Ration.
German Shepherd can not be fed simplistic. The slogan: "What is, what will eat" does not work. Sheepdog can not eat the same thing every day, even if it's meat, which our four-legged friends are so eager for. After all, even wild predators do not eat exclusively meat. Proper nutrition of the dog, as well as of the person, consists in the corresponding proportion of several groups of components.
- First, they are proteins (both animal and vegetable), affecting the correct growth and structure of the body. Their excellent sources are meat, fish, cheese, eggs, milk.
- Secondly, carbohydrates supplying energy (bakery products, rice).
- Thirdly, animals and vegetable fats responsible for the accumulation of energy (fat, cream and vegetable oil).
- And, finally, vitamins, minerals, as well as micro- and macro elements responsible for the proper functioning of the organism, contained in fruits, vegetables and grains.
With reference to the analogy with man, it can be said that children and puppies that grow and develop most rapidly need more caloric food. After all, it is an effective source of energy. But German shepherds of older age, like retired people, do not need excessive calories. Such a dog should receive only 1/3 of the meat when fed. 2/3 take the so-called ballast fodder, filling the stomach and facilitating the digestion of food. This is bran, oat flakes, rice, pasta, rye bread, fruits, vegetables.
We prepare food ourselves.
It is simpler, of course, to feed the sheep-dog with ready-made food in the form of granules, canned food, etc. Their advantage is convenience in storage and the availability of the necessary scientifically validated components indicated on the label. However, it should be remembered that when feeding with dry food, its disadvantage is the swelling in the dog's stomach. It often leads to bloating and even to spasms of the stomach or intestines, which often results in the death of the animal. The great advantage of the food prepared with our own hands is that we know well what it consists of. It does not lead to whipping during digestion, does not increase the need for water, which is quite burdensome, especially in winter for sheep-dogs that are raised in cages.
It is best to feed the German, like any other sheepdog, freshly prepared food with a lot of boiled and raw fruits and vegetables. In winter, dogs receive 5 times a week a warm boiled food with the addition of a small amount of dry food, prepared in an industrial way. In the spring-summer period, when the boiled feed spoils more quickly, dogs are fed 4 times a week with dry food (moistened first in water). Or canned beef with a little addition of boiled food, so that is supported by the so-called ballast mass, which facilitates digestion. On the other days of the week (usually every other day), the shepherds receive freshly prepared food stored in the refrigerator. Very rarely sheep-dogs are fed only dry food, except for hunting trips, exhibitions, competitions.
The main component in the diet of dogs is expensive red meat. However, you can feed our pet cheaper products. For example, chicken, giblets, which contain many vitamins and essential elements, liver, spleen, kidneys. It should be remembered, however, that the kidneys also contain harmful toxic substances accumulated in the body of the killed animal, so they should not be given more than 2 times a week. Beef stomachs, intestines, udders, and lungs are also suitable. The ratio of meat components to the rest should be 1: 3. All meat products should be cooked or scalded. Beef can also be given in raw form. Sheepdogs should not receive long bones of wild and domestic poultry, as well as raw pork bones. The best bones are beef or veal.
A healthy, properly breastfed German Shepherd must empty the bowl for 5-15 minutes. If something remains in the dishes after that, it should be removed to the side. The method of feeding the dog depends on her further appetite and psychophysical condition.
The German Shepherd has a large size. Therefore, it has a long digestive tract, where food stagnates. Twice a month, some professional breeders organize a hunger strike for the shepherds to purify the digestive system from toxic substances. After all, the same predators never eat regularly. They eat only when they catch any prey, their digestive system is adapted to such a way of feeding.
In addition to meat, the sheep-dog should be provided with a large quantity of fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, since in boiled vegetables very few vitamins and mineral salts are contained. To such a diet it is necessary to accustom it in puppyhood, because later it is difficult to teach. Without vitamins, micro- and macroelements and ballast bodies, sooner or later digestion disorders, diseases and beriberi are beginning to manifest. Even wolves and feral dogs themselves solve the problem of vitamins, eating various fruits, herbs, roots. Those who do not trust "canine vitamins" add to the bowl tablets intended for pregnant women.
Mistakes of breeders.
It is strongly advised to avoid overfeeding the German shepherd. It can lead to serious illnesses: overweight, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, constipation, and swelling of the intestines. The shepherd's stomach is weakly strengthened in the body and can easily turn around its own axis during fun or jogging after a plentiful meal. This ailment is inherited in sheep dogs from their ancestors - wolves have such a huge stomach that they even gorge for food after a successful hunt, after which they can rest for several days. Shepherd, when overeating, can not remove excess food. Without veterinary help, she will die in agony for several hours. There are many such cases.
Most owners of German shepherds are ready to provide their four-legged friends with appropriate conditions. However, not everyone remembers that this applies to nutrition. Therefore, we must not forget that the cause of many violations of the digestive system, and especially the excess weight of sheep-dogs, is the wrong feeding.