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As a large breed dog, Golden Retrievers are prone to many health problems, so it’s important that we consider expert nutrition opinions when choosing Golden Retriever food, although it may seem easy and don’t need a lot of research but selecting Golden Retriever food is a very complicated task especially for new owners, they can be easily overwhelmed with how many food options are out there.
Luckily in this article we are going to help you choose food for Golden Retriever puppy as well as for an adult, we also are going to answer some of the questions that you may have about Golden Retriever food, such as;
How often do you need to feed your Golden Retriever?
When Should Golden Retriever Puppies Switch Food?
What is the best Golden Retriever food?
How to make homemade food for Golden Retriever?
Table of Contents
How Often Do You Need To Feed Your Golden Retriever?
If you are a dog owner, you may have noticed by now that dogs require special attention and nutrition, and it is important to avoid overfeeding them because it may be causing them more harm than good, especially if you are dealing with Golden Retriever, this special breed is prone to many problems such as hip dysplasia, skin conditions, cancers, and obesity, if you weren’t careful with their nutrition, so it is essential for their well-being health to know how much food they require.
Golden Retrievers Puppy Food Chart
You must feed your Golden Retriever puppy the right amount of high-quality food so they can grow as healthy as possible, keep in mind that skipping meals can interrupt your puppy’s development and growth, on the other hand overfeeding can cause your goldie to get obese which can lead to joint and bone problems, So to help your dog grow as healthy as possible it is recommended that you make a Golden Retriever puppy food chart.
Here are some guidelines on the Golden Retriever puppy food chart ;
- 2 months: 1 or ½ serving a day
- 3 months: 2 servings a day
- 4 months: 2 ½ serving a day
- 5 months: 3 servings a day
- 7 months(only male): 3 ½ to 4 servings a day
Keep in mind, it is extremely difficult to guess the perfect measurement on how much food a Golden Retriever puppy is required, the exact amount will depend on your Golden Retriever puppy food, his energy levels, and weight, for example, expensive food has high calories, thus you don’t need to feed them less than when you use a cheaper brand.
Golden Retrievers Adult Food Chart
An adult and active Golden Retriever don’t 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
When Should Golden Retriever Puppy Switch Food?
Changing Golden Retriever puppy food to adult food is one of the most crucial parts of your beloved dog’s life and it can actually cause a permanent injury if it’s done incorrectly.
Most puppies don’t stop growing and aren’t ready to switch Golden Retriever food until they reach 12 to 24 months of age, in other words, the best time to switch food for Golden Retriever puppy is when the dog is nearing their adult height, keep in mind that other dogs mature at different rates depends on how large the breed, the larger the dog, the more times it’s going to take him to mature to full size.
What Is The Best Golden Retriever Food?
The food you give your dog has a major impact on their health, especially when you are dealing with a Golden Retriever puppy, this large breed dog is prone to both hip and elbow dysplasia, so it is important you feed him golden retriever food that contains all the nutrients so he can grow into a healthy adult and reduce the risk of health problems.
Golden Retriever puppy food won’t necessarily eliminate these risks from your beloved dog but it will set him off with the right nutrition to help him face whatever health issue they may face in the future.
To help, we listed the best food for Golden Retriever puppy as well as adult;
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
- Protein: 23%
- Fats: 11%
- Fiber: 5.7%
- Calories: 276kcal
Royal Canin is specifically designed for the Golden Retriever breed to meet his nutritional requirements, with its healthy ingredients that contain EPA and DHA fatty acids that promote your dog’s heart health.
Royal Canin also contains the necessary nutrients to maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin since goldens tend to shed a lot.
Diamond Naturals Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food
MACROS
- Protein: 23%
- Fats: 13%
- Fiber: 4%
- Calorie Content: 329kcal
Thanks to Diamond Naturals Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food Sustaining a large breed dog is an easy task, it has a balanced protein, carb, and fat to have all the energy your golden needs while building muscle. It also has omega-6 and omega 3 fatty acids so your dog is always going to have healthy skin and a shiny coat, in addition, this Golden Retriever food has chondroitin and glucosamine, which are essential nutrients for healthy joints, crucial in Golden Retrievers susceptible to joint conditions.
Purina Pro Plan Savor
MACROS
- Protein: 26%
- Fats: 16%
- Fiber: 3%
For dogs who have a sensitive stomach and don’t 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.
Golden Retriever Puppy Food
It can be a very hard and confusing decision to find the best food for a Golden Retriever puppy, especially with all these recipes on the market. Luckily, we found some options for you.
Here are some foods for golden retriever puppy;
Purina Pro Plan Dry Puppy Food
MACROS
- Protein: 28%
- Fats: 13%
- Fiber: 6%
- Calories: 382kcal
Purina is a popular brand that needs no introduction, this golden puppy food contains high-quality protein as its number one ingredient, it also contains DHA fatty acids obtained from fish oil to help them develop a healthy brain as well as proper vision.
Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy
- Protein: 29.0%
- Fat content: 16.0%
- Crude ash: 7.4%
- Crude fibers: 3.7%
- EPA/DHA: 0.4%
This recipe is exactly what a Golden Retriever puppy needs. This golden retriever puppy food contains high fiber and high carbs which is important for the golden’s sensitive stomach and to give him the energy that he needs. And because this recipe was designed for golden retrievers you can be sure that your little buddy will get all the nutrients he needs with this kibble.
Homemade Food
While there’s nothing at all wrong with homemade diets, you only need to be sure it’s balanced and contains all the right nutrients and vitamins. In fact, homemade food for Golden Retriever is one of the best ways to make sure that your beloved dog gets all the nutrition he needs in his diet.
Some of the food contain a lot of chemicals ingredients that can cause cancer to your dog, however with homemade food you guarantee that your dog will eat the right nutrition.
Besides being affordable compared to kibble food, you also can give him a variety of food choices since you can mix it up with different supplements, veggies, and meats.
Now you have all the information you need to know about Golden Retriever food, make your choice and choose the food that is suitable for your dog. And keep in mind that although canned food for Golden Retriever puppy or adult can be a perfect choice, homemade food also provides high-quality nutrition, goldens also enjoy variety when it comes to what they eat. So be sure to provide them with fresh fruits, veggies, plain yogurt, every day for optimal health.
