Let's talk Golden Retrievers

When choosing food for a Golden Retriever, there are many factors to consider: their age, lifestyle, activity level, physiological condition and health, including potential sickness or sensitivities. Food provides energy to cover a dog’s vital functions and a complete nutritional formula should contain an adjusted balance of nutrients to avoid any deficiency or excess in their diet, both of which could have adverse effects on the dog. Clean and fresh water should be available at all times to support good urinary regularity. In hot weather and especially when out exercising, bring water along and give your dog frequent water breaks.

Energy intake may also need to be adapted to climatic conditions. A dog that lives outdoors in winter will have increased energy requirements. The following recommendations are for healthy animals. If your dog has health problems, please consult your veterinarian, who will prescribe an exclusively veterinary diet.

A Golden Retriever puppy’s requirements, in terms of energy, protein, minerals and vitamins, are much greater than those of an adult dog. They need energy and nutrients to maintain their body, as well as to grow and build new cells. Until they are 15 months old, Golden Retriever puppies’ immune system develops gradually. A complex of antioxidants – including vitamin E – can help support their natural defences during this time of big changes, discoveries and new encounters. Their digestive functions are different from an adult Golden Retriever’s, too: their digestive system is not mature yet, so it's important to provide highly digestible proteins that will be used effectively. Prebiotics, such as fructo-oligosaccharides, support digestive health by helping to balance intestinal flora, resulting in good stool quality.

It is important to choose kibble that is appropriate in shape, size and texture. This growth phase also means moderate energy needs. Large-breed puppies, such as Golden Retriever puppies, whose growth period is long and intense, are especially susceptible to skeletal and joint problems, including limb defects, bone deformities and joint lesions. The first period of growth mainly consists of bone development, although the muscles also start to grow then as well. This means that a puppy that eats too much – takes in too much energy – will put on too much weight and grow too quickly. Limiting the energy concentration of a food for Golden Retriever puppiesand feeding a correct daily amount will help control the speed of growth and minimise these risks.

Concentrations of other nutrients should be higher than normal in a specially formulated growth food. Although the calcium content in the food needs to be increased, maxi-sized breed puppies are more sensitive to excessive calcium intake. It’s important to understand, then, that adding any ingredients to a complete food formulated for the growth phase is at best, unnecessary and at worst, dangerous for the animal, unless prescribed by a veterinarian. Splitting the daily allowance into three meals a day is recommended until they are six months old, after which you should switch to two meals per day.

Throughout their life, it is important to avoid feeding Golden Retrievers human foods or fatty snacks. Instead, reward them with kibble taken from their daily meal allowance and follow the feeding guidelines written on the package strictly, in order to prevent excessive weight gain.

The main nutritional goals for adult Golden Retrievers are:

Maintaining an ideal body weight by using highly digestible ingredients and keeping the fat content at a sensible level

Helping to support the health of their bones and joints with glucosamine, chondroitin and antioxidants

Helping to preserve the health and beauty of the skin and coat with the enriched addition of essential fatty acids (especially EPA-DHA), essential amino acids and B vitamins.

After 5 years old, Golden Retrievers will start facing the first signs of ageing. A formula enriched with antioxidants will help to maintain their vitality, while specific nutrients, such as chondroitin and glucosamine, will help to support healthy bones and joints. Ageing is also accompanied by the modification of digestive capacities and particular nutritional requirements, so food for older Golden Retrievers should have the following characteristics:

Higher vitamin C and E content. These nutrients have antioxidant properties, helping to protect the body’s cells against the harmful effects of the oxidative stress linked to ageing

High-quality protein. Contrary to a widely held misconception, lowering the protein content in food brings little benefit in limiting kidney failure. In addition, older dogs are less efficient at using dietary protein than younger dogs. Reducing the phosphorus content is a good way of slowing down the gradual deterioration of kidney function

A higher proportion of the trace elements iron, zinc and manganese to help to keep the skin and coat in good condition

A higher quantity of polyunsaturated fatty acids to help to maintain the quality of the coat. Dogs can normally produce these fatty acids but ageing can affect this physiological process

As they age, dogs increasingly suffer from teeth problems. To ensure that they continue to eat enough, the shape, size and texture of their kibble needs to be tailored to their jaw.