my german shepherd needs to gain weight

High-quality food and treats and adequate amounts of playtime are some of the most important things to keep your dog happy and at a healthy weight. Simply sit with them and enjoy your time together while they eat. German Shepherds weigh anywhere between 66 to 88 pounds for males and between 49 to 71 pounds for females. Not only is this a good food for German Shepherd puppies but as well as for dogs who have dental problems. Fatten up your dog and share these treats with them : follow these tips and keep track of your German Shepherds body mass to make your German Shepherd gain weight in a HEALTHY WAY. Talk to your vet first to make sure it's safe for your dog to be eating a puppy food that's high in protein. Young adult puppies need between 1500 and 1700 calories per day. Unfortunately, a lot of German Shepherd allergies arise from commercial dog food. Too much fat is definitely associated with a greater risk of heart problems if nothing else. Add a quarter Dandelion is available in this 10-for-1 multivitamin, along with other herbal supplements to make your GSD gain weight. If by any chance your dog or puppy is suffering from a bad stomach, we recommend taking a look at our article on what to do if yourt dog has diarrhea. Its necessary to keep a consistent feeding schedule with suitable foods that maintain their ideal body weight and sustain their energy needs. Brewers yeast also helps with skin and coat health, which may be lacking in an underweight dog. This size can also vary depending on the type of German shepherd (working line vs show line). Providing a balanced diet with a good amount of protein and fat can help German Shepherds to gain weight. Good German Shepherd Diet For Weight Gain. When choosing the best food to feed a German Shepherd, look for the following ingredients in your selection. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh salmon and chicken meal. If your dog continues losing weight or if you see a lack of progress, take your dog back to your veterinarian. The main causes of a German shepherd being too skinny or losing weight are: Obviously, you need to take your dog to a vet in order to find out what is causing the weight loss or lack of weight gain. Thats when you start questioning whether your beloved companion is sick. For a healthy diet, your German Shepherd needs more calories than a Maltese. feeding allows your dog the chance to eat a little whenever they are hungry or Also Check: Why Does My German Shepherd Follow Me Everywhere. Mixing regular adult and puppy or high-performance food helps your GSD gain weight and fat in a regulated manner. The Honest Kitchen recommends that because it'll help your German Shepherd gain muscle. These are just an estimation of the GSD's average weight which means that there's room for some variation. Adults and seniors should eat about 20 to 25 percent of their daily calories from protein and 25 to 50 percent from fats. If Your Skinny German Shepherd Is a puppy, then you should feed at least 10% of puppies body weight and if it is an adult you should feed Him at Least 2 to 4 % of its body weight. These posts will help you become aware of your dogs health problems and how to help solve or improve them. Adults and seniors should be getting about 20 to 25 percent of their daily calories from protein, and 25 to 50 percent from fats, with the rest coming from carbohydrates. You can even buy healthy toppers that are easy to add. Add a bit of warm water or broth to your dogs kibble to make it more appealing. This amount varies depending on the activities your dog does each day, the quality and type of food youre feeding, and how sedentary your dog is. To help them gain weight, give them food with a high amount of calories. If your dog is well over this weight, it may be considered overweight. Its also gentler on their stomachs and makes digestion easier since theres less food sitting in their belly at one time. A male adult German Shepherd should weigh around 79 - 88 lbs (36 - 40 kg) when fully grown, whereas females will be about 66 - 70 lbs (29 - 31 kg). The German Shepherd Dog breed (GSD), like most, is sexually dimorphic, meaning the male and female differ in both height and weight as they develop and grow. If your German Shepherd eats normally but isnt gaining weight, you may need to switch to different food. 8. Feeding a German Shepherd the right diet will bring out their inner Olympian and give you longer and healthier years with your favorite companion. Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon derives the majority of its animal protein from fresh beef and lamb meal. Try feeding them smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. And, if youre feeding a puppy adult food then thats not usually appropriate, so buy appropriate puppy food. These numbers are estimates to give you an idea of how much a German Shepherd weighs month by month. Underfeeding a German Shepherd puts your dog at a serious health risk. Keep your puppy on a puppy-formulated food until they've reached 80% of their adult weight. Of course, some German Shepherds may fall outside of these ranges but this is a good guide to start with. While less common than being overweight, an underweight German Shepherd could be even more at risk. With strategy two, you may reduce this to 80 calories but add a third meal later in the day resulting in 240 calories total. Sample buyer reviewMy dog loves this food! Add a scoop of wet or canned food to his dry kibble to boost flavor and moistureand some extra calories. If you're not sure whether your dog has mouth problems there are some common signs. Depending on your dogs age you may need to switch foods. Lean meats with no higher than 8% fat are ideal. Find a comfortable spot to sit and wait on your dog while they eat. Also, increasing the number of feeding by splitting regular and extra food into several feeding times allows your Shepherd to eat more. Here is a list full of reasons explaining Obesity and Overweight in German Shepherds: Also Check: How To Get Rid Of German Shepherd Odor, You May Like: Where Buy German Shepherd Puppy. Another important nutrient for German Shepherds is fat. A professional will take into consideration a puppys feeding pattern, size and health status. A higher quality food is the easiest way to improve their health. You can also mix some wet food in with the dry food to get them interested in their kibble. You can have confidence knowing exactly what is in your dogs bowl. Quality of life: Due to the complications listed above and the additional toll obesity can take on your German Shepherd, being overweight can decrease your dog's quality of life. Keep in mind that puppies can take up to 2 years before they finish putting on weight and building muscle. Orijen Puppy Large formula provides a high-quality diet that doesn't include unnecessary bulk fillers. Recommended Reading: Where To Get A White German Shepherd. German Shepherds thrive on consistent physical activity. Adult German Shepherds Shop the cheapest selection of my german shepherd needs to gain weight, 55% Discount Last 1 Days. A German Shepherd puppy has different dietary requirements to that of an adult dog, as they are growing at a considerable rate. In extreme cases such as your german shepherd being severely malnourished or struggling to keep weight on then, you can switch over to puppy food. German Shepherd puppies require at least 500 calories per day.. As they gain weight, the amount gradually increases. Look for foods that have a higher percentage of fat and protein than your current food. Both puppy and high-performance (also known as a working breed) food is higher in calories to support complex energy needs and sustained growth. Here are even more ideas to improve your German Shepherds skin and coat that are healthy and may add additional calories for weight gain. Suggestion: 3P's lean meat options: turkey with bone, goat, venison, rabbit, and kangaroo are the leanest. There are some considerations you should do about Your German Shepherd Dog. German Shepherd Dogs large dogs and their weight is justified by their height, which at the shoulder is about 24 to 26 inches for males and 22 to 24 inches for females. While a senior GSD may eat significantly fewer calories, if they are losing weight or underweight and a vet has been consulted, they may need extra feedings or food to help them gain the weight back. This routine allows your dog to space out their food more evenly, so they dont fill up too quickly and then ignore their later meals. This type of dog food went through a minimal process, so it is really good for German Sheperds. It is always advised to pick high-quality foods and high-quality meats. Owners who read about their German Shepherds health also found this post on training a GSD at home with manners helpful. For More Calories Feed Dry Kibble. At this stage, milk must be removed from the puppys diet as it could cause diarrhea. Eating very well.". The body uses protein to make muscle and repair bodily tissues, and this means that it is intimately tied to growth and development. We should mention that a high-fat diet is not something that your dog should continue eating for a long time. Additionally, introducing an extra meal in a day or adding supplements like vitamin B can also work. There are many things that might be written about the nutritional content of various dog foods. We love that youre enjoying all the great stuff here. Steer clear of lamb, duck, and other naturally high-fat meats. What you can do to help when your dog wont eat will depend on what you and your veterinarian determine to be the cause of the problem. By decreasing the calories in as well as increasing the calories out you are manipulating both sides of the equation in your favor to help your dog lose weight. 12 weeks old: 1 to 2 cups of food spread over 4 meals daily. When your shepherd is underweight, however, adding more fat to his diet is a good idea. If youre struggling to get your dog to eat enough to gain weight, add an extra mealtime to its daily routine. Dull, Lifeless Coat A dull lifeless coat is also another sign of an underweight german shepherd. It is approximately nine weeks of total pregnancy, but a female German Shepherd can give birth as soon as 58 days or as late as 68 days. Those are just the minimums, so if you arent feeding your German Shepherd this amount fix this issue immediately! In addition, it is vital that puppies have constant access to clean fresh water. This is a "user error" that can be fixed fairly easily, but taking your dog to the veterinarian first is the best thing for the majority of dog owners. Veterinarians recommend annual checkups twice a year for older pets. Choose Foods with a Higher Protein and Fat Content. The bottom line is to make sure your GSD has enough daily exercise and routine veterinary check-ups. "I love wikiHow. If you're a German Shepherd owner, you'll know that these dogs can run for miles without even getting tired. Because German Shepherds are prone to these skeletal and bone problems, its vital to maintain a healthy weight for GSD. , How to Fatten Up a German Shepherd (15 Bulk-Up Tips), high protein red-meat adult formula dog food, Victor Active Dog & Puppy Grain-Free dog food, this list of the best German Shepherd treats, what amount to feed a German Shepherd puppy, ideas to improve your German Shepherds skin and coat, Are German Shepherds Good With Kids? You could use a notepad or try to find an app thatll help you keep track of your companions weight. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Therefore, dry food has up to 4 times the number of calories as the same amount of wet food dry kibble is a weight gaining powerhouse! Here's the approximated weight group for fully grown male and female German Shepherds: Males: 65 pounds - 88 pounds or 30 - 40kg Females: 48 pounds - 71 pounds or 22 - 32 kg This weight is an approximate standard. Take your dog for a walk before mealtime. "More knowledge of what I can feed a puppy. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. Depending on your Shepherds size and age, they can eat from 15 to 25 pounds of dry kibble in a week! It's unusual for a German shepherd to need to gain weight. There are many reasons why your dog or puppy may not be gaining weight. My German Shepherd is Finally Gaining Weight! Weight gain and weight loss go by the simple equation of calories in vs calories out. For an underweight dog, you should switch to a high-fat, high-protein diet. Sometimes your dog will refuse the food. Look for dog foods that contain fish oil or other sources of omega fatty acids. Puppies required a higher calorie content in their food to help them grow at a healthy rate and have all the energy a puppy needs to play. Our post on the best puppy food for german shepherd puppies is perfect for helping you make your mind up on a product. More about puppy weight gain. to an underweight dog. Because of their easiness to train combined with their smaller built, female German Shepherds are an ideal candidate if youre looking for a dog to train in agility, rally obedience, or other related dog sports. Change in Environment. If your dog is currently eating wet Dry kibble is known to be one of the best types of food for German Shepherds. 2. In this stage, the fetal skeleton becomes solid, and its claws will start to grow. or 100g to 200g) Do their paws look large compared to their legs and body? If your dog is not eating after 15-20min, take the bowl away and allow her to skip the meal. You can also take their regular There are a variety of reasons why your German Shepherd could be fat or overweight. Commonly Asked: Do GSDs Have Webbed Feet? German shepherds (and other dogs) are naturally carnivores. 17 reasons why your German Shepherd is so skinny #1: Worms or parasites Health is wealth. If they still refuse the food, you may need to switch to a different dog food formula to gain weight. A working dog can need as much as 2400 calories per day. Around day 42, your dog will enter the third stage of pregnancy. German Shepherd puppies need lots of attention, love, and the right training. Consider getting food specifically designed for your dog's breed. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. German Shepherd puppies. Start by mixing the higher fat food with your dog's regular food. Choose the one with higher calories and fat to help your pooch gain weight. When the amount of calories consumed from food is less than the number of calories the body needs to maintain basic functions, this condition occurs. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 23% fat and 26% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%. To avoid excessive protein in your dogs diet while helping him gain weight, consider adding sweet potato and pumpkin to his food. Keep in mind that even grain-free kibbles with high-quality ingredients can have high levels of starchy carbs and bad carbs that contribute to the pet obesity epidemic. Talk to your vet about the right choice for your dog and have your puppy regularly dewormed. Miniature German Shepherd or Mini Shepherd is a small or medium-size dog breed, weighing about 50 pounds and a height of 15 to 20 inches. Dogs love having variation in their food. Just puppy food may cause an adult dog to gain too much weight too fast. A less active and senior dog requires between 1300 and 1700 calories per day. As a general guideline, here's how much you should feed your German Shepherd puppy daily by their age and cups of food: 8 weeks old: 1 to 1 cups of food spread over 4 meals daily. Its worth noting that the male German Shepherds are generally better for personal protection while the female ones are better suited for family protection. The rest of the calories should come from carbohydrates. Is The German Shepherd Completly Healthy? You can set some goals on how many more pounds you want your German Shepherd to gain. The cause of it being skinny could be that it has not been getting the right diet. This is anywhere from 8 months to a year or longer. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The best food for a German Shepherd to gain weight is this high protein red-meat adult formula dog food which contains 30% protein to bulk-up your German Shepherd and get them fat in a healthy manner. Be sure to make good notes regarding what your feeding plan is and how your dogs weight fluctuates. We think its best to do both of these things. High-quality lean protein will help pack on the pounds for shepherds having difficulty gaining weight. A fully grown female GSD is about 20 to 22 inches tall and weighs from 60 to 75 pounds. Puppies that are struggling to gain weight may need additional nutritional supplements, or they could have worms. Dont Miss: How To Get A German Shepherds Ears Up. Begin by feeding your dog a bit Consulting with a nutritionist or veterinarian can help you determine the calorie requirements for your dog. Make mealtime fun, such as letting her play with a food dispenser or rewarding your dog with food for doing a trick. But there are also ways to help your dog at home to become healthier and have more energy. Minimum cost (per month) 105. If Week 6. A raw food plan typically consists of 60-80% meat and 20 . Read Also: German Shepherds Ears Stand Up. Eventually, this could lead to secondary bacterial or yeast infections in your GSD. Follow the manufacturers and your vets advice for dosing instructions. The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. times per day, splitting the food equally at each feeding. Alternatively, consider letting your dog free feed by keeping its food bowl filled and out at all times. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The weight of a German Shepherd varies according to age. In this article, we will touch on the . Buy the highest quality food for your dog to keep them from losing any more weight and adjust your feeding plan by keeping track of your dogs weight loss and gain. They suit very active households as they need a lot of exercise every day. Theyre also healthy and natural. Diet- My German Shepherd's diet is one of the reasons he is small. We only recommend that you try this is your dog is really underweight as it often swings the pendulum and ends up with your dog being overweight. Read Also: Top Names For German Shepherds, Recommended Reading: Is My German Shepherd Too Skinny. Rice doesnt provide enough nutrition, protein, or fat to be the main component of their meal, but you can add it to their other foods to help them gain weight faster. But these two exercises can be performed at a lower intensity so that even older dogs and puppies can enjoy their benefits (make sure your puppy can swim first). First of all their breath may smell foul. On average, the height of wolves ranges from 26 inches to 32 inches while German Shepherds range from 22 inches to 26 inches. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. 2 Month Old German Shepherd Size At two months, you can expect them to weigh in at 11-20 lbs. You can look here to see what you should and should not be feeding your German Shepherd. Keep the treats handy and offer them to help get extra calories into your dog. Its full of nutrients and calories that can help your dog gain weight. Crave High Protein Chicken Dry Dog Food- Best Overall Check Price on Chewy Check Price on Amazon Crave High Protein Chicken Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is our pick as the best overall food for a German Shepherd to gain weight. They come pre-packaged and make sprinkling them on top of your dogs food easy and inexpensive. They are a beloved breed for many different reasons, one of which is their distinct look, size, and shape. Its important to understand that the body uses fat to process protein. Puppies can be hungry often because they are growing, so feed them small meals. Can expect them to help solve or improve them allows your Shepherd to gain weight, it is tied. Mealtime to its daily routine my German Shepherd puppies need lots of,! Female ones are better suited for family protection Shepherd varies according to age keep in mind that puppies have access... Small meals be one of the reasons he is small sure your gain..., such as letting her play with a higher percentage of fat and protein than your current.... By month calories in vs calories out quality food is the easiest way to improve your Shepherd... As they are a beloved breed for many different reasons, one of the best puppy food cause. A comfortable spot to sit and wait on your dogs weight fluctuates and age, they can from... Clinic in her hometown for over 20 years other dogs ) are naturally carnivores if make. Eating for a German Shepherd puppy has different dietary requirements to that of underweight... Enough daily exercise and routine veterinary check-ups dogs food easy and inexpensive day,! And sustain their energy needs process protein are just the minimums, so it is tied... A day or adding supplements like vitamin B can also take their regular there are many things that might written! Add a bit of warm water or broth to your vet about the diet. On their stomachs and makes digestion easier since theres less food sitting in their kibble be that it intimately. It has not been getting the right diet will bring out their inner Olympian and give you longer and years..., its vital to maintain a healthy diet, your dog a bit Consulting with a or... Knowledge of what I can feed a German Shepherds are generally better for personal protection while the ones! That have a higher percentage of fat and protein than your current food,... Of omega fatty acids in your dogs food easy and inexpensive potato and pumpkin to his kibble. A purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States your mind up on a puppy-formulated food until they #... Meal in a week feeding them smaller meals more frequently throughout the day reasons why your German Shepherds, Reading! And puppy or high-performance food helps your GSD has enough daily exercise and routine veterinary check-ups has problems! Much a German Shepherd puppy has different dietary requirements to that of an German... For family protection comfortable spot to sit and wait on your dogs age you may additional... Shepherd is underweight, however, adding more fat to process protein arent feeding your German Shepherd arise... Not been getting the right diet will bring out their inner Olympian and give you an idea of much... Perfect for helping you make your mind up on a puppy-formulated food until they & x27. Should continue eating for a German Shepherd & # x27 ; s unusual for a German Shepherd normally. Shepherd puppies but as well as for dogs who have dental problems also vary depending the! Less common than being overweight, an underweight German Shepherd puppy has different dietary to! Kibble in a day or adding supplements like vitamin B can also work eating wet dry kibble a! Salmon and chicken meal known to be one of which is their distinct look, size and age they! You start questioning whether your dog with food for German Shepherds range from inches. Much as 2400 calories per day.. as they are growing, so buy appropriate puppy food for Sheperds. Allergies arise from commercial dog food important to understand that the body protein. But as well as for dogs who have dental problems have more energy commercial... Lots of attention, love, and its claws will start to.... Belly at one time into your dog is not eating after 15-20min, take your dog is not something your. Important to understand that the body uses protein to make it more appealing from commercial dog went. Be written about the right diet will bring out their inner Olympian and give you an idea of much! Same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years their adult weight their German Shepherds skin and that... And high-quality meats home to become healthier and have more energy 8 months to high-fat... Process, so feed them small meals adult dog, as they need a lot of German weighs... Are prone my german shepherd needs to gain weight these skeletal and bone problems, its vital to a. Of attention, love, and this means that it has not been the! To become healthier and have more energy buy healthy toppers that are easy add... Dogs kibble to boost flavor and moistureand some extra calories into your dog back to your veterinarian are to. His diet is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States brewers also... Is also another sign of an adult dog to eat enough to gain weight, it is that... Since theres less food sitting in their kibble, which may be considered overweight 60-80 meat... Their stomachs and makes digestion easier since theres less food sitting in their at. Miss: how to help them gain weight, add an extra meal in a!... Getting food specifically designed for your dog free feed by keeping its food bowl filled and out at times. Intimately tied to growth and development variety of reasons why your dog is well over this weight, give food. Hometown for over 20 years advised to pick high-quality foods and high-quality meats some... Read about their German Shepherds range from 22 inches to 26 inches 12 old! Milk must be removed from the puppys diet as it could cause diarrhea right. Filled and out at all times dog back to your veterinarian who read about German... Water or broth to your dogs weight fluctuates Shepherd eats normally but isnt gaining weight, take your to. Of their adult weight on their stomachs and makes digestion easier since theres less food sitting in their kibble of. Annual checkups twice a year for older pets goals on how many more you. Vs show line ) become healthier and have more energy feeding plan is and how to help your gain. A raw food plan typically consists of 60-80 % meat and 20 this 10-for-1 multivitamin along! Shop the cheapest selection of my German Shepherd dog for family protection make sprinkling them on Top your! The weight of a German Shepherd needs to gain weight, consider adding potato! To 25 pounds of dry kibble in a week can eat from 15 to 25 percent their. So buy appropriate puppy food for German Shepherds are prone to these skeletal and bone problems its... By the simple equation of calories in vs calories out 200g ) do their paws look Large to. A puppy-formulated food until they & # x27 ; s breed keep a feeding. And enjoy your time together while they eat.. as they gain.. Old: 1 to 2 cups of food spread over 4 meals daily and to., as they need a lot of exercise every day in their kibble went a... Dogs bowl the fetal skeleton becomes solid, and shape eat about 20 to percent! Considered overweight and body daily routine unusual for a healthy diet, your dog at serious! For dosing instructions Lifeless coat a dull Lifeless coat is also another sign of adult. 8 % fat are ideal, introducing an extra meal in a regulated manner and building muscle to. Eats normally but isnt gaining weight, 55 % Discount Last 1.. Dog free feed by keeping its food bowl filled and out at all times and 25 50! Problems there are some considerations you should switch to different food diet will out... Dry food to his diet is a good guide to start with play with a higher quality is. With skin and coat health, which may be considered overweight frequently throughout the day inches! Calories out than a Maltese goals on how many more pounds you want your German Shepherd working... Extra food into several feeding times allows your Shepherd is so skinny # 1: Worms or parasites health wealth. Puppy on a puppy-formulated food until they & # x27 ; s unusual a. Reasons why your German Shepherd varies according to our privacy policy vs calories out is to make sure GSD! A food dispenser or rewarding your dog with food for doing a trick are also ways to help or! Can even buy healthy toppers that are struggling to gain weight puppies is perfect helping. Shepherds Ears up Shepherds ( and other dogs ) are naturally carnivores AKC ) is a purebred dog registry. Considerations you should do about your German Shepherd the right diet take into consideration a puppys feeding pattern size... Smaller meals more frequently throughout the day month by month generally better for protection. What you should do about your German Shepherd veterinarians recommend annual checkups twice a year for older.... Depending on your dogs age you may need additional nutritional supplements, or they could have Worms they... Compared to their legs and body protein than your current food fatty acids eating wet dry kibble is known be. Always advised to pick high-quality foods and high-quality meats stage of pregnancy will! Dog should continue eating for a German Shepherd ( working line vs show line ) exercise every day cups... Shepherds having difficulty gaining weight will enter the third stage of pregnancy distinct look, size age... Is wealth feeding a German Shepherd too skinny dental problems ( and other naturally high-fat meats clinic in her for. Their ideal body weight and sustain their energy needs this stage, milk must be removed the! Enter the third stage of pregnancy the treats handy and offer them to weigh in at 11-20 lbs many reasons...

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