Best Dog Food For My Golden Retriever

How To Choose A Puppy Food For Golden Retriever

We recommend that you first feed your puppy the same food that the breeder fed him. Because your puppys gut has already built up a certain microflora. And to digest the new ingredient, the puppy doesnt have enough gut bacteria. Even an adult dog is advised to add bifidobacteria for the gut when transitioning to a new Golden Retriever food. You can check out 10 of the best Chewy brands that make really high quality event food.

Diet Plan A Golden Retriever

Since the nutritional requirement of a Golden Retriever varies according to its age, it requires different amounts and types of nutrients in each stage of its life. Therefore, you should ensure that your dog is getting a sufficient amount of nutrients at each phase.

Thus, to ease your struggle with the diet plan of your Golden Retriever, you can read further to take reference:

What To Look For In Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

Each dog will have unique requirements, even if they are of the same breed. Not every Golden Retriever will have the same needs. They will have different health requirements, allergies, nutrients needs, life stages, etc. However, there will be some nutrients that every dog owner should look for in dog food to sustain optimal health, and here is a quick look at those nutrients.

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Dietary Requirements For Golden Retriever Puppy Foods

Golden Retriever puppies benefit from a diet that is rich in high-quality proteins obtained from lean meats. Whole proteins are preferable however, meat meals are also excellent.

Healthy fats are the building blocks of a food that meets the needs of the Golden Retriever puppy. Fats promote a healthy coat and skin and also provide the energy puppies need to grow and play. The ideal source for healthy fats is animal-based fats such as chicken fat or oils from fish such as mackerel or salmon. Some vegetable oils also provide beneficial omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

The best dog foods for Golden Retriever puppies may also be enriched with supplements such as prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.

Best Dog Foods For Golden Retrievers Reviewed

All dog foods included on this list meet the standard AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines for dogs. Always consult your veterinarian before making changes to your dogs diet.

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Barley, Peas
• Key Feature: Comprehensive formula meets the specific needs of large breeds
• Guaranteed Analysis: 26% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 340 kcal/cup
• Type of Product: No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy
• Life Stage: Adult
• Best For: Overall

The complete health formula features a 26% crude protein content from four animal sources. This helps build lean muscle in athletic dogs like Golden Retrievers. Chicken is the first ingredient, and this recipe does not contain any by-products.

Mixed tocopherols help prevent eye problems in predisposed breeds by protecting eye tissues. Plus, this dog food also contains additional glucosamine to help ease joint discomfort in Goldens.

Added omega-3 fatty acids help promote a shiny coat, brain function, and cardiac health. Healthy fats and taurine are essential for limiting the risk of heart problems in Golden Retrievers.

Whole food ingredients include sweet potatoes and barley as sources of complex carbohydrates. The formula does not contain any common allergens or fillers that may cause reactions in sensitive dogs.

• Life Stage: Growth
• Best For: Golden Puppies

• Type of Product: No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy
• Life Stage: Senior
• Best For: GoldenSeniors

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How Much Dog Food Is Recommended For A Golden Retriever Puppy

You should give your puppy three meals per day, from when it starts weaning all through the next 6 -8 weeks of life.

As much as food levels vary from one puppy to another, the recommended food intake for the Golden Retriever puppies is about ½ a cup of dry puppy food. Water should also be provided on the side.

What Brand Of Dog Food Do Vets Recommend

Its always the intention of every pet parent to wish the best for his furry friend. With that, veterinaries have lined up for you some of the dog foods. You will never go wrong when you offer them to your lovely pet.

So which are the brands most vets recommended as the best dog food for Golden Retrievers? Lets have a look.

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Best Food For Golden Retriever Grades

• Super premium This is the best food for Golden Retriever, crafted using fresh quality meat with added grains . Digestibility of super-premium class feeds is more than 80%. Their energy value is above 450 kcal/100 g, which significantly reduces their consumption.
• Premium Premium class feeds contain meat of fish, poultry, good quality by-products, as well as rice and/or vegetables: Carrots contain many trace elements, beet, potatoes. They contain vegetable proteins, colorings and flavorings. Premium class feeds are digestible by 75%, and their energy value exceeds 350 kcal/100 g.
• Economy. This is a low-quality dog food made from second-rate ingredients, slaughterhouse waste and low-quality grain. Bone meal, animal fat, soy, corn, etc. are used instead of meat. The food contains various flavorings, artificial additives and preservatives. The daily intake rate is high and the energy value does not exceed 350 kcal/100 g.

How do I read the contents of dog food?

In the composition of the food, the ingredient that contains the most is written first. Then comes the ingredient that contains less than the first ingredient, and so on.

Best food for Golden Retriever puppy must have meat first. But it is important that it be dried, dehydrated meat or meat meal, since drying reduces the amount of meat by 80%. It can be beef, pork, lamb, duck, fish or chicken. Yes, pork can also be fed to the dog.

Second place is taken by cereals corn, oats, barley, rice.

Further Reading…

Our Third Choice: Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy

3rd Choice

Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Food uses high-quality ingredients and is made in the USA. Its high-quality chicken is the first ingredient for protein that will power your Golden Retrievers day.

This puppy food supports muscle growth and bone health in active puppies with optimized levels of calcium and phosphorous. It also supports healthy brain development with clinically proven levels of DHA for a smarter, more trainable Golden Retriever puppy.

If the two choices listed above were not to your liking, this option is also highly recommended by our veterinarians. Choosing Eukanuba for your dog will leave you confident they are getting the nutrients they need.

Top Ingredients:

• Complete balanced nutrition for large breeds
• Added omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E
• Comes in 3 bag sizes 5lb, 16lb, and 33lb.

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Complete And Balanced Dog Foods

One of the first things you should look for on a dog food label is the statement is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles. This isnt just an advertising slogan. The Association of American Feed Control Officials has strict requirements to make sure that a product is in fact complete and balanced for dogs . Complete and balanced diets must contain the minimum amount of all of the nutrients necessary for dogs, which is also indicated in the guaranteed analysis. This analysis gives the minimum amount of crude protein and fat, along with the maximum amounts of water and crude fiber. The analysis does not, however, give the exact amount of these components, which means there is room for considerable variation. The manufacturers average nutrient profile is often a better tool for evaluating a product.

You can always contact the dog food company directly to get more information about its product. A reputable company that has your dogs interests at heart should be happy to answer your questions and in many cases will give you more information than what is available on the website or product label. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has a helpful sheet with questions you can ask a company representative.

Best Overall Puppy Food: Purina Proplan Large Breed Puppy Food

Purina ProPlan Large Breed is the best choice for your Golden Retriever puppy, as it provides a complete, healthy, and nutritious diet. The number one ingredient is chicken which provides the protein your puppy needs for strong muscles and healthy body function. This food comes highly recommended from our staff veterinarians.

This puppy food has added minerals such as calcium and phosphorus to build strong bones and teeth. It includes other natural sources of glucosamine to supplement joint and cartilage health.

The ProPlan brand is the highest quality line of Purina dog food apart from the prescription diets. We found there are added omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and antioxidants to support the immune system, brain development, and vision of your puppy. This food meets many nutritional needs of individual puppies.

Top Ingredients:

• Highest quality line of Purina dog food apart from the prescription diets
• Comes in the flavor chicken and rice with chicken as the #1 ingredient
• Supports immune system, brain development, and vision
• Available in two sizes 18lb. and 34lb.

This puppy food provides many health benefits to your Golden Retriever through natural ingredients that will help them grow healthy and strong during their first couple years of life.

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How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever Puppy

Knowing how much to feed your Golden Retriever and how often will help your Golden Retriever start off with a healthy lifestyle. As owners, we want to make sure that our new puppy gets just the right amount food to grow at their pace. We do not want to overfeed or underfeed. Our wish is to make life for them as comfortable as possible.

For more detail on this topic check out our article Golden Retriever Feeding Chart. If you use our recommended Purina Pro Plan, see below for the feeding chart.

Seniors: What Is The Best Senior Dog Food For A Golden Retriever

Like puppies, seniors need extra protein to sustain a healthy muscle mass. Some senior golden retrievers may experience weight gain as their metabolisms slow down. Others experience weight loss, struggling to digest food as well as they used to. Speak with your veterinarian to help you determine the best food for your senior golden retriever. Any specific health concerns may require a dietary change.

Most reputable dog food brands have options for senior dogs. One good choice is Wellness Complete Health Senior, which includes ingredients like chicken, brown rice, peas, carrots and vitamin supplements . When switching your dogs food, make the change gradual to support digestive health.

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The Buyers Guide: Food For Golden Retriever

One thing you need to keep in mind when choosing food for your Golden Retriever is that it is a large breed, which is more active than most large breeds. This means they need a good amount of protein and healthy carbs. Their diet should be low in fat but there should be enough fatty acids to keep their golden fur glowing.

Other Health Issues For Goldens

Goldens arent pre-disposed to many health problems that are related to diet. Most common problems youll encounter, such as hypothyroidism, eye disorders, lymphoma, and skin problems are often caught in your yearly visit with your vet. Make sure to keep up with your annual visit as well as ask any questions you have about their health. If you notice odd behavior or new habits, bring them up! These are the best keys to ensuring your vet has everything they need to keep your pet healthy!

Nearly any large breed is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, and enthusiastic eaters are prone to obesity which can cause complications such as diabetes. These may never be an issue, but ensure they live longer and healthier lives by watching their weight. A healthy weight will reduce their chances of developing obesity-related complications as well as putting less pressure on their joints to minimize pain from dysplasia. Considering a dog joint supplement can also be a good idea.

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Choosing The Best Dog Food

The best dog food for your dog is ultimately up to you to decide. As an owner, you are the one who sees your dog on a regular basis. If your dog produces firm, healthy stool, is active and fit, and has a healthy appetite, then your dog food is probably working just fine.

Your veterinarian is a valuable resource to you during this process. They know more about pet nutrition than the average owner, and they also have access to research and resources that owners do not have. Your vet can help you narrow down your options and should be more than happy to help you find the answers to your questions about your dogs food.

AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.

Top 10 Best Dry Dog Foods For Your Adult Golden Retriever

One of the most important aspects of our pets lives is their diet. What they eat and hoe they eat is so important that it can singularly control your pets health and even life span. Pet parents should start taking their diets seriously because most pets health challenges are caused by but not limited to their diet. That being said, we have carefully handpicked and reviewed top 10 best dry dog foods for your adult golden retriever, so, read on and thank us later.

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Best Budget Puppy Food: Purina One Large Breed Puppy

Best Budget

Purina One Large Breed Puppy Food is easily digestible for a puppys delicate stomach. It contains rice and has chicken as its #1 ingredient. It is high in protein to support strong muscles and a healthy heart. There is added DHA to support the health of your puppys brain. It is a natural source of glucosamine to help support growing joints.

Top Ingredients:

• Consists of added calcium and phosphorus minerals
• Contains vitamins A & E
• Comes in two bag sizes 16.5lb and 31.1lb

When Can You Safely Switch A Golden Retriever To Adult Food

The earliest possible time for switching a golden retriever over from puppy to adult food is six months. Though this entirely depends on the individual puppy and its capability to handle the food it is being given. Therefore the general rule of thumb is between 6-12 months. When you make the transition be sure to initially introduce the adult food in with their puppy food and see how they take it. If they adapt well to the change then you shouldnt have a problem making the full transition.

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Is Wet Food Or A Raw Diet Better Than Dry Kibble

Not necessarily. Some dogs prefer wet food, or have medical needs that require their food to be softer . However many wet and dry foods have similar nutritional content.

Similarly, homemade/specialty prepared meals may have higher quality ingredients than some dry foods, but are not always better in terms of nutrition.

Raw diets do come with a number of pros. However, one thing to consider is that dogs can spread pathogens that dont bother them, but can still make you sick. For example, while Salmonella may not get your dog sick, it can be passed onto you and your family after going through their system.

These Nutrients Make A Good Dog Food

The dogs organism has no trouble digesting good dog food. Signs of this are almost odourless faeces, high vitality and a shiny coat. The proportion of nutrients in a dog food is listed under the word analytical ingredients. We have summarised these in the table:

The other possible ingredients in dog food are explained below:

1. The value for meat and animal by-products indicates the meat content in your dog food. Companies often do not declare exactly what is engaged. It could be high-quality muscle meat or offal as well as low-quality offal. The latter includes, among other things, dried meats, rumen or chaps. Animal by-products include, for instance , hair, bone fragments, hooves, blood or beaks.

2. Fish and its by-products include fish fillets, our bones and fish mind.

3. Plant by-products include, for example, vegetables, cereals and pulses and olive oil fruits. They are partially health- and digestion-promoting food components.

4. Technological additives are preservatives, separating and binding agents, stabilisers, thickening and solidifying agents and level of acidity regulators. A few of these are important. These include, for example , emulsifiers and natural antioxidants. Emulsifiers ensure an uniform regularity of oil and water. Natural vitamin antioxidants are to prevent rancid fat.

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Expert Tips For Canine Nutritional Management

• Understand your Goldens activity level
• Age plays a role when choosing a formula
• Your dogs breed needs to be taken in to consideration
• Assess your dogs medical condition
• Consult with your veterinarian for the best nutritional advice
• Look for brands that assist with nutritional management for dogs with medical conditions.
• Dog food formulas need to be tested using the AAFCO feeding trial testing methods instead of by formulation
• The nutritional adequacy statement needs to be on the label
• The dog food formula that you choose needs to be complete and balanced
• The formula needs to be for the correct life stage of the dog

When it comes to choosing the best dog food for your Golden Retriever, keep in mind that a high-quality dog food will have better results in helping to keep your Golden healthy than a lower quality dog food.

Goldens may have diseases which are heavily impacted by their diets like inflammatory bowel disease or atopic skin diseases. These can be helped by feeding the correct diet, since Goldens with health conditions will need to follow a diet that is appropriate to their medical conditions. Always consult with your veterinarian for advice before changing diets.