Bringing a German Shepherd puppy into your home is an exciting time. These intelligent and active dogs grow quickly, and providing them with the right nutrition is crucial for their health and development. Knowing how much to feed your German Shepherd puppy, what to feed them, and when to feed them can be challenging. This guide provides a comprehensive overview to help you navigate your puppy’s dietary needs.
Understanding the Dietary Needs of German Shepherd Puppies
German Shepherd puppies have unique nutritional requirements to support their rapid growth. Generally, they need between 80 and 90 calories per pound of body weight to fuel their development.
Protein and Fat: Protein is essential for developing tissue, while fats support healthy brain, skin, and eye function. During their first year, German Shepherd puppies need a diet that includes 22% to 26% high-quality protein and 8% to 15% fat on a dry-matter basis.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are also vital for supporting your active pup.
Vitamins and Minerals: Ensure that your puppy gets enough vitamins and minerals. If you stick to specially formulated dog food for German Shepherds, you will likely meet these requirements.
Water: German Shepherds require about an ounce of water per pound of body weight daily to stay healthy. Always make sure your puppy has access to fresh water.
Feeding Schedule and Portions
Early Stages (Up to 12 Weeks): German Shepherd pups should be fed a total of 1 to 1.5 cups of dry kibble, divided into four to six meals daily until they are 12 weeks old.
3 Times a Day: You should feed your German Shepherd puppy three times a day until they are 6 months old.
6 Months and Older: At six months, you can gradually increase the portions while decreasing the frequency to two or three meals per day.
Here is a basic diet plan you can adjust based on your GSD’s age, weight, and activity level:
- Puppies: Between 1 to 1.5 cups of dry kibble, split into four to six meals per day.
- Adults: About 2.75 to 3 cups of dry kibble, spread over two to three meals per day for 50-pound dogs. This can go up to 5.25 cups per day for dogs weighing 90 pounds.
It is important to monitor your puppy’s body condition and adjust the amount of food accordingly. German Shepherd puppies should not be overweight, as they grow quickly and don’t need the extra strain on their bodies as they grow. Don’t forget, your puppy needs a waistline!.
Transitioning to Solid Foods
The best food for German Shepherd puppies in their first four weeks of life is milk from their mother. If you have recently brought a German Shepherd puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks and have started to eat solid foods. It’s good for pups to get used to eating dry food while they are still young. After the four-week mark, it is advised to include some dry food in their diet.
Steps for Introducing Dry Food:
- Mix some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day.
- Over time, reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture until they are happily eating dry foods.
- Once your pup has adapted to eating solid foods, you should feed them ½ to 1 cup of food per meal.
Choosing the Right Food
When choosing food for your German Shepherd puppy, ensure it is high-quality puppy food rich in protein and fat. For example, Hypro Premium’s Turkey & Lamb Grain-Free kibble contains fatty acids such as Omega 3 and emu oil, which are essential for ensuring that your puppy’s joints and muscles can keep up with your puppy’s naturally high energy levels.
Supplements
Omega-3 supplements are recommended for cognitive development and better coats. For pups with sensitive stomachs, digestive enzymes and probiotic supplements can help.
Treats and Snacks
For treats and snacks, opt for nutritious, high-protein, highly digestible options. Treats should never make up more than 10% of their total daily caloric intake to prevent weight gain.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid foods that are potentially harmful to German Shepherds and dogs in general. These include chocolate, onions, grapes, avocados, and products containing the artificial sweetener xylitol. Macadamia nuts, horse chestnuts, and black walnuts are also dangerous for dogs. As much as possible, avoid feeding your dog table scraps or human food, which can cause digestive issues and nutritional imbalances. Stick to high-quality dog food instead.
Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make mistakes when feeding a German Shepherd puppy. Here are some common errors to avoid:
- Overfeeding, especially with treats
- Feeding processed meats for protein
- Only feeding unbalanced homemade food
- Not reading dog food labels
- Ignoring necessary water intake
Creating a Diet Plan
Diet plans are relatively simple if you stick to specially formulated dog food for German Shepherds. It’s just a matter of sticking to meal times and controlling portions. Take note that creating a customized diet plan for your German Shepherd is crucial to ensure their nutritional needs are met.
When you pick up your puppy from your breeder, you should be provided with some feeding notes and possibly recommendations. These should include not changing the food your breeder has fed your puppy. It is a good idea to continue feeding the same brand of food and use the same feeding schedule (usually three times per day initially) that the puppy was on before you brought your puppy home. Keep your puppy on the same food for a period of time until he adjusts to his new home, then switch slowly to another food if you prefer (mix 1:3, then 2:2, then 3:1 etc. of new food to old).
Consulting with Professionals
There is no ‘set amount’ to feed a puppy for their age. This is determined by their body weight and whether they need more or less food. Every puppy will be different. If in doubt, speak with your breeder or vet. You can also ask many questions when you attend your local GSDCV training branch if you need assistance.