About the German Shepherd
Athletic, intelligent working dogs with high stamina and drive. A typical adult German Shepherd weighs around 22–40 kg (Large).
How many calories does a German Shepherd need?
Calorie needs use the veterinary formula 70 × weight(kg)0.75 (the Resting Energy Requirement), multiplied by a lifestyle factor of ×2 for a typical dog at the life stage shown. Enter your own animal's details in the calculator for an exact figure.
| Body weight | Daily calories | Dry kibble ~3,500 kcal/kg | Wet ~1,050 kcal/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 kg | 1422 kcal | 406 g | 1354 g |
| 24.571 kg | 1545 kcal | 441 g | 1471 g |
| 27.143 kg | 1665 kcal | 476 g | 1586 g |
| 29.714 kg | 1782 kcal | 509 g | 1697 g |
| 32.286 kg | 1896 kcal | 542 g | 1806 g |
| 34.857 kg | 2008 kcal | 574 g | 1913 g |
| 37.429 kg | 2119 kcal | 605 g | 2018 g |
| 40 kg | 2227 kcal | 636 g | 2121 g |
Feeding a German Shepherd for a healthy weight
German Shepherds are prone to joint problems and to a sensitive digestive system; consistent, high-quality feeding and lean body condition ease strain on the hips and spine.
What to feed a German Shepherd
Dogs are facultative carnivores: they thrive on meat-forward diets but can use carbohydrate and plant matter. A complete-and-balanced food (dry, wet, fresh, or properly-formulated raw) meeting AAFCO or FEDIAF standards should make up the vast majority of intake, with treats capped at 10% of daily calories.
Most adult dogs do best on two meals a day. Puppies under four months need three to four smaller meals; large-breed puppies should be fed a large-breed-specific formula to slow bone growth and protect their joints.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed a German Shepherd?
An active 34 kg adult German Shepherd needs roughly 1,700-2,100 kcal a day depending on workload. Sedentary or older Shepherds need considerably less; adjust to keep a visible waist.
How much should I feed my dog per day?
A 10 kg neutered adult dog at a healthy weight needs roughly 500-560 kcal per day — about 150-165 g of standard dry kibble split over two meals. Scale up or down with weight, activity and life stage using the calculator above.
Should I feed my dog once or twice a day?
Twice a day suits most adult dogs and helps regulate appetite and blood sugar. Puppies need three or more meals; some giant breeds prone to bloat also do better with smaller, more frequent meals.