeast dough, raw potatoes, hops, green tomatoes, moldy food, and high-fat foods.
What should I feed my 6 week old German Shepherd puppy?
Feed your six-week-old German Shepherd puppy anywhere from 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of dry kibble soaked with warm goat's milk 3 to 4 times daily. Your puppy's energy needs and the food you provide will dictate how often you feed them. But, you should offer them their meals at least 3 times daily at a minimum.
What should I feed my 8 week old German Shepherd puppy?
At around 6 to 8 weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy should be given a little dry dog food with water, or unseasoned chicken stock between nursing sessions. From their eighth week onward, a German Shepherd should be weaned and start feeding on solid food with a special puppy feed.
Can we give milk to German Shepherd puppy?
German Shepherd puppies can not drink milk as it contains too much lactose. It has around 5% compared to 3% in their mother's milk. Even with this small difference, puppies will have a hard time digesting milk which can overwhelm their delicate digestive system, causing diarrhea and vomiting.
Is chicken good for German Shepherds?
Chicken. Your German Shepherd can eat chicken, and as a high-protein food provides your dog with lots of energy. It's also a great source of Omega 6 fatty acids, good for the skin and coat. Chicken also contains glucosamine for healthy bones and essential amino acids.
What should I feed my 1 month old German Shepherd?
Best Starter Dog Foods For German Shepherd Newborns (1-2 months old)1) Arden Grange With Chicken Weaning Puppy.2) Royal Canin Maxi Starter Food.3) Farmina N&D Low Grain Puppy Chicken and Pomegranate Starter.1) Royal Canin German Shepherd Junior.2) Arden Grange Puppy Junior Large Breed.3) Orijen Puppy Large.More items...
Should I feed My German Shepherd raw meat?
German Shepherds can definitely eat raw meat. Although choosing it over high-quality kibble is a matter of your personal preference, raw feeding is not necessarily detrimental to your GSD's health. You just need to be aware of how to do it properly to ensure adequate nutrition and to avoid potential hazards.
What should I do when I first get a German Shepherd puppy?
German Shepherd Puppy Training TipsTip #1: Socialize your German Shepherd puppy. ... Tip #2: Teach your German Shepherd puppy to use his mouth properly. ... Tip #3: Potty train your German Shepherd puppy the right way. ... Tip #4: Don't be afraid to use food treats for training.More items...
How old should a German shepherd puppy be when you take it home?
The best age to buy a German Shepherd puppy is around 7 to 10 weeks old. Most German Shepherd breeders release their puppies at about 7 or 8 weeks of age, while a few keep their puppies longer.
How many times a day should a German shepherd puppy eat?
Your puppy should be fed three or four times a day up to the age of four months. After this age, two larger meals at regular times will be sufficient. As your dog approaches 80-90% of its estimated adult size, around one year of age, they should be moved to a diet for adult dogs.
Do German Shepherds need supplements?
0:333:16Best Supplements & Vitamins for German Shepherds - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt can be found in vegetable oils nuts and green leafy vegetables. And vitamin k helps your dogMoreIt can be found in vegetable oils nuts and green leafy vegetables. And vitamin k helps your dog avoid blood clotting. And can be found in dark leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach.
How much calcium does a German shepherd puppy need?
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends that for a large breed puppy, the ideal calcium content of a diet is 1%-2.5% based on a dry weight basis. AAFCO also recommends that protein, as a percent of diet based on a dry weight basis, should be a minimum of 22% but not exceed 27%.
Are eggs good for German Shepherds?
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.
How long does it take for a German Shepherd puppy to start eating new food?
Once your German Shepherd puppy is home—between 8 and 12 weeks —you may begin weaning them off of the breeder’s food and introducing their new food—if you’ve decided to switch, that is. Over the course of the next few weeks slowly introduce the puppy’s new food into her old food, adding more of the new food each day.
How long should a German Shepherd stay with its mother?
German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Guide: Birth to 12 Weeks. All dogs should stay with their mother for no less than eight weeks, ideally up to ten weeks. During this time, the mother will nurse the pups until they are old enough to begin eating puppy mush.
How to make mush for a puppy?
This recipe assumes you have access to suitable dry puppy kibble, water, and/or puppy formula. Equal parts boiling water or hot puppy formula and dry puppy kibble. Place kibble in a glass bowl.
Can pancreatitis cause GSD?
In fact, the balance between calcium and phosphorus is imperative. Kidney problems can happen due to an over abund ance of protein in the diet , pancreatitis can come from poor-quality foods that are too high in fat, and heart disease can shorten your GSD’s life if you feed them too much salt and fat.
Can German Shepherds eat dry kibble?
Supplements for German Shepherds. The vast majority of commercially available dry kibble is complete and balanced for your dog, assuming it’s a high-quality food. That means there is almost never a reason to supplement your dog’s diet with additives, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
How old should a German Shepherd puppy be to eat?
1 month old German shepherd Puppy Feeding. From 3 to 4 weeks old, when it comes to feeding a German Shepherd puppy, we should start by letting them taste new foods and flavors. At this stage, the German Shepherd puppy’s diet plan requires them to eat special wet food for puppies.
How many times a day should a German Shepherd eat?
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. German Shepherd puppy with her owner laying on the grass.
What is a potty essential for a German Shepherd puppy?
Puppy Potty Essentials. Puppy potty essentials are perfect for New owners who are 1st time dog owners. The German Shepherd puppy is a popular addition to many households and hence German shepherd Puppy feeding is also important. It was initially developed for herding and is now commonly used as a working dog or pet.
Why is it important to clean a German Shepherd puppy's water?
If there are insects in your dog’s water, it could cause your German Shepherd puppy to suffer from intestinal parasites.
What type of milk do puppies need?
For a newborn 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.
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.
How old should a German Shepherd be before eating?
A German Shepherd should be fed a puppy diet until around 12 months of age, or as advised by your veterinarian based on their growth and development. Adult German Shepherds are somewhat prone to obesity, which can contribute to the skeletal disorders they are prone to.
What is a German Shepherd puppy?
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.
What does BARF stand for in German Shepherds?
Feeding a German Shepherd Puppy Raw (BARF) BARF stands for ‘biologically appropriate raw foods’. These diets do not include cooked or otherwise processed foods. There is some evidence that German Shepherds fed a raw (BARF) diet may have a reduced risk of hip dysplasia.
What happens if you change your puppy's food?
If you have had to change foods, the puppy may be temporarily put off by the unfamiliar food. If a puppy shows a loss of appetite you can make the food more tasty with dog-safe treats and seasonings. You might also consider swapping to a different food that they find more appealing.
Is kibble good for dogs?
There are many good quality kibble diets, but they aren’t always the best choice. The FDA recently issued a notice alerting dog owners to a potential increased risk of a serious heart condition. This is called canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
Can you add a diet base to a puppy's diet?
Also, diet “bases” can be purchased to add to homemade diets, This should help to provide all the important nutrients that your puppy needs.
Can a puppy go without food?
If your puppy seems excessively hungry provide more frequent but smaller meals. Young puppies cannot tolerate going without food for extended periods. With older puppies you may wish to experiment with foods that help them feel more full, and provide low calories treats.
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.
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.
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.