what s the best food to feed a german shepherd puppy

What to Feed German Shepherd Puppies: The Complete Puppy Feeding Guide

If youre lucky enough to have a fluffy, adorable German Shepherd puppy bounding around your home, you might be wondering:

What do I feed German Shepherd puppies to keep their tummies happy?

Luckily, youve come to the right spot!

Im here to help you crack the code on feeding these lovable little cuties, including:

• What type of food to choose
• How much food to feed
• How to adjust your puppys diet as they grow

Lets dive right in!

What to Feed German Shepherd Puppies: A Healthy Feeding Guide

One of the first things you need to know about what to feed German Shepherd puppies is, right from the start, to choose a high-quality puppy-specific food for large breed puppies. Look for a complete and balanced puppy food thats highly digestible since German Shepherds generally have sensitive digestion.

What to feed German Shepherd puppiesfeed German Shepherd puppies a diet that is:

• Specifically created for large-breed puppies.
• Labeled complete and balanced.
• Highly digestible for their sensitive stomachs.

The proper rate of growth in large breed puppies is supported by large-breed puppy foods, so stay away from adult dog foods that arent meant for your pup.

While some new German Shepherd owners tend to have their own food preferences for their dogs, many new owners dont know what to feed German Shepherd puppies.

What do German Shepherd puppies eat?

New owners are given a host of choices when bringing home their new pups.

And many are so overwhelmed that they just dont know what to give their dogs!

Dont panic.

Youll figure it all out by the time you finish reading this article.

Here is what German Shepherd puppies eat:

• Dry kibble
• Wet food
• A mix of dry and wet food
• Raw (BARF) diets
• Homemade foods

Feeding high-quality, nutritious puppy food is essential for your little ones growth and development. You can choose to offer one or the other, or even opt for mixed feeding.

Dry Kibble

Kibble is the most popular and economical choice for German Shepherd puppies. Plus, the major manufacturers offer a complete and balanced diet in many different flavors, with or without grains, and even limited ingredient diets.

Kibble can be moistened either with water or broth. Although its not necessary, many pups think it makes the dry food tastier.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of kibble when it comes to feeding German Shepherd puppies:

• Easy to purchase at most stores and online.
• Keeps for longer than other food options.
• Can help maintain your pups dental health with the crunchy texture.
• Quick and simple to serve with little clean up.

• Can be difficult for some puppies to chew, causing them to not eat enough.
• Low quality brands that are not AAFCO approved may lack a nutritional balance.
• Isnt as appealing to some puppies due to the dryness.

Wet Food

Wet food is usually the most expensive to feed, but puppies often find it the tastiest.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of feeding German Shepherd puppies wet food:

• Softer and potentially more palatable for picky eaters.
• Contains more water content than dry food, which can help keep your puppy hydrated.
• Can leave dogs feeling fuller for longer due to the water content.

• Less calorically dense than kibble, so youll generally need to feed more versus dry kibble.
• Can be more expensive than kibble in the long run.
• Cant be left out for as long as kibble, as this risks the food spoiling
• Doesnt keep for long once opened and requires specific cool storage.
• Requires more preparation time.

Mixing Dry Kibble and Wet Foods

Feeding our German Shepherd puppies is no easy task, and deciding between wet and dry puppy food can leave us scratching our heads.

But what if we told you there was a middle ground?

Mixing wet and dry puppy foods can be an option worth considering, but it comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Lets break it down in a nutshell:

• Can enhance the taste and texture of your pups meal, making it more enticing for picky eaters.
• Wet food contributes to increased water intake, ensuring your furry friend stays well-hydrated.
• Allows you to provide a diverse array of nutrients, contributing to a balanced diet for your growing German Shepherd.

• Might make it trickier to regulate portion sizes accurately, potentially leading to overfeeding and weight issues.
• Dry kibbles can help keep your pups teeth clean, and solely relying on wet food may not provide the same benefits for dental hygiene.
• Could increase your pet food expenses, so its essential to evaluate the budget implications.

Raw (BARF) Diet

BARF stands for biologically appropriate raw foods and is a raw diet for dogs. These diets exclude foods that have been cooked or processed in any way.

There are also some advantages and disadvantages to feeding a German Shepherd puppy a raw food diet:

• Raw diets consist of uncooked, fresh ingredients that retain their natural nutrients, potentially promoting better health for your puppy.
• Some puppies with food sensitivities might find relief on a raw diet as it eliminates common allergens found in processed foods.
• Chewing on raw bones and meat can help keep your pups teeth clean and strong, reducing dental issues.

• Preparing a balanced raw diet requires careful planning to ensure your pup gets all the necessary nutrients in the right proportions.
• Raw diets carry a higher risk of bacterial contamination, potentially affecting both your pup and you.
• Sourcing high-quality ingredients and properly storing them can be costly and time-consuming.

Homemade Diets

For large breed puppies, like German Shepherds, homemade diets must be carefully formulated, just like commercial foods. To create a homemade diet recipe specifically for your dog, it is preferable to consult a veterinarian who holds a board certification in veterinary nutrition.

Unfortunately, research has shown that many well-intentioned dog owners still overfeed or give their dogs an unbalanced diet, which can be harmful.

If youre thinking of feeding a German Shepherd puppy a homemade diet, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages to consider:

• When preparing homemade food, you have full control over the quality and types of ingredients used, ensuring your pup gets the best nutrition.
• Homemade meals allow customization to meet your German Shepherds specific dietary requirements, especially if they have allergies or sensitivities.
• By cooking at home, you can skip additives and preservatives often found in commercial dog food.

• Without proper knowledge and planning, homemade meals may lack essential nutrients, leading to nutritional imbalances.
• Preparing homemade food demands time and effort, which might be challenging for busy pet parents.
• Mishandling raw ingredients can lead to contamination, causing health issues for your puppy.
• Its crucial to consult with a veterinarian or pet nutritionist to ensure your homemade diet meets all your pups nutritional needs.

When you dont know what to feed German Shepherd puppies, you should start with a dry kibble made especially for large-breed puppies with sensitive stomachs. This means your pups tummy isnt stressed, and the dog food is easy to digest and gentle on their bellies.

Try Purina ProPlan for Large Breed Puppies with Sensitive Stomachs to feed your puppy, adjusting the portion sizes as they grow.

What to Feed German Shepherd PuppiesHow Much and When?

How much to feed a German Shepherd puppy is just as important as WHAT to feed a German Shepherd puppy!

Remember, these charts help provide a guideline, but each dog is an individual.

For example, if your dog has had a busy day of training and playing, they may need a few extra calories for dinner. Similarly, if the weather has been awful and theyve had a lazy day, you may find they dont finish their full portion.

Its always a smart idea to monitor your puppys weight each week.

This helps ensure they are growing as expected, and if not, you may need to alter the recommended feeding amount.

As a rule of thumb, most German Shepherd puppies will eat as follows in this chart:

In comparison to adult dogs, growing German Shepherd puppies need a lot more food. Starting with the feeding recommendations on your pet food bag is a good idea, but you should also keep an eye on how well those amounts seem to be satisfying your puppys nutritional requirements.

You can also use the following information to feed German Shepherd puppies by age:

812 weeks

How many meals a day: 3 to 4 feedings a day. What to feed: A mixture of mostly wet puppy food mixed in with a few handfuls of dry puppy kibble.

Growing German Shepherd pups 8 to 12 weeks old should be fed large-breed puppy food, a diet specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs for normal development. Feeding adult food will rob your puppy of important nutrients.

Three to four feedings a day are usually enough to meet your pups nutritional demands.Since theyve just been weaned from their mothers milk feeding them wet dog foods is generally easier on their teeth and mouths. Mix in more wet food with dry puppy kibble.

36 months

How many meals a day: 3 meals a day. What to feed: Begin to feed your puppy more dry kibble and less wet food.

Around 3 to 6 months old, decrease your German Shepherd puppys feedings from four to three a day. A pup should be losing their potbelly and pudginess by 12 weeks of age. If they are still roly-poly at this age, continue to feed them puppy-size portions until their body type matures into a more sleek, hourglass appearance.

During this time, your German Shepherd pup will go through a growth spurt, but you dont want them to have rounded bellies. The extra weight they carry can cause long term damage to their joints.

As they are nearing adulthood, begin to feed more dry puppy kibble than wet food.

612 months

How many meals a day: 2 or 3 meals daily. What to feed: A dry kibble puppy food; only add a spoonful or two of wet food as a treat.

At six to 12 months old, begin feeding German Shepherd puppies twice daily. Youll also notice that your German Shepherd pup begins to naturally eat a bit less as they pass through their growth spurt.

They also begin to get taller and seem to grow into their paws and long legs more. At 6 months old German Shepherd puppies can eat a dry kibble diet. You can give them a spoonful or two of wet foods to entice them to eat, if needed.

12-18 months

How many meals a day: 2 meals daily. What to feed: Continue to give dry puppy kibble as long as 15 to 18 months, but begin the gradual transition during this time to adult dog food.

After age 1, most owners feed adult dogs two half-portions a day. So, your German Shepherd now eats a morning and evening meal. Around 15 to 18 months, you can begin to feed German Shepherd puppies adult dog food after a gradual transition.

The transition generally takes about 7 to 10 days but can take longer if necessary to avoid stomach problems.

Scheduling Your Puppys Meal Times

Its also important to set a regular schedule for feeding your puppy.

A good schedule helps prevent tummy upsets and supports potty training your German Shepherd pup.

You can also use the following puppy feeding schedule to get started.

Example of a German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Schedule

Remember, during early toilet training, your pup must be brought out several times an hour to avoid indoor accidents!

What time a German Shepherd puppy is fed should remain the same each day. This applies regardless of your working hours or other home activities that might be going on.

Dont feed your puppy too late in the evening, either.

They need time to digest their meal and go to potty afterwards.

What You Should Do: Chart Your Puppys Weight

A young German Shepherd puppy carrying too much weight has an increased risk of orthopedic problems due to stress on immature joints. Diabetes, heart disease, and other organ diseases, as well as general lethargy, can all result from obesity.

Weigh your puppy weekly and record their progress, comparing them to these German Shepherd breed-appropriate weight charts. To achieve an average rate of growth, adjust their food intake.

Even a wriggling German Shepherd can be easily weighed.

Just take your own weight, and then take your own weight while holding the puppy.

Subtract the differencethats your puppys weight.

No two dogs are built exactly alike, even within breeds, so dont worry about an extra pound or two either way.

FAQ: Common Questions About What to Feed German Shepherd Puppies

Why cant I feed my German Shepherd puppy food for life?

You might wonder if you can just feed your German Shepherd puppy the same food as an adult dog. No, dont feed your German Shepherd puppy adult dog food for life! Its not balanced for their life stage and can cause long-term damage since it lacks the right nutrition.

Theres a bigger difference between puppy and adult food than just the picture on the front of the pack.

In fact, they are two entirely different diets!

If an adult German Shepherd were to continue eating puppy food, they could develop nutritional imbalances and would likely start gaining weight too quickly, becoming obese and putting stress on their hips and joints.

What age should I make the change from puppy to adult dog food?

The best age to switch a German Shepherd from puppy to adult dog food is generally between 15-18 months. Make the transition gradual over the course of 7 to 10 days to give their stomachs time to adjust.

How do I introduce adult food to my German Shepherd puppy?

Introducing your German Shepherd puppy to adult dog food should be done slowly rather than all in one go.

If you rush the transition, its likely that your pup will develop unpleasant signs such as flatulence, abdominal bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea. Your dog should not experience any negative effects if the diet change is easy.

Most puppies can be changed from puppy to dog food over the course of 5-7 days. Very sensitive puppies may benefit from an even longer transition period.

Below is a rough guide to follow to switch your German Shepherd from puppy food to adult dog food:

Keep in mind that the above plan should only be followed if there are no bumps in the road.

Take a step back rather than continuing if, for instance, your German Shepherd develops runny poop on day four. For a few days, stick with the ratio you were given on day three. Once everything has calmed down, try transitioning once more, but this time with a slightly different ratio, so the transition takes a little longer.

Will it harm my German Shepherd puppy if I do not feed them the right amount?

Yes, your German Shepherd puppy may develop health problems later if you overfeed or underfeed them. German Shepherd puppy feeding charts minimize confusion and provide a quick answer to the question, How much to feed my German Shepherd puppy?

Follow the German Shepherd puppy feeding charts to learn the right amounts of food to feed for healthy growth.

There are over a half-dozen charts to use for free on that page! Just find the feeding chart youre looking for reference.

Can I give my German Shepherd puppy treats as well as their main meals?

Yes, absolutely! Treats are an important part of your German Shepherd puppys life. Treats are not only an excellent way to form a bond with your puppy, but they are also an essential component of training.

As a general rule, treats should not account for more than 10% of your dogs daily calorie intake. This is to ensure they are getting all of the nutrients they need from their dog food.

Unfortunately, many treats, especially those that are hard, are inappropriate for puppies. Some of them pose a risk of choking, while others are too rich for a young dogs developing digestive system.

This article on healthy treats for German Shepherds is a good place to start when you want to begin feeding your pup treats.

Why do I need to change the amount of food my German Shepherd pup gets so often?

During their first year of life, German Shepherd puppies grow quickly. They require a lot of calories, especially during the first four months.

As they get older and their rate of growth slows, they will need fewer calories.

The number of calories your German Shepherd needs daily will not stay constant until they have reached full maturity. The amount you give them also depends on what type of exercise you give your German Shepherd puppy.

So, remember, how much and what to feed your German Shepherd puppy might change constantly.

Should I feed my German Shepherd puppy a supplement?

Are you the kind of person who likes to always have an edge? Then, yes, you can feed your pup joint supplements, which are the icing on the cake when it comes to your German Shepherd puppys diet.

The special joint-loving ingredients in Nutramax Cosequin Joint Tablets complement a German Shepherds diet beautifully. A study from Vet Med shows that joint supplements can help with stiffness, ease growing pains, and help keep hips healthy in German Shepherd puppies (source).

There are also many other healthy supplements for German Shepherd puppies, besides joint supplements.

Should I give my German Shepherd puppy bones?

No, dont give your German Shepherd puppy chicken bones or cooked bones of any kind! They splinter into shards and can cause choking and serious damage to the dogs mouth, throat, or intestines.

Any bone, in fact, once chewed into small pieces, can block the intestines and lead to a nasty bout of constipation, cause lacerations of the mouth and internal organs, or lodge in the throat with fatal results.

There are other ways to satisfy a dogs craving to chew.

Commercially available toys, such as:

German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Tips

• Its normal for your German Shepherd puppy to skip meals or pick at their food. It could be a sign they are ready to stop eating or that you have given them too much, in which case you should scale back on the serving size.
• Most German Shepherd puppies, though not all, eat their meals quickly. Feed regularly, in regularly sized portions, and avoid leaving food out for longer than 10 to 20 minutes to reduce picky eating behaviors.
• It may worsen separation anxiety if you feed your dog as soon as you get home. A more positive greeting involves playing or grooming.
• Adjust the amount you feed your dog at mealtime if you are using treat-based training with them. Always use the smallest treat possible when training with incentives.
• Before making a major change in your German Shepherds diet, go slowly. Once the diet is chosen, stick with it. Sudden changes in food may cause stomach problems in German Shepherds.
• Small portions of carrot or apple chunks are healthy, low-calorie snacks that most German Shepherds love! Remove any seeds and slice the healthy treats very small to avoid choking. Consider any food allergies that your pup might have.
• Fresh water must always be accessible. A number of indoor and outdoor water stations should be set up during the summer. Wash the water bowl every day to prevent the growth of bacteria.

In Summary: What to Feed German Shepherd Puppies for Growth and Health

So, there you have it!

Learning what to feed German Shepherd puppies isnt rocket science.

But it does take a bit of a learning curveespecially for new puppy owners.

In a nutshell, heres what you need to know to keep your German Shepherd puppy thriving:

• Start Right: Begin with high-quality, vet-approved puppy food designed for German Shepherds.
• Age-Appropriate Meals: Tailor their diet to their growth stages its like a culinary adventure for your pup!
• Portion Control: Keep an eye on portion sizes to prevent overfeeding and maintain a healthy weight.
• Hydration Matters: Always provide fresh water to keep them hydrated and happy.
• Chew It Up: Avoid cooked bones and stick to age-appropriate chew toys and treats for puppies.

Embrace mealtime as a bonding experience, and remember, your pups happiness starts with a well-fed tummy!

Happy German Shepherd puppy parenting, and heres to many delightful meals together!

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