Feeding Your Golden Retriever Puppy
Although it can be overwhelming to choose which type of food to feed your Golden Retriever puppy, its a very important decision.
To help make that decision, talk to your veterinarian and your breeder, and consider the study mentioned about DCM.
Also consider how long the brand of food has been around, whether or not there have been any recalls of that brand, and if there is any research behind it.
What do you feed your Golden Retriever puppy?
Have any questions about what to feed them?
Let me know in the comments below!
And if you liked this article, check out the Complete Guide To Raising A Golden Retriever Puppy.
P.S. Getting a Golden Retriever Puppy? Get the gameplan for raising them right with the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook.
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What Kind Of Snacks Can I Feed My Dog With Kidney Disease
Our dogs walk a bit on the wild side when it comes to snacks as they love thin apple slices, banana chunks, carrots, whole unsalted peanuts in the husks, and dehydrated sweet potatoes! Dog’s with kidney disease should avoid meat based chews/treats that are high in phosphorus, so you may find that you need to explore doing friendly fruit and veggies for treats like we have. We still on occasion will offer Hooch bully sticks or a jerky treat, but it is better for him if we limit his intake due to the levels of phosphorous that those treats contain.
Basic Recipe For A Homemade Diet For Dogs
This recipe makes 1 pound of homemade dog food. For more details, see frequently asked questions below the recipe:
Frequently Asked Questions
Variety is best! Most common are boneless, chopped chicken or turkey breast or thighs ground beef or ground chicken/turkey or chunks of stew beef.
You should also try to include bison, venison, lamb, rabbit, and/or duck, from time to time. You can often get these at farmer’s markets.
Yes, although most supermarket meat comes from livestock that were raised inhumanely and fed crappy processed corn-based diets, instead of being allowed to free-feed on natural grass. That can affect the quality of the meat.
So if you can find it and afford it, I highly recommend “organic” meat from local, free-range, grass-fed livestock. This is even more important if you’re going to feed it raw.
I prefer lean for most dogs. It’s easier to keep a meal’s overall fat content down if you don’t feed fattier cuts of meat.
Yes, although I don’t recommend too much fish, because so many species contain toxins such as mercury. We’ve polluted our oceans, sad to say. The lowest-mercury fish seems to be Wild Alaskan Salmon.
But feeding fish once a week is great. I prefer to cook fish, as cooking kills a particular type of worm in fish that could make a dog sick.
But dogs need the rich nutrients in organ meat. In fact, organ meat is so rich that dogs should only eat a little bit at a time, else they might get diarrhea.
To add calcium, you can either:
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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.
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Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Adult Food
Purina Pro Plan Large Breed dog food is our first choice for Golden Retriever adults. This food is highly recommended by our staff veterinarians, and it contains ingredients that are highly nutritious with high protein for strengthening muscles.
Below is a feeding chart for Purina Pro Plan Large Breed.
Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Adult Feeding Chart
| Weight | |
|---|---|
| 3 3 2/3 Cups Per Day | |
| 75-100 lbs. | 3 2/3 4 Cups Per Day |
This chart does not give an exact amount based on gender, age, activity level, or health conditions. Be sure to consult your veterinarian to get the exact amount for your Golden.
Homemade Dog Food Recipe
This easy homemade dog food recipe is filled with hearty ground turkey and is all-natural. Skip the kibble and try something fresh. Rascals homemade dog food recipe is filled with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots, and zucchini squash and macaroni noodles.
Please note** I am not a veterinarian, just a loving dog Mom, and I highly recommend consulting with a vet that practices homemade / human-grade dog food practices before changing your dogs diet. This meal plan has worked wonderfully for us and I hope it does the same for you.
You can grab all the shopping items and products used for this recipe over on The Inspired Home from this post!
Our golden retriever Rascaleats a 100% human-grade dog food diet.
Jared and I always joke that we could eat Rascals food with enough sriracha.
Let me preface but saying that I NEVER thought I would be the type of person that made their dogs food homemade.
After Rascal turned a year old or so, he started developing really strange eating habits.
He wasnt finishing his food, had loud intense stomachaches, and frequently threw up.
We went through a number of blood tests. He had been diagnosed with things like pancreatitis, anxiety and one vet even thought he had parvo. We were stressed and at a loss at how to more forward. That is until we did an allergy test.
We uncovered that Rascal was allergic to a dozen different food items, one being beef, the main ingredient in his traditional dry dog food.
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Nutritional Requirements For Adult Goldens
Now that your puppy is an adult, they will have a different life, and so their food has to change to give them what they need in their daily lives.
When you are choosing food for your golden at their adult stage, you should look for the highest quality food and it should form a balanced and complete diet for your dog.
Protein
Your adult golden needs at least 10% of its daily calories from the protein.
The protein allows your dogs body to function in the right way, also the essential acids that your dog gets from protein contribute to healthy skin and hair.
It repairs their tissue and is responsible for muscle development as well.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates help your dogs body replenish and maintain glycogen stores.
They are basically the energy source, and they also produce the body heat that helps to keep your dog warm.
Fiber
Fiber is one of the most important things for your dogs health, it provides the bulk to move the food through their intestinal tract.
Its also a source of energy for the cells lining their intestinal tract.
Fats
Fats provide energy, but they are also very important for the normal function and development of their body cells, nerves, body tissues, and muscles.
Fats are also important components in their bodys production of hormone-like substances, which are known as prostaglandins.
How Much Food Should You Make At Once
You don’t need to make your dog’s meal and then immediately feed it. You can make up a batch of food and store it in the refrigerator for 3 days.
So once you know how much food your dog needs each day, multiply that by 3 days and make up a batch of that amount.
For example, if your 50-pound dog eats 1.5 lbs daily, make up a batch of 4.5 lbs, which will serve him for 3 days . All you need to do is take it out of the fridge, scoop a meal’s worth into his feeding bowl, and warm it up by floating the bowl in a larger bowl of very hot water. It will quickly warm up to room temperature. Dogs digest food best at room temperature.
For even more convenience, make up a week’s worth or 2 weeks worth. Store 3 days worth in the fridge, and freeze the rest. But don’t freeze it in one huge chunk instead, separate it into 3-day quantities in individual freezer bags, so it will be convenient to thaw.
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Is It Cheaper To Feed Your Dog Homemade Food
Homemade dog food is more affordable than you might think. Its very relative to how large your dog is, but Ill break down the numbers for you The last dry kibble dog food Rascal was prescribed was over $90 a bag. A homemade batch costs us roughly
- 3 lbs ground turkey- $10.49
- 2 lbs sweet potatoes- $5.19
- 3 carrots- $1.04
- 2 lbs macaroni noodles- $3.34
Grand total: $21.87 per batch
Your meat/protein will be the largest cost. I always pick up ground turkey when its on sale and freeze it until we need it for a batch.
Homemade High Protein Dog Food Recipes For Golden Retrievers
In this section of the blog, we will go through some of the bestand, doggy-approvedhigh protein homemade dog food recipes for Golden Retrievers.
All these recipes contain the right combination of macros for your doggy friend and are healthy.
Lets begin.
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| Description:
Why buy low-grade treats when you can make them at home!? These biscuits dont just make a yummy treat for your doggy but also help aid your pups digestion! |
Directions:
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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.
Ingredients Of A Good Retriever Dog Food
You should keep in mind the age, breed, and habits of your dog while choosing dog food for him.
Following are some best golden retriever dog food::
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What To Season Homemade Dog Food With:
While dogs cant have all of the same aromatics as humans can they can have a small variety of dried or fresh herbs and spices that contain great nutrients and help flavor their meals. Use a few teaspoons sprinkled on top or mixed into the food. These are some easily digestable herbs and spices to try:
- Basil
- Ginger
Golden Retriever Calorie Requirements
Golden Retrievers generally range in weight between 55 and 75 pounds. Based on the average weight of this breed, the National Research Council of the National Academies recommends between 989 and 1,272 calories daily for sedentary Golden Retrievers and between 1,353 and 1,740 calories per day for active Goldens.
Pregnant and nursing Goldens may require 2 to 4 times the calories of a normal healthy adult Golden as the mothers energy requirements increase after delivery and during lactation.
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How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever Adult
Golden Retriever adults should eat around twice a day. What is more important is the portion size of those meals. The portion size will vary depending on age, weight, activity level, and health conditions of your Golden Retriever. After being spayed or neutered, your Golden Retriever may not need as many calories so consulting with your veterinarian would be a good idea.
Golden Retrievers reach their full height and weight between 12 and 18 months old. They will usually weigh between 55 and 75 pounds. When your Golden reaches adulthood, their caloric intake should decrease.
During adulthood, they should be eating two scheduled meals a day. If they do get hungry between meals, give them a good, healthy snack that will tide them over until the next meal. Check out our article Best Dog Treats for Golden Retrievers for some healthy treat ideas.
Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
Golden retrievers are among the top 3 dog breeds in the united states of America in AKC registration statistics. They are loved for their soft coat, dashing personality, and soft temperament. But the question that arises here do they need a special diet to maintain this special charm of theirs.
The answer is yes they do need special attention and a good diet than others for their splendid personality and character.
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What Foods Should Your Dog Never Eat
As a dog owner, youve likely come across this essential list before, but its always good to have it on hand as a reminder, especially if youre cooking dog food from scratch. The principal toxic foods include:
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
For a more extensive list, check out this article.
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How Much Homemade Dog Food To Feed My Dog
Note: Before you spend time figuring out how much homemade dog food to feed your dog, understand that the only person who can give you an accurate answer to this question is trained in canine nutrition a veterinarian or a canine nutritionist.
And even then, an expert may not be able to give you an exact answer together, you will have to find recipes and exact serving sizes to meet individual dogs’ specific needs.
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