Why You Dont Want To Overfeed Your Golden Retriever Puppy
Golden retrievers are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia and they love eating.
Those two statements may sound random, but they are related.
According to the Banfield Pet Hospital, overfeeding your golden retriever can cause them to grow too fast and increase their risk of hip dysplasia.
To make sure you dont overfeed them, use a measuring cup when dishing out their food and never free-feed them.
How Much Feed A Golden Retriever Puppy
A Golden Retriever puppy will have to be fed three meals a day until he is six months old, at which time you can feed him twice a day. Meal size can vary from one puppy to the next, but the average three-month-old Golden puppy will eat two cups of food a day.
A retriever puppy can be fed as much as he wants as long as you increase the amount as he grows, keeping in mind that adult retriever dogs should eat twice a day or more.
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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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Can You Feed Your Golden Retriever Puppy Raw Food
Some dog owners prefer to feed they are golden retrievers raw food as opposed to kibble. A diet that is raw means that you only give him raw bones, row organs, raw meats, as well as fruits and vegetables. Many consider this raw diet to be better than kibble.
In all truth, kibble may not be ideal for your Golden because dogs are carnivores who require high amounts of protein. Many of the kibble on the market has approximately 60% carbohydrates.
Dogs need more protein and fats for good nutrition. When dogs consume too much carbohydrates, they tend to have health problems from being overweight.
However, there are downsides to a raw diet because one must be careful about the way the food is prepared and stored.
You would need to think about the bacteria like salmonella and E Coli coming from the uncooked liver, meat, and eggs which can affect your dog and even be fatal if not handled properly. It can also cause issues with the pancreas if introduced too abruptly.
When your dog is on a raw diet, the amount of food you give him would need to be adjusted, as he may actually need to eat less. Many people who give dogs raw food only feed them once or twice per day.
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.
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Golden Retriever Puppy Feeding Chart
How Much? An 8-week old golden retriever puppy will only eat about 1.5 cups of food a day. By 4 months, he should be at 3 cups and up to 4 cups around 6 months.
What to Expect:You can expect your puppys appetite to gradually increase over time. Puppies will need a lot more food during periods of high growth, but then you will need to decrease the amount you are feeding him to keep him healthy as he reaches adulthood.
Careful: Some puppies will inhale their food as quickly as possible. They often might deceive you by trying to show you that they are hungry when they are not. Thats why its important to stick to the Golden Retriever puppy feeding chart.
How Much Should A Golden Retriever Puppy Eat
The amount of food that you will need to feed your golden retriever puppy will go up and down throughout their puppyhood.
In the beginning, your puppys stomach will be very small and will not be capable of taking in much food at a time.
But, he will grow quickly and need more food to accommodate his needs. A young puppy will only eat about 1.5 cups of food a day, but a larger puppy might need as much as 3 to 4 cups of food a day.
It depends on his caloric needs, where he is in the growth cycle and the size of the dog.
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Best Food That You Can Feed Your Golden Retriever
Not only does the amount and frequency of food influence the health of your golden retriever, but the type and quality of food are also determining factors when it comes to their overall well-being.
Most veterinarians recommend a diet of quality dry dog food throughout the life stages of canines. However, pet owners may have alternate ideas for the best food to feed their golden retrievers.
Here are some food considerations:
How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever Senior
Golden Retriever seniors will need about 900 calories or about 20% less than adult dogs to stay at their ideal weight. Golden Retrievers are seniors at about 8 years old. When entering old age, they may benefit from eating a food with less fat and fewer calories.
During the senior years, Golden Retrievers will become more sedentary therefore not requiring as much food as before. They should still be eating two meals a day, but not as much. There are many senior dog foods out there that help them with maintaining a healthy weight.
As your Golden Retriever progresses from old dog to older dog, you may notice them losing weight and requiring more calories in this stage of life. The fat content in their diet may need increased. Talking with your veterinarian would be a good choice if you notice your Golden losing weight.
There are some senior dog foods that provide the right healthy eating habits for this stage of life. Below are our top choices for Golden Retriever seniors.
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Feeding Your Golden Retriever Puppy
So youve done your research, and youve seen all the fantastic traits of the Golden retriever. Now you cant wait to become a proud parent of one. Great. The next thing you want to know is about how you can best take care of your new furry buddy. Food is an essential part of this care. The pup is going to become your baby, after all.
You need to note that nutritional needs will vary from one dog breed to another. These varying needs are not only as a result of the dogs size but also genes and activity levels of the dogs. Given their active nature, you will need to provide your Golden pup with a healthy diet. Find below what food options are available as well as how to feed your new four-legged family member.
How Much Should You Feed Your Golden Retriever Puppy
How much you feed your puppy depends on what your veterinarian says and what the label on the dog food says.
Its tough to make general statements like, feed your puppy one cup per day, because 1) all puppies are different, and 2) different foods have different caloric densities.
One cup of Brand X food may have 300 calories per cup, while Brand Y has 400 calories per cup.
And heres an example of why it depends on the individual puppy
When we first got our puppy, Oliver, we were feeding him what the package told us to feed him.
During a vet visit our veterinarian said he looked too lethargic for a puppy his age , and he recommended we feed him a little more.
So when deciding how much to feed your puppy, read the label on your food and talk to your veterinarian to see whats best for them.
As far as how often to feed your puppy, this same rule applies.
Most people feed their puppies three times per day, and then eventually transition to two times per day when theyre a little older.
At this point, theyre not growing as much, so they dont need to eat as frequently, plus it will usually help them poop less!
For us, we fed Oliver three times per day until he was a little over a year old.
Thats when we switched to adult dog food and changed to feeding him two times per day.
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How Do You Make Homemade Dog Food
- Food Processor: Before I start cooking a batch of homemade dog food, I blend up all the vegetables in my food processor. This Cuisinart food processor is my go-to. Its a bit smaller than traditional food processors but works just as well as a larger model. Blending up the veggies nice and fine will speed up the cooking process.
- Dutch Oven: I make the entire batch in my large Le Creuset round Dutch oven. I love using a Dutch oven because I can ground the meat first, and then finish off the batch right in the same pot. The process is very similar to making chili except for dogs. Ya knowDog Chili. .
- Measuring Cups: Rascal has his own set of measuring cups now because it makes measuring out food ingredients and the finished batch WAY easier.
- Meal Prep Containers: This is basically meal prepping for your dog, so you will need some great Tupperware.
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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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.
How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers usually weigh from 55 to 75 pounds and reach their full height and weight when they are 12 to 18 months old. Keep in mind that every dog is an individual and that it can take more or less time for your Golden puppy to reach his adult size. However, your Goldens caloric needs will greatly decrease when he reaches 12 to 14 months and he will no longer need the same amount of food as before.
An adult and active Golden will need to eat between 1,300 to 1,700 calories per day. However, keep in mind that age, weight, activity level, health problems, and overall lifestyle will determine how many calories your Golden needs per day.
For example, nursing mothers and dogs that perform heavy work will need more than 2,000 calories per day in order to maintain their weight and stay healthy. On the other hand, if your pooch is more of a couch potato type than an athlete he will probably need around 1,000 calories a day in order to maintain a healthy weight.
During adulthood, your Golden Retriever feeding schedule should consist of two equally spaced meals ideally, you should feed your dog in the morning and evening. If you opt for feeding high-quality large breed dog food, an optimal Golden Retriever food amount will be:
- Females: 2 to 2 ½ cups a day
- Males: 3 to 3 ½ cups a day
- Active Males: 4 cups a day
- Nursing Females: 5 to 6 cups a day
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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.
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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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.
Calorie Needs What To Feed A Golden Retriever
Full-grown retrievers have a weight range between 55 and 75 pounds. Based on this average weight, experts recommend a calorie range between 989 and 1272 calories per day for Goldens who are less active. Increase these calories for active dogs. A calorie range between 1353 and 1742 per day is ideal. Senior goldens who are suffering from joint issues require fewer calories than their younger and more active counterparts.
Food choices
Kibble has many benefits and can keep your Goldens teeth free from tartar. Chewing kibble scrapes the teeths surface. Wet food gives added moisture to your dogs diet and can be combined with dry food to your dog with its tempting aroma. When you mix foods, calculate the number of calories based on information on the labels. It ensures that your dog will get the optimum number of daily calories. What to feed a golden retriever?
Dog foods that are commercially produced are often labeled complete and balanced. They meet every standard of a nutritious diet established by the AAFCO. It ensures that your Golden retriever will receive the full spectrum of nutrients and vitamins needed to be in their best health.
Ingredients
When you have selected a diet for a dog, observe its effect on them. If you transition to new food and your dog eliminates loose stools and flatulence, which do not mitigate over several weeks, you might consider switching to their regular food again. There might be something in the new diet your Golden retriever is allergic to.
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