Doberman Feeding Guide – Australia

Dogs are called man’s best friend for a reason – they are wonderful companions, but they can also perform useful tasks and serve their families loyally. When choosing what dog breed to adopt, many Aussie families choose breeds that are known for their guarding potential. While there are a lot of excellent breeds to pick from, the Doberman (or Doberman Pinscher) is a hard one to pass up. Known for their remarkable intelligence and obedience, Dobermans are also energetic and playful dogs who make for a wonderful addition to the family. Don’t let their reputation fool you – to their families, Dobies can be as gentle as they are loyal. 

These elegant pups need the right blend of training and nutrition to be the happiest and healthiest dogs they can be. If you’ve just welcomed this beautiful breed into your family, you might be wondering what to feed a Doberman. 

Hypro Premium has you covered with this extensive Doberman feeding chart. We’ll take you through the feeding requirements you need to know for each phase of your Doberman’s life, from playful puppy to loving senior.

We’ll also break down what foods are best for Dobermans, how much to feed a Dobie puppy or adult, and any other special dietary considerations.

How Much Should You Feed a Doberman Puppy?

For the first few months of any puppy’s life, nutrition starts with puppy milk. Milk feeding is a responsibility that is ideally left to trained breeders and vets. Any Dobie puppy you adopt should be no younger than 8 weeks old, meaning they have usually been weaned off puppy milk by the time they become a part of your family. Most dogs should be introduced to solid food by the time they are four weeks old.

However, you might find yourself caring for younger Doberman puppies who have not been fully weaned off milk. If your Doberman still requires nutrition from milk, you can begin to move them onto solid foods by combining some milk with dry puppy kibble. This soft mixture can then be fed to your puppy up to four times a day as part of your dog’s regular feeding schedule. Over time, reduce the amount of milk in the mixture as your puppy becomes comfortable with solid foods. Once they are weaned off puppy milk, you should feed your Doberman based on the amounts recommended from your specific dog food. 

4 Months – 10 Months

Your Doberman puppy will grow a lot in their first 10 months of life. On average, your Doberman will go from a 4kg puppy to a 35kg dog before their first birthday. During their first 10 months, your Dobie will need a lot of food to help support this growth, as well as their high puppy energy levels. However, you should avoid giving your puppy too much food, as overfeeding can contribute to serious health problems like bloat, obesity, and hip dysplasia. 

Remember to consult with your brand-specific dog food feeding guide for exact amounts based on weight.

10 Months – 12 Months

As your Dobie approaches their first birthday, you should consider moving your dog from puppy food to adult food. You can do this by mixing some adult kibble into their puppy mix. Not all Dobermans are ready for adult food by the 12 month mark, so always consult with your vet before making major dietary changes. 

What Should You Feed Doberman Puppies?

All puppies, regardless of breed, need lots of high quality pet food to aid in their rapid growth. Puppies have different nutritional requirements compared to adult dogs, and need to eat foods that are calorically and nutritionally dense. Hypro Premium’s Grain Free Turkey & Lamb dry food is a great option if you’re wondering what to feed your Doberman puppy. 

However, you also need to be wary of overeating. Puppies have smaller stomachs that will fill up faster than an adult dog’s stomach, which can lead to issues like bloating or obesity. Dobermans are at particular risk when it comes to overeating, as it can contribute to the development of cervical spondylomyelopathy, or wobblers syndrome. This is caused by a compression of the spinal root nerves and chord, which can cause clumsiness, falling, unsteady walking, or even paralysis. 

While wobblers syndrome is unlikely to start affecting your Doberman before 4 years of age, you can take steps in puppyhood to prevent it. Dobie puppies should be fed a diet that contains no more than 25% protein, and should not be given any vitamin supplements, especially for phosphorus and calcium, unless advised by your vet. 

How Much Should You Feed a Doberman Adult Dog

There can be a lot of variety when it comes to how much to feed a Doberman on a daily basis. Some smaller dogs can happily get by on 3 cups of food a day, while larger, active dogs may need up to 7 cups of food. Generally, your Dobie will need between 1435-1945 calories per day, but weight, age, activity levels and reproductive status will help you determine how much food your Dobie needs to be happy and healthy. A great way to tell if your Doberman is eating too much is to check to see if you can feel their ribs. If you can’t, you may be overfeeding your pup. 

If you exercise your dog after their meals, make sure you give them about an hour to digest before heading out, as this will help prevent bloat. 

Special Considerations

When deciding what to feed a Doberman, make sure you are aware of any special considerations your dog might have. While puppies need lots of meals throughout the day to keep their energy levels up, older and less active senior dogs will not need the same amount of calories. 

Older dogs often benefit from higher fibre diets, while puppies may not. Ask your vet about any special considerations that may affect your Dobie. 

Dogs can develop illnesses that can be managed through their diets. One health issue that is common in Dobermans is chronic active hepatitis, or CAH. CAH is caused by incorrectly metabolised copper, which can harm liver function and even result in death. To prevent this illness, you should avoid dog foods that contain more than the required amount of copy. Your vet can prescribe a medication that helps to reduce copper levels in the body. You could also take these steps to protect your dog – 

• Read food labels carefully
• Avoid feeding your dog copper-rich proteins like offal, shellfish, or liver products
• Avoid feeding your dog other foods like nuts, cereals, or legumes that have higher copper content

Gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome, also known as GDV or bloat, is another serious illness that can affect Dobermans. GDV constricts blood flow and creates a buildup of gas in your dog’s stomach. It can be avoided by feeding your dog lower fat foods in smaller portions, and avoiding exercise immediately after dinnertime. 

Best Food to Feed Dobermans

Choosing what to feed a Doberman can be overwhelming. While you should always check the ingredients on prepared foods and consult your vet if you aren’t sure about what to feed your dog, here are some factors to consider when choosing between a wet, dry, or a raw food diet. 

Wet food is great for keeping your dog hydrated, which can aid your Doberman’s digestion. However, most wet foods are very high in protein, which may not be suitable for your pup. For dogs at risk of hereditary diseases like CAH or kidney diseases, consider choosing foods that are lower in phosphorus and protein. As long as your wet food choice has a lower protein content between 16-20% and minimum phosphorus levels, it’s actually a great choice for kidney disease due to the higher water content. 

If you have the time and dedication to meal-plan and prepare your dog’s food from scratch, raw food diets can be a great choice. You can also ensure your dog is getting plenty of natural fatty acids, which will maintain your dog’s beautiful shiny coat. However, these diets do require a lot more work on your part. In addition, raw diets are the most harmful when it comes to hepatic and renal disease because they tend to be too high in protein and copper. The raw diets are notorious for missing fatty acids.

Dry kibble keeps well, and can also help keep your dog’s teeth clean. You should be wary of cheap, low quality kibbles, as these often contain fibrous filler ingredients that may be difficult for your Dobie to digest. If you are concerned about bloat, you can mix dry food with wet food, or add soluble fibre such as beans, carrots, or cooked potatoes to your Doberman’s dry food. 

How To Make Sure Your Doberman Stays Healthy and Fit

How can you make sure your dog stays fit and healthy? Following a Doberman feeding chart is only part of the process – the trick is the right balance of food and exercise.

When choosing a food for your Dobie, you have to make sure you are giving them high quality meals packed with all the nutrients they need. Never feed your dog foods like onions, cooked bones, or foods that contain any artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, as they can be dangerous to your dog’s health. The correct balance of nutrients in your dog’s diet is essential, as your dog will have different dietary needs at different stages of their life. For example, many Dobermans need to include more glucosamine in their diets to support joint health as they get older. You may need to adjust your Dobie’s diet based on their weight and activity levels. Monitoring your dog’s diet also means you can spot signs of illness more easily and prevent excess weight gain. 

Exercise is also important to your dog’s overall health. Not only does it keep your Dobie trim and fit, but it is also vital for the healthy socialisation and psychological development of your Dobie too. 

How Often Should I Feed My Doberman?

Adult dogs should be fed twice a day, once at night and once in the morning at regular intervals. You can fit your Doberman’s exercise routine into their feeding schedule by taking them for a walk each day before or after their meals. A walk after dinner can be useful for burning off excess energy before bedtime, but be wary that Dobermans can suffer from stomach issues if they aren’t given enough time to digest their food. 

Sticking to a consistent feeding schedule means your dog’s needs can fit more easily into your busy life. You can also use mealtimes as a training opportunity to help your Dobie avoid antisocial behaviours like food guarding or aggression. Also, you can more easily monitor your dog for signs of illness. For example, symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, or irregular bowel movements can be signs of chronic active hepatitis, which is a hereditary illness many Dobermans can suffer from. 

How much you feed a Doberman each day changes as they grow older and their stomachs grow bigger and more able to handle larger amounts of food.

How Many Treats Should I Feed My Doberman?

Dogs love treats, and they are a great way for owners to show our affection for our furry friends. Treats are an excellent training tool, as they can positively reinforce good behaviours. Using treats means you can train your dog to perform fun tricks as well as important skills like recall and mealtime manners. With a powerful bite and extreme loyalty towards their families, you’ll need to ensure your Doberman can behave well at home and in public. Your Doberman’s excellent guarding instincts can easily turn into aggression if not managed properly. 

However, treating can easily get out of hand, especially if your pup has mastered the art of begging! You should ensure that treats make up no more than 10% of your Dobie’s total daily caloric intake. Choose healthy treats like cooked chicken or apple chunks to make sure you aren’t overindulging your pup. 

Hypro Premium for Adult Dogs

When it comes to choosing a high quality kibble for your Doberman, Hypro Premium has a range of delicious and naturally sourced foods to suit your dog no matter their dietary needs. 

The Wholesome Grains range of kibbles is an excellent choice for Dobie owners looking to incorporate whole grains. With a variety of protein options to choose from, Hypro Premium’s whole grain dog foods are perfect for any pups suffering from food sensitivities. Our Wholesome Grain dog foods are also full of antioxidants and fatty acids sourced from emu oil, flaxseed, and sunflower seed, which will keep your Dobie’s beautiful coat healthy and shiny. 

Try Wholesome Grains Chicken & Brown Rice if you are avoiding excess protein in your Dobie’s diet. This delicious kibble is packed with protein sourced from chicken, chickpeas, and plenty of veggies, which is perfect for Dobie owners avoiding liver-based foods. Wholesome Grains Lamb & Brown Rice is another great option for active or working dogs, who need more protein in their diets to help support muscle and joint health. 

Whatever you choose, your dog is sure to love the flavour of Hypro Premium’s high quality dog foods.