Best Healthy Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

Natural Balance Lid Limited Ingredient Diets Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

• Adult formula
• No artificial colors or flavors

The Best Food with Limited Ingredients Natural Balance is widely respected when it comes to limited ingredient diets. If your Golden Retriever has a food allergy or food sensitivity and needs to avoid certain common dog food ingredients such as chicken, beef, or other things, Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is a great choice. Lamb is the only source of meat protein in the food, making it easier for your dog to avoid meat proteins that could be a problem. Rice, in several forms, provides most of the carbohydrates. Brown rice is also a good source of fiber.

In addition, this limited ingredient formula is noteworthy for what it doesnt contain. It has no corn wheat, or soy. And, it is pea-free. It has no fillers and no artificial colors or flavors. Its a good choice for dogs with sensitive digestion.

If you think your Golden Retriever has an allergy or food sensitivity, its always recommended to see your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can test your dog to find out definitely and find out what, if any, ingredients might be bothering your dog. That makes it much easier to know which ingredients to avoid.

This Natural Balance food is available in 4.5-lb, 14-lb, and 28-lb bags.

Pros:

• Made for large breed puppies
• Contains DHA for good brain and eye development
• Precise calcium and phosphorus levels for proper bone development

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Food For Adult Golden Retrievers

Adult Golden Retrievers require highly nutritious food to keep them strong and healthy. These dog breeds are happiest and healthiest with a fully balanced diet. The best food for adult Golden Retrievers should have a high protein content to keep the dog strong and full of vigor.

Read: Best High Protein Dog Food

The high protein content is also important in keeping his muscles strong. Better yet, it should be rich in carbohydrates and fiber to keep the dog full for an extended period and promote healthy digestion respectively.

On top of that, make sure that the food is rich in omega 3&6 fatty acids that keep the skin and coat healthy. Try and stay away from food with huge amounts of corn and soy. Such food isnt healthy for your dog.

Go for foods that contain all-natural ingredients to avoid heart disease and other health issues. If your dog is allergic and sensitive to grain, go for good quality grain-free food.

What To Feed A Golden Retriever Puppy

Golden retriever puppy food amount isnt much different from feeding your adult golden retriever. You should search for dog food with high-quality ingredients like named fats and meat protein.

A good quality dog food contains DHA or docosahexaenoic acid. This compound has been proven to be helpful in brain development in both puppies and children alike.

It is crucial for puppy food to contain a decent ratio of phosphorous to calcium. Many nutritionists recommend these nutrients in various ratios for puppies.

The calcium to phosphorous ratio should be 1.2 to 1.2:1 respectively. It is vital for growing puppies.

To find the phosphorous to calcium ratio on any product, visit the website of the food company as it is rarely placed on the label. Remember that adding certain supplements to the puppys diet such as cheese, milk, yogurt and other dairy products can disrupt this ratio. Disruption of this ratio can cause several health problems for the puppy in the future and even now.

When a puppy is taking good quality foods, he wont need any supplements during the first year. Note that adding more meat to the puppy food will also upset the calcium to phosphorus levels as it adds more phosphorus.

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American Journey Large Breed Salmon And Sweet Potato Recipe

Top Ingredients: 1. Deboned Salmon, 2. Turkey Meal , 3. Peas, 4. Chickpeas, 5. Sweet Potatoes

American Journey has a good range of large breed dog food, but your Golden Retriever will really like this one. With deboned salmon and turkey meal as the key ingredients, this particular product will take care of your dogs overall health. Aside from a high dose of quality proteins, your dog will get enough carbs to keep chasing its tail all day. You get all the nutrients including Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, and there is plenty of DHA, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Not to mention, the grain-free formula is suitable for sensitive ones as well.

How Much Water Does A Golden Retriever Need In A Day

For an average adult golden retriever it is advisable to have at least half to one ounce of water daily. If your dog is fussy about drinking water then try playing with him for a bit, or try running with him. Then offer him water. You can also give him ice cubes which will help him to hydrate. Never let your dog stay dehydrated as it can cause various health issues.

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One of the more heated debates amongst Golden Retriever owners is: Should we feed our Goldens raw food diet or kibble diet? This question has divided our community into two groups, and its hard to say which group is right. There are certainly pros and cons for both options, and one should educate himself before making a choice. In this article, we will look into the pros and cons of a raw food diet for Golden Retrievers.

To make things clear, we do not advertise a raw food diet or a kibble diet. Our stance is that every Golden Retriever owner should educate himself, and then choose the best option for his dog.

Best Food For Golden Retriever Puppies

These dog foods for puppies will start your Golden Retriever off right:

This dog food is formulated to support your Golden Retriever puppys growth and development without going overboard on fat or calories; the recipe features fresh chicken and digestible brown rice.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large-Breed Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe

Featuring deboned chicken as its first ingredient, this puppy recipe offers a wholesome balance of protein, whole grains, and vitamins and minerals.

Made with fresh chicken as a lean source of protein and chicken meal to provide glucosamine and chondroitin, this dog food for puppies will get your Golden Retriever off to a healthy start in life.

Nutro Ultra Large-Breed Puppy Recipe

This chicken-based puppy recipe is formulated to support the energy needs of young Goldens and other large breed puppies.

All dogs have the same basic nutritional needs when it comes to protein, fat, and essential nutrients. As youve learned here, however, there are some disparities among breeds of different sizes.

To learn more about the nutritional needs of large dogs, check out our guide to the best dog food for large dogs;here.

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Gather Free Acres Organic Free Run Chicken

Rating:

Gather Free Acres Organic Free Run Chicken is one of 3 recipes included in our review of Gather dry dog food.

• First 5 ingredients: Organic chicken, organic dehydrated chicken, organic peas, lentils, chicken fat
• Type: Grain-free
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best For:Adults only

Gather Free Acres Organic Free Run Chicken derives the bulk of its animal protein from organic chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 17% fat and 42% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.

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.

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Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy Dry Food

Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken By-Product Meal, 2. Corn, 3. Wheat Gluten, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Wheat

Golden Retriever pups tend to have a different dietary requirement which a regular puppy food might not be able to fulfill. This Royal Canin recipe is formulated to cater to their specific needs. It is created to meet their nutritional requirements during the development stage, without expediting their physical growth. You get all a delicious meal with all the nutrients necessary for the pup to grow into a healthy, active, and beautiful adult. As with the adult formula, this puppy food is also among the best dog food for golden retrievers.

Try Warming Their Food

Some dogs do not like their food cold. If you are feeding your dog canned food and put the leftovers in the fridge, they may not like the food directly out of the fridge.

You can try warming their food up just a little to help entice them to eat. Even if your dog is picky, adding a little warm water to their food or microwaving their dry kibble for just a few seconds will help them want to eat more.

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Primal Beef Formula Nuggets Grain

We always like including a product you might not be aware of, which is why Primal Beef Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Freeze-Dried dog food is on the list. Not only is it different to all the other products featured here, its also a good alternative to a raw diet.

This formula is not wet or a kibble, instead its a freeze-dried raw food that is hydrated to make it almost wet. If youre keen to try a raw diet for your dog, this is probably the most hassle-free way of doing it. The food is 77% beef and 23% supplements and plant-based foods, so theres very few fillers or unhealthy additives. With the beef, there is also fruit and vegetables including kale, broccoli, apple, blueberry, and yam. And the plant foods are organic, so there are fewer pesticides

If youre new to this type of dog food, the biggest challenge will be in preparing it correctly. Weve included a quick clip to show you how

Food For Golden Retriever Puppies

If you want your young Golden Retriever to have a perfect start, feed him with highly nutritious food thats suitable for his age. Food rich in calcium and phosphorous is beneficial in strong bones development.

However, make sure that the amount of calcium being fed to the puppy is regulated as too much calcium results in a crippling form of hip disease.; The food should also be rich in vitamins to fight infections and prevent diseases.

On top of that, it should be easy to chew and easy to digest. These puppies stop growing when they are 24 months old. To minimize the risk of diet-related health problems, avoid switching to adult dog food too soon.

Instead, introduce adults gradually in smaller portions until the dog gets used to it. You should also speak to the vet first so you can be guided on the nutrition they need.

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Golden Retriever Puppy Nutrient Needs

The Golden Retriever is a large breed puppy who suffers with both hip and elbow dysplasia, so it is important that you feed him a puppy formula that is specifically designed for large breeds. Not only will these formulas contain all the nutrients that puppies need to grow into a healthy adult, but they will contain the optimum levels of calcium and phosphorus to ensure that his bones grow at the correct rate to avoid such health issues.

His Golden coat also needs looking after, so plenty of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are important in the ingredients list, so be sure to look out for fish, flaxseed, fish oils and chia seeds. Not only will this keep his locks glowing, but these ingredients also have a wide range of benefits for brain function, bone health and eye development such as Docosahexaenoic Acid .

A large puppy should be fed a high-quality kibble that will provide him with a protein content of at least 26% but ideally towards 30%, and a fat content of at least 9%. Calcium should be around 1.5%, and do not be tempted to feed your Golden calcium supplements because any more than what is in his kibble will be far too much and will be harmful for his skeletal development. The amount you feed him will be dependent on his weight, so be sure to follow the package instructions as all kibbles are different.

Awesome Homemade Food For A Golden Retriever Puppy

A lot of people have asked about my Golden Retriever, loving how healthy his fur is! They get surprised when they find out I give homemade food for Golden Retriever puppy, which has helped with their health inside and out. Yes, home-cooking for your Golden Retriever is quite a controversial topic, but as long as its done right, it has a ton of benefits!

But what are good recipes you can try, and why should you even consider homemade dog food? I tackle the reasons why you should feed your Golden Retriever puppies homemade dog food and some sample recipes!

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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.

Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food

A good golden retriever food diet must be made with high-quality proteins. Wellness Core dog food contains a healthy blend of different protein sources such as chicken and turkey. It also contains salmon oil with a blend of vegetables and fruits.

This formula is free of meat by-products or fillers.; It is also free of artificial ingredients. The dog food is made especially for adult dogs to help them maintain a healthy weight and coat.

It comes in different sizes to make it more affordable. You can get bags of 4 to 26 pounds according to the size of your dog.

Its ingredient list contains lots of nutrient sources, and this makes it a healthy option for your golden retriever.

;What we liked

What we didnt like

• May cause vomiting in some dogs

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Understanding The Dietary Needs Of Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are usually very active, especially as puppies and young adults. Young dogs will need plenty of calories.

This is especially true if you intend to do things together such as agility, rally, playing frisbee, hiking, or one of the fifty other things that Golden Retrievers love to do with their people.

As your dog gets older its natural that he will start to slow down. If he begins to look a little pudgy at this time, you can cut back on his portions a little or consider changing foods to a dog food made for mature adult dogs. These foods typically have slightly fewer calories but still let a dog feel full.

Remember that your Golden will stay healthier throughout his lifetime if you keep him active, even when hes older. Daily walks are great and so are regular runs.

Pros Of Raw Food Diet For Golden Retrievers

Less smelly poop

There is no debate about this poop from the kibble diet that really smells awful. On the other hand, poop from the raw food diet is smaller in quantity and doesnt have that appalling stench.

Fewer problems with anal glands

Anal gland problem is common in Golden Retrievers, and the dogs diet can be the direct cause of this issue. Two anal sacks are expressed when the passing poop puts pressure on them.;

However, if the poop is not firm enough, it will pass without anal glands being expressed. This, in turn, can cause inflammation and all sorts of problems. When feeding your dog a raw diet, the bones it digests will form firm poop that will put enough pressure on the anal glands.;

Of course, not all dogs that are fed a kibble diet will suffer from anal gland problems. Some Goldens that are fed a raw food diet will probably have that issue too. However, there is a strong correlation between a raw food diet is good for the health of the dogs anal glands.

Reduced risk of bloat

This potentially deadly condition is caused by the stomach rotation and the cutting off of the blood supply. Bloat needs to be treated immediately to save the dogs life. Studies have shown that certain types of kibble foods can cause bloat in Golden Retrievers.;

Healthy teeth

Reduced risk of obesity

Allergies

Shinier coats and increased energy levels

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