The Golden Retriever is a breed of dog recognized for its loyal, loving nature and high energy levels. They are also known as the “working” or “hunting” retriever, which makes sense since they were bred to retrieve game from water.

There are two types of Golden Retrievers – one that is used for hunting purposes and another that is more of a companion animal. The hunting dogs are usually larger than their companion breeds, but do not weigh much less than 50 pounds. Their coats are short and smooth, and their bodies have a stocky build. They are often black, though some are white or tan in color.

The companion dogs, on the other hand, are often smaller in size and weight, weighing between 20-50 pounds. They are generally friendly, playful, and affectionate. While these dogs may be happy to stay home with you all day long, many will still need exercise every day.

If you decide to get a Golden Retriever, there are things you should know about their dietary needs. Below we discuss the nutritional requirements for the Golden Retriever so you can ensure your pet is getting what it needs to maintain his health and energy levels at peak performance.

Nutritional Requirements

Since the Golden Retriever was bred to work hard, it is important to note that they require more protein than other breeds of dogs. In fact, Golden Retrievers require approximately 25 percent more protein per pound of body weight than most other dogs.

This means you may need to feed your Golden Retriever 1 pound of dry food per 5 pounds of his body weight. This is especially true if he is an active puppy who requires growth and development through adulthood. If he is already grown up, you don’t necessarily need to increase his feeding amount, but you would want to make sure you provide him with enough calories to fuel his daily activities.

Another thing you should keep in mind when feeding your Golden Retriever is that he has a very high metabolic rate. Your canine friend burns around 100 calories per hour while doing nothing at all. He needs this extra energy to perform even simple tasks such as walking and playing. Since he is constantly running around, you will want to make sure he gets his fill of carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals. You can easily meet his nutritional requirements by providing him with a balanced diet.

Calories

You should aim to provide your Golden Retriever with 2,000 calories per day. That’s only half the recommended calorie requirement for adult dogs, but it’s still quite a bit higher than dogs that do not spend time working outside.

Protein

As mentioned before, the Golden Retriever has a high metabolism, which means he needs a lot of protein to help him grow and develop properly. When determining how much protein he needs, you should calculate his body weight x 0.25, then multiply that number by 4. Protein provides essential amino acids to your canine friend, so you want to give him a minimum of 30 grams of complete protein per meal to maximize his growth and development.

Vitamins and Minerals

It’s important to understand that the Golden Retriever is not really a picky eater. He wants to eat whatever you put in front of him, and he will gladly munch down on anything you give him. However, he does need certain vitamins and nutrients to function optimally and be healthy.

Since he is not picky, you probably won’t find any particular vitamin or mineral that he absolutely needs, but rather those that he might benefit from. As a general rule of thumb, make sure you feed him plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and always supplement his diet with vitamins B1 (thiamine), B6, D, E, A, C, and K.

These vitamins and minerals play different roles in maintaining the health of your Golden Retriever. Thiamine helps your canine friend metabolize carbs and fats properly, and B6 helps him produce enzymes necessary for proper digestion. Vitamin E improves coat quality, and A, C, and K help your Golden Retriever build strong bones, teeth, and muscles.

In addition to these major vitamins and minerals, you should also consider adding small amounts of iron and calcium to his diet. Just like humans, dogs need additional iron to prevent anemia. And just like us, dogs cannot absorb or process too much calcium, so it is best to avoid giving them large quantities of it.

Lastly, if you think your Golden Retriever might suffer from obesity, you should definitely consider adding omega fatty acids to his diet. Omega fatty acids help reduce belly fat, and they also aid in lowering cholesterol levels.

Carbohydrates

It is important to remember that the Golden Retriever is a working dog. He needs lots of energy to sustain his activity level throughout the day. His primary source of energy comes from carbohydrates, so you want to choose his meals carefully so he doesn’t run out of steam halfway through the day.

Generally speaking, you want to provide your Golden Retriever with a balance of both complex and simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are digested slowly, which allows your canine friend to burn off the excess energy gradually instead of all at once. On the other hand, simple carbohydrates are quickly digested, which causes his blood sugar level to spike and crash almost immediately. It is important to balance out your dog’s meal schedule so he never has to deal with either extreme.

Fat

Your Golden Retriever is not going to get sick if he eats too much fat. In fact, he needs fat to prevent heart disease and diabetes. The problem arises when he eats too much of it. Fat is necessary for a dog’s skin to look good, but excessive intake of it can cause problems with his stomach lining, kidneys, liver, pancreas, heart, and brain.

As a result, you want to limit your Golden Retriever’s fat intake to no more than 10% of his total caloric allowance. Remember that he is a high-energy dog, so you want to limit his fat consumption accordingly.

Dry Food vs. Purina Pro Plan

When choosing the type of food you feed your Golden Retriever, it is important to understand the difference between dry food and canned food. Both types contain similar ingredients, but they are processed differently.

Dry food contains raw meat and bone fragments, making it easier for your canine buddy to digest and absorb nutrients. Dry foods can be stored for a longer period of time without spoiling, which is great if you plan to travel often with your Golden Retriever. These foods are a bit pricier compared to canned food, but they are also healthier and easier on your pocketbook.

Canned food contains a variety of meats, vegetables, and grains, allowing your Golden Retriever to receive a wider range of nutrients. This type of food is better suited for your active pup, as it contains fewer preservatives and additives. However, you will have to prepare canned food yourself, and it takes more time to cook. Because of this, it is often cheaper to buy canned food from the store, but you may want to consider switching to dry food if your Golden Retriever spends a lot of time outdoors.

Whatever type of food you choose, it is best to stick to a regular feeding pattern. Feeding schedules vary depending on the age of your dog and his lifestyle. You can consult a veterinarian to determine feeding guidelines for your Golden Retriever.

Overall, the Golden Retriever is a wonderful breed of dog that deserves the utmost care and attention as it ages. Make sure you provide your pet with a nutritious diet to support his overall well-being and longevity!