How Much Food Do Golden Retriever Puppies Need
Determining how much to feed your puppy is just as important as what you feed them. All food products are different, so there’s no exact caloric amount that works across the board.
Furthermore, the number of calories your pup will need can change weekly as they gain weight.
The best way to keep track of your dog’s diet is to consult with your vet regularly about their development.
Generally, puppies will need to eat several times throughout the day. Their caloric intake should be spread out evenly between four meals a day. As time progresses, you can decrease the frequency of their meals until they reach adulthood.
While there’s no exact science to determine the amount of food you need, many seasoned breeders will use a simple feeding schedule that changes as their pup gets bigger.
Once your dog has weaned off their mother, you can start out with about a cup and half of food per day. This should be split among four meals every few hours.
For every month thereafter, add half a cup of food to their daily allotment. At the six month mark, you should be feeding approximately three to four cups of food.
During this schedule, keep a watchful eye on your pup’s weight. Golden Retrievers are notorious for gaining weight. If you sense that your pup is packing on the pounds too quickly, ease off on the food and consult with your vet for guidance.
More Highly Rated Dog Foods For Golden Retrievers
With our top choice covered, here are seven more golden retriever food options!
Healthy Ingredients : Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet PotatoesKey Features :
While we think Taste of the Wild does more than enough to get the job done, your golden retriever may have specific dietary needs you need to keep an eye on. If thats the case, American Journey recipes pay close attention to keeping out ingredients like wheat, soy, and corn, which can impact your dogs stomach if theyre sensitive to them.
On the opposite end, you can find blueberries, sweet potatoes, carrots, and dried kept to help boost your golden retrievers immune system. Sweet potatoes and chickpeas help keep your dogs energy levels high. Deboned salmon forms the core protein, while flaxseed and salmon oil both bring in Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids.
American Journey recipes provide plenty of consideration for dogs with strict dietary requirements and picky eaters.
Healthy Ingredients : Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, OatmealKey Features :
Blue Buffalo dog foods focus heavily on providing a variety of natural ingredients to help give your dog the energy and nutrients they need to stay healthy. Chicken, lamb, and fish provide the base proteins for this food, while the brown rice provides plenty of grain benefits. Also, produce like apples, blueberries, pumpkins, and spinach, add a variety of nutrients to their diet.
Things To Look For In A Dog Food
Having said that, there are some general guidelines one can follow.
For instance, less expensive dog foods typically have lower quality ingredients. The contents are often inexpensive, low-grade protein sources, like animal by-products, and fillers.
Fillers are frequently things like corn meal, rice flour, or seed hulls.
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What Brand Of Dog Food Do Vets Recommend
Its always the intention of every pet parent to wish the best for his furry friend. With that, veterinaries have lined up for you some of the dog foods. You will never go wrong when you offer them to your lovely pet.
So which are the brands most vets recommended as the best dog food for Golden Retrievers? Lets have a look.
Best Dog Food At Walmart
- Best wet food: Purina Beneful Medleys Romana Style wet dog food
- Best for puppies: Purina Puppy Chow dry dog food
- Best dry food: Racheal Ray Nutrish Natural dry dog food
- Best for allergies: Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Skin and Stomach dry dog food.
- Best grain-free: Pure Balance Grain Free Salmon and Pea Recipe food
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Best Dog Food For Golden Retriever
We love Blue Buffalo, and this is a particularly good formula from them. It’s one of the best dog food brands for golden retrievers and other breeds overall.
We especially like it for golden retrievers, since it has so much fish, making it rich in omega fatty acids, which helps your pup keep her nice, sleek, shiny coat.
The protein content in this food is 36%, which is great. The main protein sources come from chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and dried egg.
The carbohydrates here arent as complex as they could be. For example, theres more white potatoes than sweet potatoes, and we generally like slow-burning, complex carbohydrates to make up the bulk of our carbs.
That said, there are lots of good fruits and veggies in here, like cranberries, apples, carrots, blackberries, spinach and a whole host of other great stuff, which really rounds out the nutritional profile.
How We Evaluated The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
We at Alpha Paw adore dogs and everything about them. We try hard to find verified data on all dog-related subjects.One of the things we feel strongly about is helping the dog owners find the best information related to their pups diet. To help you find the best dog food for your Golden Retriever, we sought help and assistance from reliable sources.
Five veterinarians shared their medical knowledge on this beautiful breed. They gave us an insight on all the nutrients that should find their way into your Goldens bowl. These experts also warned us of a few health issues that the Golden Retrievers are prone to. We are going to share the gathered information on beneficial and harmful ingredients that could affect your canines health.
Dog lovers community shared their personal stories on raising these gold-buds. They recommended several food products that they have been using for a long time with positive outcomes. Their pups cant wait to see this food in their bowls, and they are growing healthy and strong.
And finally, theres us. As dog owners ourselves, we know how important it is to see your pup thrive and eat food that meets all their nutritional needs. So, we tested some products on our pets, and were ready to present to you the ones we liked the best.
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No Unidentified Meats Or Other Ingredients
Though generally an ingredient list will not list material as unidentified- the phrase by-product is in effect the same. By-products are a culmination of offal, bones, and meat scraps. These are typically poor-quality ingredients used as filling agents.
Though they may test as having the same amount of protein/fat, the quality of those macronutrients are significantly less than of meat itself.
Ingredients To Avoid When Buying Food For Golden Retrievers
Itâs certainly true that not all ingredients are created equal. But, unless youâre a nutritionist or a food scientist, it can be hard to determine whatâs what.
There may be some preservatives that could cause damage to your dog. They may be fine in the short run, but since youâd be feeding them to your dog every day for their whole life, the cumulative effect could be cause for concern.
Here are a few chemical preservatives you should try to avoid,
- Butylated hydroxyanisole and Butylated hydroxytoluene : These compounds have been labeled carcinogenic by the World Health Organization.
- Ethoxyquin: This is also used as a pesticide and a hardening agent in rubber. The FDA is investigating whether it causes liver and blood problems. And itâs already banned in Australia and the EU.
- Propylene glycol: This is used to preserve the moisture content in some dog foods. The FDA already banned it for use in cat food, as it can cause Heinz body anemia.
- Tertiary butylhydroquinone : Studies suggest that this preservative can cause stomach tumors in animals and damage the DNA in cells.
- Propyl gallate: This substance contains xenoestrogens, which are linked to breast cancer in humans.
While itâs not 100 percent certain that these substances would cause significant harm to your dog, itâs better to be safe than sorry. There are plenty of foods that donât use these kinds of ingredients, so why not go with them?
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What To Look For When Buying Dog Food For Golden Retrievers:
The Golden Retriever is a popular dog breed all over the world, and they are the most incredible family dogs that have what it takes to brighten the lives of their human family members, every day. Golden Retrievers are large dogs, and unfortunately, they have some heredity health problems, which can sometimes be prevented with the right food and nutrition! It is crucial to feed your Golden Retriever right both as puppies, adults, and seniors, to set them up for long and healthy life. To do this, you need to know what to look for in dog food, what to avoid and what food is most likely to suit your dog.
A benefit when feeding a Golden Retriever is that they dont tend to be fussy about food, and they will often eat whatever is served to them. This, however, is no excuse not to do proper research, or to fail to provide an adequate and nutritional diet. Your Golden Retriever cant tell you what he or she needs, and they probably dont even know it themselves, so it is up to us as responsible dog owners to make sure they get the nutrients their fluffy bodies crave.
Coffee With My Golden Mug
Now that you know more about the best food for Golden Retrievers, how about a little something for yourself?
A refreshing drink from this mug can be your reward for doing all the research on the best dog food for your golden best friend.
Coffee With My Golden Mug
This fun coffee cup is a must-have for any Golden Retriever lover.
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Natural Balance Limited Ingredient
Natural Balances limited ingredient kibbles* are based on lamb or duck.
Avoiding chicken, a common allergen.
Both have smaller pieces for puppy mouths too.
Plus vitamins and minerals for a healthy nervous system, immune system and overall development.
We especially like that this brand is also transparent about exactly how much DHA and Omegas 3 and 6 their recipes include.
Golden Retriever Health Problems And How Food Can Help
Golden retrievers may be described as playful, energetic, and very active pooches that love nothing but life and family. However, this doesnt mean theyre completely immune to diseases. Like all breeds of dog, Goldies are prone to certain health issues more than other breeds. Here are some of them.
- Cancer
Two of the most common cancers found in Golden retrievers are hemangiosarcomas and lymphomas. Hemangiosarcoma is a very invasive type of cancer that is found almost exclusively in canine populations. Hemangiosarcomas affect the blood vessels while lymphomas target lymphocytes in the immune system. Nutrition can play a role in improving the signaling pathways of cells so that they dont differentiate into neoplastic ones.
- Aortic stenosis
In this condition, the valve where blood exits the heart to be delivered to the rest of the body gets narrower, restricting the flow and delivery of blood towards the rest of the body while also congesting the heart with blood because of the limited forward movement of blood. Omega fatty acids and other nutrients that can lower blood lipids can also help. Fiber has always been an integral part of aortic stenosis diet in human populations.
- Hip dysplasia
Find out more about Calcium Supplements for Dogs.
- Elbow dysplasia
This is almost similar to hip dysplasia except that the affected joint is in the elbow of your Golden retriever. Again, nutrients are important to minimize the impact of such degeneration of the tissues.
- Eye problems
- Bloating
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Taste Of The Wild Southwest Canyon
Rating:
Southwest Canyon is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Beef, peas, garbanzo beans, lamb meal, canola oil
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All life stages
- Best for:Golden retriever adults and puppies
Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon acquires the bulk of its animal protein from fresh beef and lamb meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 17% fat and 43% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.
Southwest Canyon also contains salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs. They help deliver better joint health and a lustrous skin and coat. A super popular brand. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewTaste of the Wild makes both me and my dogs very happy. I have a pack of three that all love it and have beautiful coats that I can only attribute to their diet. As for me, its cost-efficient and doesnt stink like other dog foods. Id recommend it to any of my friends.
The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Organic Whole Grain Chicken Recipe
The Honest Kitchen REVEL uses the dehydration method to preserve the quality of all ingredients. With the ingredients also being finely diced for easier consumption, this brand not only offers affordability, but a high-quality dog food formula.
Nutrients, phytonutrients and minerals are also well- preserved through the dehydration process with a 10 lb. box delivering up to 40 lb. of food.
All the ingredients are natural and human- grade. It is a high-quality dehydrated dog food. The website adds that that all ingredients are guaranteed 100 percent Human Food Grade and that it has been the only pet food manufacturer in the U.S to have proved to the FDA that every ingredient it uses in its products are suitable for human consumption. This dog food is easy to prepare, and easy to take along when traveling or showing with your Golden Retriever.
PROS
- Organic whole food grains like oats, barley and quinoa
- Fresh veggies and fruits like bananas, green peas, carrots, kelp, parsley, celery and more
- Easy- to- mix with water formula
CONS
- Grain-free may be a problem today depending on further results from the FDA
For more on The Honest Kitchens comment about DCM:
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Golden Retriever Allergies And Food
Dogs can develop food allergies at any age. Those sensitivities can cause short- and long-term health issues if left unchecked. Watch for these symptoms, which may indicate a food allergy:
- Digestion problems, including vomiting or diarrhea
- Itchy skin
- Frequent ear infections
- Swollen ears, lips or eyes
If you notice any of these symptoms, take your golden retriever to the veterinarian and ask for an allergy test. Dogs can be allergic to plenty of common food ingredients, including beef, dairy, chicken, wheat and soy. You might try an elimination process to determine the cause of your dogs allergies, though first consult with your veterinarian before changing your dogs diet. A vet can rule out other possibilities, like infection or illness.
A Homemade Recipe You Can Try For Your Golden Retriever
We found a recipe that you can try to prepare for your Goldie. This contains 72% protein, 23% fat, and 10% carbs, amounting to 412 calories per cup.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups brown rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 pounds ground turkey or chicken
3 cups baby spinach, chopped
2 carrots, shredded
1/2 cup peas, canned or frozen
Instructions:
Check out Coopers human whip up his dinner from scratch:
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Wet Foods Theyll Love
You can switch from dry food so they wont get bored, so here are some of the best-wet foods that dogs adore and they also provide them with vitamins, fats, calcium, protein, and carbohydrates at the same time.
Merrick grain-free puppy plate
My puppies love this one so much that they can come rushing from the other end of the world if they hear me opening it up or smell it. It Contains DHA that support healthy brain development
It also contains vitamins and minerals to offer complete balanced nutrition and they are necessary for the maintenance of teeth and bones.
They are also rich in high-quality proteins: it supports their muscles, immune system, skin, and hair.
Wellness complete health just for puppy
The Wellness complete health for puppies is an excellent wet food for golden retriever puppies. Its rich in nutrient ingredients that designed to provide them with all the nutritional requirements they need and they absolutely love the taste of it .
Rich in protein: It supports a strong immune system, digestive function, optimal energy levels, healthy skin, and coat.
Filled with veggies: it provides your dog with all the vitamins they need and helps their coat to grow and prevents shedding.
Instinct original grain-free wet puppy food
Contains natural DHA: it supports your puppys brain and eye development.
Features beef liver and salmon: it helps to grow their muscle properly.
A Goldens Unique Needs
While Goldens are known as a relatively healthy dog breed, there are a few medical conditions theyre predisposed to. While some conditions, like hypothyroidism or hip and elbow dysplasia, are difficult to predict or protect against, there are other common conditions which can be prevented through proper diet and eating habits.
Cancer Nearly 60% of golden retrievers die from cancer. The causes for cancer are many, and in most cases, theres nothing that could have been done to prevent it, theres one thing you can control which may help your dog avoid cancer: proper diet.
Lower quality dog foods often contain ingredients which have been linked to cancer, and avoiding them is the best action you can take to help your dog avoid developing cancer. Avoiding foods with artificial ingredients, colors, fillers or preservatives is a great way to limit the likelihood of your golden developing cancer.
Cardiovascular Disease While goldens are prone to developing cardiovascular disease, you can mitigate this risk tremendously by keeping your dog at a healthy weight thats in line with your vets recommendations.
A healthy dog at the right weight is far less likely to develop a heart condition as they get older. If you notice your dog trending a bit towards the heavier side, dont wait, consult with your vet about putting them on a diet for weight management.
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