Nourishing our golden family

At Illinois Goldens, we believe that proper nutrition is the cornerstone of a healthy, happy, and vibrant Golden Retriever. Discover our feeding philosophy and how we ensure our dogs thrive from puppyhood to adulthood.

Our feeding philosophy for thriving Goldens

We are committed to providing a well-balanced diet for all our Golden Retrievers. We choose human-grade kibble because, unlike conventional kibble, it retains essential nutrients during processing. To further ensure optimal health, we use supplements like NuVet, which provide all the necessary vitamins for healthy development, a lustrous coat, and energetic daily activities for both our adult dogs and puppies.

NuVet supplements

For optimal Golden Retriever health, we highly recommend and personally use NuVet. NuVet® products were developed over a span of eight years by three veterinarians, a nutritional scientist, a pharmacist, and a physician who were fed up with sub-standard nutrition and nutritional supplements in the pet industry. Their goal was to develop a holistic natural supplement that would get to the source of the problem and not just treat the symptoms.

A MESSAGE TO YOU

We all want our beloved Goldens to live long, happy, and healthy lives. Just like with humans, what we put into their bodies can have a lasting impact on their overall health and well-being.

For us, longevity starts from the very beginning. We use NuVet with our puppies to help provide essential vitamins and nutrients that support their growth and development as they flourish into strong, healthy Goldens. Taking the time to pay attention to nutrition and supplementation is one of the many ways we can give our dogs the best foundation possible.

We would never recommend something we haven't personally seen benefits from. Our Goldens have beautiful, luscious coats, great energy, and continue to thrive as they age. Our oldest Golden is 8 years old and still runs around and plays like a puppy, with no noticeable hip discomfort.

At the end of the day, we can't control everything but we can be intentional about what we give our dogs and do everything we can to support a long, healthy, and happy life. ❤️🐾

Feeding your new Golden Retriever puppy

For new puppy owners, consistency is key. Keep feeding simple and stick to the food your puppy was accustomed to, especially during the first week at home. Sudden changes, combined with the stress of a new environment, can lead to diarrhea.

Here are some practical tips:

  • Feed on a schedule: Most 8–12 week-old puppies thrive on three meals per day at consistent times. Gradually transition to two meals daily as they grow.
  • Measure every meal: Use the puppy food’s feeding guide as a starting point. Remember, the amount listed is typically for the entire day, so divide it evenly across meals.
  • Adjust to your puppy: Feeding charts are general guidelines. Monitor your puppy's body condition, growth, activity level, and stool quality to make adjustments rather than increasing portions automatically.
  • Avoid overfeeding: More food does not guarantee faster or healthier growth. Overfeeding can lead to loose stools and unhealthy weight gain.