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When To Take Golden Retriever Off Puppy Food

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When Is The Right Time To Switch To Adult Dog Food

Golden retriever caught stealing food from the counter

Determining when to make the switch from puppy to adult dog food depends on your puppys size and breed, as well as his metabolism. Simply put, small and large breed puppies develop at different rates, meaning that some dogs will make the switch to adult food at different life stages. At Bil-Jac, we agree with our friends at VetInfo.com and recommend the following guidelines:

  • Smaller breeds mature more quickly and can be switched at about 9 months to 1 year
  • Medium breeds can be switched at around 1 year of age
  • Large and giant breed dogs can transition anywhere from 1 year to 18 months

Of course, one to two years is quite a wide range of time. Every dog is different, so keep an eye on how much food your dog eats. Skipping meals or leaving some food behind is one notable sign that your furry friend is ready for a switch. If you notice that your best friend is regularly leaving some of her puppy food behind in the bowl, its probably time to make the jump to an adult formula.

Your dogs body condition can also help you figure out when its time to switch to adult food. Since puppy formulas are designed to support rapid growth, once a puppy is first weaned, splitting up meals info three feeding a day si recommended.

How Much Water Should A Golden Retriever Puppy Drink

Golden Retrievers are known to be naturally, highly active dogs and because of this, they drink a lot of water. In general, Golden Retriever puppies require approximately one-half cup of water every two hours. You should observe your puppy to ensure that he is drinking the right amount of water.

It is a good thing if your Golden Retriever gets lots of exercise and if he likes to drink a lot of water after getting exercise. They are a breed that is expected to be engaged in physical activity daily, so this is not an issue.

How Often Should I Feed My Puppy

Like human babies, puppies start out needing many small meals a day, of a food formulated for their special nutritional requirements. Most, but not all, dogs finish meals quickly. To discourage picky habits, feed at regular times in regular amounts and dont leave food down for more than 10 to 20 minutes.

Your breeder will be an excellent source of guidance for both of these questions, as will your vet.

Read Also: Golden Retriever Teddy Cut

When Can A Puppy Eat Adult Food

The question of when can a puppy eat adult food is one that manypeople often ask. With an ever-increasing number of pet stores and pet foodmanufacturers on the market, it can be confusing as to what your dog shouldeat.

Some owners will go with the baby food but if your dog is sickor being neglected, this could cause a major problem. This article will discusssome good and bad ways of feeding your dog.

The first thing to consider is the difference between puppy foodand adult food. Puppy food has all of the vitamins and minerals that the olderpet owner needs.

However, adult food will not have the same nutritional content. Instead, adult food will consist of a diet of table scraps.

While the nutrition from the table scraps will be enough for the dog, there is no way that the dog will be getting the vitamins that he needs.

The second thing to consider is the fact that feeding your dogthe old dogs diet could cause a number of health problems.

There are many different foods that are approved for use inolder dogs. These are the foods that are used to help maintain their immunesystem and make sure that the dog is not digesting foods the wrong way.

This means that if you want to feed your dog the proper food,you should only feed him these types of foods.

Another thing to keep in mind is that many pet food companies will use a lot of artificial ingredients that are just plain awful for your dog.

When can a puppy eat adult food is mainly dependent on where you purchase the food from.

How Long Does It Take To Potty Train A Golden Retriever Puppy

Bruno the Golden on Instagram: Who lives in a pineapple ...

So if you do all of the steps above, how long should it take for your puppy to be potty trained?

All puppies are different, but it can take two weeks to a few months for your golden retriever puppy to be potty trained.

This can depend on factors such as:

  • how many accidents they have in the house
  • whether or not theyre rewarded for going outside
  • if you took them to the same spot every time
  • how well you clean up accidents in the house.

Of course, if you never give your puppy an opportunity to go in the house and you reward them when they go where theyre supposed to go, potty training will be much faster for you.

Recommended Reading: How To Potty Train A Golden Retriever In An Apartment

Puppyhood Is The Best Time To Consider Pet Insurance

As a puppy, your dog has probably not shown any significant health concerns at their young age. Since pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions, the younger your dog is when you signup, the better coverage you will likely receive throughout their lifetime. Further, pet insurance can help support you financially during the unpredictable puppy years when dogs are more likely to chew on things they shouldnt and run into dangerous situations. Check out our pet insurance 101 guide to learn more and determine whether pet insurance is worth it for your puppy.

Why Isnt My Golden Retriever Fluffy

Most people expect when golden retrievers get their full coat they will be fluffy. If your golden retriever is still a puppy then they would not have their full coat as yet. However if you have a full grown golden retriever thats not fluffy there can be a few reasons for this.

  • Genetic. If your golden retriever has parents that simply are not fluffy your golden retriever may not be fluffy either.
  • Poor Nutrition. The body needs proper nutrition to grow a proper healthy coat.
  • Hot weather or summer time. Hotter temperatures equals thinner coats
  • Recommended Reading: Potty Training Golden Retriever Puppy

    When To Switch Golden Retriever From Puppy Food

    When to switch Golden Retriever from puppy food to dry food is a question that has many different answers depending on your situation.

    You have to decide what is best for your dog. If you keep thesame diet, then there are several different types of foods that will work foryour needs.

    A few years ago, the only way to feed Golden Retriever was togive them puppy food. If you moved or the dog got lost, it was tough.

    However, since then, the Internet has brought a lot of companies out to market a variety of food choices for dogs.

    The main difference between a commercial dry food and acommercially prepared kibble is the ingredients. Unlike puppy food which usesmany synthetic ingredients, commercially prepared food doesnt.

    There are several brands of commercially prepared dry foodavailable for your dog. The first of these choices is the Natural Balance line.

    This line of food is all-natural and no artificial flavors orcolors. Your dog will still get the nutrients that are necessary for optimalhealth, but the lack of the unnecessary chemicals and preservatives make thisfood more affordable and economical.

    Another type of commercially prepared food is Pedigree Dog Food.This brand of dry food is a blend of natural ingredients and all-naturalnutrients to provide your dog with the best nutrition possible. This is a verygood choice for a dog that is about four to six months old.

    In the beginning, you will want to limit your dogs activity so it doesnt become overweight.

    Switch Puppy Food To Adult Food

    Golden Retriever puppy is definitely sleeping off a food coma

    When you switch puppy food to adult food, consider the age of your pet. Usually, the switch from puppy food to adult food occurs between the ages of 10-12 months for the majority of dog breeds . We want to make sure that as puppies, they are given the appropriate amount of calories in their food to grow and develop correctly. Usually around the 10-12 month age range, most breeds have reached their adult size and are able to decrease their calorie and protein intake to an adult level, since they have developed almost fully. The puppy food you have been feeding them up until this point has given their body energy, special proteins, increased levels of calcium, and protein to develop vital organs and tissues. Now that the body is developed, we can safely switch over to an adult diet.

    How to switch your puppy to adult food?

    In order to transition your puppy, gradually switch from puppy food to adult food. This process needs to be slow so that there is no shock to the dogs gastrointestinal system. The tables are an excellent guide to switch from puppy to adult food. Also, keep in mind that this table can be used to switch any pets food safely over time i.e., if they become picky or finicky eaters, or are placed on a specialty diet for medical reasons.

    Diagram Provided by Hills Science Diet

    What food do you transition your puppy to?

    Common Feeding Mistakes:

    Read Also: What Is An English Cream Golden Retriever

    What Do The Terms On The Label Mean

    The labels on pet foods can be confusing. Learning what the terms mean can help you decipher which one is a higher-quality product.

    The terms on a label are listed in descending amounts of ingredients. So the first few listed are found in larger amounts than those at the bottom of the items listed on the label.

    And check the best by date to be sure that the food is fresh.

    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.

    Recommended Reading: How Do You Trim A Golden Retriever Rear

    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.

    Transitioning To A New Food

    Two golden retrievers take part in a noodle

    This is quite tricky, make sure youdont feed the new food 100% in the bowl on Day 1, he will definitely not eat it.

    Theres a best way to transition your dogs old to new food by the following method!

    Days
    Day 1 to Day 2 I served him 80% Old Food & 20% New Food
    Day 3 to Day 4 I served him 50% Old Food & 50% New Food
    Day 5 to Day 6 I served him 20% Old Food & 80% New Food
    Day 7 I served him 100% New Food

    You can follow this method, I learned this method when I bought a skin allergic dog food for my Golden Retriever. At the back of the food bag, they mentioned this method for transitioning and I implemented it!

    But you can try this, or can take a piece of advice from your breeder or vet!

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    How To Take Care Of Golden Retriever Puppy

    Taking care of your Golden Retriever pups involves a lot of things including feeding, grooming, training, and exercises.

    Golden Retrievers need 2 to 3 cups of high-quality food a day, divided into three meals.

    Age appropriate diet: Golden Retriever puppy’s diet should be appropriate for your dog’s age, gender, and activity level. The food requirements of a Golden puppy change as they grow up. Try to monitor their food as they can easily put on weight.

    Meet their nutritional requirements: To support their energy level, your Golden puppy’s diet should meet their nutritional requirements.

    -Avoid overfeeding: Do not overfeed your Golden Retriever puppy even if they act like they are starving.

    -Clean those feeding bowls: Food and water bowls should be cleaned regularly. Thoroughly clean them even if it looks like your Golden Retriever puppy licked it clean.

    Feeding schedule: Maintain a regular feeding schedule for your Golden Retriever puppy. Do not leave your puppys food out all day. If it doesnt eat, pick it up and wait until the next meal.

    Pet parent tip: You must ensure that clean and fresh water should be available to these Golden Retriever puppies at all times.

    Grooming needs of Golden Retriever puppy:

    -Golden Retriever puppy has a double coat that comes in many shades of gold. The puppy has a dense, water-repellent outer coat with a thick undercoat.

    -Golden Retrievers are heavy shedders. They require frequent brushing to keep the hair from flying in the house.

    Hunting The Golden Retriever

    Hunting a golden is typical of hunting most of your bigger retrievers. Theyre water-loving swimmers who shine in the duck blind, but they can also work an upland field with ease.

    They retrieve naturally but will require shaping to perfect their bird retrieve to hand. Theyre a versatile hunting companion who will just be stoked to come along with you wherever you end up.

    Although goldens have a sunny temperament, theyre a bit more sensitive than your typical goofy labrador retriever. But, theyre generally easy to train due to their eager-to-please ways. And their high energy levels keep them engaged in any field of work.

    The hunting-bred golden does tend to be more intense than other lines within the breed. But, this serves a purpose in the field.

    Goldens remain fabulous house dogs, family dogs, and best friends once your day in the field is complete. Theyre a dog you really cant go wrong with theyre well-loved for many reasons. And goldens love you back in spades. A true gem of a breed, this one.

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    What We Feed Our Golden

    Oliver had a few different brands of food that he ate as a puppy.

    First, we started him off on one of the brands listed in the graph above that is correlated with DCM.

    Once we heard about the study we switched to another brand, although he didnt like that at all.

    Then we switched to another brand that he just sort of liked.

    Finally, after talking to a few veterinarians and golden retriever breeders, we decided to test out Royal Canins Adult Golden Retriever food , which has been his favorite food so far.

    If we were to have another puppy, we would definitely start with the Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy food.

    What About Feeding Your Golden Retriever A Raw Diet Or Homemade Food

    5 Best Dog Food For Golden Retriever in 2020.

    Other diets in the studies above included raw diets and homemade diets.

    Heres what Dr. Lisa Freeman had to say about it: We also emphasize that changing to a raw or home-prepared diet may not be sufficient to improve cardiac abnormalities and may increase the risk for other nutritional deficiencies or infectious diseases.

    Read Also: Are Golden Retrievers Easy To Potty Train

    Feeding Your Puppy A Raw Diet

    Some breeders, veterinarians and puppy owners swear by a raw food diet right from puppyhood.

    Here, it is important to be meticulous about sanitation, both for you and your familys safety and for your puppys health.

    If this is your first time feeding your golden retriever a raw diet, here are some helpful raw food safety tips from breeders:

    • Leave the food out for 15 minutes only. If your puppy doesnt eat it, refrigerate it until the next meal.
    • Feed in the same enclosed area every time so you can keep kids and other pets away from the raw meal.
    • Always clean up right away with a safe sanitizer like white vinegar and water.
    • Freeze the raw protein for at least 10 to 14 days prior to feeding.
    • Only thaw partially prior to feeding .
    • Throw out thawed, refrigerated, raw meats after two days in the fridge.

    How To Handle Your Golden Retriever

    Golden Retriever puppies are adorable.

    Golden Retriever puppies are a handful.

    This breed is full of life and energy, and they are very inquisitive and agile.

    And as a new Golden Retriever puppy owner, its your job to help establish good habits early.

    Establishing good habits will not only help with potty training, this is where your Golden Retriever puppy learns what you do and dont want them to do.

    Read Also: Golden Retriever Service Dog For Anxiety

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