Golden Retriever Food Guide

Last Updated on September 20, 2022 by Amanda P. Brown

Golden retrievers are very loyal and intelligent animals. Their activity, intelligence, capability, tolerance, and character are better than other dogs. In a word, they are different from other dogs. So, they require special take care.

For every golden retriever owner, their dog’s health should be their priority. That’s why they should maintain a golden retriever food guide for the sake of their dog’s good health. But many owners don’t know about their dog’s food habits properly. As a result, the poor soul suffers from malnutrition and gets sick day by day.

Here, to help you, we will discuss the golden retriever food guide, which may help you know your retriever’s food habits.

Golden Retriever Feeding Chart

Table of Contents

Here, we have given some suggestions about your golden retriever (puppy, adult, and senior) food habit. After following our instructions, you will know appropriately about their food habit. Also, you will understand how much to feed a puppy, adult, and senior per day.

Puppy Feeding Chart

Golden retriever puppies are adorable. You should be more careful while giving food to your puppy. The tiny little stomachs need much caloric to increase their growth. Here, some simple feeding instructions for your loving golden retriever puppies:

Day 1 to a 1-week Puppy

At this period, they are too small to coordinate themselves. So, you just feed your baby golden retriever his/her mother’s milk. It is the best food option for him/her.

2 Weeks Old Puppy

At 2- weeks, they have just opened their adorable eyes and cannot walk. During this period, you should feed them their mother’s breast milk.

3 Weeks Old Puppy

At this stage, you should still feed them their mother’s milk. Do not try to provide anything else without a mother’s milk.

4 Weeks Old Puppy

When your puppy has reached almost 4- weeks, you have noticed that his/her energy level is increasing. At this stage still, your baby retriever is not ready for weaning. But you can try to test his/her interest in puppy food. You can give your puppy a food mixture that has included 3/4 water and 1/4 food.

5 Weeks Old Puppy

At this time, your puppy golden retriever still depends on his/her mother’s breast milk. But continue to offer your puppy the food mixture you have prepared to test his/her interest. Don’t worry if he/she doesn’t taste it. So, just continue to offer puppy food to get used to with it.

6 Weeks Old Puppy

At the age of 6 weeks, keep separating your puppy for few times from his/her mother to help the weaning process. And start to feed some puppy food. As their stomachs are too small, that’s why they won’t eat much food. So don’t worry.

7 Weeks Old Puppy

In 7 weeks, still, he/she can receive some mother’s breast milk. But don’t worry, it is the last stage of weaning. Continue to give some puppy food, and of course, he/she has already started eating some puppy food.

At this period, a female golden retriever puppy’s weight should be 2.2 kg-7.7 kg, and the average weight should be 4 kg.

A male golden retriever puppy’s weight should be 1.3 kg-7.7 kg, and the average weight should be 4 kg.

2 Months Old Puppy

Your puppy is growing too quickly. He/she is ready to rehouse and start eating puppy food. You should give 1 ½ cups of this food 3-4 times per day to your puppy.

A female puppy’s weight should be 2.2 kg-7.7 kg at this age, and its average weight should be 4.5 kg.

A male puppy’s weight should be 1.3 kg-7.7 kg, and the average weight should be 4.9 kg.

3 Months Old Puppy

Feed your puppy 2 cups of puppy food 3- times a day. At this stage, a female puppy golden retriever weight should be 7.2 kg-14.9 kg, and the average weight should be 9.9 kg.

A male puppy’s golden retriever weight should be 7.2 kg-15.4 kg, and its average weight should be 10.4 kg.

4 Months Old Puppy

You should provide your puppy 2 ½ cups of puppy food 3- times per day.

At this age, your female puppy’s weight should be 9.9 kg-19.9 kg, and the average weight should be 13.6 kg.

Your male puppy’s weight should be 11.3 kg-24.9 kg, and the average weight should be 14.9 kg.

5 Months Old Puppy

Your puppy is getting large. So, the quantity of your puppy’s food is increasing day by day. Feed 3-cups of this food to your puppy 3- times per day.

A female puppy’s weight should be 11.3 kg-23.5 kg in this stage, and the average weight should be 18.1 kg.

A male puppy’s weight should be 12.2 kg-30.3 kg, and the average age should be 19 kg.

6 Months Old Puppy (Females)

You should stay on 3 cups of this food 2- times to your female puppy per day. This time, your female puppy’s weight should be 12.2 kg-27.6 kg, and the average weight should be 19.9 kg.

6 Months Old Puppy (Male)

Feed your male puppy 3 ½ to 4 cups of food 2- times a day. While your puppy turns into 6- months, start to eat their food 2- times.

This time, your male puppy’s weight should be 13.12 kg-34 kg, and the average age should be 23.5 kg.

Adult Feeding Chart

At the age of 12-18 months, a puppy becomes an adult, and then he/she has reached his/her perfect height and weight. This time, your female dog’s weight should be 24.9 kg-40.8 kg, and the average weight should be 31.7 kg.

A male dog’s weight should be 29.4 kg-34.9 kg, and the average age should be 30.8 kg.

An active and adult golden retriever will need 1300-1700 calories a day. But remember, height, weight, age, activity level depends on how many calories will need a day for your dog.

Simple Guidelines for Adult Golden Retriever

Female Adult Retriever: 2-2 ½ cups per day

Male Adult Retriever: 3- 3 ½ cups per day

Active Adult Male Retriever: 4 cups per day

Nursing Adult Female Retriever: 5- 6 cups per day

Note: Feed your dog 2- times (morning and evening) per day

Senior Golden Retriever Food Guide

When your retriever has reached 8- years old, he/she is becoming a senior dog. Your female retriever’s average weight should be 25 kg-32 kg at this stage, and the male retriever’s average weight should be 27 kg-36 kg.

A senior dog doesn’t need many calories as he/she needed before. At this age, old dogs are becoming less active. That’s why they need fewer calories. They will need just around 900 calories a day and feed your dog 2- times (morning and evening).

Best Homemade Food for Golden Retriever

• Apple Cake: This homemade food is good for your dog’s health. It has lots of nutrients like- protein, fiber, carbs, and carbohydrates.

• Turkey Delight: It is a low-calorie homemade food. It contains just 40 calories, and it has no fat.

• Berry Fruit Salad: This homemade food contains lots of nutrients, minerals (calcium, iron, manganese, copper, thiamin), and vitamins (vitamin A, C, E)

• Simple Rice and Chicken Breast: This high-protein food is very suitable for your dog. It has many vital nutrients like- protein, carbohydrate, fiber, potassium, etc.

• Chicken Raspberry Biscuits: It is a very healthy homemade food. It contains high protein. Also, it has lots of nutrients.

• Salmon Skin Meal: This is a low-calorie homemade food that is suitable for your dog. It has lots of protein, potassium, sodium, etc.

• Rice and Veggies: This is a superfood for a dog. It contains no fat and no cholesterol. Besides, it has many nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.

• Fish Patty Treat: It is a low-calorie homemade food. This food has lots of potassium, sodium, protein, and some minerals.

• Peanut Butter Cookies: It is another low-calorie homemade food. It contains protein, potassium, carbohydrate, sodium, and lots of vitamins and minerals.

• Chicken Casserole: This is a high-protein food. Also, it has fiber, carb, sodium, glucose, etc.

Best Vegetable for Golden Retriever

• Broccoli: This vegetable is safe for your golden retriever. It contains high fiber, low fat, vitamin C, K, and potassium. It helps to promote your dog’s bone density, healthy heart, and battle diseases.

• Brussels Sprout: These are good for your dog. They’re nutrient-dense and high in dietary fiber. But don’t overfeed your dog because sometimes it causes gas.

• Cucumber: Cucumber is a healthy vegetable, and it is suitable for an overweight dog. It has no fat, carbohydrates, and oil. Also, it contains vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, vitamin K, copper, biotin, and vitamin B1. Besides, it helps to increase energy levels. But you should not feed too much to your dog. Sometimes it upset your dog’s stomach.

• Celery: Celery can be a good source of nutrition for your dog. It is a good source of calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin A, B, and C, sodium, potassium, and low calories. This vegetable helps to improve a healthy heart and keep your retriever young. Besides, it helps to fight against cancer.

• Carrot: Carrot is the best vegetable for a dog. It contains low calories and high fiber. It is an excellent source of potassium, biotin, vitamin A, K, B6, C, E, D, B, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, manganese, Riboflavin, sodium, iron, sulfur, iodine. This veggie is suitable for your dog’s teeth. Also, it helps to promote the immune system.

• Green Beans: You can feed green beans to your dog. They come with many minerals and vitamins, such as fiber, beta-carotene, calcium, vitamin A, B6, C, and K, iron. Also, they are full of low calories and high fiber.

• Peas: Garden peas, snow peas, green peas, sugar snap peas, etc., are suitable for your dog. They are a great source of potassium, zinc, phosphorus, fiber, manganese, folate, protein, vitamin C and K.

• Pumpkin: Pumpkin is suitable for your dog. It has high fiber, which promotes your dog’s digestive system. Also, it contains high fatty acid, which is good for the fur and skin. It is an excellent source of beta-carotene, fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamin A and C, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. Besides, it contains low calories.

• Sweet Potatoes: You can feed sweet potatoes to your dog. They come with high fiber, which helps to improve the digestive system. Also, they contain antioxidants, manganese, beta-carotene, vitamin B6 and C.

• Spinach: Spinach is safe for your dog. It contains carotenoids, iron, antioxidants, potassium, calcium, vitamin A, B, B6, C, B9, E, and K, magnesium, folic acid, fiber, and folate. It helps to improve your dog’s immune system, energy level, heart health, and vitality.

• Zucchini: it is a good source of vitamin B and C and dietary fiber. Also, zucchini contains low calories. So, it is safe for your dog.

Worst Vegetable for Golden Retriever

• Asparagus: Asparagus is not suitable for your dog’s health. It is too rough to eat. So, just avoid this vegetable.

• Onion and Garlic: These vegetables are not safe for your dog. It causes blood cell damage to your dog. Also, it harms their kidney.

• Tomato: You should avoid tomatoes to feed your dog. It is not suitable for your dog. It contains a toxic substance called solanine which is harmful to your dog.

Best Fruits for Golden Retriever

• Apple: Apple is an ideal fruit for your dog. It contains vitamin A, antioxidants, vitamin C, iron, vitamin E, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, phosphorous and dietary fiber. This fruit helps to promote your retriever’s digestive system. While giving an apple to your dog, remove the seeds, core, and stem.

• Blueberries: Blueberries can be suitable food for your dog. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, high antioxidants, and dietary fiber. It helps to defend your dog from cancer. Also, prevent cell damage.

• Banana: Banana is the best food for your dog. It contains low calories, sodium, and cholesterol and is high in potassium, magnesium, vitamins, fiber, biotin, and copper. Also, it has vitamin C and B6.

• Cranberries: It is safe for your dog to eat. You can give them dried cranberries also. It has fiber, 87% water, carbs, and sugar. Also, it contains low calories, fat and low protein.

• Cantaloupe: This fruit has full of nutrients. It contains high natural sugar, antioxidants, beta-carotene, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B, folic acid, and vitamin C. Also, it has low calories and is a good source of fiber and water.

• Orange: orange is an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber, and potassium. Remove all seeds and peeled while feeding your dog.

• Pineapple: Pineapple can be a healthy treat meal for your dog. It is full of minerals, vitamins, and fiber.

• Peaches: These fruits are safe for your retriever. It contains vitamin A, fiber, and so on. Peaches help to fight against infections.

• Pears: Pears can be a great snack for your dog. It has vitamin C, fiber, high copper, and vitamin K. Pears helps to decrease the risk of stroke.

• Mango: This sweet fruit comes with different vitamins like- A, C, E, and B6. It also contains potassium, alpha-carotene, and beta carotene. Feed your dog this fruit occasionally because it has high sugar.

• Raspberries: Raspberries are a great source of antioxidants, and they are suitable for your dog. It has low calories and sugar. Also, it contains high fiber, vitamin C, and manganese. Besides, this fruit has anti-inflammatory properties, which are suitable for senior dogs.

• Strawberries: These are the best fruits for the golden retriever. They are full of iodine, fiber, potassium, folic acid, and magnesium. Also, they contain vitamin C, K, B1, and B6 and omega fatty acids.

• Watermelon: watermelon has a great source of water. It contains almost 92% water. It is full of potassium, vitamin A, C, and B6, magnesium, and beta-carotene. It helps to improve your dog’s immune system. Before serving, remove all the rind and seeds.

Worst Fruits for Golden Retriever

• Avocado: You should not feed avocado to your dog. The skin, leaves, and pit of avocados contain a toxin that often causes diarrhea and vomiting.

• Cherries: These fruits are not that much good for your dog. They contain toxic and cyanide which are harmful to dogs.

• Grape: Grapes are the most dangerous fruits for dogs. It has too much toxicity, which causes sudden kidney failure.

• Raisins: These dry fruits are very harmful to your dog. It causes sudden kidney damage. So, just avoid these fruit.

Nutrients for Golden Retriever

For Puppy

Calorie: A golden retriever puppy needs more calories than an adult dog. Until your puppy reaches his/her 1st birthday, he/she will need almost double the number of calories per pound of weight in a day than an adult golden retriever (recommends the National Research Council).

For Example, The average adult dog needs probably 35 calories per pound of weight every day. If your puppy is 10 pounds (4.54 kg), he/she will need almost 70 calories (or 700 calories) of food per pound each day.

Protein: 22% min per day

Fat: 8% min per day

Fiber: 25-35 gram per day

For Adult

Calorie: 1300-1700 per day

Protein: 18% per day

Fat: 5% per day

Fiber: 25-35 gram per day

Calcium: 0.6% (max-2.5%) per day

Vitamins for Golden Retriever

Vitamin A:

It is a fat solvent vitamin. It helps to maintain immune function, healthy eyesight, body cell growth, and fetal development. It is necessary for all dogs of any age.

For Adult: 5000 IU/Kg

For Growth and Reproduction: 5000 IU/Kg

Vitamin B:

Vitamin B is divided into many groups like-

Vitamin B1: It is known as Thiamine. It helps to promote your dog’s energy level as well as your dog’s health.

For Adult: 2.5 mg/kg

For Growth and Reproduction: 2.5 mg/kg

Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is known as Riboflavin. It helps to facilitate enzyme function.

For Adult: 5.2 mg/kg

For Growth and Reproduction: 5.2 mg/kg

Vitamin B6: This water-soluble vitamin is also known as Pyridoxine. It plays an important role in glucose generation, hormonal regulation, niacin synthesis, red blood cell function, nervous system, immune response, and genetic activation.

For Adult: 1.5 mg/kg

For Growth and Reproduction: 1.5 mg/kg

Vitamin B5: It is called Pantothenic Acid. It is also a water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin B5 helps to build up energy and coenzyme A metabolism.

For Adult: 12 mg/kg

For Growth and Reproduction: 12 mg/kg

Vitamin B9: It is called Folic Acid also. It improves your dog’s health.

For Adult: 0.216 mg/kg

For Growth and Reproduction: 0.216 mg/kg

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C can be made by normal glucose metabolism. Dogs can produce it themselves. Vitamin C helps to decrease cognitive aging and inflammation.

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D is popularly known as the sunshine vitamin. It helps to maintain your dog’s calcium and phosphorus balance for healthy muscle and bone growth.

For Adult: 5000 IU/kg

For Growth and Reproduction: 5000 IU/kg

Vitamin E:

This fat solvent vitamin helps support a puppy’s growth and promotes metabolism, reproductive problems, and cell function. Also, fight against oxidative damage.

For Adult: 50 IU/kg

For Growth and Reproduction: 50 IU/kg

Vitamin K:

Vitamin K is a fat solvent vitamin. It helps to promote blood clotting and prevent bleeding problems.

Choline: Choline is a beneficial nutrient for your dog to promote brain and liver function.

For Adult: 1360 mg/kg

For Growth and Reproduction: 1360 mg/kg

Minerals for Golden Retriever

Minerals can be categorized into 2- groups-

Group 1: (Macro Minerals)

Calcium: Calcium helps to promote blood coagulation, muscle contractions, and never impulse transmission. Also, it keeps the heart stable.

For Adult: 0.5 % (min)

For Growth and Reproduction: 1.2% (min)

Phosphorus: Phosphorus is the building block of teeth and bones.

For Adult: 0.4% (min)

For Growth and Reproduction: 1.0% (min)

Chloride, Potassium, and Sodium: Sodium, chloride, and potassium are the main three electrolytes present in your dog’s body. They help to maintain osmotic balance, acid-base balance, and fluid balance.

Magnesium: Magnesium is the major component of bones, intracellular fluids, and enzymes.

For Adult: 0.06 g

For Growth and Reproduction: 0.06 g

Group 2: (Micro Minerals)

Iron: It helps to transport oxygen throughout your dog’s body. Also, iron promotes the immune system.

For Adult: 40 mg/kg

For Growth and Reproduction: 88 mg/kg

Zinc: Zinc aids to active enzymes, hormones, and other various bodily functions. Also, it helps to improve the immune system, growth, skincare, thyroid function, wound healing, protein digestion, and reproduction.

For Adult: 80 mg/kg (min)

For Growth and Reproduction: 100 mg/kg (min)

Copper: Copper provide antioxidant defense, synthesis of bones, neurotransmitters, and connective tissues, maturation and promotion of RBC (red blood cell), and pigmentation of the hair and skin.

For Adult: 7.3 mg/kg (min)

For Growth and Reproduction: 12.4 mg/kg (min)

Selenium: It improves thyroid hormone metabolism in your dog.

For adult: 0.3 mg/kg (min)

For Growth and Reproduction: o.3 mg/kg (min)

Is the Golden Retriever Diet Necessary?

Of course, a golden retriever diet is necessary. If your dog is obese, you should put them on a diet.

Usually, an adult male and female golden retriever’s average weight should be 65-80 pounds and 55-70 pounds. If your dog’s weight is more than that, you should put your dog on a diet.

An overweight golden retriever suffers from many problems like- diabetes, heart disease, and so on. So, you should drop your dog’s extra weight.

You should feed low-calorie and low-fat food to your dog. Also, provide high protein and high fiber food. These will help to lose your dog’s weight. Besides, you have to make your dog exercise for about 40 min per day.

How Much Should a Golden Retriever Eat a Day?

To feed a golden retriever during the day, you can split his meals into two portions, morning and later in the day. Your Golden Retriever should eat 2 cups of dry food and 1/2 cup of wet food daily.

How Often Should a Golden Retriever Eat?

You should feed your golden retriever 3-times a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for up to 6 months. Then, you can make a feeding plan based on your daily work routine.

Do Golden Retrievers Eat Everything?

Yes, golden retrievers eat everything. These dogs have evolved as scavengers and are also considered a food-motivated breed. Although golden retrievers eat everything, you have to be careful that they do not ingest dirt, garbage, or anything harmful to them.

Is Banana Good for Golden Retrievers?

Yes, golden retrievers can eat bananas. Bananas are a great source of magnesium, B6, potassium, and vitamin C. But it would be better if you moderately fed them bananas. This summer, fruit is a low-calorie food for dogs and is also loaded with essential minerals and vitamins.

Is It OK for Golden Retrievers to Eat Sticks?

No. It is not OK for golden retrievers to eat sticks because dogs cannot digest sticks. Sticks can damage their gums, digestive tract, teeth, heart, and mouth. If your dog has just eaten a stick, then don’t get panicked unless they are bleeding from the mouth. They will probably be fine.

Can Golden Retrievers Eat Rice?

Yes, golden retrievers can eat rice. Rice is safe for Golden Retrievers to consume. It is rich in vitamin D, thiamin, iron, fiber, riboflavin, and calcium, which are very good for sick dogs’ health and provide energy to their body. Moreover, white rice is an excellent option for dogs with stomach distress because it is low in fiber, needs no preparation, and swiftly digest.

Can Golden Retrievers Eat Potatoes?

Yes, Golden retrievers can eat potatoes. But they cannot eat raw potatoes yet. As potatoes are nightshade family vegetables containing solanine, poisonous to dogs. So you can only feed them boiled or baked potatoes. Boiling or baking potatoes reduces the amount of solanine, which is safe for your dog.

Can Goldens Eat Carrots?

Yes, golden retrievers can eat carrots. Carrots are an excellent low-calorie treat for golden retrievers. It is rich in beta-carotene and fiber. Carrot also produces vitamin A Plus. Besides, these orange veggie crunches are suitable for your dog’s teeth.

Can Goldens Eat Broccoli?

Yes, golden retrievers can eat broccoli. They can eat raw and cooked broccoli until no oil or spices are added. But it will be best to feed them broccoli in minimal amounts because it contains isothiocyanate in florets, which causes gastric irritation in dogs.

Can Golden Retrievers Eat Bread?

Yes, golden retrievers can eat bread. It is safe for them if they are fed moderately. Also, white and wheat bread is typically safe for dogs with no allergies. It also doesn’t cause an upset stomach for retrievers.

Is Homemade Food Sufficient for a Golden Retriever?

Yes, homemade food is enough for your dog. Homemade food is the best food option for your dog. This food has many necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are enough for your dog’s health. It full fills your dog’s all needs.

What Are the Golden Retriever’s Favorite Vegetables and Fruits?

Favorite Vegetable:

Sweet potatoes
Winter squash
Brussels sprout
Spinach
Peas
Celery
Carrot
Pumpkin
Green beans
Broccoli

Favorite Fruit:

Papaya
Cantaloupe
Orange
Mango
Peaches
Pineapple
Strawberries
Watermelon
Apple
Banana

Final Verdict

Here, I have discussed the golden retriever food guide and also have cleared all of your confusion about your dog’s food habits. After reading all of these guidelines, now you have come to know everything about your retriever foods. Also, now you can easily understand which food is best or worst, which food is healthy or unhealthy. So, just follow this food guide without any worries.

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