Feeding A PuppyMastering the art of feeding a puppy isn't really all that hard. If you bought your pup from one of the many reputable Golden Retriever puppy breeders, you're off to a great start. He can give you some great pointers on feeding puppies, as he wants the very best for his pups.
Be sure to ask what type of puppy food he's eating. Use the same brand for at least the first few days your Golden Retriever puppy is in his new home. If for some reason you want to switch puppy foods, do it gradually. Pups are very sensitive little souls, and the slightest change can result in upset tummies. Ask the breeder to give you several days' supply and gradually mix it in with the new food you want to use. Should I Moisten Dry Food?There are several excellent brands of puppy food available. I'd suggest you buy a reputable brand name to make sure it has all the dog nutrition your growing puppy needs.If you want to, you can soften the food with warm (not hot) water for very young puppies. Feeding it dry as soon as possible will help prevent plaque and tartar build-up on his teeth. By the way, be sure to thoroughly wash food and water dishes every day. Harmful bacteria and fungi can grow quickly in bowls that aren't regularly cleaned, especially if you're feeding a puppy mushy food at the start. Does Your Puppy Nibble or Pig Out?Some pups are voracious eaters and gobble up their food like it's their last meal. Others are picky eaters and just seem to nibble at their kibble. (Golden Retriever puppies are rarely picky eaters, by the way.) Some puppies go through eating spurts and will eat with more or less interest at different times. Don't worry--it all evens out. If your pup seems more interested in playing than eating, don't be too concerned about it. He'll eat when he's hungry. Does your vet think he's growing slower than he should, and is too thin? Try adding a spoonful of canned dog food to the dry kibble, to make it more tempting. Puppy Feeding ScheduleMost puppies come equipped with tummy timers that prompt them to eat on schedule.Once you've established a proper puppy feeding schedule, you should just about be able to set your watch by his tummy. He'll come to get you when his tummy grumbles. Setting a schedule for feeding a puppy also helps in housebreaking. Put your shoes on while he's eating, because you'll probably need to take him outside as soon as he's finished. Don’t allow your pup to romp or swim right after eating. This can lead to a life-threatening condition called bloat. You might need to crate an especially hyper puppy to keep him calm after mealtime. Likewise, avoid excessive exercise just before meals. Six to Twelve Weeks Old Your cute Golden Retriever puppy will need to eat about four or five meals each day.It might seem like all you do is feed that tiny pup, but you have to remember that a growing pup needs a lot of fuel. Three to Five Months OldAt about three months, it's time to begin feeding a puppy three times a day.
That's his signal that he's ready to eat less frequently. When should you increase his food allotment at each meal? When he's finishing every kibble at two out of three meals, bump up his portions just a tad. I suggest going from a level one-third cup to a heaping one-third cup at first, then increase to a scant half cup, then a level half cup, a heaping half cup, and up the ladder according to your puppy's appetite. Five to Ten Months OldHere's an easy way to achieve your goal of feeding a puppy just two meals a day.
Of course, the size of the portions you feed the pup at each of his two meals should be larger than the portions you fed him when he was eating three times a day. A five-month-old pup will actually eat more food than an adult Golden. Hey, he's got a lot of growing to do! The five to ten month period of puppyhood is a high energy, active period for healthy dogs. This is when your pup will be getting his permanent teeth, his muscles will be developing, and his bones will be growing rapidly. Make sure you have your pup checked for worms several times during this period. He needs every calorie and every ounce of nutrition to develop properly, and worms rob him of that vital nutrition. Feeding a puppy the best food in the world won't help if he's sharing that food with worms (yuck!). Ten Months to One Year OldYour puppy is now reaching toward physical maturity. The growth during this period will be comparatively slow, but he's definitely growing.Your Puppy's One Year BirthdayAt about one year of age, you should gradually wean your pup onto adult food. Slowly increase the amount of adult kibble, and phase out the puppy chow.Feeding a puppy twice a day is an excellent schedule to continue past his one-year birthday, though some owners prefer a once-a-day feeding. How Much Should I Feed Puppy Pete? There's no rule for how much any individual puppy will eat. You just have to experiment a bit. Some puppies are gluttons, while others are light eaters. (Goldens tend to fall into the first group!) An easy guideline to follow when feeding a puppy is to feed him about as much food as he's able to eat in 15 to 20 minutes. If he consistently leaves kibble in his dish, cut down on the amount you feed him. Feeding large breed puppies too much can cause their bodies to outgrow their bones, which can lead to orthopedic disease. Consult your vet for the ideal Golden Retriever puppy weight for your pup's age, and aim for that number. The Ribs Tell AllBesides following your vet's weight recommendation, you can also keep an eye on your pup's ribs. You should just be able to feel his ribs when you gently place your hands around his furry little body. Here's what you're checking for:
Feeding a puppy isn't rocket science. It just takes some common sense and daily observation on your part. Here's another bit of advice: Enjoy each day with him. Puppies grow up so fast! Search here for more information on Golden Retrievers |
By the time a puppy leaves the breeder, he should be weaned and 
You might have noticed that your pup is nibbling at one or more of his meals.
When he reaches about five months (like my Peaches is here), start making the midday meal smaller and smaller, putting more food into his first and third meals, until you can phase out that second meal completely.
