With so many meals available today, it might be not easy to make an informed decision on what to feed your golden. Goldens are particularly vulnerable to dietary issues, therefore providing them with a high-quality meal will benefit their health and their immune systems. Feeding high-quality food does not necessarily cost more.
Don’t be misled by flashy advertisements. Many popularly advertised foods are of low quality and may be lacking nutrients for your dog. For example, grain-free meals may have a significant role in taurine insufficiency in Golden Retrievers and other large-breed dogs. This insufficiency can lead to major heart problems in your dog.
Based on our realistic experiences, deep research, and thousands of recommendations on Reddit, we list the best dog food for golden retrievers with the 12 most quality and healthy items in this blog post. Otherwise, we also provide some guidelines to help you make the best choice for your “little friend”.
Things To Consider When Buying Golden Retriever Dog Foods
While looking for the best dog foods for golden retrievers, you can pay attention to these things:
No artificial preservatives
Foods containing sodium nitrate/nitrite, propylene glycol, BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin should not be fed. There is a possibility that some of these additives cause cancer. Find foods preserved in rosemary or other herbs, as well as in tocopherols,(vitamins C and E).
Check the “best by” date
Ensure that you have a few months before this day. To guarantee that you receive a fresh bag, visit stores with a good turnover of food. Never give your pet dog food that has gone bad, and avoid purchasing bags with grease spots on the outside. Dog food should always be kept in a dry, cool environment in an airtight container. To ensure that your dog’s food is new, buy bags weighing between 10 and 15 pounds rather than 20 to 40 pounds if you have just one dog.
Meat as the main ingredient
Steer clear of foods that list grains as the primary ingredient. Additionally, check the first 7 ingredients for various meat proteins. Generally speaking, protein from a variety of sources is considered good (fish, lamb, and chicken, for example), unless your dog suffers from a protein allergy. Several kinds of grains are occasionally listed among the first 7 ingredients by dog food manufacturers. Watch out: your dog needs to eat animal protein!
Avoid food that has animal digestion in it
These are the animal’s intestines, along with everything that resides within them! The majority of byproducts are undesirable. The least nutritious parts of the animal, such as beaks, feathers, feet, skulls, and other types of slaughter wastes, are typically found in by-products. As an illustration, “poultry by-products” can comprise the feet, heads, feathers, and viscera of chickens.
No added salt, artificial colors or tastes, or sugar
The most unhealthy dog food is semi-moist, as it’s frequently packed with artificial sweeteners and colors. Since heat destroys vitamins, added minerals and vitamins are only effective when administered after baking. We frequently advise supplementing your dog’s diet with vitamins and minerals, but please first see your veterinarian.
Components fit for human consumption
The finest dog foods are composed of components that are fit for human consumption. The majority of dog foods contain meat ingredients that shouldn’t be eaten by humans. These may involve road dead, euthanized pets sold to rendering companies, meat from unhealthy cattle, and even stuff that is deemed unacceptable from slaughterhouses (like tumors removed from meat). Is it any surprise that dogs fed meat from such sources die of cancer so frequently? Never be afraid to give your dog food business a call and inquire about the quality of meat used in their products.
Avoid Grains in dog food
We’ve discovered that certain golden retrievers don’t do well on diets that include soy or maize. For the most part, goldens do not benefit from these ingredients. A lot of goldens have allergies to wheat or corn. Thus, observe what he’s eating if your golden retriever gets a lot of hot spots or skin issues. The quality of grain products varies greatly. Seek out whole or brown rice among the components; the nutritional value of whole or brown rice is significantly higher than that of ground brewer rice and white rice.
Often, pet food businesses use sweepings from the mill floor in their products. These items are known as “grain fractions” and consist of brewers rice, rice gluten, rice bran, and maize gluten meal. Select for whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, barley, or whole oats.
Best Food for Golden Retrievers: Top 12 Items
To help you in selecting the finest food for your dog’s age and habits, we suggest the following products. Each provides calcium and nutrients suitable for golden retrievers. Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s top 12 dog food products for Golden Retrievers in 2024.
1. Royal Canin Medium Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
Key Nutrients:
- Crude Protein (min.) 23.0%
- Crude Fat (min.) 12.0%
- Crude Fiber (max.) 3.2%
- Moisture (max.) 10.0%
- Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) (min.) 0.13%
- Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) (min.) 0.05%
- Omega-3 fatty acids* (min.) 0.39%.
Pros
- Optimized for digestibility
- Kibble designed to encourage chewing
- Contain omega-3 fatty acids
Cons
- Pricier per pound to compare with other products
The Royal Canin Medium Breed Adult Dry Dog Food is the best adult dog food for golden retrievers, that takes the #1 spot on our list. Royal Canin is a reputable and recognized brand that Dr. Samantha Palermo, a veterinarian and partner at Evette, routinely recommends to pet owners.
This dish is intended for adult dogs aged 1 to 7 years old who weigh from 23 to 55 pounds. Its excellent protein composition and dietary fiber content are intended to improve digestion. The meal also contains two omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which can benefit your dog’s skin and coat conditions. In addition, Royal Canin purposely selected a kibble shape that promotes medium-sized dogs to chew.
2 bag sizes are offered to suit your budget and feeding requirements. Royal Canin offers a 17- or 30-pound sack, however other vendors occasionally have larger sizes.
Review: “Royal Canin Golden Retriever puppy and (later) adult are great choices. As a golden owner who spent THOUSANDS trying to keep my golden alive after his DCM diagnosis after eating Blue Buffalo wilderness for years, I am so relieved new puppy owners are paying attention to this.” ceecee1791 – Reddit
2. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach
Key Nutrients
- Crude Protein (Min) 26.0%
- Crude Fat (Min) 16.0%
- Crude Fiber (Max) 4.0%
- Moisture (Max) 12.0%
- Linoleic Acid (Min) 1.5%
- Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) (Min) 0.1%
- Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) (Min) 0.1%
- Calcium (Ca) (Min) 1.0%
- Phosphorus (P) (Min) 0.8%
- Selenium (Se) (Min) 0.35 mg/kg
- Vitamin A (Min) 15,000 IU/kg
- Vitamin E (Min) 460 IU/kg
- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)* (Min) 70 mg/kg
- Glucosamine* (Min) 350 ppm
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids* (Min) 0.758%
- Omega-6 Fatty Acids* (Min) 1.6%
Pros
- Formulated with oats for smooth digestion.
- Promotes healthy skin and coats.
- Salmon, Barley, Rice, Oat Meal, Canola Meal, Fish Mealis the first ingredients.
Cons
- Some clients complained about numerous broken pieces and crumbs.
- The largest bag weighs 24 pounds
For dogs with minor stomach concerns, we frequently recommend Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach. This formula is intended to be soft and easy to digest, using turkey and oats as the first two ingredients. Prebiotic fiber is another important ingredient in the recipe, as it improves digestion and promotes general gut health. The recipe has no synthetic colors, flavors, soy, or wheat.
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Turkey & Oatmeal Dry Dog Food is not only easy on the stomach, but it is also high in protein, which supports muscle development and maintenance. It also contains linoleic acid, an omega fatty acid that promotes healthy skin and fur.
One potential drawback of this food item is that the biggest bag available weighs only 24 pounds, preventing you from saving money in bulk like you could with other brands.
3. Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe
Key Nutrients:
- 57% protein and healthy fat
- 43% fiber, vitamins, and other natural ingredients
Pros
- The first three components are deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal.
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support hip and joint health.
- No by-products.
Cons
- Has caused a few dogs diarrhea.
- Not every dog enjoys the flavor.
While grain-free meals are not typically suggested, your doctor might recommend one for your dog. If that’s the case, try Merrick’s Grain Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe. This recipe uses “high-quality meat-first ingredients.” With deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal as the first three ingredients, this selection offers your dog the protein they require to maintain healthy muscular growth while also increasing their energy level.
This grain-free meal includes fruits such as blueberries and apples. To help your dog’s joints, this formulation contains more glucosamine and chondroitin. It’s notably high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help your golden retriever’s coat and skin appear healthy. Merrick offers this adult dry dog food in four bag sizes: four, ten, twenty-two, and thirty pounds.
This product is considered one of the best affordable dog food for golden retrievers.
4. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe Dog Food
Key Nutrients:
- Fat: 10.4%
- Fiber: 9.5%
- Protein: 26.3%
Pros
- Promotes healthy weight loss.
- Chicken as the first component.
- 2 kibble sizes.
Cons
- Some dogs dislike the taste.
- Costly
It is crucial for our dogs’ health that we assist them in maintaining the weight that is appropriate for their stage of life and breed. The Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe from The Hill’s Science Diet Dog food is made with specific ingredients to aid in healthy weight loss and progress toward desired results. Dogs who convert to this chow should see results within 10 weeks, according to the company. The mixture helps people lose extra weight while strengthening and building lean muscle.
For mature dogs, especially those that struggle with weight control or don’t receive sufficient physical activity, Hill’s suggests this diet. It is not intended for usage with nursing or pregnant pets. To assist you in selecting the ideal kibble for your dog’s jaw size and chewing prowess, there are two choices available.
Review: “We use hills science diet (stomach and skin). We’ve been using it since she was about 4-5 months old because we realized she had a sensitive tummy. We still use (she just turned 2) for her and our other 2 dogs, one who had skin issues in the past and one who is a picky eater.” dogmombites – Reddit
5. Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
Key Nutrients:
- Crude Protein 25.0% min
- Crude Fat 11.0% min
- Crude Fiber 5.0% max
- Moisture 11.00% max
- Calcium 1.20% min
- Phosphorus .75% min
- Vitamin E 400 IU/kg min
- Omega-6 Fatty Acids 2.5% min
Pros
- No by-products
- Cold-formed kibble to preserve nutrients
- No artificial flavors and additives
Cons
- Pricer than other dog food brands
Wellness Complete wellness natural pet food is produced with carefully selected, real ingredients to promote overall wellness. An appropriate blend of nutrient-rich whole foods to meet your dog’s specific health needs, including whole-body nourishment to maintain overall wellness. Omega fatty acids, glucosamine, antioxidants, probiotics, and taurine help maintain a healthy heart. Their veterinarians and researchers worked together to create nutrition that will last a lifetime.
Simply add these products to your dog food storage containers for a fresh scoop each time. Your little dog, senior dog, adult dog, large dog, or puppy will enjoy our excellent grain-free dog food alternatives. The high-protein dog food is made in the United States using ingredients gathered from all over the world. Whether you want lamb dog food, salmon dog food, chicken dog food, or whitefish dog food, we have a formula for you! Try this whole line of superior dog food today.
Review: “We are using Wellness Large Breed, it’s been great. 2nd HR on this brand, and all our kitties, too. All have lived to a ripe old age.” Henbogle – Reddit
Other recommend foods for Golden Retriever
Besides the above suggestions, some other items also are recommended by users on Reddit and Quora:
- Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
- Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Grain-Free
- Wellness CORE RawRev High-Protein, Grain-Free
- Nature’s Logic Canine Chicken Meal Feast
- Orijen Original Dry Dog Food
- Solid Gold Leaping Waters with Cold Water Salmon & Vegetable Recipe
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe
Wrapping Up
When it concerns the best golden retriever dog food, there is no one-size-fits-all option. There are various aspects to consider when choosing the best formula for your puppy, including years of age, dietary restrictions, and nutritional demands. Consider the options mentioned above and consult with your veterinarian for additional specialized advice to meet your dog’s individual needs.
I am seeking for the best golden retriever wet food for my three-month-old puppy. Do you have any recommendations?
For a 3-month-old Golden retriever puppy, consider Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy Dry Dog Food, Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, and Purina One Large Breed Puppy. I’d also recommend checking with your veterinarian to receive a specific recommendation for your animal.
I’m seeking for suitable dog food for Golden Retrievers that will aid in digestion. Any recommendations?
For Golden Retrievers who require digestive support, try dog diets with prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber, like Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d or Royal Canin Gastrointestinal. You can also check for formulae labeled “sensitive digestion”. Consult your veterinarian about your pet’s individual needs to determine the best solution.
My Golden retrievers has had diarrhea. Is there a nice dog food for Goldie that is easy on their stomach?
For Golden Retrievers with diarrhea, choose a dog food with ingredients that are easy to digest and soothing on the stomach. Some good choices are Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal, and Purina EN Gastroenteric. I would also consider speaking with your veterinarian to discover and treat the root cause of the diarrhea.
I’m thinking of converting my Golden Retrievers to a grain-free diet. Can you suggest any good dog food for Golden Retrievers?
Consider grain-free dog diets for Golden Retrievers such as Merrick Grain-Free, Blue Buffalo Wilderness, and Taste of the Wild. However, be wary of grain-free diets, which have been related to significant health problems in some dogs. I urge that you see your veterinarian before making any dietary adjustments.
My Golden Retrievers is 6 years old. What’s the best dog food for a middle-aged Golden Retriever?
For a 6-year-old Golden Retrievers, a dog food made for adult or senior dogs is ideal. Look for one with less calories but more protein, fiber, and essential nutrients to help an elderly dog’s health. Brands such as Royal Canin, Hill’s, and Purina provide excellent senior Golden Retrievers selections.
My Golden Retriever has joint issues. Is there a special meal in the suggested dog food for Golden Retrievers that can aid in joint health?
A Golden Retriever with joint difficulties may benefit from a dog meal high in chondroitin, glucosamine, and omega-3 fatty acids. Some pet food brands designed for joint care in Golden Retrievers notably Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d, Royal Canin Dachshund, and Purina ONE Joint Health.
I am looking for the best diet for a Golden Retriever that can assist them gain weight safely.
If your Golden Retriever needs to gain weight in a healthy way, search for a formula heavy in protein, calories, and beneficial fats. Royal Canin Dachshund and Purina Pro Plan are also good brands. Consult your veterinarian to determine the appropriate calorie and nutritional levels for your pet’s needs.
I’m searching for suggested dog food for Golden Retriever that won’t disturb my pet’s sensitive stomach, as they are allergic to several proteins.
Choose a limited ingredient diet for a Golden Retriever with a sensitive stomach and food allergies that excludes common allergens such as beef, poultry, or dairy. Hypoallergenic foods include Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d, Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach, and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein. Consult your veterinarian about your pet’s individual nutritional requirements.
My Golden Retriever is fussy about her food. Do you have any suggestions for the best dog food for Golden Retrievers to tantalize their taste buds?
For a picky Golden Retriever, consider a highly palatable dog food such as Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost, or Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw. You can also add a tiny amount of warm water or low-sodium broth to give the dish more appealing. Consult your veterinarian to choose a nutritious formula that your Golden Retriever will love eating.
I am about to get a Golden Retriever puppy. What is the finest puppy Golden Retriever food to get them started off right?
I suggest starting a new Golden Retriever puppy on a superior, breed-specific puppy food, such as Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy Dry Dog Food, Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, and Purina One Large Breed Puppy. These formulations are specifically designed to suit the nutritional requirements of growing Golden Retriever puppies. Consult your veterinarian about the best food to assist your new puppy’s development.
What nutritional needs should I look for when choosing the best dog food for Golden Retrievers to preserve their health and well-being?
When choosing the best dog food for Golden Retriever, it is critical to consider their individual nutritional needs. Dachshunds benefit from a well-balanced diet that includes top-notch animal protein, reasonable fat content, and portion control to avoid weight gain. Golden Retriever may also benefit from meals containing glucosamine and chondroitin, which promote joint health. It is always advised that you speak with a veterinarian to identify the optimal food plan for your Golden Retriever according to their particular requirements and any special health concerns.