How Much to Feed a German Shepherd Puppy

Back in 1985, R. Voltaire, a professor at the Alfort School of Veterinary Medicine (France), developed 10 commandments of proper feeding. They are still relevant today.

• Drinking fresh water should be readily available. Keep in mind that lactating females working dogs, and also in the heat, all dogs drink more.
• The transfer to another feed is carried out gradually. It can take a week – so much time is required for the restructuring of the intestinal microflora.
• Feeding should be regular. Every day, at the same time and in the same place, from the same bowl. The amount of food is determined individually and depends on the condition of the dog, it can be revised.
• Control of the amount of food. Consider the dog’s lifestyle and calorie content. It is best to weigh your portions each time. As you grow, the amount of the diet changes.
• Balanced feeding. The food must contain all the right ingredients in the right proportions.
• Careful choice of feed. There are three main criteria: pet’s age, activity level, and size.
• Compliance with the rules of feeding. If you are feeding dry food, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Don’t feed your dog scraps from your table.
• Compliance with hygiene. Open canned food and thawed food are stored in a cold place, while croquettes are kept dry. The half-eaten feed is thrown away.
  The bowl is washed daily.
• Monitor your pet’s health. Changes in weight, coat quality, fecal patterns, appetite/lack of appetite, and activity are all indications of how well the diet you choose is suitable for your dog.
• Consult your veterinarian if necessary. Loss of appetite, being overweight or losing weight, constipation or diarrhea, anxiety is a reason for a medical examination.

There are enduring but dangerous myths about dog feeding.

• The dog should starve one day a week. This can be cost-effective for the owner but can be detrimental to the dog’s health.
• A hungry dog ​​will perform better. This is not true. It has long been proven that for activities that require endurance, it is best to feed the dog approximately 2 hours before the start.
• You can feed your dog what we eat. Not true – dogs have completely different food needs!
• Your dog needs variety in its diet. Not. Changing feeding conditions or feed type can lead to digestive problems. Variety is permissible only within the limits of feeds that are similar in composition.
• Dry food requires the addition of meat. This is not true. Good dry food contains everything you need, so any supplement will upset the balance and can negatively impact your dog’s health.
• The addition of calcium will help raise the ears. Unlikely. The shape of the ears is determined by the condition of the cartilage tissue, which is not affected by calcium in any way.

What to prefer: dry food, natural or a combination of both?

Feeding your German Shepherd with Dry Food

An industrial feed can be stored for a long time and is easy to take on trips. But dry food is different. Many veterinarians advise against giving animals dry food of economy class, as it can harm health. It is better to choose super-premium dry food for the German shepherd. In any case, this type of feeding requires constant access to water and strict adherence to standards.

Diet for Feeding a German Shepherd with Natural Nutrition

It is time-consuming to prepare natural food, but many people prefer this option as healthier.

In this case, two-thirds of the diet of a German Shepherd should be meat – a source of protein. You can give finely chopped raw or boiled meat. Minced meat is poorly absorbed. They usually choose beef or lean lamb. By-products are given only boiled.

If you include bones in your German Shepherd’s diet, avoid boiled and tubular ones. The former is fraught with constipation, the latter can injure the stomach.

Replacing meat with fish, it should be borne in mind that it is required one and a half times more. The fish is cleared of bones. It can be given once a week.

You can include boiled eggs or raw yolks in your German Shepherd’s diet.

Also, German shepherds are given kefir, cottage cheese, or yogurt. Milk is a prohibited product.

Porridge: buckwheat, rice, or millet.

The German Shepherd must be given chondroprotective and vitamins. Consult with your veterinarian, he will help you find the right composition.

Do not give to the German Shepherd:

• stale food
• spice,
• hot or cold food
• bad water,
• barley or other “sticky” porridge,
• boiled potatoes,
• pork
• chocolate,
• sweets and other sweets.