Best Golden Retriever Puppy Food

Which Feeding Chart Is Best

There are so many feeding charts available to consider. In fact, every single dog food tends to have one on its packaging, and theyre often slightly different to one another. So, how are you meant to know how much to feed a Golden Retriever puppy?

As we mentioned earlier, you should only use Golden Retriever feeding charts as a guideline, because every puppy is so different. So, ultimately, no single chart is better than another. Instead, the best feeding chart or guidelines will be the ones you create by making adjustments based on your puppys health and body condition.

Hills Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Food

Image courtesy Hills Science Diet

Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed dry dog food is tailored to support your puppy’s skeletal & joint development. This premium pet food features an ideal blend of ingredients for large breed puppies, including DHA from fish oil for healthy brain & eye development.

This recipe includes natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to support your pup’s joints as he grows, calcium for strong bones, and a clinically proven antioxidant blend for a healthy immune system.

Plus, it’s made with no artificial flavors or preservatives.

Best Puppy Food To Splurge On For Your Golden Retriever

Royal Canin Large breed puppy food is an excellent diet if you are able to spend a little more on dog food.

This diet helps support growth and brain development. It also does not contain artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. Whole Chicken is the first ingredient to help your Golden Retriever grow to be strong and happy. Golden Retrievers love chicken!

Many other budget-friendly diets contain fats, fillers, and additives that are not found in this diet.

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What Makes Food High

Dogs are omnivores, so a good dog food will have a mix of meat, grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Theyll have few preservatives, added sugar, salt, or artificial colors.

The protein will come from readily available sources such as chicken or beef, and not exotic or boutique sources like kangaroo or venison .

Make sure to choose a puppy food that is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials .

On the label, it will say is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.

AAFCO has strict standards for dog food and decides whether or not it is suitable to be sold as advertised.

Now heres a common misconception about dog food: animal byproducts are bad.

According to the AKC, quality, regulated animal byproducts can be good for your dog.

These byproducts can include organ meats or entrails, which often contain more nutrients than, say, plain chicken breast.

Of course, some foods may contain non-regulated byproducts, like hooves, intestinal contents, or even manure, so its important that you choose a reputable dog food.

Another misconception is that dogs should eat grain-free diets.

As you saw in the second study mentioned above, that can actually be very harmful for your dog and cause DCM.

Best Food For Senior Golden Retrievers

At around the age of 8 years old, you should look to switch your Golden Retriever over to senior dog food. Like most breeds, the Golden Retrievers nutritional needs will change as they age. As they approach their senior years, you may need to look for a food that contains additional fiber or probiotics to aid in digestion.

Most Senior formulated dog foods will have a smaller calorie count in order to match your dogs lower activity levels as they get older. Youll want to continue splitting feedings as well to ensure your Golden doesnt overeat. Below are our favorite foods for Senior Golden Retrievers.

This senior kibble is made with Chicken meal, Chicken cartilage and Herring meal so all of his senior protein needs are met, and they are also naturally high in glucosamine and chondroitin which help to support his aging bones and joints. Brown rice and other oat-based ingredients offer healthy carbohydrates to keep him feeling fuller for longer.

Full of Californian avocado oil, not only is this kibble high in omega fatty acids, but it is high in antioxidants to support his immune system and overall health. Dont be too concerned with the high amount of omega fatty acids, though, as this recipe has the lowest fat content. Flaxseed and biotin can also be found in the ingredients list, so you can be sure that he will have the best golden jacket in town.

We love that this senior kibble is full of omega fatty acids and avocado oil which will promote a healthy golden coat.

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When Should I Feed My Golden Retriever

Your Golden Retriever should be fed at least twice daily. Once in the morning and then once in the early evening. If you go to work, feeding them before you leave and then when you get home is an example of a good schedule. Oftentimes, people like to feed them when they eat breakfast and dinner themselves.

If your dog seems hungry during the day, giving them a healthy snack can tide them over to their next meal. For healthy snack ideas, check out our article Best Dog Treats For Golden Retrievers.

Keeping your Golden Retriever on a feeding schedule is going to make it easier for you and healthier for them. If they are getting fed at different times it could throw off their routine and ultimately their health. Sometimes it could cause obesity as well. Using an automated feeder can help if your schedule is different from day to day, then you do not need to be home for the feedings.

Best For Aging Pups: Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food Large Breed Adult 6+ Senior

Just as puppies have a specific set of nutritional requirements, aging dogs also need extra, specialized support. With this Hills Science Diet dry dog food, your Golden Retriever can enjoy a harmonious blend of easily digestible ingredients that help to support his energy levels and keep him feeling playful. Once your pup starts aging, his joint health becomes an even higher priority. This recipe includes natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin and incorporates a balanced set of minerals to promote heart and kidney health. Omega six fatty acids and vitamin E nourish your Goldens skin and support that shiny coat he loves to show off.

Our testers immediately noted that their dogs dont seem hungry all the time with this formula. They are satiated more quickly than with other food brands and they exhibit more happy energy instead of the sluggishness they were previously displaying. Even if your dog has a sensitive digestive system, this recipe is easy on the tummy. Older dogs need a little extra attention and a bit more love as their bodies change and when you incorporate this dry dog food recipe, you deliver just that.

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Homemade Dog Food Sources

• Meats: chicken, turkey, beef, bison, pork, lamb, venison
• Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, zucchini, summer squash, spinach, kale, collard greens, chard, thawed frozen peas
• Complex carbohydrates: brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, lentils, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, winter squash

Recommended Serving Amounts

• 2 pounds of food per day for a 100-pound dog
• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of food per day for a 50-pound dog
• 1/2 to 3/4 pound of food per day for a 25-pound dog
• 5 to 6 1/2 ounces of food per day for a 10-pound dog

This information is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Every dog’s dietary needs are different. Please consult with your veterinarian and use personal judgment when applying this information to your own dog’s diet.

Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Recipe

This Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Recipe will nourish your Golden Retriever puppys body from the inside out. Specifically designed for large-breed puppies, this recipe is protein-rich with controlled levels of calcium and phosphorus as well as moderate fat content. It features lamb meal as the primary protein with chicken meal and anchovy & sardine meal for supplemental protein. This recipe contains brown rice and white rice for digestible carbohydrates and menhaden fish oil for omega fatty acids. Youll also be glad to know that it is supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion.

• Pros: Formulated for large breeds, protein-rich lamb meal, digestible carbohydrates, rich in omega fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables, probiotics for healthy digestion
• Cons: Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients, not grain-free, fairly expensive

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Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials

Best Golden Retriever Food for Limited Budgets

While wed all love to give our pooches the best of the best, most of us dont have the means to buy lots of top-shelf dog food. Golden retrievers are big, active dogs, which means buying a lot of dog food over the years, and so its important to find a food that fits into your budget. Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials is an adult dry dog food that maximizes nutrition and minimizes costs. This food combines hard kibble with softer shredded pieces to create a texture that dogs love to eat, and there are three flavors to choose from.

With 26% protein, 16% fat, and 3% fiber, along with living probiotics, Purina Pro Plan is a complete, highly digestible nutrition for your golden retriever. The chicken & rice formula is also good for all life stages, puppy through senior, so if your dog loves it, you wont need to switch as they age. An adult golden will probably need about 3-3.75 cups per day, each of which contains 387 calories.

Flavors: salmon & rice, lamb & rice, beef & rice

Sizes: 6 lbs., 18 lbs., 35 lbs., 47 lbs.

Grains: rice, whole grain wheat, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn

Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low

Best Dog Food for Losing Weight

Since golden retrievers are highly food-motivated, theyll do almost anything for a treat. Unfortunately, this also means that they will pig out when given the chance, and over time, this can mean weight gain. In addition to limiting treats, you can also choose a high-fiber, low-calorie dog food to help your golden retriever lose weight safely while also feeling full after mealtimes. Natural Balance Fat Dogs food is a great choice for this purpose.

This food contains only 310 calories per cup, and a golden retriever should eat about 3.25-4.25 cups of it a day for weight loss or 4-5 cups for weight loss. Theres at least 26% protein, which comes from chicken and salmon meals, along with 7.5% fat and 10.5% fiber. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids will help ensure heart health as well as a smooth, shiny coat.

Flavor: chicken and salmon

Sizes: 5 lbs., 15 lbs., 28 lbs.

Grains: oat groats, barley

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The Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers For 202: Reviewed And Ranked

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Golden Retrievers are known for their wildly friendly personalities. But do you know what the best food for Golden Retrievers is? Its easy to get caught up in their personalities. They are extremely affectionate with their family, great with other dogs, and even perfect to have around young children. Theyre easy to train, they have moderate energy levels, and they have low barking levels. They do need significant mental stimulation but thats always easy to provide when youre dealing with such a friendly dog.

Your Golden has several different needs ranging from his health to his grooming to exercise and of course, training. But perhaps the most important are his nutritional needs because they lay a foundation for everything else. When you have a Golden, its vital he be fed high-quality dog food that is suitable for his life stage. Whether hes a puppy, an adult, or a senior, he has a different set of nutritional requirements.

Tender & True Organic Grain

Best Organic Dog Food for Golden Retrievers

To receive the certified USDA Organic label, a food must contain at least 95% organic ingredients. If they dont have that label and most organic dog foods dont theyre only partially organic. Out of the few actual certified organic foods, Tender & Trues dry dog food is the best balance of value and quality. Although its expensive for dry dog food, its actually one of the least expensive certified organic dog foods out there. The company even claims it is climate pledge friendly.

Its protein comes from chicken and chicken meals, and it contains no grains. The chickens are humanely raised without antibiotics. At 350 calories a cup, Tender & True contains 26% protein, 16% fat, and 7% fiber. An adult golden retriever will probably need 2-3 cups a day.

Flavors: Chicken & liver

Sizes: 4 lbs., 20 lbs.

Grains: none

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Chicken Soup For The Soul Large Breed

Primary Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Brown Rice

Made with real chicken and turkey, the large breed dry food from Chicken Soup for the Soul is an excellent choice for your Golden Retriever. It contains the perfect combination of natural ingredients to enhance your pets coat and skin, as well as improve their immune system and boost their digestive health.

Customer Review: Always been an excellent food for my dogs. The food is a great holistic diet, produces a shiny coat, good digestion, and a healthy dog. I highly recommend it.

Rating: 4.5/5

Ingredients For Rascals Homemade Dog Food:

• All-Natural chicken stock or water
• Macaroni noodles

Note: We add in a supplement nutrient blend from a company called Just Food For Dogs very similar to dog vitamins as well as Omega oil to make sure he is getting enough healthy fats. I highly recommend adding both of these into your dog food so you can rest assure that they are getting proper nutrients.

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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.

Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food Adult 7+ For Senior Dogs

Hills Science dog food has been created using easy-to-digest ingredients that help support the health of senior dogs. Its a great food that will provide your pet with plenty of energy throughout their senior years.

This dog food has been produced using balanced vitamins and minerals, which help promote a strong and healthy heart and healthy kidneys. It contains omega-6s and vitamin E, which is beneficial to the health of your dogs skin and coat. It also contains high-quality protein, which will help maintain lean muscle in senior dogs.

All Hill Science products have been scientifically formulated and manufactured in the USA, using ingredients you can trust. Its the brand thats most recommended by vets across America for senior dogs.

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Feeding A Golden Retriever Puppy

Although Golden Retrievers share many traits, not all Golden Retriever puppies will thrive on the same amount of food at mealtimes. The right amount for one puppy could be way too much or way too little for another! There are a huge number of factors that can influence the amount of food your Golden Retriever needs at mealtimes. This includes:

• Their adult size
• Type of dog food
• Amount of food used in training

And so on! So, it often takes a bit of time to get your puppys meal sizes perfect. Your veterinarian is a great source for helping with this, but you can figure it out at home too. And, a great starting point is a Golden Retriever puppy feeding chart.

Feeding Your Golden Retriever Puppy

Although it can be overwhelming to choose which type of food to feed your Golden Retriever puppy, its a very important decision.

To help make that decision, talk to your veterinarian and your breeder, and consider the study mentioned about DCM.

Also consider how long the brand of food has been around, whether or not there have been any recalls of that brand, and if there is any research behind it.

What do you feed your Golden Retriever puppy?

Have any questions about what to feed them?

Let me know in the comments below!

And if you liked this article, check out the Complete Guide To Raising A Golden Retriever Puppy.

P.S. Getting a Golden Retriever Puppy? Get the gameplan for raising them right with the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook.

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Victor Purpose Nutra Pro Dog Food

Image courtesy Victor

Another option on this list of the best dog food for golden retrievers in 2022 is Victor Purpose Nutra Pro Dog Food. This food is made with real chicken, which is a great source of protein for your dog. This food also contains sweet potatoes and carrots, which are both excellent sources of carbohydrates and dietary fiber.

The first ingredient in this food is chicken, which provides your golden retriever with high-quality protein. This is an essential part of their diet to ensure that they’re getting all of the nutrients that they need. The other natural ingredients in this best dog food are both great sources of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, which can help to keep your dog’s energy level up and their digestive system healthy.