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How Much Should You Feed a German Shepherd? Vet-Approved Feeding Chart

Ashley Bates

By Ashley Bates

german shepherd lying near food bowl

Vet approved

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Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Karyn Kanowski

BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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German Shepherds are large, active dogs that require a decent helping of food at every life stage. If this is your first time owning a Shepherd, you might want to make sure you’re doing everything right.

After all, trying to figure out the precise measurements required for the food they should consume can get a little complicated. In this article, we will explore how much a German Shepherd should eat based on age, weight, and overall health.

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Example Feeding Chart for German Shepherds

Age Type of Food Cups per Day Meals per Day
Newborn–3 weeks Mother’s milk N/A Ad lib/every 2 hours
3–6 weeks Puppy mush/mother’s milk N/A Ad lib/ every 3-4 hours
6–8 weeks Puppy mush/mother’s milk N/A 4 or 5 times
8–10 weeks Puppy food/Mush 1 ½ to 2 cup 3–5
10–12 weeks Puppy food/ Mush 2 cups 3–4
3–6 months Puppy food 2–4 cups 3
6–10 months Puppy food/Adult chow 3–5 cups 3
10 –18 months Adult food 4–5 cups 2–3
18 months + Adult food 3-4 cups 2–3

This is an example of a feeding guide for different life stages of the German Shepherd. This will depend on the type and brand of food you use, but it shows how their needs gradually increase as they grow, but reduce once they have finished their most active growth stage.

You can also complement this guide by using our dog food calculator here:

The exact amount of calories an individual animal needs to maintain a healthy weight is variable and influenced by many factors including genetics, age, breed, and activity level. This tool is meant to be used only as a guideline for healthy individuals and does not substitute veterinary advice 

Why Life Stage Is Important

Life stage is incredibly important when determining how much food to feed your German Shepherd. For example, younger dogs will need a higher-calorie diet with lots of essential fats and proteins to keep their bodies healthy.

Each food will have information regarding the life stage it is appropriate for. If you plan to go the fresh food route, these usually don’t have life stage limitations because they are crafted for every age. However, unless it explicitly states otherwise, most commercial foods are for a certain age group of dogs.

Puppies

Puppies require several different building blocks as they reach maturity. Protein and calcium are two of the most important ingredients in a puppy food, with bone and muscle growth and development at their peak.

Puppies also require fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Your GSD will stop growing around 18 months, so you can switch to an adult formula at this time.

puppy German Shepherd eating_Sidorov_ruslan_shutterstock
Image Credit: Sidorov ruslan, Shutterstock

Adults

In most cases, your adult German Shepherd should require roughly the same amount of food from the time they are 18 months old, until they reach 7-8 years of age, but careful attention must be paid to their health and body condition to ensure that they are consuming the right amount of calories for their lifestyle. A working or highly active German Shepherd may require twice the amount of food as one that leads a more relaxed life.

Sometimes, adults will need a specialized diet based on any sensitivities or recommendations made by your veterinarian. For example, some dogs might need to go on a weight loss plan. Others might have to have their diet tweaked due to allergies.

Seniors

A senior might require a specialized diet based on their health. Some seniors might require a high-calorie diet, while others will need a reduction in calories and fat. It will greatly depend on the individual Shepherd.

Also, certain health conditions can crop up in the breed that may eventually require dietary modifications. Some ingredients to look for in a well-made senior dog food include DHA, glucosamine, and chondroitin, which help maintain healthy joints.

Large Breed Dog Body Condition Score
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The 4 Factors That Influence Weight

As your Shepherd ages, it will no doubt impress you how quickly they develop. These dogs are large, weighing sometimes over 100 pounds as adults, so they must have the right building blocks to create a healthy, sound body.

1. Poor Diet

You may notice slow or stunted growth if your dog has a poor diet. Puppies have a long list of essential nutrients to stay healthy and grow well. If you skip out on these vital nutrients, it can cause the puppy to have developmental problems and long term health impacts.


2. Genetics

Genetics play a huge factor when it comes to ultimate portioning because it is dependent on weight and metabolism. Some German Shepherds might be extremely large, weighing over 100 pounds. Others will be smaller framed and weigh on the lower end of the scale, topping out at roughly 60 pounds. And just like with humans, two individuals can have vastly different metabolisms, so it is important to adjust your dog’s diet accordingly.

So even though you can get recommendations for a certain breed, you should always feed for your individual dog’s weight and activity level, and you should always make every diet decision with your veterinarian.

German Shepherd Eating
Image Credit: Monika Wisniewska, Shutterstock

3. Health

Your dog might need more or less food depending on their overall health. For example, if your dog has diabetes, they might need a specialized diet with limited portion control.

On the other hand, if your dog is having developmental or growth-related problems, you may need to get on a high-calorie, protein-rich diet instead.


4. Lack of Portion Control

If you are not properly portioning your dog’s meals, it could lead to unnecessary weight gain. Some people choose to free-feed their dogs, but what does this mean? Free feeding is the method of leaving the food bowl completely full, allowing your dog to have access whenever they want.

The problem with this method of feeding is that dogs tend to eat more than they actually need, and it makes toilet training and a toileting routine more difficult to predict and stick to. If your dog is a slow eater, you can leave their food down, but it is important to still measure out their allowance rather than just fill the bowl.

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Specialized or Prescription Diets

If your adult dog has certain health conditions, the frequency and amount of dog food per feeding can vary. If your dog is diagnosed with a health condition that affects the diet, your vet will go over the exact plan necessary to help your dog’s health improve.

Several health factors can influence the way that you feed your German Shepherd. So, keep in consideration that this article was designed to give you a brief overview of how much to feed your dog as an easily accessible guide.

Get actual measurements and recommendations based on the type of food you choose for your dog and any other dietary advice from your vet.

german shepherd dog licking his nose
Image Credit: Rita_Kochmarjova, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

German Shepherds are an active, athletic breed that require generous amounts of high quality protein from weaning, to support their rapid growth and active minds. From birth to adulthood, they require a protein-rich, high-quality diet that will nourish their bodies whether they are growing, sustaining, or waning in age.

With the proper portion control and recipe, you can ensure your German Shepherd lives a long, happy, and healthy life.

 

Featured Image Credit: Snezhana_G, Shutterstock

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