The Importance Of Specialty Recipes
One of the biggest mistakes new owners make is providing their puppy with standard adult formulas. While your Goldie will surely have no problem gobbling up any food you put in front of them, you may notice the consequences later on.
Puppy formulas are specifically formulated to meet the needs of growing dogs.
Despite their small size, Golden Retriever puppies need to eat significantly more calories than their adult counterparts. Furthermore, they have unique nutritional requirements that need to be met.
Puppies go through a rapid growth spurt during their first year of life. At about 16 weeks, most Golden Retrievers weigh approximately 30 pounds. By their first birthday, they will be close to their full adult weight of up to 75 pounds.
That fast development cycle requires a lot of fuel and a healthy diet filled with vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. Most puppy foods are packed with all the essentials. They typically contain more calories per bite as well, allowing your dog to gain healthy weight without becoming obese.
Why Cant I Feed My Dog Home
After going through our list, you may have thought, Why cant I just feed my dog home-made food?
This is the question each one of us goes through.
Dont worry, as we were in your shoes once. Being a first time dog parent could be confusing!
Lets start with the basics then.
You must understand that a dogs digestive system is very different from a humans.
We have seen many dog owners feeding homemade food to their dogs.
Lets be straight, these foods are enough to fill up a dogs belly but wont fulfill their nutrition requirement.
A dogs body requires protein for the good development & maintenance of the muscles.
And this protein is also crucial in the growth stage and help pups with the new muscle development.
Now heres a twist.
We humans could get proteins from various vegetarian sources as well like Paneer, Milk, Soya-bean, etc.
But for dogs these proteins are somewhat useless as their body couldnt use it due to having a carnivore digestive system. A carnivore cannot strive well on plant proteins.
A best dog food satisfies all the protein needs of a dog with their animal based protein only.
Yet, many dog food manufacturers include plant proteins into their ingredients.
This significantly increases the crude protein stats of the product which companies could proudly promote.
However, plant protein contains less biological value.
Customers who know the benefits of the protein will happily buy the product based on the crude proteins percentage.
Should Golden Retrievers Eat Eggs
Yes, eggs are a good source of protein and packed with fatty acids and omega-3c. But eggs do not allow the biotin absorption and contain cholesterol, which can lead to a spike in their insulin level and cause diabetics.
It is often seen that some dogs show reactions to the consumption of eggs. It may be due to the uncooked or harmful bacteria present in it. So before feeding your dog, it is always recommended to taste it first, if your dog doesnt have any allergies then you can feed the dog with cooked egg, 2-3 times a week.
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The Nutritional Requirements For Golden Retrievers
Dogs have certain nutritional requirements and large and small dogs have their own healthy diet. If you are thinking of buying cheap dog foods, think about it carefully. Your large dogs require high-quality ingredients as these items are the only ones that can provide the right nutrition for your dogs. The first thing that you need to do is to know about the nutritional needs of your large dogs.
Animal Protein. High-quality animal protein is a very important component in the best dog food for Golden Retrievers. They require more protein as it helps build up their muscles and in order for them to live healthily. You have to make sure that 18% of your dogs diet is composed of high-quality animal protein.
Healthy Fats. Healthy fats are also needed but not too much. You have to check if the dog food has at least around 5% healthy fats.
Omega Fatty Acids. Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are also required so make sure that you look for dog foods with a high concentration of omega fatty acids.
Limited Carbohydrates. It is not a bad idea to let your Golden Retrievers eat a small number of carbohydrates, but you should limit it. The carbohydrates should come from digestible sources.
Vitamins and Minerals. You have to check the vitamins and minerals contained in the dog food.
What Does Your Golden Retriever Need
Caring for a dog is a big responsibility. They depend on you for all their needs.
When choosing food for your Golden Retriever, look for higher protein and fat-rich formulations. Animal protein is best because it contains amino acids that your dog needs. Nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus are essential for puppies and vitamins B, A, and E for all stages of life.
Search for EPA, ALA, and DHA because they are useful for the brain and nervous system, heart and lungs, and immune system.
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Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers 2021
You probably dont want to worry about coming up with thousands of dollars to cover the illness, wellness, and medical bills you might be faced with over the course of your pet’s life. Check out the community health sharing plan that reimburses your expenses.
What is the best dog food for Golden Retrievers?
The size of your dogs is important when it comes to dog food. You cannot simply buy any kind of dog food without checking if the formula is meant for large or small dogs. For Golden Retrievers, there are certain nutritional requirements they need that you wont find in all dog food formulas.
Golden Retrievers would require more nutrients as they have a bigger build so you need to be very careful when choosing dog foods. Here is some of the key information that you need to know about the dog food of large dogs and we will give you a list of the best dog foods for large breeds.
What Makes Food High
Dogs are omnivores, so a good dog food will have a mix of meat, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Theyll have few preservatives, added sugar, salt, or artificial colors.
The protein will come from readily available sources such as chicken or beef, and not exotic or boutique sources like kangaroo or venison .
Make sure to choose a puppy food that is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials .
On the label, it will say is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.
AAFCO has strict standards for dog food and decides whether or not it is suitable to be sold as advertised.
Now heres a common misconception about dog food: animal byproducts are bad.
According to the AKC, quality, regulated animal byproducts can be good for your dog.
These byproducts can include organ meats or entrails, which often contain more nutrients than, say, plain chicken breast.
Of course, some foods may contain non-regulated byproducts, like hooves, intestinal contents, or even manure, so its important that you choose a reputable dog food.
Another misconception is that dogs should eat grain-free diets, which well cover later.
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Buying Dog Food Online In India
For most of our pet supplies especially dog food, we rely on online shopping as it offers the convenience of free home delivery and discounts that a visit to the local pet store may not offer you. Online shopping for pet food is especially convenient because you can avoid carrying heavy bags of dog food of 10 kg or even 20 kg bags.
Other than Amazon and Flipkart, some of the reputable online pet stores in India include dogspot.in, justdogsstore.com, headsupfortails.com, petsutra.com, pupkart.com, marshallspetzone.com, petshopindia.com, etc.
What is the best dog food brand available in India is everybodys concern. We all want nothing but the best for our pets, and hence are particularly concerned about what dog food we give our pooches. We too have been consistent and selective on the diet we choose for Angel.
Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult dog food 20 Kg and Farmina Natural and Delicious Medium and Maxi dog food are the two brands we choose regularly for their popular and quality reputation. N& D is available in grain-free as well as low-grain varieties. No-grain dog food is more expensive but has a high content source of protein.
It would be incomplete if we do not mention Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition as one of the most popular brands of dog food available in India. Pedigree as a brand has become a generic name for any and all dog foods available in India.
How Should I Transition My Puppy Or Adult Dog From One Food Brand To Another
Whether youre switching brands or moving from a puppy chow to an adult dog food, its a good idea to make the transition slowly. Start by replacing a quarter of the dogs current food with the new food for a few meals. A few days later, you can begin making it a half-and-half blend.
Make sure to watch for loose stool from your pup as you transition if you notice that your Golden is struggling with the new diet, wait for a few days before increasing the blend. When in doubt, check with your vet!
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Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy Dry Dog Food
This Royal Canin dog food is made solely for Golden Retriever puppies. It can support their growth to 15 months of age.
It has 27 percent protein, 14 percent fat, and appropriate amounts of calcium and phosphorus. As a supplement for their joints, glucosamine and chondroitin are also added to the mix. Royal Canin also considered the mechanics of chewing.
Many young pups have a hard time eating dry food after consuming only milk. The size and texture of the dry kibble are specially designed to promote chewing, which can be helpful during the teething stage.
The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers In 2021
Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds out there. If you own one of these big, beautiful, and loving dogs, you need to look after them well to keep them in good health. And one of the best ways of doing this is by feeding them the proper diet and best-quality food. Different dog breeds have slightly varying nutritional needs, so to help you navigate the range of different options out there, we have selected some of the best food for Golden Retrievers. As well as an overview of the food, we have also looked closer at their key features.
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Whats In A Good Food For A Golden Retriever
To achieve a balanced diet, your pets food should include a well-balanced blend of protein, fat, complex carbohydrates and fiber. In the best food for golden retrievers, these four components will work together to provide your pup with a nutritious and balanced diet.
High Protein Just like humans, the centerpiece of your goldens meals should be protein. As we discussed, your golden will need a minimum of 18-22% protein in their diet. For a particularly large or active golden, that number should be even higher.
As a rule of thumb, when your shopping for dog food, take a look at the first three ingredients on the list. All three of those ingredients should be a protein, and if they arent, its best to move on to another food. Remember, not all proteins are created equally.
If possible, look for food that uses whole meats, such as beef, poultry or fish. Foods that contain meat digests or meat by-products are low quality and should be avoided. For whatever reasons, goldens seem to really love salmon. Try and incorporate salmon into your Goldens diet wherever possible.
Fats While your dogs food should have far less fat than protein, fat does make up a key component of your dogs diet. Not only does fat help to give food its taste and texture, but fat is a necessary macro-nutrient that helps your dog thrive.
Food Requirement According To The Size And Age Of Golden Retriever
Generally, based on the age of your dog, the amount of food it needs varies. Therefore, you should change your diet plan according to the age of your Golden Retriever. However, to help you ensure your pal gets an adequate amount of food, I am disclosing a table with food requirements according to the age and weight of Golden Retriever:
| Weight of Golden Retriever | |
| 900-1300 gms | 1600-1870 |
However, after you know about the food requirement of your Golden Retriever, you might be thinking about what type of food to include in your pals diet. Arent you?
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Best Food For Golden Retriever Puppies
These dog foods for puppies will start your Golden Retriever off right:
This dog food is formulated to support your Golden Retriever puppys growth and development without going overboard on fat or calories the recipe features fresh chicken and digestible brown rice.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large-Breed Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe
Featuring deboned chicken as its first ingredient, this puppy recipe offers a wholesome balance of protein, whole grains, and vitamins and minerals.
Made with fresh chicken as a lean source of protein and chicken meal to provide glucosamine and chondroitin, this dog food for puppies will get your Golden Retriever off to a healthy start in life.
Nutro Ultra Large-Breed Puppy Recipe
This chicken-based puppy recipe is formulated to support the energy needs of young Goldens and other large breed puppies.
All dogs have the same basic nutritional needs when it comes to protein, fat, and essential nutrients. As youve learned here, however, there are some disparities among breeds of different sizes.
To learn more about the nutritional needs of large dogs, check out our guide to the best dog food for large dogs here.
How To Choose The Best Dog Food For Golden Retriever Puppies
Is there anything cuter than a fluffy little Golden Retriever puppy? Golden puppies have lots of energy to spare and require a high-quality diet to keep up the pace with their developmental needs.
Golden Retriever puppies will thrive on a well-balanced puppy food comprised of excellent quality ingredients. One of the major requirements in a food for Golden Retriever puppies is the correct ratio of calcium to phosphorus. When this important combination is out of balance, overly rapid growth can occur which may lead to future problems with the bones and joints. Owners should look for a food specially formulated for large breed puppies, as this will ensure the optimal calcium and phosphorus ratio for controlled, healthy growth.
Since Golden Retriever puppies require more calories than adults of the same breed, they should be fed a puppy food rather than an adult formulation. Puppy foods are more calorie-dense and are also specifically balanced to meet the unique needs of a growing puppy. Another reason to choose a large breed puppy formulation is that they tend to use bigger pieces of kibble which can help to prevent bloat from occurring.
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Nutritional Guidelines To Follow
To ensure a homemade dog food diet will meet your Golden Retrievers dietary requirements, you need to take into account your Goldens weight, health condition, size, and activity level.
The best homemade diet for Golden Retriever will always have the six essential nutrients any dog meal should always have.
| Nutrient | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, fish, yogurt and cooked eggs | Builds and repairs muscles and other body tissues. Needed to make new skin cells, grow hair, hormones, enzymes and more. |
| Carbohydrates | Oats, brown rice, potatoes, and whole wheat | |
| Fat | From meats and oils such as olive or sunflower oil, fish oil, canola oils among others | Responsible for providing quality energy. Necessary for the normal development and function of body cells, nerves, muscles, and body tissues |
| Minerals | Calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc. | Common functions include the formation of bone and cartilage, nerve and muscle function, fluid balance regulation, the transportation of oxygen in the bloodstream and hormone production. |
| Water | Water | Hydration is critical in dogs. A dog that loses too much water can get very sick and even die. Ensure they have water available throughout the day. |
| Vitamins | A, B, C, D, E, and K | Keeps skin and coat healthy, strengthens bones and teeth, and gives them the overall energy that they need to function. |
Its not advice to improvise when cooking for your pooch.
Diet Plan A Golden Retriever
Since the nutritional requirement of a Golden Retriever varies according to its age, it requires different amounts and types of nutrients in each stage of its life. Therefore, you should ensure that your dog is getting a sufficient amount of nutrients at each phase.
Thus, to ease your struggle with the diet plan of your Golden Retriever, you can read further to take reference:
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Iams Proactive Health Adult Large Breed
This dog food is an excellent choice for most adult Golden Retrievers. The first five ingredients featured in this dog food are whole ingredients, like chicken, ground whole grain sorghum, ground whole grain barley, etc. It is a grain-inclusive dog food, so Goldens that are sensitive to grain should avoid this dog food. Otherwise, it is healthy for most adult Golden Retrievers.
This dog food is ideal for maintenance, so it is best for dogs with moderate to minimal energy levels. Very active dogs may not benefit from this formula. It has 25% protein, 53% carbs and 14% fat, making it a good amount for most Golden Retrievers. It does not have any high-risk chemical preservatives or BHA, making it a popular choice for many breeders.