A secondary name for smart, courageous, and intelligent working dogs is the German Shepherd, the second most popular dog breed in America. German Shepherds eat different kinds of foods due to their large size, and they have a working profile. They require perfect minerals and vitamins standard. You should feed your dog high-quality dog best food, which includes essential vitamins fats, fatty acids, minerals, and carbohydrates.
The optimum level of protein for this breed is between 18% and 22%. The caloric range for feeding an adult German shepherd is to fluctuate between 1,200 and 2,100 Kcal per day. Raw food is the best dog food for German Shepherds. A wholesome, natural, whole-food diet will take care of your dog’s health and happiness while also effectively preventing various common health issues involving obesity, problems with joints, dental troubles, and digestive problems as well as symptoms of common allergies like excessive itching and skin problems. Let’s go through the article to learn more about the German Shepherd diet.
German Shepherd Diet and Feeding Guide According to Their Age (Puppy to Adult Dog)
A healthy diet for your German Shepherd depends on their age, their diet should be high in protein, and essential fatty acids for their coat, choose a premium amount of dog food with a high protein content (around 22-25%) to support proper growth and development. Ensure that their food contain balanced vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
Due to their working dog history and larger size their diet is different from other pets. Let’s know the perfect diet for your Gsd according to their age:
0 to 2 Months: New Born German Shepherd Diet
German Shepherd puppies should have high protein and fats in their diet. For your growing pet developing tissues are vital. A good German Shepherd diet will help in the assistance of healthy brain, skin, and eye function.
A newborn German Shepherd puppy should be fed with their mother’s milk for a few weeks, if not their mother’s milk then a specially formulated puppy milk replacer should be provided, as they are too young to eat solid food at this stage (they should not get regular cow’s milk).
German Shepherd Puppy Milk Chart
| Puppy Age (Weeks) | Feedings Per Day | Amount Per Feeding | Time Gap |
| 1 | 8 | 10-12 ml | Every 2 hours |
| 2 | 5 | 30-35 ml | Every 4-5 hours |
| 3 | 4 | 70-80 ml | Every 4-5 hours |
| 4 | 4 | 100-120 ml | Every 4-5 hours |
You can find various kinds of milk replacers in the market, always keep a few points in your mind before choosing the perfect product for your pet:
- Offers high protein and energy level
- Nervous functioning in pups and DHA boosts cognitive skills
- The homogenous formula of milk, which makes it easy to digest
2 to 6 Months: German Shepherd Puppy Diet
The ideal German Shepherd diet for a 1-2-month-old German Shepherd puppy should consist of high quality, commercially available puppy food, either dry kibble soaked in water or wet food which should be fed multiple times a day in small portions to accommodate their growing needs. Consult your vet before making any diet chart for your German Shepherd Puppy.
- Puppy Food: select a puppy food formulated for larger breeds, and provide them with proper nutrient balance for their rapid growth.
- Small meals, and frequent feedings: divide the daily meal into 3 to 4 times to avoid the digestive upset.
- Soaking dry food: for your younger puppy try using soaked dry kibble in water to make it easier to eat.
- Fresh water access: always provide access water to your pet all the time
2 to 6 months: German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart(Per Day)
| Age | Toy/Small | Medium | Large/ Giant |
| 8 Weeks | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 12 Weeks | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 16 Weeks | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 Months | 2 | 2 | 2 |
6 to 12 Months: German Shepherd Dog puppyhood Diet
German Shepherd puppies have a bundle of energy, they need plenty of healthy calories to support their activities. The frequency of their feeding changes throughout their puppyhood.
- Protein content: Exceeding 22% will support muscle mass in German Shepherd puppies.
- Fat content: 5% – 8%, preventing the skin or coat from getting shorter and dull. It helps with eye and brain development.
- Calcium and Phosphorus: These are needed to develop strong bones and joints in German Shepherd puppies.
German Shepherd Puppy Diet Chart
| Puppy Age In Months | 57lb 26 Kg | 77lb 35 Kg | 97 lb 44Kg |
| 2 Months | 2 ⅞ cups (262 g) | 3 ⅛ cups (283 g) | 3 ⅜ cups (304 g) |
| 4 Months | 3 ⅞ cups (351 g) | 4 ⅜ cups (396 g) | 4 ⅞ cups (441 g) |
| 6 Months | 4 ⅜ cups (400 g) | 5 ½ cups (500 g) | 6 ½ cups (593 g) |
| 8 Months | 4 ⅜ cups (400 g) | 5 ½ cups (503 g) | 7 cups (637 g) |
| 10 Months | 4 cups (365g) | 5 cups (460 g) | 6 ½ cups (596 g) |
| 12 Months | 3 ⅝ cups (330 g) | 4 ½ cups (416 g) | 5 ½ cups (496 g) |
15 months & Above: Full grown German Shepherd Dog Food Diet
Above the age of 15 months, a German Shepherd must have high-quality protein in its food that balances fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals together with chicken, beef, turkey, salmon, and some raw meaty bones on occasion while ensuring not too many calories are fed into a dog with an active lifestyle; dog food made specifically for “German Shepherd Adult” would be the best choice.
- Excellent Protein- Choose the primary ingredient in their food from high-quality protein sources such as chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, or fish.
- Moderate fat- Do include some healthy fat in the German Shepherd diet, for skin and coat health, e.g., fish oil coconut oil, or olive oil, but not in excess to avoid fat gain.
- Fiber for Digestion- Include moderate amounts of fiber in your dog food such as brown rice, sweet potato, or vegetables for healthy digestion.
- Consider supplementing joint health with glucosamine and chondroitin in older dogs.
8 years and Above: Old German Shepherd Dog Food Diet
For a 8 years above old German Shepherd dog, the old German Shepherd diet should emphasize high-quality, easily digestible proteins with moderate fat levels. It is important to prioritize ingredients that support joint health and to slightly reduce caloric intake compared to younger dogs. However, the German Shepherd Food should still provide essential vitamins and minerals to maintain overall health. Look for dog food specifically formulated for senior large breeds, which includes added nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin.
German Shepherd Diet Chart
| Dog Age | Dog Weight | Food Amount | Feeding Time |
| 0-3 Months | 44-55 lbs | 7-8.5 oz | Every 2-4 hours |
| 3-5 Months | 57-66 lbs | 9-10 oz | Every 4-6 hours |
| 5-7 Months | 66-88 lbs | 10-13 oz | 4 times a day |
| 7-12 Months | 88-97 lbs | 13-19 oz | 4 times a day |
| 1-12 Years | 88-110 lbs | 18-21 oz | Feed at least 3 times a day |
Best Food For German Shepherd Dog Puppies for Maintaining an Ideal Growth
German Shepherd puppies are very active and they need 80 and 90 calories per pound to fuel their growth.
- Protein and Fat Requirements: Your German Shepherd puppy should get protein and fat for healthy muscle and bone development. It is recommended to provide them with 22% to 26% high-quality protein and around 8% to 15% fat on a dry-matter basis.
- Feeding Schedule and Portions: German Shepherd pups should get 1.5 cups of dry kibble between four to six times a day until the 12-week mark. After six months the portion should be increased gradually but with a decreasing frequency.
- Nutritional Supplements for Growth: Omega-3 supplements should be used for your dog for cognitive development and better coats. Digestive enzymes and probiotic supplements can help your pup if it has a sensitive stomach.
German Shepherd Diet in Summer: Healthy & Best Cooling Dog Foods
For planning a summer diet for your German Shepherd pet you should keep a few things in mind, let’s go through them;
- Always prioritize food with high water content such as Blueberries, Watermelon chunks, Celery sticks, and Leafy greens (spinach, kale).
- Have lean protein sources, and properties cooling: Chicken Breast, Fish (salmon, cod), Turkey breast, and Yogurt (plain, unsweetened).
- Include fresh vegetables like cucumber watermelon, and leafy greens, alongside their regular high-quality dog food.
- With optimum amount of food it is important to provide them plenty of water through out their day.
Best Frozen Dog Food for your German Shepherd Diet in Summer
| Frozen Dog Food | Benefits | Feeding Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Peanut Butter Treats | High in protein and a good source of healthy fats. | Use silicone molds or ice trays to portion. Can mix with water or yogurt before freezing. |
| Yogurt Cubes | Rich in probiotics, Help in digestion. | Serve in small portions to avoid overfeeding. Ensure the yogurt is safe and doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners. |
| Meat Broth Popsicles | Hydrates and provides a savory flavor dogs enjoy. | Add small bits of cooked meat or vegetables for extra nutrition. |
| Carrot Sticks | Low-calorie, crunchy, and great for dental health of Gsd. | Wash and peel carrots before freezing. Serve as a chew treat. |
| Banana Slices | Natural source of potassium and vitamins. | Blend for a creamy texture or freeze slices directly. Serve in moderation due to natural sugars. |
| Apple Chunks | Contain high fiber and vitamins A and C. | Always remove the core and seeds as they contain cyanide compounds. |
| Green Beans | Low-calorie and rich in vitamins. | Serve plain, without seasoning or salt. |
| Watermelon Ice Cubes | Hydrating Agent and source of vitamins A and C. | Avoid using the rind or seeds, as they can be difficult for dogs to digest. |
| Pumpkin Puree | Help in digestion and rich in fiber. | Avoid pumpkin pie mix with added sugars or spices. Serve in small amounts. |
| Dog Food Pucks | Balanced nutrition tailored to your Gsd dog’s diet. | Use wet dog food or mix with kibble and water for variety. |
How To Maintain an Ideal Weight of German Shepherd Dog (GSD)?
To maintain an ideal weight for your lovely pet you should work on overall health and longevity. PawNpets provides you with some essential tips that will help you achieve the best help for your dog:
- Balanced Diet: in the above-mentioned article we have mentioned the complete guide about how to choose the perfect German Shepherd diet according to their age.
- Amount of food: overeating your pet can cause obesity, and less can cause weakness so provide your dog with the perfect amount of dog food, and correct food in the correct amount.
- Regular training and exercise: Regular and Perfect exercise is key to maintaining the ideal weight for your pet.
- Vet check-ups: Your vet can monitor weight gain and provide personalized nutritional advice for your pet’s better health.
- Hydration: water is compulsory for your pet’s health, so ensure that your dog gets the most out of their meals.
Summing Up!
As a pet parent you must maintain the vitality and well-being of German shepherds hinges on their diet and feeding. Proper food and diet not only give them energy but also help in their cognitive functions and total growth. Always consult your vet doctor before making any changes in your pet’s diet food.
Also Read: Belgian Malinois Dog Breed information & Charactristics | German Shepherd Pit Bull Mix Dog Breed Information
