German shepherd raw diets are often referred to as BARF (Biologically appropriate raw food) or Prey model diets because they emulate what shepherd dogs would eat in the wild.
German Shepherd Raw Diet Plan
German shepherds (and other dogs) are naturally carnivores. They should be eating a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
A raw diet is closer to what the dog would normally eat in the wild, which involves catching and eating prey such as small mammals or hunting for their food. A raw food plan typically consists of 60-80% meat and 20-40% vegetables and fruits.
German shepherd raw food is seen as a good way to feed your dog because it can benefit their health and provide them with much-needed nutrients that are not found in commercial foods. It also helps keep teeth clean by providing natural enzymes that help work away food particles.
Possible benefits of German shepherd raw food include the following:
- Prevention of allergies and intolerances, such as colitis and skin problems
- Improved muscle tone and stamina
- Weight loss in overweight dogs and weight gain in underweight dogs
- Control over medical conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease
- Improved dental health
- Improved energy and vitality.
This type of diet has some possible disadvantages as well, including the following:
- A higher cost to feed your dog, compared to commercial diets
- Dangers of feeding raw meat, such as salmonella food poisoning or E Coli infections
- Skeletal problems, such as bone fractures
- Greater chance of food allergies
- A more complicated diet plan that takes up more time and effort. This type of dog food is also usually fresh and not stored for long periods, whereas most commercial diets can be stored for months.
Many companies sell premade raw food plans for German shepherds. These are typically either whole carcasses or pre-ground food that comes in bone-in or boneless form, and can also come ground for easier meal prep. Some diets are created so they have less need for supplements, but it is still important to read the ingredients list to make sure you know what your dog is getting each day.
Some vets are advocates of this type of diet for dogs, but others are not. Always speak to your vet about making changes in the way you feed your dog and make sure they know what sort of food plan you’re considering, so they can provide you with important information on it. If possible, get a second opinion from another vet.
Can A German Shepherd Eat A Raw Diet?
Yes, a german shepherd can eat a raw diet.
Please keep in mind that if you are making changes to your dog’s food plan, it usually takes them about a month before they will start feeling the benefits of feeding raw. A gradual transition is recommended over trying to make too many changes at once. Transitioning to this type of diet may require some extra effort on behalf of the owner.
German Shepherd Raw Diet vs Kibble
I know you’ve already made your mind up, but I need to share my story.
My brother and his wife adopted a 1-year-old purebred GSD from the local rescue who was fed kibble her whole life. This dog had an expensive surgery that required us to pay for it (thank goodness we could do that!), and she stayed with my sister in law and the dog went to work with her.
My brother tries to keep up his diet, but he works from home. His girlfriend has a 4-5 hour commute every day! The dog is only fed kibble at night when she gets home from work. In addition, they feed her by hand because apparently, that’s how she likes it. I would like to think that this is not the case, but after watching my sister-in-law do this the dog gets overly excited for each bite.
Let’s not forget that they still feed her kibble! And then she poops (sorry TMI). And then when she comes home from work she immediately goes outside to defecate.
A few weeks ago, the poop was bloody. My sister-in-law took her to the vet, and it turns out she had an infection (because of course you know what is NOT one of their pet’s food ingredients…their meat). The poops are still not normal; they’re also runny at times. They saw the vet again, and the doctor said she has food allergies. Everyone wants to know what it is so they can change her diet.
My sister-in-law says she isn’t keen on cooking for their dog when they arrive home from work…so what does she do? She feeds her kibble because it’s convenient! At least that’s what she told my brother.
I want to be supportive of them…but the dog was doing so well on raw! I mean, I’m sure it’s not as convenient as feeding kibble, but if you care about your pet wouldn’t you go out of your way for her? The kibble is easier, and that’s its appeal!
And it’s not even like they can switch to a different brand. Their friend gives them kibble, and the first kibble she tried (of course it was their fault!) was a sensitive stomach! So now all of these options are closed to them.
I hope this story doesn’t come off as me bashing my sister-in-law or them, but my GSD doesn’t have any allergies! I feed her venison and sweet potato, and she’s doing great on it.
The choice to feed your dog a raw diet is an individual one. As with any type of food plan, there are benefits and disadvantages of feeding this way. However, if you have decided that this is the correct choice for you and your GSD, then it’s important to research how best to give them their new food.
This type of food plan can take more time and effort than simply feeding kibble because it requires the owner to do extra preparation when making each meal. This is especially important in the case of raw meats, which must be stored correctly and safely before they are given to your dog.
It’s also a good idea to spend some time discussing a raw diet with your vet, to make sure it’s right for your dog in terms of having the correct ingredients and nutrients that they need.
Most people who choose a fresh food plan for their GSD seem to do so because of the health benefits they see when feeding them this way. They find that their dog has fewer skin problems, allergies, yeast infections, and other medical problems than they did before. Many dogs also tend to have more energy, better coat quality, and improved dental health when given raw meat instead of commercial food.
Although it can be an expensive dog food plan with all the preparation involved, the benefits may make the extra cost worthwhile for you.
However, there are some disadvantages to feeding your dog raw food. This type of diet can be dangerous if not prepared correctly, especially when you are talking about meats and the risk of food contamination. There is also an increased chance of skeletal issues like bone fractures, especially with large or powerful breeds like German shepherds, who need high levels of calcium in their diets.
How Much Raw Food To Feed German Shepherds?
For many people feeding their dog raw food is a new experience, and they are often unsure how much to feed. Several factors play an important part in determining the amount of food to be given.
The size of the dog, its metabolism, or activity level are all very important factors to consider when deciding how much raw food should be fed. The size and weight of the dog will give you a good indication as to how much food should be given. Generally speaking, if you feed your German Shepherd puppy three meals a day, then an average meal would be around 200g – 350g for male dogs and 150 – 250g for female dogs.
However, there is no definite answer as to what is the best amount to feed your dog. There are many factors involved when feeding your dog, so it is merely a guide based on averages. The following points will give you some guidelines in determining how much food you should be giving your dog:
- Raw meaty bones (RMB) – RMB’s are extremely healthy for your dog and they should make up around 50 – 70% of your dog’s raw diet. You can feed raw chicken wings and necks for example, but don’t forget you will have to remove the skin and cut off any fat before feeding them to your German Shepherd. Skin, fat, and bones won’t be digested properly by your dog! Your dog should have a nice plump body, but if you notice that your dog is looking a little ‘thin’ then increase the amount of food given. Remember that when feeding raw food, your German Shepherd will often act like it’s starving even when it isn’t! Keep an eye on their waistline and don’t let it get too thin or fat.
- Sprouted seeds – Sprouted seeds are extremely healthy for your German Shepherd too, although for some reason they are not as popular as raw meaty bones. They are great to use in conjunction with RMB’s however! You can sprout them yourself or purchase them from your local health store. The same goes for sprouted seeds as RMB’s – you will have to remove any skin and cut off the fat before feeding, although they can be fed whole.
- Raw vegetables and fruits – Vegetables and fruits make up a small portion of your dog’s diet (around 5%). They should only make up around 1/4 of their daily diet. You can cut up small pieces of hard vegetables such as carrots, apples, etc, and feed them to your dog each day as a treat.
- Dairy products – Dairy products are suitable for dogs, especially those not affected by lactose intolerance. Plain yogurt is healthy and can be given to dogs as it contains many beneficial bacteria that aid digestion. Cottage cheese is a nutritious dairy product and contains around 22g of protein per 100g serving making it an excellent source of protein for your dog. A small amount can be mixed in with their dry food each day to add extra flavor and make the meal more interesting, or you could add some water or milk and feed it as a wet meal.
- Commercial dog food – Commercial dog food is not as healthy as raw meaty bones, sprouted seeds, and vegetables however it can be fed as an alternate to the regular diet, especially if you are going away or need a break from making homecooked meals for your German Shepherd. As long as the commercial food is healthy, it can be fed instead of raw food for a few meals here and there.
- Minerals & Vitamins – Of course, minerals and vitamins should be added to your dog’s diet as well. You can find these in meaty bones (especially the liver), vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. Feeding whole foods is the best way to ensure that your dog gets all of the vitamins and minerals it needs.
German Shepherd Puppy And Raw Diet
German shepherd puppies on a raw diet are often healthier than dogs fed commercial kibble because raw food is better suited to their digestive tracts. There are numerous benefits for the German shepherd puppy when switching from a processed diet to raw meat that includes weight gain, healthy skin and coat, better dental health, increased energy levels, and larger bone structure.
When feeding a german shepherd puppy on a raw diet, you should note that not all raw food is appropriate for puppies. Bones should be excluded in the beginning, green beans and mushrooms can be dangerous for their health, and bones in beef necks are not recommended because they could splinter. It is important to check with your vet before you start feeding your German shepherd puppy on a raw diet.
Foods suitable for german shepherd puppies include chicken necks, bones, and wings; lamb necks; beef ribs with meat on them; pork neck bones; whole fish (make sure it’s cut open to remove the gall bladder); canned sardines in water or fresh mackerel.
Blocks of frozen raw food can be bought from pet stores and your butcher may also be able to get hold of german shepherd puppy food. Make sure that the raw food is not completely thawed out before you give it to your German shepherd puppy, as this can cause bacteria growth on the meat.
How Much Should A German Shepherd Puppy Have On Raw Diet
Puppies need 30% protein and 10-20% fat in their diets. Feeding a german shepherd puppy raw food will meet these needs, as well as provide the minerals that are needed for healthy bones.
Raw meat is not recommended for all dogs, including German shepherds. If you decide to switch your german shepherd puppy to a raw diet, it’s important to do so gradually over two weeks by mixing increasing amounts of raw food with decreasing amounts of kibble.
If you are not keen to feed your German shepherd puppy on raw meat, you can still give it a healthy diet by feeding it high-quality dry kibble without grain fillers. This type of kibble is often made from animal products rather than grain and doesn’t contribute to the development of diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.
Conclusion
When deciding to feed a raw diet to german shepherds, it is important to speak with a vet to determine if this diet would be appropriate. The article above offers tips for those who want to feed a raw diet as well as those who prefer their German shepherd puppy to eat dry kibble or a combination of both.
As always, thank you so much for reading! If this was helpful at all, please share it with people you know who would like this information as well. Have a great day!
