Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. The German Shepherd is a loyal and loving family dog. He is also one of the world’s most popular service dogs because he is easy to
train, eager to please, and incredibly vigilant. His long hair, large stature, and working background mean that this breed can eat a lot and your German Shepherd Dog (GSD) will need good quality food to maintain everything from strong teeth to healthy bones. Choose food that offers a nutritional, fully balanced diet, that is appropriate for the stage of life of your Shepherd, and that they enjoy. Expect to feed your adult German Shep around 3 cups of dry kibble per day and use our
chart to determine roughly how much you should be feeding your German Shepherd puppy.
Source: https://dogsnet.com/how-much-to-feed-a-german-shepherd-puppy/ German Shepherds are big dogs, and they have a hearty appetite. Although dogs are not obligate carnivores by nature, they thrive on a
protein-rich diet. Ideally, most of the protein you feed your GSD will come from animal and meat sources rather than plant sources. Feed a minimum of 22% protein, although we would aim for 25% protein at the very least. There are three basic types of food you can give a dog, and each has its opponents and proponents:
Avoiding Underfeeding & OverfeedingA German Shepherd is a large breed dog and should never be skinny. Although the GSD breed is not necessarily prone to being overweight, this is always a danger if you feed your dog too much, or if he doesn’t get enough exercise. Always ensure that you measure your dog’s food, stick to the appropriate amounts, and be careful if you give additional treats and extra food. If you give your dog treats, be sure to remove these calories and fat from their daily food intake. Even though the GSD is a large breed dog, they are still smaller than humans, so it can be difficult to comprehend exactly how much extra food you are giving. When to Switch from Puppy to Adult FoodPuppy foods tend to contain more nutrients and calories than adult food, to meet the nutritional requirements of your dog. As such, whether you feed a dry or wet variant, the puppy food you give will have higher levels of protein and fat. If you continue to feed this to an adult dog, they will be more prone to put on weight because of the high fat content. Moving over to adult food is an important stage in your dog’s development. Small breed dogs are usually fully mature by around 10 months, medium dogs by 14 months, but large breed dogs can take up to 24 months to fully mature. With your German Shepherd, wait until he reaches around 80% of his anticipated adult weight before making the transition to adult food. You should transition from one food to another slowly, rather than simply swapping overnight:
Why Won’t My German Shepherd Puppy Eat?If it does happen to your German Shepherd, it is an obvious cause for alarm, but there are several reasons why a German Shepherd puppy may decide not to eat his food.
How Much to Feed an Adult German ShepherdFeed 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. German Shepherd Feeding Guide for SeniorsSenior dogs tend to be more sedentary. They exercise less, burn off less energy, and their bodies do not need the same vitamins and nutrients as younger adult dogs or puppies. No age limit determines when a dog is considered to be senior. Owners will recognize when their dog’s behavior changes. Your GSD will be less inclined to want to walk, will be less interested in chasing things, and may not want to play as much or for as long. You can carry on feeding a good quality adult food, or you can move to a senior food that is specifically designed for this time in your dog’s life, with the right levels of protein, calcium, and other ingredients. We suggest Wellness CORE Grain-Free Senior Deboned Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food for your older GSD. Why Is My German Shepherd Always Hungry?German Shepherds tend to have a healthy appetite so it can feel like they eat a lot. If you ensure that the food you give is properly measured and that you have chosen food that is suitable for large breeds, then the following are reasons that your GSD could be showing signs of being hungry all the time.
What Foods Are Bad for German Shepherds?It can be very tempting to drop a morsel of your food, or sneakily hand a human treat to your dog when you’re sat enjoying a quick snack. However, certain human foods are considered very unhealthy for dogs. Always check before feeding human food to your dog, and avoid the following snacks at all costs because these are toxic for your dog:
ConclusionThe German Shepherd is a large breed dog that enjoys plenty of exercise and has an equally demanding dietary requirement. Choose between dry, wet, or raw food, or a combination of these, feed your puppy according to their age but also their size, energy levels, and whether they have any health complaints. Move to an adult appropriate food when they are approximately one year of age, and a senior food when they wind down for their golden years. Good quality food and a regular feeding schedule will help your dog maintain a healthy body and stave off illness, and we hope that our feeding guide has helped give you the information you need for feeding your GSD. Featured image credit: Lurin, Shutterstock Related Articles Further Reading
Vet Articles Latest Vet AnswersThe latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database How much should a German Shepherd dog eat per day?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.
Can you overfeed a German Shepherd puppy?From my experience, German Shepherds are not a breed to overeat. Any dog can gain too much weight if given a poor diet and not receiving the amount of daily exercise that this active breed requires. Follow the required amount of food as indicated by age & weight by manufacturers of good quality pet food.
How much food 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.
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