Top 10 Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers For 2023

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So you’re probably thinking… What is the best dog food for golden retrievers?

Well, It’s critical to consider your golden retriever’s age, activity, and health when selecting food for them.

But why would this matter? 

Well it is true that all dogs are susceptible to health problems. But some are more prone to specific issues. 

Golden Retrievers have a few issues to watch out for. 

Genetic joint problems, various forms of cancer, and allergies are common in this breed. 

Choosing high-quality dog food for your Golden can help avoid these health issues.

Unfortunately, many of these conditions are undetectable in growing puppies, which is why good breeding practices are critical. 

Though puppy food won’t completely eliminate these risks, providing your Golden with high-quality nutrition from the start can help you address your puppy’s overall health.

Also Please remember…

Puppies of golden retrievers continue to grow until they are 12 to 24 months old. 

Which leads us to the next important topic… Avoid switching to an adult recipe too soon to reduce the risk of diet-related hip disease.

Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

  1. Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Patties Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Best Raw Food Food For Golden Retrievers
  2. Gentle Giants Dog Food Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
  3. Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult – Best Balanced Food For Golden Retrievers
  4. Purina Pro Plan Large Breed – Best Balanced Food For Golden Retrievers
  5. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Chicken Dinner Canned Dog FoodBest Wet Food For Golden Retriever Puppies
  6. Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon – Best Meat Formula Food For Golden Retrievers
  7. Royal Canin for Golden Retriever – Best Breed Specific Formula Food For Golden Retrievers
  8. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Best Fresh Food For Golden Retrievers
  9. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Vegetable EntréeBest Sensitive Stomach Dog Food For Golden Retriever
  10. Iams ProActive Health Large Breed – Best Budget Dog Food For Golden Retriever
  11. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Chicken – Best Premium Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
  12. American Journey Large Breed Chicken and Sweet Potato – Best Premium Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

Do Golden Retrievers Need Special Dog Food?

Golden Retrievers

Adult dogs require a minimum of 18 percent protein in their diet, while puppies require at least 22 percent.

Protein gives puppies the building blocks they need to grow strong muscles. It also helps adults maintain lean muscle mass. Having more protein is always good and beneficial to most dogs.

Fat provides a source of energy in the form of calories for your dog. It should account for at least 8% of a puppy’s diet and 5% of an adult dog’s diet. 

Small dog breeds for example, have a faster metabolism and require a higher calorie concentration in their diet. 

Excess calories, on the other hand, can lead to unhealthy weight gain in large breeds like the Golden Retriever. 

Obesity raises the risk of other health problems, such as bone and joint problems. As a result, Golden Retrievers require a high-protein, low-to-moderate-fat, low-calorie dog food.

What to Look for in Golden Retriever Food

Some factors to consider when selecting a good dog food for your Golden Retriever include:

  • Natural ingredients that are free of fillers, byproducts, and artificial additives
  • Limited fat and calorie content to control growth in puppies. Focus on rich in lean protein from high-quality animal sources like chicken, meat, and fish
  • Controlled calcium and phosphorus levels for joint health with glucosamine and chondroitin
  • AAFCO nutrient profiles show that these formulas are nutritionally complete and balanced.

You also should check to see if your Golden Retriever’s food comes in a larger kibble size. There are some benefits to this. Bigger pet food means your dog gets the same nutrition in small bites. 

Lastly, Bloat is common in large and deep-chested breeds, which can be from eating too fast or too much at once. By having a bigger kibble, your dog will be getting the same nutrition, with smaller portion sizes. 

But, with that being said it’s time to break down the top 10 dog foods for golden retrievers! 

Our Top Recommendations

To assist you in selecting the best food for your dog’s age…

The ten best-rated brands are listed below. Each one has the right amount of calcium and other nutrients for golden retrievers. Adults… or puppies… are recommended for certain recipes.

We’ll also discuss some questions we receive about feeding golden retrievers below.

  1. Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Patties Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food — Best Raw Food Food For Golden Retrievers (Best Dog Food you Never Heard Of)

Available in many different flavors

A incredible formula, that even picky eaters will love. My dog Jack loved this food. He was a really picky eater, and would eat this stuff up like crazy! It’s also loaded with high protein and tons of necessity for active dogs, making it prefect for Retrievers. We know some may not be interested in feeding there dog raw food, so if that is you, don’t worry. You can scroll down and see out other most recommend foods for Golden Retrievers!

My Jack waiting for more Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Patties

The first component in this recipe is chicken. The formula also contains chicken liver, a named animal’s organ meat that is regarded as a good healthy ingredient, and ground bone, a fantastic natural source of calcium.

Chicken With Ground Bone is a nutritional raw bone that is safe, effective and great for your dog. Here is some more info form the Stella & Chewy Team Regarding the effects and how it is used:

“The bone is safe and highly digestible when raw. We do not grind to a powder, but rather with a 3/16″ grind plate—this means the bone could appear up to approximately 1/4” in size. The bone in the diet is ground to that size because of the health benefits it provides. A carnivore’s teeth and body are designed to consume bone—especially raw bone, like the bone used in our diets. If it’s ground to a powder, it doesn’t have as many of the benefits. While it may feel sharper to our fingers, a carnivore’s body is designed to consume and process the bone effectively and safely, as long as it’s never cooked, heated, or microwaved”

This ingredient provides excellent calcium, phosphorus, and other trace minerals, as well as acts as a mild abrasive to keep teeth clean.

I also want to note, that I have fed Jack these chews for over 3 years and have never seen these bones. There are also other flavors (like beef & lamb), that do not include this ingredient. So if you want to feed your dog a raw diet, but are turned off by this ingredient, then that is another option.

But with that being said, your dog can eat this as it will provide major source of calcium and phosphorus and of course should be ground up rather than fed whole.

Next let’s talk about Chicken liver. This is an amazing ingredient for our dogs. It is rich in amino acids and high-quality proteins. It’s also loaded with zinc, copper, iron, and vitamins, like vitamin A for eyesight. The Omega-3 and Omega-6 also help your dog’s skin and coat

Chicken gizzard is another ingredient in this dish. It is a low-fat, meaty gizzard, which is a component of a bird’s digestive system, will aid in the breakdown of consumed food when combined with other ingredients like chicken gizzard.

Linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fat, as well as fiber, vitamins, and minerals are all found in in pumpkin seeds. Another main ingredient included in this formula.

The last and final ingredient we’ll talk about here is cranberries, a fruit high in nutrients and fiber.

This formula is really good and all of there flavors are loaded like this, so you can explore other flavor options as well.

Your dog is also receiving other nutrients from foods like spinach, beets, carrots, and squash, which are all excellent, high-quality foods. Stella and Chewy’s Freeze Dried Dinners is a fantastic raw dog food product just based on its ingredients.

It is loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins, and omegas/clean fats. It has everything your golden needs to stay fit and healthy, which is why we love it.

It can be used as an adder, where you mix two foods together (how Jack ate it).

There are many advantages of feeding your dog raw food. Some people love it, some people hate it. At the end of the day, you will have to make that choice for you and your dog. But one thing is clear, if you are looking to feed your dog raw food, you should highly consider Stella & Chewy’s.

Also available in turkey, beef, fish, duck, and many more – all which my Jack loved, and all which are great.

Main Ingredients: Chicken With Ground Bone, Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed, Organic Cranberries, Organic Spinach, Organic Broccoli, Organic Beets
Guaranteed Analysis: 48% Crude Protein, 28% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 5% Moisture
Caloric Content: 50 kcal/ per patty
Type of Product: Raw Food

Pros
  • High protien
  • Taste is great
  • Raw diet
  • Clean
Cons
  • Need many patties for bigger dogs

Gentle Giants Dog Food – Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

Another staple food in my boy Jack’s diet was Gentle Giants. Again being a super picky eater, he enjoyed it. He definitely didn’t love it, but I would mix it together with the Stella chews to make it taste better for him. Again, it is loaded with high proteins, clean cards, and vitamins.

My Jack waiting for more Gentle Giants Hard Food (I use to mix Stella Chews & Gentle Giants together)

Gentle Giants contains chicken meal as its first ingredient. Chicken meal contains nearly 300 percent more protein than fresh chicken and is known as a meat concentrate. This helps build muscle and strengthen them up. A critical nutrition .

The second ingredient is barley. Barley, a starchy carbohydrate, includes fiber and other healthy nutrients. This helps with digestion, as well as provides other nutrients to help fuel your dogs day to day activates.

Then we have brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that, once cooked, is easy to digest. Helping to provide energy.

Oatmeal, another clean carb is a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats, is the fourth ingredient. Oatmeal is naturally high in dietary fiber, B vitamins, and is gluten-free (unlike many other grains). A great, healthy ingredient.

Peas are the 5th ingredient here. It is another good source of carbohydras. They are also a good source of natural fiber, like all legumes.

Chicken fat is the 6th and last ingredient we will talk about here. When chicken is rendered, which is done similarly to making soup, the fat is skimmed from the top of the liquid and chicken fat is obtained.

Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid necessary for life, is abundant in chicken fat. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a high quality ingredient.

One thing I want to also mention is, dried yeast. It sometimes maybe considered a contentious item.

Yeast helps our furry friends’ pets’ immune systems by boosting their defenses against parasites like fleas. However, some critics assert that yeast ingredients could lead to allergies. If your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself, then this may be true (as with all allergies).

Another thing to watch out for is how yeast can increase the risk of bloat, a potentially fatal condition.

But isn’t Yeats in many other dog foods too, you might ask?

Yes, yeast is a common ingredient in dog foods. It is rich in protein and other beneficial nutrients that can maintain a dog’s health. Many experts believe that yeast in dog food can strengthen a dog’s immune system and shield it from flea bites.

PS: I’ve feed my Jack Gentle Giants for years, and never had any issues.

To read our full review on Gentle Giants click here.

Main Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Natural Poultry Flavor, Whole Flaxseeds
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (Min.) 22.0%, Crude Fat (Min.) 9.0%, Crude Fiber (Max.) 4.0%, Moisture (Max.) 10.0%.
Caloric Content: 358 kcal/cup
Type of Product: Active, Best

Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult – Best Balanced Food For Golden Retrievers

Loaded with high quality ingredients such as: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground brown rice, barley, peas, the wellness complete is a great option. With Grain-inclusive (brown rice, barley, oats, oatmeal) included, your golden retriever is getting some good quality food here.

With the main source of protein coming from chicken and chicken meal, the recipe containing 29 percent protein, 13 percent fat, and 50 percent estimated carbs, you’re getting a great balance. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 46%, which is also great.

There are no meat by-products, BHA, or other cancer-causing synthetic preservatives in the classic, grain-inclusive, large breed design. This is a great option.

Main Ingredients – Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Barley, Peas, Oats, Chicken Fat
Guaranteed Analysis: 26% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
Caloric Content: 340 kcal/cup
Type of Product: Fresh

Pros
  • No GMO’s, meat by-products, fillers or artificial preservatives.
  • omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics and taurine included
  • whole-body nutritional support.
Cons
  • Some reviews complain about the taste

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed – Best Balanced Food For Golden Retrievers

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed is a complete and balanced diet for your Golden Retriever. Chicken is the most important ingredient, as it provides the protein required for strong muscles and proper body function. It also contains live probiotics, which are beneficial to your dog’s digestive and immune systems.

The Purina family has 19 different dry foods to choose from.

The food has been specially formulated to meet the needs of your Golden Retriever.

You can select foods that are suitable for people with sensitive skin or stomachs. It also offers a variety of meat options, including chicken, beef, and lamb.

Being able to choose specific types of food is always a pro. Certain dogs have certain issues and with purina, you can focus on just that.

Apart from the prescription diets, Purina Pro Plan is the highest quality line of Purina dog food. This food is extremely digestible, allowing for maximum nutrient absorption and providing your Golden with the energy they require.

With the main ingredients including: Chicken, Ground rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Poultry By-Product Meal (Source of Glucosamine), the purina pro plan is a great option.

Main Ingredients – Chicken, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Poultry By-product Meal, Whole Grain Wheat
Guaranteed Analysis: 26% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 4.5% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
Caloric Content: 407 kcal/cup
Type of Product: Fresh

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Chicken Dinner Canned Dog Food — Best Wet Food For Golden Retriever Puppies

Pet owners can usually tell when there dog gets hooked on a type of food. This results of course in our dogs developing food preferences. If you find yourself struggling t find food that your Golden enjoys, you should take a look at the Blue Buffalo Homestyle Chicken Dinner Wet Food.

Chicken is the first ingredient in this puppy dog food. And of course we know how good chicken is for our furry friends

With ten essential amino acids that dogs need to survive, Blue buffalo over delivers here

Chicken broth is the next ingredient. There is little nutritional value in broths. Yet they are a common addition component in many canned goods because they give dog food flavor and moisture.

Hen liver is third. This is named animal-sourced organ meat, which is why it is regarded as a valuable ingredient.

Carrots, which are high in beta-carotene, minerals, and dietary fiber, are the fourth component.

The last main ingredients is peas, which are good source of carbs.

Main Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas
Guaranteed Analysis: (wet matter basis) 10% Crude Protein, 7.5% Crude Fat, 1.3% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
Caloric Content: 451 kcal/cup
Type of Product: Puppy, Wet Food

Pros
  • Real chicken to help support healthy muscle growth.
  • Formulated with DHA to support brain, eye and cognitive development.
  • Does not contain any by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.
  • Taste great
Cons
  • Cans sometimes have Dents

Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon – Best Meat Formula Food For Golden Retrievers

In this fan favorite, the main ingredients include Canola oil, beef, peas, garbanzo beans, lamb meal.

The majority of the animal protein in Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon comes from fresh beef and lamb meal. The recipe contains 32 percent protein, 17 percent fat, and 43 percent estimated carbs, according to the dry matter label… 

This yields a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 52 percent, which is very good.

Salmon oil is also found in Southwest Canyon. 

Salmon oil is naturally high in the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Dogs have the highest bioavailability of these two high-quality fats.

They contribute to improved joint health as well as lustrous skin and coat. A well-known brand. Strongly suggested.

Main Ingredients – Beef, Peas, Garbanzo Beans, Lamb Meal, Canola Oil, Egg Product, Wild Boar
Guaranteed Analysis: 29% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
Caloric Content: 408 kcal/cup
Type of Product: Fresh

Pros
  • Real meat as the #1 ingredient and is high in protein (29%) to help support bones, joints and lean muscles.
  • vitamins and minerals from real fruits and superfoods, omega fatty acids for skin and coat
  • Probiotics
  • Grain-free
Cons
  • GMO ingredients

Royal Canin for Golden Retriever – Best Breed Specific Formula Food For Golden Retrievers

Our fifth choice is Royal Canin for Golden Retrievers. 

This one is really cool because it;s specifically for purebred Golden Retriever.

The size, shape and texture of the food is tailored to a Golden Retriever’s, which encourages chewing. 

It also contains unique nutrients that help strengthen the skin barrier, protecting the skin and promoting a beautiful golden, long coat.

The benefit of Royal Canin dog food is that it calculates exactly how much to feed your Golden Retriever based on their daily activity level (low, moderate, or high).

There is a chart on the back of the bag that shows these exact amounts. 

They are able to do so because they employ a veterinary nutritionist who selects high-quality ingredients for a nutritionally balanced meal.

Despite the fact that the first ingredient is chicken meal rather than chicken, high quality chicken meal can be nutritionally superior to chicken.

With top ingredients including: Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, you can be confident you’re getting some good quality food. 

Some other nice features are: 

  • Designed specifically for Golden Retriever purebred dogs.
  • Has a precise amount of calories and fat to maintain a healthy weight Has EPA and DHA to help with heart health
  • It’s available in both wet and dry form

Main Ingredients – Brown Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Oat Groats, Brewers Rice, Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat
Guaranteed Analysis: 23% Crude Protein, 10% Crude Fat, 5.7% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
Caloric Content: 276 kcal/cup
Type of Product: Breed Specific

Pros
  • Meets the nutritional needs of Golden Retrievers 15 months and older.
  • Specialized kibble is designed specifically for a Golden Retriever
  • Ingredients that support healthy skin and coat.
  • Promotes heart health with taurine, EPA, and DHA for healthy cardiac function.
Cons
  • Protein is not first ingredient

The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Best Fresh Food For Golden Retrievers

A subscription-based service called The Farmer’s Dog brings freshly prepared dog food right to your door. They only use ingredients that are fit for human consumption, and veterinary nutritionists developed each and every one of their recipes.

But the best part about it all is that each diet is customized for your dogs specific needs. They factor in the dogs breed, their age, activity level and will get the formula this is right for your dog!

For a number of reasons, The Farmer’s Dog is the best fresh dog food for your golden, and it may even be the best food out there today. With only high quality ingredients being used, you know your dog will be eating good and clean.

They only use human-grade ingredients in their recipes, and they only use fresh, whole foods. The nutrients required for your Golden Retriever are all packed in here, and this formula is suitable and sufficient for your furry friend to develop and remain healthy.

Main Ingredients – Depends On Flavor (Beef, Lamb, Turkey Available): Lamb, butternut squash, lamb liver, kale, rice
Guaranteed Analysis: (wet matter basis) 10% Crude Protein, 7% Crude Fat, 2% Crude Fiber, 74% Moisture
Caloric Content: 266 kcal/cup
Type of Product: Fresh

Pros
  • Fresh
  • Made specifically for you dog
  • Super clean nutrient labels
  • Antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and more
  • So clean, you could eat it (we advise you to save it for your dog though!)
Cons
  • Subscription needed (can cancel anytime)

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Vegetable Entrée – Best Sensitive Stomach Dog Food For Golden Retriever

Additional Flavors Available

Jack was a big fan of this food. Jack was diagnosed with a hemangiosarcoma on November 7th, 2019. This is a malignant tumor derived from the cells lining blood vessels.

The reason why I am sharing this with you here is because, this ended up pressing up against his stomach and made him sometimes very bloated and of course uncomfortable.

I decided to include giving him some blends for stomach sensitivity. My Jack loved this food, despite the fact that I’ve tried a ton of different blends for sensitive stomachs. He would always consume the entire item.

About the food, it is made up of some really good ingredients.

Chicken broth is listed as the first ingredient. The food tastes great because of the flavor and moisture that chicken broth adds. Salmon, which is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, is the second ingredient.

Carrots make up the third ingredient. These carrots serve as a natural source of numerous vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary components. Turkey, the fourth component, is yet another top-notch protein source. Potatoes are the fifth ingredient. As a common source of gluten-free carbohydrates that also provides a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, potatoes are frequently used in all types of pet food.

Other crucial components of this recipe include the chicken fat, which provides a healthy serving of omega-6 fatty acids, the egg whites, which provide lean, high-quality protein, and the dried whey, which increases the protein content.

Main Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Salmon, Carrots, Turkey, Potatoes, Green Beans, Potato Starch, Pea Protein
Guaranteed Analysis: (Wet analysis) 4% Crude Protein, 3% Crude Fat, 1% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
Caloric Content: 379 kcal/can
Type of Product: Sensitive Stomach

Pros
  • Support optimal digestive and skin health.
  • Grain-free recipe contains natural fibers for improved stool pickup.
  • Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E help support skin and coat health.
  • Vet-recommended wet dog food made with natural ingredients.
Cons
  • Personal Experience – Smells bad (dogs still love the taste though)

Iams ProActive Health Large Breed – Best Budget Dog Food For Golden Retriever

Another great budget-friendly food for your Golden Retriever is Iams Large Breed dog food. It is loaded with nutrients and contains a complete, balanced label. 

It also includes a blend of healthy fibers and prebiotics to aid digestion.

The high carbohydrate content of this food is its disadvantage. 

It does, however, have excellent meat and fat quality. 

Some customers claimed that after feeding their dog Iams, their dog began scratching less, so dogs with allergies may benefit here. 

The majority of the meat protein in Iams ProActive Health Large Breed comes from chicken. 

The recipe has 25 percent protein, 14 percent fat, and 53 percent estimated carbs, according to the dry matter label… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of around 56%

It’s also free of BHA and other high-risk chemical preservatives, which we enjoy. 

Main Ingredients – Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum
Guaranteed Analysis: 22.5% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
Caloric Content: 351 kcal/cup
Type of Product: Budget

Pros
  • Support the nutritional needs of large breed dogs.
  • Features real farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient.
  • Premium-sourced protein helps your pooch maintain strong muscles.
  • Bone and join support
  • Promotes healthy digestion and immune system with fibers and prebiotics.
  • Best bang for buck
Cons
  • Some complains about taste

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Chicken – Best Premium Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

The majority of the meat in Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Chicken comes from chicken.

The recipe contains 38 percent protein, 17 percent fat, and 38 percent estimated carbs, according to the dry matter label… This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%.

This recipe also includes chelated minerals and zinc amino acid complex, which provide superior nutrition for larger breeds.

The formula is loaded from head to toe. A high-protein recipe crafted with real chicken to help build and maintain lean muscle mass combined with omegas for skin and coat health, lean healthy carbs like sweet potaots for fuel and antioxidants, vitamins and minerals make this the whole package.

The formula was selected by Holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists meaning it is ideal from an ingredient stand point. It has everything to support immune system health, life stage requirements and healthy oxidative balance.

Main Ingredients – Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch, Fish Meal
Guaranteed Analysis: 34% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 6% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
Caloric Content: 409 kcal/cup
Type of Product: Fresh

Pros
  • Tons of protein
  • omega-3 and -6 fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat
  • antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
  • healthy carbs
  • Joint health
Cons
  • Can get pricey for big eaters

American Journey Large Breed Chicken and Sweet Potato – Best Premium Dog Food For Golden Retrievers

This chicken and sweet potato recipe is an affordable option for large-breed puppies if you already know your Golden puppy is sensitive to grains.

The majority of the meat protein in American Journey Large Breed Chicken comes from poultry. 

It is a Grain-free dog food that includes fruits and vegetables like blueberries, carrots and dried kelp provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants for immune system support, and phytonutrients.

The protein comes from deboned chicken, that provides amino acids that help maintain lean muscle mass.

Salmon oil and flaxseed provide omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and Glucosamine and chondroitin are added to support and maintain healthy joints.

A prebiotic is included in this large breed formula. Prebiotics can aid in the growth of beneficial bacteria in the large intestine, resulting in improved digestion. An excellent, cost-effective option. Easy to recommend.

Main Ingredients – Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Chickpeas,
Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
Caloric Content: 370 kcal/cup
Type of Product: Fresh

Pros
  • Grain-free.
  • Nutritious fruits and vegetables
  • High-protein dog for muscle mass
  • omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, including long-chain DHA, which helps support your dog’s skin and coat health and brain and eye development.
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin are added to support and maintain healthy joints.
Cons
  • Some did not like taste

Are Grain-Free Diets Safe For Golden Retrievers?

Golden Retrievers

Veterinary professionals rarely recommend grain-free diets. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently published research that found a link between certain diets and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs.

For dogs, grains are an excellent source of nutrients. 

Grains are high in carbohydrates, fats, and antioxidants, all of which aid in the maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and immune systems. 

Obesity is a common worrying issue, but if grains are consumed in moderation, obesity should not be a problem here.

Grain-free diets are recommended by some veterinarians for dogs with allergies. If your veterinarian recommends a grain-free diet, stick with it because it’s probably best for your dog.

Do golden retrievers need special dog food?

It depends on your dog. Like all dog breeds, there will be specific dog food based on their breed, that is best for them. But, Golden retrievers can eat almost any quality dog food as adults. Puppies should eat a diet designed specifically for large-breed puppies to reduce the risk of permanent hip disease. 

But as always, every dog is different and every dog may need certain types of food. For example there is dog food for sensitive stomach, dog food for skin and coat, dog food for joints and so much more. 

How much food should you feed a golden retriever?

It’s impossible to predict the exact serving size that’s “perfect” for each golden retriever because each animal is different. Begin by feeding the amount specified on the package. Then gradually increase or decrease the amount to reach and maintain your dog’s ideal weight.

When can you safely switch a golden retriever to adult food?

Puppies of golden retrievers continue to grow and are not ready to eat adult food until they are 12 to 24 months old. 

Switching your puppy to adult food too soon may put your golden at risk of hip damage that is crippling and permanent.

Conclusion

Providing the proper nutrition for your Golden Retriever is critical to their overall health. Food rich in protein, vitamins, and carbohydrates will give your dog the energy he needs to live a healthy life.

Our crew highly recommends the dog food on the list we’ve provided. We hope this information assists you in selecting the best food for your Golden Retriever.

Check out our article on the Best Puppy Food For Golden Retrievers if you have a Golden Retriever puppy or feel free to read the full review for each type of dog food. You can find the full reviews for each item below each listing. 

Dog food and puppy food are two different things, so make sure you’re feeding your dog the best!