Adult Golden Retriever Nutrient Needs
Between the ages of 12 to 15 months a Golden Retriever will need to be transitioned to adult kibble. An adult Golden Retriever will need a high level of protein and healthy carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes or brown rice, to keep him energized.
Glucosamine and chondroitin should be found in the list of ingredients, as they support his bones and joints, and his is particularly important for larger breeds such as the Golden. All meat and fish meals are a great source of these ingredients, as are animal organs and cartilage.
It is particularly important, especially if he is a show pooch, for the Golden to have plenty of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, such as fish oils, flaxseed and folic acid to ensure that his skin is hydrated, which in turn promotes a healthy looking coat.
Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream Grain
Taste of the Wild is often featured on lists because of the excellent quality of their food. This particular recipe is an excellent pick for Golden Retrievers because of its macronutrient breakdown. Its 25% protein and 15% fat and the protein source is salmon and ocean fish meal, which are less likely to cause allergic reactions. And, of course, the salmon makes it extra tasty too.
The fat content comes from canola oil, a healthy source thats low in saturated fats and high in omegas-3s. Having said that, there are fewer fatty acids when compared to other foods, which makes this one a little less well-balanced. Taste of the Wild contains fruit and vegetables, which is great for Goldens, as the antioxidants are crucial for their overall health and well-being.
Because it doesnt include any supplements or ingredients for joint health, its recommended to include a supplement for your pooch, or if he suffers from arthritis or hip dysplasia, then it might be better to opt for a different recipe.
How Many Calories Does My Golden Retriever Need
Golden Retrievers are large dogs that can weigh between 55 – 75 lb, with the females on the lower end of the spectrum.
An average Golden Retriever weighs 70 lb, which is the weight I have based the following calorie intake* estimations on:
*I worked out these calorie intakes using Dog Food Advisors calorie calculator. Consult with your vet to get an exact amount for your dog.
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Duck Recipe Grain
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Duck, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Peas, 4. Pea Protein, 5. Chicken Fat
A wilderness-focused diet is the best choice for retrievers with sensitive stomachs and a high craving for a natural diet. With Blue Buffalos Wilderness Duck Dry Food, that diet can be executed perfectly. The dog food incorporates a variety of all-natural and wholesome ingredients such as meat, fruits, and vegetables that provide lots of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, omega fats, and other micronutrients necessary for a dogs health.
More than that, the dog food is also focused on high-digestibility and features a grain-free recipe. It uses real deboned duck meat as the primary protein source, which is both easily digestible and filled with nutrients. And with its Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, the dog food will also help nourish your retrievers skin and make their fur shinier.
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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.
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Should Golden Retrievers Eat Eggs
Yes, eggs are a good source of protein and packed with fatty acids and omega-3c. But eggs do not allow the biotin absorption and contain cholesterol, which can lead to a spike in their insulin level and cause diabetics.
It is often seen that some dogs show reactions to the consumption of eggs. It may be due to the uncooked or harmful bacteria present in it. So before feeding your dog, it is always recommended to taste it first, if your dog doesnt have any allergies then you can feed the dog with cooked egg, 2-3 times a week.
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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What Is The Right Amount To Feed My Dog
Most dog foods come with specific volumes listed on the side. Check the food that youre using to find out how often you should be feeding your pup at different ages and stages of their life, too.
Overfeeding your pet can lead to a variety of health concerns. When you first begin using a new dog food, its a good idea to check in with your vet to determine whether your dog could benefit from a customized feeding plan.
Q: What Your Golden Retriever Can And Cannot Eat
A: A golden retriever can eat carrots, peanut butter, eggs, salmon, blueberries, popcorn, pineapple, watermelon, bread, blackberries, etc. But it cannot eat avocado, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, nuts, onions, etc. And even salt, cheese, cashews, tomatoes, etc., are allowed they have a limit.
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Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Best Dog Food For Smaller Golden Mixes
Small-sized golden retrievers are known to have a fast metabolism and high energy levels. Therefore, the best dog food for older golden retrievers is the Taste of the Wild because it is rich in nutrients, especially protein which comes from salmon. It contains a mix of lamb, venison, buffalo, and bison.
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie with ROASTED BISON & VENISON REAL MEAT is #1 ingredient optimal amino acid profile & protein rich for LEAN STRONG MUSCLES
- High protein ingredients with added vitamins & minerals fruits and vegetables as SUPERFOODS for hard-working ANTIOXIDANTS fatty acid blend for SKIN & COAT
- Ingredients From Trusted Sustainable Sources Around The World Made With No Grain Corn Wheat Filler No Artificial Flavors Colors Preservatives Added
- Nutrient rich and HIGHLY DIGESTIBLE with species-specific PROPRIETARY PROBIOTICS that survive and thrive in the GI tract
- MADE in the USA FAMILY OWNED & run food made with the most scientifically advanced food safety protocols Wed appreciate your CALL 800 342 4808
- Composed using a wide range of non-GMO vegetables, pulses, and meat
- Ideal for dogs allergic to grains
- Contains 70% meat content
- Made of very high-quality ingredients
- A costly option as compared to other dog foods for older golden retrievers
Taste Of The Wild Southwest Canyon Grain
If your Golden Retriever likes to feed on grain-free dry food, Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is the best choice for him. Suitable for dogs of all ages, this dry dog food features a unique formulation with a delicious Southwest canyon beef and wild boar flavor.
It has high protein and fiber-rich carbohydrates that keep your dogs muscles strong and the stomach feeling full respectively. On top of that, it features anti-oxidants to help your dog fight infections and diseases.
Better yet, the grain-free formula ensures optimal health and vitality. Once you start to feed your dog on this food, youll be satisfying his natural cravings for the taste of the wild. As the best dog food for Golden Retrievers, this dry dog food uses premium ingredients to ensure wholesome nutrition to promote a healthy lifestyle.
The best dog food for Golden Retrievers should support the healthy functioning of the vital organ systems in your pooch. In line with this, this food is enriched with prebiotics and species-specific probiotics with bacteria naturally found in your pups natural flora. These inclusions are key in promoting healthy digestion.
Whats more? The dry food has chelated minerals that help optimize the absorption of nutrients in the dogs gut. These minerals attach to the proteins involved in absorption in the intestines and augment the uptake of the nutrients. Your dog, therefore, benefits fully from the food.
Benefits
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Has Taste Of The Wild Been Recalled
In May 2012, Taste of the Wild was one of 14 brands recalled by Diamond Pet Food. The affected products were contaminated with Salmonella. The following list includes all dog food recalls since 2009 related to Taste of the Wild. Updates are added as soon as new recalls are posted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls here.
Is Your Golden A Puppy Adult Or A Senior
Your Goldens age is the first factor in considering what kind of food to feed them.
Food for Golden Retriever Puppies
Goldens fall into the large breed category, with large breed puppies having different nutritional needs than smaller breeds. For example, puppy food with high calcium and phosphorous can encourage bone growth too quickly for large breed puppies. A good large breed puppy food can offer these lowered levels while also keeping up with a growing dogs needs.
If youre shopping for a new puppy, we suggest speaking with your veterinarian first to make sure your dog is getting the nutrition they need.
Food for Adult Golden Retrievers
At the adult stage, look for the highest quality food that forms a complete and balanced diet for your Golden. Well go over the quality of ingredients later in this guide, but be sure to consider your dogs preferences as well. Do they prefer fish, beef, or chicken? Small kibbles, big kibbles, mix of wet and dry? All of these are important.
Food for Senior Golden Retrievers
A seniors diet ideally should be healthy and preventative. Itll be higher in protein and may need to adjust how much fiber it contains. This diet may also involve supplements and other nutrients to minimize problems that crop up as your dog ages .
Again, its always smart to speak with your vet about an aging or senior Golden.
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Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach
Our best overall dog food for Golden Retrievers with skin allergies is the Salmon & Rice recipe from Purina Pro Plan. This sensitive skin & stomach formula features real salmon as the first ingredient which is a rich source of protein your dog needs to support a strong muscle build.
Salmon is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids that support skin and coat health in your dog and you can choose the lamb recipe as well. This dry dog food is fortified with live probiotics that give your Golden Retriever with skin allergies healthy digestion and immune system.
Other ingredients include rice or oatmeal which are highly digestible and it contains no corn, soy, wheat, or artificial additives.
Pros:
- Inconsistency of batches at Amazon
- High price tag
Pethonesty Allergy Relief Immunity Supplement For Dogs
If you are a dog owner who prefers feeding his Golden Retriever with skin allergies a diet that is recommended by a veterinarian, this Allergy Relief Immunity Supplement is a fantastic choice. These chews feature wild-caught Alaskan salmon as the first ingredient for a high-quality sources.
Crafted using all-natural ingredients, the supplement contains salmon oil which helps relieve itchy skin allergies and is rich in omega fatty acids that support skin and coat health. It combines powerful ingredients to improve immune and digestion health by addressing the cause of allergies in Golden Retrievers.
To provide wholesome nutrition to your pooch, the supplements contain no wheat, corn, GMO products, wheat, or synthetic additives.
Pros:
Check on Chewy or
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Are Golden Retrievers Great With Kids
Golden Retrievers are one of the best dogs to have around children. Their playful, gentle and kind-hearted would be an absolute delight for the kids. Even so, just like labradors, they too have a habit of excessive jumping that can be quite unsafe for the children. You have to train your Golden Retriever against this behaviour otherwise due to their large size they can easily knock off small children.
Merrick Grain Free Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
Merrick is a brand that prides itself on high-protein, high-quality dog food, and it certainly seems popular among dog owners.
This recipe is quite high in protein, containing 34%, but the fat content is just under, at 14%. So, I think it suits active Golden Retrievers who get 1 – 1 ½ hours of exercise a day, but highly active or working dogs may need a touch more fat in their diets.
The protein content all comes from fish, so if your Golden is allergic to beef and chicken, this food is a good option. Salmon also has nutrients that help with your dogs eyesight.
The fat sources are salmon oil and flaxseed oil these oils provide omega fatty acids that nourish her skin and coat. However, there are less omega-3s compared to other brands.
Merrick throws in afew fruit and vegetables, including blueberries, which provide lots of antioxidants, helping her ward off eye diseases as well as cancer. However, it would be good to see some more whole food antioxidant sources in this recipe.
I think Merrick is a great choice for Golden Retrievers with joint troubles, as it provides very high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin.
PROS
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Dogs On Some Popular Grain
Fiji, a female golden retriever, had taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy. The DCM was reversed with diet change and taurine supplementation.
Quick summary
- Some popular grain-free, legume-rich dog diets linked to nutritional deficiency
- Heart disease developing in dog breeds not genetically prone to disease
- Pet owners urged to take second look at their dogs diet
University of California, Davis, veterinarians led a team that has found a link between some popular grain-free, legume-rich dog diets and a type of nutritional deficiency and canine heart disease known as taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy.
The study was recently published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Researchers found dogs eating some of these boutique diets are not making or maintaining enough taurine, an amino acid important for heart health. Taurine deficiency has been known for many years to lead to dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, a heart muscle disorder that can lead to congestive heart failure and death.
Given this recent surge in cases, we need to pay close attention to what we are feeding dogs, said lead author Joshua Stern, a veterinary cardiologist and geneticist at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Choosing a well-researched dog food that has a healthy nutrient profile backed by expert formulation and research is of paramount importance.
American Journey Large Breed Salmon And Sweet Potato Recipe
Top Ingredients: 1. Deboned Salmon, 2. Turkey Meal , 3. Peas, 4. Chickpeas, 5. Sweet Potatoes
American Journey has a good range of large breed dog food, but your Golden Retriever will really like this one. With deboned salmon and turkey meal as the key ingredients, this particular product will take care of your dogs overall health. Aside from a high dose of quality proteins, your dog will get enough carbs to keep chasing its tail all day. You get all the nutrients including Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, and there is plenty of DHA, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Not to mention, the grain-free formula is suitable for sensitive ones as well.
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Dcm Cases Involve Different Dog Food Brands And Formulas
Stern urged pet owners to take a second look at their dogs diet. Cases of DCM have been reported in dogs eating multiple different brands and formulas of food.
The problem may not be that the diet is grain-free or legume-heavy but that ingredients are interacting to reduce availability of taurine or that other nutrients are missing or interacting in the formulation.
For example, while a lot of pet owners may not want to see byproducts in their dogs food, often the byproducts contain organ meat like heart and kidney, which are good sources of taurine.
Pet owners should ask themselves if theyre buying the food because it sounds good to them, or whether its right based on veterinary research and evidence, said Stern. Staying away from some of the most common marketing gimmicks may help to protect your pet.
Co-authors of the study include Andrea Fascetti and Jennifer Larsen, veterinary nutritionists with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and Joanna Kaplan, a veterinary cardiology resident in the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.