The Best Dog Food for a German Shepherd Puppy

All puppies will need food that provides them with enough energy for their development. A puppy's body goes through the most acute changes it will experience during their lifetime. Food helps their tissues to develop so they bodies and minds can reach their full potential. When this diet is insufficient or inappropriate, it can cause serious developmental problems which can affect them for the rest of their lives.

While this is true for all breeds, the adult German Shepherd is robust dog with a strong musculature and a medium-large size. They will need plenty of protein to help this musculature develop and to ensure their bones are strong. They will also require more calories than some other dogs to ensure they have the energy to carry out their physical behaviors as they grow.

German Shepherds are also prone to certain health problems. These commonly include joint disorders such as hip dysplasia in dogs. Quality food can provide higher levels of nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, something which can help to prevent these problems in later years. They may also benefit from food with added nutrients such as calcium and phosphorous. These help to strengthen their bones and avoid musculoskeletal disorders.

When we adopt a German Shepherd puppy, we will need to take them to a veterinarian for assessment and to establish a care program. This includes factors such as vaccination and deworming schedules. We should also discuss any specific dietary requirements for our individual dog to ensure they are given the best food for their needs.

For a German Shepherd puppy to develop and grow properly, it is imperative that they first nurse on their mother's milk. The first milk they receive is a protein and antibody-rich type of milk known as colostrum. This gives the puppy's immune and central nervous systems a boost. They then progress to regular breast milk.

Puppies will nurse for at least 6 to 8 weeks, gradually being weaned on to solid food at about 4 weeks. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a puppy’s first milk, as it provides them with 90% of its natural defenses. In addition, a puppy’s first feeding contributes to proper blood flow and helps oxygenate the puppy's organs.

If, for any reason, the puppy cannot suckle its mother, don't give them cow or goat milk. These milks are very poor quality in comparison to a puppy's mother's milk. If your German shepherd puppy has to be prematurely weaned, a veterinarian will be able to prescribe specific German Shepherd puppy formula and establish the appropriate dosage for your puppy.

A dog’s breed type does influence this formula. For example, a Chihuahua and a German Shepherd should not be fed the same milk. This is because these breeds have different nutritional needs. Take a look here to find out more about the diet for a prematurely weaned puppy.

From 3 to 4 weeks old, when it comes to feeding a German Shepherd puppy, we should start by letting them taste new foods and flavors. At this stage, the German Shepherd puppy's diet plan requires them to eat a special wet food for puppies. At around 6 to 8 weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy should be given a little dry dog food with water, or unseasoned chicken stock between nursing sessions.

From their eighth week onward, a German Shepherd should be weaned and start feeding on solid food with a special puppy feed. The best dog food for a German Shepherd puppy is breed specific, but this may not be available everywhere.

In these cases, your veterinarian can create a proper food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. A professional will take into consideration a puppy’s feeding pattern, size and health status. At this stage, milk must be removed from the puppy's diet as it could cause diarrhea. 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 your dog has diarrhea.

In addition, it is vital that puppies have constant access to clean fresh water.

At two months of age, you can start to slowly decrease the moistening of your German Shepherd's dry food. Eventually, the puppy will be used to eating the food completely dry. The best dog food for a German Shepherd puppy is from a brand that has the right nutrition and quality. Speak to your veterinarian if you need a recommendation.

Following the German Shepherd puppy food chart, from 2 until 4 months old, a puppy will eat 4 or 5 times a day. This has to be carried out with one very important addition: discipline. A puppy needs to learn that it will not be fed constantly throughout the day, but at specific times. This is part of a puppy’s socialization and early education.

We start of by placing a bowl of food down for 10 minutes, this should give the puppy enough time to finish its meal. After 10 minutes, we suggest taking the bowl of food away, even if your puppy hasn't finished eating.

A puppy's food bowl must only be available to the dog for 10 minutes. This 10 minutes should be enough time for the puppy to eat all of its provided food. As already mentioned, after 10 minutes, you should take the food bowl away, even if the puppy hasn't finished eating. This pattern will introduce the puppy's food schedule and allow it an opportunity to become accustomed to particular feeding times.

Accepting and adapting to a diet plan is very important for a puppy's intellectual development. It also facilitates more complex and demanding training sessions. Food for German shepherd puppies should be higher in calories, fats, proteins and calcium than adult German Shepherd dog food. This is because puppies are still growing and developing and therefore need better nutrition.

Between 4 and 6 months of age, the number of meals (which we have detailed in our German Shepherd puppy food chart) should be reduced to 3 a day. The food quantity should be increased and an extra margin of 2 minutes to eat should be provided. The packaging of quality commercial dog food will detail the appropriate suggested amount of food for the puppy, depending on its age and weight. If you have any doubts, consult your veterinarian.

You should eventually start mixing fresh food, such as meat, fish or vegetables, with the commercial dry feed. Beware of forbidden foods for dogs. Some people ask about a raw diet for a German shepherd puppy, but we recommend these such foods should always be cooked and never given to a dog raw. Avoid chicken, rabbit and fish bones, as they can shatter and harm a dog’s teeth.

Even the best wet food for a German Shepherd should be given in moderation because it can cause the development of plaque and cause the dog’s feces to smell when given in excess. Meanwhile, treats for dogs should only be used as positive reinforcement during their training and learning period, never as a food supplement.

Under no circumstances should you give your German Shepherd, or any dog, human food leftovers. Human food contains salt, sugar and seasoning contents which are very harmful to a dog's health. In addition, if you do offer your dog your food, it will pester you during meals^[1]. For more, take a look at some of the harmful effects of treating a dog like a human.

When your German Shepherd puppy reaches 6 months of age, its daily food intake should be reduced to twice a day. When we do this we can increase the food portions and eating time accordingly. A vet can provide you with a correct and tailored diet and/or food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. Our German Shepherd diet chart below should be taken into account depending on the age, lifestyle and size of your German Shepherd puppy.

After 6 months, you should give your German Shepherd puppy shatterproof bones, such as beef, to gnaw on. This should be done in order to strengthen the puppy’s teeth and gums.

If you want to choose the best dog food for your German Shepherd puppy, you will need to choose a quality product. Use the link below to purchase a quality feed:

Your puppy's food and drink containers should always be clean. Hygiene is very important in order to prevent the appearance of insects. If there are insects in your dog’s water, it could cause your German Shepherd puppy to suffer from intestinal parasites.

If you notice that your puppy has not eaten for three consecutive meals, consult your veterinarian immediately. This lack of appetite in a puppy could be caused by bowel obstruction and stomach pain; due to the ingestion of toxic food etc. Don't forget that puppies are very sensitive and fragile and if you ignoring any symptoms of disease, it can result in severe issues or even puppy fatality.

If you want to read similar articles to The Best Dog Food for a German Shepherd Puppy, we recommend you visit our Healthy diets category.