Are you looking to buy your new Weimaraner puppy? One of the most important things you need to think about is finding a proper Weimaraner feeding chart that will help you give your pup all the necessary nutrients.
Luckily for you, I have it all right here.
A Weimaraner feeding chart is an important tool that gives you many details about your dog’s nutritional needs. It provides pet owners with proper diet help and teaches them many things about their new pet.
Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about Weimaraner’s specific needs and how to keep them strong and healthy:
Weimaraner Feeding Charts
A Weimaraner feeding chart is here to help you understand what is the right amount of food for your beloved gun dog.
These dogs are prone to many health conditions, such as hip dysplasia and bloat, that might be triggered or worsened by improper weight or feeding.
So, if you’re wondering what’s the proper feeding amount, here is your answer:
| Age | Feeding Frequency | Portion Sizes | Food Type |
| Puppies | 3-4 times a day | 1/2 to 1 cup per meal, adjust based on weight | High-quality puppy food, protein sources |
| Adolescents | 2-3 times a day | 1 to 2 cups per meal; adjust as needed | A mix of puppy and adult food, a balanced diet |
| Adults | 2 times a day | 1.5 to 3 cups per meal, based on activity | High-quality adult dog food, lean meats |
| Seniors | 2 times a day | 1 to 2 cups per meal, smaller portions | Senior dog food easily digestible, and essential vitamins |
How Much Should I Feed My Weimaraner?
The amount and type of food your Weim needs depends on his age.
You cannot expect adult Weimaraners to have the same nutritional needs as puppies or older dogs!
This is why it’s important to understand your dog and how and why his dietary requirements change at a certain age.
Birth To 8 Weeks
Young Weimaraner puppies entirely depend on their mother’s milk, and you don’t need to provide them with anything else.
They will be blind and deaf until around 3 weeks of age, and they won’t really do much but eat and sleep.
A little before their first month is when they’ll open their eyes and become more active, but they’ll still stay close to their mother.
If, for any reason, their mother is unable to feed them, you should give them replacement milk. Never use cow’s milk, as puppies are unable to digest dairy products.
This milk should be given to them every four hours.
8 Weeks To 12 Weeks
Sometime before Weimaraner puppies are 8 weeks old, it’s time to help them transition to puppy food. However, their tummies will likely be too sensitive to solid, dry dog foods, so you need to make this transition as smooth as possible.
A good start is to create a puppy mush by mixing replacement milk with kibble. The consistency should be soft and smushy but not too soupy.
As time passes, mix less and less milk until your Weims are left with puppy food only. By this time, their digestive system is likely to be used to this new kind of food.
Portion size and feeding schedule are very important during this period. Give them smaller meals four to three times a day, making sure they always have a full water bowl nearby. Dehydration can halt their growth and have a negative impact on their development.
3 Months To 6 Months
This is the time when your Weims become more active. However, their dietary needs won’t change a lot. They still need lots of protein found in puppy food to help their bodies handle such high energy levels.
It is a good idea to increase the amount of food consumed while decreasing the number of meals at this time. It’s enough to feed them three times a day.
Also, keep in mind that, while curious and active, such young dogs still don’t need extensive exercise.
6 Months To 12 Months
It is during this time that your puppy will go through adolescence. This also means needing to make some changes, such as switching him to adult dog food.
The best way to do this is to mix a small amount of adult food in his regular dry dog food for puppies. Slowly increase the amount of adult food until that’s all that’s left. This way, his digestive system won’t have too many issues.
If your pup ends up having some food allergy, which is a common problem in Weims, try switching to foods with single-source protein.
From this point on, his dietary needs won’t change much for the largest portion of his life.
Older Than 7 Years
Weimaraners are medium-sized to large dogs, which means they live shorter than most smaller breeds. This also means they become seniors quite early, typically around their 7th birthday.
Once your vet confirms your Weim is showing signs of old age, your best choice is to switch to proper senior dog food made for large breeds.
Senior dogs tend to be less active than adults. They also start having numerous health problems, especially regarding their bones, so their new diet needs to cater to these needs.
Proper Nutrients For Weimaraner
Most of us want nothing but the best for our furry companions. This is why only top foods come into consideration.
The food quality is not determined by its price, but rather by it’s ability to provide our beloved pets with a balanced diet and proper nutrients they need for growth and development.
Whether you’re choosing wet or dry dog food, here are some of the most important ingredients you need to look for:
Proteins
Proteins are the main energy source that allows most living beings to do pretty much anything throughout the day.
Weimaraners are active dogs with high energy levels that need much exercise to stay healthy. As such, they need quality protein sources such as chicken, turkey, beef, and fish. These proteins should make up around 30% of their diet.
Some Weims can be picky eaters, so maybe you’ll have to spend some time picking the proper protein source for them.
Fortunately, most of these pups will eat whatever you pour into their bowl.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are not as important as proteins as an energy source, but this doesn’t mean they should be avoided. Quite the opposite – they are necessary, but only in reasonable amounts.
Look for healthy carbs that can be found in brown rice, peas, and pumpkin.
Keep in mind that too many carbs can lead to obesity, which is something you don’t want to happen to your Weimaraner dog.
Healthy Fats
Fats are another important energy source. They are also responsible for your pup’s coat and skin health, and they help their brain function.
Look for foods high in essential fatty acids, such as omega 3 and omega 6. These healthy fats should contribute to 10-15% of your dog’s food intake.
An important note: Healthy fats won’t contribute as much to obesity as carbohydrates.
Vitamins And Minerals
Finally, your Weim’s diet should be enriched with healthy vitamins and minerals to help promote his immune system and overall health.
Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and potassium are important for keeping your dog healthy.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are great for bone conditions such as hip dysplasia and arthritis, making them an essential part of every senior dog’s diet.
Raw Diet For Weimaraners?
Raw food diets can be a good alternative for Weimaraners, as they mimick what dogs’ ancestors have eaten in the wild.
However, you need to be very careful and make sure you’re providing your pooch with all the necessary nutrients.
There was a study conducted on Bernese Mountain Dogs that showed that raw diets could lead to severe developmental disorders, especially in large-breed puppies. [1]
This isn’t to say you shouldn’t feed your Weimaraners a raw diet. Still, if you choose to do so, make sure to stay in touch with your vet, who can help you create an adequate feeding plan.
Some dog owners like to put their pups on a vegetarian diet. While dogs can stay on a vegetarian diet and thrive, this requires even more extensive planning to make sure all their nutrient needs are met.
How To Fatten Up Weimaraner
Many owners look for Weimaraner feeding charts, hoping they’ll help their dogs gain some weight.
However, most of the time their dog is simply very young and is yet to reach his full size. If you’re wondering what a healthy weight for Weimaraners is, check out the Weimaraner growth chart.
One of the options is to give your dog more frequent meals and smaller portions. This will help their metabolism, just like when they were young puppies.
There are also some supplements and treats with ingredients that’ll help your Weimaraner grow. Just be careful—you don’t want to go overboard and end up with a Weim that is too heavy.
Your vet might also give you a prescription diet if they also fear your dog is dangerously small or underweight.
Never give your Weimaraner human foods, hoping this will make them gain weight. Most fattening foods made for humans are poisonous for dogs, so it’s best to avoid them entirely.
Either way, if you suspect your pooch is growing too small or if you notice any sudden weight loss, contact your vet as soon as possible. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
References:
1. Mack, J., & Kienzle, E. (2016). [Inadequate nutrient supply in “BARF” feeding plans for a litter of Bernese Mountain Dog-puppies. A case report].. Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere, 44 5, 341-347 . https://doi.org/10.15654/TPK-151091.
Vanja’s passion for writing started at an early age, which is why she pursued Journalism as her college degree. She can research any topic and find all the information before you bat an eye, which is a great thing for her job but a terrible one for her husband.
Even as a young child, she fell in love with everything fluffy – but dogs have a special place in her heart due to her childhood companion, a Corgie named Archie.
Motivated by her experiences and driven by a desire to give back to her four-legged companions, she spends her free time volunteering at a local dog shelter.