Feeding Golden Retrievers
Feeding your golden retriever doesn’t have to be difficult and it’s all about giving it food that will cater to its growing needs.
We all know that pups start out drinking their mother’s milk which comes with all the nutrients and calories they need at that stage in life. But, as they grow up, they need to start consuming solids to grow optimally and this process usually starts after about five weeks.
It’s best to start with wet food because your pup is still fairly young and probably won’t be able to handle hard kibbles. Pups at this age need to eat at least four times a day up until they get to 9 weeks. Do keep a lookout for puppy worms and deworm your puppy immediately if there are any symptoms of worm infestation.
From 2 or 3 months onwards, they’ll start eating three times per day while maintaining the same calorie intake. By month 4, your golden retriever will only eat twice per day which is the same eating schedule that it will maintain for the rest of its life. Do remember to bring your goldie out for regular walks on a retractable dog leash.
It’s worth noting here that some dog owners choose to feed their golden retrievers once per day but it’s better to stick to the twice per day recommendation to maintain proper digestion. If time is a constraint, do check out these automatic dog feeders that make feeding your golden retrievers easy.
What Are The Nutritional Requirements Of Golden Retrievers?
Golden retrievers have similar nutritional requirements to other large dog breeds with the only difference being the nutritional “content.” That’s because goldies aren’t as muscular as pit bulls and rottweilers, for example, but they’re still large and require a fair bit of nutrition to maintain good health and keep energy levels high.
Protein
Protein is quite crucial to pets, which is why your goldie’s food should have a protein content of at least 25%. In fact, protein should be the first and main ingredient in your pet’s food, unless your golden retriever is on a special diet. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to check the product’s guaranteed analysis as well.
Related: Best High Protein Dog Food
Fat
Golden retriever food shouldn’t have a fat content above 20% as that’s all they need to maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin. However, it can be hard to keep track of this because meat has fat too which will contribute to the overall far percentage in dog food.
Micronutrients
The most important micronutrients are phosphorous and calcium, both of which are instrumental in helping your pet develop healthy bones and joints. B-vitamins are also essential to ensuring optimal metabolism, and you should look out for Vitamin A and E as well.
To supplement your golden retriever's diet, we have compiled a list of dog multivitamins that are beneficial.
Nutraceuticals
When it comes to nutraceuticals, look out for ALA, HAD, and EPA because they’re essential in developing and maintaining optimal immunity, cardiovascular and neurologic health. To keep your pet’s joints healthy, you’ll need to give it food with glucosamine and chondroitin, while probiotics will help it to maintain a healthy gut.
Related: Best Organic Dog Food
What Ingredients You Should Avoid?
Aside from healthy ingredients and nutrients that your pet needs to thrive, there are also certain ingredients that you should avoid, including colorings, flavor enhancers, and preservatives. If you notice any of the following words in the ingredients list of your pet’s food, run the other way!
Propyl Gallate
According to scientific research data, propyl gallate is packed with essential xenoestrogens which is a known carcinogenic. So, it doesn’t bode well to see it in pet food.
BHA & BHT
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), both butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene are classified as carcinogenic. Stay far away from foods that contain either of these ingredients.
Propylene Glycol
The Propylene Glycol ingredient has been shown to produce Heinz body anemia and yet some pet food manufacturers still use it to retain moisture.
Ethoxyquin
Ethoxyquin has been banned in Australia and the EU because of its ability to compromise blood and liver health. Keep in mind that golden retrievers are prone to develop conditions like aortic stenosis and Von Willebrand’s disease, and consuming this ingredient can increase their risk of developing these conditions.
TBHQ
TBHQ is a dangerous preservative that’s known to cause irreversible DNA damage and even stomach cancer.
