How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever By Age

Do Golden Retriever Types Have Different Growth Rates

The British, American, and Canadian Golden Retrievers do not have a significant difference in growth. Show dogs are often heavier than working dogs.

Dont be alarmed if your working dog is slightly smaller than the projected growth. As long as shes gaining weight steadily, theres no cause for concern.

Also, look at your pups parents, if they are smaller than average, your Golden will most likely be on the small side, and the opposite is true, as well.

What Is Puppy Food All About

Providing a good start is essential for a healthy puppy. The ideal puppy food is designed to provide all-round nutrition to growing puppies. A puppy is full of energy and its needs are much more than a grown dog. This food must be able to support rapid growth in a puppy that includes its bones, muscles, immune system, and most importantly, its joints.

Ideally, puppy food should contain 30% protein to provide for the energy needs of the growing pup. In addition to this, puppy food contains a high percentage of fat, something which a grown dog does not need. Puppy food also needs to provide vitamins and essential minerals and micronutrition to the puppy.

Eukanuba Senior Large Breed Dog Food

Eukanuba Senior Large Breed Dog Food is also recommended by our staff veterinarians. It is formulated to fuel your active Golden Retrievers daily activities with optimal levels of fat and carbohydrates. It also helps maintain their natural defenses with guaranteed antioxidant levels for older dogs.

Below is a feeding chart for Eukanuba Senior Large Breed dog food.

Eukanuba Senior Large Breed Feeding Chart

Eukanuba is like Royal Canin in that it provides precise amounts of food for your aging Golden Retriever. The range of amounts is based on the activity of your Golden for the day, either low, moderate, or high level of activity.

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Golden Retriever Exercise Needs

Dogs of this breed are energetic, athletic, and full of stamina, so Golden Retriever exercise needs are pretty considerable. Breed members can begin exercising for short periods as early as three months of age, and by one year they’ll need an hour or more per day. Specifically how much exercise does a Golden Retriever puppy need daily? Follow the 5-Minute Rule: from age three months to one year, give your Golden five minutes of exercise for each month it’s been alive. From one year on, give the dog at least an hour.

Be aware, though, that with its stamina and “people-pleasing” traits, a Golden may not know when to quit! It’ll be up to you, the owner, to be sure not to over-exercise the dog . But try and find a balance, as an under-exercised Golden Retriever can be a hyperactive, misbehaving nightmare. This breed is also highly prone to obesity, so a Golden will quickly become overweight without enough physical activity.

EXERCISES FOR GOLDEN RETRIEVERS:

• Walking/Jogging: Good for both the dog and you
• Swimming: Goldens love the water
• Treadmill: Good for bad-weather days; may take a bit of training, but a Golden is intelligent enough to learn how
• Fetch/Frisbee: A Golden will chase a ball, stick, or Frisbee for hours
• Tug-of-War: Can be done indoors or out
• Hiking: Good for bonding and exploring with your Golden

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Last Updated on February 15, 2021 by Michael Wright

There is nothing cuter than watching your Golden Retriever puppy gorging on food. Its a trait they have inherited from their ancestors that were living in the wilderness. Wolfs didnt have a guaranteed meal two times a day. They would make a kill, eat as much as they can to have enough energy for a few days until they catch another meal. However, domesticated dogs dont have this problem, but they still have that urge to eat as much as they can. Overfeeding, of course, can be bad for Golden Retrievers and their overall health, especially when they are still puppies. Thats why you should know how much to feed a Golden Retriever puppy.

In this article, we will provide you with general guidelines and a feeding schedule that will help you to keep your Golden Retriever puppy healthy and in shape.

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Golden Retrievers And Other Pets

Well-socialised Golden Retrievers are very easy-going, which usually means they can be great around other dogs and pets, too. Any introductions should be done carefully and following the right advice for your other pet, too.

Always supervise your dog with other pets, even if they have known them for a long time.

How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever Puppy

Golden Retriever puppies should eat three to four times a day until they are six months old at scheduled intervals. They require more calories and frequency at this young age. It is not best to feed them extra food as they could become overweight. They should be lanky with long legs at this stage in life.

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Holistic Select Senior Health

Rating:

Senior Health is one of 11 dry recipes covered in our review of the Holistic Select product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, chickpeas, peas, lentils, dried ground potatoes
• Type: Grain-free
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best for:Senior goldens

Holistic Select Senior Health obtains the better part of its meat protein from chicken fat. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 13% fat and 48% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 43%.

We also note this dog food contains no generic animal by-products, artificial colors or chemical preservatives. The recipes below-average fat content combined with its inclusion of both chondroitin and glucosamine make it an ideal option for senior goldens. Highly recommended.

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

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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Wet Foods Vs Dry Foods

Both wet and dry foods are the most common types of dog foods you will find in the market. They are available in commercial quantities and come with different formulations for your dog breed, age, and size.

One of the many reasons dog owners prefer wet and dry foods is that they can easily access and store them. Plus, they contain most of the nutrients that your dog needs for growth.

The major difference between wet and dry foods is the moisture or water content. Wet foods contain more moisture than dry foods.

With dry food, pets eat lots of calories in small quantities. In contrast, your pet must eat twice or triple times as much wet food to gain similar calorific values as dry foods.

Wet Foods

Wet foods are suitable for young Golden Retrievers that are just weaning off their mother’s milk. Because they contain about 60 to 85 percent moisture content, your pet can easily adjust to eating wet foods.

If your dogs are elderly, picky, have problems with chewing, or drink very little water, wet foods may also be your best bet. The moisture in the wet food will hydrate your pet and provide the nutrients they need.

Because wet foods are usually more palatable, your dogs may eat larger portions per meal. And due to the high water content, they need to take in more quantities per meal to get the ideal amount of nutrients they need.

Here are some of the downsides of wet foods.

Dry Foods

The Ultimate Golden Retriever Puppy Growth Chart By Weight

One of the reasons you should monitor your Golden Retriever puppys growth is to make sure that she is healthy.

Female puppies grow faster or get bigger in the first few months, then males catch up and reach a higher overall weight.

We have a growth chart below but bear in mind that it shouldnt be treated as gospel. 1 or 2 lbs, either way, shouldnt matter.

If you find that your pup is not gaining or is losing weight, you should consult your vet.

You can see your puppys projected growth below and predict how heavy she would be when shes fully grown.

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Most Popular Puppy Food Brands For Golden Retrievers

Every dog is different and each owner will have their take on the best puppy food brands. By popularity charts, the following brands are some of the most used by golden retriever owners.

• Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food
• Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dry Puppy Food
• Natures Variety Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken Meal Large Breed Puppy Food.
• Ollie Dog Food Tasty Lamb Fare Recipe
• Diamond Naturals

Each of these brands ensures that your growing golden retriever gets the most balanced diet in terms of proteins, calcium, and other essential micronutrients. This is important to give them the sort of growth boost needed for a healthy life.

Amounts To Feed Depending On The Puppys Age

Many golden retriever breeders and other informed individuals recommend the following amounts:

• A two-month-old dog needs approximately 12 cups of food each day.
• A three-month-old puppy should be given about two cups of food each day.
• A four-month-old puppy should be given approximately two and a half cups of food each day.
• A five- to six-month-old puppy should be given about three cups each day.
• A six- to seven-month-old male puppy should be given approximately three and a half to four cups of food each day
• The size of an eight-month-old dog should be modified as he grows.

During his first two years of life, the quantity of food you give him will need to be adjusted based on his development and growth spurts.;

Overfeeding will not only cause him to gain weight, but it will also cause him to develop too quickly.

Check if you can still feel his ribs without their protruding on a regular basiseven weekly.

If he finishes all of his kibble at two out of three meals, its another sign that its time to raise his food allowance. You may then increase the quantity of food he consumes.

You should also give his final meal of the day at least 90 minutes before bedtime so that he has enough time to digest his meals and go potty.

If your veterinarian recommends it, dont give him any vitamins.;

He should be able to get all of the nutrients he needs from a well-balanced, high-quality diet.;

Golden pups should be fed a large-breed dog formula.;

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What Is A Good Golden Retriever Feeding Schedule

For a Golden Retriever puppy, the best feeding schedule is one in the morning, noontime, and in the evening. For example, you could feed their first meal at 7:00 am, lunch at noon, then dinner at 5:00 pm.

Planning their mealtimes around your mealtimes will often make it easier for you and the puppy. Make sure to give them plenty of time after eating to got to the bathroom a couple of times before heading to bed. Hopefully, this will help them sleep for a longer period.

After about six months, your Golden Retriever can go down to two daily feedings. This usually occurs once in the morning and once in the evening. They can usually last about 12 hours between meals. If it goes past 12 hours, they could become nauseated.

When Should I Feed My Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers should have scheduled times to eat daily. The scheduled times will help them with their energy levels and keep them healthy.

You can schedule their eating times as to what works best for your schedule. For example, feeding them before you leave for work and then when you get home.

As a puppy, they will eat three times a day, so you will need to find times in those first few months to feed them more often. When they are an adult or senior, the scheduling of feeding times will be easier because they will only eat twice daily. ;

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What Food Options Are Available

For the first six to eight weeks of their lives, puppies feed on their mothers milk. As with human beings, the mothers milk provides balanced nutrition and helps the puppy develop a healthy immunity system. Next comes the weaning process, which is introduced gradually between the sixth and eighth weeks. During this process, the breeder introduces solid food into the puppys diet. By the end of eight weeks, the puppy should be feeding on solid foods exclusively.

First things first, youll need to consult the breeder on what foods the pup has been eating. Maintaining this continuity is crucial since young dogs have susceptible digestive systems. The continuity will also provide comfort to your puppy as hell need to adjust to his new environment without his littermates. So what options are available?;

Overgrown Golden Retriever Puppy

This is characterized by an overly fast rate of growth. Largely a case of overfeeding your puppy, it is not good for its health. Obesity in puppies leads to lots of health risks. Moreover, dogs find it very difficult to shed this extra weight. Overweight puppies or adult dogs suffer skeletal problems, hip dysplasia, and issues with their joints.

These are reasons enough for golden retriever owners to follow the feeding guidelines in order to keep their puppies at just the right weight.

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Maintaining A Healthy Puppy Weight Of Your Golden Retriever Puppy

A puppy grows faster, no doubt! But nobody loves an overweight or underweight puppy so make sure that your feeding schedule is proper and you have to monitor your poochs weight on a regular basis when your Golden Retriever is in the puppy phase!

Overweigh can develop health and orthopedic problems in your Golden!

Monitoring your pups weight is really important, and make sure you dont ignore that! Monitoring and adjusting the diet accordingly, you should be able to feel but not see your pups ribs!

If your puppy is obesethen make sure you check out this article which I wrote a month back! Best Weight Loss Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

Also, you can define your pup is overweight or not by letting your Golden Stand and you just need to observe the abdomen, if the abdomen is round and bulgy then your puppy isoverweight and if the back is all good no bulginess then its good.

Regular visits to your vet is recommended!

How Much Should A 6

Meal size will vary for each Golden Retriever pup, but on average, a six-month-old puppy will eat three cups of food a day. Male Golden Retriever puppies usually need more calories and can eat up to four cups of food per day. Once a puppy is six months old, you should start feeding him two meals a day one in the morning and one in the evening.

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Golden Retriever Behavior After Spay

After your Golden Retriever is spayed, she will need to be allowed to rest for 5-7 days. Even if she feels perky the day after the surgery, you should still try to keep her calm as her incisions heal. Your veterinarian will let you know how and when to give her pain medication and if she needs to go back into the clinic to have any stitches removed.

Otherwise, her behavior should remain just as it was prior to her surgery. Spaying your Golden will not change her personality or behavior in any meaningful way. She should be exactly the same pup she was before.

If she had heat cycles prior to her spay, she will not have them anymore. So, you will not notice any more of the behavior changes, such as irritability or seeking out male dogs, that she may have had during a heat cycle.

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How Many Calories Does A Golden Retriever Puppy Need

Even though Golden Retrievers are known to be active dogs, they can gain weight quite easily if their diet is not correct. To make the decision about how many calories you should be feeding your golden retriever, you need to look at his weight, age, and level of activity.

• When he is two months old, you should give him 1 ½ cups of food daily
• When he is seven months old, give him 3 to 4 cups of food daily
• Adult Golden Retrievers that are active, require about 1,300 to 1,700 calories daily
• Senior Golden retrievers require about 900 calories daily

Please consider these to be a guide and consult your veterinarian if you are unsure about anything.

Another method you can use to find the right amount of food to feed your golden retriever is the RER method.; This is the resting energy requirements of your dog, found by multiplying his weight in kilograms to the power of ¾ by 70.

For instance, if you have a puppy that weighs 10 kg all you need to do is multiply this amount by the power of ¾; by 70. You should get an RER of 70 X 10kgs ¾ = 400 calories per day.

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