Golden retriever — One of the most popular breeds in America, and for good reason…
They are adorable.
They are smart.
They are playful.
…and they’re gorgeous!
If you want them to stay that way, you need to provide them with a proper diet. Goldens will eat almost anything, so you need to make sure you providing them with the best…
Luckily for you, I’ve done some research and there are some amazing commercial products out there for your Golden. Using my 40 Point Inspection list, I’ve come up with the best dog foods for Golden Retrievers. Let’s dive in…
The Best Dog Foods for Golden Retrievers
Top Picks Category
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Dog Food Best For Adult Golden Retrievers
2. Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy Dog Food Best For Puppy Golden Retrievers
3. Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Senior Dog Food Best For Senior Golden Retrievers
4. Pedigree Choice Country Stew Canned Food Best Wet Food For Golden Retrievers
5. Nom Nom Chicken Cuisine Best Fresh Food For Golden Retrievers
6. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Deboned Turkey Dog Food Best Premium Food For Golden Retrievers
7. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Dog Food Best Budget Food For Golden Retrievers
How to Switch Dog Food Without Getting Your Pup Sick
How to — Change your pet’s food
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Golden Retriever Dog Food Reviews
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Dog Food — Best For Adult Golden Retrievers
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Oatmeal, 5. Barley
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Large, Giant Breeds
Caloric content (per kg): 3,508 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 22% | Fat (min.) 12% | Fiber (max.) 6% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
The top favorite of mine and many other Golden Retriever owners is this savory recipe by Blue Buffalo. Deboned chicken is the first ingredient, which means there are a lot of good proteins for your Golden boy. You get high-quality ingredients without fillers and by-products.
All the ingredients are carefully chosen to give your baby the right amount of calories without increasing mass. One of the main reasons this is my favorite is the fact that this formula is created with good overall health in mind. It has glucosamine and chondroitin for joints, calcium and phosphorus for teeth and bones, and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for healthier coat and skin. Highly Recommended!
2. Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy Dog Food — Best For Puppy Golden Retrievers
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken By-Product Meal, 2. Corn, 3. Wheat Gluten, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Wheat
Life Stage: Puppy
Suitable for: Large Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,600 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 27% | Fat (min.) 14% | Fiber (max.) 5.9% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
Golden Retriever pups tend to have different dietary requirements which a regular puppy food might not be able to fulfill. This Royal Canin recipe is formulated to cater to their specific needs. It is created to meet their nutritional requirements during the development stage without expediting their physical growth.
You get a delicious meal with all the nutrients necessary for the pup to grow into a healthy, active, and beautiful adult. As with the adult formula, this puppy food is also among the best dog food for Golden retrievers.
3. Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food — Best For Senior Golden Retrievers
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Whole Grain Brown Rice, 4. Brewers Rice, 5. Split Peas
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Large, Giant Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,457 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 22% | Fat (min.) 10% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
Allow your Golden Lab to transition into their senior years with the wholesome Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Senior Dog Food. It’s built on two base ingredients; Chicken and Brown Rice, both of which are highly digestible and full of energy that sustains muscle mass. It’s also enriched with antioxidants that protect your old pal against a plethora of diseases.
Another crucial part of the food is its glucosamine and chondroitin content which keeps the joints and elbows of your dog healthy and flexible. Fiber from rice bran and beet pulp assists digestion and reduces instances of diarrhea or gastrointestinal upset. The recipe is also completely free from by-products meal, corn, wheat, and soy, making it easier on the stomach of older Labs.
4. Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy Country Stew Canned Dog Food — Best Wet Food For Golden Retrievers
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Potatoes, 4. Peas, 5. Pea Starch
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Large, Giant Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,492 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 22% | Fat (min.) 13% | Fiber (max.) 6% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Wet
Feed your Golden retriever a delicious canned food meal that’s precisely tailored to their dietary needs with Pedigree Choice Stew Cuts Dog Food. The food contains tender chicken pieces dipped in a tasty stew that your dog will find irresistible. It’s also decently rich in protein and will keep your Golden Lab’s body lean and muscular.
This wet food will also keep your Lab’s coat in top-notch condition as it’s full of omega fatty acids and vitamins that nourish the fur and skin. It’s a complete and balanced diet that can be fed separately to your Lab without additional supplements. If you’re looking for an alternative to your dog’s regular boring dry food, give Pedigree Choice Cuts a go.
5. Nom Nom Chicken Cuisine — Best Fresh Food For Golden Retrievers
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Diced chicken, 2. sweet potatoes, 3. squash, 4, spinach, 5. sunflower oil
Life Stage: All
Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
Caloric content (per kg): 1,255 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 8.5% | Fat (min.) 6% | Fiber (max.) 1% | Moisture (max.) 77%
Form: Frozen
Tailor-made for your Golden Lab from whole foods, Nom Nom is the perfect choice for owners that require the best diet for their pals. The company allows you to select from four protein choices, Chicken Cuisine being our favorite pick for Golden Labradors. It is filled with chunks of boneless chicken, sweet potatoes, squash, and many other real foods.
All of it combined gives your dog a decent amount of protein, fat, and fiber to keep them muscular and in good spirits. Each owner is allowed to create a meal plan for their dog by selecting their age, breed, weight, and activity levels. The food is then sent in frozen condition to owners to their doorstep and can also be frozen for later.
6. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Deboned Turkey Dog Food — Best Premium Food For Golden Retrievers
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Deboned Turkey, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Chicken Meal, 4. Peas, 5. Dried Ground Potatoes
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Small, Medium, Large Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,698 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 34% | Fat (min.) 16% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
Wellness has a few large breed offerings, but I prefer CORE grain-free deboned turkey formula for many reasons. Firstly, goldies seem to love turkey and chicken combo. Secondly, the formula is grain-free, which makes it perfect for tummy troubles.
While Golden Retrievers usually don’t have any issues with grains, it’s good to have at least one grain-free formula for sick days. And finally, every kibble is coated with probiotics, which adds to the digestive benefits. And did I tell you there are flaxseed and salmon oil for your Golden’s gorgeous coat?
7. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Dog Food — Best Budget Food For Golden Retrievers
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Salmon, 2. Ocean Fish Meal, 3. Sweet Potatoes, 4. Potatoes, 5. Peas
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Small, Medium, Large Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,600 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 25% | Fat (min.) 15% | Fiber (max.) 3% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream may not specifically be for large breeds, but this grain-free fish formula will do wonders for your Golden Retriever. The formula is perfectly balanced in terms of nutrition and made from high-quality ingredients such as real smoked salmon. Fish means your goldie will get all the fatty acids required for a gorgeous shiny coat.
This one is also highly recommended for dogs who have sensitive tummies. It has probiotics to prevent digestive problems. It is free of grains, fillers, and common allergens. And it is full of antioxidants that support a healthy immune system.
8. ORIJEN Regional Red Grain-Free Dry Dog Food — Best Weight Gain Food For Golden Retrievers
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Beef, 2. Wild Boar, 3. Goat, 4. Lamb, 5. Beef Liver
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Small, Medium Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,860 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 38% | Fat (min.) 18% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 12%
Form: Dry
Skip the cheap fillers and help your Golden Lab gain weight with a real food premium diet like Orijen Regional Red. As the name suggests, the recipe is based on protein-rich red meat like beef, goat, lamb, boar, and various organs that are full of minerals and amino acids. For carbs, the food contains veggies and fruits that are easy to digest and packed with vitamins for overall wellness.
All of these ingredients combined will help your Labrador steadily gain lean muscle and become more active and adventurous. Their coat, joints, vision, and brain health will also benefit from omega fatty acids and various micros in the food. Since the food is made from real foods, it’s also incredibly delicious and has a yummy meaty texture.
9. Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain-Free Dog Food — Best Weight Loss Food For Golden Retrievers
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Peas, 4. Tapioca, 5. Menhaden Fish Meal
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
Caloric content (per kg): 3,668 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 35%, Fat (min.) 12%, Fiber (max.) 6%, Moisture (max.) 9%
Form: Dry
Losing weight never tasted this good before Instinct Raw Boost Freeze-Dried Dog Food. The low-calorie diet seeks to burn extra fat and make your dog leaner with a 35% crude protein content derived from real chicken meat. It also features reduced calories but enough energy from peas and tapioca to last your Golden Labrador the entire day.
L-carnitine plays the main role in weight loss by metabolizing extra fat into energy so your dog can become more muscular and active at the same time. The food also contains a decent amount of fiber so your dog doesn’t feel unsatisfied after each meal. And the best part, the food features freeze-dried chicken chunks that give an extra protein boost while making the food taste like a five-star meal to your dog.
10. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dog Food — Best Food For Golden Retrievers With Sensitive Stomach
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Deboned Duck, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Peas, 4. Pea Protein, 5. Chicken Fat
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Small, Medium, Large Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,596 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 34% | Fat (min.) 15% | Fiber (max.) 6% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
A wilderness-focused diet is the best choice for retrievers with sensitive stomachs and a high craving for a natural diet. With Blue Buffalo’s Wilderness Duck Dry Food, that diet can be executed perfectly. The dog food incorporates a variety of all-natural and wholesome ingredients such as meat, fruits, and vegetables that provide lots of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, omega fats, and other micronutrients necessary for a dog’s health.
More than that, the dog food is also focused on high digestibility and features a grain-free recipe. It uses real deboned duck meat as the primary protein source, which is both easily digestible and filled with nutrients. And with its Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, the dog food will also help nourish your retriever’s skin and make their fur shinier.
11. American Journey Large Breed Salmon and Sweet Potato Dog Food — Best Food For Allergic Golden Retrievers
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Deboned Salmon, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Peas, 4. Chickpeas, 5. Sweet Potatoes
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Large, Giant Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,540 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 30% | Fat (min.) 12% | Fiber (max.) 5% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
American Journey has a good range of large breed dog food, but your Golden Retriever will really like this one. With deboned salmon and turkey meal as the key ingredients, this particular product will take care of your dog’s overall health.
Aside from a high dose of quality proteins, your dog will get enough carbs to keep chasing its tail all day. You get all the nutrients including Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, and there is plenty of DHA, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Not to mention, the grain-free formula is suitable for sensitive ones as well.
12. Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Open Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food — Best Tasting Food For Picky Golden Retrievers
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Beef, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Whole Dried Potato, 4. Tapioca, 5. Dried Peas
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Small, Medium, Large Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,635 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 30% | Fat (min.) 15% | Fiber (max.) 5% | Moisture (max.) 10%
Form: Dry
Fill your dog’s bowl with the mouth-watering Rachael Ray Nutrish Open Prairie Dog Food. The recipe is built from novel red meats like beef, lamb, and venison, all of which are full of amino acids and assist in building muscle blocks. Being completely grain-free, the food uses potatoes and tapioca to offer easily-digestible carbs that provide day-long energy to the most active Labradors.
All of the meat gives the food a juicy and tender taste that will drive even the pickiest dogs crazy. Your dog will also benefit from the range of vitamins and minerals in the food that assists in hormone production, immunity strengthening, and various functions. Fillers, artificial colors, grains, and glutens are also eliminated from the food, making it easier on the stomach of sensitive dogs.
13. Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Large Breed Dog Food — Best Food For Active Golden Retrievers
Ratings:
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Rice, 3. Corn Gluten Meal, 4. Whole Grain Corn, 5. Whole Grain Wheat
Life Stage: Adult
Suitable for: Large, Giant Breed
Caloric content (per kg): 3,823 kcal
Analysis: Protein (min.) 26% | Fat (min.) 12% | Fiber (max.) 4.5% | Moisture (max.) 12%
Form: Dry
Purina Pro Plan Focus for large breeds has balanced nutrition for your Golden Retriever. it has the right protein and fat balance to help your dog maintain a healthy weight while staying healthy and active.
The balanced formula will also take care of the beautiful coat. What’s more: This dog food also contains ingredients that actually allow for optimal absorption of all the nutrients. You also get natural probiotic fibers for easy digestion
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