As with any other dog, when a Golden Retriever is growing, their food needs change. A puppy needs plenty of nutrients to grow and develop into a healthy adult dog. So how do you know when it is appropriate to switch from puppy to adult dog food?
Most experts recommend switching a golden retriever from puppy to adult food at around 18-24 months, with the most common window being around 18-20 months. This is around the age that your dog will reach their full adult height, meaning they won’t need the extra nutrition to continue growing as quickly.
There are many factors that go into making the switch, so be sure to keep yourself fully informed to keep your furry friend as healthy as possible.
The Difference Between Puppy Food and Dog Food
Simply put, puppy food is designed to somewhat mimic a mother dog’s milk. It has higher levels of protein and fat than adult blends, which help your dog’s body grow over their puppyhood and adolescence.
Puppy food is also higher in calories to help sustain the extremely high levels of energy in puppies. This is especially true in Goldens, which are a particularly active breed. The calories also go toward tissue growth and maturation.
How Long Should I Feed My Golden Retriever Puppy Food?
You should be feeding your Golden puppy food until they have reached their full height and are physically mature enough to transition to adult food. This means that their bones have matured enough that they no longer need the extra fats, proteins, and calcium in puppy food. It also means that they will be behaving in a more mature, adult way.
Some common signs that your dog is ready to transition are:
- Your dog is sleeping more than they used to.
- They are less energetic than they previously were (if they become lethargic, consult your vet).
- They are leaving small amounts of food in their bowl after each feeding.
- Their stool is consistently softer than usual.
All of this means that the extra nutrients and high-calorie content of puppy food are no longer necessary for your dog’s development, and may be overloading their system. Continuing to feed an adult dog puppy food can lead to unhealthy weight gain and digestive problems, so when you notice these signs, you’ll want to start the transitioning process.
If you’re unsure about whether or not the signs you’re seeing are an indication to change food or a sign of a more serious problem, be sure to talk with your vet for a professional opinion on your dog’s phase of growth to determine their individual needs. Every dog is different, so they may show different signs that they are ready to move on.
How to Transition Your Dog to Adult Food
You should never switch your dog to adult food cold-turkey, by simply replacing the old with the new completely. Just like in humans, switching diets completely is an intense shock to the system. This could lead to significant stomach upset and your dog developing an aversion to the new food, which will make it harder for them to adjust to it later on.
Instead, experts recommend that you try to introduce the new food to their diet slowly over the course of one or two weeks. This gives your dog’s body time to adjust to the new food and allows them to get familiar with the taste and texture of it. You can do this by gradually mixing in small amounts of adult food with their puppy mix, adjusting the ratios slowly over time until they are eating only adult food.
This may still cause some mild stomach upset as they adjust, so be prepared to deal with minor accidents over this time. If those accidents appear to be happening frequently or causing your dog significant distress, consult with your vet and slow down the transition process until they are comfortable enough to continue.
The Best Kinds of Dog Food for Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are considered large dogs, so should be put on an adult dog food that is specifically designed for larger breeds. As with any other dog, the food they eat should be approved by the AAFCO, which conducts quality control and ensures that a brand meets standards of safety and nutritional value.
When considering different brands, one of the biggest points is the actual composition of the food; dogs are omnivorous by nature, meaning that they are at their healthiest when their diet is varied and includes both meats and fruits and vegetables. That being said, you’ll still want to make sure that their food is more meat-based proteins than plant-based, as these are the easiest for their systems to digest.
You’ll also want to make sure that you are picking a food that matches your dog’s dietary needs and restrictions. Some dogs have a natural sensitivity to grains or other common ingredients, so keep that in mind when picking a food. If your dog shows intense aversion to a food or develops problems with their eyes, ears, or stomach during the switching process, consult your vet and try a different brand.
Gilbertsville Veterinary Hospital recommends Hill’s Science Diet and Royal Canin brands. Other popular brands for adult goldens include Wellness, Blue Buffalo, and Earthborn Holistic, all of which received a five-star rating from Dog Food Advisor.
Common Dog Feeding Mistakes
As cute as your dog’s begging face may be, try not to feed them any table scraps. Human food can upset their stomach, and may in some instances be directly poisonous to dogs. Instead, feed them vet-approved dog treats occasionally.
You’ll also want to adjust how many times per day you’re feeding your dog when they transition to adult food. While puppies will normally eat three meals a day, adult dogs won’t need as much food to sustain them. This means you’ll want to adjust their food schedule accordingly, taking it down to two meals a day when you’ve switched them to adult food.
Just as important as this, though, is that your dog’s food needs are not universal. If your dog only eats less than the recommended serving size or eats more, that’s perfectly natural. Those serving sizes are based on an average that may vary slightly depending on the dog. If they’ve got a clean bill of health from their vet, feed them whatever amount suits their needs.
Keep Your Furry Friend Healthy
Golden retrievers are classically known as one of the best family dogs. Not naturally predisposed to frequent barking and gentle enough to hold a raw egg in their mouths without cracking them, these dogs are among the easiest to socialize and raise. It’s no wonder that they are one of the most popular dog breeds around the world.
Like any other big dog breed, however, goldens are prone to certain health issues to do with their bones and joints. This is why having a proper diet is so important; it’s a preventative measure, to make sure their bones develop properly, and a mitigation measure, to make sure that any genetic problems are as well-managed and painless as possible. No one likes to see their dog hurting.
Making sure your dog is well-fed and has the nutrition they need makes sense; your dog is part of the family, and like any other family member, their health is important. If you keep a careful eye on your dog’s health and wellbeing throughout their life, you’ll have a dutiful furry friend for a wonderfully long time.