How much should a Golden Retriever eat daily?

Golden Retrievers are easy to feed and require a balanced diet for overall body health. How much should a Golden Retriever eat daily?  The quantity of food is largely determined by an assortment of factors that we are going to discuss in this article.

For every dog keeper, the dietary needs of their canine friends are some of the most important considerations when caring for them. Just like human beings, dogs have the capacity to become obese if fed too much, or to develop complications such as anemia that are associated with poor diet. As such the quantity of food they eat is a major decisive factor in the direction the health of a dog takes.

Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs that are quite friendly. In matters health, they do not suffer many complications during their lifetime even though it is not uncommon to find some that have cardiovascular and gastrointestinal issues. In general terms, a Golden Retriever eats an average of 10 to 90 Oz. daily depending on the age and health of the dog. Have in mind also, that the gender of a dog also determines the amount of food taken. The table below gives a breakdown of what a Golden Retriever should eat in a day based on gender and age.

Daily food quantity for female and male Golden Retrievers

How much should a Golden Retriever eat daily?

Age – Female	Amount of food	Age – Male	Amount of food
2 months	10 to 14 Oz.	2 months	10 to 15 Oz.
3 months	15 to 21 Oz.	3 months	15 to 22 Oz.
4 months	22 to 30 Oz.	4 months	23 to 32 Oz.
5 months	30 to 38 Oz.	5 months	30 to 40 Oz.
6 months	38 to 46 Oz.	6 months	40 to 50 Oz.
7 months	43 to 52 Oz.	7 months	45 to 55 Oz.
8 months	48 to 56 Oz.	8 months	51 to 60 Oz.
9 months	50 to 50 Oz.	9 months	53 to 61 Oz.
10 months	51 to 60 Oz.	10 months	55 to 64 Oz.
11 months	53 to 62 Oz.	11 months	56 to 67 Oz.
12 months	55 to 65 Oz.	12 months	60 to 70 Oz.
18 months	55 to 68 Oz.	18 months	62 to 85 Oz.
2 years	55 to 70 Oz.	2 years	65 to 90 Oz.

From the above table, it is evident that males consume significantly more food than females over the course of their lives. The section below highlights other factors that may determine the amount of food you feed your Golden Retriever.

State of health

Golden Retrievers generally enjoy good health during their lifetime. However, as with other dog breeds, they fall sick on occasion. That said, the diet of a dog may change depending on the health issue at hand and the capacity of the dog to feed. In some cases, you may have to feed your Golden Retriever wet food to encourage feeding. If the health condition of your dog is serious, feed him or her small portions over short intervals so as not to distress the animal. In the case of such disorders as obesity, talk to your dog’s vet on what to feed your Golden Retriever and the amounts recommended.

Energy levels

Golden Retrievers are generally playful, but some have more energy levels than most. That said, it would do them a lot more good to supplement their regular diet with more frequent feeding and energy rich foods. If your Golden Retriever feeds thrice a day include a high energy treat between each feed to keep their level of energy up. However, it is best to speak to your vet on the number of calories to feed your dog.

Biological functions

During special phases in their lives, dogs demand varying dietary provisions. For instance, a pregnant or nursing dog will require a little more food than usual. At times, you may need to change the diet to include a more protein rich regimen. In case the dog is already on a protein rich diet, increase the amount of food by an extra 10 to 15 Oz. On the other hand, a geriatric dog may not be considered sick, but it may be difficult to feed it the same amount of food as a middle-aged dog. In such a scenario, increase the amount of protein, carbohydrate and vitamin rich food to keep the canine well energized and in good health.

Targeted weight

The target weight if a dog also plays a large role in determining the amount of food it is given. It goes without saying that more weight gain is a result of food intake. If you notice that your Golden Retriever has a tendency to gain lots of weight over a short period of time, it would be wise to reduce the amount of food given in a day. Also, if you feel that weight gain is slower than it should be, you can alter the amount of food to increase what the dog eats in a day.

Below is a meal plan that can be used for female Golden Retriever puppies aged 7 months.

Given that a female Golden Retriever puppy should take an average of 48 Oz. in a day, the meals can be spaced out as such:

Morning – 16 Oz.

Afternoon – 16 Oz.

Evening – 16 Oz.

This plan can be altered depending on when your dog feeds best. For puppies that feed best in the morning, you can give more food during this time as in the example below:

Morning – 24 Oz.

Afternoon – 12 Oz.

Evening – 12 oz.

Conclusion

How much should a Golden Retriever eat daily? Golden Retrievers grow to become large muscular dogs that are highly energetic. For this reason, the amount of food they eat determines, to a large extent, the rate of their growth and energy levels that they achieve. As with other dog breeds, overfeeding your Golden Retriever may lead to gastrointestinal and obesity issues. This is why getting the right amount of food is imperative for your dog. Speaking on a broad level, ensure that your puppy eats between 10 to 65 Oz daily depending on actual age and that your adult dog eats 55 to 90 Oz every day based on age and other health factors as highlighted in this article. Be sure to get the approval of your vet in case you change rations for your Goldy.

FAQs

Does my dog’s feeding contribute to bloat?

To a large extent, yes. Bloating may occur if you feed your dog one large meal a day, or if your canine eats fast and swallows air in the process. To reduce bloating, give smaller more frequent meals to your dog.

Do I have to feed my dog food specific to Golden Retrievers?

While this is highly recommended, it is not mandatory. Ensure that your dog gets a balanced diet no matter the food you choose.