my german shepherd needs to gain weight

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall and weigh around 50 to 70lbs. You could even ask your veterinarian how you can keep track of your canines progress. Slowly increase the amount of new food each day until they are eating nothing but that. Of course, the large amount of water aids the successful digestion of the nutrients. If your German Shepherd is underweight for their age, there may be a serious medical reason. Your German Shepherd may start experiencing some health complications if you don't do anything about their excessive weight, and that's why you should know the acceptable weight limit for the dog. These items listed are all good foods for a German Shepherds diet when mixed in the appropriate amounts in a premium dry kibble. The body uses protein to make muscle and repair bodily tissues, and this means that it is intimately tied to growth and development. At about a month, German Shepherd puppies will weigh 4.5-9 lbs. Keep your puppy on a puppy-formulated food until they've reached 80% of their adult weight. to an underweight dog. This is anywhere from 8 months to a year or longer. Balance work is a wonderful addition to a German Shepherd's daily routine to help your dog improve their minds while exercising. Thus, you should use high-fat dog food until the desired weight gain is achieved. 8. If your dog is eating well and still needs to gain weight, switching their food, adding treats to their diet, and/or giving them more to eat may help. 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. Catherine Krasavin owns Shepherd Sense, a dog website aimed at German Shepherd owners and lovers. Plus, dry kibble is easy to digest, so your dog will be able to absorb all of the nutrients it needs. These posts will help you become aware of your dogs health problems and how to help solve or improve them. To put weight in, increase the calories in, to lose weight, increase the calories out. Despite being a wonderful dog, German Shepherds are notorious for developing food allergies and/or food hypersensitivities. While less common than being overweight, an underweight German Shepherd could be even more at risk. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. 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? Bring a book or do a quiet activity while they eat close to you. to half a cup of extra food per meal. A full-grown female German Shepherd is between 20 and 22 inches tall and 50 to 75 pounds heavy. Compared to a wet canned dog food which is almost 80% water, this one has around 65%. When choosing the best food to feed a German Shepherd, look for the following ingredients in your selection. Here are even more ideas to improve your German Shepherds skin and coat that are healthy and may add additional calories for weight gain. Be sure to check that the foods are dog-safe and avoid anything youre unsure of. More about puppy weight gain. He needs only 3-4 cups of dry food per day. The urine and blood tests will give your veterinarian the scoop about your pets kidney and liver health as well as thyroid hormone levels and many more. Shepherds is caused by a lack of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in the diet. They suit very active households as they need a lot of exercise every day. Orijen Puppy Large is a great option for puppies and small dogs. You can also try adding an extra meal if you find your dog is not eating enough. bored. If you're not feeding your pooch enough, it will eventually get skinny. Boosting their diet with fat and fiber will help your dogs digestion along with weight gain. Dont use intense exercises when your Shepherd is losing weight, as this can make matters worse! If required, your pet will be vaccinated and undergo an extensive physical examination and tests to follow any concerns. Create a journal and keep track of their meals, treats, exercise, and weight changes. Diet- My German Shepherd's diet is one of the reasons he is small. German Shepherds were originally bred for herding and are now often used as working dogs for the police and armed forces. Adding these foods into their regular kibble may also entice them to eat more of their dry dog food, which can help an underweight puppy or adult. Another way to tell if your pup still has a lot of growing to do is their paw size. Dont worry if your puppy is slightly behind or ahead just be sure to take your pet to regular vet appointments to ensure they are healthy and happy! Doggy Must Haves Overweight Breed Informational Pages Is My Bulldog Overweight Or Obese? An adult German Shepherd with an active lifestyle needs around 1700 calories each day. Puppies can be hungry often because they are growing, so feed them small meals. If you dont want to try the wet dog food option, the next best thing to make their regular meals more palatable and tasty is to add plain meat broth. 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. Recommended Reading: My German Shepherd Is Shedding Like Crazy. 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. Additionally, antioxidants ensure that the immune system is up and running. On the other hand, the only downside of this is that it may not be easy to chew for senior German Shepherds. You can get a GSD specific dog food on Amazon here and one for GSD puppies on Chewy here. Dont Miss: How To Get A German Shepherds Ears Up. In addition, it is vital that puppies have constant access to clean fresh water. After that, you should switch back to something in the range of 12-15% fat. Make mealtime fun, such as letting her play with a food dispenser or rewarding your dog with food for doing a trick. Dogs lose weight due to malnourishment, illnesses like diabetes, stress, or old age. Consulting with a nutritionist or veterinarian can help you determine the calorie requirements for your dog. follow these tips and keep track of your German Shepherd's body mass to make your German Shepherd gain weight in a HEALTHY WAY. For an underweight dog, you should switch to a high-fat, high-protein diet. follow these tips and keep track of your German Shepherds body mass to make your German Shepherd gain weight in a HEALTHY WAY. Good German Shepherd Diet For Weight Gain. "More knowledge of what I can feed a puppy. The reason why your German Shepherd is skinny could be that it is in its genes. You can look here to see what you should and should not be feeding your German Shepherd. Your dog may be underweight if they have a drastic curve from their chest to their back legs, or if you can see their rib cage showing through their skin. German Shepherds weigh anywhere between 66 to 88 pounds for males and between 49 to 71 pounds for females. Orijen Puppy Large derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken. You need to make sure they get enough food for their age and energy needs. 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. The German Shepherd is one of the most energetic and active dog breeds there is. Start by feeding them the same amount spread out over more meals. 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. A German Shepherd is sexually dimorphic. Some dogs simply dont like to eat alone. So, you have to put your eye on that and buy wisely. Start by mixing the higher fat food with your dog's regular food. German Shepherd is a large breed and grows very quickly from newborn to adult puppy. 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. Begin a schedule of weekly weigh-ins to keep track of your German Shepherds weight when looking to bulk-up your dogs body. As puppies, theyre expected to gain weight at the following rates: These guidelines are useful because they provide a measurable basis for any German Shepherds health. First, however, youll need a set of guidelines to follow. You should first check with your vet for possible medical issues. This 10-day difference in the average length of German Shepherd gestation may vary depending on the number of puppies and the size of the . Also Check: Is My German Shepherd Part Wolf. Fresh whole foods lightly prepared provide the best nutrition for both humans and dogs alike. 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. You can buy canned sweet potato and canned pumpkin from your local grocery store. meals, then try mixing in some dry food with their wet food to help stimulate If youre feeding your senior Shepherd adult food, you may consider changing to a more age-appropriate food with the correct nutrition made specifically for senior dogs. ; females weigh less, and males will be at the top of the range. Most males will be between 66 and 88 pounds, whereas most females will be between 49 and 71 pounds. Look for foods that have a higher percentage of fat and protein than your current food. According to the AKC, the average German Shepherd male is 24 - 26 inches tall and weighs between 65 and 90lbs. This size can also vary depending on the type of German shepherd (working line vs show line). If you're a German Shepherd owner, you'll know that these dogs can run for miles without even getting tired. Make sure to keep an eye on your dog the first few days you put these additions in their diet to make sure their bowel movements arent irregular. If your German Shepherd loses weight by a normal number, you can still rest easy because you can fatten them back. If you want to save your shoulder, try a dog ball launcher with your German Shepherd. CAFR can be responsible for a multitude of skin allergy issues like atopic dermatitis. We are looking for food that will help a German Shepherd to gain weight. If your dogs loss of appetite is caused by illness, the vet may recommend a prescription diet to meet your pets nutritional needs while the underlying disease is being addressed. 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. When your shepherd is underweight, however, adding more fat to his diet is a good idea. Sample buyer reviewI have a 3 year old husky and ever since she was a puppy i had her on blue wilderness. It has 150 calories per ounce, and 86% of those calories are made up of healthy fats. German Shepherds need 1272 to 1550 calories daily, while the active ones need even more. On the other hand, females are considered fully grown at 2-3 years old, weighing approximately 57 to 70 pounds. Increase the amount of food in each meal by small increments. Keep your puppy on a puppy-formulated food until theyve reached 80% of their adult weight. My German Shepherd is Finally Gaining Weight! For a healthy diet, your German Shepherd needs more calories than a Maltese. German Shepherds, like other dogs, have a 63-day gestational period. I make sure to feed him a high quality, nutritious diet that helps him stay healthy and maintain his weight. You can set some goals on how many more pounds you want your German Shepherd to gain. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. There are a few ways to gauge how much bigger a German Shepherd will get. Compare German Shepherd health insurance options before its too late. This is a classic adolescent feature of a dog, and means your pup is likely still growing! 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. A super-popular, grain-free brand and a healthy, all life stages option for any German shepherd. 8. A German Shepherd puppy has different dietary requirements to that of an adult dog, as they are growing at a considerable rate. The best dog food for a German Shepherd puppy is breed specific, but this may not be available everywhere. cup at a time is usually sufficient. But if you see their ribs protruding or their hip bones raised and easily felt when petting, this is a sign of being underweight. Answering The Question Why Is My German Shepherd So Skinny. It contains 32% protein from herring meal, so your pet will have lots of energy and the building blocks for powerful muscles. On average, small dogs take 9 months to reach their adult weight. If you want to make your puppy weigh more, then you can increase the amount of food. Keep the treats handy and offer them to help get extra calories into your dog. "I love wikiHow. As long as your dog finishes the food you give them, you dont have to worry about giving them too much. He is energetic, has a gorgeous coat, and devours his meals! Dont let your dog stay too skinny any longeruse these helpful tips to get your dog to its athletic ideal weight. You May Like: Why Do German Shepherds Scratch So Much. GREAT NEWS!!! Different dogs and different circumstances will respond better to different strategies so try your german shepherd with . By using our site, you agree to our, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Make-Your-German-Shepherd-Gain-Weight-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Your-German-Shepherd-Gain-Weight-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Make-Your-German-Shepherd-Gain-Weight-Step-1.jpg\/aid9243574-v4-728px-Make-Your-German-Shepherd-Gain-Weight-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"