The German Shepherd is a strong, hard-working dog with high energy levels. With all their activity and their big size, they’d obviously require a diet that suits their powerful frame. So how often and what should you feed a German Shepherd?
German Shepherds need to be fed a consistent diet of dog food suited to large breed dogs to ensure their powerful frames are kept healthy, their joints are strong, and their beautiful coats stay shiny. The amount of food a German Shepherd needs depends on their activity levels and their stage of life.
In this article, we will look at how much should a German Shepherd eat and what they should be fed.
Two factors affect how much you should feed your German Shepherd dogs: their age and their activity. Here is a basic German Shepherd Feeding guide.
The diet of German Shepherd puppies during their early life is crucial to their development.
The number of puppies that should be fed depends on their age:
Adult German Shepherds should be eating twice a day, in the morning and evening, to allow adult dogs to have a good distribution of energy throughout the day and prevent overeating. The average adult German Shepherd should be eating 3 – 4.5 cups depending on their size and how active they are.
It’s worth German Shepherd owners checking with their vet to see if they need to adjust their dog’s diet once they reach around 7 years old or stick to their current adult food plan due to their active nature. If your senior German Shepherd is less active then it’s important to ensure they receive at least 2.5 cups of dog food.
As your German Shepherd dog gets deeper into the pregnancy, it’s important to up their calories so she and her brood are getting enough energy.
Many owners will choose a raw diet for their dog over commercial pet foods.
This diet would closely replicate the form they would acquire meat and vegetables in the wild, satisfying your German Shepherd’s nutrition in a way most commercial dog foods can’t, with a natural split of about 60-80% animal protein and 20-40% fruit and veg.
Of course, just don’t go overboard. Too many treats may make their good behaviour dependent on getting one. Fruits like apples make a healthy substitute and are better for your dog’s health.
German Shepherds, like most dogs, should avoid grapes, raisins, and garlic or onions, which can lead to several gut issues varying from minor to major in severity.
If they’re on a raw diet, they shouldn’t be fed any meat with bones – raw or uncooked – as they can damage their mouth.
German Shepherds are not typically fussy eaters and will take what you give them. If yours stops eating, they may be unwell. Too many treats or too much human food can also make them picky.
An adult German Shepherd should be drinking between 11-12 cups of water a day to maintain optimal hydration for their daily mental and physical activities.
German Shepherds are loveable dogs with a keen sense of loyalty and delightful personality and intelligence that make them such winning and surprising companions.
Ensure you’re watering them properly and giving them high-quality dog food, and you’ll have an energetic, grateful pooch with a shiny coat and a winning personality.
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