Can Puppies Eat Adult Dog Food
The growth rate of dog puppies is extremely high, especially in large dog breeds. They grow to their 90% adult size within a year to 1.5 years. This demands extremely high nutritional value food with additional supplements to support the growth of brain, muscle mass, and bones. This is not needed and hence is not included in adult dog foods by design. Therefore, it is not recommended for puppies.
Moderate To High Protein
Animal protein is still the best.
The amino acid profile of animal proteins is more complete than their plant counterparts. Ideally, you should aim for a protein content that is at least 25% of the dry matter weight of the dog food.
Also, the very first ingredient must be a clearly stated animal protein. In some cases where a plant ingredient is first on the list, these are often treated as special diets. You still have to look at the guaranteed analysis of the product.
Special Considerations For Feeding Golden Retrievers
Every dog needs to have good quality, digestible protein in his diet. The protein should come from animal sources such as meat, fish, and poultry. Per AAFCO , adult dogs need a minimum of 18 percent protein in their diet.
Puppies and pregnant/lactating females need a minimum of 22 percent protein. If your Golden Retriever is very active and engaging in activities such as agility or hunting, he would need more protein.
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Golden Retrievers are not considered quite the chow hounds that their cousins Labrador Retrievers are but they still enjoy their food quite a bit. With many Goldens it is important to watch their weight, especially as they get older and become less active.
A young adult Golden Retriever weighing 75 pounds typically needs about 1778 calories per day. A neutered or very sedentary dog might require slightly fewer calories. If your dog is extremely active or engaging in serious work such as hunting you will need to increase his calories.
Regular exercise throughout his lifetime is good for your Golden even in his senior years. As with many large dogs, some Golden Retrievers can have issues with hip and elbow dysplasia or arthritis. Inactivity and weight gain will worsen these conditions. Carrying extra weight makes any joint problems worse.
Staying active and trim can help your older dog feel better and lengthen his life.
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Homemade Dog Food Sources
- Meats: chicken, turkey, beef, bison, pork, lamb, venison
- Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, zucchini, summer squash, spinach, kale, collard greens, chard, thawed frozen peas
- Complex carbohydrates: brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, lentils, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, winter squash
Recommended Serving Amounts
- 2 pounds of food per day for a 100-pound dog
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of food per day for a 50-pound dog
- 1/2 to 3/4 pound of food per day for a 25-pound dog
- 5 to 6 1/2 ounces of food per day for a 10-pound dog
This information is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Every dog’s dietary needs are different. Please consult with your veterinarian and use personal judgment when applying this information to your own dog’s diet.
Homemade Dog Food Delivery Service
If you wish your Golden Retriever could eat whole, fresh homemade foods more often, but you dont have the time to cook, consider a homemade dog food delivery service.
The Farmers Dog is one of our favorite options. They deliver vet-designed, fresh-prepared homemade dog food tailored to your pups dietary needs straight to your door. Everything is made from real, human-grade, all-natural ingredients
Meals are pre-made and pre-portioned to their calorie needs based on the profile you create. It complies with AAFCOs nutritional guidelines. The food is delivered to your doorstep within days of cooking and never deep-frozen or stored on a shelf for months. This ensures your Golden gets the most out of it.
Let the experts do the cooking for you so you never have to worry about using the wrong ingredients, counting nutrients, portions sizes, and more.
Its worth the cost after you add up the prices of all the ingredients youll need to cook a recipe. Its a huge time-saver and you can spend your time in more important things.
Our readers have access to save 50% off their first The Farmers Dog order. No code needed, just use this link and the discount will be applied!
Learn more about The Farmers Dog in our in-depth review article
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Homemade Food Recipes For Golden Retriever
Owing to its immense popularity, Golden Retriever is the most demanded and familiar dog breed. But parenting this breed isnt as easy as it seems. And since this breed is prone to obesity, you must be very conscious about the food you give. So, there are some homemade food recipes you can try for your Golden Retriever.
Further, some of the homemade food recipes full of qualitative nutrients and healthier for your Golden Retriever are:
- Chicken casserole
- Simple rice and chicken breast
- Veggie meat blast
- Banana and peanut butter pup cakes
- Chicken raspberry biscuits
- Fruit and veggie strips
- Mixed fruit medley with chicken
Undoubtedly, I will discuss each of these homemade food recipes for your Golden Retriever in detail further in this article. However, before digging into this topic, you must first know about its importance along with the nutrients that homemade food must have.
Homemade Dog Food: Healthy And Crunchy Treats For Your Puppy
Dogs need a lot of love and attention! One way is by making them homemade treats like these ones here Theyre healthier than store-bought varieties simply because they dont contain any preservatives or fillers. Plus, theyre crunchier which puppies love!
The three recipes that individuals have below are perfect for your pup. Theyre all healthy and will keep them entertained with the crunch factor they crave. Be certain to test many of these recipes and find your pups favorite!
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When Should Golden Retriever Puppy Switch Food
Changing Golden Retriever puppy food to adult food is one of the most crucial parts of your beloved dogs life and it can actually cause a permanent injury if its done incorrectly.
Most puppies dont stop growing and arent ready to switch Golden Retriever food until they reach 12 to 24 months of age, in other words, the best time to switch food for Golden Retriever puppy is when the dog is nearing their adult height, keep in mind that other dogs mature at different rates depends on how large the breed, the larger the dog, the more times its going to take him to mature to full size.
Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind
Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind is our top choice for Golden Retriever senior dog food. It is formulated with botanical oils to increase alertness and mental sharpness in dogs ages 7 and older. Our staff veterinarians recommend this dog food for your aging Golden Retriever.
Below is a feeding chart for Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind.
Purina Pro Plan Bright Might Feeding Chart
Weight | |
---|---|
2 ¾ 3 ½ Cups Per Day | |
Over 100 lbs. | 3 ½ Cups Per Day plus ¼ cup for each 10 lbs. over 100 lbs. |
This chart is not built for your individual dog. It is best to consult your veterinarian for the right amount of food that will provide your Golden with a healthy lifestyle in the senior years.
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Compare Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
OVERALL BEST |
Calories430 kcal/cup |
In this article we will tell you about the best food for your Golden Retriever. Well discuss:
Sit back and well get started.
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Is Homemade Dog Food Good For Dogs
While I am not a vet, and I certainly cant speak for all animals I can tell you that switching to homemade dog food made the world of difference for Rascal. We had a very unique case with him and his food allergies, but we have also seen other positive changes.
On traditional dog food Rascal was lethargic, he shed in abundance and his appetite was mediocre. He was also low in his weight class, weighing in at just 64 pounds for a full sized male Golden Retriever.
Since the dog food switch he has been energetic, focused, and calmer. He has also put on about 15 pounds in just one year after switching to homemade food. On a traditional diet were vacuuming at least once a day but now 1-2 a week. We no longer have to coax Rascal into mealtime and have finally developed a great eating schedule.
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Royal Canin Best Golden Retriever Adult Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Brown Rice, 2. Chicken By-Product Meal, 3. Oat Groats, 4. Brewers Rice, 5. Wheat
This offering from Royal Canin is formulated with a specific focus on your Golden Retrievers dietary needs. It is a heart-healthy recipe because goldens can be susceptible to heart problems. Plus, there is a blend of ingredients that will keep their golden coat shining in its full glory.
It has taurine and DHA for your babys cognitive and visual development. Simply put, Royal Canins exclusive Golden Retriever formula is one of the rare products that will fulfill all their nutritional needs while managing a healthy weight. This Royal Canin formula is one of the most popular and is considered one of the best dog foods for golden retrievers.
Nutrition Recommendations For Goldens
AAFCO, the regulatory organization that establishes regulations for pet food and animal feed places the greatest emphasis on protein. They suggest that puppies maintain a diet of at least 22% protein, while older dogs need a diet of at least 18% protein. AAFCO also suggests a diet that contains around 8% fat for puppies and 5% for adult dogs.
These figures are treated as a benchmark, and most quality pet food manufacturers exceed these figures. Beyond fat and protein, there are some other important ingredients to look for when shopping for dog food.
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How Much Homemade Dog Food To Feed Your Dog: Final Thoughts
You generally want to feed your dog about 2-3 percent of their body weight, assuming it is an adult. This means that if your dog is 50 pounds, you should feed him about 16 ounces.
Knowing how much homemade dog food to feed your dog not only give them full nutrition but also help them grow healthier. And, it would help if you also looked at the nutritional information of the recipe you use.
If you are a beginner in adopting dogs, you must know the homemade dog food serving size in cups. However, consulting your vet is also important.
For other homemade dog food recipes, kindly visit our website.
Disclosure: We may earn affiliate commissions at no cost to you from the links on this page. This did not affect our assessment of products. Read more here and find full disclosure here.
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The Results From Feeding Our Diy Dog Food
Back to the story of Bug
After only a couple of weeks of feeding her a homemade diet, the hubby and I were blown away by how much her mental and physical health improved. And we wholeheartedly believe she was able to bounce back because of her new food.
She went from an ailing, exhausted, incontinent, tail-down dog to a happy, energetic, curious, communicative pup. While she isnt miraculously walking again, her hip dysplasia also hasnt progressed or caused her any pain.
Weve learned to watch for signs that she needs to relieve herself as weve realized she knows when she has to go, she just cant get there without our help.
We feed both of our pugs the same food, with the hope that we can stave off any potential health problems for our older one.
When we travel, well bring their homemade food on the road in a cooler. On occasion, weve even ordered their dinner from a restaurant when we ran out of food .
If were camping, well usually just feed them whatever were cooking in camp they love corn on the cob, hobo packs , and the whole assortment of tri-tip, sausages, and ribs that weve usually got going on.
As you might imagine they lovecamping trips!
Homemade dog food gives us the flexibility to fine-tune their diet as needed. Im forever grateful for the extra time we were given with our beloved Bug as a result of the food we chose to feed her.
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How Often Do You Need To Feed Your Golden Retriever
If you are a dog owner, you may have noticed by now that dogs require special attention and nutrition, and it is important to avoid overfeeding them because it may be causing them more harm than good, especially if you are dealing with Golden Retriever, this special breed is prone to many problems such as hip dysplasia, skin conditions, cancers, and obesity, if you werent careful with their nutrition, so it is essential for their well-being health to know how much food they require.
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.
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Best Dog Foods For Golden Retriever
Although, homemade food recipes are highly nutritious and qualitative. But relying only upon these recipes cannot fulfill the nutritional demand of your Golden Retriever. Therefore, it is best to add some qualitative commercial dog foods to get the best of both.
However, commercial food varies according to the age and health condition of your pal. Therefore, you will find different dog foods for overweight and underweight dogs. Thus, all these foods are as follows:
Awesome Homemade Food For A Golden Retriever Puppy
A lot of people have asked about my Golden Retriever, loving how healthy his fur is! They get surprised when they find out I give homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy, which has helped with their health inside and out. Yes, home-cooking for your Golden Retriever is quite a controversial topic, but as long as its done right, it has a ton of benefits!
But what are good recipes you can try, and why should you even consider homemade dog food? I tackle the reasons why you should feed your Golden Retriever puppies homemade dog food and some sample recipes!
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Eukanuba Large Breed Adult Dog Food
Eukanuba Large Breed Adult Dog Food is another top choice of our staff veterinarians. This brand of dog food provides a balanced nutritious meal that fuels an active lifestyle. The ingredients support healthy brain function and lean muscles.
Below is a feeding chart for Eukanuba adult dog food.
Eukanuba Large Breed Adult Feeding Chart
Weight | |
---|---|
3 7/8 5 1/8 Cups Per Day | |
88 lbs. | 4 ¼ 5 5/8 Cups Per Day |
Eukanuba Adult Dog Food is like Royal Canin in that it provides precise amounts of food based on the level of exercise for that day. On the back of the bag, it explains how much food you should give for low, moderate, and high activity.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Large Breed Formula
Purina Pro Plan Focus for large breeds has balanced nutrition for your Golden Retriever. it has the right protein and fat balance to help your dog maintain a healthy weight while staying healthy and active. The balanced formula will also take care of the beautiful coat. Whats more: This dog food also contains ingredients that actually allow for optimal absorption of all the nutrients. You also get natural probiotic fibers for easy digestion.
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Has Better Nutrition And Freshness
Sure, branded dog food advertises a lot of benefits, but they can be cryptic with specific ingredients. This can have you feeding your pup ingredients you dont know about, which can either be artificial and/or dangerous!
Homemade dog food gives you the chance to incorporate better whole and healthier ingredients for better results.
Homemade Dog Food For Goldendoodles Puppies
Goldendoodle puppies have different dietary needs than an adult Goldendoodle.
If you bring home an 9 weeks old Goldendoodle puppy that weighs 16 lbs, you will want to feed them about 497 calories a day, divided into 3 during the day compared to just two for adults. You would have to cook 3 homemade meals for your Goldendoodle puppy of 165 calories each.
To encourage proper growth and development, never skip a meal and make sure your puppys diet consists of a proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, water, and vitamins, as outlined in our nutritional guidelines earlier. Always get your vets advice about your puppys diet requirement.
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