German Shepherds are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and athleticism. To ensure these magnificent dogs thrive, providing them with a well-balanced and nutritious diet is paramount. Feeding your German Shepherd well isn’t just about filling their bowl; it’s about fuelling their body, supporting their health, and giving them the best chance to thrive. This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating the perfect German Shepherd diet chart, covering everything from essential nutrients to portion sizes and special considerations.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of a German Shepherd
When it comes to nutrition, most dogs, regardless of breed, have surprisingly universal needs. However, German Shepherds, with their high energy levels and breed-specific health predispositions, require a diet tailored to their unique requirements. These attributes have been rated by dog trainers, expert vets, and pet behaviourists.
High Energy and Protein Requirements
German Shepherds have a high energy level and require a high protein diet to support their active lifestyle. As facultative carnivores, dogs thrive on a diet where meat is their biological staple. Modern dogs may appear different from their wild ancestors, but biologically, they remain remarkably close to wolves.
Essential Fatty Acids for a Healthy Coat
German Shepherds have a thick double coat that requires a diet which includes essential fatty acids to keep them healthy and shiny.
Vitamins and Minerals
Before you choose the food for your German Shepherd, you must know which vitamins this food has, and how much he can eat, so that you can create a perfect balance.
Read also: Dog Diet and Fistulas
Creating a Balanced Diet Chart
A balanced diet chart for your German Shepherd should include the following components:
Protein Sources
- Chicken
- Fish
- Beef
- Turkey
- Eggs
Carbohydrates
Dogs have little requirement for carbohydrates, especially refined ones. However, most commercial dry dog foods are loaded with them, often making up more than 50% of the recipe. Carbs like grains, legumes, and starchy fillers are cheap to bulk out food, not because they benefit your dog.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits are also important as vegetables. German Shepherd dogs most enjoy and like to eat carrots.
Fats and Oils
Essential fatty acids are crucial for maintaining a healthy coat and supporting overall health.
Types of Dog Food
With so many choices, from canned dog food and kibble to grain-free formulas and the increasingly popular raw diet, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Read also: German Shepherd Nutrition
Commercial Dog Food
While convenient, ultra-processed commercial dog food is the exact opposite of raw. The high-heat manufacturing process depletes nutrients, denatures proteins, and creates inflammatory compounds. Worse still, the added carbs, synthetic vitamins, and often rancid heated fats can contribute to a long list of chronic health issues that are now on the rise - not just in dogs, but in humans too.
Raw Dog Food (BARF)
Raw dog food is whole food served in their most natural state with no heat processing. It’s the most biologically aligned option for dogs. It delivers nutrients in their most digestible and usable forms, with no need for synthetic additives, preservatives, or mystery fillers. A raw, species-appropriate diet, also referred to as BARF diet for dogs (biologically appropriate raw food diet), includes muscle meat, organ meat, bone, raw fats, and a small amount of vegetables or berries.
Grain-Free Dog Food
More and more dog owners are turning to grain-free dog food or making the transition to feeding their dogs a fresh diet, leading to better digestion, more vitality, shinier coats, and healthier teeth. Because when your dog eats better, they live better.
Feeding Guidelines
Portion Sizes
When it comes to portion sizes, there’s no universal answer. Just like people, every dog is different with their own metabolism, energy levels, and health goals.
Frequency
Generally, it is best to feed your dog twice a day, but how often to feed your dog varies based on your dog’s age, breed, size, and any underlying medical conditions.
Read also: Delightful German Dishes
Reading Food Labels
Check the label on your dog’s food for the feeding chart recommended by the pet food company for that specific dog food.
Adjusting Portions
You’ll know you’re feeding your dog enough if they maintain a healthy weight with a visible waistline, ribs that can be felt but not seen, steady energy, and firm stools. Use food label guidelines as a starting point, then adjust based on your vet’s advice.
Example Feeding Chart
Let’s look at Purina Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula as an example. This food is 406 kcal/cup.
- Weight Range 3-12 pounds: Feeding Amount Per Day ⅓-1 cup
- Weight Range 13-20 pounds: Feeding Amount Per Day 1-1¼ cups
- Weight Range 21-35 pounds: Feeding Amount Per Day 1⅓-2 cups
- Weight Range 36-50 pounds: Feeding Amount Per Day 2-2⅓ cups
- Weight Range 51-75 pounds: Feeding Amount Per Day 2⅓-3 cups
- Weight Range 76-100 pounds: Feeding Amount Per Day 3-3⅔ cups
- Dogs over 100 pounds: 4 cups, plus ¼ cup for each 10 pounds of body weight over 100 pounds
Special Considerations
Puppies
For safe growth, it’s important to feed a raw puppy-specific formula. ProDog’s raw puppy food meals are formulated to FEDIAF nutritional standards and expertly portioned for convenience. Puppy feeding guidelines are different from adult dogs and change as your young dog grows. Also, feeding charts for puppy foods are typically based on your puppy's target adult weight. So look up how much your puppy will weigh as an adult and their current age to determine how much food to give your growing dog. Large and giant dog breed puppies have different nutritional needs than small- and medium-breed puppies, and they should be fed a large-breed puppy formula for proper bone and joint development. As they get closer to their full-grown size, a puppy’s nutritional needs become more like those of an adult dog.
Seniors
A dog’s nutritional needs can vary as they get older or as their lifestyle or health status changes.
Health Conditions
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Around 19-20% of German Shepherds are affected by hip or elbow dysplasia. Consider targeted supplements like ProDog’s Flexx, a joint support supplement for dogs, formulated with glucosamine, green-lipped mussel, and turmeric to promote mobility and ease inflammation.
- Weight Management: Maintain a healthy, stable weight to reduce spinal pressure. Select lean raw dog food bundles and adjust the portions according to your dog’s ideal weight.
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI): German Shepherds account for around two-thirds of canine EPI cases.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or Bloat): As a large, deep-chested breed, German Shepherds are at increased risk of GDV (bloat) - a life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists. Prevention is key, and a well-balanced diet can play a significant role in reducing the risk.
Reproductive Status
Spayed and neutered dogs need fewer calories than unaltered dogs.
Body Condition
Overweight dogs should eat fewer calories than a dog who’s at a healthy weight.
Transitioning to a New Diet
Switching your German Shepherd from processed food to a raw, biologically aligned diet is one of the most impactful health decisions you can make.
During the transition, keep an eye on your dog’s poo (yes, really), energy levels, and appetite. Digest, our dog gut health supplement, can help soothe the gut, reduce gas, and ease the shift to fresh food.
Foods to Avoid
While some human foods are safe for dogs, it's generally recommended to avoid feeding your German Shepherd a predominantly human diet. Human food may not provide the necessary nutrients and can cause digestive issues. When you have a German Shepherd, you should be careful what your dog eats during the day, and be aware that someone else can give food to your dog.
Addressing Common Feeding Problems
Picky Eaters
No, German Shepherds are not picky eaters at all, but if they become picky eats, this is probably because of you. By giving him the same food and treats all the time, your German Shepherd can become “addicted” to that food and refuse to eat other types of food.
Coprophagia
Eating poop is also known as “coprophagia” and is seen in roughly 25% of dogs.
The Benefits of a Raw Diet
Switching to a fresh feeding approach can feel like a significant change. Raw feeding offers significant advantages in terms of nutrient absorption and overall health. The beauty of raw feeding is that it’s not just one meal, one way.
Better Digestion
That’s why more and more dog owners are turning to grain-free dog food or making the transition to feeding their dogs a fresh diet.
More Vitality
Because when your dog eats better, they live better.
Shinier Coats
Because when your dog eats better, they live better.
Healthier Teeth
Because when your dog eats better, they live better.
The Importance of Mental and Physical Well-being
German Shepherds thrive on regular exercise and mental stimulation.
Physical Exercise
German Shepherds require regular physical exercise.
Mental Stimulation
German Shepherds require mental stimulation to keep their minds active.
Grooming Needs
German Shepherds have relatively low grooming needs despite having dense and medium-length coats. German Shepherds should be regularly brushed to remove loose hair and distribute natural oils.
Training and Socialization
German Shepherds, like any breed, can show aggression if not properly trained, socialised, or treated. Training German Shepherds involves positive reinforcement techniques, consistency, and patience. Start with basic obedience commands like sit, stay, and come, gradually progressing to more advanced training.
Environmental Considerations
While German Shepherds can adapt to various climates, they are more suited to moderate or cooler environments.