Labrador Dog Food Choices Dry Kibble
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By far the majority of Labrador owners nowadays, feed their dogs on kibble. That is the dried pellets of dog food that you can buy in pet stores and online.
All major pet food companies now supply a dried version of their brands. Youll find masses of choice in pet stores and supermarkets worldwide. Its this very choice that many new Labrador owners find so confusing!
How Often Should A 6 Month Old Golden Retriever Pee
Like human babies, your golden retriever puppy will pee frequently than his adult counterparts. As a quick guide, an average puppy can hold his bladder for a number of hours equal to her age in months plus one. So, your 6-month-old golden retriever can hold his bladder for about 7 hours. Learn more here: How Long Can a Small Dog Hold Its Bladder Overnight?
However, there are instances when your puppy may pee more often than expected, including:
- If they are obese or overweight
- If they have an underlying health condition like diabetes
- If they are on medication that encourages frequent urination
- If they have drunk more water than usual
To prevent accidents and ensure that your Golden puppy is getting the training and attention that he needs, consider:
- Taking him out every hour during the day
- Taking him out the first thing in the morning
- Taking him out 10-15 minutes after meals and before bedtime
- Taking him out and walking him within 10 minutes after drinking a lot of water.
- Feeding him at the same time every day so that he is prompted to go to pee consistently.
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Amounts To Feed Depending On The Puppys Age
Many golden retriever breeders and other informed individuals recommend the following amounts:
- A two-month-old dog needs approximately 12 cups of food each day.
- A three-month-old puppy should be given about two cups of food each day.
- A four-month-old puppy should be given approximately two and a half cups of food each day.
- A five- to six-month-old puppy should be given about three cups each day.
- A six- to seven-month-old male puppy should be given approximately three and a half to four cups of food each day
- The size of an eight-month-old dog should be modified as he grows.
During his first two years of life, the quantity of food you give him will need to be adjusted based on his development and growth spurts.;
Overfeeding will not only cause him to gain weight, but it will also cause him to develop too quickly.
Check if you can still feel his ribs without their protruding on a regular basiseven weekly.
If he finishes all of his kibble at two out of three meals, its another sign that its time to raise his food allowance. You may then increase the quantity of food he consumes.
You should also give his final meal of the day at least 90 minutes before bedtime so that he has enough time to digest his meals and go potty.
If your veterinarian recommends it, dont give him any vitamins.;
He should be able to get all of the nutrients he needs from a well-balanced, high-quality diet.;
Golden pups should be fed a large-breed dog formula.;
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Holistic Select Senior Health
Rating:
Senior Health is one of 11 dry recipes covered in our review of the Holistic Select product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, chickpeas, peas, lentils, dried ground potatoes
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for:Senior goldens
Holistic Select Senior Health obtains the better part of its meat protein from chicken fat. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 13% fat and 48% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 43%.
We also note this dog food contains no generic animal by-products, artificial colors or chemical preservatives. The recipes below-average fat content combined with its inclusion of both chondroitin and glucosamine make it an ideal option for senior goldens. Highly recommended.
How To Feed A Labrador Different Methods
There are currently two very different approaches to dog feeding that are popular with many Labrador owners.
- Dry kibble
- Raw meat and bones or BARF
So which is the best food for Labrador Retrievers? Both methods of feeding have their supporters and detractors. At one time a lot of dogs were fed on canned food with an added biscuit mixer. Nowadays, only a small number of dog owners still feed this way.
There are also a few pet parents that cook an entirely home made diet for their dog each day. You can find useful information on home cooking for dogs in the Whole Dog Journal.
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Transitioning To A New Food
This is quite tricky, make sure youdont feed the new food 100% in the bowl on Day 1, he will definitely not eat it.
Theres a best way to transition your dogs old to new food by the following method!
| Days | |
|---|---|
| Day 1 to Day 2 | I served him 80% Old Food & 20% New Food; |
| Day 3 to Day 4 | I served him 50% Old Food & 50% New Food; |
| Day 5 to Day 6 | I served him 20% Old Food & 80% New Food; |
| Day 7 | I served him 100% New Food |
You can follow this method, I learned this method when I bought a skin allergic dog food for my Golden Retriever. At the back of the food bag, they mentioned this method for transitioning and I implemented it!
But you can try this, or can take a piece of advice from your breeder or vet!
How Old Do Golden Retrievers Have To Be To Be Considered Senior
A Golden Retriever is considered a senior at the age of 7.5-10 years old. Many people believe that 1 human year is equivalent to 7 dog years, but this is not the case and it all depends on the size of the dog. Scientists have come to the conclusion that for every 4.4 pounds of body mass a dog has, their life expectancy is reduced by one month.
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What Is The Size Of A Full
Per the American Kennel Club Official Golden Retriever Breed Standards, a male Golden Retriever should weigh between 65 to 75 pounds, and a female Golden Retriever should weigh between 55 to 65 pounds.
Male Golden Retrievers will stand at 23 to 24 inches, while female Goldies are slightly shorter at 21.5 to 22.5 inches tall. As adults, Golden Retrievers will appear overall symmetrical and have a powerful body hidden beneath beautiful, golden fur.
What Is The Temperament Of A 6 Month Old Golden Retriever
Generally, adult golden retrievers are intelligent, affectionate, and even-tempered. They are also playful, gentle with children, and get along with other pets and strangers. With an ever-smiling face, Goldens are known to make friends with nearly every person they meet. They are always eager to please owners, which probably explains why they respond perfectly to obedience training or why they make excellent service dogs. Golden retrievers are also exuberant and powerful dogs with lots of energy to spare.
Your 6 month old golden retrievers temperament will not be differentexpect him to be friendly, energetic, and goofy. Your puppy will play with you, your children, other pets, and any new friend that he bumps into indiscriminately.
At 6 months, your puppys personality will have developed and the kind of temperament that they manifest is a good indicator of how they will behave when they are adults. This study by Duffy and Serpell also confirms that the behavior of a puppy by 6 months of age is a perfect indicator of their adult personality and temperament.
Your puppy is highly likely to be more active and excitable than an adult golden retriever though, which makes early socialization very critical. While some of your dogs adulthood temperament is shaped by genetics, a great deal comes from how he interacts with the world during his puppyhood. A puppy that is exposed to different sights, sounds, people, and experiences will often grow up into a well-rounded dog.
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Golden Retriever Growth And Weight Chart The Complete Guide
If you already have a Golden Retriever puppy, keeping an eye on its milestones is an excellent way of ensuring that her growth is on track.
Those dogs that experience malnutrition and overfeeding, or growing slowly or too quickly, can have long-term effects on their health and life. So how do you know if your pup is on track?
Youre in the right place if you want your questions answered!
Whats The Best Dog Food For Labs
Most experts agree that the best food for any dog is one that keeps him in excellent health at a reasonable price. They also agree that to keep a dog in great condition, he needs to be fed a balanced diet. Unfortunately thats about where the agreement ends. And choosing the best dog food for Labradors is not straightforward.
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How Much Should I Feed My Puppy A Complete Puppy Feeding Guide With Chart
The decisions you make about your puppys nutrition will affect his growth, development and even his behavior.
Feeding your puppy a high-quality, complete and balanced puppy food helps set him up for a long and healthy life as an adult dog. This raises a lot of questions for first-time puppy owners, though.
How much should you feed your puppy and when? When should you stop feeding puppy food?
Get answers to these questions and more in our complete puppy feeding guide below. Our experts answer your questions and offer advice to help set you and your puppy up for success.
How To Know If Youre Not Feeding Them Enough
While overfeeding can result in various health conditions, so does underfeeding your Golden Retriever puppy. Underfeeding can cause malnutrition which can result in your puppy being unhealthy.
Some of the signs they are underfed are:
Visible Bones
One of the most obvious signs that youre underfeeding your puppy is that theyre so thin that you can see their bones. Some even appear like theyre skin and bone, with very little fat on their body. This means that theyre not getting enough nourishment from the food they eat.
Underweight
Another indicator that youre underfeeding your puppy is that they are too small or light for their breed and age. This is also a good indicator of malnutrition but this doesnt mean that larger, chubbier puppies dont suffer from malnutrition.
Low Energy
Dogs, especially puppies, tend to have high levels of energy. This is particularly true with Golden Retrievers a breed known for being highly energetic and playful. So, if you find your puppy looking lethargic, this can be a good indicator that youre underfeeding them.
Runny Stool
Just like with overfeeding, runny stool can be an obvious indicator of underfeeding and malnutrition. This is because runny stools mean that theyre not digesting their food well and therefore, cannot absorb the necessary nutrients in their food.
However, this can also be a sign of a medical condition so its best to consult with your veterinarian as well before changing your puppys feeding routines.
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How Do I Switch Puppy Food Brands
Switching between brands for your puppy should not be done in a jiffy. It takes time for most puppies to get used to a new food so you have to be patient about it. Try offering the new food little by little at first and then gradually working your way up to half of the food bowl, until finally, your puppy has gotten used to the new food.
Aside from possible food allergies and digestive system shock, your pup might not like the initial taste of any new food, so you should feed it to them gradually.
If you arent very sure about the food brand that you have, you can also talk to your veterinarian for advice. This is especially if your pet showed certain food allergies to it.
Golden Retriever Feeding Guide For Seniors
As your Goldie gets older he will become less active and will need fewer calories to stay on his ideal weight. Your pooch will be considered a senior when he is eight years old, so make sure to tweak his diet around this age.
An older Golden Retriever will need around 900 calories per day served in two equally spaced meals. However, if your senior dog needs to lose some weight, you will have to put him on a diet and lower his calorie intake.
You should talk with your vet and see if there is a need to transition your pooch to senior dog food at this point or not. Food for older dogs has fewer calories and is supplemented with glucosamine and vitamins that are beneficial for older dogs. However, many seniors continue to eat regular food without any side effects, but you should check just in case you need to change his diet.
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Eukanuba Senior Large Breed Dog Food
Eukanuba Senior Large Breed Dog Food is also recommended by our staff veterinarians. It is formulated to fuel your active Golden Retrievers daily activities with optimal levels of fat and carbohydrates. It also helps maintain their natural defenses with guaranteed antioxidant levels for older dogs.
Below is a feeding chart for Eukanuba Senior Large Breed dog food.
Eukanuba Senior Large Breed Feeding Chart
| Weight | |
|---|---|
| 4 5/8- 6 Cups Per Day | |
| 110 lbs. | 5 ½- 7 1/8 Cups Per Day |
Eukanuba is like Royal Canin in that it provides precise amounts of food for your aging Golden Retriever. The range of amounts is based on the activity of your Golden for the day, either low, moderate, or high level of activity.
How Much To Feed Your Golden Retriever Puppy
June 5, 2019 by Karen Summers
Can I trust the dog food bag? Is my puppy supposed to look thin? How important is it to feed the correct amounts? The question of how much to feed your Golden Retriever puppy is one of the most important questions to have the answer to before bringing a puppy home.
Overfeeding during a puppys first 5-6 months of life can impact a puppy for life. It is of utmost importance that you keep your puppy growing slowly.
Why Keep Your Puppy Growing Slowly
There are many reasons for feeding your puppy so that he grows slowly while he is under 5 months of age and for keeping him at a fairly lean weight for his entire life. Studies have shown that dogs that are kept leaner have longer lifespans , have lower cancer rates, and have less hip and dysplasia. Studies have also indicated that the first 4-5 months are the most important. Unlike people, puppies grow too fast before growing fat. Fast growth has been linked to several orthopedic conditions including hip and elbow dysplasia and Panosteitis. In addition, faster growing puppies have greater chances of incurring soft tissue injuries during play and exercise. Other problems with feeding too much include loose stools and a puppy that isnt sufficiently hungry to be motivated during training sessions.
Growth Chart Weights and Food Amounts
Dont let this happen to your dog. Keep an eye on his weight for life, but especially during his puppy months!
Here is the chart:
Growth and Feeding Chart for Girls
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Can You Feed Your Golden Retriever Puppy Raw Food
Some dog owners prefer to feed they are golden retrievers raw food as opposed to kibble. A diet that is raw means that you only give him raw bones, row organs, raw meats, as well as fruits and vegetables. Many consider this raw diet to be better than kibble.
In all truth, kibble may not be ideal for your Golden because dogs are carnivores who require high amounts of protein. Many of the kibble on the market has approximately 60% carbohydrates.
Dogs need more protein and fats for good nutrition. When dogs consume too much carbohydrates, they tend to have health problems from being overweight.;
However, there are downsides to a raw diet because one must be careful about the way the food is prepared and stored.
You would need to think about the bacteria like salmonella and E Coli coming from the uncooked liver, meat, and eggs which can affect your dog and even be fatal if not handled properly. It can also cause issues with the pancreas if introduced too abruptly.
When your dog is on a raw diet, the amount of food you give him would need to be adjusted, as he may actually need to eat less. Many people who give dogs raw food only feed them once or twice per day.;
Can A Golden Retriever Eat An Apple Core
Apple cores should not be fed to golden retrievers because the seeds contained in them contain cyanide, which is a dangerous poison even in very small doses. The poisonous effect of apple cores becomes more pronounced as an apple core withers and decays, so dogs eating apples out of the trash is definitely a no-no.
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