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.
Are Vegetables Good For Golden Retrievers
Yes, the right choice of fruits and vegetables is beneficial for your golden retriever. It provides essential phytonutrients that help fight cancer and other health ailments. Hence it is essential to treat your dog with colorful and bright vegetables that are rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, helps build muscle strength, and modulates sugar level.
Some of them are as follows
- Blueberries
- Mushroom
Hills Science Diet Senior Chicken Barley
This one is made specifically for old dogs that struggle with eating regular canine food. It contains chicken and rice in a recipe thats recommended for adult dogs aged at least six years and weighing at least 55 pounds.
Its a premium recipe with natural sources of chondroitin and glucosamine for healthier joints and easier mobility. Youll notice your dogs general health is improving after a while of using Hills Science Diet formula.
All the ingredients support a healthy immune system thanks to the clinically proven blend of vitamins C and E as well as antioxidants. These ingredients are easy to digest and rich in amino acids, but they dont contain any artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors.
The chicken in the formula is appealing to all dogs and is especially suitable for those with sensitive stomachs.
Pros:
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What Makes The Best Dry Dog Food
You will find a whole variety of dry dog foods;in the market; however, you must buy the food that best meets your Golden pets dietary and nutritional needs. Not every dry food will suit your dog, which is why you need to ensure that you buy dog food that suits your dog. The following factors will help you choose the best dry dog food for your golden retriever.
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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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.
What Makes A Good Dog Food
There are a range of factors that mark out a good dog food. According to Dog Food Advisor, a good dog food should have:
- A decent amount of meat-based protein
- A carbohydrate content thats not too high
- No controversial chemicals
- A fat-to-protein ratio no higher than 75;percent
- No generic animal fats
- No unidentified meats or other ingredients
Although some experts deem it unnecessary, Chelsea from Pups N Paws advises that another mark of quality is that the ingredients are also labeled as suitable for human consumption. This way, you can rest assured your pets diet is compatible with your own eating habits.
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Eukanuba Adult Dry Dog Food Chicken
The Eukanuba Adult Dry Dog Food Chicken is a perfect choice if you want to make sure that your dogs would have lean muscles. Chicken is known to have lean meat among the other types of meat so it is definitely a good source of protein.
This dog food is also the best when it comes to healthy digestion. It provides specialized fiber that contains prebiotics and beet pulp.
There are also other benefits that you can get from this like omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that would promote good skin health and vibrant coat to your dogs. This dry food can also reduce the build-up of tartar within 28 days.
What to like About It
One of the reasons why dog owners love this is that it doesnt have any preservatives and no additional food coloring. The lean meat recipe is also a big plus as it is meant to provide high-quality protein.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Dry Dog Food
This is the last on my list. When you judge Natural Balance Original Ultra Dog Food by just the quality of its ingredients, it comes out to be an above-average dog food available in the market.;We should also look at the levels of macros this dog food as so that you know whether or not it will help your dog hit the right amount of his daily caloric intake. So, lets take a peek. Following are the macros this dog food contains:
- Plus Protein:;26?%
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As you can see, this dog food is light and probably best for sick, inactive, or aged Golden Retrievers. But, dont make a final decision just yet! We also need to talk about something extremely important: The quantity of meat this dog food contains.
So, heres the deal: Natural Balance Original Ultra Dog Food contains a moderate quantity of meat after you single out the protein from plant-based sources such as yeast, peas, flax seeds, etc. One thing to note is that this kibble helps your dog strengthen his immune system as it contains antioxidants.
This food is good for your dogs eyes, heart, bones and teeth. All in all, I feel that Natural Balance Original Ultra Dog Food is one of the best dog food for Golden Retrieversespecially less active dogs.
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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.
Top 5 Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
Golden retrievers are fun, loyal, and playful companions. Hence, most fur-parents wish to give them only the best golden retriever dog food. This means reading through countless guides for recommendations.
However, the easiest way to determine the most suitable dog food for your golden retriever is actually to know your buddy and his needs. For example, is he an adult, a puppy, or a senior?
Is he active like most retrievers, or does he laze around a lot with you? Moreover, what are his favorite flavors and which ingredients would you like to see in his meals?
Once you answer those, it should be easy to pick from a list of dog food brands for golden retrievers. By knowing what your furbaby needs and prefers, youll swiftly spot the best food for him.
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Fatty Acids And Additives
Goldies are fairly hairy, which means that you also have to look for fur-friendly ingredients. Fish fatty acids can do wonders for your babyâs skin and fur.
Go for food without a filler that contains no artificial flavors or additives. These should also be your criteria for snacks and treats.
In addition to ensuring that your Golden Retrieverâs food meets these requirements, you must also check whether it comes in a larger lump size. Large and deep-chested breeds have a high risk of bloating, which is exacerbated by eating too quickly or overeating at once â larger chunks mean that your dog will get the same food in smaller portion sizes.
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Deboned Chicken, Chicken meal and Turkey meal are the main protein sources that provide his muscles with the ability to grow and repair as he ages, and it also provides him with the much needed glucosamine support for his rapidly growing bones. Salmon oil and ground flaxseed ensure that his coat remains healthy and shiny too.
With a high fiber content and grain free ingredients you can be sure that this would benefit all those Golden pups with a sensitive stomach, and each kibble is coated in probiotics too. It also contains superfoods and antioxidants such as banana and spinach to support his developing immune system.
We love that this recipe is full of DHA, which is great for puppies as it is found in mothers milk, and there is plenty of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that will be terrific for his coat.
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The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
Though;breed-specific dog food;formulas might be fine for your dog, its better to understand your dogs nutritional needs and make an informed decision based on that. Keeping in mind your dogs age, breed size, and activity level will help you make the best choice.
With that in mind, these are our top picks for the best dog food for adult Golden Retrievers.
Formulated for digestibility, this holistic natural dog food recipe features real chicken as the main ingredient, acting as both a lean source of protein and a natural source of joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin for your Golden Retriever.
Halo Holistic Chicken Recipe Large-Breed Dog Food for Golden Retrievers
This holistic crunchy dry dog food features real chicken as its main ingredient.
Wellness Large Breed Complete Health
People that want natural dog food for their furry friends can opt for this formulation created by Wellness. This dog food contains excellent ingredients that are free of meat by-products, GMOs, artificial preservatives or fillers. The only ingredients that it contains are to offer Golden Retrievers whole-body nutrition. The dog food is further enhanced by offering taurine, probiotics, antioxidants and omega fatty acids.
The ingredients are specially chosen to make the immune system stronger, preventing potential infections and diseases from developing. It has enough carbs, protein and fats to optimize an active Golden Retrievers energy levels. The other ingredients, like fatty acids, also help prevent skin problems by promoting a beautiful skin and coat.
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The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Organic Whole Grain Chicken Recipe
The Honest Kitchen REVEL uses the dehydration method to preserve the quality of all ingredients. With the ingredients also being finely diced for easier consumption, this brand not only offers affordability, but a high-quality dog food formula.
Nutrients, phytonutrients and minerals are also well- preserved through the dehydration process with a 10 lb. box delivering up to 40 lb. of food.
All the ingredients are natural and human- grade. It is a high-quality dehydrated dog food. The website adds that that all ingredients are guaranteed 100 percent Human Food Grade and that it has been the only pet food manufacturer in the U.S to have proved to the FDA that every ingredient it uses in its products are suitable for human consumption. This dog food is easy to prepare, and easy to take along when traveling or showing with your Golden Retriever.
PROS
- Organic whole food grains like oats, barley and quinoa
- Fresh veggies and fruits like bananas, green peas, carrots, kelp, parsley, celery and more
- Easy- to- mix with water formula
CONS
- Grain-free may be a problem today depending on further results from the FDA
For more on The Honest Kitchens comment about DCM:
Why Is My Golden Retriever Not Drinking Water
When it comes to water dogs generally throw tantrums. But if your golden retriever is never up for water then it may be because of inactivity or lack of exercise. Dogs can be lazy at most times and to make them healthy, you need to take care of them properly. Doing active runs, playing in a field and swimming can help drink water.
Also, if your dog has some medical condition related to kidneys and or increased cholesterol then it might be an immediate concern. You should visit your vet as soon as possible.
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Why We Love It
- A full 2/3 of our animal ingredients are FRESH or RAW , including the top 10 ingredients.
- WholePrey ratios of fresh, quality animal ingredients from meat, organs, and cartilage or bone deliver the nutrients your cat requires, naturally.
- Gently freeze-dried in our kitchen, with only natural preservatives, to lock in the rich nutrients and delicious flavor that dogs crave.
Is Wet Or Dry Dog Food Better
Wet food and dry food both have their benefits, but neither is particularly better than the other. It mostly depends on the specific dog, since each dog will have different needs and tastes. Most dogs will like wet food more because it has a stronger smell, making it more enticing. Wet food is also ideal for dogs that need more hydration. Some dogs will have health conditions, like kidney issues, may need more hydration, so wet food would be a better bet. Therefore, wet food is better for picky dogs, especially if they do not drink enough water.
However, not all dogs need to eat wet food. Dry dog food is much more convenient for most pet owners. Plus, many dogs will readily drink water, so well-hydrated dogs will not need the extra hydration of wet food.;
Dry dog food also has the benefit of containing more nutrients than wet food. While wet food could contain more protein and fats than dry food, dry dog food can contain more ingredients. For instance, it is easier for manufacturers to incorporate antioxidants, dried fruits and veggies, etc., into dry dog food than wet. So, it will mostly depend on the dog and the owners preference to decide if wet food or dry food is better.
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