Ask Your Veterinarian For Puppy Feeding Guidance
Right now, you are probably thinking How will I ever figure out which food is best for my new puppy?
Here, we strongly recommend involving your veterinarian in the selection process.
With so many different brands and formulas available for puppy owners today, it can feel nearly impossible to choose the best puppy food for golden retrievers on your own.
Most importantly, as these pictures of young and adult golden retrievers illustrate, your golden retriever puppy is going to eventually be a big dog.
Numerous research studies show that maintaining strict control over bone growth and weight gain in puppyhood can have a measurable impact on adult health and life span for big dog breeds.
You want to choose a puppy food that will keep your puppys growth and weight gain healthy and stableneither too slow nor too fast.
Your vet can be an invaluable source of wisdom and guidance here.
What Kind Of Homemade Snacks Can You Make A Dog
- Peanut butter: Rascal has his own dedicated jar of peanut butter. He loves a traditional kong but you can also mold and freeze peanut butter in any shape for a quick frozen treat. When the jar is almost finished I break out my peanut butter spoon.
- Greek Yogurt Ice Cream: In the summer we blend up unflavored Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and peanut butter. Place a spoonful or two into a silicone cupcake pan and freeze for a few hours. These make for a great dog ice cream.
- Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes: Rascals favorite easy treat. We love bringing these over to family and friends houses so Rascal always has a healthy treat on hand.
How To Switch From Puppy Food To Adult Food In 7 Steps
Here is how you can switch from puppy food to adult food step by step
- Start small: Only introduce adult dog food in small amounts
- Do some maths: If you are going to add ¼ cup of the adult food, remove ¼ cup from their current puppy food
- Gradually increase the portion of adult food and decrease the puppy food one every day in an unnoticeable amount while repeating the last step;
- When you reach the mid-week, you can make their meal 50% adult food and 50% puppy food
- In that time you need to watch your dogs weight closely;for any changes
- In that time you need to determine their body type and the amount of adult food they need.
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What Should You Add To Kibble
In most cases, wet puppy food is not designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition in the same way as with dry kibble puppy food.
However, there can be some cases where feeding wet puppy food is advisable, either as a kibble topper or on its own.
One such case might be if your puppy is recovering from an illness or a procedure and doesnt have much appetite.
Wet food is quite palatable.
Wet food can also add more moisture to your puppys diet to make sure she stays well-hydrated.
Wet puppy food can be a tasty treat to liven up mealtimes. Weve reviewed our favorite dry and wet foods for Golden Retriever puppies here.
You can also add scraps such as meat, scrambled organic eggs, organic vegetables and fruits, canned pumpkin for healthy digestion, or probiotics such as yogurt.
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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When To Switch Puppy To Adult Food
Once you know when your puppy will reach maturity, you can decide when to switch to adult food.
If your puppy will be full grown at 12 months, you can start transitioning him to an adult formula around his first birthday. It can take 7 to 10 days to make the switch, so youll want to plan for that before you start.
How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever Puppy: A Daily Guide
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Not much is more exciting than bringing home a new furry bundle of joy. And Golden Retriever puppies are just about the cutest thing ever!
You want to give your puppy the best start to life. Now, you have a bunch of questions about raising a Golden Retriever puppy.
At the top of your list is how much to feed a Golden Retriever puppy.
We want to help, so heres a comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about feeding your Golden puppy.
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Calorie Needs Decrease Around 1 Year
When your Golden Retriever puppy turns 1 year old, they should be most of the way done growing. That means its time to switch them to an adult dog food thats less calorie-dense than puppy food.
While overfeeding your puppy can cause joint and bone problems, overfeeding your adult Golden Retriever causes even more problems. Obesity is just as damaging to dogs as it is to humans.
Some health issues that can be caused by obesity in dogs can include:
- Heat intolerance
- Liver disease or dysfunction
Transitioning To A New Food
Whether youre changing your puppy from the food their breeder fed them to something new or switching your puppy to adult food, you need to make the;transition slowly. Abrupt changes to your Golden Retriever puppys diet can cause stomach problems.
Start by adding a little bit of the new food to the old food. Gradually start using more of the new food and less of the old for about a week.
Stress can also cause diarrhea, so try not to change your puppys food during stressful times. That includes the first month or so after you bring them home.
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Stage : 4 Months To 10 Months
During this time, your Goldendoodle puppy will continue to grow and develop very quickly.; It is very important to continue teaching and training your Goldendoodle puppy.;;
They will learn how to adapt to different social situations and what behavior is approved and what is not approved during this time.; They will also continue to challenge you, so be prepared to stick to your training and not back off.;
During this time, your Goldendoodle may act a little bratty.; There are going through their teenage years during this time.; Also, during this time, do not let your dog play-bite with you as this can teach them to be aggressive and encourage other dominant behaviors
Around 6 months of age, it is advised to spay or neuter your Goldendoodle puppy.; These procedures will help your puppy stay healthy and happy as well as prevent unwanted litters that end up in the shelter.
What Is The Best Dog Food For A Golden Retriever
Here are some quick recommendations for good foods for adult golden retrievers that I have tried and tested over the years with no issues. They are not perfect, but they are very good.
Of course, I prefer homemade foods whenever possible, and you can check my full guide on golden retrievers foods for every age here. If you are going for homemade foods, which I believe should always be part of your dogs diet, make sure it never includes any of these 18 human foods that dogs should never eat.
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Some Suggested Foods For Your Golden Retriever Puppy
Of course puppies require a higher amount of protein and fat than adults generally do.;
But note that adult goldens who are very active, such as dogs who do agility, generally need more protein and fat; than other goldens do. But they may not need as much as puppies do.;
If in doubt, its best to check with a vet who knows canine nutrition regarding your dogs specific needs.
Golden Retrievers Adult Food Chart
An adult and active Golden Retriever dont require as many calories as a puppy, in fact, they only need to eat between 1,300 to 1,700 calories per day, however, note that weight, age, activity level, overall lifestyle will determine the calories your golden needs per day.
For example; a dog with high energy who plays a lot and performs heavy work may need up to 2,000 calories and sometimes even more in order to maintain their weight, on the other hand, if your golden is lazy and barely moves, they will probably need around 1,000 calories to maintain weight.
During adulthood, you should serve two equally spaced meals for your Golden Retriever, one in the morning and another one later in the evening.
Here is a golden retriever food chart that you may want to follow:
- Male: 3 to 3 ½ cups a day
- Female: 2 to 2 ½ cups a day
- Active Male: 4 cups a day
- Nursing Female: 5 to 6 cups a day
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What Foods Are Bad For Golden Retrievers
Most dog food brands are perfectly safe for Golden Retrievers, but there are some things to avoid. Grain-free diets have been directly linked to heart disease in Golden Retrievers, though ironically theyre often the first diet to be recommended. We also recommend avoiding any dog food that is low in quality but budget-friendly, as theyre most likely made with cheap filler ingredients.
People food should absolutely be avoided, especially if its been cooked with onions, spices, and other potentially toxic ingredients. If you must feed your Golden any people food, it should only be small chunks of white chicken meat or cooked beef, with no spices or flavors added. People food is not healthy for dogs and should not be fed to your dog, no matter how much he begs.
What To Feed My Golden Retriever Puppy
Puppies need a lot of nutrients per day to support their activity levels and their growing bodies, so its crucial to purchase a dry dog kibble that is specifically made for large breed puppies.
Look for formulas high in protein with smaller kibble pieces, checking the label to ensure it is a complete and nutritious diet. Many people assume that there is no difference between a puppy and adult food, but the difference lies in the nutritional value.
Wet canned food is often something new dog owners ask about, though wet food tends to be better suited for smaller breeds. Typically, large breed puppies and dogs do well with kibble alone, since theyre formulated for large breeds. Unless recommended by your vet, wet food is not a necessary addition to your puppys meals.
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Why Adult Dog Food Is Important
Puppy food is nutrient rich and high in calories to support your puppys growth, development and high energy levels.
Continuing to feed puppy food past the point of maturity could cause him to become overweight, which can lead to other health problems.
Choose a complete and balanced adult dog food formula once your puppy reaches maturity to help him maintain his ideal body condition.
Eagle Pack Adult Large And Giant Breed Dog Food
Rating:
Eagle Pack Large and Giant Breed is one of 7 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Eagle Pack product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, pork meal, ground brown rice, oatmeal, rice
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for:Adult goldens
Eagle Pack Large and Giant Breed Adult obtains most of its animal protein from chicken meal and pork meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 13% fat and 51% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 48%.
We like the inclusion of multiple probiotics to promote healthy digestion and flaxseed to help deliver above-average omega fatty acid content for better joint health. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewWe used grain free before, but the risks led us to go wheat/soy free instead. Eagle Pack is fantastic. Our 6 year old Lab loves it and her coat is shiny shes eaten nothing but Eagle Pack since she was 4. She is a very active dog who retrieves every day, yet she thrives on amounts at the low end of Eagle Packs recommendation. Of the super dog foods, EP is consistently less expensive and yet we find it fully equal in taste and performance to the most expensive brands. We are committed users.
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What Kind Of Dog Food Does A Golden Retriever Eat
Golden Retriever Puppy is one of 16 dry recipes rated in our review of the Royal Canin product line. Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy derives the bulk of its animal protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 16% fat and 46% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.
When Do I Switch My Puppy To Adult Dog Food
Depending on the breed, most dogs will not stop growing for the first year or two. You can continue feeding them a puppy formula until their growth plates have sealed, as long as they are not overweight. However, you must work closely with a veterinarian to assess your puppys body condition score. This will ensure that your puppy switches from puppy to adult dog food at the ideal time. Your veterinarian can also recommend how much adult dog food you should give your dog, as too many extra calories and nutrients may be harmful.
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Did You Make This Recipe
Tag on Instagram and hashtag it #thismessisours
Home Made Dog Food recipe for the Holidays
This 100% human grade home made dog food recipe utilizes some of the best fall produce for your dog like sweet potatoes, cranberries, rosemary, and sage. Its perfect for every day feedings and does double duty as a really delicious holiday meal for your dog!;
Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs Recipe;
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for all of us, even our dogs! Get your dogs day off to a great start with a healthy dose of protein, vitamins, and minerals by feeding him/her a delicious Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs. These yogurt bowls are filled with good for your dog ingredients like fat free Greek yogurt, 100% pure pumpkin puree, plant based vitamin and mineral powder, and my Homemade Dog Food Seasoning which is a blend of 5 herbs that have extraordinary health benefits for your dog!;
Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend recipe
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!
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When To Switch Golden Retriever From One Food To Another
Dogs typically need a 7-day transition from one food to another to prevent tummy issues. Also, this gives you time to monitor for unforeseen allergies. Toys golden retriever pups have a ton of energy! For this reason, be sure to have lots of plushies, chew toys and ropes for them.
A Golden Retriever is considered officially old at about 8 to 9 years old, which is the equivalent to 61 to 68 years in humans. Signs your dog is aging include: Increased fatigue
Whether you are thinking of becoming the lucky pet parent to a golden retriever, or already have a golden fur baby at home, its important to educate yourself and your family on how to train a golden retriever at any age.
Dogs typically need a 7-day transition from one food to another to prevent tummy issues. Also, this gives you time to monitor for unforeseen allergies. Toys golden retriever pups have a ton of energy! For this reason, be sure to have lots of plushies, chew toys and ropes for them.