How We Chose Our Top Picks
We compiled a list of the best dog food products for Golden Retrievers on the market with the help of our vets and dog lovers community. We had several mandatory requirements while testing these products. They needed to:
Remember that our results are not biased. We dont have any benefits from promoting these products. According to our research and honest opinion, these formulas will be highly useful for your pooch.
Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult Dog Food Dry Dog Food For Golden Retriever Diet
As the name suggests, this food from Nestle Purina Petcare promotes brain health. Nestle Purina Petcare was started in December 2001 and it has grown widely. This diet, essential for a bright mind, was first produced on January 2nd, 2015 for all breed sizes. The first five ingredients are Chicken, Poultry By-Product Meal, Rice, Whole Grain Corn, and Corn Gluten Meal. The caloric content of 423 Kcal/cup boosts energy levels while the protein value of 29% promotes muscle health. The fat content is 14% while fiber and moisture values are 3% and 12% respectively.
This superfood is crafted with botanical oils that improve the mental reasoning of senior dogs. It is also fortified with omega fatty acids, probiotics, and EPA for skin health, proper digestion, and mobility. The food also contains linoleic acids and vitamin A for lustrous skin and shiny coats. Dietary fiber aids in the maintenance of a healthy weight. Dogs weighing 3 to 12 lbs need to 1 cup of this food daily while those weighing 13 to 20 lbs need 1 to 1 ¼ cups. The food is suitable for dogs with weight problems. Golden Retrievers are better on this food as it is enhanced with Glucosamine which promotes joint health. This diet is grain-inclusive hence care should be taken to lower negative reactions to the food.
What Are The Best Dog Foods For Small
The best dog food for small Golden Retrievers are given below:
- Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Recipe targets small Golden Retriever puppies. The main ingredients are Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Barley, brewers Rice, and Whole GrainBrown Rice. it has a caloric content of 390 Kcal/cup with a protein value of 28% and the fat value is 16% thus boosting muscle health and lowering the risks of obesity
- Instinct Raw Boost Grain-free Recipe is suitable for small Golden Retrievers as it has high-quality proteins that promote muscle and bone health. It also contains Glucosamine and Chondroitin for joint and hip health
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The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Dehydrated Dog Food
- Key feature: Human-grade, multiple-flavor dog food with limited ingredients that can be used as a topper of a complete meal, easily served by adding water
- First 5 ingredients: Varies depending on flavour
- Caloric content: 3870 4550 kcal/kg
- Guaranteed analysis: Min 24-34% protein, Min 7.2-18.5% fats, Max 6-8% fiber
- Best for: Golden Retrievers with many food allergies
The Honest Kitchen provides human-grade dog food with limited ingredients, making it ideal for Golden Retrievers with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.
The protein, fats, and caloric content will vary depending on which flavor you purchase and what your Golden Retriever likes. In general, their nutrition range is average to the high average for Golden Retrievers, so you may want to consider omitting certain flavors that are higher in protein and fats.
Most owners feedbacked that their dogs with allergies and other health issues thrived on this limited ingredient diet.
A few owners reported that this food brand caused allergies in their dogs. Therefore, please ensure that your Golden Retriever is allergic to NONE of the listed ingredients before purchase.
What About Feeding Your Golden Retriever A Raw Diet Or Homemade Food
You probably noticed that a raw diet was the fourth-most popular diet Golden Retriever owners feed their dog.
Heres what Dr. Lisa Freeman, from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association study, had to say about it:
We also emphasize that changing to a raw or home-prepared diet may not be sufficient to improve cardiac abnormalities and may increase the risk for other nutritional deficiencies or infectious diseases.
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large
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Ingredients:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Pea Protein, Peas, Chicken Fat , Menhaden Fish Meal , Flaxseed , Natural Flavor, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Egg Product, Dicalcium Phosphate, Fish Oil , Salt, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Choline Chloride, Potatoes, Dried Chicory Root, Vitamin E Supplement, Sweet Potatoes, Potassium Chloride, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Dl-Methionine, Calcium Carbonate, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Carrots, Garlic, Riboflavin , Vitamin D3 Supplement, L-Carnitine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable Juice For Color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin , Calcium Pantothenate , Folic Acid , Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate , L-Lysine, Copper Sulfate, Biotin , Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Manganese Sulfate, Taurine, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate , Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride , Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract.
Best Dog Food For Puppies
The nutritional needs of dogs vary throughout their life. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and senior dogs have their own nutritional considerations. Most dog food companies carry specially formulated puppy foods for each stage of a dogs life, making it easier to narrow down your choices. If you are concerned about which is the best dog food for your dogs life stage, consult your veterinarian to see what stage food is appropriate for your dog.
Your puppy requires a different nutrient balance than an adult dog. This is especially true for large breeds. Feeding a large breed puppy food can help, as their growth needs to be monitored carefully to prevent bone and joint problems. Other puppies do well on both puppy food and food labeled for all life stages. The best food for your puppy depends on your puppys size and breed. Always consult your veterinarian for recommendations on puppy feeding, and advice on how to switch puppies to adult dog food.
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Royal Canin Golden Retriever Soft Dog Food
PetListed Verdict:
Looking for a high-quality wet food for your Golden? This Royal Canin canned option is similar to the dry kibble seen earlier on our list, and is specifically formulated for the needs of Golden Retrievers over 15 months of age.
Key Details:
- Soft food in a loaf sauce
- Formulated for Golden Retrievers 15 months and older
- Heart healthy ingredients including taurine and L-carnitine
- Can be fed alone or mixed with dry dog food
- Includes dozens of essential vitamins and minerals
A quick note: Were reader supported! If you buy a product through our links we may earn a commission. The price you pay will always be the same as normal.
What Makes Dog Food Good For Golden Retrievers
Bear in mind that there is no best dog food. Theres one that best suits your Goldie it has a fat-to-protein ratio no higher than 75 percent.
There should be meat-based protein and moderate carbohydrate content. Avoid any questionable chemicals such as artificial colors or unidentified ingredients.
Whats the best dog food for your Golden Retriever? Share with us its benefits to help fellow Goldie parents by commenting below.
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Why You Dont Want To Overfeed Your Golden Retriever Puppy
Golden Retrievers are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia and they love eating.
Those two statements may sound random, but they are related.
According to the Banfield Pet Hospital, overfeeding your Golden Retriever can cause them to grow too fast and increase their risk of hip dysplasia.
To make sure you dont overfeed them, use a measuring cup when dishing out their food and never free-feed them.
Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Formula
This recipe from Taste of the Wild is ideal if you want to mix up your dogs diet and give them some novel proteins. It contains buffalo as its first ingredient, and then it has its protein levels topped up with lamb meal, chicken meal, chicken fat roasted bison, roasted venison, and beef.
While this adds a lot of great variation to your dogs diet and results in a recipe high in protein and also full of healthy fats, it wont help if you are trying to avoid giving your dog chicken to avoid them picking up an allergy. We think one of the few things that could have made the recipe better would have been to skip the chicken.
This great recipe is a grain-free formula and contains lots of added vitamins and antioxidants to ensure your pups health. A proprietary K9 strain probiotic blend to support digestive health is also included.
Despite how much goodness there is in this recipe, it is calorie efficient and relatively affordable, making it a great choice for both your dog and your wallet.
Pros:
- Contains chicken
- High in fat
Add some variation to your dogs diet with this affordable novel protein food from Taste of the Wild.
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Diamond Naturals Adult Dry Dog Food For Golden Retriever Diet
Diamond Naturals is manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods, which uses the finest ingredients to produce unique recipes. This adult food was first manufactured on August 19th, 2004. The first five ingredients are Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain, Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, and Peas with a caloric content of 327 Kcal/cup and a protein content of 23%. The fat content is 13% while the fiber and moisture content is 4% and 10% respectively. This meal contains probiotics and antioxidants that promote digestive health and protect from oxidative damage.
High-quality protein from real, cage-free chicken promotes a lean muscle mass while omega fatty acids boost the skin, coat, eye, and brain health. The highly digestible proteins also promote gut health. The feeding guidelines are given based on the weight of your dog with dogs weighing 40-60 lbs requiring 2 ½ to 3 cups daily while those weighing 60-80 lbs need 3 to 4 ¼ cups. Larger dogs weighing 175 to 200 lbs need 7 ¼ to 8 cups daily.
This diet is suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs as it contains no fillers. It is the perfect choice for Golden Retrievers as it has Glucosamine and Chondroitin for joint and hip health. This recipe is formulated with grains hence you should not give it to dogs with grain sensitivities
Things To Look For In A Dog Food
Having said that, there are some general guidelines one can follow.
For instance, less expensive dog foods typically have lower quality ingredients. The contents are often inexpensive, low-grade protein sources, like animal by-products, and fillers.
Fillers are frequently things like corn meal, rice flour, or seed hulls.
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What Are The Best Dog Foods For Golden Retrievers For Tear Stains
Tear stains are a sign of an allergic reaction and the foods given below are the best for tear stain:
- Forza10 Nutraceutical is the best dry food for sensitive tear stains. It is fortified with omega fatty acids for skin health. The main ingredients are Anchovy Meal, Peas, Fava Beans, Pork Meal, and Fish Oil. It has Yucca Schidigera Extract for less smelly stool
- Dogs for the Earth Dehydrated Dog Food is suitable for tear stains and picky eaters. It has no corn, soy, or grain and contains no preservatives hence safe for Golden Retrievers. The main ingredients are Organic Beef, Organic Spinach, Organic Pumpkin, Organic Green Beans, and Organic Broccoli.
Choosing The Correct Calorie Count For Golden Retrievers
Because the Golden Retriever is an active sporting breed, it is very important that this dog type receives sufficient calories to support its busy lifestyle. The best dog foods for Golden Retrievers base their recipe on a lean meat to help promote a strong and healthy body. Trying to determine how much of a food to feed a Golden Retriever can seem like a difficult task. Thankfully, most commercial dog foods list suggested serving sizes on their packaging.
The Golden Retriever loves to eat and will happily eat itself into a stupor if permitted to do so. Since the breed can be predisposed to both hip and elbow dysplasia and excess weight can be very harmful to overall health, the Golden Retriever should never be allowed to free feed. To achieve and maintain a good body condition, the Goldens meals should be measured and all intake carefully monitored, including not only meals but also treats.
The Golden Retriever is one of many breeds that can be prone to developing the life threatening condition known as bloat. At this time, doctors do not know what factors must be present for a dog to develop this problem. It is believed that eating too much and too rapidly may both play contributing roles. To help prevent these issues in the Golden Retriever, it is recommended that the breed be fed a large breed food formulation as these types of diets contain kibble pieces of sufficient size to encourage slow and thoughtful chewing and swallowing.
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Royal Canin Golden Retriever Breed Specific Dry Dog Food
Our second super snack is designed exclusively for golden retriever tums, easily snagging second place on our crunchy list.
Even the shape of this kibble is tailor made to suit the straight muzzle and scissor chomping style of golden retrievers. Amazing, right?
Brimming with nutrients that ensure a lustrous coat, your retriever will be looking sharp, and thanks to the taurine, EPA, and DHA content, this food is amazing for your golden guy or gals ticker too.
Its never easy on you or your woofer when doggy weight problems strike, but with precision ratios of proteins and fats, this kibble can help your retriever shed or gain weight faster than other diets.
The caloric content is measured out perfectly for a retrievers specific dietary requirements.
Unfortunately, the meat content is made up of byproduct meal and fats, but that may actually be beneficial to retrievers with weaker digestive systems.
Real meat can be too rich for some dogs and cause stomach upsets. Perhaps it would be a good idea to mix this kibble with wet food with a higher meat content, giving your dog the best of both worlds.
Pros
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.
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What To Offer Your Golden Retriever As Treats
If youve gotten this far, and you havent discovered any allergies or obesity problems , its fun to treat them!
Foods you can treat your dog with
In addition to store bought treats, here are some foods you might find around the kitchen that you can indulge your pup with:
- Apples
- Turkey
- Watermelon
- Wheat and grains
- Yogurt
Looking for something your dog might go crazy over? Freeze dried liver treats are cheap and can be broken up into small bits as a high-reward training treat.
Weve also put together an entire list of our best approved healthy dog treats, that cover everything from fully vegetarian, to steak jerky. Take a look if thats something youre interested in.
Should You Consider Getting A Retriever
Retrievers are so popular for good reasons. They tend to be good-natured, they are highly trainable, and they are focused on their families. Furthermore, these dogs are typically quite good-looking and are always up for a game of fetch. There are a wide variety of retrievers for you to choose from, so theres a very good chance that youll find the perfect individual for you.
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Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food
PetListed Verdict:
Royal Canins Golden blend is a top choice for those looking for a premium dog food made especially for Golden Retrievers. It promotes healthy skin, coat, weight, and cardiac function. A heads up, this food is suitable for Goldens 15 months or older.
Key Details:
PetListed Verdict:
For the price, Diamond Naturals packs a serious nutritional punch. Upon scanning the list of ingredients, many owners will find a long list of health forward foods including pasture raised lamb, kale, coconut, dried kelp, papaya, and chia seeds. This all-natural dry dog food also contains an abundance of essential vitamins to keep your Golden Retriever active and strong.
Key Details:
- Pasture raised lamb is the first ingredient
- Contains superfoods including: kale, chia seeds, pumpkin, yucca, coconut, quinoa
- Dozens of vitamins including: zinc, copper, potassium, vitamin b1, vitamin a, vitamin b6
- Solid price for the quality
- Tailored for large breed dogs
- No corn, wheat, or filler
- No artificial preservatives, flavors, or colorings
How Should I Transition My Puppy Or Adult Dog From One Food Brand To Another
Whether youre switching brands or moving from a puppy chow to an adult dog food, its a good idea to make the transition slowly. Start by replacing a quarter of the dogs current food with the new food for a few meals. A few days later, you can begin making it a half-and-half blend.
Make sure to watch for loose stool from your pup as you transition if you notice that your Golden is struggling with the new diet, wait for a few days before increasing the blend. When in doubt, check with your vet!
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