Food:
Feeding your new Golden Retriever puppy the right type of food can seem difficult. There are so many different brands out there that promise to do so much for your growing pup.
We are not nutritional experts, but can only go from our experience with Golden's as part of our family for over 25 years. We've tried just about everything from the cheapest to the most expensive (and they can get VERY expensive).
Ironically, the ONLY problem we've had, is with the premium brands, yes, really - you know, the generally high priced ones that either the vets or feed stores sell and claim to have a high nutritional value. The problem we had was that the food was "too good" and not providing some of the basic "claimed garbage" that we actually all need, including animals. They have too much of some nutrients; and, many times too much protein.
FIRST - do NOT feed the pup adult food!!! It does not provide what the pup needs and may lead to physical and behavior problems, early or later, in their lives, and yours! See more below, but in general, a pup gets "pup food" for at least the first year.
SECOND - do NOT switch foods too quickly. We recommend keeping them on whatever food they've been eating with us for at least a couple of weeks; and then, gradually "wean" it to any new food you'd like to use. This will help keep their digestive system normal and is best in general for the pup's health and disposition
We have stayed with three different types and found them excellent over the years. The biggest difference we've noticed between them is that our dogs tend to eat a little less of the higher priced ones; and, a little less "waste". These three are all within about $5-$7 of each other for a 40# or so bag. They are, in order of cost - Purina Puppy Chow, Pedigree Adult & Puppy Food, and Nutro Natural Choice Adult & Puppy. On occasion we've tried adult and puppy Iam's, but the dogs do not seem to like it very much.
The premium foods seem to require less food at scheduled feedings and seem have a higher nutritional value that can be easier for your puppy to digest.
We do NOT recommend the "real cheap" dog foods that are filled with additives and by-products. Some of these are okay, but like anything in life - too much of a "good thing" .......... well, you know. These can be hard to digest and
harmful for your Golden Retriever puppy.
You should never feed your puppy what you and I would eat. Human foods are not always best for a growing Golden Retriever puppy. They need specific ingredients to stay active and healthy and what we eat may not be good for their systems. Dog foods on the market today are also usually made specifically for certain periods in a Golden Retriever's life. There are foods made for early puppystages to old age. These foods contain added ingredients to help the dog excel for that stage. Most CA vets and Golden Retriever breeders will recommend that you feed your Golden Retriever puppy "puppy stage food" for the first two months that the puppy is home with you. After the two month mark you should feed your Golden Retriever puppy adult dog food. An excellent way to judge exactly when you should switch the type of food, is to take a look at the growth of your Golden Retriever puppy.
Once your Golden Retriever pup has grown to around 90% of its growth then you should switch the food to adult stage. This is usually between 12-18 months with a Golden Retriever. This is recommended because many puppy staged foods contain extra calcium and proteins. This may seem like a great addition to the food because we think of a Golden Retriever puppy as always growing and needing more calcium and protein; unfortunately, the added calcium and protein can cause problem in the joint, tendon, and muscle development of the puppy.
How Much:
There are two basic ways for puppy feeding - free feeding and scheduled feeding. We use both when they are pups for convenience, but keep them on a regular schedule of feeding as well. They always have dry food available, but we have distinct, regular feedings 2-3 times a day of the dry mixed with some puppy canned food and warm water. They get so that they know not to over eat the plain dry 'cause the "good stuff" is comin'.
Free feeding for you the pup owner is ONLY recommended if you have to be gone. Obviously, this is when you leave dry food out for the pup all day long so the puppy can eat whenever it pleases.
Scheduled feeding involves placing a food bowl out for the pup and then taking it away after about 15 minutes or so. After this, take up the food. This trains both you and the pup as to how much to give it each time. This is by far the best way to feed your pup; and, when it is an adult. They are happier and will live longer as well when they have regular feeding times. This also allows your Golden Retriever puppy frequent smaller meals which helps to control how frequently the puppy will need to go outside for bathroom use and also helps to control weight gain.
The most common mistake new owners in California make is allowing the Golden Retriever puppy to eat all day long whenever he or she pleases. This is the problem with free feeding. It works for us when there are many pups as they can't eat that much. This may seem like a thoughtful idea but really you are not putting any discipline on the pup and its eating habits. During the early stage of housebreaking this feeding schedule will also become a wonderful tool. You can essentially control when the Golden Retriever puppy eliminates or not. As your Golden Retriever puppy ages or if there are any digestion or finicky eating issues, you may want to adjust this schedule to meet the needs of your dog. Your vet will be able to give you tips and alternate feeding methods if needed. The exact amount of food you should allow your Golden Retriever to eat at one sitting will be labeled on your bag of dog food. If you have any questions concerning the amount or what form of feeding schedule to use, it is always best to consult your veterinarian.
Supplements:
Vitamins and supplements can help give your Golden Retriever puppy what it may be missing in whatever food it is given. NuVet Labs has developed a line of supplements to help your Golden Retriever through every stage of life; and, there are other similar products out there. No matter how expensive, most dog food on the market today is lacking the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals that are important for your dog, one way or the other. As your Golden Retriever grows, it may need supplements to aid in proper development; and, in preventing Golden Retriever specific diseases such as hip dysplasia, heart, and eye problems.
Harmful Foods:
It is important to recognize that many of the foods that are good for humans to eat may be harmful even deadly for an animal to ingest. We must remember that animals, including Golden Retriever puppies, have different metabolisms than we do which makes it hard for them to properly digest a wide variety of foods. Below is a list of the common food items that can pose a risk to the health of your Golden
Retriever, and should, under no circumstances, be given to a dog to ingest:
Alcoholic Beverages
Bones from Fish, Poultry, or Meats
Cat Food
Chocolate, Coffee, Tea or Caffeinated products
Citrus Oil and Extracts
Fat Trimmings
Grapes and Raisins
Hops
Human Vitamins and supplements with Iron
Large amounts of Liver
Macadamia Nuts
Milk and other Dairy products
Moldy or Spoiled foods
Mushrooms
Onions and Garlic (powders, raw or cooked)
Persimmons
Pits from Peaches or Plums
Potato, Rhubarb, and Tomato Leaves, Potato and Tomato Stems
Raw Eggs
Raw Fish
Salt
String
Sugary Foods
Table Scraps
Tobacco
Yeast Dough
©