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Hi Everyone,

Our Heidelberg German Shepherd Dogs are generally good eaters.  When we sell a German Shepherd Dog puppy they have ravenous appetites and they eat their food fast because they know if they do not eat it then their litter mates will.  However, every now and then when a customer takes home their new German shepherd puppy, the puppy will not eat well.

A German shepherd puppy may lose their appetite for a couple of days, and this is normal as the puppy makes the adjustment to the new home and people.  However, the German shepherd puppy’s ravenous appetite should return after a couple of days.  The biggest mistake new owners make in regards to their puppy eating is during this transition time, they will try coaxing the puppy to eat.  Our German Shepherd Dogs are highly intelligent, and they crave attention.  If you do not believe this just make a big deal about a minor injury.  For example, when they hurt a foot make a big deal out of it, and you will see them carry-on, feigning continuing pain as long as you show them a high emotional response.   Likewise, if coaxed to eat, they will recognize this human behavior as submissive and they will exploit the new owner by continuing not to eat well.  Often once this process is started, the new owner will entice the new puppy to eat by adding more favorable foods, such as pieces of steak to their food to get the puppy to eat.   

Once the new owner has done this the puppy may never eat right again, and if they do not eat right they may not grow correctly.  The best way to avoid this is do not react to them not eating well for the first couple of days.  Simply pick their food up after 20 minutes and place it in the refrigerator until the next feeding time.  The new German shepherd puppy will eventually get hungry and start eating well again.  The new owner must also be aware that not eating well is one of the first signs of illness so if the German shepherd puppy is not eating and shows signs of malaise then you may want to take their temperature and contact your veterinarian.   However, if the puppy is lively, playful, and drinking water, there is nothing to be concerned about.

If your German Shepherd Dog, puppy or adult is a finicky eater then you must stop worrying about what and when they eat.  They live by your emotional state, and if you have anxiety about them eating then they will not eat well.  Feed them their diet without fanfare and if they do not eat pick the food up in 20 minutes and place it in the refrigerator.  Do not worry, your German Shepherd Dog will not starve themselves to death, eventually they will start eating on your schedule.  The main thing is to separate yourself from the emotional concern about whether they eat.  

The only supplement that I recommend to increase the appetite of your German Shepherd Dog, puppy or adult is our “Pure Total Vitamin Supplement”, which has chicken liver powder as part of its ingredients.  German Shepherd Dogs cannot resist the taste of chicken liver powder.  It is fine to add this supplement to their food because you should be supplementing their diet with vitamins anyway and the “Pure Total Vitamin Supplement” should be a part of your German Shepherd Dog’s daily diet.

You can purchase “Pure Total Vitamin Supplement” by clicking on the below link and contacting us at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels.

Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion.  Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds

Sincerely,

KeystoneGermanShepherds