What Should I feed my Gold
After countless hours researching the best diet for our breeding dogs, I have come to the conclusion that a fresh, raw diet serves them from many different angles. Firstly, we feel this diet is the closest to nature that we can get, and while you will often read that dogs are actually omnivores, we still feel like a meat/organ/bone based diet with some fresh veggies and herbs thrown in is best. In addition, its low carb content keeps dogs at a lean, healthy weight, reducing any undesirable pressure on their growing joints. While keeping all breeds of puppies at their ideal weight is important for healthy growth, it is even more so in large breeds like the Golden Retriever who tend to grow quickly, potentially stressing their growth plates. Lastly, and definitely not least, because of the lack of filler in raw, “clean-up” is a breeze because there just isn’t much waste! Here at DW, we have fed raw for many years and have had amazing luck with it, and we hope you will consider this amazing benefit too!
“But my vet is against it!”
I totally get it. I have heard this time and time again, and sometimes it can be with good reason. Remember, vets don’t usually see the good side of raw feeding. It’s not your average healthy dog that is thriving that goes to see the vet for issues. Vets may also see cases where an owner has fed incorrectly causing deficiencies (ie, only raw hamburger), or made the mistake of giving cooked bones ( a huge no-no) to their dog causing stomach issues. It is therefore imperative that dogs and puppies receive a balanced diet that is AAFCO approved, which will be clearly labeled on raw dog foods.
*See below for recommendations
The bottom line is that we adore vets, but encourage you to do your own research and make the best decision for your pet, purchasing the best food you can afford. A wise person once said that you “pay the butcher now, or the vet later”, and we agree! I have been feeding raw food to my dogs and puppies for ten years and they have all thrived.
*Please note that puppies will need either an “AAFCO approved formula for all life stages including growth of large breed dogs, or “Complete Meal with no supplements needed” to get a complete and balanced diet during their important growth period of up to 18 months.
Some companies we have used for our raw feeding needs:
Tucker’s Raw (Complete, ready to feed and contained in their own pouch) (Treats Unleashed Leawood, and other boutiques.
This brand uses High Pressure Processing to remove pathogens-good for families with young children or if you are worried about germs)
BJ’s Raw online (free shipping from Pennsylvania on $165+)
(This is my favorite company as they use pastured animals and have amazing customer service.)
The Real Meal Raw Pet Food Company (online)
Another great company also in Pennsylvania
Steve’s Raw (Treats unleashed & other boutiques)
The Real Meat Company (Air dried raw for convenience/online)
We use this when traveling when we don't want the hassle of keeping our food cold
Ziwi Peak (Air dried raw in boutiques and online/chewy)
Titan Blends: This is a Co-Op that I belong to. They provide complete meals for budget-minded people who still want to feed raw. This brand has almost zero marketing to keep their costs way down and it is about the same price as a high quality kibble but much healthier for your dog. Please don't hesitate to notify me and we can get you put on our list of orders. Great for people with freezer space, as we only do these bulk orders every two months.
If you prefer using pre-cooked fresh food, that is also a viable option, but always make sure to check labeling to see if the formula is appropriate for a puppy. There are some that are only for adults.
Some Fresh cooked brands:
The Farmers Dog
Ollie
A Pup Above
Spot & Tango
Just Food for Dogs
PetPlate
Hungry Bark
Kibbles
Kibble is made by pressure extruding a paste-like mix through molds and cooking and drying at high temperatures. For lack of a nicer description, this results in little burnt balls that have almost no enzymes left that would be found in fresh foods.
While we don't recommend feeding kibble, here is a better choice if you absolutely cannot feed fresh/raw food.
*If you feed a kibble it should not be grain free! *See DCM under our "more" tab
Farmina (med & maxi all life stages/puppy formulas with ancestral grains)
Stella and Chewy's oven baked puppy recipe. (Kibble is not hot extruded)
Recommendations from Dr. Becker, DVM
Other Great Resources to Consider:
Perfectly Rawsome Online (Amazing place to get info and see formulas for DIY raw) *DIY not recommended for puppies
Facebook also offers a plethora of raw support groups.
For Help with the feeding needs of your golden, please don’t hesitate to shoot me an email and I will be happy to assist you!