Golden retrievers are playful and very active dogs, making them one of the best dog breeds to have as pets. Golden retrievers have an infinite capacity of joy and love, from sitting at your feet to greeting owners at the door. But they need to be trained if you are looking to have them abide by your rules and become obedient. One of the best ways to get the most out of your golden retrievers is to keep up with the training, as well as provide them with the right diet. This brings us to one important pointer and one that involves understanding the diet of golden retrievers.
Occasionally, Provide Them A Raw Diet
The best time to give a raw diet to golden retrievers is when they are four weeks old. Raw diet includes vegetables, raw meat, fruits, and fish. Before feeding the dog a raw diet, it is vital to ensure that the dog receives the right nutrients to stay healthy. It can be challenging to ensure that you are not over or under-feeding the dog. Overfeeding will only cause your dog to be overweight. The thing is, an overweight Golden Retriever is at risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases and other relatable ailments. If this happens, change their diet, exercise them, and only invest in foods recommended by your vet.
Do Not Forget To Share Your Home-Cooked Meals With Them
Some owners are naturally home-feeders. There are various reasons individuals choose to feed golden retrievers home food. One of these reasons is to strengthen their relationship with these dogs. Cooking food from home is also an excellent way to maintain a moderate level of fat for the dogs. Some golden retrievers can refuse to eat commercial foods, another reason for home-cooked meals. There are several drawbacks associated with making dog food from home such as might involve not knowing the right ingredients to use. It is therefore advisable to consult a veterinarian before cooking food for golden retrievers.
Dry Foods Are A Charmer
Like all canines, golden retrievers need to occasionally be fed dry food. This helps to keep those teeth sharp and healthy. You might consider throwing a bone every now and then, but it’s critical to ensure that the bone is clean and free from any germs. There are two types of dry foods you can give to your dog. They are:
- Kibble food – Your dog’s health will be determined by the type of foods you feed them. Don’t be alarmed by the name Kibble. This is just a term used to refer to dry dog food. In most cases, it’s a mixture of fortified all the right ingredients. To know whether you are giving your golden the right kibble foods, ensure to check that it contains proteins, healthy fats, and vitamins. Kibble foods are not created equal the reason to consult a vet concerning your dog’s nutritional needs
- Cold-pressed food – It’s as the name suggests. The production of these foods involves pressing them at low temperatures. Since no heat or steam is used, it ensures that all the ingredients are not lost
Kibble food involves grounded meals with different sizes and shapes, usually made by baking under high temperatures. Cold-pressed foods, on the other hand, are foods made by cooking. Cooking these foods requires low temperatures, hence high nutritional levels, flavor, and vitamins. Kibble and cold-pressed foods have high nutrients and are less expensive compared to wet foods. If your dog turns away from dry food, try adding warm water to make it tasty. Mixing the foods up with other meals like chicken, tuna, or yogurt also helps change the texture and flavor of dry foods.
Offer Your Golden Some Wet Foods
Wet food consists of 75% moisture. These foods have a high water content with fewer nutrients, the reason experts advise on larger quantities for maximum nutrients. When buying wet foods for golden retrievers, it is vital to check the cans for high proteins. Wet foods can be costly but worth every penny, especially when your dog enjoys them. When choosing wet foods, avoid buying semi-moist foods as they have the least nutritional value. Semi-moist foods tend to have chemical preservatives and artificial colors, which are not good for dog’s health.
Freeze-Fried And Dehydrated Foods
One of the best diet combinations for golden retrievers is freeze-dried and dehydrated foods. The two don’t need artificial preservatives as they extract moisture from the foods. Dehydrated foods contain whole enzymes and nutrients as the foods are not fully cooked. Remember to add water to dehydrated foods to make them edible. An additional advantage of these foods is that they are easy to prepare and store. Freeze-fried foods are high nutritional food options made of a raw diet and then repackaged in containers. The diet has a combination of high proteins with fruits and vegetables. If you want your golden retriever to feed on a raw diet without handling raw foods, then freeze-fried foods are the best choice for you.
Feeding Golden Retriever Puppies
If the puppies are still breastfeeding, then they’ll be getting most of their nutrients from the mother’s milk. It’s for this cause that pregnant and breastfeeding goldens need a high-quality diet. As for the puppies, you’ll need to take time before introducing them to food. Transitioning from their mother’s milk to wet or dry foods takes time and patience. There are foods made specifically for puppies that can help provide them with all their nutritional needs. You also have orphaned puppies that require a great deal of attention. This is where puppy formulas come in handy. Ensure to consult your vet before introducing such puppies to just any type of formula.
The need to understand the diet of a golden retriever is vital for their growth. There are various types of diets available in pet stores that can offer you a solution. Always remember to follow the guidelines stated in the manufacturer’s feeding guides for optimum benefits. Also, taking your golden for regular checkups can help detect any signs of malnutrition. Your vet will advise you on the best supplements to give them as well as what shots they might need. A good diet should be accompanied by exercises. This is key as it helps your dog to grow healthier, stronger, and most importantly happy.
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash
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