Can german shepherds eat raw meat? There’s been a lot of talk in the past few years about the benefits of a raw meat diet.
In this article, you’re going to find out whether german shepherds can eat meat, whether it’s right for your dog and the problems of a raw meat diet.
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So Can German Shepherds Eat Raw Meat?
German shepherds can eat raw meat, however, that doesn’t mean you should feed it to them. Being able to digest raw meat is one thing, however, so far, there are only questionable benefits associated with it.
And for the most part, it’s advised not to feed your german shepherd raw meat. Most leading bodies such as the FDA and CDC are against it.
Benefits Of Raw Meat For Dogs
Some people claim that there are benefits for your dog when eating raw meat. Such as a healthier coat and more energy. However, these benefits can often be accounted for by the fact that a raw meat diet is generally a lot higher in fat.
PetMD claims that your german shepherd could gain the same benefits from eating high-fat dog food, which is readily available in most shops.
What Are The Problems With Feeding Your German Shepherd Raw Meat?
There are a number of different problems that come with feeding your german shepherd raw meat. And unfortunately, the problems often outweigh the potential benefits. Here are some of the main problems.
Your German Shepherd Will Struggle To Get Enough Nutrients
Dog food has been specifically designed to give your german shepherd all the nutrients they need in their diet. If you’re only feeding your german shepherd raw meat, then they’re not going to get nearly enough nutrients.
German shepherds need a variety of vitamins and minerals that raw meat alone can’t provide.
One of the biggest problems with a raw meat diet is they often lack calcium and phosphorous too. And even when there are adequate amounts in their food, it can still be hard for your pup to digest.
Increased Risk Of Food Poisoning
Even if you only plan on feeding your german shepherd raw meat as an occasional treat, there’s still an increased risk of food poisoning.
While a dog’s stomach is strong, it may not be strong enough to fight off salmonella and e. Coli. If you feed your german shepherd raw meat you’re going to increase the chances of them contracting these, as well as other diseases.
As well as an increased risk of your german shepherd getting food poisoning, you’re also increasing your family’s risk of food poisoning as well.
Your Family May Be More Likely To Contract Food Poisoning
Your dog’s mouth may become contaminated after they’ve eaten raw food. So when they start licking your family they could pass on any bacteria.
This is especially concerning if you have young children who often let their faces and hands get licked by your dog.
(Find out why your german shepherd might not be eating.)
Higher Risk Of Choking
As well as a higher likelihood of food poisoning, there’s also an increased choking hazard. If you’re feeding your german shepherd raw meat that is on the bone, then it could splinter. As well as choking they might also cut their throats as well as puncture their insides.
Can You Feed A German Shepherd A Raw Meat Diet?
While it’s not definitely recommended to feed your german shepherd a raw meat diet, it doesn’t mean it can’t be done. However, if you’re going to feed them a raw meat diet you’re going to need to make sure you supplement it with other food.
Some of the main ingredients that incorporate a raw meat diet are organs, muscles, and bones both whole and ground.
However, as well as meat you’ll also need to incorporate other food. Eggs are a great choice, either raw or cooked.
And you can also give them cheese and milk (if they’re not lactose intolerant).
Most importantly, make sure you’re giving them lots of vegetables and fruits as well. These are going to contain many of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients your german shepherd needs to thrive.
Some great choices of fruit are apples, bananas, strawberries and watermelon, and vegetables should consist of things such as carrots, broccoli, spinach, and celery.
Lastly, and most importantly, remember that even after all this the chances are that you’re not going to be giving your german shepherd a nutritionally complete diet. The chances are they’re still going to become lacking in some area, so raw food diets are best avoided.
Can All German Shepherds Eat Raw Meat?
While raw meat should generally be avoided anyway, there are some german shepherds you’re definitely going to want to avoid giving it too. If your german shepherd isn’t in good health, it can often make matters worse.
Here are some of the times your german shepherd won’t be able to eat raw meat.
When They’re Puppies
One time your german shepherd won’t be able to eat raw meat is when they’re a puppy. When puppies are growing they’re going to need lots of food to help them grow properly.
If you’re not feeding them enough food then they’re not going to get enough nutrients. And if they don’t have enough nutrients in their diet then there could be problems later on in life.
Normally, your vet or the breeder you got them from will recommend the food that you should give them. And it’s important to stick to this.
If They Have Cancer
You should also avoid giving your german shepherd raw meat when they have cancer. Changes to a dog’s diet can be dangerous if they’re suffering from cancer and could even make things worse.
If your german shepherd is suffering from cancer you should make sure you’re following the instructions of your vet.
If They Have Digestive Issues
Meat can often make digestive issues worse, so you may want to think twice before feeding your german shepherd raw meat if they have one.
Once again, the best thing you can do is follow the advice of your vet. There are plenty of dog foods that cater to german shepherds with digestive issues. So learn more about them before changing your german shepherd’s diet to raw meat.
If They Have Problems With Their Kidneys And Liver
Lastly, you should avoid giving raw meat to dogs that are suffering from problems with their kidneys and liver. Especially if these problems are late-stage or close to failure.
Too much protein and fat can be terrible for them and could even shorten their lifespan.
Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way?
If you haven’t trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases it’s still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior, or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here, to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
Recap
Now you know whether german shepherds can eat raw meat or not. And while it is possible, it generally isn’t recommended. Most importantly remember, if there’s something you’re not sure about you should always consult your vet.
Here are some of the main points to remember from the article.
- Raw meat can increase the chance of your german shepherd getting food poisoning.
- It can also increase the chance of your family getting food poisoning.
- If you only feed your german shepherd raw meat then they’ll struggle to get enough nutrients.
- They’re more likely to choke on bones.
- If you plan on feeding your german shepherd a raw meat diet, then you’ll also need to give them plenty of other food as well, like vegetables and dairy. Even then, it’s extremely likely they won’t get a completely balanced diet.
- You shouldn’t feed your german shepherd raw meat if they’re puppies, they have cancer, digestive issues or issues with their liver and kidneys.
If you liked this article make sure you check out the rest of the website. Otherwise have a great day.
