Golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs. Cheerful, versatile and social, they make the perfect family pet. But when a combination of genetics, lack of proper exercise and overfeeding comes into play, they can quickly put on weight. Don't despair; getting your golden retriever to lose weight is easier than you may realize.
Instructions
Take your dog to a veterinarian for a complete exam and blood work, including a thyroid test. Golden retrievers are often prone to hypothyroidism. A survey done by the Golden Retriever Club of America indicated that one in four of their members' golden retrievers (in a sample study consisting of 746 members surveyed) had developed hypothyroidism over the course of their lives. The disease causes the thyroid to be sluggish and can cause your dog to gain weight.
Avoid dog foods labeled "lite." They may be extremely low in the animal protein and fat levels that dogs require for health. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Association concluded that the variability in "recommended calorie intake, kilocalories, and cost" for such foods can contribute significant challenges in achieving substantial weight loss in pets.
Feed a high-quality combination diet. Choose a good animal-based commercial dry food as the basis. Look for dry food prepared by small pet food companies at your local pet store that are meat-based and list high-quality ingredients. You can supplement the dry food with fresh food, especially chicken, meat and fish. Golden retrievers love variety, so mix it up a bit. Feel free to blend in foods such as cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs and finely chopped vegetables. Almost any vegetable is OK for your golden retriever to eat. Be sure to measure all fresh food portions and calculate in the added calories they provide.
Pay attention to the amount of calories you feed your golden retriever. A good rule of thumb for determining the calorie starting point is to feed 290 calories for every 15 lbs. you think your dog should weigh. The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, in their 1995 medical reference for dogs, suggests the following formula for calculating maintenance energy requirements for a dog: calories=132 x (body weight in kg).
Adjust the amount of dry food you feed your dog by ¼ cup per meal until you see that it is losing weight.