Feeding a Golden Retriever Puppy with Homemade Food

A Complete TGPC Guide from 3 to 12 Months

At The Golden Path Club (TGPC), we see feeding as more than nutrition. It is part of the relationship you build with your dog—one that shapes health, confidence, digestion, and long-term wellbeing.

Golden Retrievers are gentle, fast-growing, emotionally sensitive dogs. During puppyhood, their bodies are developing rapidly: bones lengthen, joints form, organs mature, and the nervous system learns to regulate stress. Feeding them homemade food, when done correctly, supports this process in a natural and respectful way.

This guide explains how to feed a Golden Retriever puppy using homemade food only, from 3 to 12 months, with clear portion sizes, feeding rhythm, batch-cooking recipes, and practical advice you can actually follow.

Why homemade food for Golden Retriever puppies?

Homemade food allows you to:

• Control ingredient quality

• Avoid ultra-processed fillers

• Adapt meals to growth stages

• Support digestion and stool quality

• Build calm, predictable routines

However, homemade feeding must be balanced. Puppies are not small adults. They require:

• Sufficient protein for growth

• Controlled energy (not too rich)

• Correct calcium for bone development

At TGPC, we recommend gently cooked, simple, repetitive meals—not constant variety.

Feeding rhythm: how often to feed

Golden Retriever puppies thrive on routine. Predictable meals support digestion and emotional stability.

• 3 to 6 months: 3 meals per day

• 6 to 9 months: gradual transition from 3 to 2 meals

• 9 to 12 months: 2 meals per day

• After 12 months: 2 meals per day (adult routine)

Feed at roughly the same times each day. Calm feeding leads to calm digestion.

How much to feed: daily portions by age

The amounts below refer to total homemade food per day, divided into meals.

Age Average weight Total food per day

3 months 7–10 kg 450–550 g

6 months 15–20 kg 800–1,000 g

9 months 22–28 kg 1,100–1,300 g

12 months 28–32 kg 1,200–1,400 g

TGPC tip:
You should be able to feel your puppy’s ribs easily, but not see them. Growth should be steady—not rushed.

What a balanced homemade puppy meal looks like

Each meal should follow this structure:

• 40–45% animal protein
  Chicken, turkey, beef, or fish

• 25–30% carbohydrates
  White rice, oats, sweet potato

• 20–25% vegetables
  Carrot, zucchini, spinach, green beans

• 5–10% healthy fats
  Olive oil or salmon oil

• Mandatory calcium source
  Ground eggshell or veterinary supplement

Puppies must never eat meat-only meals.
Calcium is essential for healthy bones and joints.

Batch cooking: the TGPC approach

Batch cooking once or twice per week:

• Saves time

• Creates consistency

• Prevents digestive upset

• Makes feeding stress-free

Prepare a large batch, portion into daily containers, refrigerate for 2–3 days, and freeze the rest.

Recipe 1: Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Growth Bowl

Makes approximately 5 kg cooked food

Ingredients

• 2 kg chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)

• 1 kg white rice

• 1 kg carrots

• 500 g zucchini

• 300 g spinach

• 5 tablespoons olive oil

• Calcium source

Preparation

1. Gently boil the chicken and shred finely

2. Cook rice until very soft

3. Steam vegetables and chop or mash

4. Mix all ingredients together

5. Add olive oil once slightly cooled

6. Add calcium after cooling

Calcium guideline

• 1 teaspoon finely ground eggshell per 500 g of food
  (or use a veterinary calcium supplement)

Recipe 2: Beef, Sweet Potato & Oat Puppy Mix

Makes approximately 5 kg cooked food

Ingredients

• 2 kg lean ground beef (10–12% fat)

• 1.5 kg sweet potatoes

• 700 g oats

• 500 g green beans

• 300 g carrots

• 4 tablespoons salmon oil

• Calcium source

Preparation

1. Gently cook beef (no seasoning, no frying)

2. Boil and mash sweet potatoes

3. Cook oats until soft

4. Steam vegetables and chop finely

5. Combine all ingredients

6. Add salmon oil and calcium after cooling

Portion size per meal (practical guide)

• 3 months (3 meals/day): 150–180 g per meal

• 6 months (3 → 2 meals/day): 270–330 g per meal

• 9 months (2 meals/day): 550–650 g per meal

• 12 months (2 meals/day): 600–700 g per meal

Always adjust slightly based on growth, activity, and body condition.

Treats: what to use and what to avoid

Treats should support training—not replace meals.

TGPC-approved treats

• Small pieces of cooked chicken

• Lightly steamed carrot sticks

• Apple slices (no seeds)

• Sardines (1–2 times per week)

Avoid:

• Sugary or processed treats

• Bread and pastries

• Excessive cheese

Water intake: often overlooked, always essential

Fresh food increases hydration needs.

Daily guideline:
50–70 ml of water per kg of body weight

Examples:

• 10 kg puppy → 500–700 ml per day

• 20 kg puppy → 1–1.4 L per day

• 30 kg adolescent → 1.5–2 L per day

Water should always be:

• Available

• Clean

• Changed daily

Increase water access during heat, exercise, and growth spurts.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Overfeeding “because the puppy is growing”

• Too much variety too quickly

• Skipping calcium

• Feeding rich or fatty meals too early

• Constantly changing ingredients

Growth should be slow and steady. Bigger is not better.

The Golden Path Club perspective

At TGPC, we believe:

• Simple food builds strong foundations

• Routine creates emotional safety

• Calm digestion supports calm behavior

• Observation matters more than trends

Feeding your Golden Retriever puppy is a daily act of care. When done thoughtfully, it supports not just physical growth, but confidence, resilience, and balance—for life.