Like other large breeds, a Weimaraner, also known as the “gray ghost”, requires a diet that can match their energy needs and pickiness. If you are a new parent of a Weimaraner, you are in the right place.
If you want a healthy Weimaraner, keep reading this feeding guide, where we tackle everything, including how much to feed your Weimaraner at different age stages.
What Factors Impact How Much to Feed a Weimaraner?
When feeding a Weimaraner, giving the best food is not enough. You have to know how much food to provide your pet depending on several factors. This is to ensure that they are getting enough nutrients for their growth.
With that, Weimaraner food should be given in accordance with the following factors:
- Age: Whether you give dry food, wet food, or a combination of both, you should give what is appropriate for your Weimaraner’s age. As your puppy grows, you should follow the recommended amount of servings based on your chosen dog food brand.
- Activity Level: Weimaraners are generally active dogs. However, the activity level of a dog significantly affects its dietary needs, including how much food it should be fed. If your Weimaraner is less active due to lifestyle, it will require fewer calories than those that get a lot of exercise.
- Weight: As a large-breed dog, it’s important to closely monitor your Weimaraner’s weight. If your puppy is lagging behind in terms of weight, they might need to be fed more. However, if they are too heavy for their age, overfeeding might be the issue.
If you own an older Weimaraner, you should look into other factors like overall health condition and if they are experiencing symptoms of an illness.
Certain diseases like diabetes can affect how much to feed your dog. In most cases, a specific diet will be required to regulate their sugar level.
How Much to Feed Your Weimaraner?
In general, an appropriate diet has the proper balance of vitamins and minerals, protein, and fat. The best dog food should contain all the nutrients a Weimaraner needs but should be given in the right amount.
You can make a proper meal routine for your dog by using the feeding chart provided in this section.
Weimaraner Puppy Feeding Chart (2 to 12 months)
The amount of food your Weimaraner puppy should consume daily will change as they grow, and it’s essential to regularly adjust their portion sizes accordingly.
The feeding chart below shows how much food your Weimaraner puppy needs:
| Age | Daily Food Quantity (Cups) | Caloric Intake (Per day) |
| 2 – 3 months | 1 ¾ – 2 ½ | 775 – 1,136 |
| 4 – 5 months | 2 ½ – 2 ¾ | 1,136 – 1,208 |
| 6 – 9 months | 3 ¼ – 4 | 1,412 – 1,830 |
| 10 – 12 months | 4 ¼ | 1,914 – 1,949 |
The exact portion size for each meal can vary depending on the specific food brand and type you are using, as well as your puppy’s growth and activity levels.
It’s important to choose high-quality puppy food that supports their growth with the right balance of nutrients and to weigh out your puppy’s meals for accuracy.
Adult Weimaraner Feeding Chart (1 to 6 years)
Although the Weimaraner is already fully grown at 9 months, they only mature once they are around one year old. They may also continue gaining weight until the age of 15 months.
Since the Weimaraner remains very energetic a few years after reaching its full size, the daily amount of calories that it consumes must still be sufficient for its everyday activities.
To meet the change in energy requirements of an adult Weimaraner, here’s a feeding chart showing their daily adult food consumption:
| Age | Daily Food Quantity (Cups) | Caloric Intake (Per day) |
| 1 – 6 years | 3 – 4 ½ | 1,248 – 1,808 |
During adulthood, Weimaraners need closer monitoring of their diet as they tend to overeat during this stage. Daily physical exercise helps maintain their physique and prevent unnecessary weight gain.
Also, the caloric needs of a Weimaraner change when neutered or spayed. This may be equivalent to 0.5 to 0.8 cups less dog food per day. Neutered pets may gain excessive weight if you don’t adjust their food intake.
On another note, one of the best features of a Weimaraner for me is its silvery smooth coat. This is also something that I focused on when it came to giving advice to my friend’s female Weimaraner, Sammie.
I recommended giving Sammie omega-3 and 6 supplementation from fish oil, which was indeed effective in maintaining the natural shimmer of her skin and coat and kept her generally healthy, too.
Pro Tip: This supplementation works best as well when it comes to maintaining another special variant of this breed, the long-haired Weimaraner. This should keep the fur quality of these dogs in excellent condition.
Senior Weimaraner Feeding Chart (7 years and above)
As Weimaraners reach old age, their nutrition should also change. Their energy levels decline, so their nutrition and care must also adjust. At this stage, the priority is to let them live a long and comfortable life.
Changing a senior Weimaraner’s diet should be gradual. The process should start the moment they show signs of aging. A nutritious but low-calorie diet will keep a senior Weimaraner’s joints comfortable in the long run.
Here is a table for feeding your senior Weimaraner:
| Age | Daily Food Quantity (Cups) | Caloric Intake (Per day) |
| 7 years and above | 2 ½ – 3 ½ | 999 – 1,446 |
Due to the slower metabolism and low physical activity of a senior Weimaraner, its muscles and bones also start to reduce in size and strength. A proper amount of calcium and protein can slow down this process.
They need 50% more protein in order to maintain muscle mass. This ensures that they can still carry their weight even as they age. They also need high-fiber and low-sodium diets for gastrointestinal health.
How Often Should You Feed Your Weimaraner?
The feeding frequency for Weimaraners depends on their activity level, which changes as they age.
Here’s a general guideline for the feeding frequency for Weimaraners:
| Age | Feeding Frequency |
| 2 – 3 months | Three to four meals a day |
| 4 – 12 months | Three meals a day |
| 1 – 6 years | Two meals a day |
| 7 years and above | Once a day |
It’s important to adjust the feeding frequency and portion sizes based on your dog’s individual needs.
Always consult with a veterinarian for personalized advice, especially if you notice any health changes or have concerns about your dog’s diet.
How to Transition Your Weimaraner to a New Food
At different life stages of a Weimaraner, you would need to change its food, like the transition from adult food to senior or “old food,” or maybe from raw food to canned food.
A proper transition involves slowly introducing new food over a period of 5 to 7 days. A sudden change in dog food may upset their stomach or cause a loss in appetite.
Here’s a chart to guide you in transitioning your Weimaraner to a new food:
| Day | Old Food | New Food |
| 1 – 2 | 75% | 25% |
| 3 – 4 | 50% | 50% |
| 5 – 6 | 25% | 75% |
| 7 | 0% | 100% |
During the transition, some food intolerances may come up. Also, check if there’s a change in their stool color, as this may indicate health issues.
If your dog experiences vomiting or diarrhea during the transition, it’s best that you consult with your vet.
Pro Tip: For those bringing their Weimaraner puppy home for the first time, it is best to ask the breeder what its usual diet and feeding routine is. This knowledge will help you in a worry-free transition towards your preferred diet for your pup.
Tips on Feeding an Overweight Weimaraner
Dog owners can easily confuse healthy dogs with overweight ones because they find overweight dogs charming. However, having excess weight poses serious health risks that may affect their lifespan.
Here are some tips on feeding your overweight Weimaraner:
- Reduce their daily calories. If you are free-feeding your puppy, you may want to start by eliminating this habit first to reduce your Weimaraner’s daily caloric intake. You should then look into the best dog food option for weight management.
- Switch to healthier food alternatives. If your Weimaraner is solely eating dry food, you can switch your dog’s food to a more natural source of essential nutrients. Some vets may recommend a grain-free, raw food diet composed of raw meat and vegetables.
- Lessen treats or make homemade snacks. To further reduce the amount of calories your dog consumes, you should cut down on treats. You should reserve them for training sessions and even look into making healthy, homemade snacks for your Weimaraner.
Stick to this feeding routine until there are noticeable changes in their weight. However, you don’t want them to be overly thin. Maintaining a healthy weight is vital for long life.
Aside from a balanced diet, physical activities are also good for weight loss. Your vet can suggest the right exercise that will not tire out your dog or puppy while on a diet.
Exercise is good for a dog’s well-being and mental health. Since Weimaraner dogs are prone to separation anxiety, daily exercise can be helpful as a supplement to crate training, especially for a puppy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know If I’m Feeding My Weimaraner Enough?
To know if you’re feeding your Weimaraner puppy, adult, or senior dog enough food, you should do a routine check of their weight. If your pup is within the normal weight range, you shouldn’t worry.
You can also check if your Weimaraner has the ideal body condition score (BCS). If your dog scores 5, you should be able to feel its ribs, spine, and hip bones and also feel some fat around these areas.
Why Is My Weimaraner Not Eating?
There are a variety of reasons why your Weimaraner is not eating. It could be a temporary loss of appetite, but sometimes, it could also be the first sign of a health issue.
For less serious reasons, it could be a change in their environment, like a new home or a new member in your family, another pet, or a new food type during the transition. However, this shouldn’t take days and cause alarm.
However, sometimes, a loss of appetite is related to diseases in the digestive system, kidney, liver, and other organs that may be causing pain.
Once they become lethargic or show other symptoms, take them to the vet immediately.
Do Weimaraners Eat a Lot?
Yes, the Weimaraner, like other large breeds, has a huge appetite and eats a lot compared to other dogs. This behavior makes them at risk of obesity and weight-related health problems.
To keep them healthy, stick to a feeding plan suitable to their routine, age, and weight. Feed them only healthy snacks low in calories during training to prevent unnecessary weight gain.
Can I Feed My Weimaraner With Human Food?
Human food is not an ideal food option for Weimaraners and should be avoided at all costs. They may contain ingredients that cause complications in your dog’s digestive system.
It’s ideal to only feed your pet with good food appropriate for their consumption. Raw food or dog food brands equipped with vitamins are the best options.
Can Weimaraners Eat Bones?
Since the Weimaraner was originally a hunting dog, they were used to eat bones. However, brittle bones that break into small sharp pieces can damage their esophagus and, therefore, are dangerous.
Instead, give them large raw bones to chew that don’t break easily. A good example is raw beef thigh bones or any large bone marrow. These are strong bones and also nutritious for your dog.
That wraps up our comprehensive guide on how much to feed a Weimaraner. If you’re still wondering about the feeding quantity or have any other specific queries about your Weimaraner’s diet, feel free to drop a comment below.
