Are you finding the right food for your Goldie dog? To help you out, here I have shared the buying guide and mentioned 10 best dog food for Golden Retrievers.
According to American Kennel Club (AKC), Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. Every year AKC shares the list of popular dog breeds in the country. The rankings are determined based on the registrations.
Golden Retrievers are adorable, playful, affectionate, and intelligent. These are the temperaments that make them perfect companions. The good thing is that they easily get along with everyone – families, kids, other dogs, and strangers. As a responsible parent, you take care of your canine so much. You get all the essential items to keep him/her safe and happy. Among various items, food is something you need to choose carefully.
What you feed has a great impact on your doggo’s health and well-being. To keep a Goldie happy and healthy, it’s imperative to feed him the right food. Cheap food will do more harm than good. It can cause food allergies and lead to problems like upset stomach, skin issues, etc. Don’t worry, here I have shared a complete guide on the best food for Golden Retriever dogs. This post will help you in selecting the ideal food for your canine.
How To Switch To New Golden Retriever Food?
No matter whether you are switching from puppy food to adult food or from existing food to new food, it’s advisable to serve after mixing the new food with old food. That’s because the transition to a new food takes several days. Switching to a new food without mixing old food starting from day one can make your doggy sick. It can cause digestion problems.
It is recommended to feed by mixing until your Golden Retriever gets used to it. Start by mixing the new food in small proportions. As your dog gets used to it, you can gradually increase the proportion of new food. It may take around 7 to 10 days for your Goldie to get used to the new food.
Here’s the formula you can follow:
DAY 1 & DAY 2 = 20% New food + 80% Old food
DAY 3 & DAY 4 = 40% New food + 60% Old food
DAY 5 & DAY 6 = 60% New food + 40% Old food
DAY 7 & DAY 8 = 80% New food + 20% Old food
From DAY 9 = 100% New food
Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers (Reviews)
Finding the best food for your Goldie dog would be easy once you go through this guide. Here I have mentioned dry and wet food for Golden Retriever adults as well as puppies.
This guide may include affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we have thoroughly personally vetted.
Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Breed Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin is a popular brand that manufactures cats & dogs’ food. This is the best dry food for Golden Retrievers. This food by Royal Canin is designed especially to meet the diet requirements of the breed. This is what sets it apart from other food products out there.
The manufacturer has considered various aspects, like the breed’s nutritional needs, health issues, chewing, etc. Based on these factors, the food product is made. As chicken meal and brown rice are the main ingredients, it has a good proportion of protein. This food won’t cause obesity. It will ensure healthy skin, a shiny coat, and better heart health.
This food isn’t for puppies. If your canine is less than 15 months of age, check out the next food product I have mentioned in this list.
NUTRITIONAL INFO
- Protein – 23% (min)
- Fat – 11% (min)
- Fiber – 5.7% (max)
- Moisture – 10% (max)
- Calories – 3489 calories per kilogram
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- Chicken By-Product Meal
- Brown Rice
- Oat Groats
- Brewers Rice
- Wheat
- Corn Gluten Meal
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Designed especially for Golden Retrievers
- Chicken flavor
- Ideal for GRs 15 months or older
- Promotes heart health
- EPA and DHA for better skin and coat quality
- Prevents obesity
- Prebiotics for gut health
CONS
- Except for chicken, there are no other flavors available
- Contains by-product chicken
Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy Breed Dry Dog Food (For Puppies)
If you are finding the best food for Golden Retriever puppy, this one is for you. It is designed especially to meet your puppy’s nutritional requirements. The company has designed its kibble size as per GR breed puppy’s bite. Talking about the main ingredient, the chicken by-product is the main ingredient of this dog food. Chicken has a sufficient amount of protein and other nutrients, which will improve your pup’s digestive health, coat quality, and skin health.
It is ideal for the Golden pups between 2 to 15 months age bracket. After 15 months, you can switch to Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Breed dog food.
NUTRITIONAL INFO
- Protein – 27% (min)
- Fat – 14% (min)
- Fiber – 5.9% (max)
- Moisture – 10% (max)
- Calories – 3600 calories per kilogram
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- Chicken By-Product Meal
- Corn
- Wheat Gluten
- Brewers Rice
- Brown Rice
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Designed especially for golden retriever puppies
- Chicken flavor
- Ideal for GRs between 8 weeks and 15 months
- Protects pup’s immune system
- Improves skin and coat quality
- Improves digestion
CONS
- Except for chicken, there are no other flavors available
- Contains by-product chicken
The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Whole Grain Dog Food
This is another high-quality dog food formula you can consider for your GR pup. The main upside of this dog food is, it uses a dehydration method. The process preserves the quality of ingredients and provides all the essential nutrients the dog needs. What I liked about The Honest Kitchen’s dog food is it does not contain any by-product meals. In fact, it is 100% human-grade. In the making, no animal-feed ingredients are used. Besides this, it has no fillers, preservatives, GMO ingredients, wheat, corn, or soy.
It is ideal for goldies of all life stages. Whether your canine is a puppy, adult, or senior, you can feed this food. You can serve it by mixing some water or alone.
NUTRITIONAL INFO
- Protein – 24.5% (min)
- Fat – 14% (min)
- Fiber – 4% (max)
- Moisture – 8% (max)
- Calories – 4270 calories per kilogram
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- Dehydrated Chicken
- Organic Barley
- Dehydrated Potatoes
- Organic Flaxseed
- Organic Oats
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- 100% human-grade food
- Choose from chicken, fish, beef, and turkey flavors
- Dehydrated dog food
- No by-products, preservatives, fillers, corn, wheat, or soy
- Enhances skin and coat health
- Contains organic whole food grains
CONS
- Grain-free dog food may cause health issues (investigation by the FDA)
Purina Pro Plan High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food (For Allergic Dogs)
Consider this one if you are looking for the best dog food for Golden retrievers with skin allergies. This food formula is developed especially for dogs with skin and stomach problems. It will smoothen the digestive system and improve your dog’s skin health. Its omega-6 fatty acids will take care of skin and coat quality.
Many Goldens have allergies to certain types of foods like chicken. If your canine faces the same issue, try out this one. This is a salmon and rice formula dog food, consisting of real salmon as the main ingredient. Salmon can be a great alternative when your dog is allergic to chicken. Another good thing about this food formula is, it contains no colors, flavors, by-products, corn, wheat, or soy.
NUTRITIONAL INFO
- Protein – 26% (min)
- Fat – 16% (min)
- Fiber – 4% (max)
- Moisture – 12% (max)
- Calories – 4049 calories per kilogram
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- Salmon
- Barley
- Rice
- Oat Meal
- Canola Meal
- Fish Meal
- Animal Fat
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Real salmon as the main ingredient
- Ideal for GRs with sensitive skin & stomach
- Improved digestive and immune health
- No by-products, preservatives, fillers, corn, wheat, or soy
- Omega-6 fatty acids will improve skin and coat health
CONS
- The manufacturer hasn’t mentioned the species the animal fat comes from
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food (For Puppies)
Hill’s Science diet dry dog food is another best option for GR puppies. Its medium-sized kibble will ensure healthy chewing. With chicken as the main ingredient of this dog food, your small pup will get a good proportion of protein. The good thing is, it contains real chicken and does not contain chicken by-product meals. The high-quality protein from the real chicken will build lean muscle.
It also has calcium. For puppies, intake of a sufficient amount of calcium is important. It ensures strong teeth and bone development.
NUTRITIONAL INFO
- Protein – 24% (min)
- Fat – 11% (min)
- Fiber – 3% (max)
- Moisture – 10% (max)
- Calories – 3970 calories per kilogram
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- Chicken Meal
- Whole Grain Wheat
- Whole Grain Oats
- Corn Gluten Meal
- Whole Grain Sorghum
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Real chicken as the main ingredient
- Helps with bone and joint growth
- Healthy immune system
- Build lean muscle
- Smaller kibbles for healthy chewing
- Does not contain flavors, artificial colors, or preservatives
CONS
- Contains whole grains, which makes it hard to digest for some pups (if it works for your canine, go for it)
Purina Pro Plan High Protein 30/20 Dry Dog Food
Purina Pro Plan 30/20 Formula dog food is perfect for a large active breed like Golden Retriever. As compared to other dog breeds, Goldens require more protein in their diets to maintain their muscular bodies. As the name suggests, 30/20 dog food formula includes 30% protein and 20% fat. If your canine has a very active lifestyle, you should feed high-protein food products like this one.
Coming to other details, chicken and rice are its main ingredients. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in the food will improve joint, skin, and coat health.
NUTRITIONAL INFO
- Protein – 30% (min)
- Fat – 20% (min)
- Fiber – 3% (max)
- Moisture – 12% (max)
- Calories – 4390 calories per kilogram
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- Chicken
- Corn Gluten Meal
- Beef Fat Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols
- Poultry By-Product Meal
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Chicken as the main ingredient
- 30/20 food formula (30% protein & 20% fat)
- Perfect dog food for active GRs
- Healthy immune system
- Amino acids nourish muscles
CONS
- Corn gluten meal is a low-cost protein, which is often used by manufacturers to increase protein percentage
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula can also be a good choice for your Goldie dog. This is a chicken food formula, consisting of real chicken as the first ingredient. It does not contain chicken by-products or other poultry by-product meals. The protein from chicken would help your active canine build muscle. The food is rich in antioxidants. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants will boost the immune system of your GR.
Besides this, this food formula also includes good fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6. These fatty acids are known to improve dogs’ skin and coat quality. Basically, it contains all the essential nutrients that a large dog breed like Golden Retriever needs.
NUTRITIONAL INFO
- Protein – 22% (min)
- Fat – 12% (min)
- Fiber – 6% (max)
- Moisture – 10% (max)
- Calories – 3516 calories per kilogram
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- Deboned Chicken
- Chicken Meal
- Brown Rice
- Fruits & Veggies
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Real chicken is the main ingredient
- No chicken or poultry by-products
- Better immune system
- Strong bones and teeth
- Better skin and coat quality
- Does not contain corn, wheat, soy. artificial flavors, or preservatives
CONS
- The food contains dried yeast, Though yeast contains healthy nutrients, it can be allergic for some dogs
Purina ONE SmartBlend Adult Canned Wet Dog Food
If you are finding the best canned dog food for Golden Retrievers, consider getting this one. Many owners feed canned food to their dogs because canned foods are high in moisture. Wet food keeps the dog hydrated. Another reason why many owners think about switching to wet food is when their pet doesn’t respond well to dry dog food.
Talking about Purina ONE SmartBlend wet dog food, beef & wild-caught salmon are the primary ingredients. It does not contain any poultry by-product. The food product comes with balanced nutrients and ingredients. As the food is high in moisture, it will improve your pup’s digestive system.
NUTRITIONAL INFO
- Protein – 11% (min)
- Fat – 3.5% (min)
- Fiber – 1.5% (max)
- Moisture – 80% (max)
- Calories – 1017 calories per kilogram OR 374 calories per can
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- Beef Broth
- Beef
- Salmon
- Chicken
- Wheat Gluten
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Made with real beef
- No poultry by-products
- No fillers
- Improves digestive system
- Well-balanced nutrient formula
CONS
- Canned foods increase BPA in the dog’s blood (study by University of Missouri)
Taste of The Wild Dry Dog Food with Smoked Salmon
This is another high-protein food you can consider for your Golden Retriever. If your pup is allergic to chicken, try out this one. It has salmon as the main ingredient. With real fish (salmon) being the first ingredient, the protein proportion is 30%. Apart from salmon, ancient grains like millet, grain sorghum, quinoa, and chia seed also contribute to protein.
This makes it ideal for energetic breeds like Golden Retriever. A high protein rate would help your dog in developing strong and lean muscles. Besides protein, it is also rich in other essential nutrients like omega fatty acids. It includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin.
NUTRITIONAL INFO
- Protein – 30% (min)
- Fat – 15% (min)
- Fiber – 3% (max)
- Moisture – 10% (max)
- Calories – 3640 calories per kilogram
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- Salmon
- Ancient Grains
- Ocean Fish Meal
- Smoked Salmon
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Salmon is the main ingredients
- Protein contributes 30%
- Ancient grains are high in protein and fiber
- Omega fatty acids
- Ensures a healthy immune and digestive system
CONS
- As it contains dried yeast, it can be allergic
Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food (For Puppies)
If you want to feed wet food to your Golden puppy, Hill’s Science Diet Wet dog food can be a good choice. Chicken and barley are the main ingredients of this wet food. Both these ingredients are rich in protein and other healthy nutrients.
Fish oil is another useful ingredient in this food. There are so many ways fish oil can benefit your canine. It will improve heart health, coat quality, and reduce joint pain. If your puppy doesn’t like dry food, it is a good idea to try wet food. Hill’s Science Diet wet food comes with well-balanced nutrients to keep your puppy healthy.
NUTRITIONAL INFO
- Protein – 7.4% (min)
- Fat – 4% (min)
- Fiber – 1.5% (max)
- Moisture – 78% (max)
- Calories – 482 calories per can
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- Water
- Chicken
- Whole Grain Corn
- Cracked Pearled Barley
- Soybean Meal
- Pork Liver
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Made with chicken & barley formula
- Easily digestible dog food
- Quality protein to maintain lean muscle
- It will improve teeth and bone health
- Balanced nutrition for puppies
CONS
- Canned foods increase BPA in the blood
What Foods Are Toxic To Golden Retrievers?
The mistake many owners (mostly new owners) often make is they feed their dog whatever food item they come across. This can result in health problems.
Before selecting the food, it’s crucial to know about the foods your dog breed is toxic to. This way, you can avoid food products that contain allergic ingredients and prevent your pup from getting sick or having allergic reactions. Here’s the list of foods Golden Retrievers should not eat:
- Avocado
- Alcohol
- Garlic
- Onion
- Chives
- Raw or undercooked eggs
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Grapes and raisins
- Chocolate and coffee
- Macadamia nuts
- Raw Brussels sprouts
- Hops
- Unripe tomatoes
- Plums
- Black walnuts
- Blue cheese
- Nutmeg
- Rhubarb leaves
- Xylitol (gum, toothpaste, and candy)
Golden Retriever Food: The Buyer’s Guide
As a responsible dog owner, you want to feed the best food to your Goldie so that he/she can stay healthy and happy, right? Among so many dog food brands and their products out there, finding the right one can seem intimidating (especially to newbies). In one of the previous sections, I have already mentioned top foods for GRs. To select the right food product from the given list, you need to consider some things. I’m sure this guide will help.
1. High-quality protein
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, adult dogs require at least 18% protein in their diets, while puppies require at least 22%. The protein requirements can be more for active dogs.
Protein proportion is the most important factor to consider when buying food for your Golden Retriever dog. That doesn’t mean you start feeding any random food product with high protein. Before feeding, you need to make sure it has high-quality protein. Dog food made from real chicken, turkey, pork, or fish can be a great source of quality protein.
2. Fats
Fat is another important nutrient to look for before buying dog food. This nutrient plays a significant role for active dog breeds like the Golden Retriever. Fats give dogs energy and the ability to perform various physical activities.
Depending on factors like the life stage and activity level of your dog, the recommended fat percentage can vary. There should be less than 25% fat calories in your dog’s diet. You will find most dry dog foods with less than 25% fat.
Make sure you buy food that contains high-quality fat. For example, manufacturers often include fillers and by-products to increase the fat percentage.
3. Prevent food with by-products
Avoid food products with by-product meals. By-products are the leftover parts of the animals. When these parts are not eatable by humans, manufacturers use them in making pet foods. You should avoid by-products because your canine deserves high-quality food.
4. Life stage
Depending on whether your Golden Retriever is a puppy, adult, or senior, the right food will vary. Because each life stage has different nutritional requirements.
When your Golden is still a puppy, his caloric needs will be high. Factors like age, weight, activeness, and lifestyle of the dog affect daily calories requirement. Adult Golden Retrievers require around 1300 to 1700 calories in a day. As the pup gets older, he/she becomes less active and the required calories reduce. Senior Golden Retrievers require around 900 calories a day.
5. Allergies
Allergy is the problem with many goldies. Is your Golden retriever allergic to certain types of foods? It’s time to switch food when your pup is showing the symptoms of allergies. Some symptoms of food allergy are itchy skin, diarrhea, vomiting, and red underbelly.
Some of the most common foods responsible for allergies in dogs are:
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Beef
- Eggs
- Dairy products
- Soy
- Wheat
If your Golden Retriever dog is allergic to food products made with any of these ingredients, try out Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dog Food. This food product comes with a high-protein salmon & rice formula. It is made especially for dogs with allergies.
Dry dog food Vs Wet dog food
When it comes to buying dog food, you get two options – dry dog food and canned/wet dog food. Most dog owners prefer dry food over wet food. With wet dog food, around 80% of food content will be water. Thus, you will be paying more money.
However, if the vet has recommended your dog’s food to be softer (because of any health condition), then wet/canned food is the right choice.
Related Questions
How much food should you feed a Golden Retriever?
It depends on factors like the dog’s age, activeness, health conditions, etc. Puppies should be fed more than adults. You should be feeding around 3-4 times a day when your Goldie is a puppy and 2 times a day during its adulthood.
Is grain-free food good for a Golden Retriever?
Grain-free food may not be a good choice for a Golden Retriever dog. The fillers replaced in grain-free foods are controversial. For example, potato. Raw potatoes are not good for dogs. In grain-free dog foods, manufacturers often use this ingredient. Food and Drug Administration found that grain-free food can result in health problems.
You should consider a grain-free diet only if your canine has allergies. Also, make sure you purchase high-quality grain-free food from the top manufacturer.
Can Golden Retrievers eat bananas?
Yes, bananas are safe for Goldens. This fruit has potassium, vitamin, biotin, fiber, and copper. It can be used as a treat and should not be given as the main diet.
When to switch a Golden Retriever to adult food?
The right age for Golden Retrievers to switch from puppy food to adult is 12 – 18 months. You can start transitioning slowly by mixing adult food with puppy food in small proportions. As time passes and your canine is okay with the new food, you can gradually start increasing adult food quantity. Once the dog gets used to adult food, you can feed it without mixing puppy food.
How much water should a Golden Retriever drink?
Firstly, I would like to tell you that you should not ration water unless your canine has a specific health condition. For a healthy canine, there should not be any limitations on drinking water. To give you an idea, a healthy Golden Retriever should drink around 40 to 70 ounces of water daily.
Final Thoughts
To keep your Golden Retriever dog healthy and happy, you need to provide all the essential nutrients in his/her diet. Among so many food products out there, you need to select based on your pup’s life stage, energy levels, allergic conditions, health conditions, etc. Feeding the wrong dog food can lead to allergic conditions and can make your dog sick.
To help you out, here I have shared the buying guide where I talked about various factors to consider before buying food for a Golden Retriever dog. I have also walked you through the 10 best dog food for Golden Retrievers so that you can select one that is perfect for your pup’s lifestyle.
