To make your Golden Retriever healthier, here are the commonly asked questions that might also help you.
See also our main page for Dog Food Guides By Breed
Is your dog thin? Little fluffy? Or has the average body? You need to look at your dog's size, weight, and activity level to properly determine its feeding guide. Usually, a dog can eat up to 6 times a day until they are 6 months old. Eventually, you need to reduce it as your dog ages until 1 to 2 meals a day for up to 2 bowls of kibbles. Also, as long as they are fed at least once a day, then you're good to go.
Just like other dogs, there are some human foods that are actually bad for your Goldies. These are chocolates, raisins, sweets, milk, raw eggs, onions, garlic, too much salt, most nuts, grains, artificial flavors, artificial colors, and fillers.
Grain-free is always a better option for your buddy. Your dog may not be allergic to it, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Grains usually cause allergic reactions or tummy problems to most dogs.
The most common allergy for Golden Retrievers is food allergies. Usually, the cause of this is fillers and additives. Also, milk, eggs, and corns can cause itchiness and bumps in their skin.
The most important thing that you should look out for is the number of proteins and fat, as well as the total caloric content per cup. This will determine if it can be too much for your dog or not because other dog food products are made to enhance the weight and nutrition elements, which might not be suitable for your dog. Know that larger breeds, such as Golden Retriever, have a slower metabolism which requires them to have 10 to 15% fat in their diet.
Also, you should get dog food that contains lean meat as the first ingredient. Carbs are also an important element in their meal since it helps them sustain throughout the day, especially for active dogs. Fatty acids from fish is also a good ingredient to look out to for dog foods since it helps improves their coat and skin. Lastly, avoid buying dog foods that have too much filler and additives.
If you can find a dog food that is specifically made for Golden Retrievers, like some products listed above, then go for it. It is surely made to provide the nutrients that every Goldie needs.
Golden Retrievers tend to drink a huge amount of water every day. An estimate would be 1.0 FL oz. for every pound, to make up their activities throughout the day.
Yes. Vegetables provide good nutrition for dogs, especially fiber and carbohydrates. It is better to get nutrients from vegetables and fruits than grains.
Golden Retrievers are part of larger breeds that don't have a problem gaining weight since they naturally eat a lot. But if your dog needs to gain weight, vegetables like yams, sweet potatoes, and potatoes will surely help. Organ meat such as liver is also recommendable.
Food that contains a low amount of fat such as lean chicken meat is a good choice for your dog to lose weight. Also, lessen their carbohydrate intake, especially if they are inactive most of the time. Additives and fillers should also be avoided since they usually contribute to obesity.