What Do You Feed Your Golden Retriever

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.

Is The Golden Retriever Dog Easy To Train

A Golden Retriever is a very reliable and hard working dog, so it can be trained to be obedient in just a few days. Before you get one, make sure you know that you know the breed and that you know the differences between Golden and German Shepherd breeds. The Golden Retriever was designed to be a companion and a working dog, so the breeds must be chosen wisely to produce the desired dog. The Golden Retriever is among the easiest dog breeds to train. The breed does well with people of all ages, sizes, and cognitive levels. The breed is one of the most sociable and active types of dog, so pet owners are always in need of a large amount of stimulation, which can make training very challenging for most canines.

Is Your Golden A Puppy Adult Or A Senior

Your Goldens age is the first factor in considering what kind of food to feed them.

Food for Golden Retriever Puppies

Goldens fall into the large breed category, with large breed puppies having different nutritional needs than smaller breeds. For example, puppy food with high calcium and phosphorous can encourage bone growth too quickly for large breed puppies. A good large breed puppy food can offer these lowered levels while also keeping up with a growing dogs needs.

If youre shopping for a new puppy, we suggest speaking with your veterinarian first to make sure your dog is getting the nutrition they need.

Food for Adult Golden Retrievers

At the adult stage, look for the highest quality food that forms a complete and balanced diet for your Golden. Well go over the quality of ingredients later in this guide, but be sure to consider your dogs preferences as well. Do they prefer fish, beef, or chicken? Small kibbles, big kibbles, mix of wet and dry? All of these are important.

Food for Senior Golden Retrievers

A seniors diet ideally should be healthy and preventative. Itll be higher in protein and may need to adjust how much fiber it contains. This diet may also involve supplements and other nutrients to minimize problems that crop up as your dog ages .

Again, its always smart to speak with your vet about an aging or senior Golden.

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Caring For Your Aging Golden Retriever

As your beloved golden gets older he will require certain lifestyle changes. As a loving dog owner, it is up to you to make sure his golden years are just as happy and comfortable as before, and that his good health is maintained.

Veterinary Care

Now that your dog is a senior it is important to visit your vet twice a year for a check-up. Your vet will be able to discuss with you any changes that you may have noticed, as well as perform a complete thorough exam.

Nutrition

As your dog ages, his metabolism will slow down. It is important to keep your dog at a healthy weight, and not let him become obese. If your dog is overweight it is important to work at shedding off the excess weight.

Your older golden requires a balanced diet that is low in calories but has an adequate amount of protein and fat. A high fibre diet will help keep your golden fuller longer.

Many people add glucosamine to their dogs diet to help with joint pain. It is also a good idea to feed your senior dog smaller meals throughout the day, instead of just once or twice. This allows your dog to metabolize the food better.

Grooming

Hopefully, you are already grooming your dog on a regular/daily basis, but older goldens may have difficulty grooming themselves because of decreased mobility. It is important to brush your golden, trim his nails, and bathe him regularly. This will allow you to spot any skin conditions or changes in the coat.

Do you know what the best brush for a golden is? Find out here.

Comfort

Feeding Length Of Your Golden Retriever Puppy

For Golden Retrievers you should monitor the amount of time they take to eat. In general, you should give them about 20 to 30 minutes to complete a meal.

If for some reason he is unable to finish in that amount of time, then remove the remaining food and give him the amount he was able to eat. It is not advised to use the leftover kibble from the last meal to the next meal you give him.

If hes completing all the kibble in less than a half-hour, you can increase the amount just a bit. It is a good practice to feed your puppy in the same place every day without distractions so that he can focus on his meal.

Recommended Reading: What Should I Feed My 2 Month Old Golden Retriever Puppy

What To Offer Your Golden Retriever As Treats

If youve gotten this far, and you havent discovered any allergies or obesity problems , its fun to treat them!

Foods you can treat your dog with

In addition to store bought treats, here are some foods you might find around the kitchen that you can indulge your pup with:

• Apples
• Turkey
• Watermelon
• Wheat and grains
• Yogurt

Looking for something your dog might go crazy over? Freeze dried liver treats are cheap and can be broken up into small bits as a high-reward training treat.

Weve also put together an entire list of our best approved healthy dog treats, that cover everything from fully vegetarian, to steak jerky. Take a look if thats something youre interested in.

What Youll Need To Feed Your Golden Retriever Puppy

Another thing you want to make sure youre well-prepared for before bringing your new golden retriever puppy home is feeding.

First, well cover what youll need for feeding. Then well list a few tips below for you that should help you out with feeding your new golden retriever puppy.

Here is what youll need to feed your puppy:

• #1 Puppy foodYour new dog will need puppy food. Start with the food that the puppys been eating, and when it is time for a change, make sure you start by mixing the new food brand into the old one. That way, your puppy wont get a tummy ache when you change the food.
• #2 Dog bowlsYoull need to purchase food and water bowl for your puppy.
• #3 Puppy treatsYoure going to need a lot of puppy treats when youre training your pup.

Purchase a High-Quality Dry Dog Food

If youre not sure where to start with healthy dry dog food, you can talk to your veterinarian or with the breeder or rescue center where you get your golden retriever.

Remember, if you decide you want to switch your dogs food, youll need to do that gradually over a few weeks so that your dog doesnt experience any tummy aches. Youll want to purchase a plentiful breed puppy food for your golden retriever puppy.

Feed Your Dog by Age and Weight

Adding Dog Food Extras

Create an Eating Area

Treat It Up

If you wind up feeding your dog too many treats, it wont want to eat its regular dog food anymore. So, make sure you keep treats to puppy-sized bites and use treats for training purposes.

Read Also: Best Boy Dog Names For Golden Retrievers

Heres What Petfoodology Tufts Had To Say:

However, recently, some astute cardiologists noticed higher rates of DCM including Golden retrievers and in some atypical dog breeds. They also noticed that both the typical and atypical breeds were more likely to be eating boutique or grain-free diets, and diets with exotic ingredients- kangaroo, lentils, duck, pea, fava bean, buffalo, tapioca, salmon, lamb, barley, bison, venison, and chickpeas. Even some vegan diets have been associated. It has even been seen in dogs eating raw or home-prepared diets, via Dr. Lisa Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN, Tufts University.

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.

Also Check: How To Train Golden Retriever Puppy

Common Problems With Feeding A Golden Retriever Puppy

Dog parents may encounter a number of problems while attempting to feed the puppy. This may include allergic reactions to the foods they are given and puppies not liking their food. It may be that your puppy doesnt like their kibble.

This may be because youve changed their food up too many times or too abruptly. You may also be giving them table scraps.

Remember that cooked bones are not good to give your dog because they may splinter. Whenever your puppy is not eating, it is likely that there is some problem with the food or their health. At this point, you should pay a visit to your vet to ensure that everything is ok.

Best Dog Treats For Golden Retrievers

All dogs are receptive to positive training reinforced with yummy treats. To avoid overfeeding your Golden Retriever with snacks, have two kinds of rewards.

First is a low-value treat as a staple reward. It should be healthy, small or easy to break in pieces, and has low calories and fat. is a popular choice with dog trainers.

Another option is dog-safe fruits or veggies chopped up into tiny cubes.

For high-value treats, go for something substantial and tasty as it will be your dogs reward for accomplishing more difficult challenges. BLUE Wilderness Trail treats Wild Bits Grain-Free Training Dog Treats is nutritious and filled with Omega-3 Fatty Acids and DHA for coat health.

For homemade goodies, you can prepare steamed chicken or turkey breast. Cheese is also yummy, but only if your dog is not lactose intolerant. Peanut butter is another good option.

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What About Growing Puppies

A puppys needs for protein and calories are higher than an adults, but large-breed puppies need to be kept on a calorie-controlled diet to prevent them from growing too quickly.

According to AAFCO nutrient profiles, they also need lower calcium and phosphorus levels to reduce the risk for joint issues. So, yes, its good to look for a Golden Retriever puppy food thats right for your growing pup.

Top 7 Best Puppy Foods For Golden Retrievers: Reviews

Below, you will find in-depth reviews of seven puppy foods that meet the nutritional needs of golden retriever puppies and are extremely tasty.

Want to feed fresh food to your golden retriever puppy but dont have time to prepare fresh and wholesome meals? If this is the case, youll be happy to discover what Nom Nom has to offer!

The nutrition begins when you choose which food youd like to give your dog. There are several recipes to choose from, all developed by veterinary nutritionists and cooked at Nom Noms on-site kitchen using fresh, restaurant-quality whole-food ingredients.

Food is portioned based on your dogs unique profile, including age, weight, health problems, and any goals such as weight loss. You get a free consultation with a veterinary nutritionist when you order, so your golden puppy gets exactly the right nutrients.

Once your dogs weekly menu is ready, food is sealed into single-serving packages, after which it is delivered to your home under refrigeration for optimal freshness. Just like your own fresh food, you keep your dogs meals in the freezer or refrigerator until mealtime. Simply open a pack, serve it up, and watch your pet enjoy every morsel. You can choose a single favorite or treat your dog to variety packs.

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• Cost is above the market average

Read this in-depth Nom Nom review to learn more about this dog food brand and discover their top three dog food recipes!

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Also Check: Is Golden Retriever Is A Family Dog

What Is The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers In 2021

These loyal, affectionate dogs are one of most popular dog breeds in the US, so lots of you out there may well be asking yourselves this very question!

Keep reading to see a full nutritional guide on what a Golden Retriever needs in her diet, potential health problems, and how choosing the right dog food can help.

Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Food

Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Food is also a great choice of puppy food for Golden Retrievers. This food contains high-quality ingredients and is made in the USA. It supports healthy brain development that increases the intelligence and trainability of your Golden Retriever. This food is highly recommended by our staff veterinarians as well.

Below is Eukanubas Large Breed Puppy feeding chart.

Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Feeding Chart

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What Nutrients Does A Golden Retriever Puppy Need

It is a little-known fact that different dog breeds would have different requirements when it comes to their nutrition. This is true because no dog breed is the same, as dogs have different builds, features, and genetics that would require a different diet.

Golden retrievers are no different, as they are playful, energetic, and intelligent. Their beautiful coats make them stand out amongst dogs. Their nutritional requirements are as follows:

The Golden Personality And Appearance

Although they look similar, these pups come in three different shadesgolden, dark-golden, and light-golden. A typical Golden canine has a tapered muzzle and dropped ears.

These medium-large gun dogs are great fans of exercise and outdoor activities. They have a natural tendency towards the water, so theyll enjoy swimming in the sea or pool. You should not consider taking these beauties as pets in case youre planning on confining them to small places. The Golden Retriever thrives on playing and exercising with their owners.

Patience and a fun approach are the keys to their training. These Golden beauties are not difficult to train, and they are considered obedient dogs.

It seems that their favorite hobby is chewing. Whenever they feel bored, theyll chew your slippers, cables, or your fingers, if they find you tasty. Now, this doesnt mean you should continuously put food under their muzzles. Kill their boredom by spending time with your lovely pooch. As for their nutrition, the best you can do is follow expert nutrition advice we are about to present to you.

Also Check: Golden Retriever Facts For Kids

What Should You Consider In Golden Retriever Treats

Treats are also a great way to get some nutrients into your dog that allows them to enjoy it too. Not only that, but it is also great for training your puppy as giving him/her treats when they do something good, will ensure that they can make a positive connection with the activity in the future.

Another great way to use treats is to use them for taking care of your dogs dental care. When t comes to treats, there are a few benefits to using natural treats over reproduced foods that include:

Read Also: > > How to take care of a golden retriever

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

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.

Also Check: American Vs English Golden Retrievers

Nutro Max Large Breed Adult Recipe With Farm

Source: nutro max dog food

Nutro Max Large Breed Adult Recipe with Farm-Raised Chicken Dry Dog Food is another product designed to meet the nutritional needs of large adult pups. Glucosamine and Chondroitin keep your dogs joints healthy. The formula doesnt have any artificial

• Flavors
• Colors
• Preservatives

Nutro uses natural ingredients for their formulas, without traces of corn, wheat, or by-product meals. Your Goldy needs to consume vitamins and minerals to be healthy, and this product contains lots of them. Amino acids are extremely useful in case your dog has dry skin!

Ingredients:

Chicken Meal , Whole Grain Sorghum, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Oatmeal,Vitamin D3 Supplement, Chicken Fat ,Choline Chloride, Chicken, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Whole Brown Rice, Peas, Chickpeas, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Decaffeinated Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract, Salt, Dl-Methionine, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin E Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement , Vitamin B12 Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Selenium Yeast, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride , Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate , Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.