my german shepherd needs to gain weight
If your German shepherd loses weight but drinking and urinating excessively, it could be an indication that they are suffering from diabetes. Hello everybody! Switch to puppy food. While less common than being overweight, an underweight German Shepherd could be even more at risk. Oh! Change in Environment. Gradually transition between foods. ", 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. It contains 32% protein from herring meal, so your pet will have lots of energy and the building blocks for powerful muscles.
Puppy food is higher in calories to encourage growth. The German Shepherd dog breed is beautiful and bold. Is it something Im doing wrong? 8. There are different formulas for puppies, mature dogs, and senior dogs; make sure you choose the right one, so they receive all of the nutrients they need. If the hip bones, backbones, bones at the base of the tail or ribs are showing, then the dog is too skinny." 
Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy Food Best for Puppies, 5. A dog thats losing weight needs to go to the vet to see if there is a medical issue causing the weight loss. If the German Shepherd eats as usual but does not gain weight, it may need another meal. When kidney disease reaches this stage, your German shepherd will begin experiencing weight loss and look gaunt. The formula includes higher calcium and phosphorous levels than adult food to ensure the proper growth of bones and the efficient development of joints as a pups body quickly grows. Another common illness that can cause weight loss is diabetes. Hepper is reader-supported. Consider getting food specifically designed for your dogs breed. The downside to Instinct is that it can be challenging to get the dogs to eat it. The best overall food for German Shepherds for 2. The dog food may not contain the right calories your German Shepherd needs to gain weight. It could be due to loss of smell, which in turn decreases the appetite. 
14 Ways Cats Show Their Love, 6 DIY Reptile Enclosures You Can Build Today (With Pictures), Why Chocolate Is Toxic To Dogs (Vet Answer). Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food Best Overall, 2. This formula is an excellent option for expectant and breastfeeding mothers that have a hard time keeping on enough weight to manage their babies. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Alternatively, consider letting your dog free feed by keeping its food bowl filled and out at all times. Look for German Shepherd food with lots of vegetables, lean meat, and a good, complex, high-calorie balance. If your vet gives you the all-clear, try changing your dogs food to encourage it to gain weight. Here Ive reviewed some of the best collars for German Shepherds out there. If your dog isnt eating enough during mealtimes, it may help to leave food out for them all of the time. This will answer how to fatten up a German Shepherd, energetic and healthy. This usually happens after a period where the dog was thirsty all of the time and then has to urinate more frequently because of drinking so much. If you have an adult dog, switch them to a puppy or high-performance dog 3. Omega fats will help with brain and eye development and will also help make your pets coat healthy and shiny. While its normal for older dogs to lose weight, if your German shepherd is losing weight at an abnormally fast rate or they are simply not eating enough, it may be time to take them to a vet. If your dog isnt eating enough during mealtimes, it may help to leave food out for them all of the time. The downside to the Natures Logic brand is that it can cause gas in your dog, and it may also have loose stools. 
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. WebThe right food is one of the first steps in helping your dog gain weight. If you notice your dog constantly begging for table scraps, it may be time to take a step back and re-evaluate what you are feeding them. Crave High Protein Chicken Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food has chicken as its first ingredient and is naturally high in calories without resorting to corn or other low-quality ingredients. The problem is table scraps often dont provide your German shepherd with the same nutrients that their food provides. As well as using high-calorie dog food you could also give your german shepherd food made for puppies. This formula contains Bison and venison roasted as the major protein sources. Illnesses need to be treated before a German shepherd can put the needed weight back on. The Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food is our top recommendation for German Shepherds seeking to gain weight. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. It contains chicken as its first ingredient and provides your dog with a high protein diet (34%). Rachael has been a freelance writer since 2000, in which time she has had an opportunity to research and write about many different topics while working to master the art of fusing high-quality content with effective content marketing strategies. Over time, your dog may have been conditioned only to eat what they can get from humans rather than their own food. They range from tooth problems, making it difficult to chew, to cancer. Choose foods with higher fat content. Not suspecting that a change has been made to their food, most dog owners just continue feeding the same food to their dogs without realizing that the new formula has a lower amount of calories. Some will be too small or too large to show, so they fall outside of the breed standard weight. Even if you have diligently kept up with your German shepherds vaccinations and preventative medications, there are still many types of parasites that can attack your dog. Included are all the vitamins and minerals, in the form of real fruits and vegetables, that a German Shepherd needs to maintain such a large physique. How to Get a 16 Pound Cat to Lose Weight Top Tips! Which Ones? Do not just buy any type of dog food; find one specifically designed for German shepherds or all large breeds because it contains more protein and fat content. Most dogs in the United States and many other countries worldwide are overweight and risk heart disease, diabetes, and hip dysplasia. WebHow to Help a German Shepherd Gain Weight: 3 Methods #1: Change the diet of your GSD. 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). You can also mix some wet food in with the dry food to get them interested in their kibble. What to Know! Their hip bones and ribs may protrude because they are malnourished, and you can feel their spine when you pet them. Made with nutritionally dense ingredients, Dr. Garys Best Breed Holistic German food is just for large breed dogs like the German Shepherd. 
Choose Foods with a Higher Protein and Fat Content. Dogs like predictability. At the end of the day, keeping your GSD at a healthy weight will { German shepherds usually have the problem of gaining too much weight. Your German Shepherd needs a constant source of protein and fat as well as carbohydrates to get the right balance between energy in and energy out. If your dog is a puppy, they should only be fed puppy food. The key is doing this gradually with several small meals a day. I hope you found it helpful and useful as you raise and train your German Shepherd.
Another great choice is our pick as the best value. Try a mix of half your dogs regular food and half puppy food to help them gain weight. 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. Heres the house I recommend for German Shepherds. Oh Wow! These are just an estimation of the GSDs average weight which means that theres room for some variation. This formula contains Bison and venison roasted as the major protein sources. German Shepherd Dogs large dogs and their weight is justified by their height, which at the shoulder is about 24 to 26 inches for males and 22 to 24 inches for females. You can adjust this number depending on their activity level and size. Not all dog food is created equal. Most of the food on our list is dry kibble, but there are wet food options as well. It also has omega fats and plenty of vitamins and minerals that will help keep your pet healthy. Puppies that are struggling to gain weight may need additional nutritional supplements, or they could have worms. "@type": "FAQPage", When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. 
This is why puppy food has much higher protein levels than for adult dogs. She is an artist at heart and loves to read, paint, and make jewelry in her spare time. The downside to Earthborn Holistic is that it has a bad smell, especially if your dog likes licking your face, and some of our dogs didnt like it. German shepherds are prone to a specific kind of pancreatitis called malabsorption syndrome or pancreatic enzyme insufficiency. If youre struggling to get your dog to eat enough to gain weight, add an extra mealtime to its daily routine. Whatever the reason, your dog is malnourished and needs to fatten up. The most effective diet for German Shepherds that will aid in weight growth includes Taste of the Wild Prairie grain-free dog food. See my recommendation for the best dog bowl for German Shepherds here. The quality of the nutrients is just as important as the calories that are necessary for weight gain. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. This means that the dog cannot digest its food properly since the pancreas is malfunctioning. Several medical conditions can cause your dog to be underweight, so its important to rule them out first. Worms or Parasites. }, Ed Malaker. The longer a dog is on one food, the more their digestive system responds to it so that all of the nutrients and ingredients are broken down and absorbed easily.