By "@context": "https://schema.org", This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. The key is doing this gradually with several small meals a day. 8. Heres the short answer to why is your German Shepherd so skinny: Your German Shepherd is so skinny because they are suffering from a calorie deficit. You can also mix some wet food in with the dry food to get them interested in their kibble. 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. They may constantly pace or act restless, burning up calories quicker than usual. VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus is nutrient-dense and high in fat, which is essential for dogs that need to gain weight. Didn't find what you need? The first step in getting your German shepherd to gain weight is to go to the vet for a check-up to see if there is an underlying illness causing weight loss. Consider getting food specifically designed for your dogs breed. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Gradually transition between foods. WebThe estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. If your German shepherd loses weight but seems to be eating a lot, it may be due to health problems associated with their digestive systems, such as maldigestion and malabsorption. A few of our dogs would not eat it, and it took us several weeks of transitioning before it became a regular part of their diet. Pet Keen is reader-supported. Best Reasons. Malabsorption happens when your dogs body cant process and absorb nutrients from food properly due to an impairment in their digestive system or liver function. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dog Food Best Value. German Shepherds need 1272 to 1550 calories daily, while the active ones need even more. 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). When choosing dog food for a German Shepherd to gain weight, we highly recommend a brand with real meat like chicken or turkey listed as the first ingredient. In an unhealthy dog, their skin and coat may appear flaky or dull and may even have bald patches. Why Are German Shepherd Dogs So Scary? If your dog is underweight due to a medical condition, follow your vets instructions regarding feeding, exercise, medication, and care very carefully. You may not suspect this, but dental problems such as tooth decay and gum can be responsible for your German shepherds weight loss. Not all German shepherds will have the average weight described in the breed standard. In most cases, the causes of liver disease can be brought on by degenerative disease, infection, fatty foods, certain medications, or exposure to toxic plants. If your dog isnt eating enough during mealtimes, it may help to leave food out for them all of the time. Its high moisture content can help relieve constipation, and its limited ingredients make it less likely your pet will have an allergic reaction. Worms or Parasites. All of these types of cancer are malignant and can be very difficult to treat even if they are caught early. Animals also happen to be her favorite topic to write about! 
The downside to Purina Pro Plan Sport is that it contains corn which can upset some dogs sensitive digestion system and doesnt provide much nutritional value. Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Dog Food. In most cases, it is caused by a combination of genetics and other health problems such as pancreatitis, Cushings disease, or kidney disease. A skinny dog is always going to look underweight compared to a healthy dog. Heres the house I recommend for German Shepherds. How To Fatten Up A German Shepherd Give Them Food With A Higher Amount Of Calories. We liked the high-quality ingredients in Crave, but like many foods that leave out corn and other grains, it can be challenging to get your dog to eat it. Are there big changes in the dogs life recently? Its not just you; it is a common problem among many German Shepherd owners. As well as using high-calorie dog food you could also give your german shepherd food made for puppies. When choosing a food to increase the weight of your German Shepherd, we highly recommend our pick as the best overall. Featured Image Credit: Annabelle l, Shutterstock, How Do Cats Show Affection? It also helps dogs stay limber and put on muscle and not just fat." Worms or Parasites. Last Updated: November 26, 2020 Speak with your vet about your German Shepherds ideal weight and any lifestyle changes, like additional exercise, specific diets, treats, or food quantity. Dry food is easy to store, lightweight, and is usually less expensive. Usually, time will help deal with stress. Keep your puppy on a puppy-formulated food until theyve reached 80% of their adult weight. According to the American Kennel Club,German shepherds normally weigh about 65 to 90 pounds in males and 50 to 70 pounds in females. Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula is designed to 3. This is why puppy food has much higher protein levels than for adult dogs. Crave High Protein Chicken Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is 2. Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Dog Food. 
Why Do Cats Lay In Their Litter Box? Keep reading while we discuss the ingredients you should look for as well as those you should avoid to help you make an informed decision. Whatever the reason, your dog is malnourished and needs to fatten up. If your dog isnt eating enough during mealtimes, it may help to leave food out for them all of the time. A dog that is too skinny is usually unwell and needs a vet check-up. Foods with higher fat content tend to be tastier and tempt even poor appetites. "I love wikiHow. If the German Shepherd eats as usual but does not gain weight, it may need another meal. If the hip bones, backbones, bones at the base of the tail or ribs are showing, then the dog is too skinny. { By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. It contains chicken as its first ingredient and provides your dog with a high protein diet (34%). This will answer how to fatten up a German Shepherd, energetic and healthy. The formula does not include any artificial colors, ingredients, or preservatives. These are believed to aid in maintaining the health of bones and create strong and lean muscles. 
WebHigh-calorie food will bring weight gain to your German Shepherd. In the meantime, feed the dog food with higher fat and protein to help it regain a healthy weight. Do German Shepherds Make Good Pets? 
Hills Science Diet Large Breed Dog Food. You may think, but I havent changed my dogs food in years! Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food is our premium choice food for German Shepherds to gain weight. Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy Food Best for Puppies, 5. Worms or Parasites. Made with nutritionally dense ingredients, Dr. Garys Best Breed Holistic German food is just for large breed dogs like the German Shepherd. While your dog may eat the exact same brand of dog food, this doesnt mean the company that produces it hasnt changed the recipe or manufacturing process, which would change the nutrients and ingredients available to your dog. We highly recommend our first pick, Taste of the Wild Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food, because it is full of quality antioxidants and contains no fillers. Not all dog food is created equal. Crave High Protein Chicken Dry Dog Food Best Overall. WebHow to Help a German Shepherd Gain Weight: 3 Methods #1: Change the diet of your GSD. This will answer how to fatten up a German Shepherd, energetic and healthy. Heres What to Do, Answered by Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, BVM BVS (Vet), My Dog Ate a Chicken Bone! You may need to increase the amount and/or frequency that you feed your puppy to help them gain weight. When dogs get very old, they often stop gaining weight and start losing it. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Dog foods labeled performance diets are also high in protein and fat to help feed very active dogs or dogs used for breeding. Heres my review of the best beds for German Shepherds. Before you can choose a food to help add weight to your pet, its critical to determine why your pet has lost weight. How to Fatten Up a German Shepherd (15 Bulk-Up Tips) 1. Dr. Garys Best Breed Holistic German food, Giant German Shepherd: 5 Interesting Facts, Info & Pictures, Taste of the Wild Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food, 10 Best Dry Food for German Shepherds Reviews & Top Picks, A Quick Comparison of our Favorite Picks in 2023, 1. 
When picking a German Shepherd puppy food, you want to make sure that you pick a quality food formulated for your puppys stage of life. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Make-Your-German-Shepherd-Gain-Weight-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Your-German-Shepherd-Gain-Weight-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Make-Your-German-Shepherd-Gain-Weight-Step-8.jpg\/aid9243574-v4-728px-Make-Your-German-Shepherd-Gain-Weight-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are focused on in this formula, as the acids help produce a bright, shiny, and healthy coat. 
"@type": "Answer", Since kidney disease can be life-threatening if your German shepherd is experiencing any of these symptoms, dont wait for them to worsen; take them to a vet as soon as possible. Without a doubt, Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula is the best food for German Shepherds to gain weight for the money. You would get stressed, too. The Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food is our top recommendation for German Shepherds seeking to gain weight. 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. Try to keep to the same routine every day to help your German shepherd to relax. Look for German Shepherd food with lots of vegetables, lean meat, and a good, complex, high-calorie balance. WebThe estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. 2 Allow your dog to free-feed. These other symptoms will help your vet diagnose your German shepherds underlying problem more quickly. You can also add some low-sodium chicken or beef broth to the wet food, so it mixes with the dry dog food to give your dog more liquid as well. [2] In this case, 95% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. For example, switch to a mixture of half normal dog food and half puppy food to give it more calories. Choose foods with higher fat content. "text": "Foods with high protein and fat help dogs gain weight, according to PetMD. 
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). Feed little and often to avoid getting the dog sick. These dogs may also have diarrhea or constipation due to problems with their digestion. Puppies that are struggling to gain weight may need additional nutritional supplements, or they could have worms. We hope you have enjoyed reading over this list and found a few brands you would like to try out. The most effective diet for German Shepherds that will aid in weight growth includes Taste of the Wild Prairie grain-free dog food. 
Like kidney disease, heart disease often doesnt cause weight loss until it is at an advanced stage. "text": "Talk to your veterinarian about a safe exercise program for your German shepherd. According to the American Kennel Club, German shepherds normally weigh about 65 to 90 pounds in males and 50 to 70 pounds in females. Keep your puppy on a puppy-formulated food until theyve reached 80% of their adult weight. German shepherds usually have the problem of gaining too much weight. If youve recently changed the type of food that your German Shepherd is getting, you may notice that they are losing weight. 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. WebThe right food is one of the first steps in helping your dog gain weight. In my childhood, I had cats and multiple greek turtles. If your German Shepherd eats normally but isn't gaining weight, you may need to switch to different food. Consider getting food specifically designed for your dogs breed. The downside to Merrick is that we only found a few of the raw pieces in each bag, and some of our dogs would sort through it and pick out the pieces they like, leaving the rest. 2. Initially, dogs with kidney disease dont lose weight, but over time, their kidneys become less efficient at processing nutrients from the food they eat. This is normal because as dogs get older, they can be afflicted with some health problems that can decrease their appetites, such as arthritis, dental problems, and cancer. Is your German Shepherd the correct weight and height for their age? However, most dogs like corn and the empty calories will help your German Shepherd gain weight. A sudden change in your German shepherds 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. Talk to your veterinarian about a safe exercise program for your German shepherd. The downside to Ziwi Peak is that it is quite expensive, and it has a bad odor, especially when you first open the can. 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. At the end of the day, keeping your GSD at a healthy weight will Adults and seniors should eat about 20 to 25 percent of their daily calories from protein and 25 to 50 percent from fats. Look for foods that have a higher percentage of fat and protein than your current food. Try a mix of half your dogs regular food and half puppy food to help them gain weight. The quality of the nutrients is just as important as the calories that are necessary for weight gain. A high-protein, low-fat diet is perfect for helping your dog maintain his weight, giving him the nutrients he needs to be energized and build muscle. It could be that very old dogs just cant absorb the calories from their food as efficiently. "@type": "Question", Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula is designed to promote holistic health in large breed dogs like the German Shepherd. A dog thats losing weight needs to go to the vet to see if there is a medical issue causing the weight loss. Wet food is extremely rich, and most dogs prefer it. Read my review of the best shock collar for German Shepherds here. Omega fats will help with brain and eye development, and they help create a shiny coat. Puppy food is higher in calories to encourage growth. A full-grown German Shepherd should be fed about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 of a cup of food each day. When your shepherd is 
{ ] Bully Max Muscle Food For Dogs is a fantastic food for adding weight to your pet. Low-Quality or Insufficient Diet. Feed food high in protein and with fat to help put weight back on. Another reason to feed your dog omega fats is that they help reduce swelling, which can be especially helpful as your dog ages and gets arthritis. If you have an adult dog, switch them to a puppy or high-performance dog 3. 
Glucosamine, which works to optimize joint and bone health, is also included. Look for German Shepherd food with lots of vegetables, lean meat, and a good, complex, high-calorie balance. When heart disease reaches the chronic stage, its usually accompanied by other symptoms such as swollen belly, fainting, weight loss, and change in tongue and gums color. As German Shepherds get older, they are more susceptible to developing chronic kidney disease. Consider getting food specifically designed for your dogs breed. Approved. We recommend dry food when possible because the crunching helps to scrape away tartar, slowing the progression of dental disease. If your dog isnt eating enough during mealtimes, it may help to leave food out for them all of the time. However, it may be time to visit the vet if they lose weight in conjunction with other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, loose stool, and gas.
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