They are called “Gray Ghosts” because of their unique beautiful blue and gray shades of coat color. Weimaraners are one of the most popular sporting group dogs in the world. They are extremely loyal and they have very high energy levels.
With these high energy levels and such popularity, the question of how to feed a Weimaraner has come into the spotlight. You don’t want to overfeed your dog and you don’t want to give them less than they actually need either.
So, how much food should we feed them every day? It depends on a couple of things, but most importantly – it depends on the age of a dog and its weight. An adult dog and a puppy need different amounts of food and different numbers of meals per day.
To make the feeding of a Weimaraner dog easy, we’ve made you a Weimaraner feeding chart according to the dog’s age. We’ve also included info about the number of meals you should feed the beautiful Weimaraner dog.
The Weimaraner Feeding Chart
As we already mentioned, the dog’s diet depends on various things, and we will talk about all of them later. For now, we will focus on the main thing that affects the diet and that is the age of a dog.
From birth and over the first couple of months, to adulthood and senior years, dogs need different amounts of food daily, even different types of food to keep them healthy and happy. High-quality food goes without saying.
That means food that has a higher percentage of protein and a lower percentage of carbohydrates. This breed of dog is very active and will need more protein in its diet. We’ll talk about the type of food we can feed a Weimaraner later, too.
Let’s take a look at a Weimaraner feeding chart and check the amount of food and number of meals per day they need. We used cups of kibble food per day as an amount measure.
This is the most common type of food for dogs and it is the most widely available one, too. You can find good quality kibble in any pet shop or pet food store, and you can buy dog food online as well.
| Age of Puppy | Cups Of Food Per Day* | Number Of Meals Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2 months | 3-4 cups | Free feed |
| 3 months | 3-4 cups | Free feed |
| 4 months | 4-5 cups | 4 |
| 5 months | 4-5 cups | 4 |
| 6 months | 5-6 cups | 3 |
| 7 months | 6-6 and 1/2 cups | 3 |
| 8 months | 6-6 and 1/2 cups | 3 |
| 9 months | 6-7 cups | 2-3 |
| 10 months | 6-7 cups | 2 |
| 11 months | 6-7 cups | 2 |
| 12 months | 6 cups | 2 |
| Adult years | 3 and 1/2 to 4 cups | 2 |
| Senior years | 3-3 and 1/2 cups | 2 |
*One cup is approximately 4 ounces or 120g
Feeding Weimaraner Through Different Life Stages
The Weimaraner feeding chart varies depending on the age of the puppy. Dogs need a different amount of food during their puppyhood, adulthood, and senior years. Puppies need more calories than senior dogs because puppies’ bodies rapidly develop and grow.
They need more energy because they burn more energy. Puppies are playful and they explore the world around them, developing not only muscles but their brain as well. All of this requires more cups of food divided into multiple meals per day.
Weimaraner is an active dog breed. They require constant mental and physical stimulation. This breed of dog was developed to enjoy running outside with their human companions. Of course, every dog is unique and requires a different amount of exercise.
But, generally speaking, the Weimaraner is an active, large dog breed that needs more food to keep up with its activity levels.
Let’s take a look at the amount of food and number of meals dogs require, depending on each month of their puppyhood. Later, we’ll see what they need during their adult and senior years.
2-3 Months
This is the ending period of the weaning process for all dog breeds. Weaning usually starts when the first teeth start to erupt in the puppy’s mouth, and it usually ends when the pups turn 2 or 3 months of age.
We can see the changes in the puppies’ mom as well. Nursing puppies that are teething can be very uncomfortable for the female dog, so she moves away from the puppies before they are properly fed.
If they can’t get enough food from their mom, the pups start looking for additional food elsewhere. That’s when we step in with the solid food. If we want to make the transition easier, we can soften the kibble for the puppies. We are trying to teach the puppies they should eat solid food only, and not wait for their mom and her milk. That’s why we use the free feeding method.
Free feed means leaving the bowl filled with food for a couple of hours. The bowl and the food are available for the puppies to eat whenever they feel like it during those couple of hours. We can also add a bit of wet food for puppies, but you don’t have to do that – the softened kibble is enough.
The Weimaraner puppies need large-breed puppy food. You can ask your vet for advice on the best type of food for your dogs. It is important to give them puppy food for large dog breeds because they develop differently to small breeds.
The free-feeding method lasts until the puppies reach 4 months of age. After they turn 4 months, the puppies should have divided meals and free feeding should stop. You can start with the divided meals earlier than 4 months, for example, when the pups are 3 and a half months of age.
There is no strict deadline for when the free feeding ends and divided meals start, but the sooner the better. In other words, as soon as the puppies start to eat solid food only, we should stop with the free-feeding method.
4-5 Months
When they turn 4 months, the Weims should have four to five cups of kibble divided into four meals a day. There is no free feeding, but they should always have a bowl of fresh water available.
If they still have a problem eating dry food, you can continue using the so-called puppy mush or softened kibble food.
Weimaraner puppies have very high energy levels. If you know who Taz from Looney Toons is, you’ll understand Weimaraner puppies. They will explore, sniff, dig, chew, or – simply put – they will try out all of their senses. And yours, too! This is the period when they need a firm hand to properly train and socialize them.
As for the puppy’s diet, the feeding schedule should already be established. That means they get food at the same time every day. This is also important for their obedience training. If we want an obedient adult Weimaraner we need to teach them to be obedient when they is a puppy.
Feeding guidelines require that puppies of 4 to 5 months of age receive at least 4 cups of dry food during the day, but divided into 4 meals. This is the case if we feed the dogs high-quality food that has all the necessary ingredients for the proper development of the dogs.
This is also a good opportunity to add supplements to their diet. Before adding any kind of supplements to their diet, always consult your veterinarian first. They know what kind of supplements are needed for each dog breed and for each dog.
The dry food we feed our dogs usually does not require additional supplements. But, if we choose to feed our puppies homemade food, then we need to think about it. Depending on the type of homemade food you are making, the supplements will vary too. Always ask your vet first.
But, in general, a puppy between 4 and 5 months of age can benefit from a carrot or a few brussels sprouts as a way to enrich their diet. When it comes to food from our table, most of it should be avoided, but if you do give a fish stick to your puppy once in a while, there is no harm in it.
Just don’t make a habit of it, because it can influence dog weight and overall health.
6-8 Months
When the puppies turn 6 months, they should still have at least 5 cups of kibble, but this time divided into 3 meals a day. As they grow older and reach their 7th month, we should start feeding them 6 cups of kibble a day, also divided into 3 meals.
The Weimaraner feeding chart is made in a way that ensures the best feeding method for Weimaraner’s puppies and adult dogs. It follows the guidelines and, if we feed them the right amount, we avoid obesity problems, food allergies, and help with the Weimaraner’s health.
The period between six and eight months is still a very active period for the Weims. The process of obedience training and socialization should be continued. We should expose puppies to all kinds of smells and noises, including different animals.
This will all help the adult Weimaraner to behave properly without fear or anxiety wherever we might take them. Because the Weimaraner is a smart dog breed, they should learn a trick or two when they reach their seventh month of age.
A Weimaraner’s body weight rapidly increases during this period. They should weigh around 46 pounds when they are six months old, and at the beginning of the 8th month their weight should be around 60 pounds.
Of course, these are the facts when we have a healthy Weimaraner dog that eats high-quality food and has proper daily exercise. Besides feeding them high-quality food, we should stick to the schedule and Weimaraner feeding chart. Don’t fall for the “I am always hungry” puppy eyes.
The schedule is beneficial for your dog to prevent health issues and help with obedience.
9-12 Months
Weimaraner puppies that are nine months old should receive six to seven cups of dry food divided into three meals every day. The puppies are still growing and they will continue to grow until they are twelve months old.
As the puppy grows and gets older, we should gradually switch from 3 meals a day to 2 meals a day. This change should happen during the ninth month. Puppies might make a fuss and be more restless than usual, but they should calm down eventually and accept the fact they will be getting two meals a day.
If you are a new puppy owner, don’t worry – puppies do get easier. And don’t worry about the overwhelming feeling or mixed emotions called “puppy blues” either. This will all pass.
The fuss that Weimaraner puppies make because they have 2 meals a day instead of 3 like they used to won’t last for a long time. They are essentially good dogs, and they will get used to the new schedule faster than you might think.
But, it is important to check the Weimaraner feeding chart when they turn 12 months old. This is the period when they have to receive no more than six cups a day divided into two meals. It is important to gradually reduce the amount of food they receive because the growing period will soon end and their adult years will begin.
By the end of the 12th month, a Weimaraner is no longer a puppy but an adult dog.
Adult Years
An adult Weimaraner should weigh around 75 pounds. The dog is fully developed, both physically and mentally.
According to the Weimaraner feeding chart, we should feed an adult Weim up to four cups of kibble divided into two meals a day. The best solution is one meal in the morning, and the other one in the evening.
These meals should be approximately at the same time. This helps the dog’s obedience training and reduces their anxiety. If you are planning on moving to another place or starting a new job or having any other kind of change, it is important to continue feeding the dog at the same time.
This will reduce the stress in dogs, as it will keep a part of the balance and regularity a dog had in his life prior to the change. If your dog is under stress and looks like it is sick, there are ways to try and feed a dog without an appetite.
But, if you notice your dog refuses to eat or drink water, the best option is to take your dog to the vet immediately. Better safe than sorry – especially when it comes to those we love.
Even though Weimaraners stop growing when they turn 12 months of age, that does not mean they cannot gain a few more pounds. In other words, we should continue taking care of our dog’s food intake and prevent obesity.
Weimaraner food during adulthood should be high in protein to give the dog as much energy as possible. We should avoid food that is high in carbohydrates. Unfortunately, most commercial dog food we see in pet food stores is not of good quality.
Take your time, read the ingredients, and look for those types of kibble that have higher protein and lower carbohydrate levels. You can also always ask your vet about the food brand they recommend.
Senior Years
The average lifespan of a Weimaraner dog is 10 to 13 years. Just like other large dog breeds, they age more quickly and are considered senior when they reach 8 years of age.
Senior dogs are prone to diseases. That is the case with the Weimaraner dog as well. But, if we stick to the Weimaraner feeding chart and we give them high-quality food with lots of protein, vitamins, minerals, and a low percentage of carbohydrates – our Weims can live a happy life and even get to be older than 13 years.
Senior dogs are not as active as adult dogs and are not even close to the activity of puppies. So, that means we need to give them less food in order to keep their body weight healthy.
If you have a senior Weimaraner dog, you should feed it up to three cups of kibble divided into two meals per day. Of course, a bowl of fresh water should be available at all times.
Senior dogs are not as active as they used to be, but they still need a walk in the park or playtime with their humans. Just keep in mind that they might not be as agile as they used to be, so always adjust the gameplay according to their ability
Unless it is needed for medical reasons and is recommended by your vet, you shouldn’t change the type of food you give to a senior dog. Swapping old food with new food can trigger a stress reaction in your dog.
Any kind of stress reaction can influence blood sugar levels which can lead to health problems.
What Is The Best Food To Feed A Weimaraner?
The question of what is the best food to feed a Weimaraner is debatable. Some breeders say they only feed their Weims raw food, and others say they boil and cook the food for their Gray Ghosts.
In general, there are four types of food to give to an adult Weimaraner:
- Dry food
- Wet food
- Raw food
- Cooked food
Dry Food
The most common diet is a dry food diet. It is recommended by vets and it has been proven to be beneficial for the dog’s weight and overall health. The problem is that there are many brands of dry food and it can be tricky to pick a high-quality dry food for your dog.
But, because it is the most recommended type of food by vets all around the world, we chose the Weimaraner feeding chart that uses kibble – dry food.
Wet Food
Wet food or canned food is not usually of high quality. The companies that make this food usually add a lot of “food fillers” that have no energy value and are nutritionally useless.
Also, in the long run, they can be quite expensive since the dog will eat a lot and still feel hungry – because of the food fillers.
The other problem with canned or wet dog food is that they too have a lot of brands that usually do not make high-quality food, but food filled with carbohydrates and just a little bit of protein.
Raw Food
A Raw food diet is often used by a lot of dog breeders. But, the problem with this type of diet is that there are some health issues connected with it. There is a risk of bacterial infection that can be potentially life-threatening.
There is a problem with freezing and defrosting the meat as well. In other words, every time we defrost meat we must use it all in order to avoid bacterial infections, like E. Colli or Salmonella infections that can be harmful to our dogs.
Cooked Food
Because of the bacterial infection problems with raw food, people say that a cooked homemade diet is the best solution for a dog. Cooking kills off the bacteria so it is safe for a dog to eat. But, with homemade food, we need to take care of everything – proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and supplements.
We need to make sure we know how to properly cook the meat, for example, how to cook chicken meat. If we don’t do it correctly, we can do more harm than good. Also, to prepare cooked food, it takes time, knowledge, and patience – every day. And, it is expensive.
The Answer Is…
So, the answer to the question of what is the best food for a Weimaraner dog is quite subjective.
If we take care of how and when we feed our dogs raw and cooked food, our dogs are safe. But, these types of diets require time and money.
So, to sum up, kibble (or dry food) is the safest and easiest to give, and – if it is of high quality – it has all the necessary ingredients important for a dog’s health and development.
What Can Influence The Weimaraner Feeding Chart?
Our Weimaraner feeding chart is for a healthy puppy and a healthy adult dog. It is made to follow the needs of a puppy that is rapidly developing and to continue to do so when it reaches healthy adulthood.
But, there are factors that can influence the chart:
- Pregnancy
- Health issues
- Activity level
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a factor that changes the daily amount of food a female dog needs. She literally needs to eat for her and the puppies in her belly. She will require more high-energy types of food to keep up with the needs of her body.
A female dog will need higher amounts of food while she is nursing, as well. A lot of energy and nutrients go into producing milk for her puppies, so make sure to give a nursing female dog enough high-quality dog food.
This change is normal and, as soon as the female stops with nursing the pups, the amount of food we need to feed her goes back to normal.
Health
Health issues are also a factor that can change the amount and type of food we give to a dog. Some of the most common health problems that influence the Weimaraner feeding chart are:
- Digestive disorders (Digestive system health issues)
- Kidney Failure
- Cancer
Also, very importantly – if we want to prevent the bloat (GVD), we shouldn’t give the dogs only one meal a day. This can lead to overeating which can lead to bloat, a health issue that is common for large dog breeds.
Activity
Changing the amount of food according to the activity level of a dog should be simple. If the dog is more active, it will need more food. If the dog is less active, it will need less food.
Of course, these are not drastic changes in the amount of food. It means feeding one more cup, one less cup, or half of a cup difference from the usual daily amount of food. Always consult the veterinarian before making any changes.
The Conclusion
From the weaning time, through puppyhood, adulthood, and all the way to the senior years, there is a recommended amount of food we should feed our dogs. That’s why having the Weimaraner feeding chart is useful and beneficial for both you and your dog.
You can always check the age of a puppy and see the recommended number of cups it needs daily, as well as the number of meals it should have each day.
We also saw that there are some health issues and other factors that can influence the Weimaraner feeding chart. If you notice a change in your dog’s appetite – call your vet. It might be nothing, but sometimes it could just be a symptom of something much more serious.
But, in general, if a dog is healthy, following this chart will make sure the dog stays fit and healthy. That means a lot of happy moments with your furry friend. Besides feeding the proper amounts of food, you should also provide enough daily exercise for your Weimaraner.
They are active dogs and, besides high-quality food, they will need daily mental and physical stimulation to keep them healthy.
