Is my German Shepherd puppy too fat? When should I worry? There are multiple triggers that could result in a fat German Shepherd puppy, including eating the wrong foods, consuming too much food, or not getting adequate exercise. It could even be someone is feeding your dog without you knowing, illness, or genetic issues.
You can determine whether your puppy is excessively gaining weight by regularly weighing him. Excess weight gain can be an issue for a variety of reasons. For instance, it raises the risk of developing health conditions such as arthritis and high blood pressure.
What is the Ideal Weight of a German Shepherd?
It would be best to take your puppy to a veteran regularly to maintain their health and happiness. However, there are standard estimates of how much your dog should weigh at different ages, but don’t be overly concerned if they are ahead of or a little off the numbers provided.
- Male: 65 lbs. – 88 lbs. or 30 – 40 kg
- Female: 48 lbs – 71 lbs. or 22 – 32 kg
Body Mass Categories for German Shepherds
You can easily determine what body mass category your dog belongs to by observing certain features. This will enable you to take the proper course of action to ensure your pup is healthy at all times. These are the categories you should watch out for:
Underweight
The dog is thinner and has a poor proportion. Check your dog’s sides to see if their ribs are visible. A skinny dog will generally have exposed ribs.
Ideal Weight
You should aim for a perfect weight for your German Shepherd, which is 65 pounds (30 kilograms) for females and 75 pounds (35 kilograms) for males. To check if your German Shepherd’s size is normal, feel their ribs. If your dog’s back is straight to the feminine figure and flanks, they are most likely at an ideal weight.
Overweight
An overweight German Shepherd puppy is simply a large dog with a round or oval body shape. Due to severe stress, your dog would be prone to wheezing.
Why your German Shepherd Dog is Overweight
Many factors contribute to weight gain when it comes to German Shepherds. Your pup may be overweight due to the following reasons:
1: Improper Diet
Maintaining your puppy’s health requires you to provide food that has sufficient nutrients of high quality. Therefore, you should make sure that you buy the appropriate breed formulated food for your pup. In addition, you should ensure that your puppy’s food is rich in fat and proteins. However, it is crucial to know their source since not all citations are rich in whole proteins.
Beef and poultry are examples of ideal sources of proteins. To give your dog healthy-looking skin or coat, try supplementing your puppy with food that contains fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids.
2: Inadequate Exercise
As much as food is a dietary supplement for energy, this energy needs an outlet. Your German Shepherd also requires an outlet for mental and physical health. Exercise helps keep them calm. You might opt to play with them or walk with them around and make training a top priority.
3: Inactive Behavior
If your dog is inactive and spends most of his time eating, he can develop obesity. In addition, a sign of comfort, difficulty in breathing, and walking may suggest that your dog is gaining weight significantly.
What are Some of The Medical Conditions that Cause Obesity in Dogs?
Other than food and exercise, you German Shepherd might gain excessive weight due to the following health conditions:
- Genetics: It is not a surprise that some species have obesity genes in them. For instance, German Shepherd dogs are more susceptible to weight gain than other breeds. Therefore, you should always watch out for any signs of obesity.
- Hypothyroidism: This is a condition characterized by a thyroid gland that does not function properly, resulting in weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, and other symptoms. That is why it is advisable to visit your veteran regularly.
- Cushing’s syndrome: This condition is characterized by overproduction of excess cortisol hormone, which regulates body weight. Therefore, slight changes in its secretion may result in extreme weight gain.
Health Consequences of Obesity in Dogs
There are various fatal health conditions that your German Shepherd may succumb to if they are overweight. These are:
- Cardiac problems
- Diabetes
- Skin disease
- Joint problems
- Breathing problems
- Mobility problems
- High blood pressure
Tips for Weight Loss if Your Dog is Obese
If you notice your GS puppy gaining extra pounds, take the following steps to help them shed off some weight and regain their health:
- A daily ten-to-fifteen-minute walk with your dog is encouraged.
- Create a weight loss plan for your dog that includes calorie and portion control with the assistance of your veterinarian.
- You must track the progress of your new weight-loss routines and diet as you follow them to ensure that your strategy is effective.
- Your puppy will feel fuller for more extended periods if you feed them low-calorie food rich in fiber.
The Bottom Line
The quality of life of your German Shepherd puppy can be greatly limited due to obesity. Besides, being overweight is associated with several illnesses. So ensure you’re feeding your pup just enough fat to maintain optimal body weight. More importantly, take your dog for regular walks to help burn excessive calories.
