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Do Golden Retrievers Need Grain Free Food

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

5 Best Dog Food For Golden Retriever in 2020.

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

Pros:

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Cons:

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.

Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult

Rating:

This Large Breed Adult formula is one of 13 dry recipes covered in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, ground white rice
  • Type: Grain-inclusive
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best for:Adult goldens

Diamond Naturals Large Breed gets the better part of its meat protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 26% protein, 14% fat and 52% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.

We like the fact that this particular formula contains zinc proteinate and 3 other chelated minerals, costly items not typically found in such a budget-friendly, high quality option. A top pick for adult goldens. Easy to recommend.

Sample buyer reviewWe have seen great changes in our dogs on this food. My beagle is getting older and slowing down. With the Diamond food, he is running all over and back to jumping on the couch and bed again. My male Great Pyrenees had digestive issues that cleared right up. My female Great Pyrenees was always getting skin issues with a rough coat. She isnt scratching and her coat is gorgeous. Thank you Diamond for giving my dogs their lives back.

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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.

Royal Canine Adult Dry Dog Food Golden Retriever

Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers

30 lb. bag $56.1 Plus Free Shipping at Chewy.

The Royal Canine Dry Dog Food for Adult Goldens is formulated especially for Goldens 15 months and older. The formula is tailored specifically to your breeds needs according to size, breed, lifestyle and age.

Royal Canine uses essential nutrients for coat and skin health. The formula also promotes cardiac health and contains taurine, and DHA for healthy heart function. The fat and calorie content is also ideal for keeping your Golden a healthy weight, and preventing obesity.

PROS

  • Contains chicken meal which is a by-product.

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Myth : Dogs Do Not Need Grains

Grain Free is NOT the Key If the food you are looking at is Grain-Free, look at something else. Grain-free diets do not benefit dogs in any way. If your dog has a grain allergy, find a food with a different grain or a veterinary diet. Stay away from diets that have peas and lentils in the first five ingredients.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large

The top five ingredients are deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, and barley.

The dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29 percent protein, 17 percent fat and 46 percent estimated carbs. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58 percent.

This is a top-rated food that is budget conscious.

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Why Do The Ingredients Of Food Matter

Your dogs health is influenced by various factors such as genetics, size, age, diseases among others. The quality and type of ingredients used can greatly impact your dogs health.

Golden Retrievers are genetically prone to cancer. Its, therefore, crucial to scrutinize and look for the ingredients that wont accelerate the risk.

The dog food you choose should meet the Association of American Feed Control Official nutrients standards for the life stage.

You should make food with wholesome, natural ingredients without fillers, by-products, or artificial additives. Feeding your dog food containing poor quality ingredients may lead to health issues such as chronic inflammation and obesity.

Ensure the food contains high-quality proteins from real animal sources, wholesome veggies, fruits, vitamins, and essential minerals for optimal health. It should be labeled as complete.

Do Golden Retrievers Need Grain

Best Diet For Dogs | Golden Retriever

Veterinary cardiologists have discovered that dogs with life-threatening heart illnesses have low taurine levels, which is an important amino acid for heart health.

The majority of these dogs eat grain-free diets, which raise taurine levels. Cardiomyopathy, a deadly cardiac disease in dogs, is frequently caused by taurine deficiency.

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How Do You Choose A High

Here are five ways to help you choose which brand of food to feed your golden retriever:

  • Talk to your veterinarian
  • Do research on your own
  • Talk to other people with golden retrievers
  • See what your golden likes to eat
  • Your veterinarian is the health expert and knows your dog best, so the first thing to do would be to ask them.

    In addition to knowing your dog, they often know whats worked for other dogs, as well as what the research says about different diets.

    If your breeder is reputable, theyll also be a good resource.

    They obviously have goldens of their own and are very invested in their health, plus theyll likely speak with other breeders and golden retriever owners about what food is best.

    And even if your breeder wasnt good, or you rescued your golden, you can go to the websites of good breeders and often theyll say what they feed their dogs there.

    However, dont just blindly follow your breeders advice.

    Feeding dogs isnt cheap and Ive noticed some breeders are sponsored by some brands, so in that case, their judgment on food recommendations could be clouded by money.

    Which leads me to the next point

    Doing research on your own is another good way to choose what to feed them.

    Has a brand of food had lots of recalls in the past?

    Is there any research about the ingredients in the food?

    You can also learn how to read a dog food label in our article about puppy food by .

    Finally, see what your golden likes to eat.

    What Is The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers In 2021

    These loyal, affectionate dogs are one of most popular dog breeds in the US, so lots of you out there may well be asking yourselves this very question!

    Keep reading to see a full nutritional guide on what a Golden Retriever needs in her diet, potential health problems, and how choosing the right dog food can help.

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    Dont Give Them Too Much Of A Good Thing

    Overfeeding your puppy can undo all the benefits of breed-specific golden retriever puppy food. By consuming too much food, your puppy will have elevated levels of the very nutrients that should be limited.

    Additionally, overweight puppies may develop other health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Good eating habits developed during puppyhood will lead to a healthy mature dog in the years to come.

    Avoid Raw Or Undercooked Meat

    best diet for golden retrievers uk

    Raw diets are becoming immensely popular! Raw shouldnt be literal when it comes to animal meat. After eating raw animal meat, your dog is now vulnerable to a host of bacteria, viruses, and other parasites that would have been killed during the cooking or rendering process.

    There is still a large difference between our domesticated dogs and other wild canines. Dogs didnt inherit an immunity to some of these things unless previously exposed or their mothers passed an immunity on, which isnt always the case. The risk you take isnt worth the small degree of nutritional gains.

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    Final Thoughts The Importance Of Nutrition

    Many pet food companies have spent millions of dollars studying which ingredients have the highest levels of nutrients to achieve a nutritious, balanced diet that will help vital puppy growth and mental and physical development.

    Its your job to do your due diligence and select the right one for your doggo! As for supplements, theres no reason to feed them if your dog is eating a complete and healthy diet unless a veterinarian recommends them. So heres my best piece of advice:

    Choose a diet that is appropriate for your Golden Retrievers age, your lifestyle, and your beliefs and invest in the highest-quality dog food you can afford. Your dog will enjoy a longer and healthier life due to this, and you will both be happier as a result.

    I hope youve enjoyed this article and its helped you decide on the best diet for your Golden Retriever.

    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.

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    Homemade Feeding For Golden Retrievers

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    Homemade feeding is excellent for Golden Retrievers. That’s because they are prone to developing food allergies and other health issues.

    Homemade feeding allows you to manage your pet’s diet, appease picky eaters, and build bonds with your pet. You don’t have to worry about preservatives, food intolerance or recalls, and other health conditions associated with poor diets.

    Unfortunately, it’s not all bliss for dog owners that feed their pets with homemade diets. Preparing homemade diets can be time-consuming. You may also overfeed your dogs, decrease their activity level, and expose them to unhealthy living conditions.

    If you want to formulate a wholly balanced and individualized diet for your Golden Retriever, you should get professional help from your vet or pet nutrition expert.

    If you wish to feed your Golden Retriever fresh homemade meals very often, but you don’t have time to cook, you should consider ordering homemade dog food.

    Hungry Bark can help you formulate Custom Meal Plans tailored to your pet’s nutritional needs and deliver them to your doorstep.

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    How Much And When Should You Feed Your Dog

    This will vary from dog to dog, but a general rule of thumb is for every 10 lbs your dog weighs they should be fed roughly 1 cup of prepared food.

    For our 80 lb Hooch, that means 2 meals a day each containing 4 cups of food. It is important to note that, dogs with kidney problems often feel better when fed several small meals throughout the dayrather than just one or two large meals, so you may find that you need to adjust your feeding schedule as time goes on accordingly to keep your pup comfy!

    What Type Of Food Should I Give My Golden Retriever

    Nowadays, dog food selections are on the increase than ever before. While the variety of products offers food options for every pet breed, dog owners are spoilt for choice.

    You may be wondering which type of food is right for your Golden retriever.

    Let’s get this straight!

    The best type of food depends on variables like your pet’s age, weight, and activity level. That’s not all your lifestyle and preferences may also be a major influence on your dog’s feeding choices.

    To help you make smarter decisions, let’s shed light on the different types of food you can feed your pet.

    Superfoods w/ Salmon

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    Merrick Real Buffalo Beef + Sweet Potato Grain

    This grain-free formula by Merrick is generally well-loved by all pooches, including Golden Retrievers. And its actually quite good for them because of its high protein grain-free formula. Your retriever will get powerful proteins from quality buffalo meat and beef. Sweet potatoes are among the top five ingredients, which means your pet gets enough carb to stay active all day. Then you have also got peas, apples, blueberries and natural sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

    Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Large

    Best Senior Dog Food For Golden Retriever

    The top five ingredients are deboned salmon, chicken meal, pea protein, peas, and tapioca starch, with a minimum of 32 percent protein.

    Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Chicken is a great option for those looking for higher protein and an optimal blend of calcium, phosphorus, and essential vitamins to help keep bones strong.

    Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids found in fish meal and flaxseed ensure a healthy coat.

    An ideal blend of protein, fat and carbohydrates are also included to assist your large breed dog in keeping a healthy weight.

    The formula doesnt contain any grains or gluten and has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

    It also has antioxidants to boost immune health and no poultry by-products.

    Glucosamine and chondroitin are added for healthy joints.

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    The 7 Best Dog Foods For Golden Retrievers

    Golden Retrievers are famously upbeat, loyal, and intelligent animals. Whether as a companion or addition to a family with small children, Goldens continue to be one of the top pet choices for millions of families around the country.

    The food you give your dog has a major impact on their health and wellbeing, so its important to choose the right option. To help, we researched hundreds of products and thousands of verified reviews to find the 7 best dog foods for Golden Retrievers available now. Heres our list:

    Do Golden Retrievers Need Grain In Their Diets

    Many Golden Retrievers can benefit from grain in their diets because it is an excellent nutrient. Grains are carbohydrates that give energy, plus they are full of other nutrients like antioxidants and fats . However, not all dogs can tolerate wheat or grain in their diets. Many dogs have allergies to grains, so they need grain-free diets. However, they can still benefit from other carbs like veggies to get their carbs.

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    Best Treats For Golden Retrievers

    Many dog owners enjoy giving their dogs treats, but since theyre not expected to adopt AAFCO guidelines, like dog food, how do you know what treats are the best for Golden Retrievers?

    The best treats for Golden Retrievers are those made with high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients, low in calories and fat. Artificial preservatives, colorings, or additives should not be used in dog treats. As an alternative, you can feed nutritious fruits and vegetables.

    You can find high-quality treats on the market however, they can be quite expensive, but Im happy to pay more if it means my dog stays healthy and happy.

    There are many different types of commercial dog treats, and you can pick the one that best fits your needs. Do you need training treats, dental treats, chew treats, or even natural calming treats, for example? I like to have a range of treats on hand for my dog.

    Treats should make up no more than 10% of your Golden Retrievers daily calories.

    Make sure you buy healthy dog treats, particularly chew treats, that are suitable for large breeds. Bully sticks made entirely of all-natural beef are one of my favorite treats for my dog and she thinks so too! You may use them as a chew stick or break them up into smaller pieces. Check out the Downtown Pet Supply bully sticks from Amazon. They are 100% natural and get thousands of good reviews.

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