Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon & Potato Formula
Wellness, in my opinion, is a great, high-quality brand that has a variety of different dog food formulas. This one is a limited ingredient dog food, specially developed for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.
The only protein source is salmon, providing an ideal 25% protein, while the carbs come from potatoes. The fat content may be too low for typical Golden Retrievers, at 12%, so it is more suited to dogs who are less active, or those who are overweight.
The fat comes from flaxseed oil, a great source of omega-3s, and indeed this recipe is bursting with them. This makes it highly beneficial for Golden Retrievers with skin irritation, as those omegas will help soothe the itching and burning.
There are no added ingredients for joint health in this formula, so its not the one to go for if your dog suffers from joint problems.
There are a few vegetables, including tomatoes, peas, and potatoes. The rest of the antioxidants she needs are included in this dog food in supplement form. This is understandable in this recipe, however, since the idea of it is to include just one or two sources of each macronutrient. This way, it is easier to monitor what agrees with her and what doesnt.
Lastly, there is no added salt in this dog food, which also makes it a good choice if your Golden Retriever needs to consume a low sodium diet for her heart health.
PROS
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.
Be Sure To Consider The Grains
Most dog foods contain grains, and you should consider them when you trying to identify the best food for your golden retriever. Grains are a very good source of carbohydrates, which are essential for active dogs as they will provide your pet with plenty of energy.
Of course, if your dog has an allergy or sensitivity to grain, you will need to choose a grain-free dog food, and in that case, youll need to look for a food that includes carbohydrate rich vegetables like potatoes.
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Golden Retrievers Love Carrots
Carrots are a good substitution for traditional dog treats. With vitamin A, dietary fiber, and potassium, theyre sure to nourish your Golden Retriever the way he needs. Carrots are especially great for overweight dogs because theyre low in calories, and they help improve eyesight too.
You should always slice carrots before you offer them to your Golden Retriever both raw and cooked are fine to use as treats or in addition to dog food. Frozen carrots have also been known to soothe teething Golden Retriever puppies gums and teeth.
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula Dry
Top Ingredients: 1. Lamb, 2. Lamb Meal, 3. Whole Grain Brown Rice, 4. Cracked Pearled Barley, 5. Ground White Rice
If you want your young Golden Retriever to have a perfectly balanced start, go for Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Food. Aside from balanced nutritional value, this food contains probiotics for healthy digestion and fewer tummy troubles. Plus, there are plenty of superfoods that add a punch of antioxidants and make it extremely beneficial for your puppys immune system. It is especially good for puppies that are extra active they will get all the healthy carbs they need. The lamb used for the recipe is a pasture-raised healthy one.
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The Bottom Line: The Good Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
I hope that I helped you figure out the best dog food for Golden Retrievers. But, always keep in mind that you should never make tweaks or adjustments to your doggys diet without consulting the vet. The thing is that the vet is a trained professional who knows more about your dogs dietary needs.
And, theres one more thing. You should follow the 90-10 or 80-20 rule. This basically means that about 10-20% of your doggys daily caloric needs should come from treats and the rest should come from the kibble itself. Over-feeding your dog may not feel like a big thing right now, but it can have severe health consequences later in life.
So, stick to good and nutritious foods for your canine friendafter all, they make or break your dogs health! Let me know in the comments section if you were able to find the best dog food for your Goldy through this article. Have you tested out any of these dog foods previously? What did your dog think? Share it with us!
Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream Canine Formula With Smoked Salmon
Taste of the Wild is a high-quality dog food, and I think this recipe is a great choice for typical Golden Retrievers, which is what got it to the number one spot.
Its macronutrient breakdown is ideal, with 25% protein and 15% fat. I chose this recipe as the protein comes from salmon and ocean fish meal protein sources that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction in your dog. Plus, the use of smoked salmon makes it a very flavorsome food, so its good for enticing picky eaters.
The fat comes from canola oil, which is a very healthy source, as it is low in saturated fats, and high in omega-3s. Despite this, there are fewer omega-3s in comparison to other recipes in this review, which makes it a little less well-balanced.
There is a handful of fruit and veg, however, which I like to see for Golden Retrievers, as those antioxidants are essential to keep her healthy. Blueberries are included, which also provide essential nutrients for eye health.
This specific dog food does not include additional ingredients for a dogs joint health, so if your Golden Retriever suffers from hip dysplasia or arthritis, I wouldnt recommend this recipe.
PROS
- Good for typical Golden Retrievers
- Protein comes from fish – no beef or chicken
- Good choice for picky eaters
- Customers
- A good handful of fruit and veg
- Contains ingredients that promote eye health
CONS
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What Should You Look For In A Premium Dog Food
When you are standing in the dog food aisle, the range of brands and flavors can feel overwhelming. You want your golden retriever healthy and happy. What ingredients support your goldens health while keeping them satiated? Here are some guidelines you can use to find a great dog food for your golden:
- Meat goes first: Make sure meat is the first item listed in your foods ingredients. Companies organize ingredients from most- to least-used. If meat is first, your golden will get a healthy serving of protein.
- All ingredients are familiar: Your goldens diet must include many of the vitamins and nutrients you need, too. Read through dog food ingredients and make sure you recognize most of the ingredients. Look out for ingredients like animal digest or any animal by-product.
- Look for chemical-free foods: Chemicals have no place in dog food. Do not purchase dog food with components like BHA, sodium nitrite/nitrate or ethoxyquin.
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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Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain
Blue Buffalo is a high-quality brand that rarely disappoints me, and this recipe from Blue Buffalo Freedom is no exception.
I think its a great choice for Golden Retrievers who are older or less active it may be slightly low in protein and fat for a typical Golden Retriever.
The protein content comes mainly from high-qualitydebonedlamb. There are many sources of fat, including chicken fat, and canola, flaxseed and fish oils, making it high in omega-3s, which will keep her coat looking healthy. Its also a good choice if she suffers from skin irritation, as the omegas will act as anti-inflammatories.
There is a good range of fruit and veg in this recipe, and during the cooking process, Blue Buffalo preserves their potency by minimizing their exposure to heat. As a result, this food provides her with plenty of powerful cancer-fighting antioxidants. The use of blueberries and sweet potatoes in this formula also promote her eye health.
Lastly, this is a good choice for Golden Retrievers with joint problems, as it includes high amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin.
PROS
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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What Does Your Golden Retriever Need
Caring for a dog is a big responsibility. They depend on you for all their needs.
When choosing food for your Golden Retriever, look for higher protein and fat-rich formulations. Animal protein is best because it contains amino acids that your dog needs. Nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus are essential for puppies and vitamins B, A, and E for all stages of life.
Search for EPA, ALA, and DHA because they are useful for the brain and nervous system, heart and lungs, and immune system.
What Golden Retriever Owners Swear By
Im sure youve met a lot of Golden Retriever parents. Consequently, Im also certain that each and every one recommends different diets and dog foods! Some people swear by dog foods meant for other large breeds. Thats something you should never try. See, the thing is that each and every breed is different and, obviously, has different nutritional needs.
Since Goldies are intelligent, energetic, playful and have a beautiful coat made of long hair, they need special nutrition. So, the first thing you should do is to tune out all that bad advice. There are three core things that you should look for when buying dog food. Lets take a look:
- Stay away from filler ingredients such as soy, corn, rice, etc
- Always choose a dog food with high meat contentnot high protein
- Macros matter more than calories do
However The most important thing you need to do before making any changes to your dogs diet is to always consult the vet because he is a highly trained professional who knows more about a dogs body and needs. After all, we all want our furry companions to be happy and healthy.
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Taste Of The Wild Southwest Canyon
Primary Ingredients: Beef, Peas, Garbanzo Beans, Lamb Meal, Canola Oil, Egg Product, Wild Boar
The unique ingredients in Taste of the Wild promote ideal immunity for your Golden Retriever. They also work together with a blend of minerals and marine-sourced omega-6 fatty acids to improve your dogs skin and coat health as well as increase their nutrient absorption.
Customer Review: My dog loves this food! He eats it enthusiastically, and it has really helped him thrive! He is energetic, has a gorgeous coat, and devours his meals!
Overall Rating: 4.6/5
Top Rated Dog Food For Golden Retrievers Reviewed
If youve ever wondered about feeding your Golden Retriever a fresh diet but you dislike the idea of raw food and the dangers that can come with it, then youre definitely going to want to take a look at what NomNomNow has to offer.
The nutrition begins when you choose which food youd like to give your dog. There are four delicious recipes to choose from for your Golden the popular Heartland Beef Mash, Chicken Cuisine with the highest protein, Porkalicious Potluck for dogs with allergies, and Tasty Turkey Fare for those picky eaters.
Each recipe is made with healthy meat-based protein and human-grade ingredients, with no weird byproducts or questionable preservatives. The food is easily digestible, and you can be rest assured that your dog is getting the right amount of nutrients because every recipe is finished off with an expertly formulated nutrition blend
Youll soon see the health benefits that come with eating fresh food, such as a healthier, shinier coat because of the fish oil in the NomNomNutrient Blend, smaller and firmer stools because of the highly digestible ingredients, and improve energy and mood
The Food is portioned based on your dogs unique profile including age, weight, and any goals such as weight loss. You get a free consultation with a veterinary nutritionist when you order, so your golden gets exactly the right nutrients.
Pros:
- Cost is above market average.
Pros:
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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.
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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Dog Food Labels Can Be Confusing
Take a look at any dog food online or in-store, and youll immediately notice that there is a considerable amount of confusing information shown on the packaging.
In the US, there are guidelines that have been established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials to govern the claims that pet food companies can make on their labels:
- If the package claims to contain only a single product, it must contain 95% of that product.
- If the packaging uses phrases like dinner, platter, and entrée, the product must contain at least 25% of the named ingredient.
- Where a package uses the term with, only 3% of the named ingredient needs to be included in the product.
- When a package says a product has a flavor, it only needs to contain traces of that ingredient.
Homemade Feeding For Golden Retrievers
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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Do Golden Retrievers Have Allergies
Some golden retrievers can have skin allergies, which makes them uncomfortable. Sometimes, processed pet foods can be the cause of this. If your dog has these allergies, swapping out parts of their diet can help. Switching your food of choice and talking with your vet can help you determine your best course of action. Your dog may also have their allergies, so pay attention to how they react to foods.