Golden Retriever Best Dog Food

Whats In A Good Food For A Golden Retriever

To achieve a balanced diet, your pets food should include a well-balanced blend of protein, fat, complex carbohydrates and fiber. In the best food for golden retrievers, these four components will work together to provide your pup with a nutritious and balanced diet.

High Protein Just like humans, the centerpiece of your goldens meals should be protein. As we discussed, your golden will need a minimum of 18-22% protein in their diet. For a particularly large or active golden, that number should be even higher.

As a rule of thumb, when your shopping for dog food, take a look at the first three ingredients on the list. All three of those ingredients should be a protein, and if they arent, its best to move on to another food. Remember, not all proteins are created equally.

If possible, look for food that uses whole meats, such as beef, poultry or fish. Foods that contain meat digests or meat by-products are low quality and should be avoided. For whatever reasons, goldens seem to really love salmon. Try and incorporate salmon into your Goldens diet wherever possible.

Fats While your dogs food should have far less fat than protein, fat does make up a key component of your dogs diet. Not only does fat help to give food its taste and texture, but fat is a necessary macro-nutrient that helps your dog thrive.

Are There Any Ingredients To Avoid

Its certainly true that not all ingredients are created equal. But, unless youre a nutritionist or a food scientist, it can be hard to determine whats what.

According to Dog Food Advisor, there may be some preservatives that could cause damage to your dog. They may be fine in the short run, but since youd be feeding them to your dog everyday for their whole life, the cumulative effect could be cause for concern.

Here are a few chemical preservatives you should try to avoid,

• Butylated hydroxyanisole and Butylated hydroxytoluene : These compounds have been labeled carcinogenic by the World Health Organization.
• Ethoxyquin: This is also used as a pesticide and a hardening agent in rubber. The FDA is investigating whether it causes liver and blood problems. And its already banned in Australia and the EU.
• Propylene glycol: This is used to preserve the moisture content in some dog foods. Its already banned by the FDA for use in cat food, as it can cause Heinz body anemia.
• Tertiary butylhydroquinone : Studies suggest that this preservative can cause stomach tumors in animals, as well as damage the DNA in cells.
• Propyl gallate: This substance contains xenoestrogens which are linked to breast cancer in humans.

While its not 100 percent certain that these substances would cause significant harm to your dog, its better to be safe than sorry. There are plenty of foods that dont use these kinds of ingredients, so why not go with them?

Best Dog Foods For Yeast Infections Top Picks For 2022

This article contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.

This article contains recommendations for the best anti-yeast infection foods for dogs.

Is your dog itching or scratching, or do they suffer from frequent ear infections? All of these symptoms are commonly found in dogs suffering from yeast infections.

This condition is often exacerbated by certain foods. So, if your dog suffers frequently, choosing dog foods that avoid problematic ingredients and use soothing additives can help eliminate your dogs symptoms quickly!

Nutrition has a huge effect on your pups health and happiness. Switching your golden retrievers regular food to anti-yeast dog food is one of the best things you can do to maintain your dogs health and and prevent future breakouts.

The dog foods I am going to recommend in this article contain a special blend of ingredients that are proven to help reduce yeast production in dogs with yeast infections. However, they are rarely clearly labeled as such, so as well as sharing recommendations, Ill also take you through what to look for in an anti-yeast dog food.

Note! Many people believe grain-free dog foods are also ideal for yeast infections, but thats not really the case.

• Earthborn Holistic Venture Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Rabbit Meal & Pumpkin Dry Dog Food MOST POPULAR

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Golden Retriever Food For Adults

As I mentioned before, adult Golden have a different calories intake than puppies, so here are some Golden Retriever food for adults Royal Canin Golden Retriever Food

MACROS

For dogs who have a sensitive stomach and dont enjoy a lot of fiber in their diet, this food is perfect for them. Purina Pro Plan Savor has high protein and high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin for his larger bones and joints and energy, it also has Vitamin A, linoleic acid, and fish oils to provide plenty of nutrients to take care of his beautiful coat.

Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult

Rating:

Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground brown rice, barley, peas
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best for:Adult goldens

Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult derives the bulk of its animal protein from chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 13% fat and 50% estimated carbs which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 46%.

The classic, grain-inclusive, large breed design contains no meat by-products and no BHA or other cancer-causing synthetic preservatives. Easily recommended for adult goldens.

Sample buyer reviewOur dog had developed a bit of a gas issue with another leading brand that featured mostly red meat, so I wanted to go back to a food with mostly chicken. After a lot of research, I settled on Wellness Complete, and weve been very happy with it. Our dog readily goes for the food, and for the first time with any kibble, she will eat a few pieces out of our hand as a treat. I am impressed by the nutritional balance and the glucosamine and chondroitin since she is 80+ pounds, and it seems to have eliminated the gas problems.

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Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy Food

A well-loved dog food that is specially made for Golden Retriever puppies is this one by Royal Canin. This dog food can be fed to Golden Retriever pups that are 8 weeks up to 15 months old. The kibble is unique because it encourages chewing. It has a special shape that fits in their mouth and teeth, encouraging them to chew more and slow down while eating.

It has lots of nutrients that will benefit a growing Golden Retriever pup. It has vitamin E, which works as an antioxidant. It protects the skin while making the coat shiny. Plus, supports the pups immune system.

However, there is a downside to it. The first ingredient on the list is chicken by-product meal. While meal-based meat products have a higher concentration of protein, but by-product meat products are not that great. There are other dog foods that use whole ingredients instead of by-products.

Food For Overweight Golden Retrievers

If your Golden is becoming a bit too porky it is important to transition him to a weight management food and maintain an active lifestyle. His extra weight should not be taken lightly, as the unnecessary weight can lead to many health problems. This breeds food requirements are similar to the Lab and will put on weight in a similar fashion if you arent closely monitoring their food intake. Considering Goldens needs, here are our 2 favorite weight management recipes just for him.

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Purina Pro Plan Probiotics

Next on our nutritious list is yet another Purina blend designed for digestional perfection.

Fortified with tons of live probiotics, this food will give your golden gobbler the best bowels this side of the Mississippi.

As it should be, real meat is the number one ingredient here, just the succulent good stuff.

You may find it hard to stop having a little nibble yourself. A lesser component is byproduct meal, but small amounts arent necessarily a bad thing. A wild dogs diet would include some of these parts of animals.

This Pro Plan variant is also super high in proteins which is essential for lean muscle growth after exercise.

Your woofer will be svelt and slender in no time at all. If your dog has a history of stomach problems, this shredded blend will make digestion much easier too.

Its always good to be a little bit cautious when a food says its veterinarian recommended, but this food actually seems to be genuinely backed by a lot of vets as an affordable yet genuinely healthy option.

That said, it cant hurt to check in with your vet to make sure.

Pros

What Do Golden Retriever Puppies Eat

The best dog foods for a golden retriever puppy are made with high-quality natural ingredients and have high levels of protein. Make sure the food is complete and balanced for daily feeding and formulated to meet the nutritional needs of large breed puppies. Depending on your pups preferences and needs, you can feed kibble, canned food, or a raw diet to your pup.

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Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy Food

The top five ingredients are deboned chicken, chicken meal, peas, ground brown rice, and salmon meal. The recipe contains a minimum of 32 percent protein.

It has 14 percent fat, and 45 percent estimated carbs and has a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44percent. It also has a safe, balanced amount of calcium.

Itâs also a relatively inexpensive food for the quality of its ingredients.

What Is The Best Food For Golden Retriever Puppies

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Excuse me! Bowls empty!

Energetic, playful, and goofy golden retriever puppies burn a lot of calories and need highly nutritious food to grow and develop properly. The food you decide to feed to your puppy can affect them as an adult and give them a healthy head startor put their health at risk. Finding the best puppy food for golden retrievers is your best bet for preventing problems.

There are many high-quality puppy foods you can choose from, but not all are formulated to meet your pups dietary needs. Choosing the wrong formula can be detrimental to your pups health and cause nutrient deficiency, musculoskeletal problems, heart disease, or cancer.

While these arent things you want to hear, you need to understand the full effect of unhealthy puppy foods. On the other hand, high-quality food that is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of a growing golden retriever puppy will give your pup a good start in life .

To help you do just that, Ive found and reviewed the seven best dog foods for golden retriever puppies!

*The above links lead to current prices and customer reviews on Chewy.

Keep reading to discover why I chose these recipes and check out the included helpful tips and buying advice to ensure you get the right product for your golden puppy!

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Golden Retriever Puppy Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy dry dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Golden Retrievers 8 weeks to 15 months old As a result of increased demand, you may experience difficulty purchasing certain products in the coming months. If you need an alternative diet recommendation or help locating a product, please contact our Nutritional Advisors at 800-592-6687 or via our Live Chat function.

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Alpha Paw Natural Vitality Food For Retrievers

Alpha Paws Natural Vitality for retrievers is the best dog food for golden retrievers. It is a complete, balanced, high-quality dog food designed for retrievers. The nutrient-rich formula provides all the essential nutrients that golden retrievers need to stay healthy and active. In addition, the food is fortified with vitamins and minerals to support joint health, skin and coat health, and digestion. And best of all, it is made with all-natural ingredients that are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. So if youre looking for the best dog food for golden retrievers, look no further than Alpha Paws Natural Vitality.

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Royal Canin Products And Recalls

Royal Canin offers a huge variety of dry and wet dog food and cat food, such as breed-specific and veterinary diets. The former is formulated for purebred dogs and cats by taking their specific nutritional needs into account.

For example, the ingredients used in the Royal Canin Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog food claim to help with cardiac function. This is a common health concern with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as they are predisposed to heart conditions, such as mitral valve disease.

Royal Canins large line of veterinary diets is tailored for dogs and cats that have been diagnosed with various health issues. For example, the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Diabetic dog food is targeted for dogs who have diabetes mellitus.

The company offers pet foods for all life stages of dogs and cats in both dry and wet form. Royal Canin also has pet food options for small, medium, and large cats and dogs. The amount of variety in their products is impressive, so its no wonder why Royal Canin is so popular among pet owners.

Regarding recalls of Royal Canin products, there have been a few in recent years. In February 2006, Royal Canin was asked by the FDA to recall multiple Royal Canin Veterinary Diet dog foods and cat foods as they contained high levels of Vitamin D3.

In April 2007, the company was told by the FDA to recall multiple Royal Canin Veterinary Diet and Sensible Choice dog foods due to concerns about possible melamine contamination.

Are Grain Free Diets Safe For Golden Retrievers

Grain Free diets are not typically recommended by veterinarians. Recent studies from the American Veterinary Medical Association , have shown that there is a link between certain diets and Dilated Cardiomyopathy in dogs.

Grains are a great source of nutrients for dogs. Grains are packed with carbohydrates, fats, and antioxidants that support healthy skin, hair, and immune systems. A common assumption is that grains cause obesity, but if they are fed in moderation, obesity should not be a problem.

Some veterinarians will recommend a grain free diet to dogs with allergies. If your veterinarian does recommend grain free, then go with a grain free diet as it is probably best for your dog.

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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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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. Itâs 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.

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Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain

Primary Ingredients: Herring Meal, Peas, Dried Eggs, Canola Oil, Tapioca, Pea Starch, Flaxseed, Pea Protein

This dry food from Earthborn Holistic is an excellent option for Golden Retrievers with food allergies. With fish as the main protein, this kibble promotes a gorgeous coat and healthy skin and improves digestive issues.

Customer Review: Both my dogs have sensitive skin and sensitive stomachs they used to have lots of runny poop and dry skin. After switching to earthborn holistic, theyve had nothing but solid poops!

Rating: 4.7/5