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As a veterinarian, I’ve found that pet owners take seriously the responsibility of ensuring their dogs live healthy, happy lives. They worry about making sure their dog gets enough exercise, receives regular wellness checks and receives balanced nutrition that gives them energy to run and play.
What some people don’t realize is that owning and caring a dog can improve the owner’s health as well. Spending quality time with your dog and providing them with quality nutrition is good for the dog and can help ease stress and anxiety levels for you. Studies have shown that owning a pet can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels — which is great news for your heart health.
In short, when your dog is getting the best care, proper exercise, nutrition and love, they can enjoy a long and healthy life. And that can ultimately make you healthier, too!
Many owners see their dog as part of the family, and that sometimes means they will feed their dog like they feed themselves. For example, some people may choose low-carb or gluten-free diets for themselves and do the same for their pets. However, while this instinct comes from a place of love, many owners don’t realize that their dog’s dietary needs differ from their own.
Take grains for example. As a veterinarian, it’s important for me to note that grains are good for your dog. Yes, you read that right — they’re good!
A very small percentage of dogs may have a food sensitivity that requires a special grain-free diet or a dog food without a certain protein. However, this is not necessary for the vast majority of dogs. Most dogs benefit from a complete, balanced diet with healthy grains, high-quality proteins and essential vitamins and minerals.
Here’s why: Grains are a good source of carbohydrates that provide healthy energy. Some grains, like rice and wheat, provide “quick” energy, while other grains, like barley and sorghum, take longer to convert to energy. A combination of these different grains can offer a time-released energy source that helps dogs sustain energy. The whole grains in IAMS dog food are a beneficial mix, as they supply steady energy.
In addition to the grains you’ll find in IAMS food, you’ll also find high-quality proteins, like chicken and lamb, as well as essential nutrients needed to help support heart health. Together, this combination will give your dog a steady source of energy to be active on walks, runs, hikes or play sessions around the house.
For your dog to be healthy and happy, be sure you feed them a well-balanced diet and allow them enough exercise time. In return, you’ll get unconditional love, plenty of sweet doggy snuggles and maybe even more exercise — just a few of the ways you and your dog are joined at the heart.
Golden Retrievers are energetic and full of stamina, so daily exercise is a must. Adult Goldens need at least an hour’s exercise every day. Like the pug, this breed is highly prone to obesity, so they will quickly put on weight without proper physical activity like running, swimming (they just love water), and playing fetch.
Caring for Golden Retrievers is a moderate issue. Golden Retrievers have two shedding seasons (spring, autumn) in a year where they shed pretty heavily. Otherwise shedding is not a major challenge. You need to brush your Golden 3-4 times per week and bathe them once a month.
Because they tend to gain weight quickly, we recommend that you monitor their caloric intake daily. This is why Goldens need complete and balanced meals that are tailor-made to meet their unique needs. We recommend giving them premium Golden Retriever food like IAMS™ Proactive Health™Adult Golden Retriever that contains L-Carnitine to support healthy weight management, Glucosamine and Chondroitin to support healthy joints, and Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids to support skin and coat health. It is best to split their daily allowance into two meals.
Recommended Golden Retrievers food intake-
| SIZE OF GOLDEN RETRIEVER | RECOMMENDED DAILY FEEDING (G) |
|---|---|
| 20-30 kg | 255-345 |
| 30-40 kg | 345-430 |
| 40-50 kg | 430-505 |
| 50-60 kg | 505-580 |
Golden Retrievers are prone to moderate levels of health issues. Common ones include cancer and blood disorders, hip and elbow dysplasia, dislocated kneecaps, skin conditions, hypothyroidism, cataracts, and ear infections.
An ideal world for a Golden Retriever is to live in a home with a medium or large-sized yard. While they do well in apartments, they need a great deal of outdoor exercise to stay fit. So if you can manage that, Golden Retrievers can do well as indoor and outdoor pets.
So, is caring for a Golden Retriever the right choice for you? Goldens are high-energy pets and are one of the friendliest breeds out there. Their friendly nature and comfort around little kids make them an ideal choice for many first-time owners.
