Golden Retrievers are kind, loyal, and intelligent animals. They are known for their friendly nature and wonderful companionship with humans. Golden’s are a top choice of pets for millions of people around the world, but this lovely baby is highly prone to food allergies.
Taking care of a golden retriever’s diet can be exhausting. The wide range of food available in today’s market can overwhelm any pet parent, especially if the golden is old. Golden Retrievers are sensitive to dairy products, and they require premium quality diet food.
If you are also looking for good quality and nutritious dog food for your golden then keep on reading.
Guide
Before getting started with the list of best dog foods for Golden Retrievers, you must know certain key points. This guide will help you understand the needs of a golden and help you make the right food choices in the future. Let’s get started.
Golden retriever food for puppies
Golden Retriever puppies can be challenging to handle. They are energetic, smart, and extremely playful. The diet of a puppy must contain proteins and vitamins. Never overfeed puppies as Golden Retrievers tend to become overweight, this could cause major health issues.
Feed them in proper proportion and keep an eye on their calorie intake. Always increase their diet gradually and only add 1/4 cup at a time.
How much to feed?
A puppy needs to be fed 3 times a day, while on the other hand an adult retriever only needs to be fed twice a day. Puppies require more food because they need to grow and adults need a good diet to maintain their health.
An average golden requires 2 cups of premium food per day. This may vary from dog to dog, depending on their weight, activity level, and metabolism.
Look for food that is high in protein
Pick foods with meat as their first ingredient. Meats like lamb, chicken, fish, or turkey are excellent for Golden Retrievers. The best option could be multiple types of meat as the first ingredient, this will ensure high-quality protein in the daily diet.
Strictly avoid anything with grain as their first ingredient, this is something your golden doesn’t require much in their diet.
While switching a dog’s food, ensure you give them the new food in smaller quantities, this will help you determine whether it suits their stomach or not.
Don’t buy food with animal digest in them
Animal digest is the intestine of the animals, including their head, feet, feathers, and beak. This can be harmful to dogs, especially for Golden Retrievers, as they are prone to different kinds of allergies.
Foods free of chemicals
Golden’s don’t need any form of chemicals in their diet, they need a clean and natural diet. Look for foods packed with herbs and vitamins like vitamin C, K, and E. This is the safest form of diet for them and keeps allergies at bay. Do not feed food with Ethoxyquin, sodium nitrate, BHA, or BHT.
Avoid food with artificial colors and flavors
Artificial coloring and flavors are the worst for dogs, they are extremely harmful to them. Semi-moist foods are not the best option, overheating food can kill the vitamins present in the food.
Don’t be fooled by the fancy brands
Don’t think that the fancy and overly priced dog food will provide 100% nutrition to your dog. Many hyped brands lack the essential nutrients and vitamins required in a dog’s diet. Make sure you read the ingredients list properly before purchasing it.
Now that we have covered all the important key points let’s have a look at the list of best dog foods for golden retrievers.
1. Drools puppy food
I would love to start with drools puppy food as this is easily available in the Indian market. Drools are packed with protein, it contains 40% chicken and whole dried eggs.
It also contains healthy grains like rice and oatmeal, which help in improving the digestive system. This is an excellent choice for a golden.
It is also filled with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, along with biotin and other essential vitamins.
2. Purina Pro Plan Dog food
Purina Pro Plan Dog food is specifically made for active dogs, this is the perfect option for lively Golden Retrievers. It contains 26% protein, 12% fat, and 4% fiber. Chicken is the star ingredient in this dog food, accompanied by chicken oil, oats, amino acids (a building block for protein), and vitamins.
This dog food is well known for improving the quality of the coat and increasing the shine. This is suitable for any age and is one of the best options for puppies.
4. Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food
This is one of the most expensive dog foods on this list. It is a premium quality dog food and is made especially for Golden Retrievers. It’s specifically formulated to provide proper nutrition and a balanced diet. Not only that, but it promotes heart health, shiny coat, healthy digestive tract, and helps in balancing weight.
This dog food is not suitable for puppies. The kibble bite is larger compared to other dog foods, which might not be an ideal choice for puppies. This can be fed to any golden over 15 months.
4. Hill’s Science Diet
Hill’s Science Diet is highly recommended by veterinarians. It is suitable for all dog breeds and is filled with necessary nutrition. Yet again chicken is the star ingredient, which is essential for muscle growth and health.
It also contains an optimal level of calcium that helps in maintaining healthy bones. It has the ideal blend of vitamins and minerals. Likewise, it contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives. You can feed this to your puppies up to 1years old that should weigh above 25kgs (55 pounds).
5. Grain Zero Adult Dry Dog Food
This is affordable dog food for golden retrievers. It has 48% of protein, dried eggs, potatoes, oatmeal, fish oil (omega) and so much more. The protein is highly digestible and the calcium and phosphate help with bone health.
Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids improve skin and coat health. The kibble helps with plaque build-up and keeps the teeth strong and shiny. This is the ideal option for dogs lacking protein in their diet.
6. Pedigree
Pedigree is a well-known brand in India. It has various types and is easily accessible. It is a completely balanced diet filled with 24% protein, 10 % fat, and 5% fiber.
Also ensures optimal digestion of nutrients and bone health. It is an ideal brand for puppies and full-grown adults.
7. Purina Super coat Adult Dry Dog Food
Purina Supercoat is a solid choice for Golden Retrievers, and it is irresistibly tasty. It has high-quality ingredients and has balanced nutritional contents. Improves muscle strength and builds immunity. Your dog will have a shiny, thick coat and healthy skin.
Also read: 13 Indian Food Dogs Can and Can’t Eat
Conclusion
There is a lot that goes into maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, but all that pain and efforts are worth it. Once you have figured out the right dog food for your Golden Retriever, then it’s only a simple matter of maintaining the diet.
A healthy diet ensures a healthy body and a happy dog.
