What Is The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

How Much Should I Feed My Golden Retriever

How much to feed a Golden Retriever depends entirely on the product you are feeding, as the energy levels and the content might vary, which decides how big of a quantity your dog needs to eat. Products usually have a guide on the side or on the back, that gives clear instructions for how much a dog should eat depending on his or her weight. All you need to do is to weigh your Golden Retriever and compare that to the feeding instructions that come with the product. Keep a close eye on that Golden Retriever Feeding Chart, since overweight or underweight dog is not a healthy dog, and it could end up shortening their lifespan.

Remember that all dogs are different and that these feeding guides are more like suggestions, rather than actual rules. If you notice that your dog has gained weight despite sticking to the amounts listed on the kibble bag cut back a bit and feed a little less. Same goes for if your dog seems to be losing weight! Just add a bit more and see what happens. Just like with humans Golden Retrievers dont all have the exact same metabolism, and how much exercise they get also plays its part.

How Much And How Many Times Should You Feed Your Golden Retriever

It will depend on the individual Golden Retriever because some are great at regulating their food intake. If thats the case, you can free feed. Itll also depend on how active a dog is. If your Goldie worked hard on a particular day, a few extra calories would be needed.

On average, active Golden Retrievers require 1,353 to 1,740 calories a day, while sedentary Goldens will only need about 989 to 1,272 calories daily.

A dog calorie calculator will be handy to determine how much your dog should eat. As long as your dog is growing well and not packing on the pounds, you shouldnt worry too much.

As a general rule, a puppy should be eating ½ a cup of kibble, four meals a day until hes 3 months old.

Around 3-6 months, he should be eating three meals. You can swap out his puppy food for adult food around 6-14 months or after you sterilize him.

Always err on the side of caution, its okay to be on puppy food longer than needed.

When they turn one year old, you can feed them one full meal a day or divide it into two meals breakfast and dinner.

Readjust your pets diet if you cant feel his ribs , or you can see his ribs .

Is There One Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

The short answer to this is no.

There are hundreds of dog foods out there on the market, and many of them are of extremely high quality.

Youre not so much looking for the one perfect dog food as you are looking for the dog food that best suits you and your dog.

Dont stress out over the decision, as its not hard to change brands if you find your dog isnt thriving on the food you selected.

Likewise, dont go way over your budget just because you think youve found the perfect food. Sometimes the priciest brands out there are just the ones with the best marketing gimmicks. There are plenty of top-notch foods that come at more affordable prices.

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Expert Tips For Canine Nutritional Management

• Understand your Goldens activity level
• Age plays a role when choosing a formula
• Your dogs breed needs to be taken in to consideration
• Assess your dogs medical condition
• Consult with your veterinarian for the best nutritional advice
• Look for brands that assist with nutritional management for dogs with medical conditions.
• Dog food formulas need to be tested using the AAFCO feeding trial testing methods instead of by formulation
• The nutritional adequacy statement needs to be on the label
• The dog food formula that you choose needs to be complete and balanced
• The formula needs to be for the correct life stage of the dog

When it comes to choosing the best dog food for your Golden Retriever, keep in mind that a high-quality dog food will have better results in helping to keep your Golden healthy than a lower quality dog food.

Goldens may have diseases which are heavily impacted by their diets like inflammatory bowel disease or atopic skin diseases. These can be helped by feeding the correct diet, since Goldens with health conditions will need to follow a diet that is appropriate to their medical conditions. Always consult with your veterinarian for advice before changing diets.

Golden Retriever Food For Adults

As I mentioned before, adult Golden have a different calories intake than puppies, so here are some Golden Retriever food for adults Royal Canin Golden Retriever Food

MACROS

• Fats:16%
• Fiber:3%

For dogs who have a sensitive stomach and dont enjoy a lot of fiber in their diet, this food is perfect for them. Purina Pro Plan Savor has high protein and high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin for his larger bones and joints and energy, it also has Vitamin A, linoleic acid, and fish oils to provide plenty of nutrients to take care of his beautiful coat.

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What To Look For When Buying Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

It is best to look for a formula that is specifically made for large-breed dogs and designed for their stage of life. You should be looking for food that is made from wholesome, natural ingredients not food that contains fillers, artificial additives, or by-products. Lean protein should make up a big proportion of the food from meat, poultry, and fish sources. Fat and calorie content should be limited as Golden Retrievers have slower metabolisms and you dont want your pooch to be at risk of becoming obese.

Look for food that has that label of complete and balanced nutrition as this ensures that they are getting the right stuff for a healthy lifestyle. Also, consider factors like the kibble size as Golden Retrievers are better able to eat food a bigger size and this helps to stop your dog eating too much too quickly, which can lead to serious issues like bloat.

How Much Water Should Golden Retrievers Drink

Golden Retrievers should drink up to one ounce of water every day for each pound that they weigh. However, there are many other variables to consider, such as age, activity level, diet , temperature and humidity, medication, pregnancy, nursing, etc.

Make sure your dogs water bowl remains full and that the water is changed every few hours. Dog water fountains, such as the PetSafe Drinkwell from Amazon, are one of my favorites. I love this one because it is perfect for Retrievers, has a two-tiered design, and even includes carbon filters to keep the water free from odors and bad tastes.

Giving ice cubes, adding water to dry food, or making fun playtimes with a hose in warm weather are some other ways to keep your Golden Retriever hydrated.

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Special Considerations For Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are very active. They are most active as puppies and young adults but they need exercise throughout their lives. Walking, swimming, and good, long runs provide excellent exercise for these sporting dogs. Because of their high level of activity, they do need quite a few calories in their daily food.

Golden Retrievers can be prone to hip dysplasia and some other health issues.

Golden Retrievers are one of the breeds that has been connected to food-related dilated cardiomyopathy . The FDA is currently investigating a possible link between grain free dog foods and a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. At this time there is no firm conclusion about a connection but you may wish to consider these findings when choosing a food for your Golden. The FDA has not advised anyone to stop feeding grain free dog foods. However, they have suggested that owners might cut back on foods with high amounts of peas and some other ingredients that have been used in place of grains.

Some Golden Retrievers have developed food allergies. Do watch your dogs health and reactions after meals, especially if you have recently changed dog foods. If you notice anything unusual, consult your veterinarian.

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Nutritional Needs Of The Golden Retriever

Like all dogs, the Golden Retriever needs protein. Protein should come from quality meat sources, so it is important to look at the first 3 ingredients on the list of content, to check that at least one or two is an identified meat source. You want to see for example deboned chicken or turkey, beef, fish or lamb, but you can also check for different types of meat meal since these are very protein-rich ingredients as well. A quality dog food product will always specify what meat they use to make their kibble or wet food, and any product that just lists meat should probably be avoided or investigated further. Remember that a dog food manufacturer that uses quality ingredients will most likely be very proud of that and eager to share, so there is the reason for suspicion if the meat source isnt named.

Due to being big dogs, a Golden Retriever also needs additives to protect their bones and sensitive joints. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are two things you want to see in a dog food for a Golden Retriever since they help promote strong bones and healthy and painless joints. Vitamins, minerals and the fatty acids Omega 3 and Omega 6 contribute to that golden coat of theirs looking shiny and perfect dog show-ready at all times!

Best Dog Food For Golden Retriever Puppy

When picking out the best food for Golden Retriever puppies, you need a kibble or wet food that has just the right levels of protein, fibers, and carbohydrates to help the pup grow at a healthy speed. Royal Canin has a breed-specific Golden Retriever puppy food that sees to all his or her needs, and that tastes delicious at the same time.

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How Golden Retrievers Differ From Other Dogs

If you own a Golden retriever you might wonder How do their nutritional needs differ from the nutritional needs of other dogs?

Generally speaking and according to experts adult dogs require a minimum of 18% protein in their diet, and puppies need at least 22%.

This is because protein provides the building blocks for strong muscles in puppies and, in adults. It also supports lean muscle maintenance. So you could say that for most dogs a higher protein content is actually a good thing.

Small dog vs. big dog

On the other hand, fat should make up at least 8% of the diet for puppies and 5% for adult dogs. Fat provides your dog with energy in the form of calories. Now, this is important because this is where Golden retrievers are different from other dogs, specifically small dogs.

Small dogs have a faster metabolism than bigger dogs, like the Golden retrievers. This means that small dogs need more calories. If the Golden retriever or any other large breed gets fed too many calories will lead to unhealthy weight gain! This is why your Golden retriever needs a protein-rich diet with low-to-moderate fat and calorie content.

Iams Proactive Health Adult Large Breed

This dog food is an excellent choice for most adult Golden Retrievers. The first five ingredients featured in this dog food are whole ingredients, like chicken, ground whole grain sorghum, ground whole grain barley, etc. It is a grain-inclusive dog food, so Goldens that are sensitive to grain should avoid this dog food. Otherwise, it is healthy for most adult Golden Retrievers.

This dog food is ideal for maintenance, so it is best for dogs with moderate to minimal energy levels. Very active dogs may not benefit from this formula. It has 25% protein, 53% carbs and 14% fat, making it a good amount for most Golden Retrievers. It does not have any high-risk chemical preservatives or BHA, making it a popular choice for many breeders.

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What Dogs Are Banned From Apartments

Landlords are basically free to ban whatever breeds they feel like from their properties. The most common restricted breeds for apartments are the kinds that insurance companies wont cover:

• Dobermans
• Chows
• Presa Canarios

While some complexes might allow one or more of these breeds on the premises, its highly unlikely given their supposed predilection for biting. The landlord might even be a dog lover like you, but that doesnt mean theyre about to share liability for injuries.

Other times, the landlord might be completely against large dog breeds. While its the worst situation for owners of these breeds, it makes sense that the landlord wouldnt want to risk having a large dog locked up in their small apartment wrecking the floors and walls.

Many complexes require some kind of pet deposit, insurance, and even separate rent for furry friends. Be prepared to be turned away but remember its all for the sake of your loyal companion.

Canidae All Life Stages Dry Dog Food

Canidae features healthful ingredients like lamb, fish, and poultry. Lean meat sources balance with fattier inclusions . The red meat provides easy access to dietary iron. Iron itself facilitates the uptake of oxygen from the bloodstream. It is essential for every function from breathing to thinking. Salmon features omega fatty acids, which improve mental function as well as providing a glowing coat for the dog.

Another benefit of these unsaturated fats are the draws they feature for the dogs eyes. Golden Retrievers, especially as they age, face a number of challenges to their ocular systems.

This dog food recipe helps best to keep ideal eye-health for your Golden Retrievers over time.

Pros:

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How Much Water Does A Golden Retriever Need In A Day

For an average adult golden retriever it is advisable to have at least half to one ounce of water daily. If your dog is fussy about drinking water then try playing with him for a bit, or try running with him. Then offer him water. You can also give him ice cubes which will help him to hydrate. Never let your dog stay dehydrated as it can cause various health issues.

What To Look For In A Good Golden Retriever Food

To ensure that your Golden Retrievers basic nutritional needs are met, its best to choose a large-breed dog food formulated for her life stage.

Here are some other things to look for when choosing a good dog food for your Golden Retriever:

• Wholesome, natural ingredients with no fillers, byproducts, or artificial additives
• Rich in lean protein from high-quality animal sources like poultry, meat, and fish
• Limited fat and calorie content to control growth in puppies and maintain lean mass in adults
• Controlled calcium and phosphorus levels with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
• Nutritionally complete and balanced formulas, according to AAFCO nutrient profiles

Besides making sure your Golden Retrievers food meets these requirements, you should also check to see if it comes in a bigger kibble size. Large and deep-chested breeds have a high risk for bloat which is exacerbated by eating too fast or eating too much at oncebigger kibble means that your dog gets the same nutrition in smaller portion sizes.

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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.

How We Evaluated The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

We at Alpha Paw adore dogs and everything about them. We try hard to find verified data on all dog-related subjects.One of the things we feel strongly about is helping the dog owners find the best information related to their pups diet. To help you find the best dog food for your Golden Retriever, we sought help and assistance from reliable sources.

Five veterinarians shared their medical knowledge on this beautiful breed. They gave us an insight on all the nutrients that should find their way into your Goldens bowl. These experts also warned us of a few health issues that the Golden Retrievers are prone to. We are going to share the gathered information on beneficial and harmful ingredients that could affect your canines health.

Dog lovers community shared their personal stories on raising these gold-buds. They recommended several food products that they have been using for a long time with positive outcomes. Their pups cant wait to see this food in their bowls, and they are growing healthy and strong.

And finally, theres us. As dog owners ourselves, we know how important it is to see your pup thrive and eat food that meets all their nutritional needs. So, we tested some products on our pets, and were ready to present to you the ones we liked the best.

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