Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds by registered ownership, second only to another dog of the retriever group, the Labrador Retriever. The Golden Retriever’s bouncy attitude, friendly temperament, and loyalty and devotion to its master make it a great pet for the family.

But recently, the Golden Retriever dog is getting a bad rap. Some experts say that the breed is riddled with skin allergies and genetic defects. Moreover, some veterinarians have actually taken to calling Golden Retrievers as “tumor factories.”

What could be the reason?

Experts say it has to do with defective genes passed down from lineage to lineage. Like the Bulldog, there is a good many Golden Retrievers that are affected by genetic defects inherent in the breed. The result is devastating, especially for the owner, who can do little more than watch his or her beloved pet suffer through all the difficulties of having an incurable genetic disease.

However, there is a way to prolong the life of your precious Golden. First, you need to acknowledge that Golden Retrievers, including Golden Retriever puppies, are Cannis lupus familiaris – that is, they are direct descendants of Cannis lupus, more commonly known as the Wolf. As such, they are carnivores.

Kibbles fed to Golden Retrievers these days are made of grains, such as wheat, corn, starch, and the like, fortified with vitamins and minerals. But these commercial foods are not the natural foods of carnivores such as Golden Retrievers. While dieticians may believe that eating a balanced diet is the best way to keep healthy, it is not a rule that is always applicable in every case.

As carnivores, Golden Retrievers eat meat. Their primary food source should be protein and all other nutrients are only secondary. Thus, when it comes to choosing what food combination to feed your Golden Retrievers, make sure that it is high in protein – 25 to 30%.

What Do You Feed Your Golden Retriever?
Consider the following guidelines in preparing food that your Golden Retriever would like:

• Meat and poultry should be included in every meal as they are your dog’s primary source of protein.
• Be sure to include at least three different animal proteins in each meal. For instance, add lamb, chicken and fish in a single meal. You may also include eggs which is high in protein and also in calcium.
• Do not feed your Golden Retrievers any food that contains by-products.
• No soy, peanut hulls or cellulose. Remember that Golden Retrievers are highly susceptible to allergies, which cause sores, excessive licking, and skin itchiness. You want to avoid this as much as you can.
• Do not duplicate too many cereals. For instance, if the meal already contains brewer’s rice, then do not add rice gluten or rice flour.

Sometimes, the way to treating a problem is to identify what causes it. Veterinarians are baffled as to the reason why Golden Retrievers develop these allergies. None has ever though to think that perhaps it has to do with the diet most Golden Retrievers are fed but which are not “natural” because they are based on plants rather than on meat.

How To Feed A New Golden Retriever Puppy
When your Golden first comes home, don’t be surprised if he or she does not eat too much for the first few days. This is partly due to recent change of residences. Your Golden Retriever is still trying to adjust itself to its new environment and you, as its new owner.

At this time, it helps if you ask the previous owner what food he’s been feeding the puppy. You can start by feeding your puppy the kind of food it is used to for a while before gradually changing it to a new, well-balanced diet.