Just like all dogs out there, German Shepherds require a balanced diet with specific nutritional guidelines to lead a healthy life. One of the most common questions that German Shepherd owners ask is: How much should I feed my German Shepherd?
Adult German Shepherds should consume between 1,272 and 2,100 calories per day, depending on their age, sex, weight and how active the dog is. A healthy grown German Shepherd can weigh between 50-90 lbs, this equates to about 3 ¼ – 5 ¼ cups of food daily.
In this article, we’ll discuss the appropriate feeding portions and schedules for German Shepherds throughout the different stages of their lives.
Nutritional Requirements Of German Shepherd Dogs
Every dog breed has its unique dietary needs and German Shepherds are no exception. The following is a simple break down of the most important considerations you should take into account when it comes to your pet’s nutritional requirements:
Content Is Key
- Water – German Shepherds are highly active dogs, so they tend to lose a lot of water rather quickly. Make sure your dog has access to plenty of water at all times.
- Proteins – these are responsible for building and repairing muscles, forming new skin cells, as well as growing hair.
- Fats – sourced from meats and oils (such as olive oil, fish oil, sunflower oil, and canola oil), fats are necessary for normal development and functioning of cells, nerves, muscles, and other body tissues.
- Carbohydrates – the main source of energy for all dogs, carbs are essential for the functioning of vital organs of the body.
- Vitamins – these promote a shiny skin/coat, strengthen teeth and bones, and are involved in hundreds of metabolic functions.
- Minerals – take part in a lot of processes including the formation of bone and cartilage, workings of nerves and muscles, and producing hormones.
Size Matters
German Shepherds Dogs (GSDs) can reach a height of up to 26 inches in males and 24 inches in females. Males typically weigh between 65 and 90 pounds, while females weigh around 50 to 70 pounds.
This deems German Shepherds pretty large dogs. As a result, they’re going to have a big appetite that requires various nutrients to satisfy.
Age
German Shepherds grow fast, and as they get bigger, their nutritional requirements will naturally change.
For example, a puppy’s diet should include more protein and calcium content than an adult dog. Puppies also need to feed more frequently as they’re still growing.
Activity
The level of physical activity that your dog demonstrates affects how much food they should eat.
In general, German Shepherds are very active, agile, muscular. These qualities translate into more food demand and a high caloric need.
Health Status
The health status of your dog will also affect the quality and quantity of food they should consume. German Shepherds are prone to several illnesses, so you need to have a good understanding of such health issues and how to prevent them through a healthy diet.
Caloric Intake
As we mentioned above, German Shepherds typically fall somewhere between 50 and 90 pounds.
According to the National Research Council of the National Academics, active dogs within this weight range need between 1,740 and 2,100 calories per day, while inactive or older dogs should consume between 1,272 and 1,540 calories per day.
If you own a high-energy German Shepherd, then you should feed them according to the caloric requirement of active dogs.
But, if your dog has arthritis or a genetic condition (such as hip dysplasia) that forces them to be less active, then a lower-calorie diet would be a better approach. This will help control their weight and avoid adding pressure on damaged joints.
General Dog Food Measurements
| Dog Weight | Food Quantity |
|---|---|
10 – 30 pounds | 1 ¼ – 2 ¼ cups daily |
30 – 50 pounds | 2 ¼ – 3 ¼ cups daily |
50 – 80 pounds | 3 ¼ – 4 ¼ cups daily |
80 – 100 pounds | 4 ¼ – 5 ¼ cups daily |
More than 100 pounds | 5 cups + ½ extra cup for every 10 – 20 pounds additional weight |
How Much Should I Feed My German Shepherd Puppy?
Feeding your German Shepherd puppy depends on its weight and activity level. But as a rule of thumb, you should plan meals for your puppy about 3 or 4 times per day.
If you own an older puppy, you can feed them fewer times a day, however, be sure to keep their caloric intake in line with the recommended amounts.
Puppies require double or triple the number of calories that an adult dog does. This is because German Shepherd puppies grow extremely fast, so they need to consume calories accordingly.
To determine the amount of food you should give your German Shepherd, consider their weight first. Then, take a look at the general dog food measurement table to get an estimation of the suitable serving size.
If you’re having trouble figuring out the weight of your puppy, the following chart can be helpful:
| Age | Weight |
|---|---|
2 – 3 months | 11 – 30 pounds |
3 – 4 months | 17 – 40 pounds |
4 – 5 months | 31 – 49 pounds |
5 – 6 months | 35 – 57 pounds |
Between the ages of 6 months to 1 year, the growth rate of your German Shepherd will significantly slow down, eliminating the need for extra calories that support rapid growth.
In this case, you can lower the feeding frequency of your dog to 2 or 3 meals each day.
How Much Should I Feed My Adult German Shepherd Dog?
Now that your German Shepherd is out of the puppy stage, they’re ready for a balanced diet as an adult dog. Food for adult dogs will contain various amounts of calcium, protein, fiber, and other nutrients that aren’t present in puppy food.
If you give a puppy recipe to an adult dog, you’ll be putting them at risk of obesity. This can also cause too much stress on kidneys and other critical organs, which could lead to serious consequences.
You should feed your adult German Shepherd proper dog food two times per day. You can schedule feeding sessions to be once per day, but it’s better to split the meal to avoid bloating.
Once again, to determine the quantity of food you should give your adult German Shepherd, you need to check their weight first. Then, use the general dog food measurement chart to get an estimation of the daily serving amount.
How Much Should I Feed My Senior German Shepherd Dog?
Being a large breed dog, your German Shepherd will age faster than most smaller breeds. In this stage, you’ll notice a rapid decline in their general health, energy levels, and joint flexibility.
This is why you need to pay attention to the signs of aging in your dog for the sake of their longevity and happiness. As your German Shepherd transitions into the senior stage, you’ll need to adjust their diet.
Older dogs aren’t very active. They have lower energy requirements and a slower metabolism. This means they won’t need as many calories as before.
Older dogs often have slower digestion, so you may want to consider dog food with higher fiber content to boost gut motility.
After figuring out the new nutritional needs of your senior German Shepherd, use the general dog food measurement table to determine the amount of food based on their weight.
Final Thoughts
As you can tell, there’s no one correct answer here. It depends on several factors including your dog’s age, sex, weight, activity level, and health status. This means that the amount of food you should give your dog varies throughout the different stages of their lives.