Hills Dog Food Golden Retriever

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Golden Retriever Puppy Dry Dog Food

If youre interested in a veterinarian-approved puppy food thats tailor-made for golden retrievers, try out Royal Canins Breed Health Nutrition. This pup-friendly kibble provides specialized culinary support for your dogs immune system, digestive system, skin, and coat, though the shapes of the pieces may be its best feature. Each breed-specific formula from Royal Canin has its very own shape that was designed specifically for the anatomy of each breeds mouth, so you wont have to worry about your pup finding this food hard to eat.

The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Organic Whole Grain Chicken

Primary Ingredients: Dehydrated Chicken, Organic Barley, Dehydrated Potatoes, Organic Flaxseed, Organic Oats, Dehydrated Peas

The Honest Kitchen dehydrated dog food is an excellent option for owners who like to avoid dry kibble. That may be because they have a senior Golden Retriever who is struggling with dental issues or feel that dehydrated food options are healthier. This particular food contains real protein and essential nutrients that can benefit dogs of all ages.

Customer Review: This is real food! When we first got our puppy, she wouldnt eat anything, even human food. Once we got this, she became a food-crazed puppy!

Rating: 4.4/5

Instinct Raw Boost With Real Duck

Image courtesy Chewy

Instinct Raw Boost with Real Duck is a great food for golden retrievers. It is made with real duck, which is a source of high-quality protein. This food also contains sweet potatoes, which are an excellent source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber.

The first ingredient in this food is duck, which provides your dog with high-quality protein. Duck is a great source of protein for your dog and it is also a very tasty food. Your dog will love the taste of this food and you will be able to see a difference in their energy level and overall health.

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Compare Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

In this article we will tell you about the best food for your Golden Retriever. Well discuss:

Sit back and well get started.

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Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy

Image courtesy Wellness

Wellness Complete Health Chicken, Salmon & Rice will get your tiny guy growing. This natural dry food is designed to give your big breed pup with complete-body nutritional support.

It’s made with high-quality proteins and healthy grains, as well as omega fatty acidsincluding DHAvital vitamins, antioxidants, glucosamine, and probiotics.

The following balanced, nutritious dry dog food is created to support teeth and bone development, general health, energy and vitality, optimal nutrient absorption, and healthy muscle growth.

It’s made without GMOs, meat by-products, fillers, or preservatives, so Rover will always get the right nutrients.

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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.

Iams Proactive Health Large Breed Dog Food

Rating:

ProActive Health Large Breed is one of 12 dry recipes covered in our review of the Iams ProActive Health product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain barley, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, chicken by-product meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Maintenance
• Best for:Adult goldens

Iams ProActive Health Large Breed derives the majority of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 25% protein, 14% fat and 53% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

This classic, grain-inclusive, large breed design has been offered by Iams for many years. Its especially popular with professional breeders. We like the fact that its also 100% free of BHA and other high-risk chemical preservatives. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewAll the pets in the household love Iams. My puppies just switched to adult food and this has been a quick an easy switch. Would recommend Iams to anyone.

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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.

Consider Your Dog’s Age

Puppies and adult dogs have different nutritional needs, so be sure to choose a food that is appropriate for your dog’s age. Puppy foods will have higher levels of protein and fat to support growth, while adult foods will be lower in calories to help maintain a healthy weight.

Senior golden retrievers may need a food that is easy to digest and has added joint support.

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Best Overall: Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food is the best overall food for Golden Retrieverson this listand it was an obvious choice. This dog food was made specifically for Golden Retrievers and is designed to meet the nutritional needs of these gorgeous, friendly dogs 15 months and older. The specialized kibble is designed for your Golden Retrievers straight muzzle and scissor bite to encourage chewing . Additionally, this formula includes essential nutrients to reinforce your Golden Retrievers skin barrier and support his healthy skin and coat. Your favorite pals heart health is supported with taurine, EPA, and DHA, which all help to promote healthy cardiac function. You wont have to worry about your Golden gaining weight with this food because it has precise calories and fat content designed specifically for big dogs. This extra attention to the formula helps to support your dogs weight management.

So How Do You Choose The Best Food For Your Golden Retriever

In a recent 2019 FDA dog food update about grain-free dog food that contained legume seeds, lentils, potatoes or peas as main ingredients, dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs was linked to grain-free dog food formulas.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is becoming more common in dogs on grain-free diets that as a breed are not predisposed to DCM. This includes the Golden Retriever!

In grain-free formulas there is often a high level of potato. FDA medical records indicate that dogs with DCM had low levels of taurine which may result in DCM. Dogs fed diets that included exotic proteins, and that were grain-free resulted in higher rates of DCM.

Heres what the FDA had to say. To better characterize diets reported in DCM cases, product labels were examined to determine whether the product was grain-free , and whether the products contained peas, other lentils including chickpeas and beans, or potatoes . Because so many products contained peas and/or lentils, a category was created for peas and/or lentils. More than 90 percent of products were grain-free, and 93 percent of reported products had peas and/or lentils. A far smaller proportion contained potatoes, via FDA

Animal protein sources in the reported diets varied widely, and many diets contained more than one protein source. The most common proteins in the reported diets were chicken lamb and fish however, some diets contain atypical protein sources such as kangaroo, bison or duck. No one animal protein source was predominant.

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Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend With Probiotics Adult Dry Dog Food

This brand is made with a high-quality protein, and contains probiotics for digestive and immune health. With real chicken as the first ingredient , vitamin A and linoleic acid for healthy skin and coat condition, Purina Pro Plan Savor is a high-quality dog food formula.

PROS

• Well-known and reputable dog food brand
• Delicious flavor for picky eaters
• Helps to maintain a healthy weight
• Scientifically tested by veterinarians, scientists and behaviorists
• Honest and reliable information
• Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures to ensure a well-balanced, high-quality dog food for adult dog maintenance.

CONS

How To Select The Right Dog Food Formula For Your Golden Retriever

Image Credit: Pixaby

All dog food formulas are regulated by the FDA and the U.S. This provides protection to pet parents and pooch. A high-quality dog food depends on the ingredients within the dog food.

Today, dog food formulas are always changing so as to update current formulas with new research. There are also numerous high-quality dog food formulas to choose from, which makes it all the more difficult for pet parents.

There are also many alternative meat options for protein-focused nutrition that offer duck, alligator, venison, rabbit and boar supplemented with chickpeas, sweet potatoes or lentils.

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What Foods Are Golden Retrievers Allergic To

Golden Retrievers are typically not allergic to any particular food. However, some Goldens may be allergic to certain ingredients, such as corn or wheat. If you think your Golden is allergic to a specific ingredient, talk to your veterinarian. They will be able to recommend the best food for your pup.

Should Goldens Eat Grain Free

The thought of grain free diets has become popular in recent years, as many people believe that grains are not healthy for dogs. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, most veterinarians agree that grains are not only safe for dogs, but they can actually be beneficial.

Grains provide essential vitamins and minerals that are necessary for a dog’s overall health. They also contain fiber, which can help with digestion.

So, if you’re wondering whether or not you should feed your Golden Retriever grain-free food, the answer is no. Grains are not only safe for Goldens, but they can actually be beneficial. Stick to a high-quality food that contains grains, and your pup will be just fine.

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Should I Make Food For My Golden Retriever

While feeding a homemade diet for your Golden Retriever is perfectly fine, it is best to consult with a veterinary nutritionist to make sure that the diet that you are feeding to your Golden Retrievers is fully balanced and complete.

Pet store diets are all balanced and contain all the needed vitamins and minerals to help your Golden Retrievers stay happy and healthy.

There are many great benefits to feeding commercially prepared diets to your Golden Retriever such as being easier to feed, costing less, and being completely balanced.

Heres What Petfoodology Tufts Had To Say:

However, recently, some astute cardiologists noticed higher rates of DCM including Golden retrievers and in some atypical dog breeds. They also noticed that both the typical and atypical breeds were more likely to be eating boutique or grain-free diets, and diets with exotic ingredients- kangaroo, lentils, duck, pea, fava bean, buffalo, tapioca, salmon, lamb, barley, bison, venison, and chickpeas. Even some vegan diets have been associated. It has even been seen in dogs eating raw or home-prepared diets, via Dr. Lisa Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN, Tufts University.

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A Goldens Unique Needs

While Goldens are known as a relatively healthy dog breed, there are a few medical conditions theyre predisposed to. While some conditions, like hypothyroidism or hip and elbow dysplasia, are difficult to predict or protect against, there are other common conditions which can be prevented through proper diet and eating habits.

Cancer Nearly 60% of golden retrievers die from cancer. The causes for cancer are many, and in most cases, theres nothing that could have been done to prevent it, theres one thing you can control which may help your dog avoid cancer: proper diet.

Lower quality dog foods often contain ingredients which have been linked to cancer, and avoiding them is the best action you can take to help your dog avoid developing cancer. Avoiding foods with artificial ingredients, colors, fillers or preservatives is a great way to limit the likelihood of your golden developing cancer.

Cardiovascular Disease While goldens are prone to developing cardiovascular disease, you can mitigate this risk tremendously by keeping your dog at a healthy weight thats in line with your vets recommendations.

A healthy dog at the right weight is far less likely to develop a heart condition as they get older. If you notice your dog trending a bit towards the heavier side, dont wait, consult with your vet about putting them on a diet for weight management.

Feeding Puppies Adults And Senior Dogs

As you can see in the chart, nutrition requirements are broken down by a dogs life stages: puppy, adult, and senior. Although AAFCO doesnt make separate requirements for adult and senior dog foods, most food marketed for senior dogs contains additional nutrients to aid digestion and keep joints healthy. Here are some specific caloric requirements published by the National Resource Council, but keep in mind these are just starting guidelines. Youll need to pay attention to your dogs needs and activity levels to fine-tune their meals.

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Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

best dog food for golden retrievers

The health of a dog starts with nutrition and the food they eat. This especially applies to Golden retrievers. According to experts if your dog is eating high-quality food they have a lesser chance of getting seriously sick down the road. However, how do we know what the best dog food for Golden retrievers is? Is there a special kind of food we should give our Golden retrievers? And then there is the question everyone is asking, should you feed your dog raw food or is kibble okay?

Taste Of The Wild Southwest Canyon

Rating:

Southwest Canyon is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Beef, peas, garbanzo beans, lamb meal, canola oil
• Type: Grain-free
• Profile: All life stages
• Best for:Golden retriever adults and puppies

Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon acquires the bulk of its animal protein from fresh beef and lamb meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 17% fat and 43% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.

Southwest Canyon also contains salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs. They help deliver better joint health and a lustrous skin and coat. A super popular brand. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewTaste of the Wild makes both me and my dogs very happy. I have a pack of three that all love it and have beautiful coats that I can only attribute to their diet. As for me, its cost-efficient and doesnt stink like other dog foods. Id recommend it to any of my friends.

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Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low

Best Dog Food for Losing Weight

Since golden retrievers are highly food-motivated, theyll do almost anything for a treat. Unfortunately, this also means that they will pig out when given the chance, and over time, this can mean weight gain. In addition to limiting treats, you can also choose a high-fiber, low-calorie dog food to help your golden retriever lose weight safely while also feeling full after mealtimes. Natural Balance Fat Dogs food is a great choice for this purpose.

This food contains only 310 calories per cup, and a golden retriever should eat about 3.25-4.25 cups of it a day for weight loss or 4-5 cups for weight loss. Theres at least 26% protein, which comes from chicken and salmon meals, along with 7.5% fat and 10.5% fiber. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids will help ensure heart health as well as a smooth, shiny coat.

Flavor: chicken and salmon

Sizes: 5 lbs., 15 lbs., 28 lbs.

Grains: oat groats, barley