
What kind of food should I Feed my German Shepherd?
- By 5 months old, your puppy should be used to their dry food
- Additionally, around 4-5 months of age introduce some live animal products into their diet such as actual bone, raw eggs and liver
- They need to be fed at least 3 times a day
- As a guide, feed them a total of 1-2 cups of dry food a day
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 is the best food for German Shepherds?
The 5 Best Dog Foods for German Shepherds with Skin Allergies
- Natural Balance L.I.D. ...
- German Shepherd Puppies and Skin Problems. ...
- German Shepherd Puppy Allergy Supplements. ...
- Other Food Allergens. ...
- Adverse Food Reactions in German Shepherds. ...
- Hypoallergenic Diets for German Shepherd Allergies. ...
- Skin Allergy Supplements for German Shepherds. ...
- Raw Diets. ...
- Raw Diets and German Shepherd Puppies. ...
- Homemade Diets. ...
What happens if you feed a German Shepherd to much?
What happens if you overfeed a German Shepherd? Excessive caloric intake can easily contribute to an accelerated growth rate as well as excessive weight gain. And you don’t want that in a developing German Shepherd puppy. You want to keep the puppy in ideal body condition as they mature throughout the entire process.

What is the best food to feed German Shepherds?
Best Dog Food for German Shepherds July 2022Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken and Rice.Eagle Pack Power Adult Dog Food.Instinct Raw Boost with Real Duck.Victor Purpose Nutra Pro Dog Food.Iams ProActive Health Large Breed.Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon.Orijen Large Breed Puppy Food.More items...
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 home food can I feed my German Shepherd?
The same recipes in lesser quantity can be considered as homemade food for German shepherd puppy....Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables Mix6 cups of water.250 to 400 gms of ground chicken.2 cups rice.½ cup blended veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots.
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.
Can German Shepherd eat rice?
German Shepherds can eat plain white rice. However, brown whole grain rice is a healthier option. Rice is an excellent source of calcium, fiber, iron, vitamin D, thiamine, and riboflavin.
Can 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.
How often should a German Shepherd eat?
In summary, for adult dogs, feeding German Shepherds about 2.5 to 3.5 cups of quality kibble per day, twice a day, is a good starting point. Modify amount fed as required based on your dogs size, weight, age and overall daily activity.
What meat is best for German Shepherd?
Here are the best meats for a German Shepherd:Chicken.Beef.Turkey.Lamb.Fish (Salmon, Whitefish, etc)Duck.Venison.Rabbit.
How many times should I feed my German Shepherd in a day?
Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. They can get by on once per day, but it's always better to split daily caloric intake between smaller meals instead of feeding it all at once.
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.
How much food should a 70 pound German Shepherd eat?
A 70-pound German shepherd should eat 3 1/2 cups of kibble per day.
When should I feed my German Shepherd twice a day?
Feed 3 times per day from 8 to 12 weeks of age and twice per day thereafter. If you want to change the food, always choose a high quality puppy food labeled for large breeds. Mix the new food with the old food gradually at a rate of ¼ new for 2 days; ½ new for 2 days; ¾ new for 2 days until you are at 100% new food.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
Nutrition Basics
The nutritional content of commercial pet foods must follow regulated guidelines that meet the dietary needs of your dog’s lifestyle if they carry the official AAFCO statement. By these standards, the minimum protein percent for adult German Shepherd maintenance is 18%, with 5% minimum fat.
How much should a German Shepherd eat per day?
Depending on your dog’s weight and activity level, adjust their calories per day.
How many cups of food does a German Shepherd need?
Knowing how many cups of food to feed your German Shepherd becomes a bit trickier when you consider the vast differences in calories and energy-dense foods from each manufacturer.
Best Food to Feed a German Shepherd
The best food to feed a German Shepherd is dry kibble dog food that uses traditional muscle meat as one of the top ingredients. Muscle meats are listed on the label simply as beef, chicken, fish, or any number of meat-based proteins. Meat-meals are an important source of high protein and are perfectly healthy.
Dog Foods for German Shepherds with Sensitive Stomachs
Many German Shepherd Dogs have digestive issues—either a sensitive stomach or a digestive tract that easily reacts to a change in diet or even mental stress. They may even end up developing gastroenteritis or colitis.
German Shepherd Diet Chart
Feeding a German Shepherd the right diet will bring out their inner Olympian and give you longer and healthier years with your favorite companion.
What type of food should I feed my German Shepherd?
Dry commercial kibble is the most popular diet to feed German Shepherds.
How many calories should a German Shepherd eat a day?
On average, a 30-pound German shepherd puppy needs somewhere between 1,600 to 2,000 calories per day. However, the actual amount can vary for each individual puppy.
How much kibble should a 90 lb German Shepherd eat?
A 90-pound German shepherd should eat 4 1/4 cups of kibble per day. Even though these numbers serve as a good starting point, you might still need to make an adjustment based on how active and how obese your dog is.
How to get puppy to eat more?
Pick up the bowl after your puppy is full and measure how much kibble is left in the dog bowl. Do this for several days to get the right amount of food. As your puppy enters growth spurts, you’ll find that his appetite increases drastically. At this point, observe your pup carefully.
Why is my German Shepherd getting older?
On the contrary, because older dogs tend to lose body mass, they need as much, if not more, protein than younger adult dogs to repair the muscle tissue.
Why are semi-moist dog food so expensive?
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.
How much moisture is in dry dog food?
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.
What is the ratio of dry to wet food for a shepherd?
The ratio of dry to wet food itself can be varied depending on your dog’s age, activity, weight, and health, but generally, the ratio is 3 to 1. To be sure, check with your vet for the exact balance.
What is the Shepherds Diet (Food List)?
German Shepherds are one of those dog breeds that grow quickly into adulthood. One of the main problems these dogs face is musculoskeletal issues, which weaken their bones and joints. It is essential to feed them with proper food that includes as many nutrients as possible.
How Much Dog Food To Feed a German Shepherd?
Since German Shepherds are a larger breed of dogs, they require a large amount of food to fill their tummy. For adult German Shepherds, you can feed them about 2.5 to 3.5 cups of quality kibble a day and slowly feed it twice a day. Modify the feed according to your dog’s size, weight, age, and day-to-day activity involvement.
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.
Best Brand Of Dog Food For German Shepherd
Royal Canin has mastered themselves in formulating unique diet meals for German Shepherds. The main factor that makes them stand out among others is that they offer effective nutritional dog food from pure and original ingredients. Not just improving your pet’s body structure but also providing complete overall body development.
Ingredients To Avoid Feeding German Shepherd
Keep chocolate bars and cocoa powder always out of your hound’s reach. We’ve studied that the toxic ingredient in chocolate is methylxanthines that could cause harm to your dog. At times if German Shepherds consume chocolate, it may lead to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or low blood pressure.
What to Consider While Buying Best Food for German Shepherds?
We have pinned down some important factors that you must look for before choosing best food for german shepherds. Your requirements may vary from your dog’s weight and age, but no worries, we have covered them all for you.
Conclusion
German Shepherds are truly beautiful and intelligent pets one could ever own. They also do come with a unique dietary plan different from other dog breeds. So get the complete knowledge and guidelines to pick the best dog food for german shepherds with sensitive stomachs. Their exercise and food intake go hand-in-hand.
What happens if my German Shepherd eats too much caffeine?
It is also in the same chemical family as theobromine mentioned above. If your German Shepherd ingests too much caffeine, it will display the same signs as chocolate poisoning.
What temperature should a German Shepherd's body temperature be?
If a dog eats hops, its body temperature can quickly jump up in excess of 102.5, which is the upper limit of normal body temperature for a German Shepherd.
Can you feed a German Shepherd outside of its regular diet?
Many of us provide our dogs with a regular stream of table scraps. While this may not be the most healthy diet to be feeding our dogs, the reality is that a lot of people do it anyway. So if you are going to feed your German Shepherd food outside of its regular diet, you should be aware of some foods which may have not occurred to you ...
Can dogs eat onion powder?
This means that your dog does not need to eat a physical onion to fall ill, just food that contains onion powder. So make sure that if you are feeding your dog any table scraps that you know for sure that they contain no form of onion.
Can dogs metabolize theobromine?
But it is very different for dogs, even a dog the size of a German Shepherd. Humans metabolize theobromine rather quickly, but dogs do not . What ends up happening is that since the theobromine is not metabolized quickly, it builds up in the dog’s system. This can reach toxic levels quickly.
Is it bad for a German Shepherd to eat pizza?
As we have learned, alcohol is bad for your German Shepherd. From the fermented yeast, the alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream and can result in alcohol poisoning. So if you are making some pizza from scratch, or if you are baking bread, your dog is likely to be attracted to the smell.
Can dogs eat peaches?
Excess sugar may cause an upset stomach and diarrhea. The real concern with peaches is the pit. The pit of a peach is not only a choking hazard for a dog, even a large German Shepherd, but it’s actually very pois onous.
