How much to feed a German Shepherd: daily ration
An adult, neutered German Shepherd weighing 32 kg needs about 1,505 kcal a day with normal exercise – roughly 420 g of dry food or 1,505 g of wet food. A calm 25 kg female comes to about 1,095 kcal (305 g), a 40 kg male doing dog sports to about 2,225 kcal (620 g), and considerably more in hard working roles. Split the amount into at least two meals – with a German Shepherd, that is more than a matter of habit.
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Adult weight
- Male:
- 30–40 kg (60–65 cm)
- Female:
- 22–32 kg (55–60 cm)
According to FCI Standard No. 166 (weight and height at the withers).
Activity type
Versatile working, herding and service dog – from family companion to a dog in daily training.
Breed watch points
Bloat, digestion and EPI
Calculate how much to feed your German Shepherd
Enter the weight and choose the type of food – the result updates instantly.
Leave empty = typical value of 360 kcal (usually 330–400 kcal/100 g). If the pack says MJ/kg, calculate MJ/kg × 23.9.
Result
420 g
Dry food per day
≈ 1,505 kcal · 2 meals of 210 g
Get it worked out for your dogRecipes with grams per ingredient in the DoggoMeal app- Range per day
- 375–460 g
- Meals
- 2 per day
- Per meal
- 210 g
- Energy
- 1,505 kcal (1,355–1,660)
How the figure is calculated
Resting energy requirement 70 × 32 kg^0.75 ≈ 942 kcal × factor 1.6 ≈ 1,505 kcal per day.
1,505 kcal ÷ 360 kcal per 100 g (typical dry food) × 100 ≈ 420 g.
- A starting point – check the weight every 1–2 weeks and adjust the amount in small steps. Treats count too.
German Shepherd feeding chart by weight and activity
Adult, neutered dog. Dry food with 360 kcal, wet food with 100 kcal per 100 g.
| Activity | kcalper day | Dryg per day | Wetg per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 kg | |||
| Calm | 1,095 | 305 | 1,095 |
| Normal | 1,250 | 345 | 1,250 |
| Active | 1,565 | 435 | 1,565 |
| Very active | 2,350 | 655 | 2,350 |
| 32 kg | |||
| Calm | 1,320 | 365 | 1,320 |
| Normal | 1,505 | 420 | 1,505 |
| Active | 1,885 | 525 | 1,885 |
| Very active | 2,825 | 785 | 2,825 |
| 40 kg | |||
| Calm | 1,560 | 435 | 1,560 |
| Normal | 1,780 | 495 | 1,780 |
| Active | 2,225 | 620 | 2,225 |
| Very active | 3,340 | 930 | 3,340 |
How it is calculated: Calm = factor 1.4, Normal = 1.6 (neutered, 1–2 hours of walks), Active = 2.0, Very active = 3.0 (working and service dogs). Entire (unneutered) dogs with normal exercise come out about 12 per cent higher (factor 1.8).
Example for 32 kg: resting energy requirement 70 × 32 kg^0.75 ≈ 942 kcal × factor 1.6 = 1,505 kcal a day, divided by 360 kcal per 100 g = 420 g of dry food. If your pack states a different value, enter it in the calculator above.
Two meals instead of one: preventing bloat
Large, deep-chested dogs have an increased risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus). The MSD Veterinary Manual explicitly lists the German Shepherd among the breeds at risk. Recognised risk factors include feeding only one meal a day, feeding dry food exclusively, eating quickly, stress at mealtimes and a first-degree relative that has already had bloat.
Warning signs are unproductive retching, heavy drooling, restlessness and an increasingly distended, hard belly. This is an emergency in which every hour counts.
- Split the daily amount into at least two meals.
- No rough play or work before and after meals.
- Feed in a calm setting, and separately if you have several dogs.
- No raised food bowls – the MSD Veterinary Manual advises against them for breeds at risk.
Sensitive digestion and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
In a UK veterinary study of German Shepherds, diarrhoea was among the most common diagnoses (5.2 per cent), level with overweight (5.2 per cent). The average weight of adult males there was 40.1 kg and of females 34.8 kg – at the upper end of, or above, the range in the FCI standard.
A particular feature of the breed is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI): the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes, in German Shepherds usually because the glandular tissue wastes away (pancreatic acinar atrophy). According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, it occurs most often in young adult German Shepherds. Typical signs are large amounts of pale, soft faeces and weight loss despite a ravenous appetite. More food does not help then – treatment with enzymes and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) belongs in veterinary hands.
German Shepherd puppies: controlled growth
German Shepherds grow very quickly in their first year, and males reach a higher adult weight than females. In large breeds especially, steady growth matters more than particularly rapid gains.
Feed a large-breed puppy food, do not add extra calcium to a complete food, and adjust the amount to the growth curve every one to two weeks. Until about three months the puppy gets four meals, after that three.
The puppy feeding calculator works out the exact amount by age and current weight.
Recipes with grams per ingredient – for your German Shepherd
In the DoggoMeal app you create a profile for your German Shepherd – with weight, age, activity and allergies. From this, the app calculates recipes with grams per ingredient, daily calories and portions.
- Dog profile
- Recipes with gram amounts
- Allergy warnings
- Cooking with video
Free · no subscription · every feature included
Common questions about feeding your German Shepherd
How much should a German Shepherd eat per day?
A neutered German Shepherd weighing 32 kg with normal exercise needs about 1,505 kcal a day – roughly 420 g of dry food at 360 kcal per 100 g or 1,505 g of wet food. Females are often lighter and need correspondingly less.
How much does a German Shepherd weigh?
According to the FCI standard, males weigh 30 to 40 kg at a height at the withers of 60 to 65 cm, and females 22 to 32 kg at 55 to 60 cm.
How often should I feed a German Shepherd?
At least twice a day. A single large meal is considered a risk factor for bloat, and the German Shepherd is one of the breeds at risk. Puppies get four meals until about three months, then three.
My German Shepherd eats a lot but is still losing weight – what could be the reason?
One possible reason is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), which is more common in German Shepherds. Typical signs are large amounts of pale, soft faeces and a ravenous appetite. Have it checked by your vet – more food will not solve the problem.
How much does a German Shepherd need for dog sports or service work?
At 32 kg with regular dog sports it is about 1,885 kcal (525 g of dry food), with hard daily work more like 2,825 kcal (785 g). A more energy-dense food then keeps the portions more manageable.
Sources
- FCI-Standard Nr. 166: Deutscher Schäferhund – Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)
- Demography and disorders of German Shepherd Dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK (O’Neill et al., 2017) – Canine Genetics and Epidemiology
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Dogs and Cats – MSD Veterinary Manual
- Gastric Dilation and Volvulus in Small Animals – MSD Veterinary Manual
Calculation method
- Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (2006) – National Research Council (NRC), National Academies Press
- Global Nutrition Guidelines – World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
- Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food – FEDIAF – European Pet Food Industry Federation
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