How To Select The Right Dog Food Formula For Your Golden Retriever
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All dog food formulas are regulated by the FDA and the U.S. This provides protection to pet parents and pooch. A high-quality dog food depends on the ingredients within the dog food.
Today, dog food formulas are always changing so as to update current formulas with new research. There are also numerous high-quality dog food formulas to choose from, which makes it all the more difficult for pet parents.
There are also many alternative meat options for protein-focused nutrition that offer duck, alligator, venison, rabbit and boar supplemented with chickpeas, sweet potatoes or lentils.
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken And Rice
Primary Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, Ground White Rice
Diamond Naturals is one of the leading brands of holistic dog foods, producing kibble with high-quality ingredients like real meat and whole grains. This large-breed dry food can help your Golden Retriever maintain a healthy coat and great skin as well as smooth digestion.
Customer Review: I have six dogs ranging in weight from ~50 lbs to ~120 lbs. All of them love this food! Their coats are shiny and soft, and their poops are small!
Rating: 4.5/5
When Should I Switch My Golden Retriever From Puppy To Adult Food
The timing for changing your puppys diet depends on two major factors: their age and their weight. Around eighteen months is whenever your golden retriever puppy will have likely finished growing into their adult size. Adult weight for a male golden retriever tends to be between sixty-five to seventy-five pounds, and between fifty-five and seventy for a male. You can switch your pups food when they reach weight or age, whichever comes first.
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Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult
Rating:
Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult is one of 14 dry recipes included in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground brown rice, barley, peas
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for:Adult goldens
Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult derives the bulk of its animal protein from chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 13% fat and 50% estimated carbs which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 46%.
The classic, grain-inclusive, large breed design contains no meat by-products and no BHA or other cancer-causing synthetic preservatives. Easily recommended for adult goldens.
Sample buyer reviewOur dog had developed a bit of a gas issue with another leading brand that featured mostly red meat, so I wanted to go back to a food with mostly chicken. After a lot of research, I settled on Wellness Complete, and weve been very happy with it. Our dog readily goes for the food, and for the first time with any kibble, she will eat a few pieces out of our hand as a treat. I am impressed by the nutritional balance and the glucosamine and chondroitin since she is 80+ pounds, and it seems to have eliminated the gas problems.
Labrador Retriever Feeding Chart
Food portions can vary depending on a few different factors including life stage, gender, and activity level. Work with your vet to find the best path for your particular Lab.
Here are some general feeding guidelines:
- Puppies: Puppies go through a lot of changes as they mature, so its crucial that you follow your veterinarians instructions carefully so as not to over or under feed.
- Adults: Typical adults receive between three and four cups of kibble per day depending on the brand and body type of your pet.
- Seniors: Your senior dog should have about the same serving sizes as it did during its adult life, but if theres a weight or severe health issue, your vet may decide on a different path.
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large
| 0.75% min |
Ingredients:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Pea Protein, Peas, Chicken Fat , Menhaden Fish Meal , Flaxseed , Natural Flavor, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Egg Product, Dicalcium Phosphate, Fish Oil , Salt, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Choline Chloride, Potatoes, Dried Chicory Root, Vitamin E Supplement, Sweet Potatoes, Potassium Chloride, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Dl-Methionine, Calcium Carbonate, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Carrots, Garlic, Riboflavin , Vitamin D3 Supplement, L-Carnitine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable Juice For Color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin , Calcium Pantothenate , Folic Acid , Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate , L-Lysine, Copper Sulfate, Biotin , Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Manganese Sulfate, Taurine, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate , Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride , Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract.
What To Look For When Buying Dog Food For Golden Retrievers:
The Golden Retriever is a popular dog breed all over the world, and they are the most incredible family dogs that have what it takes to brighten the lives of their human family members, every day. Golden Retrievers are large dogs, and unfortunately, they have some heredity health problems, which can sometimes be prevented with the right food and nutrition! It is crucial to feed your Golden Retriever right both as puppies, adults, and seniors, to set them up for long and healthy life. To do this, you need to know what to look for in dog food, what to avoid and what food is most likely to suit your dog.
A benefit when feeding a Golden Retriever is that they dont tend to be fussy about food, and they will often eat whatever is served to them. This, however, is no excuse not to do proper research, or to fail to provide an adequate and nutritional diet. Your Golden Retriever cant tell you what he or she needs, and they probably dont even know it themselves, so it is up to us as responsible dog owners to make sure they get the nutrients their fluffy bodies crave.
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Why Do Golden Retrievers Need Good Dog Food
Health starts from within, so it is important to apply that same principle to a dogs food. Dogs that eat low-quality dog food are more prone to sickness because they do not have enough nutrients in their body. Low-quality dog food is often like junk food for dogs because it contains fillers and other ingredients that do not benefit dogs. In some cases, low-quality dog food can even make a dog sick.
Higher quality dog food can ensure better health for dogs, which is essential for big dogs like Golden Retrievers. Dog food that suits a Golden Retrievers needs can meet their nutritional requirements. Moreover, Golden Retrievers are prone to certain conditions, like allergies and skin issues. Dog foods that are specially suited for big breeds like the Golden Retriever often prevent and soothe these issues.
Most dog food brands available at the store will not cut it for a Golden Retriever. Even if the dog food is good, that does not mean it is right for a Golden Retriever. They are a large breed of dog, so they need much more nutrients than medium and small dogs.
Is Homemade Food Good For My Golden Retriever
NO, you cannot feed the home-cooked food that you intake. As they do not require any extra oil or spice in their food, neither is it recommended. But if you are cooking especially for your dog like boiled and properly cooked meat with less sugar then its good occasionally.
But dog food is made considering all the macro and micronutrients which is needed for a laniferous organism. Hence you should prefer feeding dogs their food. You can consider feeding them the boiled meat or bone broth as it will help your dog have good coat skin and healthy bones.
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Do Golden Retrievers Need Special Dog Food
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, adult dogs require a minimum of 18% protein in their diet, and puppies need at least 22%. Protein provides the building blocks for strong muscles in puppies and, in adults, supports lean muscle maintenance. For most dogs, higher protein content is a good thing.
Fat provides your dog with a concentrated source of energy in the form of calories and should make up at least 8% of the diet for puppies and 5% for adult dogs. This is where your Golden Retrievers needs start to differ.
Small dog breeds have faster metabolisms and need a higher concentration of calories in their diet. For large breeds like the Golden Retriever, however, excess calories can lead to unhealthy weight gain, which increases the risk for other issues like bone and joint problems. For this reason, Golden Retrievers need a protein-rich dog food with low-to-moderate fat and calorie content.
What To Look For
The reason I always recommend commercial dog food over homemade is that the former is carefully prepared to fulfill the dietary needs per meal. And it is all right there on the label. From the amount of proteins and fat to the total caloric content per cup.
Here is what you should look for on the label.
- Lean Meat The best food for Golden Retriever is one that has meat as its first ingredient, and that meat should be lean. Poultry is preferable over red meat because it has the right amount of fat as well.
- Low Fat Keep in mind that large breeds have a slower metabolism, which means they are more susceptible to weight gain. I would say go for anything that has around 10 to 15% fat. However, you should focus on fiber as well because it can help with fat metabolism.
- Good Carbs No active breed can thrive without carbs. Look for quality vegetable sources such as potatoes or other tubers. These sources are also rich in minerals and vitamins essential for healthy bones and teeth.
- Fatty Acids Goldies are quite furry, which means you should look for fur-friendly ingredients as well. Fatty acids from fish can do wonders for the skin and coat of your baby.
- Fillers and Additives: Go for a filler-free food that doesnt contain artificial flavors or additives. This should also be your criteria for snacks and treats.
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Eukanuba Large Breed Adult Dog Food
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Corn, 3. Chicken By-Product Meal, 4. Wheat, 5. Ground Grain Sorghum
With this one Eukanuba proves how well it understands the different needs of different breeds. With the right balance of proteins, fats, and carbs, Eukanuba Adult Large Breed dog food will keep your Golden Retriever happy, active, and healthy. What I love about it is the 3D DentaDefense anti-tartar agent that takes good care of my canines dental health. Moreover, there is a good balance of nutrients essential for mental and physical health. With chicken as the first ingredient, this is a delicious option even for the pickiest eaters.
Your Guide To Preventing Disease By Choosing The Best Dog Food For Your Golden Retriever
- Stay away from artificial flavors, colors or preservatives such as propylene glycol
- Formulas should offer real meat or chicken instead of meat meal or chicken meal
- Must contain a good source of calcium
- Dog food formulas must meet AAFCO nutrient requirements for the correct life stage
- Must be manufactured by a reputable company
- Dog food formulas should offer antioxidants, healthy ingredients, Omega 3s, and the right amount of micro nutrients.
- The formula should not contain hormones or steroids
- Dog food should not be overly processed
- Dog food formulas should state which life stage they are intended for
- Ingredients should not contain unnamed meat sources
- Ingredients should contain veggies and fruit
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Special Considerations For Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are very active. They are most active as puppies and young adults but they need exercise throughout their lives. Walking, swimming, and good, long runs provide excellent exercise for these sporting dogs. Because of their high level of activity, they do need quite a few calories in their daily food.
Golden Retrievers can be prone to hip dysplasia and some other health issues.
Golden Retrievers are one of the breeds that has been connected to food-related dilated cardiomyopathy . The FDA is currently investigating a possible link between grain free dog foods and a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. At this time there is no firm conclusion about a connection but you may wish to consider these findings when choosing a food for your Golden. The FDA has not advised anyone to stop feeding grain free dog foods. However, they have suggested that owners might cut back on foods with high amounts of peas and some other ingredients that have been used in place of grains.
Some Golden Retrievers have developed food allergies. Do watch your dogs health and reactions after meals, especially if you have recently changed dog foods. If you notice anything unusual, consult your veterinarian.
How Often Should I Feed My Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers need to eat regularly, and youll have better results if you regulate their intake. Puppies tend to need to eat at least three times a day, and sometimes more depending on their appetite. As adults, golden retrievers can work well with one or two feedings per day, so long as youre giving them enough to meet their dietary needs.
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A Goldens Unique Needs
While Goldens are known as a relatively healthy dog breed, there are a few medical conditions theyre predisposed to. While some conditions, like hypothyroidism or hip and elbow dysplasia, are difficult to predict or protect against, there are other common conditions which can be prevented through proper diet and eating habits.
Cancer Nearly 60% of golden retrievers die from cancer. The causes for cancer are many, and in most cases, theres nothing that could have been done to prevent it, theres one thing you can control which may help your dog avoid cancer: proper diet.
Lower quality dog foods often contain ingredients which have been linked to cancer, and avoiding them is the best action you can take to help your dog avoid developing cancer. Avoiding foods with artificial ingredients, colors, fillers or preservatives is a great way to limit the likelihood of your golden developing cancer.
Cardiovascular Disease While goldens are prone to developing cardiovascular disease, you can mitigate this risk tremendously by keeping your dog at a healthy weight thats in line with your vets recommendations.
A healthy dog at the right weight is far less likely to develop a heart condition as they get older. If you notice your dog trending a bit towards the heavier side, dont wait, consult with your vet about putting them on a diet for weight management.
How We Rank These Products
While in the search for the best dog food in India, we have came across many dog food available in Indian dog food market.
To be honest and precise about our review we have used ingredient analyzing as a mean to rank their quality.
Researching about individual ingredients help us to determine the quality of dog foods.
Each ingredients pros/cons is evaluated to check how these products would affect your dog in a long run. Which one of them is nutritious and which one is just to raise the stats.
Dogs being carnivores arent able to utilize the plant protein as much as they could from animal protein. Still many dog food manufacturers use these fillers to lower their market price.
To be clear, we doesnt try to defame or praise any brand just try to show you what youre getting for the money you paid!
For more detailed reviews, you could check our articles on Honest Review.
We hope that your search for the best dog food in India ends here!
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Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain
Primary Ingredients: Herring Meal, Peas, Dried Eggs, Canola Oil, Tapioca, Pea Starch, Flaxseed, Pea Protein
This dry food from Earthborn Holistic is an excellent option for Golden Retrievers with food allergies. With fish as the main protein, this kibble promotes a gorgeous coat and healthy skin and improves digestive issues.
Customer Review: Both my dogs have sensitive skin and sensitive stomachs they used to have lots of runny poop and dry skin. After switching to earthborn holistic, theyve had nothing but solid poops!
Rating: 4.7/5
American Journey Large Breed Chicken And Sweet Potato
Rating:
Large Breed Chicken and Sweet Potato is one of 14 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the American Journey product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal , turkey meal, peas, chickpeas
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All life stages
- Best for:Golden retriever adults and puppies
American Journey Large Breed Chicken acquires the majority of its meat protein from poultry. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 13% fat and 45% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 40%.
This large breed formula also contains a prebiotic. Prebiotics can help support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine for better digestion. An exceptional, budget-friendly option. Easily recommended.
Sample buyer reviewI have four furry children from small to extra large, all picky in their own way : Treats, bones, & obviously food. All four of em absolutely loved this brand! Theyve been on it for only a week, & I can already tell how healthier their coats look, & a bit of needed weight loss.
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