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Breeds The link has been copied! Few dogs are as intelligent and loyal as German Shepherds. With its athletic build and remarkable drive, this working breed makes excellent companions, herding dogs, police K-9s, and therapy animals. How much does a German Shepherd cost? The price of a German Shepherd puppy can vary a lot from one breeder to another. German Shepherds are active and need plenty of stimulation. Flea and tick preventatives are a must-have. You might face additional costs such as pet insurance, training classes, boarding fees, or dog walkers. Puppies tend to cost more due to the high demand. However, professional breeders charge a lot more. Professional breeders usually conduct health testing for the parents. Elbow and hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy are the two main tests to look for when adopting a GSD puppy. Prenatal care for the mother can be expensive. These costs can include bloodwork, ultrasounds, and X-rays. Most breeders raise the puppies for the first eight to 12 weeks. They provide nutrition, a living space, socialization, and sometimes early training. Puppies typically receive veterinary care, including a first round of booster shots and a deworming treatment. Colors German Shepherds can come in a few different colors. Black and tan and black and cream are the most common GSD colors. However, there are rarer colors, like black and silver, sable, or black. These colors meet the official breed standards, and a puppy with an unusual color can be worth more. Bloodline and Purity One of the key factors that influences the cost of a GSD puppy is the parents and their pedigrees. A breeder will look at how well the parents match the AKC breed standards. Both parents should be the right height and color. They should have a muscular morphology and the proper head shape. Breeders who are able to trace the ancestry of a litter over several generations and document that all the ancestors are purebred GSDs will charge more. You should also expect to pay more if a breeder can provide health testing information over several generations. Titles are another important factor. Show dogs can receive V, VA, or VA1 titles if they do well at an event and judges determine they meet all the standards of the breed. An IGP3 title indicates that a dog can protect its owner. Parents with IGP or IPO titles produce puppies that are worth more since breeders consider these animals to have excellent potential for training. A breeder who has an excellent reputation and many positive online reviews will attract more prospective dog owners and can afford to charge more. You can protect your dog with a microchip, but there are other steps you can take. The Fi GPS tracking dog collar helps you keep your dog safe. The design is highly resistant and waterproof for durability, and the collar comes with a battery that lasts three months. You can track your pet anywhere and locate them easily if they get lost. There are a few things you should know about this working breed. Personality of the German Shepherd German Shepherds are fiercely loyal. They make excellent guard dogs thanks to their protective instincts. They also make amazing pets who will give you lots of affection. GSDs are reliable and hardworking dogs who thrive if you constantly give them new tasks and challenges. These dogs are extremely versatile. German Shepherds have amazing potential and tend to do extremely well in training thanks to their drive and intelligence. However, they require consistent training and handling since they can be mouthy, chase prey, or become overprotective without the right training. Size and Weight German Shepherds are medium to large dogs. When it comes to weight, a healthy male will weigh 66 to 88 lbs. Lifestyle and Activity Levels German Shepherds are a working breed. Their origin dates back to the 19th century when dog breeder Max Von Stephanitz developed a new dog by breeding different herding dogs. Like all shepherds, GSDs have a strong need to stay active. Due to their athletic build, these dogs need at least two hours of exercise every day. Going for walks might not be sufficient. Your GSD will thrive if you provide plenty of opportunities to use their athletic abilities, including jumping, swimming, or running. Approximate Lifetime Care Costs The total cost of owning a German Shepherd is difficult to estimate since every animal is different. German Shepherds can be expensive. Here are a few tips to help you lower the cost. Look for a breeder who cares about the animals and who does health testing on the parents, but everything else is extra. You should also consider adopting a dog with an unknown lineage. Check local shelters or go online to look at classified ads. Check classified ads to find owners rehoming their pets. If you decide to get a German Shepherd, think about using the Fi GPS dog collar to keep your dog safe, and make sure you can bring your puppy home if she gets lost. Get more expert advice on pet-parenting by visiting the Off Leash blog at TryFi. TryFi's The Fi Dog Collar is a must-have for any pet parent, it's a GPS tracking collar that helps you keep tabs on your dog's location, activity, and sleep patterns, and alerts you if they escape your backyard. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. Apart from recurring costs such as dog food, toys, and grooming essentials, a great chunk of your finances must go to routine veterinary care and pet insurance. Annual check-ups should be done on adult German Shepherds to check their physical condition and ensure they are healthy dogs. This involves listening to the heart and checking the ears and eyes. The typical lifespan of a GSD is 7 to 10 years. Other Potential Expenses Owning a dog is already comparable to parenthood. German Shepherds, much like any other dog breed, have other needs that go beyond food, water, and shelter. Your dog will be watched over, fed, and socialized with other dogs. Grooming Services: For your GSD to have a well-maintained coat and appearance, you should take them to a professional grooming salon. They will be cleaned, trimmed, and pampered as they deserve. Emergency Treatment: Dogs grow up so fast. As your German Shepherd puppy gets older, they are more prone to health issues like hip dysplasia. Sudden injuries can also happen that will require immediate medical attention and treatment. This will allow them to join various dog shows and other competitions. Places to Find German Shepherd Puppies for Sale and Adoption Once you plan everything out financially, you are ready to find places where you can buy your German Shepherd puppy. Cheap German Shepherd dogs can be bought from puppy mills or a backyard breeder. Buying from responsible breeders is the best option to get healthy puppies that will grow up to be strong adult dogs. To help on your quest, here is a list of breeders certified by the American Kennel Club that offer high-quality German Shepherd puppies: Vom Ragnar German Shepherds — This is a small kennel located in Illinois dedicated to breeding show-quality German Shepherds with sound temperament and the best condition because they have their puppies undergo health testing. This breeder strives to match their GSD pups to the most suited families. Mittelwest German Shepherds — As a well-renowned breeder, the owner ensures that they only produce show-quality German Shepherd puppies that can serve as show dogs, guard dogs, K-9, and much more. They also import and ship their dogs worldwide. West Coast German Shepherds — If you are located in California, this breeder can offer you a health-tested German Shepherd puppy coming from the best bloodlines. Buying the cheapest puppies online seems tempting, especially if you are on a budget, but you might spend more in the future due to medical expenses. To easily distinguish a responsible breeder from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, check out our puppy buying guide. Are you considering adopting a German Shepherd instead of buying from a breeder? If you are, this list can help you find the perfect GSD pup for you: German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions — Based in North Carolina, this non-profit organization was established to protect and promote the German Shepherd breed. German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County — This volunteer organization is all about placing unwanted, neglected, and abused German Shepherds into permanent, loving homes. Applicants are encouraged to meet up with their chosen dog prior to adoption. Matching their rescue dogs to a suitable owner is their top priority, along with the restoration of their health. For more chances of finding your lifelong companion, check out this list of the 10 best German Shepherd rescues. You can surely find one in your location! Adoption is the cheapest alternative to getting a German Shepherd Dog, and this is more suggested than buying from backyard breeders. Buy high-quality items. You will spend more on replacing them rather than having good products that can last for a longer time. Purchase supplies in bulk. When buying food or treats for your pup, make sure to stock up by buying them in bulk. This can save you a lot of money than buying small bags of kibble or cans of wet food. Keep your dog in excellent shape. To avoid expensive veterinary bills, keep your German Shepherd puppy fit and healthy. Do this by feeding them high-quality dog food equipped with the right nutrients. Groom your GSD at home. Instead of going to a professional groomer, learn to groom your German Shepherd puppy at home. All you need to do is buy the basic grooming tools and research how to groom your dog effectively. Plan your finances accordingly so no one will have to suffer in the long run. They are highly intelligent and loyal dogs that will protect you at all costs. Buying one from a reputable breeder is worth the hefty purchase price than purchasing from backyard breeders or puppy mills. On another note, you can adopt from a local rescue organization, but make sure to ask about any current health conditions that the dog may have. Aside from the financial aspect, make sure you are prepared for the full responsibility of being a German Shepherd puppy owner. Now you know how much German Shepherds cost, are you ready to own one? Share your thoughts in the comments below. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. What factors determine the price of a German Shepherd Puppy? The price of a German Shepherd puppy does vary, depending on her age, color, bloodline, litter size, location, as well as breeding cost. German Shepherds obtained from animal shelters and rescue organizations are relatively inexpensive because they charge only enough to cover their costs. Here are the 5 most prominent factors that will affect the price of a German Shepherd: 1. Age Age is the most important factor in determining the price of a German Shepherd Dog. All in all, it has a lot to do with the desirability of a cuddly puppy. Puppies that are only weeks old will cost the most. It is because this marks the beginning of the most precious moments of a puppy. The demand drives up the price. The price of German Shepherd puppies of 12 weeks or older will start to decrease. Adult German Shepherds will be offered at much lower prices because some people see them as less desirable. Another reason is that the new owner may need to set a budget for health issues related to senior dogs. Coat Color Some colors are more expensive than others. For German Shepherds, colors such as white will cost more than the usual black and tan. This is because these rare coat colors are more difficult to breed. Bloodline Although purebred German Shepherds puppies are the most sought-after ones, mixed-breed pups usually cost much less and have the potential to be healthier than many purebreds. In general, German Shepherds have working lines and show lines, totaling five different variations. We will get into them later in this article. Litter size It refers to the number of puppies in a litter. Usually, the more the number of puppies in a litter, the cheaper the price will become. Location The location from where you purchase your German Shepherd can actually affect how much you pay. Areas with a lower cost of living, or places where there is less demand will typically charge lower prices than more populated cities. Certain states or cities may even have more regulations on breeding which may increase the cost, thus the price of a German Shepherd pup. And these all come at a cost for the breeders. What are the different variations of the German Shepherd bloodline and their prices? While the German Shepherd is a dog breed of its own, you may probably stumble upon different variations. Purebred German Shepherds come in many different sizes, colors, coloration patterns, and body styles. In general, German Shepherds are divided into working lines and show lines, totaling five different variations. Here is a four-minute video from which you can learn about their variations: 1. They have a distinctive angulation with their back legs shorter than their front legs, thinner bones, and significantly smaller heads. They come in quite a few colors, mostly solid with occasional bi-color variations, including black and tan saddle, solid back, solid white, and saddle sable. But their obedient and playful character make them fantastic pets. There are certain measurement minimums for their hips and elbows. This results in a stunning, very specific, and uniform appearance. These dogs have a very strong, pronounced build with a black and tan saddle, and solid back. They make good house protectors and need a lot of exercises and to be trained frequently. These dogs are very social. So they are perfect for families with kids. This is the line of GSD you would normally see in movies. They are also closest to the original breed that was bred and developed by Max von Stephanitz, who is acknowledged as the father of German Shepherd Dogs. With a stable temperament, they excel in working jobs, and also make awesome family pets. Rigid control of the original DDR breed prevents the gene poll from diluting. They must be free from any history of hip dysplasia, among other health conditions, to be able to reproduce. This resulted in a very distinct look — with large heads, large bones, and a shiny dark coat. The Czech further tightened the breeding standards, resulting in arguably the most intense breed of German Shepherd available to date. But they are extremely loyal and obedient, with a pleasant temperament. They could be the best guard dog to protect people. But they are extremely rare nowadays. Other factors that affect the cost of a German Shepherd A puppy whose parents and often grandparents and other relatives are hunting champions has the potential to excel in these areas as well. And it will cost you more than any puppy who is the offspring of just average parents. And the most expensive German Shepherds are those adults with proven records as show dogs, K9, or breeding dogs. What is a reasonable price for a German Shepherd puppy? Reputable breeders, when pricing their German Shepherd puppies, must factor in the cost of breeding, feeding, raising, and caring for the pups as well as their mother. Less - The German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs , well-balanced, muscular dog, slightly longer than tall, with a medium length coat, erect ears, and a low-set natural tail that normally reaches to the hock and is carried in a slight curve like a saber. The outline of the German Shepherd Dog is made up of smooth curves rather than angles. The head is in proportion to the size of the body, strong without appearing coarse or fine. Gender differences are readily apparent. The German Shepherd Dog is confident and fearless, willing to be approached, yet a certain level of aloofness towards strangers is acceptable. When working, the German Shepherd is alert and eager, adapting well to new tasks. Lack of confidence is a serious defect in the character of a German Shepherd. The structure of this breed was designed for efficient locomotion, particularly at the trot, so poor movement is another serious fault. History Less - The German Shepherd Dog is a relatively young breed, developed almost single-handedly in the first half of the twentieth century by a German cavalry officer, Max von Stephanitz, president of the Verein far Deutsche Schaferhunde S. Using a variety of German sheepdogs as his foundation stock, von Stephanitz developed a distinctive breed in a very short period of time, due in large part to the authoritarian practices of the German dog fancy at that time. Von Stephanitz emphasized utility and intelligence in his breeding program, enabling the German Shepherd Dog to switch easily from herding duties to other fields of work, particularly military and police work. All things German were shunned and popularity slumped. After the war, however, movie star Rin-tin-tin stimulated interest in the breed again. The striking good looks of this breed, combined with its remarkable intelligence and loyalty, have made it a favorite working and companion dog. If your breeder had not run these genetic tests on your dog—or if you adopt a German Shepherd from a rescue or shelter, you can run the Embark Dog DNA Test using a simple saliva test you can perform at home. Dogs with CLAD, type III typically exhibit symptoms such as recurrent ear infections, skin infections, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. Dogs with DM first lose coordination in their hind legs, then they lose muscle mass and eventually the ability to walk. It is caused by a lack of one of the proteins needed for blood to clot properly. Dogs with hemophilia A will often suffer from uncontrolled bleeding, most commonly into the joints. Uric acid is a waste product that is normally eliminated from the body through the kidneys. When the kidneys are not able to remove enough uric acid, it builds up in the blood and can cause health problems. Dogs with hyperuricosuria are at risk for developing bladder stones, kidney stones, and other health problems. P-glycoprotein is involved in the transport of drugs and other molecules across cell membranes. Drugs that are known to cause adverse reactions in MDR1 dogs include digoxin, ivermectin, loperamide, and milbemycin. There are several different types of MPS, each caused by a deficiency in a specific enzyme needed to break down mucopolysaccharides. It is caused by a genetic mutation that impairs the ability of the blood to clot properly. This can lead to frequent and sometimes severe bleeding events which can be difficult to control, even with the help of medications. Dogs with this condition are at an increased risk for bleeding and may require lifelong monitoring and medical management. Symptoms include weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, and increased water consumption. Affected dogs have problems with the development of their skin, hair, nails, and teeth. They may also have problems with sweating and the function of their tears and salivary glands. Dogs with this disorder usually have a very thin coat of hair, often with areas that are bald or have very thin hair. Their skin may be dry and cracked, and they may develop sores on their skin. Nails may be abnormally shaped or missing altogether, and teeth may be missing or poorly developed. Dogs with X-linked ectodermal dysplasia often experience overheating. Attend a sanctioned dog show and talk with breeders and competitors for recommendations. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations regarding reputable breeders. Check the Facebook page of the breeder and read through the comments. Remember, however, that comments can be deleted by the page owner. The breeder should be happy to share the name and contact information for customers. Ask questions. Lots of questions. The breeder should be glad to share the test results from the health tests and screenings and should be happy to let you meet at least the mother if not the sire as well of the German Shepherd Dog puppies. Ask how often the dogs are bred. Ask to tour the kennels. Are they well maintained? Do the dogs look healthy? Beware of operations that will not let you tour the kennels and breeders that want to meet you in a parking lot to hand over the puppy. Be prepared for questions. The breeder should ask YOU questions as well; be suspicious if the breeder has no questions about your past history with pets, your living situation, etc. The breeder should want to know how much experience you have with herding breeds, what your training plans are and your plans for exercising the dog. Ask if the breeder will take the German Shepherd puppy—or adult dog—back if necessary. Ask for a contract. If medical problems are diagnosed, the breeder should readily take the pup back and provide a full refund. German Shepherd breeders may adopt out of the area but, nonetheless, you will want to go to the breeder to meet the parents, view the kennels and bring home your puppy in person. This will add to your expenses—but breeders that transport a puppy by air are putting the dog at risk. If you want to buy a German Shepherd Dog from an online breeder, please think again. There are numerous scams; people spend thousands of dollars for a dog and never receive a puppy. AKC warns potential pet parents to be wary of any seller asking for payment by Venmo, in gift cards or as a wire transfer. Dogs purchased from puppy mills can mean years of heartache and expensive veterinary care—and perpetuation of a cruel industry. The pros of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder: You may be able to select a puppy—including a choice of gender. A reputable breeder will be passionate about German Shepherds and will a resource for years to come. The cons of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder You will pay far more for a cattle dog from a breeder than a rescue or shelter. If you find a breeder who has German Shepherd puppies for sale at prices much lower than you are seeing from other breeders, you must suspect you are dealing with a backyard breeder who has not done health screening, with an online seller who is operating a puppy mill or with someone who is running a scam. You will need to wait until puppies are available. You will need to do your own due diligence to select a reputable breeder. German Shepherd Dogs in rescues are far less expensive that those at a breeder. Puppies under a year old will be the most costly. This group provides funding to a network of GSD rescues — they do not have dogs themselves for adoption. They have a list of affiliated rescues that can help located adoptable GSDs in your region. A breed rescue is, like the name suggests, a pet rescue that is specifically for one breed of dog. These are generally small non-profit groups that operate through a foster system of volunteers who love the breed. German Shepherd rescues specialize in German Shepherds of all ages; some have primarily purebred German Shepherds while others may also have adoptable Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. How to Find Breed Rescues Along with the list mentioned above, many breed rescues list their adoptable dogs on large adoption sites such as:. If you are looking to buy a German Shepherd puppy, then you should find one from a reputable breeder. While these puppies are more expensive, a reputable breeder can guarantee the health and behavior of the puppy. These dogs are prone to genetic diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia. These health issues can be avoided by genetically testing the parents, which is something reputable breeders usually do. When improperly raised puppies might have behavioral issues and can cause a lot of damage if they bite someone. A good breeder will have their dogs pass a temperament test. German Shepherd Dog Price While most dogs in shelters are adults, adopting a German Shepherd is a great way to find a dog without supporting unethical breeding. Sometimes these hardworking shepherd dogs are given up because they are very energetic. Not everyone is able to take care of a dog that needs a lot of attention and exercise. Some people buy a German Shepherd puppy without understanding the work involved in caring for this breed. Why Are They So Expensive? Breeding a healthy and well-behaved German Shepherd puppy is not easy! It is not as simple as crossing German Shepherds together. However, if you want a puppy of good temperament that is genetically healthy, there are other costs involved in the breeding and raising. This is especially important for a German Shepherd. You do not want a puppy that grows up to be aggressive or that suffers from mobility issues due to hip and elbow dysplasia. Papers A paperless German Shepherd puppy will be the cheapest. Typically breeders invest as little as possible in these pups. You get a puppy just how it is, without knowing its pedigree or background. A puppy with health certifications, temperament test results, and registration papers costs more than this. However, those papers will be beneficial not just for you, but also the puppy. This means your puppy meets the breed standard and is a purebred dog. The last thing you want is to buy a German Shepherd wolf-mix thinking it is purebred. Veterinarian Visits Reputable breeders not only genetically health test the parents, but they will also take the puppy to see a vet before 8 weeks for a basic health check. During these visits breeders will also have the puppies vaccinated, dewormed and placed on preventatives. When you buy a German Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder, they will offer you a health guarantee. Most will also be able to provide you proof that the puppy has passed a temperament test. Training Some breeders also take the time to socialize and train their puppies. Many experienced breeders have a specialized training program that begins the process of potty training and basic obedience. This will mean you have an easier time housetraining your puppy, but you will have to pay for their efforts! These are all good signs that the puppy you are buying is of good quality. This will mean you are more likely to avoid any temperament issues or having to pay for vet visits to diagnose and treat hip and elbow dysplasia. Bloodlines Breeders who focus on breeding championship bloodlines will charge more for their puppies. A family might not need such a high-quality German Shepherd. All they need is a healthy and well-behaved puppy that will bring them years of happiness. However, there are many people who need a working dog or show dog. The most expensive dogs are those that are bred to be champions or protective and hard-working. Some breeders spend thousands of dollars just training a world class service dog. A family friendly guard dog with a protective temperament is not easy to breed consistently. Breeders have to factor in not just the genetics, but also the temperament and training. Origin The most expensive types of German Shepherds are those that are imported directly from Germany. Breeders must pay to stud and import these dogs which is not cheap. Since the German Shepherd breed originated in Germany, breeders in the US import dogs from Germany to breed puppies with a purebred lineage. Breeding in Europe is more regulated so the bloodlines are better protected. These puppies are known as European German Shepherds and are slightly different. They are smaller, have straighter backs and brighter coat colors. Some people think they look similar to a belgian malinois. Most European dogs are bred to be working dogs, while American dogs are more frequently bred for companionship. This is the same for American and German Rottweilers and American vs. European Dobermans. All of these breeder will be able to provide: Pedigree and kennel club registration. Documents that certify the puppy is free of any disease and has been checked by a veterinarian. A health warranty. Health records that guarantee the parents are genetically healthy and will not pass on elbow or hip dysplasia. These German Shepherd breeders all breed their puppies in accordance with the breed standard. None of them will sell puppies that are not registered with the American Kennel Club. Another good place to start looking for breeders is the American Kennel Club marketplace. Many of these puppies are bred to be family dogs and come with their papers. As you start looking into more well-known breeders or those that produce dogs of championship or working bloodlines, then the price of a German Shepherd starts to increase. Julia was a German Shepherd bred by the Harrison K-9 facility, highly trained in protection. She could also understand commands in three different languages. Her intelligence, as well as her ability to protect, were why she was priced so highly. Julia was bought by a billionaire businessman in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The rarest coat color is panda, which is why it is also the most expensive. These German Shepherds are black and white. It is a piebald pattern where the black coat is splotched with large patches of white. Some puppies can have other colors like tan, instead of white. Panda dogs are purebred, but the rarity of this mutation makes them very hard to find. There are very few breeders that sell the panda color. And he actually cost nothing! By the end of his life, Rin Tin Tin had appeared in 27 Hollywood films. Rin Tin Tin most notably helped Warner Bros. But these dogs come in more than just this classic color! There are 11 colors that are recognized by the breed standard. Check out the table below for some German Shepherd prices based on coat color. The tan color covers the chest, belly and legs. White A white puppy has a furry coat that is entirely white, allowing it to blend in with the snow. Its eyes and nose are black as coal. Black A black German Shepherd has a coat that is entirely black. Any other color would classify them as a bi-color. Blue A blue German Shepherd is not literally blue, but has a gray color with a bluish hue. Sable The sable color is one of the most common colors, but is a bit more interesting than the black and tan. The hairs of these dogs have bands of tan and black, giving them a very unique coloring. Some of the factors that contribute to this cost are: Food. If a breeder tries to tell you that his puppies are healthy because their parents never had any issues — do not believe him! It is impossible to diagnose e. Where can you find cheap German Shepherd Dogs? The question is — do you want to purchase a dog with questionable health and temperament? These dogs often are not purebred German Shepherd puppies, but are mixed with e. Labradors, Pitbulls or Golden Retrievers. If you end up with a dog with genetically based health conditions however, be prepared to spend a multiple of the original purchase price on vet costs! Temperament and behavior While a lot of good manners can be taught through consistent training, temperament is genetic to a certain level. When you buy an extra cheap German Shepherd puppy, you not only get a dog with questionable health, but also with unpredictable temperament! Even aggression can be genetic and can be passed on from the mom and dad to the offspring. You can save yourself a lot of time, nerves and money spent on future behavioral training by getting a well-bred and more expensive dog. What is the most expensive type of German Shepherd? Like in many dog breeds, certain rare German Shepherd colors are much more expensive than the most common colors and patterns. It is much more important that your puppy has a sound temperament and fits in well with your family and lifestyle than that he has a certain rare look. These dogs are mutts German Shepherds mixed with Miniature Poodles, Shelties or other smaller breeds. Once more, be certain to not decide on your future dog based on looks alone. A stable temperament and good health is much more integral than a certain size or weight. Working lines vs show lines The German Shepherd was originally bred as a working dog. Since his original use as a shepherd dog however, he has filled many different roles — from guarding properties over being used in the show ring to participating in Schutzhund and IPO trails. Depending on which lines your German Shepherd Dog comes from, the prices can vary a lot! Show line German Shepherds are the dogs that are bred for conformation shows. These are the type of dogs you should decide on if you would like a shepherd puppy as a pet and companion animal. If you are interested in using your German Shepherd as a protection dog and to participate in IPO trials, you should pick one from working lines. There are a lot of highly successful working line breeders both in North America and Europe. For this price, you get an absolutely flawless dog with extensive skills and perfect obedience. Some US dog owners interested in Schutzhund choose to import a puppy from old European working lines. While this might sound insanely high for a pet dog owner, for Schutzhund enthusiasts it is a typical price for a pedigreed German Shepherd pup. How much does it cost a month to own a German Shepherd? This will cover the basics: high-quality food and regular vet checks. Some German Shepherd owners spend considerably more money. Professional grooming is necessary for many German Shepherd owners, as these dogs shed heavily. This breeds tends to exhibit several behavioral issues that can be difficult to fix for first-time dog owners, including: Separation anxiety.

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To create this guide, our experts searched through dozens of top-rated dog subscription boxes, considering their 5-star reviews, our knowledge of the brands as a whole and more. We look at each box's offerings, price, customer service, ease of personalization and more when choosing our favorite picks. We also considered boxes for different situations, from getting healthy pet food to providing cute toys for your furry friend. These picks are made up of our product pros' and reviewers' favorites and popular brands with rave reviews from real pet parents. What to consider when shopping for dog subscription boxes Dog size and breed: It's important to provide toys and treats that are the right size for your pet depending on their breed and size to ensure their safety. Toys and treats that are too small or big for your pet can be a choking hazard. Materials: If you've got a heavy chewer on your hands, plush toys just won't cut it. When it comes to picking the right subscription box consider what toys and treats your pet currently likes and what might be dangerous for them to play with or eat. Products: Are you in the market for pet treats, food, toys or something else? There's a subscription box for all your needs no matter what you're interested in. For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on everything a pet parent needs, including dog subscription boxes. As Senior Editor, Lizz Schumer covers everything from pets to entertainment and vetted a majority of the picks above. She brings years of journalism experience to the Institute, having reviewed products from cooling dog beds to dog carriers. A journalist for almost two decades, she is the author of Biography of a Body and Buffalo Steel. Prior to starting at GH in , she worked at BuzzFeed and People, covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. Watch Next. One of the most popular membership boxes out there, BarkBox is all about themes. You and your pup are sure to be delighted by each month's delivery. From Scooby-Doo to Cinco de Mayo, the boxes come filled with two toys, two treats, and a chew curated to fit the theme. When you sign up, you will answer a few questions about your pup weight, age, and allergies. Shipping is free within the contiguous United States, and BarkBox even has an online shop selling more toys and surprises. If your pup likes to chew , you might want to opt for the Super Chewer box filled with impossible-to-destroy toys. You can cancel at any time on a month-to-month plan, but the other plans cannot be canceled. You can also get boxes that provide your dog with both premium-made toys and treats. Based on box selection, your package may contain five or six surprises for your pet, and you can customize the toys based on their preferences. This brand is a great choice for anyone looking for value. Each month you will receive a box of well-made toys and treats for less than you would spend in a store. The BoxDog subscription box is a monthly service that comes with two treats, one skincare item, and two to three toys, clothing, or accessories you pick. Choose from items such as a dog jacket, a squeaky toy, or a premium leash, depending on what your dog needs. Your first BoxDog box typically ships within a couple of business days, and then every three months for the seasonal plans. BoxDog is a great choice for any pet parent who wants a less-frequent subscription box and likes curating items for their pup. Instead, consider a monthly subscription like the Pet Treater box, which offers a toy-only bundle or a treat-only package. Items like stuffed animals, chew toys, and rope pulls will make sure your furry friend will never be bored again. Want more for your little buddy? Choose from a monthly subscription, or pay for multiple months in advance to save even more. You can cancel at any time, and customer service representatives are always available via live chat, email, or phone. You can even tell the customer support team to avoid certain types of toys e. Best for Chewers: Bullymake Sign Up Now Anyone with an intense chewer knows the pain of seeing a brand new dog toy in shreds after only a few minutes. But if a chewing debacle happens, the company offers to send a replacement as long as you provide a photo of the sacrificed toy. Every box comes with two to three chew toys and three healthy treats. While Bullymake boxes cost more than some other choices on our list, the price is worth it for toys that last. This monthly subscription includes a trendy bandana with every installment, as well as two treats and two toys for your pooch. We give bonus points to the Dapper Dog Box for how easy it is to cancel or skip a month without speaking to customer service just do it on your profile. This subscription offers fresh dog food packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. All ingredients are human-grade and never processed, nor do they contain artificial ingredients or fillers. Every shipment arrives cold and should be frozen until you're ready to feed your dog. This monthly subscription is made by the same company that offers BarkBox, but this service is focused specifically on dog dental hygiene. With every box, the company donates bowls of food to shelter pets in need, so you can feel good about spoiling your pooch. The longer you subscribe, the cheaper the monthly cost. And, you can cancel any time with a month-to-month subscription. Even if your dog does not love one of the toys which we doubt is possible , you will still feel great about giving back and helping a shelter dog in need. While the company doesn't offer full or partial refunds, you can send them an email with a photo if your package is damaged and they will try to resolve the problem. You can also cancel your subscription at any time. The price depends on the type of surprise you want for your pup treats or toys, for example and how often you want a box delivered. A dog subscription box is often cost-effective if you tend to get your dog treats and toys regularly. Many companies charge less than pet store prices. What Comes in a Dog Subscription Box? Most shipments include a variety of products such as toys, treats, and chews. Heavy chewers, dogs with allergies , or pups that ignore toys can all benefit from a dog subscription box. While some dog subscription boxes only provide chews and treats, most come with a toy or two every month. If you are mostly interested in toys, you can opt for a box specializing in dog toys such as Pet Treater Dog Box or Bullymake. These options are great for dogs that go through toys quickly, requiring frequent replacements. Related Topics. Directly supports hungry shelter animals Gives you a premium assortment of products Still affordable considering the included donation Cons Subscription doesn't accommodate food allergies Why It Made the List Anyone who has a rescue or simply loves dogs is sure to appreciate The Animal Rescue Site's subscription box. RescueBox lets you spoil your dog every month while supporting a good cause in the process. With every RescueBox, you'll be sent five premium products, and The Animal Rescue Site will provide dozens of meals to homeless pets and shelter animals through its charitable partners located in the U. If you've been on the fence about splurging on a monthly dog subscription, RescueBox gives you the perfect excuse to do so. Subscriptions for small, medium, and large dogs are all the same price and include the same number of products. No other customizations can be made beyond dog size, but the treats, chews, and toys you receive are always carefully selected by a team of pet experts. The products also follow a monthly theme, so your dog will get to enjoy an exciting variety of high-quality goodies, and you'll feel good knowing that your subscription is helping pets in need. Yes Products Include: Treats, toys, and chews Final Thoughts If you want convenient monthly deliveries of different toys and treats for a price that doesn't make you think twice about spoiling your dog, a subscription to BarkBox gets you the most bark for your buck. Some subscriptions let you customize your plan based on your dog's needs and preferences, while others have experts that curate an assortment of goodies based on a new theme; BarkBox does both. You can expect a fun-themed variety of premium toys every month but can also customize your plan to your dog. Upgrading your plan to accommodate another dog or one who just goes through toys fast will increase your bill but will also qualify you for free shipping. It can be hard guessing whether or not your dog will like something you order online, but all BarkBox plans have a percent satisfaction guarantee. Free shipping isn't always included, but when it's not, you can often qualify for it by adding extra products to your order. None of the subscriptions on this list require committing to a certain number of boxes, though most plans are automatically set up for either 12 months or four quarters of recurring deliveries. You're always free to cancel whenever you want, and you never have to pay the cost of the entire subscription period upfront if you prefer month-to-month payments. Chewy's Goody Box is the only exception because unless you set up recurring shipping at checkout, every box must be ordered individually. Most dog subscription boxes contain bundles of both food and non-food items, but Pooch Perks , Bullymake , and Pet Treater let you adjust your plan to receive only toys. However, if accessories are the non-food item you prefer, BoxDog is the best option. While the subscription does include treats and toys, it also sends skin care products and lets you pick out accessories every month. The same applies to Bark Bright , which will supply you with a monthly supply of toothpaste and chews. Methodology To find the best dog subscription boxes, our team reviewed nearly two dozen services, evaluating each one on the following criteria: Average price Number of items per box Variety of products. Size-specific boxes like those offered by BarkBox ensure the toys and treats are appropriately sized for your dog's breed. This prevents potential choking hazards and ensures your dog can enjoy the products safely. Consider materials: If your dog is an aggressive chewer, a box designed for heavy chewers, like the Bark Super Chewer , would be more suitable. These boxes typically include durable toys made from tougher materials that can withstand powerful jaws. If your dog is less interested in chewing, choose a box with softer, plush toys. Customizable options: Take note of what gets your dog excited. Some boxes are more treat-oriented, providing a wide variety of snacks, while others emphasize exciting new toys. Pet Treater has options for treat only or toy only boxes to suit every dog. Puppy-Oriented Box: If you're a pet parent to a young fur baby, selecting a puppy-oriented subscription box can make a significant difference. Puppies have different needs compared to adult dogs, so a box specifically designed for puppies, like the PupBox from Petco , can better cater to those unique requirements. FAQ What is a dog subscription box? A dog subscription box is a recurring delivery of dog-related products. It typically includes a mix of toys, treats, grooming products, and other accessories. The contents of the box are usually curated based on your pet's size, breed, and dietary preferences, providing a personalized experience for your pet. A good example of a dog subscription service is BarkBox. What is the best dog subscription box? The best dog subscription box can vary greatly depending on your dog's specific needs, preferences, and lifestyle. However, for a blend of quality, customization, and variety, many pet parents appreciate BarkBox. It offers themed boxes each month with toys, treats, and a chew that cater to a wide range of dogs. Are dog subscription boxes worth it? Yes, dog subscription boxes are worth it if you enjoy treating your dog to new toys and treats regularly. They offer a convenient way to discover new products that your pet might enjoy. PupBox, for example, offers boxes tailored to puppies' developmental stages and also includes training guides, making it a valuable resource for new pet parents. Can you get a dog subscription box for heavy chewers? Absolutely, Bark Super Chewer is a dog subscription box designed for heavy chewers. Its boxes include toys made from more durable materials to withstand aggressive chewing. Bark Super Chewer is a box from the same creators as BarkBox, but it is specifically designed for dogs that need tougher toys.

Things to do with your English Bulldog Massachusetts is a great place to live with an English bulldog. The state has a diverse landscape, plenty of outdoor activities, and dog-friendly businesses. Hike the Trails Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. There are many hiking trails in Massachusetts that are perfect for English bulldogs. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog, and take breaks often. Visit a Campground Camping is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many campgrounds in Massachusetts that allow dogs. Be sure to bring a tent, sleeping bags, food, water, and other supplies. There are many places to fish in Massachusetts, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to get a fishing license and follow all the rules and regulations. Go Boating Boating is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many places to boat in Massachusetts, both on rivers and lakes. Be sure to bring a life jacket for your dog and follow all the safety rules. There are many places to swim in Massachusetts, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to supervise your dog at all times and follow all the safety rules. Visit a Dog Park Dog parks are a great place for English bulldogs to run and play off-leash. There are many dog parks in Massachusetts, both in urban and rural areas. Visit Dog-Friendly Businesses Massachusetts has a number of pet-friendly businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and stores. These are just a few of the many things you can do with your English bulldog in Massachusetts. With its stunning scenery, endless activities, and friendly people, Massachusetts is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. How do you breed for a healthier English Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other breeders from improving the health of the English Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in Massachusetts? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. This designer breed loves their family, is devoted to them, and strives to be a committed, involved member of the family. Although the English Boston-Bulldog is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable dog organizations. English Boston-Bulldogs tend to make great family dogs. They bond closely with their families, are affectionate, and love nothing more than being with them. They also tend to have a playful, comedic personality paired with a calm, gentle nature. These dogs tend to get along fantastically with children. As long as they are properly socialized, they also get along well with other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. They can be prone to barking if boundaries for this behavior are not established early on or if they are inadvertently trained into it. The English Boston-Bulldog is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They adapt well to just about any home including apartments. But, as a brachycephalic dog breed, they are highly sensitive to heat and cold. They also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time because they bond so closely with their families. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? Just as a mixed-breed dog could inherit nothing from their parent breeds, they could also inherit any combination of the potential health conditions common to their parents or even all of them. In the case of the English Boston-Bulldog, potential health concerns to be aware of include cherry eye, skin infections, glaucoma, cataracts, and heart problems. Because they are a snub-nosed dog breed, they are at a higher risk for heat stroke in higher temperatures. So, you need to be careful in the heat and also use safe ways to exercise flat-faced dogs to keep them from overheating. Reputable breeders will be screening their dogs to avoid passing congenital issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking them about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask to see results or clearances from any tests that have been done. This dog breed tends to be highly trainable and a good fit for owners of all experience levels. They are intelligent and pick up on things quickly. Plus, they are eager to please. They can be stubborn at times, especially if they are bored with repetition. Although this can be a challenge for first-time dog owners, they can usually navigate it well as long as training is consistent and focused on positive praise and reward. These dogs are sensitive and will strive to perform to your expectations as long as those expectations are clearly and consistently communicated. On top of that, they offer opportunities to socialize a puppy. An English Boston-Bulldog has a short coat that sheds a little year-round. Because debris can get in their large eyes and trapped in their wrinkles, you need to regularly check these areas and clean as needed to help prevent irritation and other issues. Weekly ear checks can go a long way in helping to prevent ear infections. Ears should be dry, clean, and free of debris, redness, or other concerning things. A good dental care routine is also essential. English Boston-Bulldogs will be full of energy as puppies and will mellow out a little as they age. They will be in a more moderate activity range when they are young with bursts of energy while playing. As they age, they tend to settle into a lower activity range. Daily walks plus plenty of playtime are usually enough for these dogs. English Boston-Bulldogs usually stand inches tall and weighs pounds. English Boston-Bulldog generally lives for years. Featured English Boston-Bulldog Article. Questions about Bulldog puppies for sale in Boston MA? We have answers. How much are Bulldog puppies for sale in Boston MA? There is always a range of prices available for Bulldog puppies for sale in Boston. Some Bulldogs are more expensive than others due to coat color, puppy gender, breeder and business experience and location, and whether or not the Bulldog puppy has had its shots or not. What if there are no Bulldog breeders in Boston? You may be searching Uptown Puppies and not be able to find any Bulldog breeders in Boston and businesses, or Boston Bulldog puppies for sale. There are a number of Bulldog puppy breeders and businesses from out-of-state that you can connect with! How are the Bulldog breeders screened? Why is Uptown Puppies so unique from other Bulldog puppy-finder websites? Bulldog puppies for sale Boston are very popular nowadays, and therefore we designed the perfect Bulldog for sale Boston site that creates real connections between families looking for Bulldog puppies, and the best breeders and businesses available. We have done all the hard work to make sure you end up with the best puppies! What is a Boston puppy mill like? This happens because more often than not, these puppies are born in little dirty cages that are stacked up upon one another. Can I get a Bulldog puppy right now? Just start your search journey on Uptown Puppies, and a Boston Bulldog for sale will be yours soon! What type of dog is a Bulldog? Boston Bulldogs for sale are really sweet, kind, and lazy dogs that are affectionate, loyal, goofy, and funny. Their faces are all wrinkled, in fact, because they were bred to look the way they do to keep them safer in fights. Are Bulldogs big? What are their temperaments like? Bulldogs in Boston live 8 to 10 years, and are medium-sized dogs that happen to be very heavy just try pick one up! Are Bulldogs happy in apartments? What is the grooming process for Bulldogs? Important grooming tips for Bulldogs Boston are first to brush their coat every day, as it keeps it smooth and shiny. You also need to brush their teeth every day, clip their nails, and shampoo them every few weeks.

Persimmons Plums Most fruits on this list only cause upset stomach and intestines, but grapes and raisins are especially harmful to your dog. They can lead to kidney failure. Signs of kidney failure in dogs are blood in urine, dark urine, lethargy, pale gums, ulcers in the mouth, weight loss, and a decrease in appetite. Nuts Nuts Just like with people, nuts are a common source of food allergies to Labradors. Macadamia nuts are one of the most poisonous foods a dog can have. Only six macadamia nuts can cause permanent nerve damage or be deadly for your furry friend. Some other nuts to watch out for are almonds, walnuts, and pecans. The high amounts of fat in nuts can lead to pancreatitis in your dog. Signs that your dog has consumed Macadamia nuts are weakness, shaking, vomiting, and hyperthermia high body temperature. This can lead to nervous system damage. Additives Additives Sugar and salt are dangerous for dogs for the same reason they are dangerous for people. Sugar can cause weight gain which leads to heart problems, joint problems, and more. Too much salt can also cause heart problems, and can even lead to salt toxicity. When avoiding sugar, watch out for sugar-free foods. Xylitol , a sugar substitute, can lead to a sudden drop in blood sugar and cause liver damage in your Labrador. Signs of Xylitol poisoning in your Labrador are seizures, loss of coordination, vomiting, and lethargy. This can lead to liver failure. Signs of salt poisoning in dogs are extreme thirst, loss of coordination, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Raw Food Raw Food Although we are in the middle of a raw food craze, there are many reasons you should avoid feeding raw food to your Labrador. Raw meat and eggs can cause food-borne illnesses like salmonella poisoning and E coli poisoning. Raw fish not only can cause food poisoning, but also worm infestation. Yeast dough can make your dog sick by expanding in the stomach causing bloating and twisting. Raw potatoes and tomatoes have a substance called solanine that is toxic to dogs. Signs of food poisoning in your dog are vomiting, diarrhea dehydration, lethargy, and reduced appetite. It is very important to get professional help or your furry friend may become dehydrated and die. Signs of twisted stomach GDV are loss of appetite, throwing up blood clots, shallow breathing, swollen stomach, and pale gums. I had a dog die from GDV and it is a horrible, painful way to go. Dairy Dairy In the past, I would give my dogs their medicine by wrapping the pill in a piece of cheese. However, I soon learned that dairy foods like cheese and milk are not good for our furry friends. While dogs like Labradors drink milk when they are puppies, they can become lactose intolerant as they age. Along with intolerance, they can also develop a true allergy to these foods. Signs of lactose intolerance in dogs are bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Signs of an allergy are skin rashes, diarrhea or constipation, and vomiting. Spices Spices You may have noticed that after eating a spicy meal you have stomach upset like acid reflux, indigestion, or diarrhea. The same thing can happen to your Labrador. Cinnamon can even irritate the lining of the nose and throat. This causes choking, coughing, and lung irritation. One of the worst spices for dogs is nutmeg. It contains myristicin which is toxic to dogs. Signs of nutmeg poisoning are disorientation, vomiting, dry mouth, and shaking. Bones Bones While bones are not toxic to your Labrador, they are dangerous for dogs. Bird bones like chicken, quail, and dove are hollow. The only bones safe to give to your Labrador are uncooked bones from animals like cows, deer, and lamb. Cooked bones splinter easily and can cause tears and punctures. Signs of a pictured or torn digestive tract in dogs are blood in stools, vomiting blood, pain, not eating, and dehydration. Ways to Avoid Toxic Foods To prevent your Labrador from accidentally eating toxic foods, make sure you always follow these simple rules: Never let anyone else feed your dog. Put all food and medication out of reach of your dog. Keep all plates and glasses out of reach. Only feed your Labrador food that is FDA-approved for dogs or that is safely prepared by you. Educate all people in your household on what foods are toxic for dogs. Never let an inexperienced person pet-sit your Labrador. What to Do If Labrador Eats Toxic Foods If your dog has symptoms of food toxicity like irregular breathing, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, slow heartbeat, or seizures, call your vet immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by your vet or poison control. Another important item to keep handy is activated charcoal. In case activated charcoal is recommended by your vet or poison control, you should always keep some easily accessible in your home. It can be purchased at most pet stores like Chewy, Petco, and Tractor Supply. Cat advice Toxic food for dogs Dogs can be opportunists when it comes to getting their paws on tasty treats, but not all everyday food and drink are safe if they come into contact with them. Learn which nine items are particularly dangerous to your dog. Onions, garlic and chives The onion family, whether dry, raw or cooked, is particularly toxic to dogs and can cause gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage. Signs of illness are not always immediate and can occur up to a few days later. Chocolate However enticing chocolate is for humans and dogs alike, chocolate is another poisonous food for dogs. Chocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine dark chocolate has the highest content of this which is toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure. Corn on the cob Corn on the cob could potentially be fatal if eaten by your dog. Avocado Avocados are another poisonous food for dogs. Avocado plants contain a substance called Persin which is in its leaves, fruit and seed and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs. Artificial sweetener Xylitol Our desire for sweet treats, chewing gum and drinks together with low-fat, diet and sugar-free products including some peanut butters so always check the label before using this as a treat are often laced with an artificial sweetener called Xylitol which causes an insulin release in our bodies. However, if your dog digests one of these sweetened foods they can go into hypoglycaemia which is linked to liver failure and blood clotting disorders. Alcohol Alcohol has a huge impact on dogs even in small doses. The drink not only causes intoxication as it does in humans, but it can lead to sickness, diarrhoea and even central nervous system damage. Cooked bones Giving your dog a raw uncooked bone to chew on is great, but avoid cooked bones at all cost. These can easily splinter and in large quantities cause constipation or at worst, a perforation of the gut which can be fatal. The active ingredient which causes the toxin is unknown, however both grapes and raisins may cause severe liver damage and kidney failure. What should I do if my dog has eaten any of these? If consumed, even small amounts of these items can be fatal so always act immediately and take your dog to the vets. Download this information as a handy advice sheet to keep for reference:. Active, eager to please and easy to train — with the waggiest of tails and smiliest of doggy faces — when it comes to being a good-natured family pet, Labrador Retrievers tick all the boxes. How trendy is your dog? The breed has certainly come a long way from its hard-working Canadian roots — in 16th century Newfoundland, the ancestors of the Labrador Retrievers we know and love today were used to help fishermen retrieve nets and lost lines and pull carts loaded with fish. Labs will try their hardest to beg, steal or borrow just about any kind of food , even if it will do them absolutely no good at all. Sensitive puppy food is suitable for feeding Labrador puppies from 6 weeks to 12 months old. Shop sensitive puppy food. A recent scientific study has shown that a gene alteration specifically found in Labs indicates greater food-motivated behaviour than in other breeds. Researchers discovered that this variation occurs more frequently in Labradors chosen as assistance dogs and might explain why these canines seem more trainable with food rewards. When searching for the best diet for Labradors, look for recipes that are made from premium ingredients such as lamb , turkey and salmon to ensure excellent quality and superior taste. Shop high-quality Burgess dog food. Dogs need a balance of vitamins and minerals, and their food must contain zinc and copper supplements. They also need a little bit of fibre in their diet to help maintain a healthy gut. Burgess Sensitive dog food range caters for your dog at every stage of their life — all the way through from puppy to senior. Sensitive puppy food is suitable for Labrador puppies from 6 weeks to 12 months old and nursing mothers. Sensitive adult dog food is designed for dogs over the age of 12 months. For dogs over the age of 7, sensitive senior dog food is the perfect food for your Labrador dog. Our Labrador has a sensitive stomach and took to this change of food well. Healthy and balanced! We tried various diets, and this was the only one that settled him. She produces smaller poos! Dry kibble dog food is widely acknowledged to be a great way to deliver a nutritious, balanced, complete diet. The best dry food for adult and puppy Labradors is carefully crafted to provide exactly the right balance of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats that your dog needs, in an easy-to-feed form. When introducing a new food to your dog, you should do it gradually to avoid upsetting their digestion. Mix in the new food with the old over a period of 7 to 10 days until the new food completely replaces the old diet. How often should you feed a Labrador Retriever and how much? Puppies, with their small stomachs need three or four small meals a day, while adult dogs generally have two meals a day. Sometimes, elderly dogs benefit from three or four smaller meals. If you feed treats for training or when out on walks, this should also be taken into account. Remember that treats should be just that — something special, fed occasionally, in small amounts. Feeding frenzy? While some dogs like to savour every mouthful of their food, you might find that when feeding your Labrador puppy or adult dog, that they scoff down their dinner in seconds, which is really not good for them. Eating food too fast can cause digestive upsets, some of which can be very serious, requiring immediate veterinary attention. By switching the food you are feeding them to something more nutritionally beneficial you may be able to change your Lab's eating behaviour and allow them to slow down. What foods are dangerous to Labrador Retrievers? Here are some of the main foods that are dangerous for dogs and should be avoided in a Labrador diet. If you suspect your Lab has eaten any of the following, consult your vet immediately. Alcoholic beverages Can cause intoxication, coma, and death. Chocolate, coffee, tea Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system. Fat trimmings Pits from peaches and plums Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract. Grapes and raisins Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. Gravy If made from meat juices, it can contain high levels of fat, which can cause pancreatitis. Large amounts of liver Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones. Macadamia nuts Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle. Milk and other dairy products Some adult dogs do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhoea. Mouldy or spoiled food Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhoea and can also affect other organs. Mushrooms Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death. Onions and garlic raw, cooked, or powder Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia. Garlic is less toxic than onions. Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock. Raw eggs Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin a B vitamin. This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain salmonella. Raw fish Can result in a thiamine a B vitamin deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly. Excessive salt If eaten in large quantities, it may lead to electrolyte imbalances. Sugary foods Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus. Table scraps in large amounts Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced and if excessively fed can lead to obesity. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed. Xylitol This artificial sweetener sneaks its way into all sorts of foods — from peanut butter to jellies and jams and is highly toxic to canines. After a dog consumes a significant amount of xylitol, there is a massive release of insulin from the pancreas. This, in turn, results in a dangerously low blood sugar level and symptoms such as weakness, trembling, seizures, collapse, and even death. Is a Labrador Retriever the right breed for you? These easy-going, rewarding dogs have high energy levels, and will thrive on lots of attention, positive reward-based training , plenty of exercise as well as the right nutrition to keep them happy and healthy throughout their lives. Marcelle Landestoy, DVM If you own a Labrador retriever , you will likely agree that this good-natured breed is always on the lookout for food. Unfortunately, many foods are considered dangerous. Though some human foods are perfectly safe, several contain harmful ingredients that your dog should avoid. Foods your Labrador Retriever should avoid include onions, garlic, avocados, chocolate, grapes, and bones. Foods that you might not know are dangerous for your Lab include raw meat, pineapple, macadamia nuts, caffeinated drinks, and alcohol. Always consult with your vet before feeding your dog new food. As a licensed veterinary doctor, I will explore in this post several foods that are considered toxic to dogs, along with foods that may cause your lab discomfort so you can limit or eliminate them from their diet. We all know that the traffic lights consist of three primary colors: green, yellow, and red. These colors will form the basis of our food classification based on the severity of their impacts. In this case, your pup may experience mild diarrhea, bloating, or vomiting. Additionally, the consumption of these foods over a long duration may yield adverse long-term effects. We can relate them to kids consuming candies. These effects include vomiting, stomach upsets, and breathing difficulties. Once consumed, these foods will necessitate a visit to the pet clinic. If your pup consumes any of the foods in this category, you should seek immediate medical attention to save its life. Surprisingly, most dogs are lactose intolerant, meaning they lack enough lactase in their bodies to break down the lactose sugar in milk. As a result, if they consume an excess of milk or other dairy products like ice cream, there will be incomplete digestion causing mild stomach upsets, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additionally, if your pup consumes milk and dairy products over a long period, the lactose builds up in their bodies and is eventually converted into fats. Do you know the long-term effects of the accumulation of excess fat in the body? Yes, you guessed it right, obesity. And, given that Labs are prone to obesity, you will end up having an obese Lab. Bread Bread is safe for consumption by dogs but only as an occasional treat. Therefore, when feeding bread to your Lab, do so in moderation. You may find that your Lab experiences some mild stomach upsets, nausea, and diarrhea after consuming cottage cheese. Pineapple As a fruit, pineapple is an ideal nutrient-dense snack for your pooch as it contains a high amount of vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Unfortunately, too much of it is not suitable for your dog. Excessive consumption of pineapples may give your Lab mild digestive issues, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additionally, pineapples contain a high fruit sugar content, an excess of which may be converted into fats. Since Labs are prone to obesity, overconsumption of pineapples may cause extreme weight gain. Therefore, watch out for the amount you feed them! Additionally, almonds have high-calorie content and often expose your Lab to obesity. Raw meat contains multiple bacterial pathogens such as salmonella spp and E. Additionally, raw meat may contain tapeworms, among other parasites that can be harmful to your dog when ingested. Similarly, raw eggs contain salmonella spp and Avidin, an enzyme that inhibits the absorption of Vitamin B7 biotin , causing fur issues in your furry canine friend. Cat Food If you have both cats and dogs in your home, you may at times use cat food as a substitute for dog food. Since felines and canines have different nutritional needs, their foods are manufactured with varying dietary components. Therefore, if you make it a habit to feed your canine friend with cat food, he may end becoming obese. This is common for every Lab parent because your goal is to see him happy and healthy. However, monitor him for any signs that appear to persist and consult a vet if you are in doubt. Persin is present in almost every part of it, from the shell and the pit to the flesh, and once consumed, it causes severe vomiting and diarrhea. If consumed in large quantities, it can damage the heart and lung tissues. Another thing about avocados is the pit, which poses a choking hazard and can also cause intestinal blockage. If that happens, your lab will probably need surgery to have it removed. Both garlic and onions are members of the Allium family, and they contain a high amount of disulfides and sulfoxides, which are toxic to dogs. When consumed by dogs, they cause severe stomach upset and hemolytic anemia—they break down red blood cells leaving your Lab struggling for oxygen. Regardless of their form, whether cooked, raw, powdered, or blended, onions and garlic are highly toxic to your pup. When consumed, it causes severe stomach pains, high blood pressure, dry mouth, increased heart rate, seizures, and disorientation. Always check any foods that may contain nutmeg, such as baked goods, cereals, and granola bars, keeping them out of reach where possible. Macadamia nuts are known to be toxic to dogs. If your Lab consumes them, he may experience severe vomiting, tremors, muscle weakness, hyperthermia, depression, and paralysis of the hindquarters. As with nutmeg, macadamia nuts are often found in baked goods and cereals. Always check the ingredient lists before sharing your snacks with your dog, and keep them out of their reach in the pantry. Tomatoes Although ripe tomatoes are safe for your dog, green or unripe tomatoes can be dangerous. If you grow tomatoes at home, try to keep them high in a greenhouse or behind a netting to prevent your dog from plucking the unripe fruits from the plant. Grapes and Raisins Grapes and raisins are toxic to Labs, and when ingested, they reduce blood flow into the kidney. A reduction in blood flow can cause kidney failure, and if no medical attention is provided, you might lose your canine friend. Some signs of grape or raisin poisoning include severe dehydration, abdominal pain, vomiting, coma, and seizures. When eliminating grapes and raisins, also eliminate their derivatives such as alcohol. Since most of these foods are highly toxic to your Lab, you should seek immediate medical attention. Depending on the notable signs, you may consult your vet to guide you at home. Never attempt to induce vomiting if your pet has difficulties breathing or is choking. Therefore, keep a close eye on him if you suspect he has consumed any of these foods. If the condition is severe, you may need to leave your Lab in the clinic for close monitoring. Red: Dangerous or Poisonous These are the highly toxic foods your Lab should never consume. However, be cautious not to give your Lab cooked bones. There is also a problem with some large uncooked bones. Some of them are weighty and so hard that they can inflict dental damage to your pup. In some cases, these bones can crack or break their teeth, leading to potential infections and jaw pain. Caffeinated Beverages Never share your cup of coffee or tea with your Lab. With the high level of caffeine in both of these drinks, your dog will almost immediately feel the effects. Caffeinated drinks cause severe vomiting, hyperactivity, accelerated heartbeat, tremors, and seizures. A higher intake can cause heart and liver failure, which can ultimately be deadly. Chocolate is one of the most highly toxic foods for dogs since it contains caffeine and theobromine. As earlier mentioned, caffeine acts as a stimulant that causes hyperactivity and accelerates heartbeat, among other effects. Theobromine, on the other hand, is a diuretic and cardiac stimulant. Additionally, being a cardiac stimulant, theobromine increases the heart or irregular heartbeat rhythm, which can cause death. A small amount may not be fatal depending on his size, but it is not worth the risk. Therefore, always keep chocolate and chocolate products far away from your Lab. Although not toxic to humans, it is highly poisonous to dogs. You can find Xylitol in foods such as ketchup, baked foods, gums, candies, vitamin supplements, and toothpaste. When your Lab consumes food substances containing Xylitol, he can experience a rapid drop in blood sugar levels, severe seizures, and muscle weakness. If consumed in high amounts, Xylitol can cause liver damage or result in death. Raw Yeast Dough Raw yeast dough is highly unsafe for your Lab to consume. With massive ingestion of raw yeast dough, your Lab can quickly die. Corn on the Cob On its own, corn is safe for consumption by dogs. However, since accidents are bound to happen, and it is not uncommon to find that your canine friend has consumed raw yeast dough, cooked bones, chocolate, or a caffeinated drink. So, what should you do? Given the high level of toxicity from these foods, it might be a matter of life and death, and the faster you act, the safer your Lab will be. Your vet may advise you to induce vomiting before rushing him to the clinic in a bid to reduce the adverse effects. Conclusion We often give our dogs many foods without a second thought, such as table scraps or food they may grab from the counter. With some foods, such as dairy or pineapple, chances are your dog will suffer from an upset stomach, and you may need to clean up some diarrhea. However, foods like chocolate and alcohol are very toxic, and if your Labrador Retriever consumes them, you will need to seek immediate medical attention. You might have noticed this too if you have a Labrador. As a Labrador owner, it is difficult to resist sharing food with your Lab, when it looks at you with those cute hungry eyes pleading for food. Whatever you eat, it can be chocolates or pizzas or cakes. Your Lab always looks at you, for his little piece of share. But how far is it safe to feed your dog with human food? Some human foods may be fine for your dog. But not every food. Is it okay to feed him a piece of cake or a piece of bread? But there are certain foods that you should never give to your dog. Some human foods are not only unsafe for your dog but can also be potentially toxic for him. Out of the various human foods, there are some foods that you should never feed your Lab, and some human foods can be given with some precautions. Have a look at the list of foods to avoid for a Labrador. Dogs have become a part of our human lives and a part of our family. Because of this we even treat dogs like the way we treat humans. In spite of being a part of our family, you have to remember the fact they are a different species of life. Hence your dog metabolizes the food differently when compared with you. Is it easy for you to digest a large chunk of raw meat easily? But your dog can do it easily. Why Labradors? Foods that are harmful or not suitable for your Labrador are obviously not suited for every other dog breed too. But why special care is required with respect to Labradors? The reason for special care in feeding Labradors is due to their voracious eating habit. I have heard of Labradors that have eaten the most unsuitable things for them. I have heard of Labs that have eaten chocolates, sweets, leftover cooked bones and many kinds of human junk food too. As Labradors have an unending appetite, there is a greater chance that your dog might eat some wrong and unnecessary foods which can be harmful to its health. What Labradors should not eat? I will divide the list of foods that you should not feed your Labrador, for that matter any dog, into two categories. The first category includes foods that should not be fed at all in any case, as they could be potentially toxic to your dog. The second category includes foods that your Labrador should not eat, but if eaten in small amounts may not cause immediate health concerns. But this does not mean you can feed them. Your dog should not eat them too. What can labradors not eat? Have a look at the list below… 1. Alcohol Why should a dog be given something that is not made for its consumption? Humans consume alcohol for various reasons. But why should a dog drink alcohol? I have heard about some people who fed their dog with some amount of beer, which could be out of fun or due to ignorance. But it is important to remember that, it is not funny to feed your dog with alcohol, and dogs should never consume alcohol. Alcohol in any form which may be beer, wine, vodka or even hops, even ingested in small amount may cause ethanol poisoning in your dog. You may not feed alcohol directly to your dog, but in some cases, wine spills and alcohol within the reach of your dog can be the cause of alcohol toxicity in your dog. In such cases, you notice symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination and tiredness in your dog. If your dog consumes alcohol in excess amounts, it can eventually lead to heart attack, lung failure, seizures and sometimes even death. Hence keep all forms of substances that contain alcohol away from the reach of your dog. This includes alcohol-based perfumes and cleaning products too. Your dog is too sensitive to the effects of caffeine when compared with humans. When i talk about caffeine, coffee and tea usually come to your mind. But caffeine is not only present in tea and coffee but also present in many drinks and other items your house. Hence any item that contains caffeine should be avoided for your dog. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea too. So, No caffeine for your dog. Chewing gum with Xylitol If your dog eats a small amount of sugared gum, it might cause a little digestive distress for him. But what if it consumes a chewing gum with xylitol? Xylitol is an artificial sweetener which is used in many sugar-free chewing gums. In case, your dog eats that gum, it can be very harmful to him. Yes, xylitol is very toxic for dogs. It can lead to a rapid lowering of blood sugar levels in your dog within 30 minutes of consuming it. Xylitol may be present in chewing gums, toothpaste, sugar-free foods, some baked goods and even some brands of peanut butter. Keep all such products away from your dog. Take more care regarding foods like peanut butter which your dog might eat usually. In severe cases, consuming xylitol can cause seizures and even liver failure in your dog. So be careful with xylitol. Grapes and Raisins This is another poisonous food for your dog, even in small amounts. Not even a few grapes or few raisins should be fed to your Labrador. Grapes can cause rapid kidney failure in your dog. If a dog is already dealing with kidney issues, feeding him grapes or raisins could be the worst thing that could ever happen to him. Always keep grapes and raisins away from your dog. Tell people around you to not feed them to dogs. As grapes being a healthy fruit, people usually might feed them unknowingly to their dogs, without knowing their toxic effects. Chocolate Your Labrador usually has some natural resistance towards eating some foods. Dogs have the natural capability of choosing foods to eat and foods to avoid. But what about chocolates? When you place some chocolates before your dog, there is a greater chance for your dog to consume them. Because your dog has taste buds and it can identify the taste of sweet. Your dog likes the taste of sweet just like us. But the chocolates we consume usually has the compound theobromine which is not suitable for your dog. It can be toxic and very dangerous for your dog in certain cases. The level of danger depends upon the type of chocolate your dog consumes. Whether it is dark chocolate or milk chocolate? Whether is taken on an empty stomach or taken along with food? The seriousness of the condition depends upon such factors. Whatever the factors may be, chocolates should not be fed to your dog. Eating chocolates can cause vomiting, diarrhea, severe digestive distress and sometimes even seizures too. I have heard people without proper knowledge who say that dogs can eat chocolates. If you come across such a person, tell him clearly that chocolates are not for dogs. Macadamia nuts Macadamia nuts are one of the tops human foods that should not be given to your dog at all. What about smaller quantities? Every dog is different with respect to the toxic effect of these nuts. The toxicity range is anywhere between 2 grams to 64 grams of the toxin per kg body weight of the dog. As the range is very large, it is difficult to access the toxicity effect of eating macadamia nuts in your dog. Hence it is better to never feed these nuts to your dog. These nuts are usually found in the houses, either separately or present in some foods like cookies. Some unidentified toxin present in these nuts is potentially toxic to your dog. Ingestion of these nuts by your dog could lead to vomiting, ataxia, elevated body temperature, and weakness along with depression. So keep this dangerous food away from your Labrador. Raw Yeast Dough This is another human food that can be extremely dangerous for your dog. Feeding your dog with unbaked dough can cause two major health concerns in your dog. The yeast which is already present in the dough activates and the dough expands in size. It can lead to a condition called GDV. This is a dangerous condition which is fatal for any dog. Secondly, raw yeast dough can cause alcohol poisoning in your dog. The yeast present in the food gets fermented and produces alcohol in this process. This alcohol produced is easily absorbed into the bloodstream which can be dangerous for your dog. This finishes the first category list of foods that are extremely toxic to your Labrador. Now have a look at the remaining list of foods that are although not extremely toxic but you should not feed them. Avocado The avocado fruit, the pits, its leaves and the plant are all toxic to dogs. Avocados contain a toxin called persin which is very poisonous to dogs. The toxin which is harmful to dogs is present in higher concentrations in the leaves, skin and pits of the avocado plant. But what about the flesh? The flesh contains the toxin in very low concentrations. Because of this reason some dog owners prefer feeding the flesh of avocado to their dogs. But the amount of persin that causes harm to your dog is actually not known exactly. Hence there is no necessity of feeding foods that include risk in eating them. Hence it is better to avoid avocados for your dog. Onions and Garlic Foods that belong to the allium family are considered to be unsuitable for dogs. Onions contain a compound called N-propyl disulfide, and this can be toxic to your dog. Even garlic contains thiosulphate which is toxic to your dog. But let me tell you my personal experience regarding feeding garlic and onions to dogs. The curries usually included onions and garlic too. But it did not affect the dog and the dog lived a healthy long life. Without any major health problems, he had lived for 16 years. But what about garlic? Is it so unsafe? Although garlic is usually unsafe for dogs, some pet owners and some studies suggest the usage of garlic to dogs which provide a list of wonderful benefits for your dog. Some studies even suggest using garlic as a supplement. It all depends upon the dosage of garlic and the duration of feeding garlic to the dog. I fed my Labrador with garlic to deal with the flea nuisance and it helped him a lot. In spite of the claimed benefits, a large quantity of garlic can be poisonous to your dog. Hence discuss with your vet if you want to administer garlic to your dog as a medicine for any specific reason. Milk Feeding milk to dogs is a controversial topic. I have seen dogs drinking milk without any side effects. But my dog gets diarrhea soon after drinking milk. Even some experts suggest feeding milk to dogs where are some are completely against feeding milk to dogs. But what is the truth? Is milk harmful to dogs? Yes, puppies do drink milk from their mothers before weaning. But after they get weaned, they stop producing lactase. And every dog is different in this case, because of this every dog reacts in a different manner after drinking milk and consuming other dairy products. The side effects of drinking milk are different in every dog. Some dogs might not show any digestive issues whereas some dogs might exhibit severe digestive problems. Actually there is no special reason for feeding milk to your dog. You can provide all the nutrients which milk offers from various other sources. Hence it is not necessary to feed milk to your dog. Cooked Bones There exists a lot of contradictory information regarding feeding bones to dogs. Feeding bones to your dog includes both health benefits and health risks too. All the risk depends upon the type of bone and size of bone that you feed your dog. Raw bones of the right type and right size are a good choice for giving it to your dog. But what about cooked bones? You should never feed cooked bones to your dog. The cooked chicken bones which are usually the table scraps break easily. They splinter and cause gum and digestive injuries which can be severe in some cases. So never give cooked bones to your dog. Cinnamon Cinnamon is found in some cookies and some cakes too. This food even though is not toxic for your dog, you should not feed it. Keep cinnamon in powdered form away from your dog. In case your dog inhales it, it might cause respiratory difficulty for him. Even though not toxic, cinnamon is not suitable for your dog. So it is good to avoid it. Nutmeg Nutmeg is a spice used in some cookies and cakes. It enhances the flavour of many foods but not suitable for your dog. Nutmeg has a compound called Myristicin that is toxic to your dog. If you have a large dog and if grabs a cookie with nutmeg in it, there might not be any severe consequences. But if your dog is a small one and if it steals 3 to 4 cookies, then it would surely be a problem for him. As nutmeg is toxic to your dog, possibly avoid all forms of food that contain this spice. Tomatoes Tomatoes are both okay in limit and toxic to your dog. Once my Labrador stole a big tomato from the vegetable basket and ate it before i could remove it. I was a little worried and it was then when i had studied about dogs eating tomatoes. Not all tomatoes are okay for your dog. Feeding a red ripe tomato is usually safe for your dog. It is a problem only when it is unripe and green in color. A green-colored tomato, usually which is unripe contains compounds like tomatine and solanine which are toxic to your dog. These toxins are usually present in green parts of the plant such as its leaves, stem and the unripe green tomatoes. Are ripe tomatoes okay to feed? Even excess feeding of ripe tomatoes can cause digestive distress for your dog. Hence you can feed the red ripe tomato only as an occasional treat and completely avoid the unripe green ones that are toxic for your furry friend. Almonds Some nuts are not suitable for your dog, whereas some nuts can be given in smaller quantities. If your dog eats one or two nuts that fell on the ground, it might not be an issue for concern. But if your dog eats almonds in more number, it can definitely cause an issue for your dog. Almonds could cause digestive strain and could induce vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and severe indigestion in your dog. The high-fat content in almonds could also cause issues like pancreatitis in your dog. Pancreatitis is a serious condition that needs immediate care. Hence it is better to avoid almonds to prevent these risky conditions. My Lab hates lemons, it does not prefer to eat them even if i force him to eat. So dogs usually have resistance to eating lemons. But this is not the case with every dog. I have seen dogs happily munching on lemons. But actually lemons or limes are toxic to your pet. The peels of lemon contain a substance called psoralen which is harmful to your dog. The peel when ingested can also cause digestive upset. Sometimes the effects may be more serious too. Then what about the juice of the fruit? Even though licking a few drops of juice may not harm your dog. This is because of the acidic nature of the citrus fruit. It can cause both vomiting and diarrhea in your dog. As this fruit even does not provide any immense nutritional benefit for your dog, it is better to skip feeding lemon and lime to your dog. Corn on the cob Some dogs are allergic to corn, but some dogs happily eat corn. Feeding your dog with a few tablespoons of corn is okay. Your dog gets all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants present in the corn. Corn in moderation sometimes is not an issue for your dog. But what about corn along with the cob? I say, always No. Do you think your dog has the capacity to digest the cob as well? Not at all. Your dog cannot digest the cob and there is a chance of intestinal blockage if he swallows the chunks of cob. Many such cases require veterinary assistance along with a surgery to be performed to remove those indigestible chunks. Remember, never give the cob to your dog. Ice cream and sugars Dogs have taste buds and they are attracted to sugars and foods like ice creams just like us. But firstly, your dog does not need sugar for its body. Secondly, ice cream contains milk and your dog cannot digest it properly. Hence feeding ice cream may cause stomach upset in your dog. It may also lead to diarrhea, vomiting and gas formation. Various health issues such as lowered immunity, digestive issues, weight gain, gum problems and various other health problems may arise. A little bit of sugar or ice cream may not harm your dog excessively. Salt Your dog needs sodium for proper cellular function. But you do not have to add salt in its diet to supply the essential sodium for him. Foods that your dog usually eats such as meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are good sources of sodium. Even the commercially prepared foods have the required amounts of sodium for your dog. Hence there is no necessity to feed additional salt to your dog. This additional or excessive salt can be harmful to your dog. It can lead to salt poisoning in your dog. Excessive salt consumption can make your dog extremely thirsty. It may lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Too much salt can finally lead to severe dehydration which can even be fatal to your dog. Hence stop giving chips and other salty foods to your dog. As a loving dog owner, it is difficult to resist giving food to your dog, after looking at its hungry eyes. I have seen people feeding pizzas, sandwiches and even cakes to their dogs while eating them. But junk food which is made for humans to eat is not suitable for your dog. If the junk food that you eat is causing health damage to you, imagine what effects it could have if you feed it to your dog? Unnecessary treats and human junk food can cause serious health complications for your dog such as weight gain, obesity, heart disease and even cancer. Some ingredients such as onions present in the human food could also pose a potential risk to your dog if eaten. Avoid the habit of human junk food as treats for your dog. Research over the past decade shows that most dog owners unintentionally feed poisonous foods to their pets due to a lack of knowledge, as highlighted in this report on household food items toxic to dogs and cats. Therefore, if this article helps save just one Lab, I will be more than happy. Mild alcohol poisoning can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle incoordination, and poor breathing. Severe cases involve seizures, respiratory failure, and death can occur 12 to 24 hours after ingesting. Alcohol has a similar effect on dogs that it has on humans in that it affects the liver and brain. However, the slightest amount of alcohol can be deadly for your Lab. Remember to these out of reach. If you grow fruit at home, such as apples, be careful once the fruit has fallen from the tree and starts to decompose as it produces ethanol alcohol. There was a sad case of ethanol intoxication from the ingestion of massive rotten apples by a dog who died 48 hours later. Never leave your Labrador Retriever unsupervised where they can have free access to fruit. Avocado Labradors can not eat avocado as it is toxic to dogs. The skin, leaves, pit, and bark of avocados are all poisonous as they contain persin, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and difficulty breathing. Severe cases of poisoning can cause oxygen deprivation and can lead to death. The high-fat content of this fruit can also lead to pancreatitis, and the avocado pit is a choking hazard. If you grow avocados at home, remember to keep your dog away from the plants. Black Walnuts Labradors should not eat black walnuts as they are toxic to dogs due to an unknown toxin. Symptoms include vomiting, restlessness, panting, fever, and lack of coordination. Severe cases of walnut poisoning can result in seizures, tremors, liver failure, and the death of your Lab. Another danger is if old walnuts have been lying on the ground and turned moldy, the mold becomes an additional poison, and you have double trouble ahead. Although some nuts are okay for Labradors to eat, such as cashews or almonds, you must give them in moderation due to their high fat content. Nuts can easily cause a stomach upset in dogs, and feeding your Lab foods high in fat content can also lead to pancreatitis or obesity. Blue Cheese Labradors cannot eat blue cheese, such as blue stilton. The fungus used to make blue cheese contains a substance called roquefortine C, which is toxic if ingested by your dog. If blue cheese is eaten in large doses, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, high temperature, tremors, twitching, and seizures. However, other cheese, such as mild cheddar, is safe for dogs to eat, but some Labs may find it difficult to break down like other dairy products. This is known as lactose intolerance. All dairy products contain different amounts of lactose. Whether your Lab can enjoy small pieces of safe cheese comes down to the individual dog. Remember, too, that foods high in fat can cause a stomach upset. For example, my dog enjoys small pieces of cheddar as a treat, an occasional lick of milk, and plain or Greek yogurt added to her food as a topping. However, she cannot tolerate even an iota of heavy cream, which makes her sick. Caffeine Tea, Coffee, etc. Labradors cannot drink tea or coffee as they contain caffeine which is toxic to dogs. Ingestion of caffeine can be fatal in severe cases as it overstimulates the nervous system, causing a fast heartbeat and leading to death. Less severe symptoms include excessive thirst, vomiting, and tremors. Your Lab will be fine if he just has a lick or two of your drink. However, several deaths of dogs have occurred due to caffeine overdose. Keep your Lab away from coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, colas, and energy drinks. Caffeine is also present in some supplements, cold medicines, and painkillers. This report details the sad case of a Yorkshire Terrier who died from ingesting an over-the-counter caffeine supplement. Cherries Labradors can eat the flesh of cherries. However, they should not eat cherry pits, stems, and leaves as they contain cyanide which is toxic. When eaten in large amounts, cyanide poisoning prevents your Lab from getting enough oxygen, and shock and death can occur in critical cases. Symptoms are dilated pupils, bright red gums, and breathing difficulties. Call your vet immediately, as they may advise you to induce vomiting. Additionally, the pit is a choking hazard and, if swallowed, can cause a blockage. Chocolate and Cocoa Labradors can not eat chocolate as it is poisonous. Chocolate poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, heart problems, tremors, seizures, and death, depending on the amount consumed and its potency. The most toxic types are dark and unsweetened baking chocolate — the darker it gets, the more poisonous due to the concentrated cacao solids. Additionally, beware of other chocolate products that contain different toxins, such as macadamia nuts, raisins, or xylitol. Garlic Labradors can not eat garlic as it is poisonous to dogs. Eating a large amount of garlic will rupture their red blood cells, which leads to anemia. Symptoms of garlic poisoning include rapid breathing, lethargy, weakness, jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. However, your doggo would need to eat quite a lot to get very sick, and fatalities are rare. Also, be aware that signs of garlic poisoning can be delayed and may not be apparent until several days later. Some dogs are also more sensitive than others. Grapes and Raisins Labradors can not eat grapes. This also includes other dried variants like raisins, sultanas, and currants. Even a tiny amount of grapes or raisins can cause rapid kidney failure in dogs. On rare occasions, death can occur, depending on the quantity consumed. Scientists have not discovered the source of the toxicity and the exact dosage is unknown. However, some dogs have died from just a handful of raisins, whereas others have survived after eating a much larger amount. Vomiting within 24 hours of ingestion is typical. Look out for excessive thirst and very little pee. Diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain may also occur. Beware of any foods containing grape extracts, such as grape juice, breakfast cereals, trail mix, raisin cereal, raisin bread, and baked foods like raisin cookies or scones. These are all potential sources of poison to your Labrador. The toxic element of the plant is still unknown. If you suspect your dog has eaten hops, symptoms to look out for are malignant hyperthermia which can be life-threatening , a fast heartbeat, panting, vomiting, and stomach pain. In severe cases, death can occur. Hops are the cone-shaped flowers of the hop plant and are used in the process of brewing beer. They are used as a flavoring in beer and as a stabilizer. If you are a home-brew hobbyist, you must keep hops out of the reach of your Labrador, whether you use dried flowers or pellets. Breeds predisposed to malignant hyperthermia , such as the Labrador Retriever may be more prone to toxicity. Horse Chestnuts Conkers Labradors cannot eat horse chestnuts also known as conkers as they contain a poison called aesculin, which is found in all parts of the tree, including the leaves. Ripened conkers fall to the ground in late summer and autumn, and they are not to be confused with the unrelated edible sweet American chestnut. Although conkers are toxic to Labradors, they would have to eat several to suffer from any severe poisoning. Nevertheless, if you think your Labrador may have eaten some conkers, symptoms to be aware of are severe vomiting and diarrhea, drooling, increased thirst, restlessness, and convulsions. Symptoms can occur as soon as one hour after ingesting or may even be delayed for up to two days. Macadamia Nuts Macadamia nuts are poisonous for Labradors and, therefore, unsafe to eat. The cause of the toxicity remains unknown, but just a handful of raw or roasted macadamia nuts can make your dog quite sick. Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, hyperthermia, and tremors are common symptoms. Signs and symptoms usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion. If you suspect your Lab has eaten some, you must take him to the vet as a precaution. Beware of other foods containing macadamia nuts, such as baked goods, cookies, trail mix, and muffins. Moldy Food Moldy foodstuffs such as bread, cheese, fruit, and other decaying produce are toxic for your Labrador Retriever. Food mold is a fungus that grows on aged food and, if eaten, can make your dog very ill. The poisonous substances are known as mycotoxins. Symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, incoordination, tremors, high temperature, seizures, and death in acute cases. The main dangers to be aware of are if your Lab eats garbage outside, such as moldy fruit or nuts, gets into a compost heap, or manages to get into the household trash. Mushrooms Wild Labradors should not eat wild mushrooms as they can be toxic. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning in dogs depend on the species eaten. Look out for vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, lethargy, and weakness. Coma, liver failure, and eventual death can occur. There are thousands of wild mushroom species, and while only a small number are known to be poisonous, should your dog eat a toxic one, it could make him extremely ill. Severe cases of mushroom poisoning can prove fatal. Some mushroom toxins will affect your Lab within minutes, while others will not produce signs for up to 24 hours. If possible, take a mushroom sample to the vets, who can help decide the best treatment depending on the poison. A small amount of washed white mushrooms from the store are generally safe, such as the white button or Portobello varieties. Nutmeg Although nutmeg is a popular spice used to flavor various sweet and savory dishes, it should not be ingested by your Labrador as it contains a toxin called myristicin. Mild stomach upset could occur if your Lab were to eat a small amount of nutmeg, and if a very large amount were consumed, myristicin toxicity can cause symptoms such as dry mouth, abdominal pain, disorientation, fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, and seizures. Although your Labrador would need to consume a considerable amount of nutmeg to suffer serious effects, I thought it would be wise to include it here, just in case your dog happens to find his way into a jar of ground nutmeg! Nutmeg is also hallucinogenic, so eating a large amount of it could be a scary experience for your dog. Onions, Shallots, Leeks, and Chives Labradors should never eat onions, shallots, leeks, and chives as they are poisonous if consumed in large amounts. Eating onions and other Allium foods can cause your Lab to suffer from anemia due to ruptured red blood cells. In serious cases, an increased heart rate, and often death can occur. Veterinarians may need to perform a blood transfusion to try to save your dog. Milder symptoms to look out for include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis. These foods belong to the Allium family like garlic and are popular kitchen staples used to season many dishes. They inflame the GI tract starting with the mouth causing excessive drooling. Symptoms of the poisoning may have a delayed onset which you need to be aware of. Potato Raw or Green White potatoes belong to the nightshade family of vegetables which contain a compound called solanine that is poisonous to some dogs. Green tomatoes are also in this group. Solanine is produced as a natural defense to deter insects. Raw or green potato is toxic to your Labrador, although a large quantity would need to be eaten to cause serious problems. If your Lab consumes a large amount of solanine, his nervous system may become affected and will not function correctly. Symptoms of potato poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, confusion, and a slow heart rate. It is okay to feed your Labrador a small amount of cooked potato as cooking drastically reduces the levels of solanine. If you have a vegetable garden, remember to keep your dog away. Rhubarb Leaves Rhubarb leaves are poisonous to Labradors as they contain soluble oxalate crystals, however, an extremely large quantity would have to be consumed to cause the poisoning. But the stalk of the rhubarb plant is safe for your Labrador in small quantities and can be good if he has constipation. Symptoms of this type of poisoning in dogs include changes in thirst, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, tremors, and bloody urine. Renal failure can occur in extreme cases. You must be careful if you grow rhubarb at home and ensure your Labrador is always supervised. Too much salt intake in dogs results in vomiting within several hours of ingestion. Symptoms can progress to weakness, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and seizures. Excessive thirst or urination may occur and potential damage can be caused to the kidneys. Salt poisoning is a concern as it can cause death in serious cases if not caught in time. As salt poisoning is often directly related to dehydration make sure your dog has access to fresh water at all times. Tomato Green Green tomatoes should be avoided as they are a dangerous food to Labradors if consumed in large quantities. While the ripened red fruit of the tomato is generally considered safe for dogs, the green parts of the plant stems and vines , as well as unripened tomatoes should not be eaten. Green tomatoes contain a toxic substance called solanine also found in raw or green potatoes which can cause severe stomach upset, muscle weakness, tremors, heart problems, difficulty breathing, and possibly seizures. If you grow tomato plants in your garden, be sure to fence it off preventing your dog access. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol mainly used as an artificial sweetener that is not safe for your Labrador. It is found hidden in sweet candies, mints, chewing gum, bread, jams, cookies, other baked goods, and diet foods. If enough xylitol is consumed it can cause life-threatening low blood sugar and leads to acute liver failure. Symptoms can occur within 30 minutes of ingestion and include vomiting, lethargy, coordination problems, seizures, and even coma. Although Labradors can eat peanut butter, be aware that some brands contain xylitol and always check the label first or buy an organic brand. Yeast Dough When yeast dough ferments, it produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning and ultimately the death of your Labrador. In addition to this, raw bread dough needs to rise and if your Lab eats it, his stomach will act as an oven causing the yeast dough to rise. The dough then swells inside, and as it expands, it causes a bowel obstruction or a bloated stomach which causes immense pain, especially if the stomach twists. This then becomes a life-threatening emergency requiring abdominal surgery. Obvious signs are a distended abdomen and your lab may also suffer from difficulty breathing, retching, weakness, collapse, and shock. If you suspect your dog may have eaten something toxic, you must take emergency action by contacting your veterinarian for advice. Two other helpful resources are also available 24 hours a day. Safely remove any remaining toxic food from their reach. Check to make sure your dog is breathing normally and acting okay otherwise. Collect a sample of the foodstuff and packaging as you may need the information when you talk to your veterinarian or a Pet Poison Helpline expert. Also, never induce vomiting or give hydrogen peroxide to your dog without talking to your vet or Pet Poison Helpline first. Get help. From your experience, what is the most common food involved in accidental ingestion in dogs that causes poisoning that you see in your practice? Xylitol appears to be in so many products these days. Have you witnessed any cases of xylitol poisoning? One I remember was a dog presented to the emergency clinic after having eaten some sort of diet food with xylitol in it. He was brought in because he had a seizure at home. We found his blood sugar was very low. He ended up recovering well after being treated for a few days in the hospital. The best thing to do if you think your dog has ingested something toxic is to call an animal poison control center immediately. These people are amazing! Tell the veterinarian at the poison control center what your dog ingested and how much he got. They will give you specific instructions on what to do next. What have you found to be the most prevalent reason for dogs ingesting toxic foodstuffs? What is your best tip to poison-proof a home? Use child-proof cabinet locks if your dog is very crafty. Keep your garbage containers in a locked cabinet or pantry. Although I make sure my dog has a healthy, well-balanced diet, I like to give her some human food either as treats or as a topping in her food bowl to change things up for her. So, what human foods can Labradors eat? These include proteins such as lean meats and fish, some fruits and vegetables, dairy foods, and plain cooked rice and pasta. Ensure the foods you give your dog are safe, cooked, lean, and plain, with no salt or seasoning. Below is a brief synopsis of the foodstuffs that are safe for your dog to eat. Lean Meats Labradors can eat lean cuts of cooked meat as long as all the visible fat is removed. My dog enjoys chicken, turkey, pork, beef, and lamb. Avoid processed meats like bacon, sausage, and ham due to their high levels of salt or seasoning. Make sure that there are no bones in the meat before you feed it to your dog as cooked bones are dangerous. If you like to give your Lab a bone make sure it is raw and larger than his muzzle, such as a large beef shank bone. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Slices of apples or bananas make tasty treats for your dog. Berries such as strawberries and raspberries are also fine and you can even freeze them in summer to help keep them cool. You can also feed your Lab apricot, nectarines, peaches, and plums but you must take out any seeds or pits as these contain cyanide and can cause poisoning if eaten in large amounts. Most vegetables should be cooked as your dog will find them easier to digest, although raw carrots and green beans are fine. Vegetables are a healthier option than fruits due to their lower sugar content. To discover exactly what vegetables Labradors can eat, check out this article. Cooked Rice and Pasta Dogs can eat cooked plain rice and cooked pasta. Cooked, plain white rice can be a good option if your Lab has an upset stomach as it is easy to digest and quick to prepare. Dairy Products Dairy products, such as cheese, milk, or plain yogurt, are generally safe for Labradors as long as they are fed in very small quantities. Eating too much dairy can cause diarrhea or vomiting in some dogs if they are lactose intolerant as they cannot break down the sugars in these foods. As a special treat for my dog, I like to give her fresh salmon which she adores. There have been some concerns about longer-living species of fish such as tuna and mackerel containing higher levels of mercury, so if you choose these types, only occasionally feed a small amount. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. You might have gone through this process a few times, eating very healthfully sometimes, eating more junk than you care to admit at others. The fact is, you have a choice about what you feed yourself. You can choose what, when, and where you eat. Even just a little bit of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can cause diarrhea and vomiting. A large amount can cause seizures, irregular heart function, and even death. Every part of the fruit has a strain of fatty acid called persin, which is toxic to your pup in large quantities. Onions and Garlic. Staples in the human diet, these beloved veggies can cause anemia in your dog by killing her red blood cells. Even a little bit can be detrimental to her health. Grapes and Raisins. Eating this seemingly innocuous fruit in either the fresh or dried form can cause kidney failure in dogs. Milk and other Dairy Products. While dogs can drink milk from their mothers, any other type of dairy cow, goat, etc. Macadamia Nuts. Sugary foods and drinks. The same thing will happen to her that happens to people when they ingest too much sugar: weight gain, tooth decay, and even diabetes. It contains a stimulant that is toxic to dogs. While you may enjoy a morning cup of joe, your dog should stick to tried-and-true water. Yeast dough. So the next time you make a homemade pizza, avoid giving those leftover dough bits to your pooch! Too much salt can lead to dehydration and even sodium ion poisoning. While a little bit of salt is fine, be aware of how much your dog ingests, to keep the quantity at a minimum. But just as certain foods affect people different ways, the same happens with dogs. Signs of poisoning or an allergic reaction include vomiting, muscle shakes, fever, intense scratching, weakness in the limbs, diarrhea, breathing problems, and sluggishness. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, get him to the vet immediately. By avoiding these foods, your dog will automatically be happier and healthier. And with an overall healthy diet and regular exercise, your pup will definitely thank you. If you have any questions about specific foods not mentioned in this article, please call us. If your pet is experiencing signs of poisoning or allergic reaction, seek emergency care immediately. Thank you for submitting the form. Though it's considered a healthy fat for humans, for dogs, they are affected by a toxin in avocado called persin, which can be poisonous. Caffeinated beverages including tea can turn your dog reckless, including muscle twitches, feeling heavy, fast breathing - and can be potentially fatal. Onion, Garlic and Chives Whilst the above can bring rich flavour to many human-based meals, think of your dog as a creature of simple tastes. Stick to bite-sized dog treats instead. Alcohol and yeast Alcohol and yeast such as bread can be poisonous to dogs, so think of them as your children — no beverages from the top shelf! Cooked bones e. It's important to make sure you are feeding your dog only the best! Image: Getty. Dairy, including chocolate Come dessert time, your dog may be looking up at with their big eyes ready for a lick of ice cream, a square of chocolate, or the remainder of the milk in your cereal bowl. Unfortunately like many humans, dogs are lactose intolerant which leads to diarrhoea and stomach problems, meaning dairy is off the table and bowl. Bacon and other fatty meats While many dog owners may have been guilty of slipping their dog some bacon, ham or chops for being a 'very good dog', this is one habit that should be broken, fast. Fatty meats can lead to very sore stomachs and pancreatitis in dogs, which can be very painful. Raw meat and eggs While there may be those who subscribe to raw meat diets, on a general scale, vets for animal bodies such as the RSPCA or The Human Society discourage feeding dogs raw meat and eggs, which can lead to salmonella poisoning, e coli infections, parasites and skin conditions. Handing your dog one of your chips or salty snacks is no good either — the high sodium content can lead to thirst and dehydration. Stick to doggo treats instead — your pup will be none the wiser! Mushroom Toxic mushroom ingestion in dogs can lead to liver failure, and even death. Corn on the cob Many of those with dogs will know they can be extremely food-motivated, and therefore not know when to stop when it comes to dinnertime. A corn on the cob is not safe, as overly enthusiastic hounds may look to swallow it whole, which can get lodged in their intestines. Make sure to give them plain kernels like you would a small child instead. What if my dog accidentally has these foods? If your dog does accidentally ingest any of the foods above, you should immediately contact your local vet or animal hospital for treatment. A healthy dog is a happy dog! What human foods can my dog eat?

German shepherd dogs are very loyal and highly intelligent dogs. Most of the people who loves dog always have German Shepherd dog in his choice list. So, If you are looking to adopt German shepherd puppy in Vijayawada and you are willing to know about the German shepherd puppy price in Vijayawada or German shepherd baby price in Vijayawada then you are landed in the right place. German Shepherd Puppy Price in Vijayawada: Please note that German Shepherd baby price or german shepherd puppy price may differ, as it totally depends on german shepherd baby or Dog age, vaccinations, health condition, male or female, location and delivery charges based on locations. Double Coat: Rs - Rs Long Coat: Rs - Rs Free Adoption: Some times there is an availability, there are several cases when any dog parent family wants to give their pet to someone due to several reasons. We help them to get new loving and caring new pet parents. Please do mention in the comment if you are looking for free adoption. We only deal with original and genuine German shepherd puppies. If you are interested and want to adopts a dog, then you can directly contact us by clicking below button. Please beware of fake breeders and dog sellers. Only go for original german shepherd breed. Below are the important information which we will be providing here which helps you to adopt good, healthy and genuine german shepherd dog breed in Vijayawada : 1. Information of German Shepherd dog in Hindi such as height, weight, age etc. Name of some Pet shops in Vijayawada along with their addresses. For Original German Shepherd breed in short, double and long coat you can directly contact us. We ensure you and will make sure that will not disappointed and you will get the dog which you want. No one can compete us with the given german shepherd puppy price in Vijayawada or German Shepherd Dog Price in Vijayawada and the services provided by us. We only deal with best, original and genuine breed. Please make sure while adopting a German Shepherd dog in Vijayawada or any other pet animal either from us or from any other pet shop in Vijayawada that the government guidelines should be followed and well documented. Because buying a documented pet animal following government guideline ensures that you will receive the original breed, healthy breed and whatever age of the pet animal was told by the seller would be correct. If you are looking to adopt the german shepherd puppy in Vijayawada from the pet shop. There are lots of pet shops in Vijayawada. Please find the below list of pet shops available in Vijayawada: To know more about dog breed and there accessories you can also contact us. There is good discount on dog accessories online. German Shepherd dog should be of Original Breed. Dog should be vaccinated with required vaccination. Vaccination card should be given by the seller. German Shepherd puppy or Dog health should be good and he should not be aggressive. Government guidelines has to be following while purchasing and doing sale of german shepherd baby in Vijayawada with proper documentation. .After all the adopted dog is the one who make our family smile especially our Kids and believe us when you return from your work your dog will do all the thing which makes you happy and to remove all your tensions. Feel free to contact us for any information required on pet animals. Be Happy with Your Pet and give them lots of love. The dogs are very intelligent and have sharp minds. These large dogs are very protective and loyal towards their owner. German Shepherds are most commonly a mix of black and tan colors, black with red, sable, and even the rare white German shepherd. Appearance- The dog has a medium coat lengthtexture. It comes in different colors like black, blue, gray, white, brown, chocolate, liver. Other Traits- Easy to train, easy to groom, high prey drive, apartment-friendly, cold weather tolerant, strong loyalty tendencies, and good hiking companion. Here, we have lists of german shepherd puppies in Vijayawada from the pet shop. Is German Shepherd friendly? They are one of the best guard dog breeds that are known to save their family from enemies. Yes, they can be not so friendly towards strangers, they serve as an ideal companion. Are German Shepherds good for the family? German Shepherds can be very gentle companions and family protectors with proper training and socialization. Do German Shepherds make good pets? However, they do need lots of your time and to be socialized. Is a German Shepherd a good dog for me? The German Shepherd dog is a large, active dog with a dense double coat. As a general rule, they are loyal, loving, protective, and intelligent. They are self-thinkers which without proper guidance can get them into a lot of trouble. Proper training, exercises, and activities are essential. Should first-time dog owners get a German Shepherd? German Shepherds are excellent dogs for active first-time owners. These dogs can work great for plenty of people, and the reasons are obvious. Are German Shepherds cuddly? For the most part, German Shepherds do enjoy cuddling. Do German Shepherds prefer one person? Yes, the German Shepherd is a dog breed that tends to bond especially profoundly with one person. They have the capability to bond with more than one person, but this training takes time and patience. This characteristic is part of their breeding as working dogs.

Tom Thorpe Blog Does your golden retriever puppy have diarrhea at night? There might be several factors that are causing your puppy to experience such diarrhea. This article will provide some of the most common causes of diarrhea that you need to know. What is diarrhea in golden retrievers? Let us first talk about what diarrhea is just to get a glimpse of an idea of what it really is just to avoid any misconceptions. Diarrhea can be an unsettling experience for humans and this is the same case for every dog out there. When a dog is experiencing diarrhea, its stool is usually loose or unformed, sometimes it comes in large amounts and sometimes small. Although diarrhea is not a disease per se, it can be linked to or a sign of various types of diseases. In addition, this simple illness can become serious to life-threatening. Although you might not be able to prevent diarrhea. So, this cannot be taken lightly instead, do something about it if your golden retriever is experiencing diarrhea. What causes diarrhea? When your golden retriever is experiencing diarrhea, his fecal material is underdeveloped and it moves fast through the intestine with the lack of absorption of electrolytes, nutrients, and water. For golden retriever puppies, one of the most common cases is parasites. This is because puppies are vulnerable to sickness and disease. Diarrhea can lead to underlying serious health conditions one of these is viral infections, inflammatory intestinal disease, allergies, organ dysfunction, to name a few. Your puppy will probably have a stomach upset or it will not digest the new kibble food properly. You slowly mix the old kibble food and new kibble food. This process can be done within a week. For example, on day 1 mix 80 percent of old and 20 percent new. Then the next day 70 percent old kibble food and 30 percent new kibble food. And so on until your puppy gets accustomed to the new dog food. But every pet owner has stated that transitioning their puppy to a new food has never been easy. This is needed more nutritional value, due to expensive brand and can no longer afford to buy it. Thus switching to cheaper ones. Sometimes due to the low nutritional value of the kibble food. Whatever the case in changing the dietary needs, your puppy will likely experience some digestive issues. This is when introduced to new kibble food and also while in the transitioning period. Although this is perfectly normal because your golden retriever puppy is adjusting to it. It may be due to emotional distress, stress, or anxiety Just like humans, dogs are emotional creatures. Their outlet for releasing stress in their body comes in many ways and one of it through the digestive system. Among the reasons as to why your puppy is feeling emotionally distressed is due to feeling lonely or neglected. To prevent any emotional distress or having bowel irregularities, make sure that you give plenty of love to your golden retriever puppy. Always pay attention to them because they needed to be supervised all the time. Medication or Antibiotics Nighttime diarrhea is sometimes caused by the side effects of antibiotics or medication which is fairly common. Your golden retriever may produce loose stool upon treatment of antibiotics. This is because the medication is fighting the infection and bacteria. Meanwhile, antibiotics can also kill good bacteria as much as they kill bad bacteria this is because they cannot tell the difference between the two. Thereby this results in an imbalance in the stomach which leads to abdominal pain, stomach issues, and eventually diarrhea during nighttime. The best thing you can do is to consult with your vet first and follow their specific instructions when giving your golden retriever puppy medication. In addition, medication should be given along with food to at least reduce the negative effect on digestion. Allergies and Food Intolerance Every dog has food intolerance and allergies at some point in its life but not all may experience this. The common reason why your golden retriever puppy has diarrhea at night might be due to their hypersensitive stomach. Most often, food rich in dairy, fat, or gluten is the cause. Therefore, it can lead to diarrhea or gas at night. There are breeds that have particular intolerance because of their genes. Like Schnauzers, they have food intolerance with high fat content. Furthermore, researching the best possible diet with come consultation from your vet is the best key to alleviate any food intolerance and allergies. Disease or illness Another reason why your puppy is having diarrhea at night is he might have an illness or a disease. These might be chronic or mild cases. One factor that must be considered is that diarrhea is just a secondary symptom that can be linked to severe health conditions. Furthermore, those several health conditions include liver or kidney disease, and that diarrhea is just a precursor to an underlying serious illness. Some of these causes are due to trauma, parasites, toxic ingestion, congenital disorders, and even bacterial infections. This can be fatal. It can be tumors or cancer in the intestinal tract. Ingested foreign object Sometimes the reason why your golden retriever puppy is having diarrhea at night is fairly simple. All puppies are curious gentle little creatures who want to explore within their own little world. They will try everything that they can out into their mouths. Puppies commonly ingest garbage materials, house plants, insects, toys, and even fabrics. Make sure to supervise your puppy at all times. That way, your puppy can enjoy exploring within the limited boundary. This is for further analysis. The common infection is an intestinal infection. There will be instances where relief or medication will not be enough. Never allow your puppy outside without close supervision You know what golden retriever puppies are. They are known for their high energy and active in exploring the outside in their own little world. But, take heed, if they are outside, always supervised them or have one family member supervise your puppy. You never know what your puppy will. Puppies often will eat anything they can put into their mouth whether trash, plants, shoes, or piece of fabric. Final Thoughts The only bottom line, if you have encountered your golden retriever puppy diarrhea at night, never take it lightly and wait for a day to treat them. Instead, act quickly as possible. Attend to their needs such as giving them basic relief or treatment just to ease the bowel irregularities. Because as we have learned, diarrhea can be devious. They can be mild infection to a severe condition such as cancer or a tumor in the intestine. Check the petmd for more infos about pet ailments. Lethargy Poor appetite Gums that are pale or tacky to the touch, which can indicate dehydration, anemia or shock Watery poop that lasts for more than a day Deciding Whether To Go to the Veterinarian A puppy with diarrhea almost always warrants a call to your veterinarian. At the very least, this will get you individualized guidance on what home therapies you can try and what doses to give your pup. Puppies metabolize many medications differently than mature dogs, so dosage adjustments may be necessary. When a puppy has loose stool, talking to a veterinarian can also help you determine whether a trip to the hospital is needed. Treatments that are often needed in more severe cases of acute diarrhea include: Fluid therapy to treat dehydration— given under the skin or intravenously Medications to slow down the bowels and reduce diarrhea and fluid loss Medications to manage vomiting Antibiotics to treat or prevent a bacterial infection arising from within the gut Hospitalization and close monitoring for extremely sick puppies Your veterinarian can also run tests to determine why your pup has diarrhea—a fecal examination for parasites or a test for parvovirus, for example. Scoop up some diarrhea and seal it tightly in a plastic bag or container. If you see a parasite or incriminating evidence like a chewed piece of plastic, make sure you bring that too. Puppies, especially those really young and really small, can dehydrate quickly. Make sure your puppy has access to fresh water at all times. Bring it to them if necessary. Entice a reluctant drinker by adding some low-sodium bouillon to the water or a few drops of liquid from some tuna canned in water. Pediatric hydration fluids for human babies work well, too, if your pup will drink them. Stick to bland food. This might be boiled, unseasoned hamburger or white meat chicken with some rice or a prescription diet for intestinal problems that you can get from your veterinarian. Check with your veterinarian to see if you can give any supplements or over-the-counter medications like canned pumpkin, kaolin-pectin or probiotics. A: The reasons why your puppy has diarrhea could include a change in diet, eating something unusual, exposure to toxins, viral or bacterial infections, food allergies or intolerances, intestinal parasites, stress, and other potentially serious health problems. Q: What to give dogs for diarrhea? A: Pet parents have to be careful in what they give for dog diarrhea—some over-the-counter treatments are dangerous if used incorrectly or in the wrong situations. If the diarrhea is mild and not associated with a serious health problem, it may respond to a bland diet boiled white meat chicken and rice, for example and extra water intake. Your veterinarian can let you know whether it is safe to give your puppy canned pumpkin, kaolin-pectin, probiotics and other supplements or medications. Q: How long does puppy diarrhea last? A: Puppy diarrhea can last for just a few hours, or it may persist for days or even longer. Always talk to your veterinarian if puppy diarrhea lasts for more than a day or two or if it is associated with vomiting, lethargy, weakness or any other symptoms of disease. Q: Does puppy teething cause diarrhea? A: Many pet parents report that puppy teething seems to be associated with diarrhea. However, diarrhea during this time can still be serious enough to require veterinary care. Teething puppies will often chew on and swallow almost anything they can get their mouths on. Also, the immune systems of young puppies who are teething are not yet fully formed, so they are at higher risk for the bacterial and viral infections that can cause diarrhea. Q: Is blood in my puppy's diarrhea an emergency? Call your veterinarian immediately for advice. Q: Why does my puppy have diarrhea after changing food? Whenever possible, make dietary changes over the course of a week or two. If you suspect your pet is sick, please call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your regular veterinarian when possible as they can make the best recommendations for your pet. If you need help finding a vet near you, use this link. Fever Vomiting These symptoms might not always mean diarrhea, so taking your pup to the vet is crucial if you notice anything unusual. Take note of these details as well as anything else that stands out. This information will assist them in making an accurate diagnosis and developing a treatment plan to make their furry friend feel better as soon as possible. How To Treat Diarrhea In Golden Retrievers Remember, while occasional diarrhea might not be a cause for alarm, chronic or severe symptoms should always be taken seriously. Check for any signs of blood or mucus. Observe if your dog shows other symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, or loss of appetite. Dietary Adjustments: Offer a bland diet: boiled chicken without skin or bones and plain white rice can be beneficial. Gradually reintroduce their regular food after days, mixing it with the bland diet and increasing the regular food portion over a few days. Maintain Hydration: Diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Make sure your dog has access to fresh water at all times. You can also provide an electrolyte solution designed for dogs to help replenish lost fluids. Avoid Giving Human Medications: Many human drugs, like certain anti-diarrheals, can be toxic to dogs. Always consult a vet before administering any medication. Check for Parasites: Worm infestations can cause diarrhea. Regular deworming is essential, but if diarrhea persists, have a fecal exam done. Consult Your Veterinarian: If the diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours, if your dog seems lethargic, or if there are other worrying symptoms, reach out to your vet. A microscopic fecal evaluation, x-rays, blood tests, DNA tests, biopsies of the intestinal tract, endoscopy, ultrasound, or even exploratory abdominal surgery may be performed They can provide appropriate medications, suggest further dietary adjustments, or conduct tests to determine the cause. Prevention: Ensure a balanced diet and avoid sudden changes in food. Regularly check for and treat parasites. Keep your dog away from garbage, spoiled food, and other potential stomach irritants. If one food affects your furry companion less than the other, you could try a diet with only one protein source. Sudden Dietary Changes: Like humans, our furry friends can get stomach upsets and diarrhea when their diet changes abruptly. Infections: Diarrhea in dogs can be a sign of viral, parasitic, fungal, or bacterial infections. The most common cause is a parasitic infection from roundworms, coccidia or giardia which can be treated easily with medication. Viral infections include parvovirus, coronavirus, and distemper which are much less common if the puppy is vaccinated. Most conditions will necessitate veterinary treatment, so if your dog has diarrhea and other painful symptoms, consult your veterinarian. Stress: Dogs, like humans, can experience stress, resulting in diarrhea. So, if you notice your pet has an upset stomach and suspect it is due to stress, try to figure out what is causing their stress and work to reduce or eliminate it. Finally, remember to lavish your pup with love and attention to help your furry friend feel safe and secure. Undiagnosed Medical Condition: Tummy problems in dogs can occur due to an undiagnosed medical condition. These conditions include inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and even cancer. If you suspect your pet has an undiagnosed medical condition causing their diarrhea, immediately take them to the vet. Remember, the sooner you get a diagnosis, the better the outcome and the happier your pet will be! Here are some options: Boiled Chicken and Rice: Cook boneless, skinless chicken and plain white rice. The chicken should be well-cooked and shredded, while the rice should be thoroughly cooked and soft. This combination is gentle on the stomach and helps firm up stools. Plain Pumpkin: Canned or cooked plain pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling can be beneficial for soothing an upset stomach and firming up loose stools. Start with a small amount and gradually increase as tolerated. Plain Yogurt: Choose plain, unsweetened yogurt with live and active cultures. It can help restore the balance of good bacteria in the digestive system. Boiled Potatoes: Boiled and mashed potatoes without any added seasoning or butter can be easily digested and provide energy. Remember to offer small, frequent meals to avoid overwhelming the digestive system. If the diarrhea persists or worsens, consult your veterinarian for a thorough evaluation and further guidance. These are some examples: Vomiting: If your dog is vomiting in addition to diarrhea, this could be a sign of a larger problem that necessitates a trip to the vet. Lethargy: If your dog is weak and tired, especially when combined with diarrhea, something is wrong, and a vet visit is required. This could be due to parasites, ulcers, or masses that require treatment from a veterinarian. Black tarry diarrhea: If your dog has black tarry diarrhea, it could be an upper GI bleed that requires medication from your veterinarian. Consult your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual with your Golden Retriever. Potential Complications Of Untreated Diarrhea In Golden Retriever Puppies If your golden retriever puppy has untreated diarrhea, you should take them to the vet immediately because there could be complications. These are some examples: Dehydration Diarrheic puppies can quickly become dehydrated, leading to serious health issues. Dehydration symptoms include dry gums, sunken eyes, lethargy, and a loss of skin elasticity. Therefore, even if your puppy has diarrhea, it must continue to receive proper nutrition and hydration. One method is to prevent diarrhea from occurring in the first place. This includes their crate, bed, toys, food and water bowls, etc. Good hygiene practices can help to keep harmful bacteria and viruses that cause diarrhea at bay. Sudden changes can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Regular Deworming Deworming your puppy regularly can help prevent parasitic infections that cause diarrhea. Consult your veterinarian about the best deworming schedule for your puppy. Maintain a consistent feeding schedule and avoid giving too many treats. Following these guidelines can help your Golden Retriever puppy avoid diarrhea and keep them healthy and happy. Diarrhea in dogs can last anywhere from a single day to several weeks or even months. Can diarrhea in Golden Retriever puppies lead to more severe health problems? If untreated, diarrhea in Golden Retriever puppies can lead to more severe health problems. In addition, dehydration, malnutrition, and other complications can result from prolonged or severe diarrhea. While some common home remedies may help treat mild cases of diarrhea in Golden Retriever puppies , it is critical to consult a veterinarian before attempting any treatments. A diet of boiled chicken and rice and probiotics are some remedies that may be suggested. More severe cases of diarrhea, on the other hand, may necessitate medical intervention, and it is best to seek the advice of a professional. Is diarrhea a sign of parvovirus? Diarrhea, especially if bloody, can be a symptom of parvovirus. Is it normal for puppies to have soft stools? Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Please remember this information does not replace proper vet care. You may not be able to totally prevent diarrhea, but knowing as much as possible about it might help limit the number times your dog has one of these unpleasant episodes and reduce the duration when the runs do come. The Canine Digestive System There are significant differences between the way dogs and people digest food. Human jaw shape and salivary enzymes, for example, will start breaking down a morsel in the mouth. Dogs, on the other hand, have mouths and jaws made for tearing, crushing, and wolfing food down. Their salivary enzymes are mostly designed to kill bacteria, which is why they can tolerate items that would send their human companions to the hospital. Food travels rapidly down the canine esophagus and enters the stomach in chunks, where most digestion takes place. Canine stomach acids are about three times stronger than those of humans, so they can digest food that is pretty much intact. Under normal circumstances, transit time from mouth through the small and large intestines should be under 10 hours, producing a firm, well-formed stool at the end. Dirty Dozen—Top 12 Causes of Doggie Diarrhea Many things can disrupt this well-balanced system, causing diarrhea or, less frequently, constipation. Some things, like eating too much grass, are not serious at all. Others can be a sign of a life-threatening problem, such as an indigestible object like a rock lodged in the stomach, or a disease like cancer. There are many reasons why a dog may develop loose stools, but most cases may be attributed to one of these 12 triggers: Dietary indiscretion: Eating too much, eating garbage, or spoiled food. Food intolerance Parasites: Most of these will cause illness in puppies or in adults with weak immune systems: Roundworms. Read the full disclosure here. Nearly every breed of dog out there suffers diarrhea at some point, but Labrador and golden retrievers are among the most vulnerable. Not many pet owners know about the symptoms and causes of diarrhea in goldens, as most of them are quite subtle and easy to ignore. But if your dog suffers from this disorder at some point, you will have to first find out the root cause before attempting to treat them. Now, if you truly care about your furry pal, this is the information you will want to have at your fingertips. Diarrhea In Dogs: Definition Like with most animals, diarrhea in dogs generally takes the form of loose or unformed stools. Sometimes this could happen in large amounts and so often. Treatment and healing time depends on the cause. If the illness causing the diarrhea is life-threatening, your dog will need advanced treatment and more time to heal. For more minor health conditions, treatment is often simple and quick—in fact, sometimes even home remedies work. The most important thing you should do in either situation is to begin treatment early. This will save your furry pal from suffering from severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and many other conditions that could worsen the situation. Like I touched on earlier, both labrador and golden retrievers are uniquely prone to diarrhea. A popular culprit is their almost uncontrollable appetite. Ingesting these kinds of foods and objects will usually lead to diarrhea. Expect the same when your dog swims in still waters by the roadside or a shallow stream. Such waters are full of bacteria, and so when your dog drinks some of it, diarrhea becomes inevitable. While this is usually the main culprit of diarrhea in golden retrievers, there are still plenty of other causes. Causes Of Diarrhea: Food Sensitivities Golden retrievers are one of many breeds that are especially prone to allergies. And guess what tops the list of allergens? Beef and chicken! If your dog is allergic to one or both of these foods, you will want to avoid them if your dog seems to have recurrent diarrhea. Causes Of Diarrhea: Diet Changes This is not just limited to humans; dogs too suffer stomach upsets and sudden diarrhea when you suddenly change their diet, say from a high protein to a fat-rich diet. Instead, gradually introduce new foods to their diet in small amounts. Causes Of Diarrhea: Infections Infections in dogs are mostly caused by viruses, with the most common ones being parvovirus , coronavirus, and distemper. Infections could also be parasitic, fungal, or bacterial. In most cases, they develop into diarrhea, alongside other unpleasant and often painful conditions. Most types of infections will need to be treated with medications prescribed by a veterinarian. Causes Of Diarrhea: Toxins Various foods and other substances are toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Most have been linked with diarrhea in dogs, particularly those found in human foods and drugs. Some of the most common are: Chocolate, Sometimes puppy diarrhea in Golden Retrievers as with any breed can be acute and serious. However, often puppy diarrhea is little more than an inconvenience to the family and is easily treated at home. Loose stools sabotage house-training efforts at best. At worst, they can be a symptom of a life-threatening illness such as Parvo or Distemper. Diarrhea is a common reason for vet visits in all breeds. Golden Retriever puppies are no exception. Serious Puppy Diarrhea For serious cases of diarrhea, you need to consult a vet. If your puppy is vomiting or acting lethargic or sick, you need to get him to a vet. Likewise, if your puppy has a fever over .Puppies can dehydrate fairly quickly with severe cases of diarrhea. Make sure your puppy stays hydrated. Serious cases of diarrhea can be dangerous and are beyond the scope of this article. However, if your puppy is acting normally other than having loose stools or diarrhea, then this article might be a help. Common Causes Easily Treated With Medicine Giardia, coccidia, and worms are fairly common causes of diarrhea that are easily treated with medicine. Many young puppies raised in kennel settings struggle with these problems. All breeders even those raising very few puppies in a home setting will occasionally experience one of these conditions. Puppies can also contract these conditions after getting into new homes. Your veterinarian can test for these problems with a simple fecal exam. Reoccurring Puppy Diarrhea Recurring diarrhea in puppies is a very common problem. This works because antibiotics will take care of any excess bacteria in the digestive tract and the specialty foods have a lot of fiber. There are good solutions without sacrificing good nutrition for most of these problems. If treated correctly to begin with, these problems should not become chronic. There are three major causes of diarrhea that we will be discussing. Over-feeding, a lack of adequate fiber in the diet, and overgrowths of bacteria in the digestive tract can all cause recurring puppy diarrhea if not handled correctly. However, we argue that there does not need to be such an extreme change of diet as some vets recommend. Overfeeding Most dogs and especially puppies will get loose stools when they are over-fed. Usually, stools caused by overeating look like cow patties. When we have a female nursing a large litter of puppies, we intentionally feed them far more than they are accustomed to in order to keep weight on them. All of them will have cow patty type poop while we are heavily feeding them. Their poop returns to normal when the feeding returns to normal. Even adults struggle to maintain normal poop when they are overfed. Overfeeding puppies will have an even stronger impact. We have had families with our puppies call us reporting that their puppy has begun having chronically loose poop. The first questions we ask are about what the poop looks like and the weight of the puppy. If the puppy is over the weight ranges in our growth chart , the puppy is having loose cow patty looking poop, and the puppy is acting normally in other ways, the culprit is almost certainly too much food. There are too many breeds to keep up with normal weights for all breeds at all ages. Check with a reputable breeder who knows your breed to determine normal growth rates. Also, consider that various lines within breeds can grow at different rates. Another very important fact to keep in mind is that unlike people, dogs will grow too fast before they will grow fat. Dogs especially puppies do not always look fat when they are being overfed. In fact, unless they are grossly overfed, they usually appear normal to the untrained eye until they are an adult. Sensitive stomach foods ARE easier on the digestive tract, but this is a case where these foods are not necessary. See Our Page on How Much to Feed Once a family with a puppy who is growing too fast cuts back on the food, the poop will return to normal. Also see our page on and How Much to Feed your Golden Retriever Puppy for more information on how puppies should be growing. It is often difficult to ascertain if a puppy is growing too fast without having good breed information. Always consider the possibility of over-feeding if your puppy begins to consistently put out poop that looks like cow patties. Sometime close to a year of age most Golden Retrievers have a significant decrease in caloric needs as growth slows down. For some dogs, this slow down comes earlier. Not Enough Fiber A second very common cause of frequent loose poop and diarrhea is an inadequate amount of fiber in the dog food. Many puppies cannot tolerate rich foods especially grain-free foods until they are older and have more mature digestive systems. Many puppies and dogs need SOME grain in their food in order to maintain firm poop for life. Give about two tablespoons for a pound Golden Retriever. Puppies and 5 Star High Protein Dog Foods In our early years of breeding, we were committed to feeding the very best puppy foods to our puppies. We still have the same commitment. However, we have learned quite a bit about which foods actually are the very best. Anyway, for several years, we started our puppies on several of the most expensive foods on the market. Then, we used Acana before they changed their formula and moved their facility out of Canada. With almost every litter, there was at least one puppy that struggled with loose stools. To combat the stools, we added fiber either rice or pumpkin and the problem resolved. We decided to try a food with a little grain. We were pleasantly surprised that our puppies did much better on foods with some grain. Higher levels of meat protein are healthy for dogs. Dogs were created to eat meat. The higher the protein, the more loose poop you will see. However, higher amounts of meat protein also make a food more nutritious. You must feed the right balance of protein and fiber. When we started feeding TLC to our puppies, we had virtually no loose stools except for the very occasional bacterial overgrowth that is discussed in the next section. See our page on How to Choose a Dog Food for information on how to choose a food that has adequate fiber without sacrificing on good nutrition. If changing foods, make sure you scroll down to read the section on how to change foods. Having firm poop is important. However, it is even more important that you not sacrifice on good nutrition. They are very similar. There are only two differences between the puppy food and the adult food. The first difference is that the puppy food has a little bit more protein and a little less grain. The second difference is that the adult food has glucosamine. For the purposes of controlling loose stools, the additional grain in the dog food is all that matters. These foods fix the loose poop because they are low in protein and high in fiber. These veterinary diets are fortified with the necessary vitamins because most of the primary ingredients have little intrinsic nutritional value of their own. Sensitive stomach foods can be a good temporary fix, but there is no reason to leave most puppies or dogs on such a food for life. Look for a food with SOME grain for the long term. However, it is highly unlikely that it is necessary to keep your dog on an extremely high fiber, low protein specialty diet for life. Dogs that are fed the same food on a daily basis will probably not have the correct kind of good bacteria in their gut to properly digest a brand new food. They need to be acclimated to the new food gradually over a few days instead of having an abrupt change. Adding probiotics will also make the food change go smoother and quicker if need be. Take it slow. Bacterial Overgrowth A third common cause of puppy diarrhea is bacterial overgrowth. All puppies and dogs have bacteria in their digestive track to some degree. A good immune system will keep these bacteria under control. However, bacteria will tend to overgrow in puppies and even in dogs in at least three different common conditions: when a dog is under stress, when he is habitually eating junk, or when he has a poor or immature immune system. Unfortunately, puppies often meet all three conditions, especially when first changing homes. Stress A very common cause of bacterial overgrowth is stress. Some of our dogs have had this type diarrhea occasionally when they first start going to dog shows. However, once we return home, the diarrhea goes away on its own and the more shows dogs go to the less likely they are to experience the accompanying diarrhea. It is also common for some puppies to experience diarrhea when first changing homes. Our socialization program at Summer Brook is so intensive that we have very few that experience diarrhea shortly after leaving us. However, if you have a puppy who started having diarrhea right after getting in your home, it very well could be that stress is causing an overgrowth of bacteria. Weakened or Immature Immune System The second cause of bacterial overgrowth is a weakened or immature immune system. Dogs who have been over-vaccinated or neutered early or fed a poor diet will be more likely to have weak immune systems. In addition, it takes time for young puppies to develop strong immune systems. However, with good care from a human family, immune systems will gradually get stronger. See our pages on Puppy Care for more information on how to build a strong immune system. Along with all the junk that puppies sometimes eat, there is going to be bacteria. As puppies get older, their immune system will take care of it and the gut bacteria will stay in check. You might also need to occasionally give your puppy a MILD antibiotic. However, we do not let diarrhea go on for more than a couple of days. Tylan If after two days, diarrhea is continuing, we like to use Tylan for bacterial overgrowth in puppies. If given early before diarrhea gets out of control, Tylan will get the bacteria back under control after the first dose. There is no need to continue giving the Tylan after the problem is resolved unlike with other antibiotics for other problems. You need to merely give your puppy a little help in controlling the bacteria. You can give it twice a day if necessary. Most veterinarians recommend Metronidazole Metro for short for these types of issues. However, we think that Metro is an overkill and is stronger than necessary. Tylan used to be sold over the counter until around or .It is a very safe antibiotics that is even prescribed for long periods of time for chronic problems. We are definitely not advocating long-term use of Tylan, but are merely pointing out its safety. Tylan has also been used to stop tear staining in small breeds with white coats. If it can safely be used over long periods of time without side effects for many dogs, I feel much more comfortable using it for occasional loose stools than I do in using Metro. Metro works, but so does Tylan. Probiotics Whenever giving antibiotics to dogs or to people for that matter , give a probiotic along with the antibiotic. The good bacteria in a healthy digestive tract is necessary for the proper digestion of the food. It is actually best to give the probiotic a few hours after giving the antibiotic. However, giving them together is better than not at all. We use and recommend Natures Farmacy Digestive Enhancer. Final Thoughts I am not a veterinarian, so please consult your own vet. Tylan works. Adequate amounts of fiber works. Permanent use of high fiber, low protein diets is seldom necessary. If treated before problems get bad, strong antibiotics will rarely be needed either. Primary Sidebar Breeders and Trainers of English Golden Retrievers We focus on breeding and training beautiful English Golden Retriever puppies with health tested champion parents, great pedigrees, and fantastic temperaments.

Daisy and Brock are a beautiful mother and son pair who love to snuggle together and cuddle. They are both sweet, happy, and friendly. They adore getting attention from anyone they meet during their walks and easily draw people in with their sunny personalities and soft silky coats. They have settled into an easy routine in their foster home and relish their walks every day and visits to the dog park. During their walks Brock clocks roughly twice the mileage of foster mom and Daisy with his side-to-side walking style. Neither is true! These pups love to live it up at the dog park where they show off their speed as Brock sprints and dives after his Kong frisbee, often grabbing it taco style, while Daisy relishes fetching an orange Chuck-It ball before eventually resting to chew on it. Brock is also a master at tug-of-war who has learned to drop it sometimes after repeated requests so it can be thrown again. Brock is extra special because he was born without a tail, which causes him to be incontinent. Inside the house he wears diapers and a belly band, and his incontinence is easily managed. When coming inside from a walk, Brock waits patiently for his diaper to be put on. Daisy and Brock took time to smell the roses and ponder life. While happy to be in a foster home, they would love to find their forever home. Please open your mind and your heart to considering adopting these two gorgeous pups. You will never regret your decision. Fundraising Campaigns Our adoption fees do not cover our expenses, in fact over veterinary costs almost solely covered by donations. We opt to raise money in a variety of ways. Click HERE to see the ways that you can help without spending a dime! Saving Labradors… One life at a time! Sponsorships allow you to purchase specific items and services, We have also developed wishlists for common things we need and love to have on hand. Our DOGS …this is why we do what we do! Alumni Stories Nothing is sweeter than hearing success stories! Take a peek here to see a few! Check out our page on Petfinders to see any dogs we do not have adopters for. Wall of Honor As our furry family members cross the rainbow bridge, we offer this space to honor those dogs that will never be forgotten. If you are interested in fostering, transporting, fundraising, or volunteering in any capacity we would love to hear from you! We provide educational, recreational, and fundraising events. Please check back here often to see our upcoming events. Contact Us Feel free to reach out to us and we will respond as soon as possible. Like angels sent from God, 3rd Coast reached out to me. After one conversation, I knew that my babies would be well cared for and loved… thank you for not only finding them a home but for lovingly helping me get through one of the most difficult times in my life. Bissell It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. K-9 Turbo Training It all begins with an idea. It all begins with an idea. We promise not to fill your inbox but truly appreciate you being a part of the community and family! We're proud to have recently found new homes for the these lovable labs. Loading labs.Labs4rescue is proud to be associated with the following organizations Combined Federal Campaign CFC is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, raising millions of dollars each year. To support Labs4rescue, click here and enter our Charity .Animal Charities of America Animal Charities of America ACA is a federation of America's finest national organizations working to protect and enhance the lives of all animals whether farm, domesticated or wild. America's Best Charities Each charity on their site has been carefully screened to ensure every charity listed is a qualified non-profit, provides ongoing program services, and is financially accountable. Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals Committed to seeing the day when no New York City dog or cat of reasonable health and temperament is killed merely because he or she does not have a home. About Us Labs4Rescue is a volunteer, c 3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing a new life for rescued or displaced Labrador Retrievers and Labrador Mixes. Our goal is to promote and advance responsible pet ownership. Useful Links.

Reasons why your German Shepherd is not eating As pet parents, we all want our four-legged family members to get the best nutrition to keep them strong and healthy, so it can be worrying if their appetite changes. Your dog is stressed or anxious Stress hormones can suppress the appetite. Dental problems Gum recession, tooth root abscesses, fractured teeth, or teething can all cause pain in the mouth that might mean chewing is uncomfortable for your dog. Dogs with dental disease might drop their food, throw it around their mouth, or struggle with dried kibble. If their food is causing some vomiting or diarrhea regularly due to allergies, your dog might not be keen to eat it if they know it makes them feel poorly. Your dog will pick up on this change and might not be hungry at the new feeding time or might be feeling stressed. German Shepherds need around 2 hours a day for adults. Less than this and they might only want a small portion of food to avoid overeating and weight gain. How can I get my German Shepherd eating again? Getting your pup to eat again after a period of inappetence can be challenging, and you want to be sure you are offering your dog the right food to get them back to their usual selves. Here are our top tips to help get your German Shepherd eating again: Switch their food Dogs like variety, so switching up their food by mixing wet and dry or adding some water, or even changing brands every few months can keep them interested. Feed at a specific time each day and stick to a routine Dogs are creatures of routine, and German Shepherds are very sensitive to change. Establish a routine when your dog is a puppy and introduce changes gradually. Your dog will learn to expect and want their food around a certain time, and they may not be hungry outside of it. A behaviorist can help you here, and some simple training techniques will help. Make mealtimes fun Games, interactive feeders, and slow feeding bowls can make mealtime more interesting for your dog, stimulate their senses and make them more enthusiastic about their food. When to see the vet A lack of appetite can be worrying for any pet parent. The vet will examine your dog and might want to do tests to find out what the problem is and get your dog the treatment they need. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are highly intelligent and sensitive dogs, so they can go off their food for reasons as simple as a change in routine or environment, or stress such as separation anxiety. Most adult dogs can go a day or two without food. Puppies cannot go as long without food. When should I worry about my dog not eating? If your dog is not eating for 24 hours or more, or it is a long-term problem then get them checked at the vet. Why does my dog suddenly not want to eat? Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Ways to make your German Shepherds eat There are many options to get your German Shepherd to eat again. Here are some solutions that you can introduce: 1 Increase activity to stimulate appetite 2 Introduce a consistent schedule 3 Limit the feeding time to 15 minutes 4 Add high-value food to their meal 5 Make mealtime fun 7 Create a safe eating environment 1 Increase activity to stimulate appetite German shepherd dogs need an average of 2 hours a day of exercise. Those 2 hours should be made up of physical and mental stimulation. Walking and playing fetch are everyday physical activities. Mental activities could include training and puzzle toys. Exercise does not have to be done all at once and can be more accessible when broken up throughout the day. Disruptions can affect their appetites, so keeping consistent is vital. Meals should be offered twice daily, ideally after a walk or activity. Make sure to choose times that you can keep as consistent as possible. Automatic feeders can be used if your schedule varies and it is hard to keep to exact times. Portions are dependent on the weight and life stage of your German shepherd. If food is left out, your dog may start grazing and not eating the entire meal because your dog is used to having it left out. Dry food can become stale and wet food should not be left out for long, or it can cause digestive problems. Limiting feeding time should encourage them to eat while it is available. Plain chicken and unsweetened canned pumpkin can help to settle an upset stomach and entice your dog to eat. You can also add a portion of wet food to dry kibbles. Adding broth to dry food can make it more palatable. Ensure the broth you use does not have added harmful ingredients like onions or garlic and is low in sodium. Treats you already use and know your dog likes can also make a high-value mix to encourage them to eat. You can purchase or create puzzle toys that provide that mental stimulation and fun. A puzzle toy can easily be made by rolling up dry food in a towel and then letting your dog sniff out and unravel it. You could also fill a cardboard box with pieces they must get through. There are many cost-effective ways to make meals fun. If your dog is not eating, he may be shy, and feeding by hand helps them to build trust and be more comfortable. It can also help impulse control, rewarding good behavior by having self-control. Hand feeding can combat resource guarding, letting the dog know that food comes when you are around. These go alongside training, and german shepherd dogs are a working class breed, so being rewarded for work can help increase appetite. It can include changes inside or outside the home. It may be too loud or too many people around while trying to eat. If your dog has a crate, this may be an excellent place to feed them. A quiet and secluded place could also be a great way to get them eating again. Dogs can be sensitive to changes, so keeping a secured area where they are fed is essential. Conclusion A dog that is not eating is worrisome. However, if your dog is not eating and is either vomiting, having diarrhea, or both, contact your veterinarian within hours. Source: AKC Hayley is a writer and animal lover. She is an avid reader which led to a love of writing. Post navigation. After covering each one in full detail, you may realize that one of the causes sounds familiar to your situation. The next section will provide the best solutions. There are several reasons why German shepherds stop eating their food. These include disagreeing with their kibble, inactivity, lack of feeding schedule, receiving too many treats, boredom, environmental issues, and underlying health issues. More will be explained about the correct diet and brands in the next section. Recommended Read: Why does my German Shepherd have diarrhea? German Shepherds ideally need around 2 hours or more of exercise per day. Appetite is just one of many things closely linked to exercise. Having routines helps them understand their day and allows them to become comfortable in their environment. Most adult GSDs are fed just twice a day. For puppies, this varies. Day grazing should not be something you engage in with your German Shepherd. By sticking to certain times you are training your German Shepherd to become hungry at those times. Yep, it really does work like that! But it could be the case… If your GSD has been eating the same food for a while, he may just be bored of it. Boredom will not make your GSD sick, so if you do see signs of sickness or being unwell, you can rule boredom out. This may be table scrabs or other forms of food. A change in the environment could be a new neighbor, a new pet, a new person in the household, a loss of someone in the house, or maybe you moved house entirely, the list is quite extensive. Think about your close surroundings and if something has changed. This changes when health issues are present. This is original content produced and published by The Puppy Mag www. There are many common allergens in dog food that may be causing the issues. The biggest culprit being chicken. Yep, chicken, as well as beef, pork, and lamb, are all common allergens, despite being used all the time! Try opting for a premium dog food brand that uses either duck, salmon, or turkey as the main protein source. These digest easily and usually cause fewer issues than chicken. Wet dog food is considerably tastier, juicier, has a higher protein content with fewer preservatives and additives. Adding a small amount to every mealtime will be irresistible for your German Shepherd. This working breed needs this kind of physical activity in order to develop a healthy appetite. Consider his environment Have you recently changed where you put the food bowl? On the flip side, you can try moving his bowl to a different spot to see if that has an effect. If you have young children, allow your GSD to eat in peace. Popular German Shepherd Articles:. Sep 1, Share Determining the causes of a loss of appetite in your German Shepherd is often tricky. The symptom is non-diagnostic and can point to so many reasons. It can indicate minor things or something more serious. Is there nausea or vomiting? Is your pet experiencing GI distress? You should be aware of anything unusual. When symptoms appear together, it can give your veterinarian a shortlist of things to check. Just saying that my German Shepherd is too skinny is vague. It can make learning the root of the problem more difficult. Remember that canines have a keen sense of smell with over 16 times the sensory receptors and 40 times the brain capacity. That means dogs are often more sensitive to different foods. Image Credit: Angeleses, Pixabay 2. You probably know about chocolate. However, there are also several obscure ones, such as avocados and macadamia nuts. Eating Is Painful Dental problems are often a culprit that can turn your pup off its food. Severe cases might make it too painful for your dog to eat. That makes regular dental care imperative. Image Credit: PixieMe, Shutterstock 4. Common types include chemotherapy drugs, pain meds, and some antibiotics. Luckily, the symptoms resolve quickly after your pet goes off the things causing the problems. Fortunately, many are specific to the condition, which makes diagnosis easier. Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss occurs with several of them, including stomach worms, roundworms , and threadworms. They also resolve quickly once they are identified. It can have a similar effect on your canine friend as it does on humans. Think of how you feel in a tense situation. Probably the last thing you want to do is eat. Your body—and that of your German Shepherd—allocate its resources to escaping the threat instead of passive ones like eating. They sometimes experience separation anxiety if they are kept alone for long stretches. It can manifest in many ways, including a loss of appetite. Counterconditioning therapy can help your pup cope better with your absences. Image Credit: DanaTentis, Pixabay 8. Veterinarians can tell you a plethora of stories about the things dogs have swallowed, from socks to rocks to Super Balls. A loss of appetite, vomiting, and pain are the telltale symptoms. The list includes a broad range of conditions, from liver disease to bacterial problems to urinary tract infections. Your vet will likely begin with a complete blood profile. Image Credit: Goran Horvat, Pixabay .Your Pup Has Cancer Cancer often causes a decrease in appetite, too. It can result from the disease or its treatment. The difference is that it can often result in a dramatic weight loss that is visible quickly and noticeably. Keeping your German Shepherd will give your pup its best defense against this disease. Final Thoughts Dogs differ from cats in that they often wear their symptoms on their proverbial sleeves. Related Read:. Check Price on Amazon 5. If you give treats just to entice your German Shepherd to eat, you are turning him into a fussy eater! So, are German Shepherds fussy eaters? Now and again, a little healthy treat is just fine. You can also try some fruits or vegetables , especially if the treat cupboard is bare. Your German Shepherd may have also eaten something poisonous while roaming in the garden or fields. Dogs are known for eating anything they can find left lying around or even getting into the garbage! Take care with foods like chocolate or grapes , and never leave these lying around where your dog can get at them, as they can be highly toxic. If your German Shepherd has had his recent vaccinations, sometimes these can cause adverse reactions, including loss of appetite. The good news is this should only be brief — just ensure your dog is drinking plenty of water and keeping himself hydrated. If nothing else seems to be working and you are worried, you should schedule a visit with the veterinarian as soon as you can. He likes to eat at certain times of the day Just like you might not like to eat breakfast at 6 a. Though this can be concerning at first, you should be keeping track of how much food in total your German Shepherd is eating throughout the day. If he still eats about the same amount, he simply might prefer to eat at specific times of the day! On a similar note, your dog may prefer to eat little and often. My German Shepherd used to eat one meal in the morning and one in the evening. However, now that she is older, she prefers to eat both meals in the evening. Take your dog on a long walk before feeding — so he works up an appetite. Give him lots of praise when he eats from his bowl. Make feeding time fun — try putting a lid on his food, so he must remove it first. It gets over , top reviews! If your dog refuses his meal, take his bowl away after 15 minutes and then only put it down again a few hours later. Limit treats to training times only. If he senses that you are stressed and anxious about his loss of appetite, he may also become stressed and not eat at all! A sudden lack of appetite and resulting weight loss can signify other issues going on. Switch His Food If your dog slowly lost interest in food over a few weeks, he might no longer like his current food. Here are some ways to target his diet and boost his loss of appetite. Choose a more fragrant food. Try picking food that smells more like meat and has a more intense aroma. Add wet food or soak his food in warm water. I feed her cold-pressed dog food, which she just adores and continues to thrive on. Hopefully, these steps will fix the situation and return your dog to regular eating habits. Take Him to the Vet Vet visits can be costly, but so are the treatment methods for the condition or disease your dog might currently be experiencing. I would always recommend having a decent pet insurance policy in place, as this will always give you peace of mind. A healthy German Shepherd can go up to five to seven days without eating as long as they are still drinking water. However, if your German Shepherd refuses to drink water for 48 hours, it is time to bring your dog to the emergency veterinary clinic. If your German Shepherd is eating only once a day, it may be due to a routine that has been established over time. However, feeding your dog only once a day can lead to health problems such as gastric dilatation-volvulus GDV. Add variety to the diet and check the consumption. German Shepherd Not Eating and Diarrhea. If your German Shepherd is not eating and has diarrhea, it could be due to a variety of reasons, such as a change in diet, stress, anxiety, or a gastrointestinal infection. When your German Shepherd stops eating, you need to take the necessary steps to figure out the source of the problem and how to address it. Add wet food or warm water to boost his appetite and make his food more palatable and fragrant. Keep an eye on his other behaviors to see how his mood and movements have changed. Call the vet and schedule an appointment to have him checked over. Related Posts You May Like:. Health It is not totally uncommon for a German Shepherd will refuse to eat once in a while. Although this is not totally uncommon, it is always a worrying experience for their humans. This article will help you realize some common reasons why GSDs may have a change in appetite to help you know whether or not to be concerned. So, when they refuse to eat, you know that something might be wrong. Sometimes, this might be because of the sensitive gut the breed is known for. But in many cases, it could be a sign that they are sick or in pain. Additionally, this could also be a sign of other conditions like oral problems or parasites. However, there are fussy GSDs that prefer variety. This issue is most common for dogs that are given access to table food or are fed a wide variety of dog food. They might also lose their appetite when they are depressed. In other cases, medicines can cause nausea or digestive upset, which will also keep your dog from eating. If your dog is refusing to eat because of new medications, make sure to bring it up with your vet. Older dogs become less active and have fewer opportunities to work up an appetite. Sometimes, German Shepherds stop eating the dry kibble that they normally eat. Or, they might ditch the kibble entirely in preference of wet dog food. Here are some of the most common reasons why your dog could be refusing to eat dry food: They have dental issues When oral problems get bad enough, your GSD might refuse to eat due to the pain it causes. This could be caused by cavities, a broken tooth, or swollen gums. In this case, a rotation between kibble brands and variants will help. They just prefer another food Dogs might refuse their regular food in hopes that they will be given another that they have tasted and loved. This might be table scraps or another kind of dog food. In cool weather, German Shepherds use up more energy to keep themselves warm. But in the hot summer months, they prefer to lounge around and keep cool. After some exercise, give them time to cool down completely before giving any food. Dogs can survive up to five days without food as long as they keep drinking water. Fasting for this long may have long-term consequences. More critically, it might be a sign of an underlying illness. If they suddenly have no appetite but they normally eat voraciously and never miss a meal, it should definitely be a cause of concern. Just make sure you observe them for any other warning signs. You might also observe changes in their stool consistency or a lack of enthusiasm for their regular activities. Whether or not they have a good reason for refusing food, here are some things you can do to encourage your German Shepherd to eat: Cut down on treats. Your dog can lose their appetite for their regular food when they have plenty of better-tasting treats throughout the day. Make feeding enjoyable. GSDs are always eager to please. Teach them to wait for their food and take it only on command. Then, praise them for finishing their food. Make food more appetizing. Try topping kibble with different types of food that might whet their appetite. Sometimes, a little bit of boiled chicken or beef broth will do the trick. They might not like the print, the ability to see their reflection, or the feeling on their tongue. Using another feeding bowl might help. Give them plenty of exercise. The energetic German Shepherd may need to tire themselves out to work up an appetite. Give your dog the daily exercise they need and then wait at least half an hour after any physical activity before giving them their meals. However, when your dog refuses to eat, you should also keep an eye out for other signs that could be a cause for concern. While many types of food might help jumpstart their appetite, there are several that might do more harm than good. Even if these foods might get them to eat, the effects might be more harmful. Instead, you can first try to give them some wet dog food for German Shepherds or mix in some plain rice and chicken with their kibble. You know what is normal for your dog! If their change in appetite veers too much from their norm it is best to make an appointment with the vet just to be safe. Doing this will make it easier to find out the exact cause of their loss of appetite, and will provide valuable information to you and your vet when needed. To check your german shepherd do the following. Check Their Body Over The first thing you should do is check them over. You should especially look for any problems in their mouth or with their teeth that could be causing them not to eat. As well as that, give their body a once over as well. You should be looking for parasites, injuries and lumps or bumps that could be causing them discomfort. But also look for other things, do they still seem as energetic and active as usual, or are they lethargic? Are they going to the toilet normally or is there a problem? All of these are indicators that something could be wrong with your pup! And look at anything else in your house your german shepherd can get too which they may have eaten. Bearing that in mind, here are some of the most common reasons your german shepherd may not be eating. As well as solutions that can often help the problem and eliminate it altogether! Illness And Disease One reason your german shepherd may have stopped eating could be due to illness and disease. As well as a lack of appetite you should look for other signs of illness or disease such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Solutions As previously mentioned, if you think that your german shepherd is sick then the first thing you should do is take them to the vets. Make the meal more appealing to them by pouring warm water over it or meat broths that are going to give it more flavor. For example, if they often eat dry food give them wet food, and if they eat wet food give them dry food. Try feeding them food by hand to make them feel more comfortable. Looked for cracked, loose or broken teeth which are quite common in bigger dogs. As well as this, you should also make sure you check them mouths for any cuts or objects which have pierced their gums, tongue or roof of their mouth. Lastly, you should look for lumps which could signify cancer. Find out some of the common reasons your german shepherd might have bad breath. Fortunately, in a lot of cases, not much will need to be done. If your german shepherd has an upset stomach then they may simply not feel like eating. As well as a loss of appetite, you may also notice that your german shepherd is vomiting as well as having diarrhea, flatulence and appearing nauseous. Find out why your german shepherd is so skinny and what to do or what to do with an overweight german shepherd. Some medicine will make your german shepherd feel nauseous whereas other medications may cause their stomach to hurt. If you think that your german shepherd has lost their appetite longer then you should have then consult your vet. However, apart from that you just have to wait it out. In more severe cases, you not being around can even cause anxiety which is known as separation anxiety. However, if you think they have separation anxiety then you should work on fixing the problem. Not only will it reduce the chances of you coming home to a destroyed house, but it will also make your german shepherd a lot happier as well! In most cases, your best bet is to talk to a behavior specialist who can teach you how to solve their separation anxiety effectively! One great way to stop your dog from feeling anxious is to use an Adaptil Pheremone Diffuser designed to keep dogs calm. The Time Of Day Sometimes your dog may not like eating at certain times of the day. What To Do The simplest way to fix this is to feed them at a different time in the day. If they learn to graze instead of eating two big meals, then they may become fussy eaters. Their Food Has Spoiled In some cases, your german shepherd may not want to eat because their food has spoiled. While most dog food has a long shelf life, in some cases, it may have passed its expiration date. Stress And Emotional Issues Your pup may also be suffering from stress or emotional issues. There can be so many causes behind this as well. Whatever the case they may be, it could stop them from eating. Just like humans, emotional distress can either cause them to stop eating altogether, or start eating a lot more. But it could also include giving them more attention during the day and playing with them Stress and emotional issues caused by new changes should clear up fairly quickly. It could be something to do with the environment around them, for example, they may not like eating near other dogs that can be aggressive or try to take their food. Or it can be something even simpler. Maybe they struggle to eat from the bowl this is especially common in older dogs. What To Do If your german shepherd is a picky eater then there are a few things you can do to help them get their appetite back. First of all, stop feeding them treats. You can also try feeding them at the same time every day. If you have been giving the same food for a long time then you may also want to change it up for them. For example, you could heat it up, add dry or wet food, add other healthy snacks find out which ones here , heating their food up, or adding water to it as well. Here are the reasons, they may have lost their appetite. Here are some great things you can do to help your soothe your puppies teething, as well as some of the best chew toys. You could also try putting food in the fridge, as cooler food will soothe their gums. Here are some more things you can try! As a rule of thumb, you should be walking them for 5 minutes per month old they are. For example, a 4-month-old could walk for 20 minutes. This means if you have any chicken leftover after eating, for example, you throw it away instead of giving it to them. So sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. If your german shepherd is eating but not drinking, then it can often be the sign of a more serious condition such as diabetes or a kidney problem. Cheaper than replacing everything they might break. And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone. And the best part is it also has a day money-back guarantee! You can also check out a full review here , to learn exactly what the course has to offer! Recap As you can see, there is a whole range of reasons that your german shepherd may not be eating. But fortunately a lot of solutions as well! If you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website. Otherwise have a great day!

Some of these you can help prevent, while others are out of your immediate control. If your GSD carries the genes for ears that lie down, instead of standing erect, then more than likely they will have floppy ears. This means they may have ears that never stand up and are floppy for life. Breeding Some breeders choose to pair parents that both have large, erect ears. And some buyers and owners prefer this larger style of ears for show or aesthetic purposes. But, there is some theory that breeding a German Shepherd with larger and larger ears might contribute to ears that stay flopped over. Always see the parents of the puppy you buy from the breeder on the premises to see their appearance. Physical Damage or Accidents Puppies are active and mischievous and can get into plenty of trouble. This includes physical damage or accidents that have the cartilage or muscles in their ears. If this happens their ears may suffer long-term damage and not stand up naturally on their own. So watch out for a rough play that might lead to ear damage. And, if your pup has been in an accident that hurt their ears, take them immediately to the vets. Improper and Poor Nutrition German Shepherds need balanced nutrition during crucial growing stages, including vitamins and minerals that aid in cartilage and muscle development of their ears. You should ensure your dog gets the right nutrition from the start to avoid any issues. Along with Vitamin D, calcium helps strengthen the cartilage to aid in building a strong foundation for the ears to stand up later. Neglecting Ear Cleaning Puppies still need ear cleaning when dirt and build-up are overly present. Dirty ears that become neglected can inhibit proper growth and cause discomfort for your dog, causing them to excessively scratch their ears which can cause damage. This could cause them more harm! Instead, wipe away the dirt from the skin of the ear with a warm, damp washcloth or use special ear cleaning wipes. A dog with one floppy ear and one ear upright is totally normal. Occasionally, your German Shepherd might have one floppy ear and one ear standing upright. If they are a small puppy then they are most likely growing and the one ear down still needs time to go upright naturally. These are some of the best techniques that will help their ears to stand up. They only need to sit inside the ear enough to support cartilage growth. Make sure you check for any creases or folds in their ears before moving on to the next step. Repeat in the other ear. Make a Popsicle Support Now, take the popsicle sticks and place them at the top of the foam rollers both ears should have foam rollers in them at this point. You might need another pair of hands to help with this, so ask your family or friends to help. Take the self-adhering waterproof tape and place a medium-size piece across and around the two foam rollers and popsicle sticks. This ensures even and symmetrical growth. Make a bridge across their ears instead. If your German Shepherd puppy is 9 months old and their ears still flop over, please see your vet for further assistance. When in doubt, get your vet to show you what to do for their ears. Your puppy might become annoyed with the tape on their ears, so they may need close supervision and even some distraction during the taping process. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a German Shepherd that has floppy ears and putting them at risk to have any unnecessary surgery to get their ears to stand up can cause them pain. Speak to your vet about the side effects and pain associated with ear implants. You can help prevent floppy ears in your dog by taking the appropriate steps to keep them healthy. The top ways to help a GSD with floppy ears include: 1. Feed them a high-quality food Giving your dog the proper nutrition for optimum growth is a necessity, especially when they are puppies and growing rapidly. Choose a puppy food with the correct ratio of nutrients and vitamins to ensure they get the correct building blocks for development. When you choose to give them treats, pick ones from this list of the best healthy dog treats for German Shepherd puppies. Provide them with the proper chew toys Chewing helps to strengthen the muscles that surround the ears. Or worse… Injure them. Learn to play and discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way to avoid accidental ear injuries or damage. German Shepherds with ears that are floppy are a joy to own, no matter their age! Floppy ears are adorable and give your dog even more character. Go on, and find out what makes your companion the happiest dog on the planet! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. It commonly occurs anywhere from eight weeks to six months. So, any German Shepherd parent would know that these adorable dogs have floppy ears when they are just puppies. However, stronger cartilage will be developed as you give them the proper nutrients. It might mostly occur as a response to your call or noise in the surrounding area. It can be a result of poor nutrition or slow development. Your German Shepherd needs abundant vitamin D, calcium, and protein. Lacking these nutrients in their diet will result in weak cartilage. Switch to better food or visit the vet for a checkup. They are still incredibly cute, anyway! If you want to ensure that you have a pooch with perky ears, make sure to look for parents with standing ears. Do all German Shepherd ears stand up? Even if you have already, you can know whether your pooch will have floppy or perky ears when it grows. It can compromise their health and adversely affect their growth, including strengthening the cartilage. Regular checkups and fecal exams can help prevent or abate that problem. Your vet can give your dog deworming medicines to see that your growing furry friend is free from parasites. Any traumatic injury to the ears can cause permanent damage and prevent the ears from growing strong enough to stand. It can be caused by a child pulling its ears and rough play among its littermates. Regularly monitor your pup and keep anyone from playing with its ears when they are in its developmental stage. But there are things you can do to help it get strong and healthy ears. These steps will also protect the ears from possible damage. Get high-quality food for your puppy to boost their development. Cheap foods usually have more fillers that contain negligible nutrients. Keep the puppy away and safe from other puppies that play bite with their ears. Educate your children and everyone else at home on how to handle the puppy carefully and gently. Giving your puppy chew toys will give their head, jaw, and surrounding muscles some exercise. It can lead to better ear development. Make sure to buy durable ones, as German Shepherd pups are stronger than you think! Clean their ears gently if you notice dirt. Keep your dog happy! A happy dog is a healthy dog. It will have fewer or no health problems if you keep the dog fit. Using the tape too early or during its growing stage can harm its natural development. However, the 7th to 8th month might be a little too late. But that may not be true for all, as some German Shepherds are just built differently. Their looks come second when you experience how good of a companion they can make. But the young ones carry cute floppy ears that eventually stand up. Some take longer. Remember that floppy ears do not affect their health negatively. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Aug 18, Share German Shepherds have a distinctive look that includes alert, erect ears. For most pups, the ear cartilage begins to harden around week 20, or when the pup is finished teething. At that point, it can take up to 20 weeks for the ears to stand up fully. This can vary by the individual, however. Like human ears, dog ears are made of cartilage. As they grow and gain nutrition, German Shepherds develop stronger and stronger cartilage to support those ears. Typically, puppies at weeks will have floppy ears that occasionally stand up but quickly fall back down. Around week 20, or 5 months, your pup is done teething and its ears will begin to harden and stand. Your vet may have some suggestions to help the process along. If your pup reaches 8 months and still has floppy ears, the chance of them standing on their own is slim. Some breeders try to breed for larger ears, leading to ears that are too heavy to stand up. If strong, alert ears are important to you, be sure to look for a pup with parents that have erect ears. If the ears sustain trauma during that time, it can cause permanent damage to the cartilage. If your puppy gets parasites, it can impact healthy development, which includes the hardening of its ear cartilage. Be sure to take your puppy to the vet regularly and have routine fecal exams to check for worms and other parasites. Your vet can recommend an appropriate deworming protocol for your growing puppy and treat parasites if they occur. However, if you want your puppy to have strong, alert ears, you can help the process along in a number of ways. In an effort to move ear development along, some owners will add supplements like calcium. Chew toys are also good for teething and keeping your puppy occupied. German Shepherds are strong, even as pups, so be sure to choose solid, durable chew toys that are safe and appropriate for your puppy. It should only be used as a last resort, however. If you use tape too early, it can hinder natural development. That said, if you wait until the seventh or eighth month, it may be too late to help. Glue the ends of the popsicle stick to the tape on both ears, horizontally. Once a week, remove the popsicle stick, foam, and tape. If the ears stand on their own, leave them. Related Reads:. I get a lot of emails about taping German Shepherd puppy ears. The majority of these emails come from people who are jumping the gun and worrying too much. By that, I mean their pups are 3 or 4 months old and they are starting to panic because their puppy's ears are not standing. I tell these people that they need patience, they need to wait until their pup has finished teething. I caution these people not to jump the gun and tape the dog's ears too early or in the wrong way. I know people who have screwed their dog's ears up for life by doing this. I have had puppy customers who go ballistic on me and panic. So I issue a word of caution here. With that said, the other side of the spectrum of taping ears is something that many people do not take seriously until it's too late. When ears are taped at 7 and 8 months, there is very little chance of it working. This is an unfortunate fact of life. German Shepherd puppy ears can come up between 8 weeks and 6 months. If they are not up when the dog is through teething this varies from dog to dog but in general between 16 weeks and 20 weeks of age , I tell my puppy customers to get very interested in their ears. While it's not time to panic, it is time to sit up and take notice. The first thing to do is make sure that your puppy is in good health. This means no intestinal parasites. Take a stool sample to your vet to have it analyzed. It's also important to make sure the pup is getting good quality food. We feed and recommend a raw diet but if you do feed a commercial diet, I strongly recommend researching all the options available and feeding the highest-quality food you can afford. View our list of all-natural kibble alternatives. In fact, a lot of times, a pup will have both ears up and all of a sudden, they will come back down when the pup starts to teeth. Many owners panic when this happens. But not to worry, I have never seen a pup whose ears did not go back up when this happens. If a pup does not have his ears up by 5 months, I strongly recommend that you get involved with taping your dog's ears. Use the thin white surgical tape the kind that's paper-thin and tears easily. The 3M Micropore tape, 2" wide, works well. I like to use women's hair rollers. Take the plastic out of them and just use the foam. Wrap the ear around the foam and tape them into a tight roll. In a vertical position. Take a popsicle stick and attach it to the top part of both ears. In a horizontal position. The pup is going to tear the tape or stick off the ears several times. The key is to continue to re-tape the ears. Sooner or later, the pup will forget the tape and ignore it. About once a week, take the tape off and see if the ears will stand on their own. Continue to re-tape until the ears stand. If the ears are not up by 7 or 8 months, they are not going to come up. The ears should look like this once taped. The same dog with ears now up. I have seen ears that did not stand, which in my opinion would have stood had they been taped. So this process is not something to take lightly. I also need to say that many ears will be a little weak right after taping but with time, they will strengthen. So when an ear does not stand perfectly after taping don't panic. Just have patience and see what happens. You will really not have an idea exactly what you have until the pup is 12 months old. When ears do not stand, there are ear implants that can be surgically added. I have no experience with this and do not know anything about them. If you are unlucky enough to have a dog whose ears will not stand, I would point you toward a vet that has some experience in this area. I don't think it's something that normal small animal vets know how to do well. In my opinion, too young to tape. The material to use to tape German Shepherd Ears The pup with its ears taped I prefer taping German Shepherd Dogs ears after the dog has finished teething. This usually means the dog is older than 4 - 6 months. Maybe waiting another month would have been a better idea for this puppy.