Now when you finally have a German Shepherd puppy, or you plan to get one very soon, you may wonder “what actually they are eating and which food is safe for them?”. If you have ever visited any pet store, you will find hundreds of different dog food types, but which one should your German Shepherd puppy eat, and should you give this food to your puppy at the beginning?
This is a very important step in becoming a dog owner, do understand how you should feed properly your dog. Many new dog owners don’t understand what consequences can your German Shepherd puppy have if he doesn’t have the right diet.
That’s the exact reason why we have decided to write this article, to help you to better understand the needs of your GSD puppy.
In this article, we will talk about which food should your German Shepherd puppy eat, how many cups are enough, what he can eat, what he can’t eat, and many other topics.
So let’s dive into this topic, and learn more about the mysterious diet world of German Shepherd puppies.
How much food is enough to feed a German Shepherd puppy?
By feeding your German Shepherd puppy with the right food and right amount, you will help him to perfectly develop his body and grow into a healthy, good-looking German Shepherd dog.
We all know how German Shepherd puppies can fast and easily grow into big dogs, and sometimes it’s hard to predict which food amount is right for our dogs.
📝 Related blog post: Why is my german Shepherd so small?
German Shepherd dog is a large breed dog, and you can’t compare his food chart to the food chart, for example of the poodle.
The right food amount is calculated based on the age of your German Shepherd puppy, and his weight at that moment.
Below you can find a food chart by weight which we have been created so that you can easily follow which food amount is right for your GSD puppy.
German Shepherd puppy feeding chart in pounds:
| Weight at Maturity | 1-1/2-3 months | 4-5 months | 6-8 months | 9-11 months | 1-2 years |
| (lbs) | (cups) | (cups) | (cups) | (cups) | (cups) |
| 3 - 12 | 1/2 - 1 | 2/3 - 1-1/3 | 1/2 - 1-1/2 | Feed as adult | Feed as adult |
| 13 - 20 | 1/2 - 1-1/4 | 1-1/8 - 2 | 3/4 - 1-1/3 | 1 - 1-1/2 | Feed as adult |
| 21 - 50 | 1/2 - 1-1/2 | 1-1/2 - 2-3/4 | 1-1/8 - 2-1/3 | 2 - 3 | 2 - 4-1/4 |
| 51 - 75 | 5/8 - 2-1/3 | 1-1/2 - 4 | 1-1/2 - 3-3/4 | 2-1/2 - 4-3/4 | 2-5/8 - 6-1/4 |
| 76 - 100 | 1 - 2-2/3 | 2-7/8 - 3-3/4 | 2-7/8 - 6-1/3 | 3-7/8 - 7 | 5-5/8 - 11 |
| 101 lbs and over | 2-2/3 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs | 3-3/4 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs | 6-/3 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs | 7 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs | 11 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 10 lbs of body weight over 100 lbs |
Before you give a food to your puppy, please check also on the package of the food recommended amount.
German Shepherd puppy feeding chart in kilograms:
| Weight at Maturity | 1-1/2-3 months | 4-5 months | 6-8 months | 9-11 months | 1-2 years |
| (kg) | (cups) | (cups) | (cups) | (cups) | (cups) |
| 1.4 - 5.4 | 1/2 - 1 | 2/3 - 1-1/3 | 1/2 - 1-1/2 | Feed as adult | Feed as adult |
| 5.9 - 9.1 | 1/2 - 1-1/4 | 1-1/8 - 2 | 3/4 - 1-1/3 | 1 - 1-1/2 | Feed as adult |
| 9.5 - 22.7 | 1/2 - 1-1/2 | 1-1/2 - 2-3/4 | 1-1/8 - 2-1/3 | 2 - 3 | 2 - 4-1/4 |
| 23.1 - 34 | 5/8 - 2-1/3 | 1-1/2 - 4 | 1-1/2 - 3-3/4 | 2-1/2 - 4-3/4 | 2-5/8 - 6-1/4 |
| 34.5 - 45.4 | 1 - 2-2/3 | 2-7/8 - 3-3/4 | 2-7/8 - 6-1/3 | 3-7/8 - 7 | 5-5/8 - 11 |
| Over 45.4 kg | 2-2/3 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 4.5 kg of body weight over 45.4 kg | 3-3/4 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 4.5 kg of body weight over 45.4 kg | 6-/3 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 4.5 kg of body weight over 45.4 kg | 7 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 4.5 kg of body weight over 45.4 kg | 11 cups plus 1/3 cup for each 4.5 kg of body weight over 45.4 kg |
Before you give a food to your puppy, please check also on the package of the food recommended amount.
With what to feed my German Shepherd puppy?
Now when you know the right amount of dog food for your German Shepherd puppy, let’s see what they can actually eat.
There is no one answer to this question. You can make at-home food for your German Shepherd puppy, you can buy food, feed him with the right vegetables and fruits. The choice is huge, and we believe that your puppy should try everything from the food which is safe for him.
Today, there are so many dog food companies, and some of them, you can’t unfortunately trust. We recommend you always check the reviews of the dog food company before you buy any food for your German Shepherd puppy.
After reading a hundred reviews across the Internet, we can say that these dog foods are one of the best dog foods for your puppy!
Reccomendation: The Ultimate German Shepherd Puppy Care Guide (PDF eBook)
The best food your German Shepherd puppies:
| The best puppy foods | Top 5 ingredients of food |
| Purina Pro Plan Focus - Puppy Large Breed Food | Chicken; Brewer's Rice; Corn Gluten Meal; Whole Grain Corn; Poultry by-product meal |
| Hill’s Science Diet - Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal and Oat Recipe Dry | Chicken meal; Whole grain wheat; Whole grain oats; Whole rain sorghum; Corn gluten meal |
| Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food | Deboned Chicken; Chicken Meal; Brown Rice; Oatmeal; Barley |
| Nutro - Ultra-Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food | Chicken; Chicken Meal; Whole Brown Rice; Brewers Rice; Whole Grain Oatmeal; Rice Bran |
| Authority Chicken & Rice Formula - Large Breed Puppy | Deboned Chicken; Chicken Meal. Brown Rice; Corn; Oat Groats; Corn Gluten Meal |
| Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food | Deboned Chicken; Chicken Meal; Peas; Ground Brown Rice; Salmon Meal |
| ORIJEN Puppy Large Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food | Deboned Chicken; Deboned Turkey; Yellowtail Flounder, Whole Eggs; Whole Atlantic Mackerel |
| Non Nom Fresh | Ground beef; Russet Potatoes; Eggs; Carrots; Peas |
| Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food | Lamb, Lamb Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice; Cracked Pearled Barley; Ground White Rice |
| Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food | Salmon; Ocean Fish Meal; Sweet potatoes; Peas; Potatoes |
| Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food | Chicken, Chicken by-product meal; Corn; Wheat; Chicken fat |
| Royal Canin Large Puppy Dry Dog Food | Corn, Chicken by-product meal; Wheat; Wheat Gluten; Chicken Fat |
| Chicken Soup for the Soul Large Breed Puppy Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food | Chicken; Turkey; Chicken Meal; Turkey Meal; Cracked Pearled Barley |
| Purina Pro Plan Development Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Large Breed Dry Puppy Food | Salmon, Rice; Barley; Fish Meal; Canola Meal |
Of course, these dog foods brands are not the only good dog food brands. There are literally a thousand dog food companies, but these dog foods are most popular belong GSD owners.
Related blog post: Can German Shepherds eat tuna?
Vegetables and fruits are also a very important part of the German Shepherd puppy diet. They have very important vitamins which are crucial for the healthy development of our puppy.
The best and healthiest vegetables for your German Shepherd puppy:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Green Beans
- Broccoli
- Beets
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Carrots
- Pumpkin
Dangerous and toxic vegetables which your German Shepherd puppy should avoid:
- Asparagus
- Onions
- Garlic
- Hot peppers
- Tomatoes
- Corn on a cob
- Mushrooms
- Jalapeno
- Rhubarb leaves
- Raw and green potatoes
Fruits can also be a great source of vitamins for your German Shepherd dog, and some of the best fruits for your puppy are:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Pineapple
- Peaches
- Mango
- Kiwi
- Watermelon
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
But also, there are fruits that your German Shepherd puppy should avoid, and these fruits are:
- Avocados
- Lemon
- Grapes
- Pomegranate
- Cherry
- Apple pips
- Currants
- Raisins
- Walnuts
- Plums
How often should I feed my German Shepherd puppy?
You should feed your German Shepherd puppy three times a day until he is 6 months old. Once your German Shepherd is 6 months old, you can start feeding him twice a day.
But if your puppy can’t sometimes eat three times into one single day, then you should check how many calories your German Shepherd puppy has put into his body in one day.
If your German Shepherd puppy has less than 4 months, then this is recommended amount of Caloric into one single day for him:
| Puppy's ideal weight (lbs) | Puppy's ideal weight (kg) | Average caloric intake |
| 1 | 0.45 | 125 kcal/day |
| 2.5 | 1.13 | 226 kcal/day |
| 5 | 2.26 | 392 kcal/day |
| 7.5 | 3.40 | 526 kcal/day |
| 10 | 4.53 | 649 kcal/day |
| 15 | 6.80 | 884 kcal/day |
| 20 | 9.07 | 1100 kcal/day |
| 25 | 11.34 | 1294 kcal/day |
| 30 | 13.60 | 1487 kcal/day |
| 35 | 15.87 | 1672 kcal/day |
| 40 | 18.14 | 1843 kcal/day |
| 45 | 20.41 | 2016 kcal/day |
But if your German Shepherd dog has more than 4 months, then you should check this chart instead of the previous:
| Puppy's ideal weight (lbs) | Puppy's ideal weight (kg) | Average caloric intake |
| 2.5 | 1.13 | 150 kcal/day |
| 5 | 2.26 | 261 kcal/day |
| 7.5 | 3.40 | 351 kcal/day |
| 10 | 4.53 | 433 kcal/day |
| 15 | 6.80 | 590 kcal/day |
| 20 | 9.07 | 734 kcal/day |
| 25 | 11.34 | 863 kcal/day |
| 30 | 13.60 | 991 kcal/day |
| 35 | 15.87 | 1115 kcal/day |
| 40 | 18.14 | 1229 kcal/day |
| 45 | 20.41 | 1344 kcal/day |
| 50 | 22.67 | 1456 kcal/day |
| 60 | 27.21 | 1667 kcal/day |
| 70 | 31.75 | 1875 kcal/day |
| 80 | 36.28 | 2070 kcal/day |
| 90 | 40.82 | 2260 kcal/day |
| 100 | 45.35 | 2449 kcal/day |
| 110 | 49.89 | 2628 kcal/day |
| 120 | 54.43 | 2804 kcal/day |
| 130 | 58.96 | 2980 kcal/day |
How to fatten up a German Shepherd safety?
If you want to fatten up your German Shepherd dog, there are 5 factors that will help you to better understand your dog and fatten him up:
- Your GSD will eat when he is truly hungry
- Your GSD will eat when he is healthier
- Your GSD will eat food if food is very delicious
- Your GSD will eat when he is less stressed
- Your GSD will eat better with your help
Your German Shepherd will eat when he is truly hungry.
This maybe doesn’t make any sense. We want to fatten up our German Shepherd puppy, so why we should wait for him to get really hungry?
If your German Shepherd is nervous, exploring new things, or adjusting to a new situation, the way doesn’t want to eat at the first.
But you should keep offering him food always, and try to offer his food in different forms (raw food, dry food).
Once your German Shepherd becomes really hungry, he will surely start eating, and if he doesn’t start eating, don’t wait longer and visit your vet.
Your German Shepherd Will eat when he is healthier.
If your German Shepherd doesn’t want to eat the right amount of food, or he refuses to eat at all, then you should have a consultation with your veterinarian and bring your dog to him. This is maybe a sign of some serious health issue, and you shouldn’t ignore that.
Your German Shepherd will eat food if food is very delicious.
There is no secret that every one of us will rather eat his favorite food for dinner instead of some random food. If your German Shepherd doesn’t want to eat, or he is eating his food in small amounts, try feeding him with some yummy dog food!
Your German Shepherd will eat when he is less stressed.
When we are sad, nervous, or stressed, we are not really hungry, right? If your German shepherd doesn’t want to eat, check his mood. You can easily conclude whether your dog is stressed or he is not.
Your German Shepherd will eat better with your help.
Sometimes, they need your help. If your German Shepherd is extremely nervous, try to help him in the eating. Always make nice and slow movements, if you don’t have to scare your German Shepherd. Feel free to feed him from your hand, and be near him while he is eating, but always make nice and slow movements.
Why my German Shepherd puppy does have diarrhea?
According to the VCA Animal Hospital:
“Diarrhea is unformed or loose stools, usually occurring in larger amounts and/or more often. Diarrhea is not a disease but rather a sign of many different diseases. Diarrhea associated with minor conditions can often be resolved quickly with simple treatments.”
Your German Shepherd dog may have diarrhea because of:
- Viral infection
- Toxicity
- Parasites
- Stress
- Swallowing an indigestible foreign body
- Diet change
- Dietary indiscretion
- Bacterial infection
Suggestion: Worst dog food for German Shepherd
How to stop diarrhea in German Shepherd puppy?
When you notice that your German Shepherd puppy has diarrhea, you should call your veterinarian. You don’t want something like this seriously damage your puppy while still developing and growing.
We know that sometimes can be difficult and uncomfortable to talk with your veterinarian and other people about stuff like this, but it’s worse to ignore diarrhea and don’t talk with your vet at all.
You can treat diarrhea in German Shepherd in many different ways, alone from home or with your veterinarian.
📝 Related blog post: How to treat German Shepherd diarrhea?
First what we recommend you to do is to remember what poop looks like, and check on the chart below what this means and to clean that. Right after that, the recommendation of the veterinarians is to not feed your German Shepherd for the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, you can prepare for your German Shepherd a bland diet for a day or two.
You should NEVER give your German Shepherd humans medications to treat diarrhea, without any consultation with your veterinarian.
Some basic treatments for diarrhea in German Shepherd dogs are:
- Intravenous fluids
- Medications
- Dietary changes
Suggestion: Best Food for picky German Shepherd
With what to feed a German Shepherd puppy that has diarrhea?
If your German Shepherd puppy has diarrhea, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible, as we mentioned before, because he will give you good advice about the proper diet for dogs with diarrhea.
Here is some food that will be good for German Shepherd puppies with diarrhea:
- Chicken and rice
- Shredded chicken
- Pumpkin
- Bone broth
- Baby food
- Bananas
- Oatmeal
- Boiled ground beef
- Yogurt
What to give a German Shepherd puppy to chew on?
If you’re looking for this solution, then maybe you now know how German Shepherds love to chew, and this will never stop! That’s is why it’s important to find perfect chewing toys and treats.
The best chewing object for your German Shepherd puppy is:
- Interactive toys
- Chewing toys
- Chew bones
You can explore and learn more about this type of dog toy in our:
What do German Shepherds actually eat?
If you want to learn more about what actually your German Shepherd can eat, and what he can not eat, then we recommend you to read one of our previous articles where we have discussed this topic in deep.
It’s really important to understand from the first days which food your German Shepherd can eat because some dog owners learn this the hard way by giving their dogs the wrong food and making them sick.
Related blog posts:
What vegetables German Shepherds Eat?
What fruits can German Shepherds Eat?
Final words.
Maybe all of this information will confuse you at first, but by the time, you will understand what your German Shepherd puppy or dog can eat, and how much should they eat.
We know how sometimes it’s hard to say “no” to them when they are asking for food, but if your GSD has been already eaten enough amount of food, then no means no.
If you want to make things easier, then we recommend you create your food chart, and organize every meal of your German Shepherd. With proper organization, you will faster and easier prepare meals for your puppy!
