Best Senior Dog Food For Golden Retriever

Blue Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food

Many golden retriever puppy food reviews have recommended the Blue Wilderness dog food. It contains lots of protein needed by dogs to maintain a healthy weight.

Its protein is derived from real chicken, and this makes it a suitable choice for golden retrievers.

Also, this formula doesnt contain wheat, corn, soy or meat by-products. However, it has LifeSource bits that are designed to provide key vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals to help your pet stay strong and fit.

Pet owners have the option of choosing between the variations of Blue Wilderness dog food on the market.

It is also a natural alternative for pet owners who want to give their dogs a close-to-natural diet. The formula is free from fillers such as wheat, soy, or chicken by-product. This helps make it a good option for picky dogs.

What we liked

What we didnt like

• Could upset some dogs stomach

How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever Senior

Golden Retriever seniors will need about 900 calories or about 20% less than adult dogs to stay at their ideal weight. Golden Retrievers are seniors at about 8 years old. When entering old age, they may benefit from eating a food with less fat and fewer calories.

During the senior years, Golden Retrievers will become more sedentary therefore not requiring as much food as before. They should still be eating two meals a day, but not as much. There are many senior dog foods out there that help them with maintaining a healthy weight.

As your Golden Retriever progresses from old dog to older dog, you may notice them losing weight and requiring more calories in this stage of life. The fat content in their diet may need increased. Talking with your veterinarian would be a good choice if you notice your Golden losing weight.

There are some senior dog foods that provide the right healthy eating habits for this stage of life. Below are our top choices for Golden Retriever seniors.

In A Hurry Here Are Our Top Choices

No matter how effective some foods have been for your golden retriever pups, you must start considering their nutritional needs as they grow older. This is because a golden retrievers nutritional needs change with age. The Merck Veterinary Manual states that adult dogs require at least 18 percent proteins and 5 percent fat in their daily diet. These percentages further vary from across different dog breeds.

But dont let this confuse you. The following are our top picks for the best dog food for older golden retrievers which promise to meet the needs of your pet dog.

Don’t Miss: Golden Retriever Outline

Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult

Real salmon is the first ingredient of this recipe, so its packed with vitamin A and omega fatty acids to promote healthy skin, and make that trademark golden coat shine.

Lots of antioxidants help support a healthy immune system, and naturally-sourced prebiotic fiber courtesy of wholesome wheat bran supports a healthy gut. Each ingredient is sourced and crafted carefully to nourish your golden, keeping him happy and healthy!

Purina brands have been around for over 85 years, and their blends are crafted with the help of nutritionists, vets, and animal behaviorists. Recommended by top breeders and vets, youll see doggie athletes and AKC competitors eating Purina Pro Plan to stay on top of their game.

Specs

Taste Of The Wild Dog Food Pacific Stream With Smoked Salmon

This smoked salmon dog food recipe from the Taste of the Wild is our runners-up for Golden Retrievers with skin allergies. With a balanced diet that nature intended, this dog food features real salmon as the first ingredient, an optimal amino acid profile that supports muscle health.

The recipe contains premium ingredients with superfoods such as fruits & veggies as well as minerals & vitamins that promote your Golden Retrievers immune system health. It also includes sweet potatoes and other ingredients that are easily digestible and a blend of fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin.

This smoked salmon formula is egg-free in case your Golden Retriever is sensitive to eggs and it has no fillers or grains.

Pros:

Read Also: When Will Golden Retriever Stop Biting

Benefits Of Golden Retriever Homemade Dog Food

Can a wholesome diet for your Golden Retriever prepared right in your kitchen be the start of the journey to better health and nutrition?

According to Jennifer A. Larsen, DVM, MS, Ph.D., and Joe Bartges, DVM, Ph.D., board-certified veterinary nutritionists and diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, there are a handful of the benefits you can expect when you start to add homemade food to your dogs diet including:

• Diet management
• Avoid concern over food recalls
• Bond-building

Other benefits of a homemade dog diet include no additives or preservatives, healthier digestion, and preventing many conditions associated with a poor diet such as obesity, poor skin, and coat condition, pancreatitis, diabetes, and reduced immunity.

What To Feed Your Golden Retriever

The Association of American Feed Control Officials recommends a minimum of 22 percent protein for growth and 18 percent protein for maintenance in adult dogs. These percentages are recommended for dogs in general. Most good quality dog foods will exceed these percentages. Fat is an important source of energy for dogs and should comprise at least 8 percent of the diet for Golden Retriever puppies and 5 percent of the diet for adults. Most dog foods today have more fat than these percentages. Fat also adds flavor to dog food and makes it very appealing to your dog. Fats are also one of the sources of fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 which are good for your dogs skin, coat, heart, and brain.

Ingredients to look for:

Golden Retrievers require good quality protein in their diet, like every dog. Of course, not all protein and fat are the same. Its important that these nutrients come from good quality ingredients. You can give your dog lots of protein but if its not from a good quality source, his body wont be able to use it efficiently.

Protein Ideally, a good dog food will feature a couple of meat proteins in the first several ingredients. Both whole meats and meat meals are good sources of protein. Whole meats refer to ingredients such as whole chicken, beef, fish, and lamb.

You May Like: How Many Puppies Golden Retriever Can Have

Best Dry Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

Give the dry variety of the Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Golden Retriever a try, as it is a high-quality breed specific formula that has the Golden Retrievers best interest at heart. If you are looking for the best food for Golden Retriever puppy friends there is also a puppy version of this dry food, which means you can start out with the best dog food for Golden Retriever puppies , then switch it to the adult version so that your gold-coated pup can receive the nutrition he or she needs throughout both puppyhood and adulthood.

+ Grain-free

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain

Rating:

Wilderness Grain-Free Chicken is one of 18 dry recipes analyzed in our review of the Blue Buffalo Wilderness product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal , peas, pea protein, tapioca starch
• Type: Grain-free
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best for:Adult goldens

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Chicken obtains the majority of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 17% fat and 38% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%.

This recipe also includes zinc amino acid complex and other chelated minerals, ingredients which deliver superior nutrition for larger breeds. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewI get a few different flavors, but the dogs love it and they have no digestive issues and are very healthy. Their coats shine like they have been oiled. No dental issues. Blue Buffalo wilderness has been a favorite with us for a long time.

You May Like: Are Golden Retrievers Easy To Potty Train

Characteristics Of The Golden Retriever

One of the basic features of a golden retriever is the shedding of hair from the coat. Golden retrievers shed too much hair, especially during the spring and fall. During winter and summer, the dogs shed moderately. The coat also tangles, which makes it necessary to brush often to avoid the problem.

The family dogs do not like spending too much time outdoors as they love to live close to people. They are active dogs that thrive on playful activities. To keep their agility up, golden retrievers do well with daily exercises. The love golden retrievers love for kids is exceptional.

They have an exceptionally thick water repellant coat and an undercoat that is also as thick as the outer coat. The dog coats differ with some having straight ones while others have rough ones. The chest of the retriever has heavier feathering than that on the underbody and legs. The back, tail, and thighs also feature heavy feathering. The colors of the breeds range from gold and light to dark gold.

An adult golden retriever can grow to slightly more than 24 inches with a weight of between 60 and 75 pounds. It takes the breed about a year to attain a full height and two years to achieve maximum weight. Even though golden retrievers are generally healthy and active dogs, they are also prone to certain illnesses and health conditions.

Natural Balance Lid Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Grain

The best dog food for Golden Retriever dogs that are active, of an average weight, and in good condition is Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato and Fish Adult Formula. Its an excellent choice for adult Retrievers that are over 15 months old up to 7 to 8 years of age.

Because theyre prone to itchy, dry skin caused by inhaled allergens or atopic allergens, the Limited Ingredients Diet from Natural Balance with fish and sweet potato support a healthy coat and skin. The salmon and omega-3 fatty acids will reduce any skin irritations too.

If your vet suspects your pup has a food allergy, this isnt the best choice for an elimination diet type diagnosis.

You May Like: Golden Retriever House Training

Additional Dietary And Health Concerns

Hips, elbows, eyes, and hearts are considered the big four for Golden Retrievers in terms of health. The food you feed your Golden Retriever can make a big difference when it comes to his health. Commonly, this breed is prone to hip/elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and food allergies.

When it comes to hip/elbow dysplasia, its especially important to feed your Golden Retriever a diet for large breed puppies to encourage slow growth. Rapid growth in puppies is one of the factors that can lead to dysplasia and bone/joint problems later in life. Obesity is another factor, which is why you should help your dog maintain a healthy weight and active lifestyle.

Some Golden Retrievers can also have issues with allergies and with hypothyroidism. If your dog gains weight rapidly especially if he is losing hair or seems lethargic he may have a thyroid problem. This is usually not a food issue, so your vet will need to prescribe a medication to help.

If your dog has allergies, he may itch and scratch and start to have some lesions and bald spots. A food intolerance can show up as gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting or diarrhea or a lot of flatulence. If you see some of these signs, talk to your vet about doing a food trial to find out if your dog has an allergy or a food intolerance.

For more dog food suggestions for your Golden Retriever, head over to the Large Breed Dog Food Buyers Guide.

Below is a list of Products reviewed in this article

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.

You May Like: Syrah Goldens Jefferson Ga

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Adult Food

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed dog food is our first choice for Golden Retriever adults. This food is highly recommended by our staff veterinarians, and it contains ingredients that are highly nutritious with high protein for strengthening muscles.

Below is a feeding chart for Purina Pro Plan Large Breed.

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Adult Feeding Chart

This chart does not give an exact amount based on gender, age, activity level, or health conditions. Be sure to consult your veterinarian to get the exact amount for your Golden.

Purina Pro Plan Adult Dog Food

The top five ingredients in this formula are chicken, rice, whole grain wheat, poultry by-product meal, and soybean meal. It has a minimum protein of 26 protein percent.

The formula also has live probiotics to support healthy digestion.

Pro Plan Adult Shredded Blend combines a hard kibble with tender, pieces of real, shredded chicken for enhanced flavor and texture. Its a more cost-effective formula than some that are higher-ranked.

It has live probiotics to support healthy digestion as well as omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.

It contains no artificial colors or flavors.

Although this formula is highly-ranked and has been a favorite with consumers, please note that it contains poultry by-product and soybean meal, both of which are often considered to be inferior ingredients.

But apparently many consumers have found that their dogs are doing well on this food.

Don’t Miss: Golden Retriever Fluffy

Labrador Retriever Feeding Chart

Food portions can vary depending on a few different factors including life stage, gender, and activity level. Work with your vet to find the best path for your particular Lab.

Here are some general feeding guidelines:

• Puppies: Puppies go through a lot of changes as they mature, so its crucial that you follow your veterinarians instructions carefully so as not to over or under feed.
• Adults: Typical adults receive between three and four cups of kibble per day depending on the brand and body type of your pet.
• Seniors: Your senior dog should have about the same serving sizes as it did during its adult life, but if theres a weight or severe health issue, your vet may decide on a different path.

Food For Senior Golden Retrievers

A senior golden retriever diet should be healthy and nutritious. It should have a high protein content and lots of supplements to improve the immunity of your aging dog. Moreover, the diet should be balanced with moderate fiber for healthy digestion.

Food rich in berries and vegetables will add essential minerals and vitamins to your senior dogs health system. Just like puppies, makes sure that you consult the vet about your aging dog and youll be advised on the best food to feed your aging dog.

To feed your canine friend the best, here is a top selection of the best dog food for Golden Retrievers:

Also Check: How Often Do I Feed My Golden Retriever Puppy

Purina Pro Plan Savor Senior 7+

• One 34 lb. Bag – Purina Pro Plan Senior Dog Food With…
• Made with high-quality protein, including real chicken as the #1…
• Fortified with guaranteed live probiotics to support digestive…
• Hard kibble mixed with tender meaty pieces create a delightful…

If you click the link above and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Following on from the adult Purina recipe, this kibble is altered slightly to ensure that all of the needs of the senior pooch are met, with higher glucosamine levels and less calories. Chicken, poultry by-product meal and fish meal provide him with his protein, and egg products provide him with DHA. It is also fortified with guaranteed levels of probiotics in every bite of kibble, and a precise blend of vitamins and minerals for his immune system.

We love that this has the highest moisture content and tender meat pieces which many senior dogs find more appetizing and easier to eat.

Natural Balance Lid Grain

With only three ingredients forming the core of its formulation sweet potatoes and salmon with Menhaden fish meal Natural Balances Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food stays true to its vision of helping pet parents institute an elimination diet for their Golden retrievers that may be suffering from food allergies.

While the principal ingredient is sweet potatoes the addition of salmon, fish meal, and salmon oil more than makes up for it, supplying the diet with rich DHA and EPA for optimum neurologic, integumentary, cardiovascular, and immunologic functioning. Given that both sweet potatoes and salmon are less allergenic than other ingredients, youll feel relieved knowing your Goldie wont have an upset stomach and allergic issues while giving them the energy to roam free.

For more information on the brand, check out our Natural Balance Dog Food Review.

Calorie content: 350 per cup

Minimum amount of proteins: 21%

Minimum amount of fats: 10%

First 5 ingredients: sweet potatoes, salmon, potato protein, Menhaden fish meal, and canola oil

With DHA, EPA, vitamins, and minerals

Don’t Miss: Golden Retriever Training Age