ffrom the moment they were bornGolden Retrievers are balls of sweet, silly fun. They are friendly dogs that enjoy spending time with adults, children and other animals. When they are young they have a lot of energy, but as they get older they start to slow down. That is why it is so important to best dog food for Golden Retrievers for every stage of your pet’s life.
The Golden’s popularity as a family dog has not gone unnoticed. In 2016, the Golden Retriever rounded out the top tier as the #3. of the AKC Most Popular Dog in the US. One of the reasons they are so popular is because the Golden really is a perfect companion for anyone in any environment.
This breed is also quite easy to keep. Their long coats require a little more grooming than other breeds, but otherwise they are quite low maintenance.
The hardest part about owning a Golden Retriever is learning how to feed them properly. When young, these dogs are very active. They love to run, walk and endlessly fetch in the backyard.
As they get older, the Golden will slow down. Their calorie intake will have to be adjusted to prevent obesity. Supplements should also be added to the diet for joint health.
As you can see, finding the best dog food for Golden Retrievers is not a one-time thing. It is an ongoing process and you should work with your veterinarian or trained dog nutritionist to find the right diet for your dog.
I’ll explain the nutritional needs of the Golden Retriever dog breed and how to feed a Golden Retriever in more detail, but for now, here’s a quick look at the five foods I’ll recommend as the best dog food for Golden Retriever Retrievers:
* Click on the Golden Retriever dog food brand for information and prices or scroll down for more details.
What Makes the Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers?
The Golden Retriever is a large breed dog with a long body, a soft medium length coat and a characteristic golden or golden red color. Goldens excel at retrieving, swimming and hanging out in the house. They live an average of 11 years.
Goldens tend to be more moderate in energy levels depending on their personality. Some are “go-go-go” while others prefer it to be couch potatoes. Most prefer to spend their time fetching, Frisbee, swimming and cuddling.
Goldens tend to be very attached to their family but friendly to strangers. They are the perfect companion for the active, out-of-the-ordinary family, ready to go for a walk or to the beach in the blink of an eye.
Golden retrievers are also often “chowhounds” and may want to eat you outdoors and at home. They can easily become “counter surfers” — jumping on the kitchen counter for an unsupervised snack — or get caught munching on a discarded apple core on the sidewalk.
Their healthy appetites can be a blessing and a curse. Most Goldens are not picky eaters, so they will usually enjoy whatever dog food you decide to feed them. Golden retrievers are one of the easiest breeds to overfeed. I have met many who are “bottomless pits” who will constantly beg or search for whatever food you can give.
That said… it’s important to prevent your Golden from becoming overweight or obese, and that starts with finding the best dog food for Golden Retrievers.
ASK A VET: How to put an overweight dog on a diet?
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Always consult a veterinarian before switching your dog to a new diet. Remember that no article on the internet, including this one, can replace a vet consultation.
puppy Golden Retrievers
Large breed puppies such as Golden Retrievers are more prone to malnutrition and developmental orthopedic disorders compared to small breed puppies. Many Golden owners have heard of these diseases – hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis (OCD), panosteitis and hypertrophic osteodystrophy (THROW).
While there is a genetic component to these diseases, there are important nutritional risk factors that come into play during puppyhood. These risk factors are rapid growth and excessive dietary calcium intake.
The best dog food for Golden Retrievers provides just enough of the right balance of nutrients. Specific puppy food for large breeds is an excellent safeguard to help prevent these problems. My top recommendation for golden puppies is: Royal Canin Golden Retriever Breed Health Food Puppy.
Royal Canin has done all the work for us in creating their Golden Retriever specific puppy food. Goldens are a slower mature breed and it is recommended to feed this puppy food until 15 months of age.
The calorie content and mineral balance are optimal to prevent orthopedic developmental diseases. Goldens have teeth that meet in a “scissor bite” and a long mouth and muzzle. Royal Canin has designed square, thin kibbles for optimal chewing and digestion by Goldens.
Best dog food for Adult Golden Retrievers
If you are looking for the best dog food for Golden Retrievers over the age of 12 months or transitioning from puppy food to adult food, it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian. Your vet can help determine your Golden’s current body condition score. With this in hand, you can decide which “maintenance” diet for adults is best.
Normal Body Condition Golden Retrievers
A great place to start for an active, normal body weight/condition Golden is Natural Balance MEMBER Sweet Potato and Fish Adult Formula. This adult formula is excellent for adults from 15 months to 7-8 years.
Many Golden Retrievers suffer from dry, itchy skin and ear problems. This diet can help. As a vet, when I first see an itchy Golden in my clinic, I recommend this food.
Golden Retrievers are more prone to dry and itchy skin, usually caused by atopic dermatitis or inhaled allergens. Natural Balance LID Sweet potato and fish are a fantastic choice to support the health of your golden skin and coat.
This formula contains ingredients that can make your Golden less itchy. It’s packed with highly digestible carbohydrates, high-quality salmon and a boost of omega-3 fatty acids.
Only 15-40% of itchy dogs actually have a food allergy. The majority (60-80%) of dogs with itchy skin have atopic dermatitis, an itchy skin condition caused by environmental allergens such as pollen or mold.
Food allergies are caused by the dog’s immune system “overreacting” to a protein in their diet – chicken and beef are the most common culprits. Keep in mind that if your vet suspects that your Golden has a real food allergy, this food is not the best option for one? diagnosis “elimination diet”.
Highly Active/Hunting Golden Retrievers
Is your Golden Retriever a competitive dock dive or an active duck hunter? She may need more calories than your average house dog. In this case I recommend Native Performance dog food.
If your Golden is training hard, this is the food for you. Native provides different “levels” of nutrition, from level 1 “out of season, low activity” food to level 4 for dogs that are intensely active for 4-5 hours a day.
Low-Active/Couch Potato
Many adult Goldens out there become overweight or obese easily. As they get older, they can lose a bit of their grit and lead a more sedentary life. I often have to make recommendations for the best dog food for overweight Golden Retrievers.
It’s important to talk to your vet if your dog is overweight or has a concurrent health condition. Some foods can address multiple issues. In general I reach forHill’s Prescription Diet Metabolism and Mobility when Goldens get a bit too fat and they have come to me for help.
This diet is prescription only, but it is one of the best dog foods for middle aged Golden Retrievers who can’t seem to shed the pounds. Over time, being overweight can predispose dogs to arthritis, so the mobility component will help keep their joints in top shape.
Senior Golden Retriever Dog Food
Golden Retrievers are considered “senior” or “geriatric” around 8 years of age. As they age, their nutritional needs also change. Joints begin to hurt and mental function may begin to decline. Active ingredients in the best dog food for Golden Retrievers in their senior years will help your dog stay strong for as long as possible.
I recommend Eukanuba Lamb and Rice Senior Maintenance. Eukanuba is another premium dog food manufacturer with an excellent track record of quality products and high quality control standards.
This food is distinguished by its high antioxidant content, which can help support proper cell function in aging dogs. It has also been proven to reduce the build-up of tartar on the teeth by 46%.
The Doggy Bag – Take Home Message
Golden retrievers tend to live the longest and healthiest lives when they are kept in a leaner body condition, fed a balanced diet and routine veterinary care.
Regardless of which dog food you choose for your furry family member, it’s important to follow the feeding instructions carefully and consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s health or nutrition.
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