Feeding Guidelines

Our pups are fed - Royal Canin Maxi Puppy Dry Food 

The feeding quantities are suggested starting point only. Increase or decrease the amount you feed your puppy to keep them at their ideal weight, it will not look too rounded or too thin. The ribs should be easily felt under the skin of the chest.  

 

The reason I feed my dogs this particular food is that it is life-stage specific and contains exact nutrition levels that are appropriate for each dogs life stage and energy needs. This food contains ideal levels of macronutrients and micronutrients. If you provide a good quality dry food for your dog (such as Royal Canin, Hills Science diet) as a major proportion of the meals, there is no need to give extra vitamins, or calcium.  

 

Feeding your dog too much or too little of particular nutrients can lead to irreversible disease. For example, too much or too little calcium can both contribute to skeletal disease where bones can be brittle and break easily. Too much fat can lead to heart disease and obesity. Too much phosphorus can lead to kidney disease. Therefore it is important to select a good quality diet to ensure our puppy can grow and flourish healthily.  

 

At first you should be feeding your pup 3 times a day until around 4-5 months of age. Then you can reduce down to 2 times daily with increasing quantities. Feeding frequency can reduce down to once daily after 12 months old if desired.  

 

Never overfeed your golden retriever as obesity can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and also increase risk of costly surgeries such as torn cruciate ligament. A copy of ‘body condition scoring’ chart is supplied in this puppy pack for your reference. It is best to maintain your dog around the body condition score of 3. If you have any further question please consult your veterinarian.  

 

Ensure the your puppy has clean water available at all times  

 

Prepared by Dr Victor Law (BSc, DVM) 

Small Animal Veterinarian and Breeder