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.
Dog Food & Feeding Pattern For Golden Retrievers Age
A) For New Born
A mother dogs milk fulfils all the nutritional demands of the pup during their first four weeks of life. If for any reason, the maternal milk is not available, the newborn Golden Retriever pups can be fed a high quality commercial puppy milk replacer, which imparts all the nutrients provided by the mothers milk.
Nutritional Profile of A Baby Dog Milk
- Omega 3 Fatty Acid: Boosts Cognitive skills and eyesight in pups.
- FOS Prebiotics: Keeps excellent digestive health and regulates bowel movement.
- Highly Digestible Proteins: Build healthy muscles and fortify the nervous system in puppies.
- Essential Vitamins and Anti-oxidants: Vitamins like A and D strengthens bones and joints, whereas anti-oxidants boost the overall immunity of the pups.
Which Milk Replacer Is Ideal For Newborn Golden Retrievers?
A diet like Royal Canin Baby Dog Milk has all the vital nutrients in it to support steady and harmonious growth in newborn pups. The benefits of Royal Canin Baby Dog Milk:
- Exclusive homogeneous formula makes the milk powder get dissolved instantly.
- Ultra-digestible proteins enhance muscle mass and bone density in pups.
- DHA promotes learning functions and excellent eyesight in pups.
How Much To Feed A Golden Retriever Newborn Pup?
The Golden Retriever at birth averagely weighs around 500-600 grams. As the pups gain weight daily, their feeding amount changes from week to week.
Puppy Age Feedings Per Day Amount Per Feeding Time Gap
| Puppy Age | |
| 50-60 ml | Every 4-5 hours |
Is Wet Food Or A Raw Diet Better Than Dry Kibble
Not necessarily. Some dogs prefer wet food, or have medical needs that require their food to be softer . However many wet and dry foods have similar nutritional content.
Similarly, homemade/specialty prepared meals may have higher quality ingredients than some dry foods, but are not always better in terms of nutrition.
Raw diets do come with a number of pros. However, one thing to consider is that dogs can spread pathogens that dont bother them, but can still make you sick. For example, while Salmonella may not get your dog sick, it can be passed onto you and your family after going through their system.
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Is Wet Or Dry Dog Food Better
Wet food and dry food both have their benefits, but neither is particularly better than the other. It mostly depends on the specific dog, since each dog will have different needs and tastes. Most dogs will like wet food more because it has a stronger smell, making it more enticing. Wet food is also ideal for dogs that need more hydration. Some dogs will have health conditions, like kidney issues, may need more hydration, so wet food would be a better bet. Therefore, wet food is better for picky dogs, especially if they do not drink enough water.
However, not all dogs need to eat wet food. Dry dog food is much more convenient for most pet owners. Plus, many dogs will readily drink water, so well-hydrated dogs will not need the extra hydration of wet food.
Dry dog food also has the benefit of containing more nutrients than wet food. While wet food could contain more protein and fats than dry food, dry dog food can contain more ingredients. For instance, it is easier for manufacturers to incorporate antioxidants, dried fruits and veggies, etc., into dry dog food than wet. So, it will mostly depend on the dog and the owners preference to decide if wet food or dry food is better.
Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers : Adults And Puppies
As a large breed dog, Golden Retrievers are prone to many health problems, so its important that we consider expert nutrition opinions when choosing Golden Retriever food, although it may seem easy and dont need a lot of research but selecting Golden Retriever food is a very complicated task especially for new owners, they can be easily overwhelmed with how many food options are out there.
Luckily in this article we are going to help you choose food for Golden Retriever puppy as well as for an adult, we also are going to answer some of the questions that you may have about Golden Retriever food, such as
How often do you need to feed your Golden Retriever?When Should Golden Retriever Puppies Switch Food?What is the best Golden Retriever food?How to make homemade food for Golden Retriever?
Also Check: Golden Retriever Stages Of Growth
What Are The Best Dog Foods For Golden Retrievers With Pancreatitis
The best food for Golden Retrievers with pancreatitis are those with low fats and calories. The foods given below are the best for pancreatic Golden Retrievers:
- Annamaet Low Fat Formula is the perfect choice for Golden Retrievers with pancreatitis as it is low in fat. The main ingredients in this diet are Chicken Meal, Field Peas, Lentils, Potato, and Tapioca. It contains DHA for proper vision and brain health
- Blue Buffalo Freedom Recipe for all dog breeds is the best choice for Golden Retrievers with pancreatitis. It is free from grains, gluten, corn, wheat, and soy. It has Glucosamine and Chondroitin for healthy joints
Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy Dry Food
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken By-Product Meal, 2. Corn, 3. Wheat Gluten, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Wheat
Golden Retriever pups tend to have a different dietary requirement which a regular puppy food might not be able to fulfill. This Royal Canin recipe is formulated to cater to their specific needs. It is created to meet their nutritional requirements during the development stage, without expediting their physical growth. You get all a delicious meal with all the nutrients necessary for the pup to grow into a healthy, active, and beautiful adult. As with the adult formula, this puppy food is also among the best dog food for golden retrievers.
Recommended Reading: What Age Does A Golden Retriever Stop Growing
Halo Holistic Chicken Recipe Large Breed
Primary Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product, Oatmeal, Pearled Barley, Dried Peas
This dry food by Halo Holistic uses a blend of chicken and liver to promote optimal bone strength and immune support in your Golden Retriever, among many other health benefits. Its an excellent option for owners who prefer holistic food options with no artificial flavors.
Customer Review: She loves her food, and I noticed her coat is very soft now. Gobbles it down!
Rating: 4.7/5
What Regular Foods Can Golden Retrievers Eat
Chicken. Besides being one of the best dog food for Golden Retrievers, Chicken is a key ingredient in most dog recipes. Chicken is often a key source of proteins and other macronutrients.
Eggs. Cooked eggs are nutritious and still provide your dog with lots of proteins. Remember to avoid raw or uncooked eggs as they may have lots of salmonella and E coli.
Carrots. Carrot is one key vegetable that you find in most dog foods. Carrots are safe for Golden Retrievers and still provides vital vitamins.
Salmon. Salmon is the best source of protein for Golden Retrievers. However, ensure you dont give your dog uncooked and boned salmon.
Pineapple. Pineapple has an array of macronutrients that work to boost your dogs immune system.
Green Peas. Green peas are safe for Golden Retrievers. You will find green peas included in dog foods as they contain lots of calories and are still tasty.
Oatmeal. Oatmeal is one of the best dog food for Golden Retrievers who have loose stools because of its high fiber content.
Apple. Golden Retrievers can eat apples as they are not only tasty but also full of nutrients. However, avoid giving your dog apple seeds as they contain cyanide, which is poisonous.
Blueberries. Golden Retrievers will be safe if they consume blueberries as these fruits are not toxic. Blueberries have enough concentration of vitamin c, which is a good antioxidant.
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Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream Grain
Another fantastic grain-free formulation for Golden Retrievers is this food by Taste of the Wild. It has unique sources of novel proteins, like real smoked salmon, and it offers about 32% of protein, making it an excellent choice for very active Golden Retrievers. Instead of grains, it uses peas and sweet potatoes as its healthy sources of carbs that are easy to digest. It is also free of artificial ingredients and wheat, making it great for dogs with sensitive tummies.
It contains loads of real veggies and fruits to provide extra carbs, vitamins, minerals, etc. These veggies and fruits also provide antioxidants that work to support the immune system. It can also prevent disease and infection. Moreover, this dog food formula has dried chicory root that encourages healthy digestion and offers prebiotic support.
Labrador Retriever Feeding Chart
Food portions can vary depending on a few different factors including life stage, gender, and activity level. Work with your vet to find the best path for your particular Lab.
Here are some general feeding guidelines:
- Puppies: Puppies go through a lot of changes as they mature, so its crucial that you follow your veterinarians instructions carefully so as not to over or under feed.
- Adults: Typical adults receive between three and four cups of kibble per day depending on the brand and body type of your pet.
- Seniors: Your senior dog should have about the same serving sizes as it did during its adult life, but if theres a weight or severe health issue, your vet may decide on a different path.
Also Check: Best Thinning Shears For Golden Retrievers
Golden Retriever Homemade Food Tips
Once you decide on a recipe for your Golden, its time to make it. We recommend following these tips.
Holistic Select Large + Giant Breed Adult Health Recipe
Do you own a large or giant breed dog?
If so, you know how important it is to feed your pup the best food possible. Large and Giant Breed Adult Chicken and Oatmeal Recipe from Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food has all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients that your dog needs to stay healthy. Plus, its made with real chicken as the first ingredient!
You can feel good about feeding this dry dog food to your furry friend because it contains no corn, wheat, or soy just high-quality ingredients like oatmeal for digestive health. It also includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support. This recipe is perfect for dogs who are over 50 pounds in weight. This natural dry dog food will keep your big boy happy with an easy-to-digest formula that helps maintain lean muscle mass while supporting heart health and immune system function this natural dry dog food will keep your big boy happy!
Key Features:
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Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large
The top five ingredients are deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, and potatoes. The food contains a minimum of 38 percent protein.
The Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed recipe contains added glucosamine and chondroitin to help support healthy hip and joint function, essential for large-breed dogs.
Omega fatty acids from salmon oil help ensure a healthy skin and coat.
A unique raw-infused kibble recipe is loaded with protein.
Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables like sweet potatoes, apples, and blueberries are also included to boost your dogs immune system
This formula has a large kibble size.
The recipe has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives and is gluten free.
How Golden Retrievers Differ From Other Dogs
If you own a Golden retriever you might wonder How do their nutritional needs differ from the nutritional needs of other dogs?
Generally speaking and according to experts adult dogs require a minimum of 18% protein in their diet, and puppies need at least 22%.
This is because protein provides the building blocks for strong muscles in puppies and, in adults. It also supports lean muscle maintenance. So you could say that for most dogs a higher protein content is actually a good thing.
Small dog vs. big dog
On the other hand, fat should make up at least 8% of the diet for puppies and 5% for adult dogs. Fat provides your dog with energy in the form of calories. Now, this is important because this is where Golden retrievers are different from other dogs, specifically small dogs.
Small dogs have a faster metabolism than bigger dogs, like the Golden retrievers. This means that small dogs need more calories. If the Golden retriever or any other large breed gets fed too many calories will lead to unhealthy weight gain! This is why your Golden retriever needs a protein-rich diet with low-to-moderate fat and calorie content.
Also Check: How Fast Do Golden Retrievers Grow
Iams Proactive Health Adult High Protein Large Breed Dry Dog Food
IAMS Proactive Health Adult High Protein Large Breed Dry Dog Food
- Farm-raised chicken
- Sorghum
- Chicken by-product meal
IAMS proactive in one of our favorite dog foods, not only ours, it is one of the highest-selling dog foods in the market and it is recommended by veterinarians.
The reason most people purchase this for their lovely dog is it derives the majority of protein from chicken, and it promotes healthy digestion, immune system, and strong muscles with real farm-raised high-quality chicken, wholesome fibers, and prebiotics.
And more importantly, it doesnt contain any artificial flavors, colors, and fillers that affect dogs.
It is also available with a lamb and rice flavor, and it is one of the cheapest large breed dog foods on this list.
Purina Pro Plan Sport Formula Dog Food
PetListed Verdict:
Purina Pro Plan Sport is made specifically for active dogs perfect for a healthy, lively Golden. This food blends 30% protein and 20% fat for lean muscle, as well as EPA and glucosamine for joint heath . A number of customers have also noted that their dogs coats have become shinier by using this option. Pro Plan Sport is available in varieties including chicken, salmon & rice, and turkey.
Key Details:
- Available in multiple recipes: grain-free chicken, chicken, salmon, and turkey
- EPA, Glucosamine, Amino Acids
- Meat is the #1 ingredient
- Suitable for any age, from puppy through senior
- Made in the USA
PetListed Verdict:One of the highest rated products we examined, Taste of the Wild is an all natural, grain free dog food with real salmon as the first ingredient. The food is packed with other healthy ingredients including fruits, vegetables, superfoods, and a probiotic for optimal immune and gut health.
Key Details:
- Grain free, with no corn, wheat, or fillers
- Salmon is the first ingredient
- All natural with no artificial flavors or colorings
- Includes vitamins, minerals, and probiotics for digestion health
- Salmon oil provides marine sourced Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids
- On the pricier end of dog foods, considering the ingredients
Read Also: What Age Do Goldendoodles Stop Growing
Best Homemade Dog Food Cooking Practices
Its vital you discuss your Golden Retrievers specific nutritional needs with a veterinary nutritionist as every dog is different.
Why is this important?
A study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science found that 48% of home-prepared diets for dogs had no precise determination of ingredients and quantities and that 71.3 % of pet owners lacked information on how much to feed the animal.
As you can see, while most dog parents want the best when it comes to their furry friends nutrition, most of them dont have a proper understanding of dog nutrition. Thats why getting professional guidance on how to properly plan a home diet for Fido will minimize the risk of exposing your Golden Retriever to nutritional deficiencies due to a bad diet.
Here are some general guidelines to follow when cooking for homemade dog food for your Golden Retriever:
- Never use unsafe or toxic ingredients for your dog
- Cook all animal products thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria
- Cook all grains, beans, and starchy vegetables to make them easier to digest
- Research every ingredient before using it for safety
- Follow the recipe as instructed
- Add supplements to their diet as needed
- Understand the impact of dietary changes
- Run any questions by a veterinary nutritionist
Wellness Core Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food
Best Dog Food for Senior Golden Retrievers
A portion of good senior dog food has extra nutrients to help protect joint health as well as healthy digestion. Wellness Cores senior dog food is available in formulas with or without grain, and weve chosen grain-free food as our best pick for senior golden retrievers. In addition to glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, Wellness Core has both prebiotics and probiotics. And because senior dogs often have slower metabolisms, its a little less calorie-rich than other adult dog foods.
Each cup contains 359 calories, as well as 32% protein, 6.5% fat, and 12% fiber to help maintain a healthy weight. The protein comes from deboned turkey as well as chicken meal, and its full of the antioxidants and taurine that your golden retriever needs. Remember to adjust meal size to your senior dogs activity levels, but most golden retrievers will need about 3-4 cups a day.
Flavor: turkey and chicken
Sizes: 4 lbs., 12 lbs., 24 lbs.
Grains: none
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