What Golden Retriever Owners Swear By
Im sure youve met a lot of Golden Retriever parents. Consequently, Im also certain that each and every one recommends different diets and dog foods! Some people swear by dog foods meant for other large breeds. Thats something you should never try. See, the thing is that each and every breed is different and, obviously, has different nutritional needs.
Since Goldies are intelligent, energetic, playful and have a beautiful coat made of long hair, they need special nutrition. So, the first thing you should do is to tune out all that bad advice. There are three core things that you should look for when buying dog food. Lets take a look:
- Stay away from filler ingredients such as soy, corn, rice, etc
- Always choose a dog food with high meat contentnot high protein
- Macros matter more than calories do
However The most important thing you need to do before making any changes to your dogs diet is to always consult the vet because he is a highly trained professional who knows more about a dogs body and needs. After all, we all want our furry companions to be happy and healthy.
Also Read:;Best Dog Food for Pitbulls Reviews to Keep Them Health
How To Choose The Best Dog Food For Golden Retriever
Picking out a nutritious dog food for your pet can be stressful. Some dogs are picky while others can easily be affected by allergies. So you need to be careful when choosing a formula.
We have come up with some tips to help you to know what to look out for when searching for a high-quality product.
Below is a list of the best food for golden retriever puppy to help you during your search.
Is Your Golden A Puppy Adult Or A Senior
Your Goldens age is the first factor in considering what kind of food to feed them.
Food for Golden Retriever Puppies
Goldens fall into the large breed category, with large breed puppies having different nutritional needs than smaller breeds. For example, puppy food with high calcium and phosphorous can encourage bone growth too quickly for large breed puppies. A good large breed puppy food can offer these lowered levels while also keeping up with a growing dogs needs.
If youre shopping for a new puppy, we suggest speaking with your veterinarian first to make sure your dog is getting the nutrition they need.
Food for Adult Golden Retrievers
At the adult stage, look for the highest quality food that forms a complete and balanced diet for your Golden. Well go over the quality of ingredients later in this guide, but be sure to consider your dogs preferences as well. Do they prefer fish, beef, or chicken? Small kibbles, big kibbles, mix of wet and dry? All of these are important.
Food for Senior Golden Retrievers
A seniors diet ideally should be healthy and preventative. Itll be higher in protein and may need to adjust how much fiber it contains. This diet may also involve supplements and other nutrients to minimize problems that crop up as your dog ages .
Again, its always smart to speak with your vet about an aging or senior Golden.
Also Check: How Often Should You Bathe A Golden Retriever
What Makes The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
The Golden Retriever is a large-breed dog with a long body, soft medium-length coat, and a characteristic golden or golden-red color. Goldens excel at retrieving, swimming and hanging around the house. They typically live 11 years on average.
Goldens tend to be more moderate in energy level, depending on their personality. Some are go-go-go while others would prefer to be couch potatoes. Most prefer to spend their time playing fetch, Frisbee, swimming and snuggling.
Goldens tend to be very bonded to their family but friendly with strangers. They make the perfect companion for the active, outdoorsy family, ready to go on a hike or to the beach at a moments notice.
Golden retrievers also tend to be chow hounds and may want to eat you out of house and home. They can easily become counter surfers jumping on counter tops in the kitchen for an unsupervised snack or get caught chomping on a discarded apple core on the sidewalk.
Their healthy appetite can be a blessing and a curse. Most Goldens are not picky eaters, so they will typically enjoy any dog food you decide to give them. Golden retrievers are one of the easiest breeds to overfeed. Ive met many that are bottomless pits and will continuously beg or scavenge for whatever food you can provide.
That being saidit is important to prevent your Golden from becoming overweight or obese, and that starts with finding the best dog food for Golden Retrievers.
Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream Dog Food
Often golden retrievers are seen with a dull and scraggly coat, and its a travesty. These are dogs known for their luscious coat, and you should always ensure theyre getting the kind of diet that keeps their skin healthy.
This taste of The Wild Pacific Stream dog food contains both farmed and wild-caught salmon, which offers plenty of omega fatty acids to keep your dogs skin and coat healthy. Salmon is the number one ingredient of this food, and this protein is 32% of the entire food.
|
Aside from salmon, this dog food also contains vitamins and minerals sourced from fruits and superfoods, and each serving includes species-specific K9 strain proprietary probiotics, antioxidants, and prebiotics. All the ingredients are sustainably sourced, the manufacturers claim.
Theres no egg protein, egg meal, chicken, or chicken meal in this food, so you dont need to worry about allergies wreaking havoc on your dogs health. It also does not contain any grain, corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or artificial colors.
These stats suggest that Wilderness Blue dry dog food has:
- Near-average quantity of fat
- Above-average quantity of protein
- Below-average quantity of carbohydrates
Also Check: How Often To Groom Golden Retriever
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken And Brown Rice Recipe For Large Breed
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Oatmeal,; 5. Barley
The top favorite of mine and many other Golden Retriever owners is this savory recipe by Blue Buffalo. Deboned chicken is the first ingredient, which means there are a lot of good proteins for your golden boy. You get high-quality ingredients without fillers and by-products.
All the ingredients are carefully chosen to give your baby the right amount of calories without increasing mass. One of the main reasons this is my favorite is the fact that this formula is created with good overall health in mind. It has glucosamine and chondroitin for joints, calcium, and phosphorus for teeth and bones, and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for healthier coat and skin. Highly Recommended!
Sojos Complete Natural Grain
Sojos dog foods can be one favorite option for picky Golden Retrievers. The kibble option comes in a variety of protein choices from chicken to goat.;I favor it because it uses freeze-drying techniques to include raw source meat kernels.;In addition to the easily accessed meat sources, it features a number of vegetables and fruits for fiber and vitamins.
Coconut adds healthy fat and fiber. Kale incorporates iron and magnesium. Kelp promotes selenium. And cranberries improve renal function. Taken altogether, this food provides balanced caloric intake with high quality nutritive value.
Pros:
- High in vitamin and mineral content
- Features raw protein bites for easy access to amino acids
- Avoids by-products and filling agents
Cons:
Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
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.
Best Wet Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
The Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Golden Retriever wet dog food is a great option for anyone who is looking for a quality wet for their pup. This is definitely one of the best wet dog foods out there.
We think youll like:Best Dog Foods For Urinary Health
Not only is it made especially for Golden Retrievers, but it is also full of nutrients and has a delicious taste that no dog will be able to resist. It can be used on its own or mixed in with kibble to make the kibble meal more appealing. While Golden Retrievers arent known for this, some are picky eaters and wet food can be a simple way to encourage eating, as well as these dog foods for picky eaters.
| 81.0% max |
You May Like: The Best Puppy Food For Golden Retrievers
Best Senior Dry Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Large Breed Senior Dry Dog Food
Protein Content:4/5
Flavor: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.17/5
Featuring natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to ensure your senior Golden Retriever is getting optimal joint health supplements in its food, Nutros Wholesome Essentials is gentle on your dogs stomach with less protein than other dry dog foods.
It also has other nutrients like selenium, Vitamin E and Biotin for skin and hair health that your dog needs as it gets older. The price is also quite good for a food that doesnt have all the nasty grains in it that other foods do.
Any issues with this food?
We were hoping it would have more protein. It didnt need to be lowered by that much that it was bordering 20% rather than 30%. The fat content is also lower than would have been acceptable, and although your Golden Retriever is probably less active than they used to be, it would be nice to still provide them the same level of fatty acids as in regular adult dry dog food.
Nutros Wholesome Essentials has 22% Crude Protein and 12% fat. Order it online here now.
Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food contains about 3 types of proteins that would provide the best muscle support for your dogs. If you are looking for dog food that is packed with high-protein sources, this is the best option for you.
It contains protein from lamb, chicken, and salmon meals. Through this combination, your dogs will have omega 3 fatty acids from the salmon meal and improve their skin and coat. The other two sources can provide lean muscles for your dogs.
What to Like About It
The fact that this dog food is packed with protein is already a good reason for you to buy it. This dog food contains high-quality protein sources that would help provide the required protein for large dogs to grow healthy and strong.
Fromm dog food has human-grade, high-quality ingredients in every recipe, ensuring your dogs health is prioritized. This dog food recipe undergoes strict quality control measures and has not seen any recalls in recent years.
Key Benefits
- Produced at Fromms family-owned-and-operated facility
- High nutrient digestibility and utilization
- Third-party pathogenic bacteria testing on all production batches
- Fromms specially developed blend of probiotics
Don’t Miss: How To Make My Golden Retriever Gain Weight
Our 2021 Golden Retriever Feeding Guide
Golden Retriever Puppies A Golden Retriever puppy is surely one of the cutest puppies in the world. Youll have a hard time resisting one of these adorable pups if he wants something. Most Golden Retrievers are dead set on fetching, so be prepared for hours of fun as you toss balls and sticks for your new pup.
As far as how much to feed your Golden Retriever puppy, lets take a quick look at a Goldens average weight as he grows . Of course, these are only estimates. You should weigh your puppy often to see how s/he is growing. Your vet can also keep track of your puppys weight gain and growth when you take him or her in for vaccinations. Female puppies usually weight a little less than male puppies.
At 3 Months: 23 lbs
At 6 Months: 52 lbs
At 9 Months: 61 lbs
At 12 Months: 68 lbs
Considering these weights, and your Goldens size as an adult, we can figure how much you should be feeding your puppy. As mentioned earlier, we recommend feeding a large-breed puppy food for Golden Retriever puppies. As you can see, Goldens grow quickly as puppies. A good large-breed puppy food can provide the proper nutrition and keep your puppy from growing too fast. If your puppy grows too fast, or is too chubby, he is more likely to have problems with his hips or problems with arthritis later in life.
0-3 Months: 4-6 Meals Daily Totaling 1221 Calories
3-6 Months: 3-4 Meals Daily Totaling 1221-1501 Calories
How Much Am I Really Paying
When it comes to price, remember that your puppy wont need to eat as much food if theyre getting the nutrients they need.
You might find that expensive dog foods are a better bargain in the long run than they might seem at first since youll need to feed less and hence buy less often than you would a cheaper brand.
Also Check: Why Do Golden Retrievers Eat So Fast
How To Know If Your Golden Retriever Is Overweight
Not sure how to tell if your pup is looking a little fluffy? To get a good idea, checking their weight can be done with a few quick observations.
If you have any concerns at all, this is a great topic to bring up at your next vet visit. If youre not feeling confident, this is where having a reliable vet shines, since generalized advice can carry myths or tips that arent applicable, or your pup may have special considerations.
Do keep in mind: if you have a puppy, growth is so fast and disproportionate that its rare to have a problem with obesity. Its unusual for a puppy to need a diet due to the volume of nutrients and calories their bodies can go through! If your pup is a little pudgy, dont worry, theyre likely still working through it. If it doesnt seem right to you, check in at your next appointment; puppies should have a vet visit at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, and one year.
Adults: What Is The Best Food For Golden Retrievers
Adult golden retrievers need less protein and fat concentrations than growing puppies. When choosing a food for an adult golden retriever, consider these factors:
- Sustaining a healthy weight: Though dogs need fats in their diets, a diet too high in fat can cause unhealthy weight gain. Choose a;food option with a reasonable ratio of fat to protein. One of the best foods to sustain a dogs healthy weight is Orijen Fit & Trim, which includes chicken, turkey, fish and eggs.
- Preventing health problems: Your dogs food should be well-rounded to boost the immune system and keep your pet healthy make sure it has enough vitamins and minerals.;You might opt for Blue Buffalo Livin Large Food, designed to support large breed bone and joint health.
- Staying full and energetic: Look for natural ingredients. Foods with a lot of palatable fillers are unlikely to keep your dog full and energetic. For a very active dog, try Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula.
You May Like: How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever Dog
What To Look For In A Good Golden Retriever Food
To ensure that your golden retrievers basic nutritional needs are met, its best to choose a large-breed dog food formulated for his life stage.
Here are some other things to look for in a good dog food for Golden Retrievers:
- Made from wholesome, natural ingredients with no fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
- Rich in lean protein from high-quality animal sources like poultry, meat, and fish
- Limited fat and calorie content to control growth in puppies and maintain lean mass in adults
- Controlled calcium and phosphorus levels with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
- Nutritionally complete and balanced according to AAFCO nutrient profiles
In addition to making sure your Golden Retrievers food meets these requirements, you should also check to see if it comes in a bigger kibble size.
Large and deep-chested breeds have a high risk for bloat which is exacerbated by eating too fast or eating too much at oncebigger kibble means that your dog gets the same nutrition in smaller portion sizes.
How Much Should A Golden Retriever Eat Daily
On average, an adult Golden Retriever will eat between 2 and 3 ½ cups of food per day. However, the exact amount of food varies from one dog to the next and depends on age, activity level, weight, health problems, and quality of food.
Furthermore, neutered golden Retrievers need fewer calories compared to their unaltered counterparts, and nursing females will have to eat more to maintain their weight and produce milk for the puppies.
Don’t Miss: How To Draw A Golden Retriever Face