Who needs a best friend when you have got a German Shepherd.
It’s hard not to fall in love with a German Shepherd. Right?
Nourish your German Shepherd pup with precision using our feeding chart. Understanding how much to feed a German Shepherd puppy is crucial for their growth and well-being. Explore the tailored guidelines to keep your furry companion thriving.
Key Takeaways
- Accurate feeding is vital for the optimal health of your German Shepherd puppy.
- The feeding chart provides tailored guidelines based on age, weight, and activity level.
- Consistency and balance are key to ensuring your puppy’s nutritional needs are met.
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How Much to Feed a German Shepherd Puppy-Feeding Chart
Parenting a puppy German Shepherd means you need to be extra careful with his meal, and feeding schedule. This is because they are at their growing stage, and it’s normal. When they will start consuming semi-solid puppy-formulated food, they will demand more food. So, feeding frequency can be thrice or four times a day. This will automatically impact their calorie intake ratio, so you don’t have to think much, feed them small meals thrice or four times a day.
It is recommended to feed your German Shepherd puppy small meals. To get an idea of how much should be fed, you can simply refer to our German Shepherd Puppy feeding chart PDF. It is categorized as a young and old puppy. Plus, weight bifurcation, food, and calorie ratio have been mentioned.
Suppose, you have a younger German Shepherd puppy whose weight is around 7 to 10 kg. The recommended feeding ratio is 213 grams per day, and the calorie intake ratio should be 1945 kcal per day. Similarly, as your puppy grows and reaches the older puppy stage the feeding and calorie intake ratio will change, and then you can feed him as per his current weight and body requirement.
It is advisable to consult the vet when your puppy reaches adulthood zone. The vet will help you to get an idea, or tell you when you have to switch your dog’s food to adult food to meet his body’s requirements.
Tip:- We have also covered other breeds’ feeding guides. You can also read the Cockapoo feeding guide & the Chihuahua feeding chart.
German Shepherd Adult Feeding Proportion
From the puppy stage, your German Shepherd had turned into an adult one. Now, again you have to look after his meal and calorie intake ratio. Because you just cannot continue with puppy formula food. The reason behind not continuing the same food is that your adult German Shepherd needs protein, calcium, and phosphorus in a different ratio. If you feed him a high percentage, then it can lead to weight gain issues and other underlying health issues.
For your preference, we have attached a German Shepherd Adult feeding chart PDF. It will guide you more in which proportion you need to feed your pup according to his weight and activity level.
Let me explain to you with an example, your adult German Shepherd weighs around 35 to 38 kg and is super active by nature likes to go out for a walk and carry out all the physical activity, etc. In such case, to match his energy level, food quantity should be more as well as calorie ratio. It is recommended to feed 657 grams of food per day and calories should be 1871 kcal per day.
Follow the feeding chart and feed your adult German Shepherd properly, twice a day is enough. He will be fine and will not face any weight gain issues. If you do not follow the feeding guide, then there are chances of facing the bloating issue. In large breeds, it’s common to encounter stomach issues or bloating issues. So, it’s better to be safe than feel sorry.
German Shepherd Senior Feeding Proportion
It’s true, large breeds age faster, as compared to smaller breeds.
Generally, it has been noticed that German Shepherds reach their senior hood around the 5th or 6th year of their life stage.
As they grow old their energy level comes down, their nutrients demand varies, and their body is occupied with some kind of disease which eventually decreases their appetite. So, keeping all these points we have prepared a feeding guide, you can refer to the attached PDF German Shepherd Senior feeding chart for feeding your pup.
Read Next: Blog on Labrador feeding chart, and the Pug feeding guide.
For example, if you are parenting a senior German Shepherd and, like the majority of the oldie ones, your pup has also become a less active one. In such cases, his feeding proportion will depend upon his weight, such as he weighs around 30 to 32 kg. Then you need to feed him 372 grams of food daily, and the calorie intake ratio should be 1288 kcal per day.
Note:- When your furry pal turns senior, it’s an ideal time to consult the vet regarding his food and diet plan. Whether you should continue with the adult food or switch to the senior packaging. According to his health, and energy level, they will guide you.
German Shepherd Feeding Tips
Every breed has its own dietary needs, as per their weight, age, and activity level, their diet changes with time. As we have already explored the feeding guide, now let’s check out the major factors, upon which your German Shepherd feeding tips depend.
PetMD states, “German Shepherds are considered the all-purpose working dog. They require a high-quality, age-appropriate diet to meet their nutritional needs. These diets are usually labeled puppy, adult, or senior.”
German Shepherd feeding chart depends upon the life stage and weight. Accordingly, their daily meal is being categorized along with the calorie intake ratio. Apart from this, it’s important to look at the major factors such as nutritional needs, activity level, health considerations, and human food you should avoid.
All these factors are equally important because even the same breed with the same weight can’t have the same meal, it depends upon the individual’s health and body requirements.
1. Nutritional Needs
One of the important factors to focus on while fixing the German Shepherd feeding chart is the nutritional needs of your dog. High-quality food is appropriate for your dog, which should include essential nutrients such as Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM supplements, and Omega-3 fatty acids (high-quality fish oil) in appropriate doses.
After selecting the appropriate food for your dog, the next step is to feed him according to his age, activeness, and body requirement.
For example, an adult German Shepherd who weighs around 27-30 kg. They should be fed 513 grams of food daily and the calorie intake ratio should be around 1554 kcal per day.
According to your pup’s growth, age, weight, and body requirements, his feeding guide will vary, so you have to feed him as per his current body requirements. Follow the German Shepherd feeding chart, and then provide a meal to your pup so that you feed him wisely.
2. Activity Level
Well, German Shepherds are considered super active dogs, and a minimum of two hours of exercise, and physical activity, are required every day. It has also been noticed that they enjoy playing, and carrying out any activity. Since they are active breeds, they require properly balanced meals to meet their body requirement and boost their energy level.
Suppose, your adult German Shepherd is super active, always ready to go for a walk, takes part in every physical activity and stays energetic all the time. In such a situation, it’s important that you feed him the correct amount of food, enriched with all the essential nutrients.
So, if your adult German Shepherd weighs around 35 to 38 kg, and is super active by nature. Then the total calorie intake ratio should be around 1871 kcal per day.
On the other hand, if your dog is not one of the active ones. Then, in that case, the calorie intake ratio will be less. Because without any physical activity his fat won’t be burned, and he will be gaining unwanted fats, which is not good for his health in the future.
3. Health Consideration
German Shepherds are prone to diseases, especially stomach-related issues. One of the factors to keep in mind, while feeding German Shepherds, is their health consideration. It’s important to consult the vet before switching his food, and if he is suffering from any disease, select the food accordingly to avoid any health issues.
For instance, if you are parenting an adult German Shepherd, he is fit and fine, with a weight of around 31 to 34 kg. In such a case, it is recommended to feed 585-gram food daily and make sure the total calorie intake ratio should be around 1715 kcal per day.
On the other hand, if your dog is suffering from any health issues such as stomach-related issues, bloating, or gas. In such a scenario, feed him the exact amount of nutrients his body needs. Plus, follow the vet-prescribed food, and maintain your German Shepherd feeding chart thoroughly to avoid any health complications in the future.
Always keep in mind, serve high-quality food, enriched with all the essential nutrients. Not because your furry pal is suffering from health complications. But also in general, it’s important to feed them high-quality food to give them a healthy lifestyle and prevent their body from encountering any health issues.
4. Foods to Avoid
As we know, German Shepherds have a large appetite, but they also have a sensitive stomach. So, the meal should be fed as per their body requirements. You just cannot feed him whatever he demands, or let him nibble food from the floor/dining table.
In addition, human foods are also not meant to feed your German Shepherds. There are certain human foods that you should avoid feeding your dog. Plus, always consult the vet before feeding human food to your German Shepherd.
Here, are human food list, which needs to be avoided at any cost and is strictly prohibited to feed your German Shepherd.
- Cooked bones
- Caffeine
- Macadamia
- Onion/Garlic
- Avocado
- Raisins
- Chocolates
- Grapes
- Peanut butter/Candies (contain Xylitol)
These are the few human foods which one should avoid feeding their German Shepherd. Before, you feed something to your dog or fix his feeding chart. It’s important to look after the ingredients to avoid health consequences in the future.
FAQs
How much should a German Shepherd eat a day?
On an average basis, it has been recommended that an adult German Shepherd should have at least 1200 to 2500 calories in a day. This amount varies as per their weight, activity level, size, body requirements, etc. Feed him the correct amount of food to maintain his health and prevent his body from getting impacted by overfeeding.
When should a German Shepherd puppy stop eating puppy food?
Generally, German Shepherds puppy stop eating puppy food when they are around 12 to 18 months of age. They will not suddenly switch to adult food, it will take time. But, if you start offering him adult food when they are about one year old. There are chances that they will easily adapt to the transition of food.
Do German Shepherds have sensitive stomachs?
It has been noticed that German Shepherds have sensitive stomachs. They often face diarrhoea, vomiting, gas, bloating issues, etc. Since pancreatic insufficiency is common in German Shepherds, their digestive system doesn’t work well, and this leads to severe stomach-related issues. It is recommended to feed them wisely, and as per their body requirements.
Do German Shepherds eat a lot?
Well, German Shepherds are a large breed, and their appetite is huge as compared to other breeds. It’s quite normal, they are always eager to eat, be it dry, raw or canned food. However, being a pet parent you need to be careful and feed him wisely, to reduce the chance of gaining unwanted weight, which further leads to health issues.
Well, It’s a Wrap!
Feeding your pup right is important, it includes both feeding schedule time and feeding chart.
As of now, you have got a pretty much clear view regarding the German Shepherd feeding chart. We have talked about general feeding guides, and feeding tips as per major factors. Plus, also covered feeding charts of different life stages such as puppy, adult and seniorhood.
In addition, for your reference, we have attached a PDF of a German Shepherd feeding chart UK of a puppy, adult, and senior hood. So, if you will follow our chart half of the tension will be solved there only at least you will get the proportion as per their weight and life stage.
Along with the feeding proportion, we have also added the feeding tips as per the major factors such as nutrients, activity level, health considerations and food to avoid.
Follow and feed your German Shepherd wisely.
