Golden Retriever Tips » Golden Retriever Care II

This is Part II of II for Golden Retriever Care.

FEEDING

Puppies. Golden Retriever Puppies must never be separated with their mothers until they reach their first month. On their fifth week, besides getting the nutritious mother’s milk, try mixing one-half water to one-half condensed milk in their food bowl. Feed them with this at least five times a day. As the Golden Retriever puppies grow older, you may gradually transfer them to puppy food then to adult dog food. Six months old dogs may be fed at least twice a day, and starting on the ninth month onwards, feeding them once daily would be enough.

Adult Golden Retrievers. Most big canines result to obesity if they get used to eating more than the necessary amount – this is a bad and indeed an unhealthy habit you must prevent your dog to suffer. One meal a day (best time to give is during evenings) is sufficient to sustain the daily nutrients needed by a large and still growing dog. You may also give small snacks in the morning if you want to, and do not forget that fresh water must always be readily available.

GROOMING

A grooming treat for your Golden Retriever is a weekly bath and shampoo which helps remove and prevent parasites like fleas, ticks and lice. Baking soda in vinegar and water solution is best in removing stubborn dirt and bad odor from Golden Retrievers, at the same time, also removes pests.

Also, make it a habit to untangle your dog’s fur with a wide-toothed comb. This will prevent pests from hiding under the fur which can result to skin infections. Your patience is required in combing or brushing your canine’s hair coat. Try to trim their hair at least once every two months for a more manageable hair coat.

MEDICAL HEALTH

Regular check-up monitors your Golden Retriever. It is necessary for the early detection of any infections that manifests illness. But as an old saying goes “Prevention is better than a cure.” Dog’s well-being depends on the level of its immune system – how far can your canine tolerate infections? Vaccination is a good example of illness prevention. Vaccines to fight hepatitis, leptospirosis, intestinal worms, heartworms and rabies should be administered between your Golden Retriever puppies 6th to 8th week. Boosters should be given once a year after the initial injection between the periods of 12 to 16 weeks.