Best Dog Food Golden Retriever

Halo Holistic Chicken Recipe Large Breed

Primary Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product, Oatmeal, Pearled Barley, Dried Peas

This dry food by Halo Holistic uses a blend of chicken and liver to promote optimal bone strength and immune support in your Golden Retriever, among many other health benefits. Its an excellent option for owners who prefer holistic food options with no artificial flavors.

Customer Review: She loves her food, and I noticed her coat is very soft now. Gobbles it down!

Rating: 4.7/5

How To Switch Food Brands

The other day I was talking to someone who was complaining that her puppy was having lots of stomach issues.

She said shed tried several different food brands and her puppy had problems with all of them!

Well, in this case, its probably not the food thats the problem

Its the fact that she kept switching foods so quickly!

Dogs have sensitive stomachs so if you want to switch foods, you need to do it slowly.

You should take about a week to transition from the old food to the new brand.

For example, on day one, their meal might be 10% new food, 90% old food.

On day two, their meal might be 25% new food, 75% old food.

Youd slowly add in more new food, and give them less of the old food, until youve fully made the switch.

And this rule applies whether youre switching to a different brand of puppy food, or switching them from puppy food to adult food.

If you dont make this transition slowly, youll probably be dealing with a lot of diarrhea.

Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult

Rating:

This Large Breed Adult formula is one of 13 dry recipes covered in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, ground white rice
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best for:Adult goldens

Diamond Naturals Large Breed gets the better part of its meat protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 26% protein, 14% fat and 52% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.

We like the fact that this particular formula contains zinc proteinate and 3 other chelated minerals, costly items not typically found in such a budget-friendly, high quality option. A top pick for adult goldens. Easy to recommend.

Sample buyer reviewWe have seen great changes in our dogs on this food. My beagle is getting older and slowing down. With the Diamond food, he is running all over and back to jumping on the couch and bed again. My male Great Pyrenees had digestive issues that cleared right up. My female Great Pyrenees was always getting skin issues with a rough coat. She isnt scratching and her coat is gorgeous. Thank you Diamond for giving my dogs their lives back.

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The Best Dog For Golden Retriever Puppies: Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy

Primary Ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn, Wheat Gluten, Chicken Fat, Wheat, Brewers Rice, Brown Rice

Supporting the needs of a growing Golden Retriever puppy is of utmost importance and will shape their health for the rest of their life. Royal Canin makes dry food tailored explicitly to particular breeds. Its Golden food variation uses chicken and brown rice ingredients to support digestive health, strong bones, and a healthy coat.

Customer Review: As a breeder of English Golden Retrievers, I am always looking for the ideal puppy kibble, and I have finally found it! Gorgeous coats, healthy body conditions, great activity levels- perfect puppies!

Rating: 4.8/5

Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

With so many dog food choices out there, finding the right food for your Golden Retriever can be difficult and overwhelming. This article was written by Dr. Traas, president of Golden Retriever Society and veterinarian, and includes input from our other staff veterinarians. We look specifically for foods that are formulated for large breed dogs and foods that are backed by science made by reputable companies that have spent considerable time researching each ingredient.

Here we share our top choices of dog food that will provide your Golden Retriever with a healthy and complete diet. We will also give details about the nutritious ingredients found in each food and how they will benefit your dog.

Our Top Pick

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed is our top choice for Golden Retrievers. Coreys dog Brady has been eating this food since becoming an adult and he loves it. This dog food provides a complete, healthy, and nutritious diet for all large breed dogs.

Just as important as getting quality dog food for your Golden, is knowing how much to feed them. After you decide on the food for your dog, be sure to visit our article Golden Retriever Feeding Chart. We cover more feeding information and look at other common questions you may have.

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Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy Food

Image courtesy Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice is a dry food that’s made with real chicken as the first ingredient. It also includes DHA for brain and vision development, calcium for strong bones, and whole grains for easy digestion.

This formula is designed to support your pup’s large frame and rapid growth, as well as his immune system, skin, and coat. The kibble is also extra-large and easy to eat.

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.

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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula: Adult Large Breed

This food is one of the best there is, mostly because chicken is the first ingredient. That fact alone means that this food has lots of protein , which Golden Retrievers need. However, the makers of this food don’t stop with proteins. It also includes multiple vitamins and other compounds to promote joint, bone, and coat health. It’s one of the most well-balanced foods out there.

Of course, many people trust Blue Buffalo to provide quality food for their dogs, and in this formula, the makers don’t disappoint!

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Food

Image courtesy Purina

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Formula is a dry food that’s made with real chicken as the first ingredient. It also includes rice and oatmeal for easy digestion, DHA for brain and vision development, and calcium for strong bones.

This formula is designed to support your pup’s large frame and rapid growth, as well as his immune system, skin, and coat. The kibble is also extra-large and easy to eat, so your big guy can chow down at mealtime.

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Eating Their Way To Health

Puppies have their own unique nutritional requirements. They are growing quickly, so while they eat smaller quantities of food than adult dogs, they need to extract far more nutrients like protein, minerals, and vitamins, to sustain their growth and development.

As such, the best dog foods for golden puppies are packed with extra nutrition and things that adult golden retrievers dont need.

Be sure to feed your puppy food that is specifically made for their age bracket and check the label to be sure youre getting the right formula.

Buyers Guide: Buying The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers With Allergies

Now that you know more about the best foods out there for your dog with allergies, you likely have a few questions. How do you know whats causing those allergies in the first place, what should you look for in a dog food, and how do you switch them to their new food once you get it?

We answer these questions and more for you here.

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Instinct Raw Boost With Real Duck

Image courtesy Chewy

Instinct Raw Boost with Real Duck is a great food for golden retrievers. It is made with real duck, which is a source of high-quality protein. This food also contains sweet potatoes, which are an excellent source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber.

The first ingredient in this food is duck, which provides your dog with high-quality protein. Duck is a great source of protein for your dog and it is also a very tasty food. Your dog will love the taste of this food and you will be able to see a difference in their energy level and overall health.

Consider Your Dog’s Age

Puppies and adult dogs have different nutritional needs, so be sure to choose a food that is appropriate for your dog’s age. Puppy foods will have higher levels of protein and fat to support growth, while adult foods will be lower in calories to help maintain a healthy weight.

Senior golden retrievers may need a food that is easy to digest and has added joint support.

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Which Food Is Best For My Golden Retriever

When it comes to feeding your Golden, the ideal diet will ultimately depend on your dogs individual needs. Whether you have a growing puppy or an aging senior, there are plenty of great foods on the market that will help your Golden stay happy and healthy for as long as possible!

If youre still unsure what food you should choose for your pup, you can always consult with a reputable breeder or veterinarian for their recommendations on what food is best for your puppy.

Snacks To Pair With Home Cooked Dog Food

• Peanut butter: Rascal has his own dedicated jar of peanut butter. He loves a traditional kong but you can also mold and freeze peanut butter in any shape for a quick frozen treat. When the jar is almost finished I break out my peanut butter spoon.
• Greek Yogurt Ice Cream: In the summer we blend up unflavored Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and peanut butter. Place a spoonful or two into a silicone cupcake pan and freeze for a few hours. These make for a great dog ice cream.
• Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes: Rascals favorite easy treat. We love bringing these over to family and friends houses so Rascal always has a healthy treat on hand.

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Nutro Max Large Breed Adult Recipe With Farm

Source: nutro max dog food

Nutro Max Large Breed Adult Recipe with Farm-Raised Chicken Dry Dog Food is another product designed to meet the nutritional needs of large adult pups. Glucosamine and Chondroitin keep your dogs joints healthy. The formula doesnt have any artificial

Nutro uses natural ingredients for their formulas, without traces of corn, wheat, or by-product meals. Your Goldy needs to consume vitamins and minerals to be healthy, and this product contains lots of them. Amino acids are extremely useful in case your dog has dry skin!

Ingredients:

Chicken Meal , Whole Grain Sorghum, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Oatmeal,Vitamin D3 Supplement, Chicken Fat ,Choline Chloride, Chicken, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Whole Brown Rice, Peas, Chickpeas, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Decaffeinated Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract, Salt, Dl-Methionine, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin E Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement , Vitamin B12 Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Selenium Yeast, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride , Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate , Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.

Iams Proactive Health Large Breed Dog Food

Rating:

ProActive Health Large Breed is one of 12 dry recipes covered in our review of the Iams ProActive Health product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain barley, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, chicken by-product meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best for:Adult goldens

Iams ProActive Health Large Breed derives the majority of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 25% protein, 14% fat and 53% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

This classic, grain-inclusive, large breed design has been offered by Iams for many years. Its especially popular with professional breeders. We like the fact that its also 100% free of BHA and other high-risk chemical preservatives. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewAll the pets in the household love Iams. My puppies just switched to adult food and this has been a quick an easy switch. Would recommend Iams to anyone.

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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.

How Will I Know If My Golden Retriever Likes Their Food

There are a few ways to tell if your golden retriever likes their food. The first is to simply observe their eating habits. If they seem to be gulping their food down without chewing, this could be a sign that they’re not getting the nutrients they need.

If you’re looking for a food that will help your golden retriever maintain a healthy weight, you should look for one that is high in protein and low in calories. You should also make sure that the food you choose has plenty of omega-fatty acids, as these will help to keep your dog’s coat healthy and lustrous.

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Our Second Choice: Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy Food

Our 2nd Choice

According to our staff veterinarian, Dr. Amanda Jondle, DVM, the second-best puppy food for Golden Retrievers is Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy Food. Royal Canin is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Golden Retrievers 8 weeks to 15 months old. There is added vitamin E to support the immune system as an antioxidant and protects the skin. It reinforces the skin barrier with essential nutrients to support healthy skin and a shiny, golden coat.

They have designed their kibble specifically for Golden Retriever puppies. The kibble is shaped for a Golden Retrievers straight muzzle and scissor bite to encourage chewing.

The formula lists chicken by-product meal as their first ingredient. This would be a downside considering many other brands list whole chicken as the #1 ingredient.

Top Ingredients:

• Protects skin with essential nutrients

So How Do You Choose The Best Food For Your Golden Retriever

In a recent 2019 FDA dog food update about grain-free dog food that contained legume seeds, lentils, potatoes or peas as main ingredients, dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs was linked to grain-free dog food formulas.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is becoming more common in dogs on grain-free diets that as a breed are not predisposed to DCM. This includes the Golden Retriever!

In grain-free formulas there is often a high level of potato. FDA medical records indicate that dogs with DCM had low levels of taurine which may result in DCM. Dogs fed diets that included exotic proteins, and that were grain-free resulted in higher rates of DCM.

Heres what the FDA had to say. To better characterize diets reported in DCM cases, product labels were examined to determine whether the product was grain-free , and whether the products contained peas, other lentils including chickpeas and beans, or potatoes . Because so many products contained peas and/or lentils, a category was created for peas and/or lentils. More than 90 percent of products were grain-free, and 93 percent of reported products had peas and/or lentils. A far smaller proportion contained potatoes, via FDA

Animal protein sources in the reported diets varied widely, and many diets contained more than one protein source. The most common proteins in the reported diets were chicken lamb and fish however, some diets contain atypical protein sources such as kangaroo, bison or duck. No one animal protein source was predominant.

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