Do Golden Retrievers have a big appetite

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

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Why Do Golden Retrievers Have a Bump on Their Head?

A bump on the back of a Golden Retrievers head is normal its called an occiput and its a protuberance thats purpose is to protect their skull from predators. Every dog has an occiput, but its far more noticeable (and larger) on bigger breeds of dogs. Thats why theyre so easily spotted on Golden Retrievers as theyre quite large dogs.

Read on to find out why Golden Retrievers need occiputs, all about other types of lumps that a Golden Retriever can get, and more!

Why Do Golden Retrievers Need Occiputs?

Occiputs evolved to protect the dogs delicate skull from being crushed by predators. Its like a cushion for the brain andit also provides extra support and flexibility for head movement. Though the chances of your Golden Retrievers head being crushed are lower now, its still beneficial as support.

All About Occiputs

The occiput is also referred to as a wisdom bump, knowledge bump, or knowledge knot.

Historically, the occiputs were thought to be a sign of the dogs intellect or thought to be linked to having a superior sense of smell. This is because theyre noticeable on Golden Retrievers and Bloodhounds both smart, strong sniffers. But this isnt true as every dog has an occiput.

Its the only part of the skull that connects to the neck and it allows passage to the spinal cord. Every dog will have one, no matter what breed but its more prominent in certain breeds (e.g. Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and other larger, sporty dog breeds).

Other Lumps a Golden Retriever Could Have

While occiputs are entirely normal, Golden Retrievers can have lumps and bumps that arent quite right. Sometimes these lumps will be benign (non-cancerous) and are treatable from the vet or fine to leave.

However, Golden Retrievers are prone to certain cancers and can have lumps that need treating immediately. These are called malignant tumours. The best option is the take your Golden to a vet as soon as you notice a lump so it can be checked out.

Lumps can be:

Abscesses

This is a lump of pus thats caused by a wound or foreign object. Plainly speaking, its an infection thatll cause your Golden Retriever a lot of pain until its treated.

Youll need to take them to a vet who might either prescribe antibiotics or make a small cut in the abscess and flush it out with a sterile solution.

Lipomas

This is a deposit of fat under the Golden Retrievers skin thats non-cancerous, though its technically considered a tumour. Its seen most often in overweight or elderly Goldies but is usually safe as far as lumps go.

However, they can be removed by a vet if theyre rapidly growing or changing, or if theyre positioned somewhere inconvenient such as on their leg (if it hinders movement).

Hives/Allergies

Golden Retrievers are particularly susceptible to having allergic reactions. It can be due to their food, dust, pollen, or something else. A common sign of an allergy is raised red lumps that are tender and itchy.

Allergic reactions usually settle down on their own. But if its severe or long-lasting, then its worth taking a trip to the vet. To learn more about allergies and other health problems that Golden Retrievers can get, check out this.

Cysts

These can occur when the glands under your Golden Retrievers skin become obstructed by dirt and sweat. Theyre non-cancerous and usually sort themselves out. Youre most likely to see them on the back of an older Golden Retriever.

In some cases, the cyst can burst releasing a cream-coloured liquid similar to a human cyst. This can occasionally lead to infection which needs treatment from a vet to clear it up.

Histiocytomas

These small, hard lumps are only seen on the head, ears, and legs of Golden Retriever puppies. Theyre generally harmless and will go down over time. If youre not sure if youre looking at a histiocytoma, then dont be afraid to make a vet appointment to get it checked.

Warts

Warts are the result of a common virus that appears in the mouth of a young Golden Retriever. They arent the nicest to look at, but they arent anything to worry about. Over time theyll settle down.

Mast Cell Tumours

These tumours are skin cancer for Golden Retrievers. Theyre caused by a combination of environmental and hereditary factors.

The problem with Mast Cell Tumours is that they can be mistaken for a wart or harmless growth. If its caught early, it can be diagnosed by a Fine Needle Aspiration procedure, and it can sometimes be surgically removed.

If the cancer spreads rapidly, it can massively complicate the situation. Try to catch any tumours as early as possible to maximise the chances of treating them and for your Goldie to have the best chance of recovery.

For more information on lumps your Golden Retriever could have, check out this article.

How to Tell if a Lump Is a Problem

If youre unsure whether you should be worried about a lump, its always best to err on the side of caution and get it checked by a vet. Theyll probably ask you these questions:

Is it a new lump or has it been there for a long time?
Has it changed in size or appearance recently?
Is it attached to the tissue underneath?
Is there one lump or multiple lumps?
Have you noticed any changes in your dogs behaviour? Are they eating and drinking normally? As energetic as usual? Do they have vomiting or diarrhoea?
Do they allow you to touch it? Is it tender, or do they get defensive due to pain?

Once your vet has examined the lump, they might be able to offer an immediate explanation, take a biopsy, suggest removal, or prescribe medication. It depends on what type of lump, where it is, and if its cancerous or not.

Signs of a Tumour

If your Golden Retriever has a tumour, you might notice some other symptoms. A lump combined with one or more of these symptoms would require a vet trip to have it checked.

Look out for:

Continuous swelling.
Sores that dont heal.
Weight loss.
Lost appetite.
Bleeding (from anywhere).
A strong, foul smell.
Lethargic or low energy.
Stiff muscles or joints.
Lame when walking.
Trouble going to the toilet.
Breathing difficulty (this one would be classed as an emergency).

You know your Golden Retriever best, so any out-of-character behaviour could be a sign that something isnt right.

Dog Head Shapes and Sizes

There are three groups of different dog skulls and heads:

Dolichocephalic: Pointy heads and long muzzles for example Whippets or Greyhounds.
Mesaticephalic: Medium-sized heads with muzzles that arent too long or too short. Examples include Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Beagles.
Brachycephalic: Short faces and noses with barely any muzzle. For example, Pugs or Bulldogs.

These three are the main head types of dogs, but there are sub-groups based on appearance.

Other common dog head shapes are:

Apple head A skull with a rounded or dome-shaped head with a small snout like a Poodle or Chihuahua.
Block-shaped head A cube-shaped head with an upturned nose like a Boston Terrier or Boxer.
Brick-shaped head A long, domed head like a brick. For example, a Terrier.
Dome-shaped head A head with a rounded top and convex nose like Cocker Spaniels or Rottweilers.
Egg-shaped head An oval-shaped head like an egg. An example is a Bull Terrier.
Otter head A broad skull with a short muzzle thats said to look like an otters head. An example here is a Border Terrier.
Pear-shaped head A rounded skill with a tapered nose, similar to a pear. Much like a Bedlington Terrier.
Pointy head A long, narrow head with a pointy nose. Theyre classed as dolichocephalics like Greyhounds or Whippets.
Wedge-shaped head A long wedge that tapers from the ears to the nose. These are generally in the mesaticephalic category like Golden Retrievers or German Shepherds.

Overall, Golden Retrievers are classed as having a mesaticephalic, wedge-shaped head with their occiput on the top.

What to do if My Golden Retriever Isnt Eating But Acting Normal?

Modified: Oct 14, 2021 by roberto This post may contain affiliate links Leave a Comment

Golden Retrievers love their food.

In fact, every dog loves meal time so, you know that theres something on if your dog isnt eating like he usually does but acting completely normal. This can be worrisome for you because a lack of appetite in dogs is often linked with diseases.

So, is this something you should be panicking about?

The loss of appetite in dogs is known as anorexia and its a completely different thing from the human psychological disorder known as anorexia nervosa.

In this blog post, Ill answer the question, What to do if my Golden Retriever isnt eating but acting normal? and help you figure out whats going on.

Lets start.

What The Vet Has to Say

Its true that dogs dont generally eat when theyre feeling ill or have a disease.

Some reasons can be quite common such as having a fever, while others can be a bit worrisome like having the flea flu. So, in this case, instead of speculating whats wrong with your Goldy, you should visit your vet if you see signs of anorexia in your doggy friend.

This is usually a good thing to do if you want to catch a disease in its initial stages.

This is all the more important if your dog can eat almost anything and everything within seconds but has stopped altogether.

There are various other reasons why your Goldy may not be eating---some arent even related to your dog having a medical issue, However, we advise you to be cautious and take your dog to the vet anyway---or also call a vet!

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Why Isnt My Golden Retriever Eating?

These are some of the most common reasons why dogs tend to not eat food. However, I still recommend that you visit your vet anyway, to be sure. Lets take a look at them!

Doggy Drama: Why Isnt My Pet Eating His Food!?

Following are a few reasons why your dog probably isnt eating the food:

Dental issues: Dogs dont really let their owners know they have dental issues and dont show signs of any pain until it is too late. In case your dog hasnt been eating, you should get his teeth checked for cracked, broken, or loose teeth. You can also try giving your pooch soft food to determine if hes got dental issues
The dog wants to be fed: If your dog is high-maintenance and likes you to work for it, he may simply refuse to eat unless hes fed by you. You need to sort this behavioral issue out if you have a spoilt Goldy
Travel to new places: This is another common thing that pet owners do not realize. If your Goldy was eating just fine until you took a trip or moved to a new location then, the travel is probably the reason why your furry companion wont finish his food. Dogs get motion sickness, and some dogs also feel uncomfortable and nervous when theyre introduced to a new environment
Illnesses: Most often, anorexia is related to sickness in dogs. The illness may not necessarily be a serious one, however, loss of appetite is one of the symptoms of diseases such as systemic infections, cancers, kidney failure, liver infections, pain, etc.
Senior Dog: Some aging Goldies are known to stop eating because they actually forget to do it! Other than that, your aging pooch may have dental pain and issues so, contacting your vet is the best thing to do
Vaccination: One of your biggest responsibilities as a pet owner should be to get your dog vaccinated for life-threatening diseases as they prevent your dog from getting serious diseases. But, in some cases, vaccines have adverse effects that may cause your doggy friend to get a little sick and lose his appetite for a few days. So, if youve just got your dog vaccinated, you shouldnt worry too much
The dog simply not being hungry: Most dog owners dont realize that some dogs can go a few days without eating so, your Goldy may not be eating his food simply because he isnt hungry at the moment
Pickiness: If you have just changed dog food brands, your dog may not be eating his kibble because he probably doesnt like the new brand as much as he liked the previous one. You can change the dog food to be sure if thats the case---which it usually is. Adding things that your dog likes (such as chicken, eggs, etc.) to his food to see if that truly is that case
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Change in routine: Dogs like routine and are excellent at sticking to them. So, any changes in their routine results in a domino effect which means that your dog will need to get used to his new routine and adjust his eating habits accordingly.
Addition of a new dog in the family: Adding a new member to your family can be exciting and stressful at the same time which is one of the reasons why your Goldy might have lost his appetite. You just need to allow your dog to adjust to the presence of the new dog and youll be good to go!
Other issues: In this section, we have only included some of the common ones. Other issues include problems such as being around a dominant or even aggressive dog, the food bowl being at an uncomfortable height for the dog to eat out of it, an unwashed or bad-smelling food bowl, etc.

Phone your vet to be sure as to why your dog is eating and never take your pets health for granted.

What to Do if My Golden Retriever Isnt Eating Food?

If your dog hasn't been feeling the kibble lately, the first thing you should do is to determine what the cause could be.

We have provided you with a list of the most common reasons why dogs dont eat their food. Once you know what the root cause of the problem is you can:

Determine if your dog needs medical attention
Try out a few home remedies

In any case, a simple call to the vet wont hurt anyone and will be able to calm you down. You must do everything in your power to keep your furry companion happy and healthy.

Still, have any unanswered questions or concerns? Leave them in the comments section and we will help you right out!