What Is The Best Food For A Golden Retriever

Why You Dont Want To Overfeed Your Golden Retriever Puppy

Golden Retrievers are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia and they love eating.

Those two statements may sound random, but they are related.

According to the Banfield Pet Hospital, overfeeding your Golden Retriever can cause them to grow too fast and increase their risk of hip dysplasia.

To make sure you dont overfeed them, use a measuring cup when dishing out their food and never free-feed them.

What Foods Are Bad For Golden Retrievers

Not all food will be good for your Golden Retriever. You know some of these foods that we humans consume can be toxic to your dog. So which foods are bad for Golden Retrievers?

Chocolate and Cocoa. Chocolate has theobromine thats hard to metabolize for Golden Retrievers. After ingesting chocolate, your Golden Retriever can start displaying poisoning symptoms like vomiting, muscle tremors, and diarrhea.

Garlic. Garlic is one of the dog food bad for Golden Retrievers. The reason being, garlic predisposes your dog to hemolytic anemia.

Grapes and Raisins. Grapes and raisins are toxic for many dogs as they can cause kidney failure.

Wild Mushrooms. Many wild mushrooms are toxic for dogs like Golden Retrievers. Symptoms of toxicity include loss of vision, muscle tremors, drooling, and loss of limb function.

Avocado. Even though avocado looks appealing, its not one of the best dog food for Golden Retrievers. Avocado has persin, which causes fluid build-up inside your dogs chest.

Cherries. Golden Retrievers who eat lots of cherries are likely to get cyanide poisoning characterized by upset stomach and lethargy.

Alcohol. Alcohol is not good for your dogs heart, liver, and brain.

Macadamia Nuts. Macadamia nuts are toxic for most dogs, the Golden Retriever included. Symptoms of toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and bloat.

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

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How Much To Feed Your Adult Golden Retriever

How much to feed your dog will depend on the type of food theyre eating and their size and health.

Talking to your veterinarian and reading the label can help you determine how much to feed them.

Its hard to say statements like, Adult golden retrievers need to eat 3 cups per day, because all goldens are different and all foods are different.

For example, one brand of food may have 300 calories per cup, while another brand may have 400 calories per cup.

And if a golden is overweight theyll need to eat fewer calories than one that is in great shape and runs around the yard for two hours each day.

Work with your veterinarian and monitor your dogs weight and energy levels to determine how much they should be eating.

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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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken And Brown Rice Recipe For Large Breed

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Oatmeal, 5. Barley

The top favorite of mine and many other Golden Retriever owners is this savory recipe by Blue Buffalo. Deboned chicken is the first ingredient, which means there are a lot of good proteins for your golden boy. You get high-quality ingredients without fillers and by-products.

All the ingredients are carefully chosen to give your baby the right amount of calories without increasing mass. One of the main reasons this is my favorite is the fact that this formula is created with good overall health in mind. It has glucosamine and chondroitin for joints, calcium, and phosphorus for teeth and bones, and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for healthier coat and skin. Highly Recommended!

Purina Pro Plan Sport All Life Stages Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Rice, 3. Whole Grain Corn, 4. Fish Oil, 5. Fish Meal

Athletic dogs deserve a specific diet crafted to boost their performance. And that diet is precisely what the Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance 30/20 Dog Food aims to provide. It features a unique blend of 30% proteins and 20% fats that prompts muscle growth and nourishment while amplifying your golden retrievers energy level with fats.All of the dog foods ingredients are of the finest quality, including real chicken for proteins and numerous sources of fats. Moreover, the dog food also contains a bunch of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and glucosamine, which ensure that your retriever gets a complete and holistic diet.

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Using Food To Keep Your Retriever Healthy

Golden Retrievers have some health risks. They can have cancers of the blood and lymphatic system. Good nutrition can help reduce the likelihood of this disease. Narrowing of the aortic valve restricting blood flow and causing congestion of the heart with blood is another risk for your Golden Retriever. Fiber and omega fatty acids are beneficial for prevention.

Health Concerns to Watch For

• An underactive thyroid problem can cause unaccountable weight gain. This may not respond to reducing your golden retrievers calorie intake. Get veterinary advice but more EPA, DHA, fiber, ALA, and probiotics can all help.
• Hip and elbow joints are a relatively common problem in golden retrievers. Look for added phosphorus, calcium, glucosamine, and chondroitin in dog food to promote healthy joints.
• Overweight dogs are also more likely to suffer from these problems. Watch the calorie intake.
• Eye complaints such as cataracts and central progressive retinal atrophy are not uncommon. Look for vitamin A and DHA in dog foods.

Short History On Golden Retrievers

Historically, these pups were bred as hunting dogs. They originated in Scotland in the 1800s as a mixture of Spaniels, the Irish, and the Newfoundland setter. The Golden Retriever is a vigorous, medium-sized pooch, able to handle rainy climate and rugged terrain.

They come from the Scottish Highlands, where their main task was to retrieve birds for the Scottish estate owners, from both the water and the land. Those owners searched for more than just practicality in their canines. They wanted to find good-looking dogs with lots of energy and above-average intelligence.

The hunting of wildfowl mastered their skills of searching and sniffing. Their strong sense of smell has made them great rescue dogs. The retrievers we have and love today are descendants of these hard-working beauties. In 1925, this breed received an official American Kennel Club recognition.

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Best Food For Golden Retriever Puppies

There are so many options for Golden Retriever puppy food that it can be quite overwhelming.

And when you add in the strong opinions people have about dog food, the confusing marketing about whats good and whats bad, and the importance of choosing a high-quality food it can be downright scary to pick a food for your pup!

But heres the good news: this article will make this decision much easier for you.

Youll see two studies to help you choose the best food for your Golden Retriever puppy, as well as learn what makes a good dog food, what to avoid, and get answers to the most common food questions Golden Retriever puppy owners have.

Now before we dive in, heres a quick note: the best resource for deciding what to feed your golden retriever puppy is your veterinarian.

They know your puppy best and are most knowledgeable about their health needs.

Alrighty, now lets dive into that first study!

Ingredients To Avoid Feeding Your Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers can sometimes develop food allergies. Grains such as corn, wheat, and soy are common, so look for food that doesnt contain any of these if you want to be especially cautious. Also, you should look for natural ingredients and avoid anything artificial like colors, preservatives or flavors. You should also be careful of food that contains too high a sugar content. These are often common in semi-moist dog food. While many of the dog foods listed above contain ingredients we often find in human food, there are some foods that we eat that are not safe for canines. These include garlic, onions, chocolates, grapes, and raisins, so always be wary of what you are offering to your dog if you ever feed them off your plate.

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The Buyers Guide: Food For Golden Retriever

One thing you need to keep in mind when choosing food for your Golden Retriever is that it is a large breed, which is more active than most large breeds. This means they need a good amount of protein and healthy carbs. Their diet should be low in fat but there should be enough fatty acids to keep their golden fur glowing.

Homemade Food For Golden Retriever Puppies

A Golden Retriever puppys diet varies from that of an adult Golden Retriever.

As Golden Retrievers age, they will require fewer daily calories. The AKC notes that senior dogs require 20% fewer calories than adult dogs. Puppies, on the other hand, need about twice as many calories per pound of body weight as an adult dog of the same breed according to the American College of Veterinary Nutrition .

A Golden Retriever puppy homemade diet should contain a proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, water, and vitamins as explained in our nutritional guidelines above.

Be sure to contact your veterinarian about your puppys diet. They will be able to give you expert advice and suggestions.

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Best Dog Foods For Golden Retrievers In 2022

Luckily, we can help you with these decisions. We have reviews of the best dog foods for Golden Retrievers so you wont have to wander up and down the aisles at the pet store to choose your dogs food. As long as you know your dogs age and something about his health, you can use our reviews and your own personal preferences to choose the best dog food for him.

As you probably already know, the Golden Retriever can grow to be about 75 pounds as an adult . They are one of the most popular breeds in the United States and around the world. Goldens are beloved for their friendly, gentle, and devoted personality. They make wonderful family dogs and are good with children. They are large, active dogs so they do best in a home where they will have room to run and play. Goldens are also super intelligent and easy to train. Since they are big, active dogs, Golden Retrievers need good nutrition to help them grow from puppyhood into a mature adult. Your budget, your dogs age, and your own approach to feeding your dog will determine what kind of food you select. There are lots of good options and we can show them to you here.

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

• None

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What Not To Feed Your Golden Retriever

A well-balanced diet is key for your dogs health. Dogs are carnivores, so they need meat in their diet. But this doesnt mean you should feed them anything you want. It is possible to overfeed your dog and cause dietary issues, so its important to know what not to feed them.

One of the most important parts of raising a dog is understanding what you should and shouldnt feed it. There are some foods that arent good for your dog, and there are some foods that are great for your dog. Its important to understand what those are, so you can make sure your dog is getting everything it needs.

Treats can be good for your dog, but not all treats are created equal. Some treats have ingredients that arent good for dogs at all, while others should be given sparingly.

Here are some food items you shouldnt feed your dog:

Bones Bones make up a large part of a healthy canine diet, but there are some types of bones you shouldnt feed your pup. These include cooked chicken bones which can splinter and cause injuries like peritonitis , cooked pork bones which can shatter, and beef bones which can cause choking or intestinal obstructions because the marrow isnt fully cooked out of them.

Raw eggs Raw eggs shouldnt be given to dogs because they may contain Salmonella bacteria, and the egg whites might also trigger an allergic reaction in some breeds like.

Grapes and Raisins: The toxic substance in grapes called cyanide can kill your dog if enough is consumed . Your dog may love the

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

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How Can I Make Sure The Food Is Appropriate For My Puppys Level Of Development

As youve compared different kinds of dog food, you may have noticed that some of them are marketed as being for puppies or senior dogs. Because a pups dietary tract grows and matures over time, your dog may have different needs at different times in its life.

In general, your dog will benefit from puppy food from about 8 weeks of age until they are six months to a year old. Check with your vet to determine the right time to switch from a puppy food to one for adult dogs, as recommendations vary based on the size of your dog.

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. Its 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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The Ultimate List: Best Dog Food For Golden Retriever

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Golden Retrievers are like golden orbs of sheer delight. From the moment theyre born, the Golden Retriever puppy is a sweet and silly ball of concentrated fun. Theyre friendly, incredibly smart and love being with other animals, adults, and children. This large breed is easy-going and a pleasure to have around but they do have special dietary requirements that need to be taken into account.

The Golden Retriever puppy is a rambunctious pooch with a voracious appetite, and goes through puppy food as soon as you put it down in front of him. However, as they get older their energy levels drop but their appetites remain the same, which is why a lot end up overweight or even obese.

The right diet for this large breed, from the Golden Retriever puppy phase to full-grown adult, will help keep your dog lean and active, and prevent, or at least slow down, hereditary joint problems like hip and elbow dysplasia.

Contents & Quick Navigation

The trickiest thing when it comes to the correct diet for Golden Retriever dogs is his changing needs. Also, the breed is prone to developing allergies to any foods in their diet and these can include protein or grains found in pet food. More often than not, these allergies show up as skin irritations.

Because his diet is dependent on his age, our list of recommended dog food for Golden Retrievers includes something for every stage.