Any good owner wants the best for their pup. Whether it's occasional pet treats, toys, beds, blankets, or bling, we all like to treat our canine companions once in a while. And what better place to start than to opt for a delicious and healthy food option to encourage healthy development and support an active lifestyle. It can be hard to pinpoint the ideal food for a Golden Retriever as there are just so many choices on the market. Fortunately, you have us to narrow down those choices for you to this list of the top 9 best dog foods for golden retrievers (in our humble opinion).
A Quick Overview of Our Favorites
| Editor's Pick | Product Name | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula | Buy on Amazon | 4.6 |
| Best for Large Breeds | Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Dry Dog Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.6 |
| Premium Pick | Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.8 |
| Best Probiotic | Solid Gold Hund-N-Flocken With Real Lamb | Buy on Amazon | 4.6 |
| Best for Adult Dogs | Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food Adult | Buy on Amazon | 4.6 |
| Budget Pick | Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.7 |
| Best Natural | Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein | Buy on Amazon | 4.7 |
| Veterinarians Recommend | Iams Adult Large Breed High Protein Dry Dog Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.8 |
| High Protein | Purina Pro Plan With Probiotics Shredded Blend High Protein | Buy on Amazon | 4.6 |
The 9 Top-Rated Foods for Golden Retrievers
1 Best Overall: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley
- Primary Proteins: Chicken
- Calories: 353 kcal/cup
- Allergens: Barley, Chicken, Alfalfa, Flaxseed, Dried Yeast
- Flavor: Chicken & Brown Rice
- Type: Dry Dog Food
- Life Stage: Adult
Relaxing back on the old classic of chicken and rice, this blue buffalo dog food formula is a tried and tested recipe. In fact, veterinarians often recommend real chicken and rice cooked together as a great way to settle an upset stomach and settle a dicky digestive system. Blue Buffalo’s Life protection formula is specifically designed using high-quality protein to assist your golden retriever’s body in all areas of development.
The use of high-quality lean meat provides support for lean muscle development, whilst the use of whole-grain brown rice aids in healthy digestion with as it is a rich source of fiber and range of nutrients that can support the immune system, bone strength, and skin and coat health. However, If you are thinking of going grain-free for your dog’s diet, this may not be the ideal choice as it does contain grains – though fortunately not too many when compared to other brands.
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Pea Starch, Peas, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed (Source of Omega 3 And 6 Fatty Acids), Pea Fiber, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Pea Protein, Fish Oil (Source of Epa-Eicosapentaenoic Acid), Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Potassium Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Potatoes, Dried Chicory Root, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dl-Methionine, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin E Supplement, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Garlic, L-Carnitine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable Juice For Color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.
2 Best for Large Breeds: Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Barley, Peas
- Primary Proteins: Chicken, Salmon
- Calories: 340 kcal/cup
- Allergens: Chicken, Barley, Oats, Flaxseed, Garlic Powder
- Flavor: Chicken & Brown Rice
- Type: Dry Dog Food
- Life Stage: Adult
Wellness is a well-established dog food brand known for creating simple recipes that can help to nurture your dog’s health and encourage proper development, even in adulthood. This particular recipe focuses on the use of high-quality chicken to provide that essential animal protein alongside healthy fruits and veggies including tomato, carrot, blueberry, apple, and sweet potato for an interesting and varied flavor.
There are also ingredients including calcium, magnesium, and omega fatty acids in Wellness’ premium dog food, to help improve bone and teeth strength as well as support a stronger immune system and healthy coat and skin. This specific line is designed to provide whole-body nutritional support for large breed dogs. This is also not a grain-free dog food, however, the typical grain-related allergens in this food are limited to barley, flaxseed, and oats.
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Barley, Peas, Oats, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Salmon Meal, Tomato Pomace, Oatmeal, Tomatoes, Carrots, Natural Chicken Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Choline Chloride, Spinach, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Chicory Root Extract, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Garlic Powder, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.
3 Premium Pick: Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Brown Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Oat Groats, Brewers Rice, Wheat
- Primary Proteins: Chicken
- Calories: 276 kcal/cup
- Allergens: Chicken, Oats, Wheat, Corn Gluten, Wheat Gluten
- Flavor: Chicken & Brown Rice
- Type: Dry Dog Food
- Life Stage: Adult (Over 15 Months)
Royal Canin dog food is often recommended by veterinarians as they offer an extremely extensive array of foods ranging from general adult dog food to breed-specific food, or even foods designed to help with specific medical issues. This particular food is often recommended for prescription weight-loss diets owing to its low-calorie content and focus on brown rice within the recipe along with other highly digestible and healthy ingredients.
This is a recipe with brown rice as the first ingredient. For some, this can be offputting. However, it is worth noting that a focussed brown rice recipe is extremely high in fiber, which improved digestibility. Additionally, the kibble size and shape are specifically designed for the Golden Retriever’s straight muzzle and scissor bite, enabling them to chew more easily, further improving digestion. This is definitely the best dry dog food for goldies struggling with weight issues (often seen with senior dogs) or constipation.
Brown Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Oat Groats, Brewers Rice, Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavors, Powdered Cellulose, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Wheat Gluten, Fish Oil, Dried Tomato Pomace, Vegetable Oil, Sodium Silico Aluminate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Psyllium Seed Husk, Salt, Fructooligosaccharides, Vitamins [Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin A Acetate, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Sodium Tripolyphosphate, L-Lysine, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Monocalcium Phosphate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Dl-Methionine, L-Carnitine, Trace Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate], Gla Safflower Oil, Marigold Extract (Tagetes Erecta L.), Green Tea Extract, Magnesium Oxide, Chondroitin Sulfate, Rosemary Extract, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid.
4 Best Probiotic: Solid Gold Hund-N-Flocken with Real Lamb
- First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal
- Primary Proteins: Lamb
- Calories: 335 kcal/cup
- Allergens: Barley, Oatmeal, Dried Eggs, Flaxseed
- Flavor: Lamb, Brown Rice & Pearled Barley
- Type: Dry Dog Food
- Life Stage: Adult
The first and second spots of the ingredients list for this Solid Gold Hund-n-Flocken dog food go to Lamb. Lamb is known to be a high-protein, low-fat meat, meaning this is the perfect lean food for large breed puppies that need to maintain a healthy weight and might be predisposed to excessive weight gain (such as golden retrievers). Good food for golden retrievers should always have their weight in mind, so digestibility and lean meat are key.
Solid Gold has focussed on the use of superfoods to help cleanse your dog’s body whilst the living probiotics help to maintain balance in their digestive system. So not only is the food they’re putting in well-balanced and lean but any waste will be digested and passed with ease. And last, but certainly not least, this high-protein diet alongside a plethora of vitamins, minerals, and carefully selected carbohydrates help to fuel your pup ready for their daily activities.
Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Pearled Barley, Oatmeal, Peas, Chickpeas, Rice Bran, Ocean Fish Meal, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Eggs, Ground Flaxseed, Dried Tomato Pomace, Natural Flavor, Carrots, Salmon Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Pumpkin, Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Blueberries, Cranberries, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, Taurine, Rosemary Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product.
5 Best for Adult Dogs: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food Adult
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Cracked, Brown Rice, Pea Fiber, Corn Gluten Meal
- Primary Proteins: Chicken, Pork
- Calories: 291 kcal/cup
- Allergens: Chicken, Corn Gluten, Barley, Oat Fiber, Flaxseed, Pork
- Flavor: Chicken
- Type: Dry Dog Food
- Life Stage: Adult
Hill’s Science is another weight-controlling food often recommended to help your golden retriever shed some excess pounds and get back to a healthy weight. Too much weight can put unnecessary strain on a dog’s legs and be the cause of joint pain and early-onset joint problems if it’s not helping of top of. This food has a low caloric density and uses brown rice, pea fiber, and other fibrous ingredients to encourage proper digestion which is often the cause of unhealthy weight gain.
With careful study and testing, it has been calculated that an average of 70% of dogs was able to lose weight within 10 weeks of eating Hill’s Science perfect weight food. The high-quality protein also supports proper muscle maintenance, which is especially important as larger dogs often become more active as they drop the weight as begin to feel more mobile. Just be mindful that if your dog does have a sensitivity to pork, it is one of the animal proteins used in this recipe.
Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Pea Fiber, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Oat Fiber, Chicken Liver Flavor, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Coconut Oil, Pork Flavor, Lactic Acid, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Carrots, Iodized Salt, Lipoic Acid, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Choline Chloride, minerals (Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, L-Carnitine, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Cranberries, Green Peas.
6 Budget Pick: Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Rice Bran
- Primary Proteins: Chicken, Salmon, Lamb
- Calories: 346 kcal/cup
- Allergens: Chicken, Oatmeal, Flaxseed, Salt, Dried Eggs, Yeast
- Flavor: Chicken, Lamb & Salmon
- Type: Dry Dog Food
- Life Stage: Adult
Straight to the point, using fresh, high-quality ingredients for this meat trio food. Chicken marks the first ingredient of this recipe proving a dense source of protein for proper muscle growth and recovery. As well as including lean, pasture-fed lamb and fresh salmon to mix up the flavor and create a more enjoyable meal for fussy pups.
Nutro are very transparent about their food, with a clear list of all the ingredients and even advertising the wide variety of veg and additional elements used to create a food that helps with digestion, skin and coat, and bone strength as well as being chock-full of essential vitamins to protect your Goldie’s immune system. The only thing you may need to be cautious of is that a few of the ingredients can be triggering for dogs with especially sensitive digestive systems.
Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Rice Bran, Whole Grain Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Salmon Meal, Lamb Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Whole Flaxseed, Sunflower Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid (preservatives), Dried Coconut, Whole Chia Seed, Dried Egg Product, Tomato Pomace, Dried Kale, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Spinach, Dried Blueberries, Dried Apples, Dried Carrots, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin E Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Selenium Yeast, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
7 Best Natural: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Fish Meal, Peas, Pea Starch, Tapioca Starch
- Primary Proteins: Beef, Fish, Lamb, Venison
- Calories: 373 kcal/cup
- Allergens: Beef, Fish Meal, Flaxseed, Dried Eggs, Alfalfa Meal, Salt, Barley Grass, Dried Yeast
- Flavor: Rocky Mountain Red Meat
- Type: Dry Dog Food
- Life Stage: Adult
Another delicious variation by Blue Buffalo, this time focusing on the flavors you could expect to get from hunting in the Rock Mountains. This includes an especially eclectic and delicious array of high-quality meats including beef, fish, lamb, and even venison. Thanks to this wide selection of meats, you can be sure that this recipe is full of protein for, especially active dogs, which is ideal for the working golden retriever.
Unfortunately, this recipe does contain quite a few allergens, and so it is not suited to a grain-free or gluten-free diet. However, if your dog is lucky enough not to struggle with any sensitivities then this food would definitely be a treat and should be well suited to picky eaters as well. It is made in the USA, with vitamins and minerals aplenty, along with antioxidant-rich ingredients and calcium and phosphorus to support good dental hygiene.
Deboned Beef, Fish Meal, Peas, Pea Starch, Tapioca Starch, Pea Protein, Beef Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Potatoes, Flaxseed (Source Of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Canola Oil (Source Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Dried Egg Product, Fish Oil (Source Of Epa-Eicosapentaenoic Acid), Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Deboned Lamb, Deboned Venison, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Chicory Root, Dl-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Taurine, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin E Supplement, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, L-Carnitine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vegetable Juice For Color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil Of Rosemary.
8 Veterinarians Recommend: Iams Adult Large Breed High Protein Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal
- Primary Proteins: Chicken, Barley, Corn, Sorghum, Brewers Yeast, Dried Eggs, Flaxseed
- Calories: 351 kcal/cup
- Allergens: Chicken, Barley,
- Flavor: Chicken & Whole Grain
- Type: Dry Dog Food
- Life Stage: Adult
Iams is an easily recognizable dog food brand known for offering a good range of food to suit most dogs. Golden Retrievers in particular have certain dietary requirements that should be kept in mind, such as a need for food that isn’t overly rich or fatty. Fortunately, Iams offers a large breed-specific food designed to cater to their needs.
This adult dog food is formulated to support muscle recovery, joint strength, and digestion. Using real farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient they are able to provide a rich amount of protein in every bite without being over-expensive – making it the perfect large breed dog owner on a budget. Iams dog food formulas are specifically designed to support your dog’s immune system and development as much as possible, and this food does just that.
Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Poultry Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Brewers Yeast, Dried Egg Product, Carrot, Flaxseed, Caramel Color, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Fructooligosaccharides, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of Vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement (source of Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Potassium Iodide), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Citric Acid, Rosemary Extract.
9 High Protein: Purina Pro Plan with Probiotics Shredded Blend High Protein
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Poultry By-product Meal (Source Of Glucosamine), Soybean Meal
- Primary Proteins: Chicken, Beef
- Calories: 387 kcal/cup
- Allergens: Chicken, Wheat, Soybean, Beef, Corn Gluten, Corn, Dried Eggs, Fish, Wheat Bran, Salt, Garlic Oil
- Flavor: Chicken & Rice
- Type: Dry Dog Food
- Life Stage: Adult
Thus Purina Pro Plan shredded blend dog food offers small tasty chunks filled with rich chicken flavor and packed with protein and optimal levels of fat to help your dog maintain the ideal body condition. Furthermore, it utilizes vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids which are ideal for keeping your Goldie’s coat smooth and silky (which is absolutely essential with a long-furred dog)
Not only does this food contain crunchy kibble, but they have also included little shredded chicken chunks for a more tender and flavorful mix of textures. However, of the selection of dog foods in our list, this does have the most allergens, and so we would only suggest this for dog owners with pups that experience little to no digestive complaints. If you’re not sure about whether this is the right food for your pup, they do offer it in four sizes, including a 6lb bag, which is ideal for trying over a trial period.
Chicken, Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Poultry By-product Meal (Source Of Glucosamine), Soybean Meal, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-tocopherols, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Dried Egg Product, Fish Meal (Source Of Glucosamine), Natural Flavor, Glycerin, Wheat Bran, Calcium Carbonate, Mono And Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Soybean Oil, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil, Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Biotin (Vitamin B-7)], Choline Chloride, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (Vitamin C), Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, L-lysine Monohydrochloride, Garlic Oil. Z445519.
Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers: Buying Guide & FAQs
Every dog has its own unique requirement when it comes to arranging the best possible diet for them – some have allergies, some are hyper-sensitive, and some are just plain fussy. This means there is no be-all and end-all guide to Golden Retriever nutrition. However, we can offer some helpful general advice on how best to prepare your Golden Retriever’s diet using what we know of the breed as a whole to help you select what you feel is right for your pup.
Are There Any Ingredients To Avoid?
This depends on the dog. Each dog has its not individual capabilities when it comes to digesting its food. Some have severe sensitivities or even allergies that need to be avoided, whilst others could eat pretty much anything and be absolutely fine.
If you’re wanting to take the allergen-free, grain-free, gluten-free, approach then there are certain ingredients that have been known to cause similar reactions in dogs with allergies and sensitivities to these particular elements:
There are also certain proteins that are considered to be potential triggers for some allergies, and unfortunately, they’re some of the most commonly found proteins in dog food:
- Chicken
- Pork
- Beef
- Fish
- Egg
It is also worth keeping in mind that just like humans dogs can develop unusual allergies and sensitivities to ingredients and foods that are not on this list. So we would highly advise researching how to recognize a food allergy in pets so as to know what to look out for.
How Much to Feed a Golden Retriever
Generally speaking, the average guide to feeding a golden retriever is around 2-3.5 cups of dry food a day. Though figuring out exactly how much to feed your golden retriever depends entirely on their body weight initially. Any dog food brand should offer a helpful feeding guide that provides recommended amounts for every dog depending on the weight bracket they fall onto. This way you can ensure your golden retriever’s diet is exactly as it should be.
With canned dog food, you’re usually looking at around 3-4 x 13oz cans a day, though this is also entirely dependent on the dog food formula and the brand you have chosen. Each has its own recommendations based on weight (assuming your dog is completely healthy). For example, Purina recommends 3oz of wet dog food for every 3.5lbs of weight – you would then need to calculate what this translated to in full can amounts.
What Can Affect My Golden Retriever’s Diet?
Furthermore, as they grow there are additional elements that could come into play that may affect how much they need to eat including:
- Age
- Activity level
- Health problems
- Food quality
- Physical condition
- Whether they’re neutered or spayed
- Whether they’re nursing
Golden retriever puppies obviously consume significantly less than adult golden retrievers, and generally speaking, require food specifically catered to their puppy needs. Additionally, younger Goldies are generally quite a bit more active in their youth, whereas adult and senior golden retrievers are known to be a bit slower of the mark and more laid back.
Also, the physical condition of your dog can impact their diet. If they are ill or impaired they may not want to eat as much and so a high-calorie diet is required, if they’re struggling to keep their weight down then a low-calorie reduced diet is needed. Nursing and pregnant bitches need more calories to produce milk and grow their puppies, whereas neutered and spayed dogs can gain weight quite easily and might need a more monitored diet.
What Regular Foods Can Golden Retrievers Eat?
There is a wide variety of things a golden retriever can eat outside of its standard diet. So if you’re thinking of putting a little something extra into your golden retriever’s food, it helps to know what’s considered suitable. Equally, there are also foods, including fruits and vegetables, that should be avoided at all costs.
Many dog owners chose to top their dog’s meal with a little something extra for the sake of their dog’s health and ensuring they’re getting absolutely everything they need on a daily basis. These fresh vegetable toppers are a great idea for anyone looking to mix it up a bit – maybe to add some additional nutrition, or simply to entice a fussy pup to eat properly:
- Carrots: Cooked and chopped as a topper or raw as a snack
- Broccoli: Cooked thoroughly, chopped, and mixed in
- Green Beans: Cooked and sprinkled on top
- Bell Pepper: Chopped finely as a topper or into strips as a snack
- Sweet Potato: Often used as an ingredient in food, it also makes a good topper cooked and chopped
- Brussel Sprouts: Fully cooked these are great for nutrition, bad for gas. Use as your own risk
- Peas: Frozen for some crunch, or cooked for some flavor and texture
- Sweetcorn: Sprinkled onto your dog’s food (never on the cob)
You can also cook and mix several of the food listed above to create a nice varied meal for your dog if you’re wanting to add a change of pace to their usual feeding routine.
NEVER feed your dog grapes, onions, chives, garlic, macadamia nuts, almonds, nutmeg, or raisins.
In terms of general human foods, it’s best to avoid giving your dog food meant for humans (such as cake and pizza) as they are not built to easily digest these types of processed foods. However, there are a few yummy tidbits you can give your pooch if you just can’t resist those puppy-dog eyes.
- Peanut butter: A delicious treat to smear on a carrot or mix into their food
- Cashews: Make sure it is ONLY cashew nuts you’re giving to your dog
- Cheese: If your dog is fine with dairy, cheese can be a tasty snack
- Honey: A sweet kick to coat their food, just be mindful of the sugar content
- Popcorn: Your dog can join in with movie night with plain, unsalted popcorn
Source:
- Golden Retrievers And Obesity Issues, Pets4Homes
Frequently Asked Questions
Grain-free dog food is not necessarily better not is it worse for your golden retriever. There is a misnomer that all dog foods should be grain-free to be healthy, however, grain-free, like lactose-free with humans, is meant for those dogs that already have a grain intolerance.
When the grains are removed, alternative ingredients are put in place to reduce the risk of triggering a sensitive stomach, but this does not necessarily make it a better option. It’s the ingredients in the food that make it good or bad for your dog. The main benefit of buying grain-free for a new dog is that it avoids the potential issue of having to deal with a stomach sensitivity in the first place.
The earliest possible time for switching a golden retriever over from puppy to adult food is six months. Though this entirely depends on the individual puppy and its capability to handle the food it is being given. Therefore the general rule of thumb is between 6-12 months. When you make the transition be sure to initially introduce the adult food in with their puppy food and see how they take it. If they adapt well to the change then you shouldn’t have a problem making the full transition.
Golden retrievers typically weigh between 55-75 pounds. All dog food brands should provide a guide as to how much food your dog should be given based on their weight. However, if you’re unable to find a guide them the National Research Council of the National Academies recommends you feed them between 989-1,272 calories every day if they’re not overly active. If they are a working dog that is up and about at all times, then between 1,353-1,740 calories would be better.
With human food, there are a wide array of things your dog should never eat, chief among them being grapes, raisins, onions, and chocolate – though that is just the tip of the iceberg. In terms of dog food, you want to avoid feeding your golden retriever overly fatty foods, as they are known for being a breed that can gain unnecessary weight quite quickly, especially in old age. Stick with high-quality dog food for large breed dogs as it offers a better caloric density as well as being a lean food packed with protein for better recovery and growth.
