Nutrition for Golden Retrievers: Proper Diet

Owners of Golden Retrievers know that this is the best breed of dog: smart, loyal and with the kindest soul. These people should be given the best. Including better food. We will talk further about what to feed the Golden Retriever.

1. General rules for feeding the Golden Retriever 2. Feeding schemes for the Golden Retriever 2.1. Dry food 2.2. Natural food 2.3. Feeding puppies and lactating bitches 3. Feeding a puppy after purchase 4. Proper nutrition for a golden retriever puppy: how to choose 5. Foods that should not be given to a retriever 6. Drinking water for a retriever 7. Feeding bowls

Rating of the 10 best dry food for the Golden Retriever

Dry dog ​​food is a complete nutritious diet for a pet, developed taking into account the physiology and characteristics of the animal. It contains carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and amino acids in a balanced state. When choosing, pay attention to the composition. The product must contain fats of animal and plant origin and natural ingredients. This is what dogs should receive to be healthy and cheerful.

Nutrition according to needs

BASIC RULES:

From the age of 2.5 months. up to 10 months the puppy should gain an average of 1000 grams. in Week (!)

Every week. Weight gain is a fundamentally important criterion for growth.

If the puppy has gained only 1.5 kg in 2 weeks or less than 3.5 kg in 1 month, this is an alarm bell.

If you have an appetite, simply increase the daily intake by 10-20% every 5-7 days.

We continue to control our weight once a week.

We weigh ourselves with and without the puppy on a floor scale. The difference is the dog's weight.

If we have no appetite, we compromise. Let's find out from the breeder WHAT this compromise is.

We find out the cause of loss of appetite if it has been reduced for a long time.

Solving health problems or choosing a more delicious diet.

If the puppy has gained 3 kg in 2 weeks, then you need to reduce the amount of Food and increase walks.

First of all, categorically exclude all handouts from the table, finishing meals after the children.

The treat for training should be less fatty and less calorie than cheese.

Let's exclude sweet cookies and ice cream. Reducing the number of Titbit Delicacies.

We don’t persuade “Fatrest” to eat (!) DON’T: “A spoon for dad, a spoon for mom” (!)

Excess weight is not an expression of master's love, but simply ignorance and sabotage.

Problems with joints and liver, allergies and diathesis, obesity and even diabetes -

All these problems of metabolic disorders are not alien to modern pets.

We moderately increase physical activity by 20-30% due to the duration of walks, slow walking and trotting.

We involve mental stress - training the dog. The volume of treats eaten during training is excluded from the diet.

For a puppy over the age of 6-7 months, it is possible to choose the diet of an adult dog - less nutritious if there is significant obesity.

The choice of food is individual. Should be considered:

• Age of the animal (puppies and juniors from 2 months to 12 - 15 - 18 months. Adult dogs from 1.5 years to 8 years. Senior dogs over 8 years.) Golden retrievers are each individual. some grow up to 9-10 months, others up to 1.5 years. The transfer of a dog from a child/junior diet to an adult diet must be justified and approved by an experienced dog handler or friend on the site.
• Animal breed (small up to 10 kg, medium up to 26 kg, large up to 40 kg, giant over 40 kg). Golden females are more of a medium-sized dog; their normal weight ranges from 26 to 30 kg. The weight of an adult male is from 30 to 40 kg. It is important to feed the puppy not on the basis that he now weighs 5 kg, but on the basis that the female will weigh 30 kg, and the male 35 kg. If you have chosen food for medium breeds (let’s say Lamb or Salmon is important to you as a source of protein), then the scale will end at the weight of an adult dog 20-25 kg... So what? — calculate how many grams are used for every 5-10 kg, add a portion to your dog according to its weight.
• Long-term malnutrition from 3-4 weeks, even 20-25% of the feed may be fraught with weak muscles and poor condition. After all, Food is not soup or porridge, where 80% is water... Food is a very concentrated food with “high efficiency”
• Long-term overeating for 2-3 weeks, even 10-20% dry food, while maintaining the same level of activity, will inevitably lead to weight gain. Again, because the food has high nutritional and energy value.
• Level of physical activity . Walking has a great influence on the puppy/dog's appetite and condition. There is a huge difference between walking 30 minutes a day and 1.5-2 hours a day. A dog undergoing training naturally has a better appetite, a larger feeding rate, but at the same time a more athletic shape (!) than a couch potato, who seems to eat everything - nothing, but everything is deposited on the waist.
• Metabolic rate. Goldens come in different varieties. Someone “doesn’t like feeding a horse”, no matter how much he eats, he doesn’t linger in anything - he’s still slim. There are approximately 15-20% of these. And someone “looks at the food and gets fat,” and every extra pellet desperately strives to stay with the dog forever in the form of fat. There are approximately 20-30% of these. Metabolism is often inherited from parents, and if you come across such a “one-off,” then there’s nothing you can do about it. You need to adapt to the dog, and not pull it towards the “average”. An indicator that the food is suitable for a dog is: good muscles, good coat, activity, good small stools 1-3 times a day, no gastrointestinal upsets. So my personal Kuma only needs 250 grams. Greenhart per day for her weight is 30 kg, and the rest is extra.
• Tendency to corpulence. If this is your case, then it is fundamentally important to choose food with the lowest fat content in the food. To reduce weight, you need to subtract 1/3 of the norm for a non-obese dog. EXAMPLE your bitch weighs 33 kg. Its usual weight is 30 kg. See the norm for 30 kg - let's say it's 330 g. Subtract 1/3 from the norm. In total, your dog weighing 33 kg should eat only 220 grams of food per day to start losing weight. Keep on this diet for at least 2-3 weeks. If you “feel sorry” for your dog losing weight and he is such a cute fat guy, then over time, prepare money for veterinarians to treat the liver, diabetes and joints. For the diet to be effective, walking and exercise must be increased by at least 1/3. If the walks were a scanty 20-30 minutes a day, then they should become at least 1 hour a day.
• Bitches during estrus are usually forced to limit their walks for a long period of 3-4 weeks. To prevent excess weight gain, it is necessary to reduce food intake by 10-20% in proportion to the decrease in exercise. Dogs tend to become overweight after sterilization - this is rather a myth. A properly selected diet and walks effectively prevent weight gain. Intellectual exercise - training is as effective at burning fat as physical exercise - fitness.
• Tendency to thinness. If this is your case, then it is important to choose food with a high percentage of protein. And with heavy physical activity or training, even with a significant percentage of fat. Do not confuse thinness with an athletic physique. Males often have a lean groin and a pronounced waist with a strongly developed chest and bright angulations of the hind legs. The waist of a male dog should be narrower than the ribs, especially if the ribs are wide and well arched. The ribs should have muscle and a thin layer of fat. The difficulty of the breed is that thinness in retrievers is not immediately noticeable due to the long coat, which creates bulk in the body. If there are no muscles and the ribs in front of you are as clear as a washboard, then you urgently need to increase the feeding rate. Choose a more digestible diet. And it is MANDATORY to look for a non-food reason for weight loss (this could be hidden non-contagious diseases, helminthic infestation, stress). The extreme stage of exhaustion and loss of muscle mass may also be associated with the conditions of detention. Cellular content without the possibility of active movements leads to gradual thinning and fragility of bones that do not experience stress, and to atrophy of skeletal muscles - this is theoretical science... Practice, alas, confirms the theory.
• Tendency to allergies. There is a common point of view that if you are allergic, then it is to Chicken! However, allergies to Corn, Gluten, Excess Protein, and Excess Vitamins are also common. The modern pet industry and food industry successfully solves this issue by offering a choice of diets with various sources of protein, as well as gluten-free and grain-free food options. Don’t believe the “know-it-alls” who tell you that everything comes from the same barrel. This is wrong.
• Yes, the Golden Retriever is NOT the easiest breed to have allergies. CHARACTER and at the same time a certain APPEARANCE were put at the forefront. We bred a trainable dog, a good family companion, a multi-functional assistant, and NOT a PIG, capable of eating everything that was given (!) Something suits each dog, and something does not. Everything is individual, but choosing food is real!
• Responsibility in feeding. Of course, with allergies (as well as with diarrhea), the FOOD is always to blame (!) NOT the children who gave candy, NOT the grandmother and a pack of sugar cookies, NOT the guests with the barbecue, NOT the dog itself - the picker... The prose of life - The Silent Pack of Rusks will endure everything :))) it is always extreme. The dog doesn’t know that it can’t have liver, or that industrial delicacy like a friend’s, but you, the Owner, will gradually learn about this over the course of life, and it’s in your power to control what your dog is treated to.
• Gastrointestinal sensitivity unfortunately occurs in about 5% of the breed and in some bloodlines. It is very important to choose a gentle diet. For some it will be half-empty Chappie, for others it will be Monge Gastro Intestinal, for others it will be Greenhart Anti-Elergy. If the food is chosen correctly, then there should be no periodic gastrointestinal upsets, vomiting and diarrhea every 10 days or every 3-4 weeks. Changing suitable food for a dog with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract is contraindicated (!) There is no need for “diversity” - it will necessarily be expressed as: diarrhea at 3 or 5 in the morning, vomiting 4 or 8 times - that’s all your “diversity” with your dog.
• The causes of gastrointestinal disruptions may not be in the feeding itself! It is necessary to exclude helminthic infestations. Intoxication and colic, which are caused by helminths, are often the true cause of gastrointestinal disorders, and not the Silent Pack of Rusks. Deworming should be carried out once every 3-4 months for adult dogs. It is necessary to exclude chronic general diseases, primarily of the stomach, intestines, liver and kidneys. Abdominal ultrasound and blood tests are very informative in this case. Kaprogram will also help you understand how much food is digested. It is necessary to exclude infectious diseases and regularly vaccinate the dog. Most infectious diseases strike their first blow in the gastrointestinal tract. Before blaming food and other everyday causes for the breakdown of the gastrointestinal tract, let’s open the veterinary passport and see if the dog has protection against infectious diseases?
• Convenient size of granules, their fragility. It would seem complete nonsense, and not a criterion... but it is important to know: GOLDEN IS NOT A LABRADOR! Labrador retrievers have an excellent appetite and are ready to eat anything that is not pinned down. Labradors love to eat. “Food - I Love You” is their motto. Among the golden ones there are some dogs who care about the shape of what they eat! “Oatmeal, Se-er!” this is about them... They care not only about What you served, but also How, and also - In what tone you invited them to eat, and whether you were standing next to it :))) Yes, these are the “weirdos”... and there are about 50% of them. If we talk about why manufacturers make granules of different sizes, then it is worth considering that food for adult dogs and for large breeds have larger granules and are liked by those dogs who like to bite and chew food. Large granules are also better at preventing plaque formation. Foods for older dogs tend to have more porous, brittle kibble so that older dogs can easily bite through them, even if they have dental problems. Food for medium breeds is more suitable for those dogs who suck food from a bowl like a vacuum cleaner on the count of two or three and without even chewing! Puppy food is usually small in size, adapted to the size of the dog.
• Taste appeal of the diet Most feeds use flavoring and aromatic additives (Pro Plan, Royal Canin). Monge producers managed to achieve good palatability due to a large percentage of meat ingredients and the widest selection of protein sources. Don't want Chicken? - here you have Lamb, Salmon, Rabbit, White fish, Pork. If a dog does not eat anything at all, it means that it is either sick or experiencing physical inactivity. We need to solve these problems, and not run to change the taste of kurma. Very often, “he eats very little” in the owner’s interpretation - this is in fact the daily norm... For satiety and meeting the vital needs of food, 300-400 grams, 2 glasses, and not 2 pans, as is the case with natural food, may be enough.
• The ratio of price and quality of the diet. The dispute between natural feeding adherents and dry food adherents never ceases. Everyone has their own experience and their own truth. We advocate raising a large breed puppy on balanced, high-quality dry food for at least a year, while the process of bone formation takes place. Severe Rickets and Vitamin Deficiencies, Arthritis and Dysplasia have become memories of dog breeders during the USSR and scary pictures from textbooks thanks to the production of ready-made balanced dry dog ​​food! This is the experience of Veterinary Practitioners!!! The number of people who want to keep a dog is many times greater than the number of people who want and can understand nutrition THEMSELVES. Professional dry food is a modern way out of the situation. High-quality dry food is in the best interests of the dog. And of course TIME , how much free time does a modern person have? While you stand at the stove and cook in the old fashioned way... - my dog ​​goes for a walk at this hour

Feed rate and measuring cup.

“How much to weigh in grams”

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Food MONGE / MONGE Italy.

Food MONGE / MONGE Italy. Time-tested quality.

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Food Purina PRO PLAN Russia

Purina PRO PLAN food / selection and advice for our breed.

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Eukanuba / Eukanuba

Eukanuba - Thank you for our champions!

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FITMIN

food with high meat content, produced in the Czech Republic

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ROYAL CANIN / Royal Canin

ROYAL CANIN balanced nutrition for every day

and veterinary diets in case of illness.

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Feeding

A natural diet will not be the answer for your pet.
Ready-made mixtures contain the necessary micro- and macroelements, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The retriever requires high protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, which will provide building material for the formation of bones and muscles, and energy for training. Take the Attention Test! Find 10 differences! (click right here!)

Find the answer Are you bothered by some problem or question? Enter “Breed” or “Name of the problem” into the form, press Enter and you will find out everything about the issue that interests you.

Veterinarians recommend a product class no less than premium. If an animal has digestive problems or food is poorly digested, choose holistic food, the absorption of which reaches 95%. The animal's diet is based on at least a third of proteins.

They were found in lamb, beef, chicken, and fish. To obtain Omega-2 and Omega-6 fatty acids, fish oil is added to the mixture, which improves the condition of the coat, skin and prevents allergies. There are few complex carbohydrates in dry dog ​​food, but they are used as a source of energy. To improve digestion, fiber-rich vegetables, plant fibers and seeds are added to the food.

General rules for feeding a golden retriever

The question “natural menu or food” is an age-old question, but, according to dog breeders, there is not much difference. The main thing is to choose what your pet will like. Here are some basic principles.

1. Give your retriever only fresh and high-quality food;
2. Feed your pet only at strictly prescribed times and after walks. It is better not to have snacks between meals;
3. If your pet refuses to eat, there is no need to force him. Better show it to the vet.

Belcando Junior Maxi for large and giant breed puppies from 3 to 18 months (15 kg)

Many experts recommend Belcando Junior, made in Germany, for large dogs. Its composition is rich in a high content of poultry meat, in addition to easily digestible rice, which helps good digestion and absorption of useful components. The recipe contains carob fruits, which contain tannins and substances important for life that have an effect on proper digestion. Belongs to the super premium class.

pros

• A complete, balanced complex of nutrients.
• Healthy pet.
• Convenient, economical packaging.
• A wide range of.
• Availability.
• German quality.

Minuses

• Causes an allergic reaction.
• Not all dogs like it.
• Not sold in all Russian cities.
• Composition with sodium chloride.
• Large granules of strange color.
• Poor combination with vitamins and other products.
• There is a minimum of meat, but a maximum of cereals.

Acana Puppy Large Breed, 11.4 kg

Acana Puppy appeals to every furry friend and turns into a favorite bowl. Transforms the animal's fur into smooth and silky, bones will be stronger, and more energy will appear. Thanks to these crackers, your beloved friend is provided with a balanced diet. Many breeders of our smaller four-legged brothers recommend them to everyone else. This is a holistic class.

pros

• Natural.
• Without smell.
• Large packaging.

Minuses

• High price.
• There is a fishy smell.

Royal Canin Maxi Adult dry for large breed dogs, 15 kg

The animal receives a complete diet thanks to Royal Canin. It is designed for individuals weighing from 26 to 44 kilograms, aged from 15 months to 5 years. Its dry granules contain a unique complex of nutrients that helps the digestive system function optimally. They contain a lot of protein, creating a balance with dietary fiber. Royal has natural taste properties with an aroma that evokes excellent appetite in our smaller four-legged brothers. Category: premium.

pros

• Balanced composition.
• High quality.
• Promotes good digestion.
• Maintaining optimal shape and weight.
• Healthy coat, skin, teeth.
• Convenient, practical packaging.
• The pet likes it.
• Gives activity.
• The crackers smell nice.

Minuses

• The packaging is made of paper and does not close after opening.
• Unattractive looking bag of granules.
• Possible only from 15 months to 5 years.

Golden Retriever puppy (2 months): appearance

Golden Retriever: puppy (2 months old) weighs 7-8 kg.

• His height is 30-32 cm;
• head – 29-32 cm in girth;
• chest – 45-46 cm;
• muzzle – 20-22 cm;
• metacarpal girth – 4.5-5.5 cm;
• girth of the tong – 10.5-11 cm.

Golden retriever (puppy 2 months): photo.

Almo Nature Holistic beef 12 kg (for large breeds)

Italian crackers of excellent quality with meat additives do not violate European standards. They have the aroma of real meat, causing an excellent appetite in your beloved pet. They contain protein, but in minimal quantities. The animal receives adequate nutrition by consuming it regularly. Almo Nature belongs to the super premium category.

pros

• Dogs love its taste.
• Hypoallergenic.
• Wide range of tastes.
• Fresh natural ingredients.
• There are no artificial additives, dyes, preservatives, or flavors.

Minuses

• Sometimes causes hair loss.
• The pet may refuse to eat it.

Purina Pro Plan Optiderma for Healthy Skin and Coat, Salmon with Rice, 14 kg (Large Breeds)

A healthy body and the well-being of an animal are the result of its optimal nutrition. Purina Pro Plan was developed by Russian veterinarians and nutritionists. The composition includes specially selected nutritional components for four-legged pets of different sizes, weights and ages. It suits even special preferences and keeps the animal in excellent condition. Belongs to the premium class.

pros

• Decent composition.
• Wide range for any age, size.
• Nutritious with all the vitamin complex.

Minuses

• Flavoring additive.
• Doesn't cause much appetite.
• Not available everywhere.
• Creates increased gas formation.

Brit Care lamb with rice 12 kg (for large breeds)

The food is produced in the Czech Republic. It is rich in protein due to the significant amount of natural meat and fish in the recipe. Rice is used, enriching the body with carbohydrates, including fish and chicken oil, which produce fatty acids. Brit Care is most useful for large breeds, because its components prevent joint diseases - a problem for many large four-legged pets. Premium and super - premium class.

pros

• Vitamins and minerals in balance.
• Hypoallergenic.
• Nice smell.
• Causes a huge appetite.
• Optimal size granules.
• High quality.
• For a healthy pet's body.

Minuses

• It smells strong.
• Unpleasant color.
• Too dry.
• Not suitable for all breeds.
• Insufficient bag volume - up to 12 kilograms.

OUR DIET WITH BEEF, 15 kg

OUR DIET, produced in Russia, provides the body of four-legged pets with the entire complex of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are so necessary for health. The composition contains natural ingredients, probiotics that support the immune system. The dog is healthy and active all day long thanks to fatty acids, chicken and salmon fat. The listed components are present in the specified diet. Considered economy class.

pros

• Qualitative.
• The dog eats with pleasure.
• Gives activity to the animal.
• The fur shines and shines.
• Well absorbed.
• Choice of flavors.

Minuses

• Large granules.
• Cats eat.
• Only for large representatives of the breed.

Pedigree for healthy skin and coat, beef, 13 kg (for large breeds)

PEDIGREE helps reduce the risk of tartar and plaque formation on your pet’s teeth. Provides him with normal digestion. It is preferable to feed your pet dry food in a container separate from wet food, and ensure the availability of fresh drinking water. This is quite healthy, tasty dog ​​food. It is produced taking into account the physiological needs of a large four-legged pet. The food is produced by a Russian company and is designed for the economy category.

pros

• Convenient packaging.
• Pleasant aromatic and taste properties.
• The pet eats with pleasure.
• No artificial flavors.
• High quality crackers.
• Comfortable in using.
• Lots of vitamins.
• The coat takes on a healthy, beautiful appearance.

Minuses

• Negative reputation.
• Missing useful components.
• Worse than normal nutrition.
• Doesn't do any good.
• Harmful to the health of the animal.
• The pet quickly gets used to this food and does not eat anything else.
• Increases salivation.

Important nuances when getting a puppy

When planning to bring a retriever puppy into your home, you need to prepare dishes for it in advance - 2 stainless steel bowls (for food and water). The dishes must be installed on a special adjustable bracket that is fixed at the level of the animal’s knees. Using such a stand will ensure the correct formation of your pet's skeleton.

When a puppy is taken away from its mother and siblings, it begins to experience stress, so the new place of residence should be as comfortable as possible to make it easier for the pet to endure this difficult period. Be sure to ask the breeder what type of food the little retriever is accustomed to, and try to stick to this method at first. Then you can gradually change the diet to the one that you consider optimal.

CHAPPI MEAT ABUNDANCE WITH VEGETABLES AND HERBS, adults

CHAPPI is produced in Russia for economy class. It contains cereals, which are considered the best sources of carbohydrates. Proteins are present in the form of meat and offal. Use vegetables, for example, carrots, vegetable oils. CHAPPI is convenient because there is no need to add vitamins to it; they are already contained in sufficient quantities.

https://dog-care.ru/zdorove/pitanie/luchshih-suhih-kormov-dlya-zolotistogo-retrivera.html

pros

• Wide availability.
• Nutritious food.
• Does not cause constipation in the animal.
• Decent quality.
• Promotes healthy appearance of coat and teeth.
• Doggies like it.
• There are no artificial flavors or flavor enhancers.

Minuses

• Treatment of the animal after eating these dry granules.
• Bad composition.
• Allergic reactions.
• Hair falls out.
• Bloating.
• Not suitable for all individuals.
• Unattractive packaging.

How to choose dry food?

Feeding a pet with dry food, although it takes less time from the owner, requires the same great responsibility from him as when preparing a traditional diet. To keep your retriever in good shape, you need to carefully select his food.

When selecting food, pay attention to the following nuances:

• level of vitamin content in feed;
• energy value of the product;
• age and lifestyle of the pet.

The easiest way to select a diet is based on the age of your four-legged friend, because there are special balanced mixtures for puppies, teenage puppies, adults and older dogs. There are also separate varieties intended for nursing bitches.

The level of protein in food depends on the pet’s lifestyle. The standard rate of this element in food for a retriever puppy is about 32%, and for an adult dog - no more than 25%. If the dog is active and has a good metabolism, the percentage of protein can be increased, but it is very important not to overdo it. A large amount of protein can cause obesity in a retriever, because such rich food is intended for pets of giant breeds.

Despite the fact that there is a general standard of diet, it is better to select food individually for each individual pet. Each individual dog has a different metabolism and leads its own lifestyle (active or sedentary), so a normal portion for one retriever may be too small or too large for another.

It is also important to remember that some foods can cause an allergic reaction in the animal. For this reason, do not buy large quantities of any variety at once - it is better to buy very little and gradually introduce new foods into your diet. If a negative reaction to the food occurs, it is necessary to switch the retriever to a diet for dogs with allergies.

ALL DOGS (13 kg) Dry complete

ALL DOGS, according to many dog ​​breeders, is considered a complete diet for our smaller four-legged brothers of any breed, size, age and activity level. Each owner adjusts its portions according to the needs of their pet. Together with it, the pet receives a complex of essential nutrients for life. The food is produced in Denmark, based on the latest research on pet nutrition and international standards, which indicate recommended levels of nutritional content. It belongs to the economy class.

pros

• Suitable for almost all breeds.
• Quite popular due to its excellent composition.
• Induces pleasure while eating.
• Excellent oral hygiene and plaque removal.
• Does not contain GMOs, excess or artificial additives.

Minuses

• Not suitable for everyone.
• Insufficient amount of protein.
• You need to add vitamins and natural meat.
• Poor assortment from the manufacturer.

Most of the listed types of dry food, we recommend paying attention to Belcando Junior Maxi and Royal Canin Maxi Adult in the ranking of the best.

This food is based on natural ingredients. Proper nutrition is the key to a healthy body and excellent physical condition of any animal.

The price of these feeds is high, but it is worth it. Moreover, they contain all the useful components, including vitamins, and your beloved pet receives adequate nutrition.

How many grams of food should you give your Yorkie puppy?

Yorkie is a proud and brave dog, but at the same time very small. Accordingly, she also eats little: for example, the daily allowance of dry food for a dog is only 40–70 grams (about 20–25 g per 1 kg of weight).

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Feeding recommendations for large breed dogs

Large dogs have no less appetite. Individuals with large dimensions have a slower metabolism, they need fewer calories and fat, and they require a higher protein content to maintain shape.

Dry food for large pets varies in granule sizes. For large animals, they are produced about one and a half centimeters in diameter. A smaller granule size will not provide the jaws with full function, which is important for the dog’s health.

Adult pets are fed twice a day, after morning and evening walks. Breakfast and dinner take no more than a quarter of an hour. The bowl is removed even if the food is not eaten. The animal should always have access to clean, fresh water.

The daily amount of food for animals is not the same for equal sizes. It depends on the load experienced by the pet since the last meal. If your pet actively trains or spends a lot of time walking outside, the serving size is increased by a third. If the load is reduced, the pet does not walk much, rests or sleeps more time, the portion is reduced by about 15 percent.

The main indicator of a proper diet is a healthy, well-fed, strong dog whose weight is within the normal range for its age.

Large active animals, service animals, workers, need high-quality nutrition. Suitable feeds marked “energy” or “active”, varieties of “super-premium” or “premium” classes. They contain enough calories, are nutritious, and help improve the digestive system. This diet includes vitamins, dietary supplements, proteins, and amino acids.

It is impossible to give the animal food before training, an active walk or immediately after. Large dogs are at much higher risk of developing volvulus or intestinal blockage than their smaller dogs. These situations are dangerous and require urgent veterinary intervention. After a significant load, you can give the animal to eat after about one hour.

Golden retriever puppy (2 months): conditions and care

First of all, you need to choose a place where the puppy will be lying. It should be in a quiet corner, away from drafts. But, at the same time, the entire territory must be visible so that he can observe all events from there. There should not be an air conditioner or central heating radiator nearby. Buy a comfortable bed. To make it easier for the puppy to get used to the new place, place a cloth there with the smell of his mother. Of course, for this you need to take it from the breeder in advance.

How to care for your puppy before vaccination

It is important that the puppy does not come into contact with other animals until all vaccinations are completed. Vaccinations are only given to healthy puppies. This is important for the formation of stable immunity. The baby's immunity can be affected by the conditions of detention. For example, it is important whether the puppy is kept at home or in an enclosure. Is there contact with other animals?

Before each vaccination, the pet must be treated for worms (one week before vaccination).

You cannot walk your puppy outside until you have completed all vaccinations and completed quarantine. Therefore, if you have an apartment, you will have to teach your pet to wear a diaper. The place for the toilet should be chosen away from the kitchen. Place a diaper on this place. It's good if you treat it with a product from a pet store. For example, Go Here. The puppy will go to the toilet there, then will sniff and follow the smell. And gradually the habit of writing in a certain place will appear. You can put the diaper on the tray. Then the baby will quickly understand what you want from him.

Keep in mind that your baby may disappoint you even after he has gone to the right place several times. It is better to remove all carpets in advance for the first time. Cover upholstered furniture with oilcloth.

How to care for a puppy after vaccinations?

If the baby is given to new owners at 2 months, then vaccinations at 8 and 12 weeks. Sometimes, along with the dog, new owners receive a veterinary passport with a note about the vaccination. Because breeders can vaccinate a puppy themselves.

The formation of immunity lasts 2-4 weeks after vaccination. Therefore, during these days it is important to avoid contact with unvaccinated dogs. Avoid going to dog parks and places where there are a lot of dogs.

Do not bathe your puppy for a week after vaccination.

Following these simple recommendations will help keep your baby healthy after vaccination.

After the last vaccination and quarantine period, start going for walks. At first, you need to walk your pet 6-7 times a day. In the morning, after each feeding and in the evening, before bed. However, puddles can appear in an apartment for up to six months. Be patient. The dog will grow up and learn to control itself.

Golden retriever puppy (2 months): photo.

How to care for a golden puppy at home

You need to bathe your baby using puppy shampoo. Human products are not suitable because they are made for hair, not dog hair. If you only have shampoo for an adult dog on hand, you should dilute it with water before use, since a puppy's coat is softer. Do not bathe your baby more than once a month, as shampoo damages the protective fatty layer of the skin.

You can dry your pet with a hairdryer, setting it to a quiet setting.

From the very beginning, teach your puppy to patiently withstand grooming procedures: brushing, cutting nails, grooming.

A 2-month-old golden retriever puppy is an active, cheerful creature that requires constant attention from family members. Games are a vital necessity for him. They help establish contact with the owner,

What vitamins are needed when feeding large breed dogs?

Vitamin complexes are an essential element of the diet of dogs fed boiled meat, offal and vegetables. But when feeding dry food, you may need to take additional vitamins. So that the supplement contains:

• Vitamin C is needed for the functioning of the immune system and ensures the full development of the muscular system, bones, joints, and teeth.
• Vitamin D - used for the formation of the skeleton, especially needed by puppies during the first year of their life.
• Calcium is absorbed along with vitamin D, used to form teeth, skeletal bones, and makes the coat beautiful and shiny.

For large dogs, vitamin complexes are suitable - Beaphar Top 10 Chondro Treat, Unitabs Immuno Complex and others.

Feeding a puppy and an adult dog

There are two main types of feeding animals - home-made food (in the language of canine slang, “natural food”) and industrially produced food (respectively, “dried food”). In my opinion, both options are acceptable if they are a) of the highest quality, b) suitable for a particular dog.

The term “suitable” means in this context that the dog, which is fed one way or another, is in excellent condition, has healthy, clean skin, shiny coat, clear eyes, and normal bowel movements.

If the dog has any deviations from the state of well-being: skin rashes, it itches, its eyes “run”, the molting period is prolonged and the coat is in poor condition, redness, rash and excess ear discharge are observed in the ears, the stool is unstable, the dog too thin, etc. - this is a reason, firstly, to get tested, and secondly, to review the diet in the direction of changing it.

homemade diets

For home diets, one very general rule can be given: half the diet should consist of meat products (at the rate of 10-20g per 1 kg of weight for an adult dog), 1/4 of the diet should be cereals, 1/4 of the diet should be vegetables.

Meat products are beef (not tenderloin, but meat with veins and cartilage, meat trimmings, flank, etc.) and beef by-products (liver, lungs, kidneys, tripe), lamb, turkey, chicken, rabbit. Cereals - rice and buckwheat. Vegetables - cabbage, carrots, turnips, beets, zucchini, etc.

Thick porridge is cooked from cereals, stewed vegetables and meat (either raw or also stewed) are added to it.

Fermented milk products (cottage cheese, kefir, fermented baked milk) and eggs can also be added to the diet.

industrial rations

Industrially produced feed can be divided into three main categories: economical, regular, premium and super-premium.

Feed in the “economical” category is made from the most accessible and cheapest raw materials. Manufacturers of these feeds do not always ensure that the feed meets the physiological needs of animals at different periods of life. “Economy” foods include: Chappie, Pedigree, etc.

Food in the “regular” category has a variable composition of ingredients. Some ingredients (table salt, calcium phosphate, etc.) are standard, while the content of others (fish, meat, offal, grains, bone meal) varies depending on their availability. This circumstance may affect the quality of the feed. “Regular” foods include: Friskies, Darling, etc.

“First-class” food is fully balanced in accordance with the optimal needs of animals and adapted to certain age periods and the physiological state of animals. Only high-quality ingredients are used in their preparation.

“First-class” food is divided into 2 levels of food: premium and superpremium. Premium level food is Pronature, Top Winner, etc. Super-premium level food is 1st Choice, Bosch, Purina, Royal Canin, etc. There are series of “first-class food” that combine both premium and super-premium class (for example, Happy Dog, Bosch).

Feed additives.

No matter how excellent food is given to a dog, due to climatic conditions, poor water quality, and individual needs, a lack of vitamins and minerals may occur in its body. To prevent this, it is advisable to supplement the diet with mineral and vitamin supplements, in accordance with the dog’s needs. Mineral and vitamin supplements of the “Canvit”, “8 in 1”, “Polidex” series, etc. have proven themselves well.

Feeding regimen

? from 2 to 4 months - 4-5 times a day,

? from 4 to 6 months – 3-4 times a day,

? from 6 to 9 months – 3 times a day,

? after 9 months – 2 times a day.

? The dog should always be fed only after a walk

? The dog should always have free access to water.

a little from practice

I feed my dogs prepared “first-class” food, and I recommend that puppy owners do the same, at least until the puppy reaches the age of 1 year.

But if for some reason you are a categorical supporter of “natural feeding”, this is one of the options for the daily diet of a Golden Retriever puppy. Please note that this is an approximate daily diet.

Approximate daily diet for a Golden Retriever when fed natural products

(according to M. Kirzhner, from the book Breeding dogs of popular breeds. Rostov-on-Don, publishing house Phoenix, 2002)

2-3 months (number of feedings – 5 times a day)

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How to Feed a Large Breed Dog Puppy as opposed to an Adult Dog

A young animal cannot be fed in the same way as an adult pet. If the size of the puppy exceeds the height of a medium-sized dog, its bones, teeth, and gastrointestinal tract are in the development stage.

This imposes restrictions on the diet:

• Overfeeding and underfeeding a puppy will be equally harmful. But feeds usually contain tables that can be used to calculate the required volume of feed depending on the weight and age of the pet.
• The number of feedings depends on age. At 2 months, puppies are fed up to seven times a day, distributing food evenly throughout the day. By the age of one year, the number of feedings is gradually reduced, bringing it to 2 or 3 times a day. Sudden changes in the amount of food should not be allowed.
• Regardless of whether the pet eats dry food or natural products, it must have access to clean water or milk around the clock. This is especially important for puppies; when eating dry food, there is a high risk of dehydration.

When purchasing a puppy, it is important to discuss with the breeder what the animal ate before the move. It is impossible to abruptly change the diet from natural food to dry food or vice versa. This leads to problems with the stomach, which is sensitive in the young individual.

In case of food intolerance, puppies experience diarrhea or constipation, and allergic reactions are possible. Small dogs are prone to them; large breed puppies do not yet have strong enough immunity. The transition from one type of food to another or changing the brand of food is carried out smoothly and accurately.

Raising a Golden Retriever puppy: feeding by month

For a newborn puppy, the only food is mother's milk. Until about 6 weeks they refuse complementary foods. Many breeders begin to feed puppies with industrial food, adding some natural products (meat, cottage cheese). But the owner can decide for himself what to feed his golden retriever puppy. The main thing is to monitor the quality of the food and the puppy’s reaction to it. Weight gain and healthy appearance will be the main indicators of the puppy’s feeding quality.

Feeding by month, namely the selection of diet and calculation of portions, is very individual and depends on the breed, gender, and weight of the puppies. How to properly feed a golden retriever puppy by month is best determined by focusing on a specific animal, namely its weight gain. For Golden Retriever puppies, standard feeding schedules and rules are quite suitable (see the article Puppy Feeding Schedule - Feeding Tables and Charts). It is worth remembering that the Golden grows rapidly up to 6 months and its weight at this age can already be 25 kg.

Feeding by month provides not only an increase in portions, but also the introduction of one or another product. For example, for goldens up to 3 months old, half of the diet is recommended to consist of cottage cheese, since its skeleton is rapidly developing and calcium is vital for it. Later, the amount of cottage cheese can be reduced in favor of meat, and from 4 months it is allowed to include offal (liver, lungs, heart, spleen).

• the pet must always have access to fresh water;
• useful additives when feeding natural food are welcome;
• Under no circumstances should you feed your Golden with food from your table!

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How to feed pregnant large breed dogs

A lack of nutrients in a pregnant bitch's diet will harm her and her puppies, as will an excess of them. Before mating, the dog is given high-quality dry food for adult animals. Once pregnancy is established, there is no sudden change in diet. Portions remain the same while the dog is in the early stages of pregnancy. Excessive nutrition at this stage leads to obesity, which increases the risk of complications during childbirth and endangers the lives of the dog and puppies.

In the third week, the animal may refuse food for up to a week. Active development of the offspring begins in the fifth or sixth week, at which time the daily portion is increased. The serving size is increased by about one third.

As for the brand and class of food, there are groups of food for lactating and pregnant females. Some breeders replace them with puppy food. They contain many useful substances that the expectant mother needs: calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, E, C and D. It is acceptable to use food of the “holistic” and “super-premium” classes.

Supplements for pregnant bitches improve the well-being of the female and ensure the health of the offspring. Products such as “Quantum ICD Dog-Mama” relieve toxicosis, “Farmina Vit-Active for pregnant and lactating dogs” compensates for the lack of vitamins and minerals, “Unitabs MamaCare” is easily absorbed by animals thanks to its natural flavoring.

Main types of diet for retrievers

There are three methods of feeding purebred dogs: classic, mixed and dry. Let's take a closer look at each type of diet.

• Classical. The diet is considered traditional, because it consists exclusively of natural food. It includes the following products: cereals, vegetables, cottage cheese, raw meat, fish and crackers. Feeding a pet using the traditional method is not easy - it takes a lot of time and requires high costs for quality ingredients. However, if the owner is ready to pay enough attention to his retriever, then this option will be the best, because only natural nutrition can provide the dog’s body with all the necessary microelements. When choosing a classic feeding method, it is necessary to correctly balance the percentage of ingredients. The diet must be balanced so that the dog does not suffer from vitamin deficiency, hypervitaminosis, rickets or other diseases. Most of the daily portions should consist of meat, which cannot be skimped on - eating only cereals and vegetables will have a bad effect on the animal’s health.
• Mixed. The method includes elements of a traditional and dry diet. The main rule of this method is not to mix different types of food in one plate. One meal should consist of either dry food or a classic dish. Alternating different foods will make the diet more varied, which will avoid a situation in which the dog gets tired of the same type of food. The mixed method allows you to alternate dry food with different traditional dishes - cottage cheese, meat with rice, lean fish with vegetables and black bread crackers.
• Dry. Feeding dry food does not take much time from the owners, but it also does not save money. A diet of inexpensive food can be a substitute for a nutritious diet, but only as a temporary measure. To ensure that your pet receives all the vitamins and microelements necessary for health, it is better to choose a high-quality, balanced variety of food. Nutrition must be appropriate to the age and lifestyle of the retriever so that he receives enough nutrients and at the same time does not gain excess weight. Dry food can be alternated with canned food for dogs - this will slightly diversify the diet and will not take up much of the owner’s time.

Regardless of the type of feeding chosen, the retriever should always have access to clean, cool water.