On average, the height of wolves ranges from 26 inches to 32 inches while German Shepherds range from 22 inches to 26 inches. If your German Shepherd loses weight by a normal number, you can still rest easy because you can fatten them back. Is your German Shepherd Skinny? Seniors, adults, and puppies all have various nutritional concerns. The seven choices listed above should be taken as seven semi-random examples because that is what they are. Providing a balanced diet with a good amount of protein and fat can help German Shepherds to gain weight. 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. If they still refuse the food, you may need to switch to a different dog food formula to gain weight. Weigh your dog weekly to keep an eye on their weight changes and how your new routine is working. 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. This can be a quick and easy way for you to sneak some extra calories into your dog and help it put weight on. Change to Puppy or High-Performance Food. If this does not help them gain weight, you may need to give them more food, adding a quarter to half a cup per meal. The Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food is our top recommendation for German Shepherds seeking to gain weight. Mixing adult and puppy food helps your dog gain weight in a controlled manner. They suit very active households as they need a lot of exercise every day. Nutrition is critical in keeping them slim and free of diet related conditions like obesity and heart disease. I make sure to feed him a high quality, nutritious diet that helps him stay healthy and maintain his weight. This is a proven, balanced design which makes this particular recipe a top option for growing Shepherd puppies. This means that they burn a lot of calories and fat, meaning that they can get very skinny despite feeding them the right amount of nutrition. Learn More. An obese German Shepherd may have an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis and other joint maladies because the excess weight puts more strain on their joints, bone structure, and back . To put weight in, increase the calories in, to lose weight, increase the calories out. Minimum cost (per month) 105. You can also try adding an extra meal if you find your dog is not eating enough. If your German Shepherd weighs 100 pounds, they are on the border of obesity. Look for healthy treats and keep them to around ten percent of your dogs daily calories. If your home treatments dont work, then visit a vet immediately as your vet may need to run some tests to see if a disease or medical problem is the cause of your dog not gaining weight and being underweight. This is called free feeding. If required, your pet will be vaccinated and undergo an extensive physical examination and tests to follow any concerns. Warning: Dont buy dog foods that are made of filler ingredients. One is due to poor nutrition. Keep your puppy on a puppy-formulated food until theyve reached 80% of their adult weight. In one place, Contact us: contact@clubgermanshepherd.com, 5 things to know before getting a female German Shepherd, Is your German Shepherd Skinny? Recommended Reading: How To Keep German Shepherd Busy. My German Shepherd is Finally Gaining Weight! Fairly priced and highly recommended. If you want to make your puppy weigh more, then you can increase the amount of food. Offer an Extra Meal to Their Normal . Theyre also healthy and natural. Catherine Krasavin owns Shepherd Sense, a dog website aimed at German Shepherd owners and lovers. Slow and steady weight loss is key! Puppies will have different nutritional needs depending upon their size. If you are concerned about your Shepherd being underweight, it may be worthwhile consulting your vet if the above tips are not working for you. Keep in mind that puppies can take up to 2 years before they finish putting on weight and building muscle. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 17% fat and 43% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%. This type of dog food went through a minimal process, so it is really good for German Sheperds. While a multivitamin alone wont help an underweight German Shepherd with weight gain alone, you should include it to ensure their nutritional needs are getting met. Boosting their diet with fat and fiber will help your dogs digestion along with weight gain. Adult German Shepherd Feed Chart. German Shepherd is a large breed and grows very quickly from newborn to adult puppy. Here are some tips which will help you to make your German shepherd puppy gain weight: Start with a small amount of food: If you have a puppy who weighs less than 20 pounds, then he will need a smaller portion of food. Consider getting food specifically designed for your dog's breed. Medium. 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. If your German Shepherd eats normally but isnt gaining weight, you may need to switch to different food. . So if your German Shepherd needs to gain some weight, olive oil is an easy and effective way to help them. If you're not sure whether your dog has mouth problems there are some common signs. But, we wanted to let you know that we are an affiliate for the products and services on this website. Dont Miss: German Shepherd Puppies Boise Idaho, Read Also: Can German Shepherds Eat Bananas. Following this obsessively, and constantly weighing your GSD isn't necessary. Homemade dog food provides unsurpassed nutrition. 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. Just puppy food may cause an adult dog to gain too much weight too fast. It is always advised to pick high-quality foods and high-quality meats. Vitamin E is beneficial for the development of your puppys muscles and a healthy heart and liver. You can look here to see what you should and should not be feeding your German Shepherd. CAFR can be responsible for a multitude of skin allergy issues like atopic dermatitis. 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. This additional meal will store in your dogs body and converted into muscles and fat to make him more weigher than before. If your German Shepherd is underweight for their age, there may be a serious medical reason. A well-balanced, nutritionally complete diet is important to ensure that your German Shepherd gets all the nutrients they need. 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). If your dog seems to be eating normally, but theyre still underweight and not gaining anything, theres usually one of two things happening: you arent feeding them enough, or theres an underlying issue not letting them gain weight. They may follow you around rather than eat when you offer their food bowl this may be especially true of Shepherds since they tend to get fixated on their caretaker. 12 weeks old: 1 to 2 cups of food spread over 4 meals daily. B vitamins are natural appetite stimulants and are Begin a schedule of weekly weigh-ins to keep track of your German Shepherds weight when looking to bulk-up your dogs body. Are you worried that your German Shepherd is thin and underweight and want to know how to bulk up a German Shepherd for safe weight-gain? A study published in BMC Veterinary Research Journal found that German Shepherds are at a high risk of developing cutaneous adverse food reactions 1, or in simpler terms, dog food allergies. If your dogs decreased appetite is a behavior problem caused by pickiness or discomfort with mealtime, rather than the result of a medical condition, there are a number of things you can do to encourage your pet to eat. A sudden change in your German shepherd's environment, such as remodeling the house, moving to a new location, or even bringing a new baby into the family home, can cause stress and anxiety, which can decrease their appetites. Your German Shepherds health, as well as your dogs specific breed history, contributes to their overall life span. Reasons for excessive weight gain in German Shepherd dogs. 2. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. The average German Shepherd puppy needs up to 2,000 calories a day, but it will vary from puppy to puppy, so you should keep an eye on how your puppy is growing. But dogs with certain kidney problems shouldnt eat a high protein diet which is why its best to check with your vet first. Do you want to know how to fatten up a German Shepherd to make them gain weight in a healthy way? Mouth Problems. Take your dog for a walk before mealtime. who can free feed tend to gain more weight than dogs fed on a schedule. It's step by step and can pretty much give you a solution for anything, or at least set you in the. Lean meats with no higher than 8% fat are ideal. Keeping muscle mass is important to prevent wasting and help maintain their health and mobility, as well as their athletic appearance. Here are some of the best top-rated German Shepherd puppy foods. The cause of it being skinny could be that it has not been getting the right diet. 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. The female German Shepherds are slightly shorter and smaller than the male GSD. Before you do, take time to note when the weight loss started or any other symptoms such as hair loss or diarrhea, or a sudden increase in thirst. In this article, we will touch on the . In these cases, your veterinarian can create a proper food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. On the other hand, females are considered fully grown at 2-3 years old, weighing approximately 57 to 70 pounds. On the other hand, it could be the case that it has been eating the wrong foods. Compare German Shepherd health insurance options before its too late. Dull, Lifeless Coat A dull lifeless coat is also another sign of an underweight german shepherd. To fatten up your German Shepherd, this type of dog food which is available in a variety of flavors can help. To help them gain weight, give them food with a high amount of calories. How to Make Your German Shepherd Gain Weight, https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/2_5/features/Nutrient-Levels-in-Dog-Food_5206-1.html, https://www.k9ofmine.com/best-dog-food-for-weight-gain/, https://www.vetinfo.com/how-to-make-your-dog-gain-weight.html, http://dogtime.com/dog-health/dog-dental-care/1132-choosing-dog-treats-aaha, http://www.akc.org/content/health/articles/human-foods-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/, http://itsdogornothing.com/help-dog-gain-weight/, https://www.petcarerx.com/article/healthy-eating-for-a-german-shepherd/506. Slowly increase the amount of new food each day until they are eating nothing but that. Some of the herbs used to increase human appetite are also safe for use in dogs. If The 8 Best Foods for a German Shepherd to Gain Weight 1. Adult dogs should get 20 to 25% of their daily calories from protein, 25-50% from fats, and the rest from carbohydrates. If you treat it from the root, it is 100% sure that you will solve it. Whole food ingredients are more readily bioavailable, and more flavorful. In the end, Royal Canin ranks at the top of the top diets to feed German Shepherd puppies. A grain-free, protein-rich formula available in over a dozen flavors and recipes which makes Wilderness ideal for those who appreciate the benefits of diet rotation. On the other hand, commercial dog foods which are semi-moist do tend to have some chemical additives, preservatives, and artificial colors. Keep your puppy on a puppy-formulated food until they've reached 80% of their adult weight. This size can also vary depending on the type of German shepherd (working line vs show line). Shepherd gain weight. Choose Foods with a Higher Protein and Fat Content. From their eighth week onward, a German Shepherd should be weaned and start feeding on solid food with a special puppy feed. Sometimes your dog will refuse the food. Sample buyer reviewMy dog loves this food! You May Like: What Can German Shepherds Eat. Nutrition can directly affect their level of activity, mobility and conditions like arthritis. If you are someone who likes hiking or doing other . German Shepherd puppies require at least 500 calories per day.. As they gain weight, the amount gradually increases. Its safe to give your dog small amounts of cooked chicken or turkey mixed with steamed sliced carrots, unflavored Greek yogurt, or canned plain pumpkin every day in addition to their normal food. Before you do, take time to note when the weight loss started or any other symptoms such as hair loss or diarrhea, or a sudden increase in thirst. She owns a plush coat German Shepherd who was awarded Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Gold Award - the highest level of achievement. Unfortunately, this range only gives you a guide for how heavy your German Shepherd should be. With strategy two, you may reduce this to 80 calories but add a third meal later in the day resulting in 240 calories total. The best thing to do in this situation is to bring your dog to the vet. If they lose weight rapidly, they might be suffering from worms or parasites. This helps you to decide if your weight gain plan is working or if you need to adjust your plan. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Read Also: What Age Do German Shepherds Die. But, just keeping your dog company while they eat may stimulate their appetite. 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