So, you’ve got an 8-month-old German Shepherd! This is a fun and crucial stage in their development. They’re not quite a puppy anymore, but they still have a lot of growing to do. One of the most important things you can do for your German Shepherd at this age is to make sure you’re feeding them the right amount of food. But how much is that, exactly? Let’s dive in!
Understanding Your Growing German Shepherd
At 8 months old, your German Shepherd is still developing. They need a diet that supports their growing muscles and bones. This means ensuring they get enough protein and fat in their diet.
- Protein: Essential for muscle development.
- Fat: Provides energy and supports brain, skin, and eye health.
German Shepherds typically transition from puppy to adult feeding schedules around 6 months of age. By 8 months, they should be eating two meals a day.
How Many Calories Does an 8-Month-Old German Shepherd Need?
The amount of food your German Shepherd needs depends on several factors, including their weight, activity level, and metabolism. A general guideline is that most adult German Shepherds on a maintenance diet require between 1,435 to 1,780 calories per day. However, puppies need more calories than adult dogs because they’re growing rapidly.
German shepherd puppies generally need between 80 and 90 calories per pound to fuel their growth.
Creating a Diet Plan
Creating a consistent diet plan is very important in making sure your German Shepherd gets all the nutrients they need.
Puppies:Between one to 1.5 cups of dry kibble, split into four to six meals per day.
Adults:About 2.75 to three 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.
What to Feed Your German Shepherd Puppy?
German Shepherd puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats.
Here are some things to consider:
- High-Quality Puppy Food: Choose a puppy food specifically formulated for large breeds. These formulas have the right balance of nutrients to support healthy growth without causing them to grow too quickly.
- Protein Content: Look for a food with 22% to 26% high-quality protein on a dry-matter basis.
- Fat Content: Aim for a food with around 8% to 15% fat on a dry-matter basis.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These are important for cognitive development and a healthy coat. You can also add an omega-3 supplement to their diet.
How Often Should You Feed Your German Shepherd?
Up to 6 months old, German Shepherd puppies should be fed three times a day. After 6 months, you can reduce feeding to twice a day.
- Morning and Evening: Feed your German Shepherd once in the morning and once in the evening.
- Consistent Schedule: Stick to a regular feeding schedule to help regulate their digestion.
The Importance of Water
Make sure your puppy always has access to fresh water. German Shepherds need about an ounce of water per pound of body weight each day to stay healthy.
Treats and Snacks
Treats can be a great way to reward your German Shepherd during training. However, they should only make up a small portion of their daily caloric intake.
- Nutritious Treats: Opt for high-protein, highly digestible treats.
- Limit Treats: Treats should never make up more than 10% of their daily caloric intake to prevent weight gain.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods are harmful to German Shepherds and should be avoided. These include:
- Chocolate
- Onions
- Grapes
- Avocados
- Products containing xylitol
- Macadamia nuts
- Horse chestnuts
- Black walnuts
Also, avoid feeding your dog table scraps or human food, which can cause digestive issues and nutritional imbalances.
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: This is a common mistake, especially with treats.
- Feeding Processed Meats: Avoid feeding processed meats for protein.
- Unbalanced Homemade Food: Only feeding unbalanced homemade food.
- Not Reading Dog Food Labels: Always read dog food labels to understand what you’re feeding your puppy.
- Ignoring Water Intake: Always make sure your puppy has access to fresh water.
Tips for feeding
Here are some useful tips for feeding your German Shepherd:
- When you pick up your puppy from your breeder, you should be provided with some feeding notes and possibly recommendations.
- Continue feeding the same brand of food and use the same feeding schedule (usually 3 times per day initially) 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)
- 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 at the point where 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.
- German Shepherds should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split between these two meals.
Conclusion
Feeding your 8-month-old German Shepherd the right amount of food is essential for their health and development. By choosing a high-quality puppy food, feeding them on a consistent schedule, and avoiding common feeding mistakes, you can help your German Shepherd grow into a healthy and happy adult dog. Always adjust their diet based on their individual needs and consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns.