When And How To Change The Feeding Of Puppy To Adult
When your Golden Retriever is anywhere from 18 months to 24 months old, you should switch to adult dog food. The large breed puppies take a bit more time to attain adult development, and by two years of age, many of them are still growing.
Whenever your puppy reaches six months, you should begin feeding him twice per day, but you should keep him on puppy food until he reaches adult age.
It is always better to do this gradually as an abrupt switch may not be ideal. If you feed your dog twice per day, you can start giving him adult food mixed in with the one he is used to.
Chicken Soup For The Soul Large Breed Adult Dog Food
Rating:
Chicken Soup for the Soul is one of 9 recipes included in our review of the Chicken Soup for the Soul product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, cracked pearled barley
- Type: Grain-inclusive </
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for:Adult goldens
Chicken Soup for the Soul Large Breed Adult acquires the better part of its animal protein from poultry. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 26% protein, 13% fat and 53% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.
This formula also derives its antioxidants naturally from fruits and vegetables for healthy immunity which supports greater resistance to disease. A top pick for golden retrievers and other breeds weighing more than 50 pounds at maturity. Another
Sample buyer reviewMy lover boy is a Giant Breed so its important he get the nutrition he needs to support proper growth. At 22 Months we finally moved to Adult Large Breed from Chicken Soups Large Puppy formula. Hes had just about every top kibble out there, from Victor, Blue Buffalo, Diamond, Wellness Core, Royal Canin, Eagle Pack, even Costcos and Purina ProPlan because Presa Canario Breeders recommended them . He would either have runny poop after transition or stop eating it. CS was the first he stayed on happily without needing extra dress up. He LOVES the adult formula. Its priced right and I love the ingredients.
Why You Should Feed Your Golden Retriever Puppy High
Controlling what your golden eats is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to their health.
And although many goldens have lived healthy lives on Walmart brand pet foods, feeding them high-quality food will stack the odds of them being healthy in their favor.
Here are some benefits of feeding them a high-quality food:
- Healthy and beautiful coat
- Healthy bones and joints
- Fewer allergies
Thats a lot of health benefits, right?
Now high-quality food can be a little on the expensive side, but chances are likely that youll save more money in the long run on vet bills.
Also Check: 4 Month Old Golden Retriever
Health Dietary Changes In Goldens Retrievers
If your Golden Retriever is struggling with the following health conditions, a fresh homemade food diet couple with the following recommendations can get them under control.
| Condition |
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| Add Zinc and Vitamin A levels |
Chart Source: NomNomNow.com
Pro Tip: Golden Retrievers tend to have coat and skin problems. If your Golden has dry skin, a dull shedding coat, hot spots, or itching and irritation, a good tip is to add a couple of squirts of fish oil to their meals. The oil will provide relief and nourishment to keep skin and coats in the best condition.
Every Golden Retriever Has A Different Metabolism
One of the dangers of giving a standardized amount of food to your dog is that we stop continually monitoring our dogs weight. Every Golden Retriever is different. We have some Golden Retrievers that eat only 1 1/2 cups of food per day total and we have others that eat 5-6 cups of food per day. Just like people, every Golden Retriever has a different metabolismand that changes. Like humans, the older a dog gets the slower their metabolism normally is.
Their metabolism is also based on their activity level. Obviously the more active your Golden Retriever is, the faster their metabolism is and the more they can eat. Our average adult and puppy Golden Retriever gets 2 1/2 3 cups of TLC Whole Life Puppy Food;to eat total per day. But thats average. Some will need more and some will need less. We recommend feeding your puppy twice a day. We feed them after training them at around 9 am and a second time at around 3-4 pm. The same schedule can be kept when they;become adults. You could just feed them once a day, but the Golden Retrievers would rather eat twice a day! As your pup gets older, you can move the second feeding to later and even feed your adult after 5 pm.
Also Check: How Often To Groom Golden Retriever
Welcome A New Companion From Golden Meadows Retrievers
Your golden retriever must start life with a quality diet to keep it healthy and strong. At Golden Meadows Retrievers, we have been breeding golden retrievers for over 25 years and take great care to carefully screen applicants and offer our puppies a quality diet from the start. Even after you find your perfect match, well make sure you know how much to feed a golden retriever puppy now and as it grows.
Avoid Feeding Fillers To Your Puppy
In general, at least 70 percent of the formula should be comprised of high-quality meat. This will provide the full range of amino acids that your pup needs to grow into a strong and energetic adult.
Some cheap formulas use fillers like soy, corn, and wheat to cut down costs and raise their profit margins. These may be good for the companys bottom line but it is not good for your pups health. These fillers are highly allergenic and add to calories without much nutritional value. Read the label and make sure that the formula is free from these fillers.
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How Much Should A Full
As with puppies, how much an adult golden retriever should eat will depend on the dogs condition, sex and health, as well as the type of food. General guidelines suggest a fully grown adult golden retriever should eat 1,300 to 1,700 calories daily. A senior dog that is sedentary may need less than 1,300 calories, however, while a very active or large golden retriever or a pregnant dog may need more than 2,000. Even over a lifetime, a golden retrievers caloric and nutrition needs will change.
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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How To Choose The Best Dog Food For Your Golden Retriever
This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
You love your golden and want whats best for him. But there are so many choices.
The pet food industry has exploded in recent years.
Its so confusing when you go to the pet store or look on-line to choose a specific food for your special pup.
Of course, theres more than one food that will help your dog grow properly, be healthy, and thrive.
Ill discuss some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a great food.
Ill also recommend some foods that have been highly rated for large-breed dogs.
Remember though that, if you intend to switch your dog to a new diet, do so over the course of seven to 10 days to help avoid intestinal upsets or diarrhea.
How Often Should You Feed Your Puppy
A golden retriever puppy is still growing and needs quality nutrition. Ideally, feed your puppy three times a day, including early in the morning, midday and early in the evening. Try not to feed your puppy or offer water after 7 p.m. as this will impact housetraining. When your puppy is about 11 or 12 weeks old, you can switch to twice-daily feedings.
When feeding your golden retriever puppy, try to keep a quiet environment with no distractions and allow about half an hour for your puppy to eat its meal.;If it eats very fast, try placing an obstacle in the dishs center to slow the dog down.
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Weaning A Puppy From Formula
Weaning is a gradual process and it cannot be done overnight. The weaning process will last about two to three weeks. During this time period, you should gradually increase the proportion of solid food.
It is best to select a formula that has been designed for puppies. You can consult with your veterinarian or pet nutrition expert to understand more about the best options.
When the puppy is between six weeks old, you can make gruel by mixing a small amount of solid food with the milk formula. The gruel can be offered 3 to 4 times a day. You should gradually reduce the formula milk content during each serving.
If you wean your pup to solid food in this way, the chances of any gastric upset will be minimized. The pups digestive system will slowly get accustomed to solid food. When your pup becomes eight weeks old, it should be exclusively fed on solid food.
Growing From The Puppy Phase Calorie Needs To Decrease
When your Golden Retriever Puppy turns one year old, their growing phase has just been done. Now, its time to switch to adult dog food that is less calorie dense compared to puppy food!
Its hard to transition the food that you are feeding him since last year, so for Transitioning to a New Food I have added another section below which will help you in changing the food!
As you pup grows into a adult dog his needs change to match your dogs need, you should switch from puppy to adult dog food.
Make sure you dont overfeed Ive already mentioned a lot of health diseases that can be caused by overfeeding.
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How Much Food Should An Adult Golden Retriever Eat
Generally, the average amount of food an Adult Golden Retriever eats is around 3-5 cups a day. The problem is that each dog is different and will have its own specific needs. Factors like age, gender, energy levels, and lifestyles are all things that will increase or decrease the amount of food given. Also, some dog food recipes are high in calories and dont require as much per meal. When in doubt, consult with your veterinarian to prevent malnutrition or obesity, both of which can lead to more serious conditions if left unchecked.
Problems Related To Feeding Your Golden Retriever Puppy
Owners should be prepared to face some feeding problems with their golden retriever puppy during the initial stages. Some of these are as follows:
- Puppy not eating It might be feeling unwell or have digestion problems. It might not like the kibble you are offering. Or it might simply want to skip a meal. If the problem persists, it is better to consult a vet.
- Allergic reaction Sometimes puppies might experience an allergic reaction to certain foods. It is essential to change the offending food immediately. Consult a vet as needed.
- Bloating A very common problem with puppies is bloating. Eating very fast is one of the traits of little puppies, especially golden retrievers. This condition can turn serious and needs immediate attention.
- Change of brand Sometimes it might be necessary to change the brand of puppy food. Whatever be the reason, this change must never be abrupt. It has to be done in increments in order to allow the puppy to adjust.
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What If My Goldendoodle Wont Eat
Most of the time when you are feeding your puppy, you should witness the dog gobbling up the food without any trouble. Puppies have voracious appetitesand usually eat so fast that they might not even realize how much they ate.
For that reason, if your puppy is not eating, it is time to talk to your vet.Some puppies are picky, but you are unlikely to find this with a Goldendoodle;puppy.
They are generally happy dogs and willing to eat anything, so if your puppy isnt eating, it is time to pay a visit to the vet.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain
Rating:
Wilderness Grain-Free Chicken is one of 18 dry recipes analyzed in our review of the Blue Buffalo Wilderness product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal , peas, pea protein, tapioca starch
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for:Adult goldens
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Chicken obtains the majority of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 17% fat and 38% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%.
This recipe also includes zinc amino acid complex and other chelated minerals, ingredients which deliver superior nutrition for larger breeds. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewI get a few different flavors, but the dogs love it and they have no digestive issues and are very healthy. Their coats shine like they have been oiled. No dental issues. Blue Buffalo wilderness has been a favorite with us for a long time.
Read Also: Why Do Golden Retrievers Eat So Fast
Dog Feeding Guidelines About What Not To Feed Dogs
Your Golden Retriever would happily become a bottomless garbage can if you let him. For his own safety, follow these wise dog feeding guidelines. Make sure he doesnt get any of the following:
- Never give your dog chocolate. It contains theobromine, which is;toxic to dogs.
- Avoid feeding him grapes and raisins. He may not like them anyway, but their ingestion has recently been associated with kidney failure in dogs.
- Dont feed your dog bones, as they can splinter and cause a number of major problems.
- Raw or cooked onions can cause fever and even death. Leave onions off his menu.
- Dont feed your dog cows milk. Some dogs react unfavorably to it and it may cause diarrhea.
I know its tough to resist those big, brown eyes. But tell him he cant have that tasty tidbit, because you love him. Then;make sure he gets the nutrition he needs;in that yummy top-quality dog food youve selected.
If you stick to these dog feeding guidelines and make sure he gets plenty of exercise, youll be the happy recipient of his love and loyalty for many years.
How Is Dog Food For Large Breeds Different
Puppy Formula Dog Food for Large Breed Dogs: Puppy Food for Large Breed Dogs is lower in calories per serving than other Puppy Food formulas. This allows the pup to grow at a healthy rate for supporting joints and bones. Additionally, the Large Breed Puppy Food contains the perfect amount of Calcium for controlling bone development.
Adult-Formula Dog Food for Large Breed Dogs
Adult Dog Foods for Large Breeds often add ingredients like Glucosamine to support healthy joints. These kinds of issues are painful for your dog and often occur in larger, heavier adult dog breeds.; Some Large Breed Dog Foods contain fiber blends and prebiotics that aid digestion.
Dog Food for Obese Dogs There are no laws governing marketing claims on Dog Food labels.;For this reason, I leave the ultimate decision to you regarding Dog Foods formulated for overweight dogs. Be aware that the low calories could be coming from ways that arent optimum for your dogs health. Better is a sound diet, which we will go over in the very next section and an adequate exercise regime for your dogs weight-loss!
FYI:;In the United States, Dog Food is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in cooperation with the State Department of Agriculture. The nutritional guidelines are developed by the National Association of American Feed Control Officials . If you discover an issue regarding the dog food you purchased, you can address the issue here.;
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How To Switch Food Brands
The other day I was talking to someone who was complaining that her puppy was having lots of stomach issues.
She said shed tried several different food brands and her puppy had problems with all of them!
Well, in this case, its probably not the food thats the problem
Its the fact that she kept switching foods so quickly!
Dogs have sensitive stomachs so if you want to switch foods, you need to do it slowly.
You should take about a week to transition from the old food to the new brand.
For example, on day one, their meal might be 10% new food, 90% old food.
On day two, their meal might be 25% new food, 75% old food.
Youd slowly add in more new food, and give them less of the old food, until youve fully made the switch.
And this rule applies whether youre switching to a different brand of puppy food, or switching them from puppy food to adult food.
If you dont make this transition slowly, youll probably be dealing with a lot of diarrhea .