Recommended Brands Of Food
We have chosen some adult dog foods that you may want to consider for your Golden Retriever. These foods take into account the fact that Goldens are a large breed and that they can be prone to hip and joint issues. We have also selected for foods that are soy-free, in case your dog has any thyroid issues. We always try to choose foods that do not have artificial preservatives, coloring, or flavors/sweeteners.
How To Choose The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
The friendly Golden Retriever is one of Americas most beloved breeds. A dog renowned for its loyal, loving, and affectionate ways, the Golden Retriever is an active family companion that requires a high-quality diet to thrive.
Golden Retrievers can be prone to developing bloat, a condition that primarily affects large-chested breeds. Though the causes of this problem arent fully understood, experts recommend feeding a kibble that is comprised of large enough pieces to require the Golden to chew rather than gulp its food since bloat is associated with eating too quickly or too large a quantity.
Golden Retrievers love to eat and can be prone to weight gain. To prevent this from occurring, the best dog food for Golden Retrievers should be carefully measured and the dogs body condition monitored to achieve and maintain an appropriate weight.
Support Your Golden Retriever With The Right Dog Food
Mealtime is extremely important for you and your best friend. With the right dry dog food, you can give your Golden Retriever all the love and nutrition needed for a long, healthy life. That’s why Bil-Jac strives to deliver the high-quality nutrition your dog needs to thrive.
At Bil-Jac we start with fresh, never frozen, chicken as the main ingredient in your best friends bowl. We use 25 pounds of fresh chicken ot make a 30 pound bag of Bil-Jac Large Breed Puppy and Adult. We combine this fresh chicken with the right blend of vitamins and minerals to provide your Golden Retriever with a complete and balanced meal. We then slow cook those ingredients in small batches to help preserve key nutrients and lock in that delicious flavor before your furry friend’s kibble is gently dried into easy-to-chew pieces.
Ready to feed your Golden Retriever a dry dog food that’s both delicious and nutritious? Use our Where to Buy tool to find Bil-Jac at a store near you or online! If you want to learn more about how you can support your favorite furry friend, to receive our exclusive monthly email newsletter for more dog care advice, nutritional info, and special members-only discounts on Bil-Jac Dog Food, Treats, and other products.
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In Conclusion: The Best High Protein Dog Foods
Were you able to find the best high-protein dog food for your Golden Retriever?
There are a lot of best high-protein dog foods available to buy on the market, but not all of them may be the best for your dogs health. In this blog post, we went through some high-protein dog foods available which included:
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed
Pet owners that want a whole and natural dog food for their Golden Retriever will love this formula made by Blue Buffalo. It contains real meat, like deboned chicken, to promote strong muscles, which is crucial for big dogs like the Golden Retriever. Moreover, it contains whole grains, fruits and veggies that further encourage a healthy body.
A unique feature to this is that it contains LifeSource bits. These bits are a mix of nutrients that are further enhanced with more ingredients that are rich in antioxidants. The dog food also has chondroitin and glucosamine that helps support bone and joint health, making a dog more mobile. Moreover, it has omega 6 and 3 fatty acids that help the dog stay healthy with a beautiful coat.
This dog food is an excellent choice for dogs that are active and need extra support. It has L-carnitine that helps the muscles, helping aid a dog stay healthy and mobile in their active lifestyles. It also has loads of essential vitamins, phosphorus and calcium to encourage stronger teeth and bones. Moreover, there are antioxidants, mechalated minerals and vitamins to support a healthy immune system.
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Best Dog Food For Adult Golden Retrievers
If you are looking for the best dog food for Golden Retrievers that are more than 12 months old or are transitioning from puppy food to adult food, it is a good idea to consult with your veterinarian. Your vet can help determine your Goldens current body condition score. With this in hand, you can decide which maintenance adult diet is best.
Normal Body Condition Golden Retrievers
A great place to start for an active, normal body weight/condition Golden is Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato and Fish Adult Formula. This adult formula is excellent for adults over 15 months of age to 7-8 years of age.
Many Golden retrievers suffer from dry, itchy skin and ear problems. This food can help. As a veterinarian, when I see a first-time itchy Golden in my clinic, I recommend this food.
Golden Retrievers are more prone to dry and itchy skin, most commonly caused by atopic dermatitis or inhaled allergens. Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet potato and fish are a fantastic choices for supporting your Golden skin and coat health.
This formula contains ingredients that may help your Golden be less itchy. It is packed with highly digestible carbohydrates, high-quality salmon, and an omega-3 fatty acid boost.
Only 15-40% of itchy dogs actually have a food allergy. The majority of dogs with itchy skin have atopic dermatitis, an itchy skin condition caused by environmental allergens like pollen or mold.
Very Active/Hunting Golden Retrievers
Low-Active/Couch Potato
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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Best Dry Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are known to be one of the most playful and energetic of all dog breeds. If you have a Goldie in the house, youll probably agree with that statement. One of the things that keep them so highly active and full of life is a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
Our 2022 Golden Retriever Feeding Guide
Golden Retriever Puppies A Golden Retriever puppy is surely one of the cutest puppies in the world. Youll have a hard time resisting one of these adorable pups if he wants something. Most Golden Retrievers are dead set on fetching, so be prepared for hours of fun as you toss balls and sticks for your new pup.
As far as how much to feed your Golden Retriever puppy, lets take a quick look at a Goldens average weight as he grows . Of course, these are only estimates. You should weigh your puppy often to see how s/he is growing. Your vet can also keep track of your puppys weight gain and growth when you take him or her in for vaccinations. Female puppies usually weight a little less than male puppies.
At 3 Months: 23 lbs
At 6 Months: 52 lbs
At 9 Months: 61 lbs
At 12 Months: 68 lbs
Considering these weights, and your Goldens size as an adult, we can figure how much you should be feeding your puppy. As mentioned earlier, we recommend feeding a large-breed puppy food for Golden Retriever puppies. As you can see, Goldens grow quickly as puppies. A good large-breed puppy food can provide the proper nutrition and keep your puppy from growing too fast. If your puppy grows too fast, or is too chubby, he is more likely to have problems with his hips or problems with arthritis later in life.
0-3 Months: 4-6 Meals Daily Totaling 1221 Calories
3-6 Months: 3-4 Meals Daily Totaling 1221-1501 Calories
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Best Dog Foods For Golden Retrievers Reviewed
All dog foods included on this list meet the standard AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines for dogs. Always consult your veterinarian before making changes to your dogs diet.
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Barley, Peas
- Key Feature: Comprehensive formula meets the specific needs of large breeds
- Guaranteed Analysis: 26% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 340 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: Overall
The complete health formula features a 26% crude protein content from four animal sources. This helps build lean muscle in athletic dogs like Golden Retrievers. Chicken is the first ingredient, and this recipe does not contain any by-products.
Mixed tocopherols help prevent eye problems in predisposed breeds by protecting eye tissues. Plus, this dog food also contains additional glucosamine to help ease joint discomfort in Goldens.
Added omega-3 fatty acids help promote a shiny coat, brain function, and cardiac health. Healthy fats and taurine are essential for limiting the risk of heart problems in Golden Retrievers.
Whole food ingredients include sweet potatoes and barley as sources of complex carbohydrates. The formula does not contain any common allergens or fillers that may cause reactions in sensitive dogs.
- Life Stage: Growth
- Best For: Golden Puppies
- Type of Product: No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy
- Life Stage: Senior
- Best For: GoldenSeniors
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Large Breed Adult Lamb And Rice Recipe
Primary Ingredients: Chicken, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Sorghum, Brewers Rice, Chicken Meal
Nutro creates both dry and wet food with real chicken and whole grains for dogs at all life stages. Its Wholesome Essentials Large Breed formula is perfect for your Golden Retrievers complete health, as it contains non-GMO ingredients and natural proteins.
Customer Review: My 15-month-old golden retriever tried so many dog foods, and this is the only one he loves to eat!
Rating: 4.7/5
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Dry Dog Food
PetListed Verdict:
Blue Buffalo Wilderness dog food is formulated specifically for dogs that require high protein and high carbohydrate diets. This dry kibble features a mixture of meats including beef, chicken, lamb, and venison, as well as healthy carbs including peas and sweet potatoes.
Key Details:
- High protein and high fat content for maximum performance and lean muscle
- Contains LifeSource Bits, a veterinarian approved mixture of vitamins, minerals, an antioxidants.
- Pricier compared with other dry dog foods
Reading The Nutritional Label
Food labels seem to all look the same, but there are two things that set them apart.
| If it says |
| Just enough to be able to taste |
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Best Food For A Golden Retriever Puppy
Quality nutrition sets your Golden Retriever puppy up for a long and healthy life. Here are our top picks for the best food for a Golden Retriever puppy.
This dog food will support your Golden Retriever puppys growth and development without going overboard on fat or calories. The recipe features fresh chicken and digestible brown rice.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large-Breed Puppy Recipe
Featuring deboned chicken as its first ingredient, this puppy recipe offers a wholesome balance of protein, whole grains, and vitamins and minerals.
Made with fresh chicken as a lean source of protein and chicken meal to provide glucosamine and chondroitin, this dog food for puppies will get your Golden Retriever off to a healthy start in life.
Nutro Ultra Large-Breed Puppy Recipe
This chicken-based puppy recipe is formulated to support the energy needs of young Goldens and other large breed puppies.
All dogs have the same basic nutritional needs when it comes to protein, fat, and essential nutrients, but there are some disparities among breeds of different sizes.
To learn more about the nutritional needs of large dogs, check out our guide to the best dog food for large breeds.
Eukanuba Large Breed Adult Dog Food
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Corn, 3. Chicken By-Product Meal, 4. Wheat, 5. Ground Grain Sorghum
With this one Eukanuba proves how well it understands the different needs of different breeds. With the right balance of proteins, fats, and carbs, Eukanuba Adult Large Breed dog food will keep your Golden Retriever happy, active, and healthy. What I love about it is the 3D DentaDefense anti-tartar agent that takes good care of my canines dental health. Moreover, there is a good balance of nutrients essential for mental and physical health. With chicken as the first ingredient, this is a delicious option even for the pickiest eaters.
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American Journey Large Breed Chicken And Sweet Potato
Primary Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, Sweet Potatoes
The American Journey brand is an excellent choice for Golden Retrievers at all stages of life as they offer puppy, adult, and senior varieties. With ingredients like real protein, fruits, and vegetables, this dry food increases energy, strengthens bones, improves immune strength, and neutralizes free radicals.
Customer Review: My dog seems to love it! Her coat is healthier and shiny. She even trimmed down a little as her old dog food was making her fat.
Rating: 4.7/5
What Does Cummings Veterinary Medical Center Tufts Suggest You Do
Reconsider your dogs diet. If youre feeding a boutique, grain-free, or exotic ingredient diets, I would reassess whether you could change to a diet with more typical ingredients made by a company with a long track record of producing good quality diets. And do yourself a favor stop reading the ingredient list! Although this is the most common way owners select their pets food, it is the least reliable way to do so. And be careful about currently available pet food rating websites that rank pet foods either on opinion or on based on myths and subjective information. Its important to use more objective criteria . The best way to select what is really the best food for your pet is to ensure the manufacturer has excellent nutritional expertise and rigorous quality control standards, via Tufts.
Consult with your veterinarian for the best advice for dog food formulas for your Golden. Watch your Golden Retriever closely for signs of DCM if he or she has been on a grain-free diet.
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Best Dog Treats For Golden Retrievers
All dogs are receptive to positive training reinforced with yummy treats. To avoid overfeeding your Golden Retriever with snacks, have two kinds of rewards.
First is a low-value treat as a staple reward. It should be healthy, small or easy to break in pieces, and has low calories and fat. Zukes Mini Naturals Healthy Moist Training Treats is a popular choice with dog trainers.
Another option is dog-safe fruits or veggies chopped up into tiny cubes.
For high-value treats, go for something substantial and tasty as it will be your dogs reward for accomplishing more difficult challenges. BLUE Wilderness Trail treats Wild Bits Grain-Free Training Dog Treats is nutritious and filled with Omega-3 Fatty Acids and DHA for coat health.
For homemade goodies, you can prepare steamed chicken or turkey breast. Cheese is also yummy, but only if your dog is not lactose intolerant. Peanut butter is another good option.
Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food
Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food is always based on scientific researches so this type of dog food formula is created based on a unique blend that would maximize the effectiveness of the dog food.
This type of dog food is a good choice for large dogs with a weight of 55lbs or more. You have to remember that bigger dogs would require more support for their bones and joints so this dog food is made specifically for them.
This dog food contains a blend of omega 6 fatty acids and other vitamins and minerals that would provide a glossy glow to the coat of your dogs.
What to Like About It
The best thing about this dog food is that mobility issues can be resolved through its formula. Since it is focused primarily on bones and joints, this a good option for adult dogs with bone and joint problems.
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