The 10 Best Dog Foods for Golden Retrievers

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

There’s so much to love about a Golden Retriever, which is why they’re consistently ranked among the top dog breeds in the United States—according to AKC registration statistics. These dogs are known for their soft golden coats, gentle temperaments, and goofy personalities. But do they need special food? What’s the best dog food for Golden Retrievers?

Though all dogs are prone to certain health issues, Golden Retrievers have a few specific issue to keep an eye on. This breed often suffers from genetic joint problems, various forms of cancer, and allergies. Choosing a high-quality dog food for your Golden may also reduce her risk for health problems.

Unfortunately, many of these conditions are undetectable in growing puppies, which is why responsible breeding practices are so important. Though puppy food can’t entirely eliminate these risks, starting your Golden off with quality nutrition can be a helpful part of your toolbox in addressing your puppy’s overall health.

Keep reading to learn more about the unique dietary requirements of Golden Retrievers. We’ll also help you pick the best food for your adult dog and puppy with our roundup below.

Do Golden Retrievers Need Special Dog Food?

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, adult dogs require a minimum of 18% protein in their diet, and puppies need at least 22%. Protein provides the building blocks for strong muscles in puppies. And in adults, it supports lean muscle maintenance. For most dogs, higher protein content is a good thing.

Fat provides your dog with a concentrated source of energy in the form of calories. It should make up at least 8% of the diet for puppies and 5% for adult dogs. This is where your Golden Retriever’s needs start to differ.

Small dog breeds have a faster metabolism and need a higher concentration of calories in their diet. For large breeds like the Golden Retriever, however, excess calories can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Obesity increases the risk for other issues like bone and joint problems. As such, Golden Retrievers need a protein-rich dog food with low-to-moderate fat and calorie content.

What About Growing Puppies?

A puppy’s needs for protein and calories are higher than an adult’s. However, large-breed puppies need to be kept on a calorie-controlled diet to prevent them from growing too quickly.

According to AAFCO nutrient profiles, they also need lower calcium and phosphorus levels to reduce the risk of joint issues. So, yes, it’s good to look for a Golden Retriever puppy food that’s right for your growing pup.

What to Look for in a Good Golden Retriever Food

To ensure that your Golden Retriever’s basic nutritional needs are met, it’s best to choose a large-breed dog food formulated for her life stage.

Here are some other things to look for when choosing a good dog food for your Golden Retriever:

• Wholesome, natural ingredients with no fillers, byproducts, or artificial additives
• Rich in lean protein from high-quality animal sources like poultry, meat, and fish
• Limited fat and calorie content to control growth in puppies and maintain lean mass in adults
• Controlled calcium and phosphorus levels with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
• Nutritionally complete and balanced formulas, according to AAFCO nutrient profiles

Besides making sure your Golden Retriever’s food meets these requirements, you should also check to see if it comes in a bigger kibble size. Large and deep-chested breeds have a high risk for bloat which is exacerbated by eating too fast or eating too much at once—bigger kibble means that your dog gets the same nutrition in smaller portion sizes.

Are Grain-Free Dog Foods Safe for Golden Retrievers?

Over the past year or so, there’s been a lot of debate surrounding grain-free diets for dogs. It began in July 2018 when the FDA announced that it had received several reports of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, related to grain-free diets.

In response to these reports, the FDA launched an investigation with the following results:

• Out of 300 reports of DCM, 90% of dogs eating a single primary diet were fed grain-free food
• Some reports involved multiple affected animals (both dogs and cats) in the same household
• These reports spanned a variety of breeds, not only large and giant breeds that are known to have a genetic predisposition to DCM

DCM is not a condition typically seen in Goldens, but Dr. Josh Stern, a vet at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine who has a Golden himself, began seeing an increase. When studying DCM in the breed, he found many of the dogs were following a grain-free diet and had a taurine deficiency.

While the FDA has yet to issue an official statement, experts like Dr. Lisa M. Freeman suggest that the correlation between DCM and BEG (boutique, exotic, grain-free) diets could be due to the ingredients used to replace the grains, among other variables. 

So what exactly does this mean for your Golden Retriever?

Feeding a grain-free diet is still a personal decision, but keep in mind that these diets are not inherently healthier than grain-inclusive diets. The exception is for dogs who are allergic or sensitive to grains, in which case a grain-free diet may be recommended.

The Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers

Though breed-specific dog food formulas might be fine for your dog, it’s better to understand your dog’s nutritional needs and make an informed decision based on that. Considering your dog’s age, breed size, and activity level will help you make the best choice.

With that in mind, these are our top picks for the best dog food for adult Golden Retrievers.

Halo Holistic Chicken Recipe Large-Breed Dog Food

Formulated for digestibility, this holistic natural dog food recipe features real chicken as the main ingredient, acting as both a lean source of protein and a natural source of joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin for your Golden Retriever.

Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large-Breed Recipe Dry Food

A nutritious blend of high-protein kibble and freeze-dried raw bites of real meat, this recipe provides the nutritional benefits of raw food with the convenience of dry food.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Large-Breed Adult Lamb and Rice Recipe

Pasture-fed lamb is the protein-rich foundation of this large-breed recipe, balanced with whole brown rice, whole grain oatmeal, and assorted vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure optimal nutrition.

Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

Formulated to support your dog’s hip, joint, and digestive health, this nutritionally-balanced recipe will also help your dog maintain a healthy body weight. Fresh chicken and chicken meal provide a concentrated source of protein with wholesome grains for essential nutrients.

Holistic Select Large and Giant Breed Adult Health Recipe

Not only is this large-breed grain-free recipe rich in lean protein, but it’s fortified with natural fibers, digestive enzymes, and probiotics to ensure healthy and regular digestion.

Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain-Free Chicken Recipe

Large breeds like Golden Retrievers have a higher risk for obesity. Featuring lean chicken and 25% less fat, this healthy-weight formula is an excellent option to keep your Golden fit.

Victor Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food

If food allergies and sensitivities aren’t a factor, this dry dog food recipe is a protein-rich source of quality nutrition. It also contains limited fat and calories to help your Golden Retriever maintain their weight as they get older.

Best Food for a Golden Retriever Puppy

Quality nutrition sets your Golden Retriever puppy up for a long and healthy life. Here are our top picks for the best food for a Golden Retriever puppy.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large-Breed Puppy Recipe

This dog food will support your Golden Retriever puppy’s growth and development without going overboard on fat or calories. The recipe features fresh chicken and digestible brown rice.

American Journey Chicken and Sweet Potato Dog Food

If you already know that your Golden puppy is sensitive to grains, this chicken and sweet potato recipe is an affordable option specifically for large-breed puppies.

Nutro Ultra Large-Breed Puppy Recipe

Made with fresh chicken as a lean source of protein and chicken meal to provide glucosamine and chondroitin, this dog food for puppies will get your Golden Retriever off to a healthy start in life.

All dogs have the same basic nutritional needs when it comes to protein, fat, and essential nutrients, but there are some disparities among breeds of different sizes.

To learn more about the nutritional needs of large dogs, check out our guide to the best dog food for large breeds.

Further Reading

• The Top Dog Toys for Golden Retrievers
• Dog Beds for Golden Retrievers to Sink into
• Great Accessories for Golden Retrievers
• Rover Golden Retriever Store