Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers Puppy

What Is The Best Food For Golden Retriever Puppies

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Energetic, playful, and goofy golden retriever puppies burn a lot of calories and need highly nutritious food to grow and develop properly. The food you decide to feed to your puppy can affect them as an adult and give them a healthy head startor put their health at risk. Finding the best puppy food for golden retrievers is your best bet for preventing problems.

There are many high-quality puppy foods you can choose from, but not all are formulated to meet your pups dietary needs. Choosing the wrong formula can be detrimental to your pups health and cause nutrient deficiency, musculoskeletal problems, heart disease, or cancer.

While these arent things you want to hear, you need to understand the full effect of unhealthy puppy foods. On the other hand, high-quality food that is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of a growing golden retriever puppy will give your pup a good start in life .

To help you do just that, Ive found and reviewed the seven best dog foods for golden retriever puppies!

*The above links lead to current prices and customer reviews on Chewy.

Keep reading to discover why I chose these recipes and check out the included helpful tips and buying advice to ensure you get the right product for your golden puppy!

Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy

Rating:

Golden Retriever Puppy is one of 11 dry recipes rated in our review of the Royal Canin product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat gluten, chicken fat, wheat
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Growth
• Best for:Golden retriever puppies

Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy derives the bulk of its animal protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 16% fat and 46% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.

We also note the inclusion of taurine, an amino acid supplement believed to help prevent dilated cardiomyopathy in large breed dogs.6

A time-proven formula containing just the right amount of calcium considered safe for golden retriever puppies. Recommended with confidence.

Sample buyer reviewMy golden retriever absolutely loves this food, the previous food he ate he didnt like very much but once I got this puppy food the first time I opened the bag he got excited just by the smell. Every time he eats now he jumps around and moves his tail like crazy. Great food I will definitely buy the adult food when he grows!!!!

What Should I Feed My Eight

At this point, golden retriever puppies have likely already been switched to dry puppy food and you should continue feeding your pup the same type of food the breeder used. You shouldnt change your pups food at this time unless you have major concerns. An eight-week-old puppy should eat around 1 ½ cups of kibble a day.

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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

Our Favorite Probiotic Is The Iheartdogs 3

There are many dog-specific probiotics on the market, but this is one of the best options for your puppy. These chews have all the previously discussed benefits, and they also contain prebiotics and digestive enzymes.

Prebiotics are food for good bacteria. They help the probiotics grow, so its wise to take them with probiotics. Digestive enzymes are the enzymes that aid in good digestion.

Having all three of those items in a single chew makes this product a lethal weapon against a long list of common digestive issues that might irritate your puppy.

Benefits of Probiotics for Golden Retriever Pups:

• Boosts the immune system.
• Contains prebiotics that enhance probiotics.

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Taste Of The Wild Salmon Dry Dog Food

With protein from whole foods, this product offers building blocks for strong, lean muscles. The salmon and fish meal is easily digestible. It provides a natural source of omega fatty acids for healthy hair and skin.

This formula includes natural, whole food sources that offer rich sources of vitamins and antioxidants for your pups health and immunity. Its also supplemented with taurine to help ensure heart health.

Chicory root offers prebiotic fiber to complement the digestible carbohydrate sources from sweet potatoes and potatoes. The kibble also contains a minimum of 80,000,000 CFU/lb of probiotic microorganisms.

Owners share that this food is an excellent product for pups with food allergies. Dogs like the flavor, and the skin and coat look healthy again.

What Is The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are some of the most popular dogs in America. In fact, according to the American Kennel Club, Golden Retrievers rank as number 3rd in popularity out of 195 total dog breeds. If you have a Golden Retriever, you likely know how fantastic these dogs are. They’re friendly, loyal, and brilliant dogs. As such, you’ll want to feed them the best Golden Retriever dog food, so they’ll have a long life filled with happiness and playfulness. Additionally, the right diet can protect against common illnesses that these dogs face.

What is the best dog food for Golden Retrievers? Here are our top picks.

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Purina Beyond Natural Grain Free Ground Wet Dog Food

Image courtesy Purina

Purina Beyond Natural Grain Free Ground Wet Dog Food is a delicious, meaty feast that your furry friend is sure to love. Made with real chicken and turkey, this grain free wet food also includes potatoes, peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

Plus, it’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals to support your dog’s overall health.

Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Adult Dry Dog Food

Best Dog Food for Skin Allergies

Although a fairly low proportion of dogs with itchy skin actually has food allergies fleas, ticks, and other environmental factors are far more likely to cause itchiness if you suspect your dog has an allergy, dog food with limited ingredients is the way to go. Canidae Pure dry dog food has just eight major ingredients, plus all the micronutrients and vitamins your adult golden retriever needs to stay healthy. Additionally, since chicken is a fairly common food allergen for dogs, this fish-based formula derives its animal protein from salmon and salmon meals.

Each cup of this food contains 459 calories, as well as 32% protein, 14% fat, and 4.5% fiber. Canidae Pure also mixes in a blend of probiotics, antioxidants, and fatty acids to support healthy digestion. Although grains arent common allergens for dogs, this food is grain-free, which is one less potential allergen to worry about.

Flavor: salmon and sweet potato

Sizes: 4 lbs., 12 lbs., 24 lbs.

Grains: none

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What Food Should Golden Retrievers Eat

Golden Retrievers are medium to large breed dogs that usually have an active lifestyle and should eat food formulated to suit their size and activity levels. Furthermore, their food should be adapted to their age, as puppies, adult dogs, and seniors have different dietary needs and their food should reflect that e.g. puppies need DHA for cognitive development and seniors require glucosamine and chondroitin to support their joint health.

Golden Retrievers are prone to obesity and can gain weight quickly if fed inadequately, which can cause a myriad of health issues in the long run, from putting unnecessary strain on their already issue-prone hips and joints to serious illnesses such as canine diabetes. Be sure that the food you pick for your pet is not high in fats and calories, as this majorly contributes to obesity. Protein-packed foods with healthy fibers and complex carbs are a much better option that will nourish your pet and support their health. If your Goldie has already gained a few extra pounds, consider a specialized weight management formula that could help them get back to their optimal weight, alongside regular exercise.

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What Do Golden Retriever Puppies Eat

The best dog foods for a golden retriever puppy are made with high-quality natural ingredients and have high levels of protein. Make sure the food is complete and balanced for daily feeding and formulated to meet the nutritional needs of large breed puppies. Depending on your pups preferences and needs, you can feed kibble, canned food, or a raw diet to your pup.

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Cooking Our Way To A Healthier Dog Diet

Ever since I started raising my own dogs, Id always wanted to make their food at home but thought it would be too expensive or too time consuming, or that they wouldnt get the nutrition they needed.

During the month of Bugs doggy depression, I vowed to make her precious life as comfortable as possible.

Both of my pugs had a range of health issues growing up, which I unfortunately found out were common for the breed.

My older one had persistent hot spots and itchiness that no commercial dog food could cure .

Bug was overweight for a while when she was younger, even though she ate the recommended amount of food for her target weight. Eventually, I settled on Wellness kibbles and they did well with that brand.

But, I wanted to explore other options. I wanted to give them real food fresh, nutritious ingredients that I recognized and could even eat myself.

Ive mentioned in my post on homemade whole grain chicken feed that the entire household all share the same whole grains and seeds that we buy in bulk, as well as the bounty that comes from our edible garden.

Everything our animals eat, we can eat.

When it comes to homemade feed for our laying hens, we stick to a tried-and-true formula that works for every layer: 16 to 17 percent protein , vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from a wide variety of grains and seeds, and free range of a pasture for weeds, greens, and insects.

Dogs, on the other hand, arent bred for a standard function the way chickens are.

Hills Science Diet Large Breed Puppy

Best Dog Food for Golden Retriever Puppies

Hills Science Diet puppy foods represent an excellent balance between value for money and quality ingredients. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in this food, which derives its protein from either chicken or lamb meal, depending on the flavor. Its formulated to give growing large-breed puppies the calcium they need to form strong bones and DHA to support brain and eye development. The company sources all its ingredients from countries with reliable safety protocols, and the food itself is manufactured in the US.

This puppy food contains 24% protein, 11% fat, and 3% fiber, all of which are well within the standards for puppy food. It also contains small amounts of apples, broccoli, carrots, cranberries, and green peas. One cup contains 394 calories, and a 10-pound puppy should eat about 1 2/3 cup per day.

Flavors: chicken meal & oats, lamb & brown rice

Sizes: 15.5 lbs., 30 lbs., and 33 lbs.

Grains: oats, brown rice, wheat, sorghum, whole grain corn

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Products Labeled Premium Or Gourmet Arent Required To Have Higher

Organic food labeling requirements for pets dont exist. But the AAFCO has a definition for natural, which can mean a lack of artificial flavors and preservatives or colors in the food, ingredients pet owners might choose to avoid if they prefer less-processed food. Color additives exist and are usually added so the food looks more appealing to humans.

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

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Best Overall: Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food is the best overall food for Golden Retrieverson this listand it was an obvious choice. This dog food was made specifically for Golden Retrievers and is designed to meet the nutritional needs of these gorgeous, friendly dogs 15 months and older. The specialized kibble is designed for your Golden Retrievers straight muzzle and scissor bite to encourage chewing . Additionally, this formula includes essential nutrients to reinforce your Golden Retrievers skin barrier and support his healthy skin and coat. Your favorite pals heart health is supported with taurine, EPA, and DHA, which all help to promote healthy cardiac function. You wont have to worry about your Golden gaining weight with this food because it has precise calories and fat content designed specifically for big dogs. This extra attention to the formula helps to support your dogs weight management.

Homemade Food For Golden Retriever Puppies

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

Puppies require more protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus than adult dogs. If consumed in excess , these nutrients can cause deficiencies, stunted growth, or lifelong complications.

According to the American College of Veterinary Nutrition , puppies need about twice as many caloriesper pound of body weight as an adult dog of the same breed.

Golden puppies should eat 3 to 4 times a day. When your puppy is a bit older , you can switch to 2 to 3 meals daily at scheduled intervals.

As explained in our nutritional guidelines above, a Golden Retriever puppys homemade diet should contain a proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, water, and vitamins. Be sure to contact your veterinarian about your puppys diet.

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Best Food For Golden Retriever With Allergies: Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Brown

Food allergies are common among Golden Retrievers, and one of the most common allergens for canines are protein sources such as chicken or beef, or corn, wheat, and soy. This is why limited ingredient diets work so well for dogs with food sensitivities, including this dry food dog formula that has a single protein source lamb and uses fewer ingredients, all-natural, to minimize the risk of triggering allergies. It contains no potatoes, legumes, corn, wheat, or soy, and no sneaked in beef or chicken byproducts that could irritate your pet. It is a complete and balanced formula with plenty of protein and fiber and enriched with vitamins and minerals your pet needs to feel their best.

The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Organic Whole Grain Chicken Recipe

The Honest Kitchen REVEL uses the dehydration method to preserve the quality of all ingredients. With the ingredients also being finely diced for easier consumption, this brand not only offers affordability, but a high-quality dog food formula.

Nutrients, phytonutrients and minerals are also well- preserved through the dehydration process with a 10 lb. box delivering up to 40 lb. of food.

All the ingredients are natural and human- grade. It is a high-quality dehydrated dog food. The website adds that that all ingredients are guaranteed 100 percent Human Food Grade and that it has been the only pet food manufacturer in the U.S to have proved to the FDA that every ingredient it uses in its products are suitable for human consumption. This dog food is easy to prepare, and easy to take along when traveling or showing with your Golden Retriever.

PROS

• Organic whole food grains like oats, barley and quinoa
• Fresh veggies and fruits like bananas, green peas, carrots, kelp, parsley, celery and more
• Easy- to- mix with water formula

CONS

• Grain-free may be a problem today depending on further results from the FDA

For more on The Honest Kitchens comment about DCM:

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Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials

Overview

Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials is a high-quality, complete, and balanced food that is one of the best dog foods for golden retrievers. The recipe features chicken as the first ingredient, a lean and healthy protein source. Brown rice and oatmeal are also included in the recipe as sources of complex carbohydrates for energy. In addition, the food is fortified with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support a healthy gut and immune system.

Benefits:

The Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials is made with high-quality ingredients that are perfect for all life stages and energy levels of your Golden Retriever.

The recipe features chicken as the first ingredient, a lean and healthy protein source. Brown rice and oatmeal are also included in the recipe as sources of complex carbohydrates for energy.

Natural prebiotic fiber nourishes specific intestinal bacteria for digestive health.

This food contains no artificial colors or flavors

Pricing:

Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials is priced at $83.48 for a 47-pound bag. The price varies depending on the size of the bag you purchase they have 6lb, 18lb, 35 lb, and 47lb bags. This price is on the lower end for dog foods, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious dog owners who also do not want to compromise on quality!

Summary: