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(Last Updated On: )Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs with long, butterscotch-colored coats and a breed that needs to be fed dog food for Golden Retrievers. The breed is genetically prone to specific heart problems; that’s why it’s essential to provide a tailor-made diet for their particular needs.
One of the very best dog foods for Golden Retrievers is Royal Canin Adult Breed Specific. It has all the key benefits that your Golden needs for healthy skin, coat, joints, and heart.
Goldens are big, lovable canines prized for their playful personalities, trainability, and long, gorgeous coats. They can benefit from the proper diet to help maintain healthy skin and coat.
To help keep your Golden Retriever on a regular schedule that is the most beneficial to their digestive system, it is helpful to use an automatic feeder, as one of these 5 Best Electric Automatic Dog Feeders 2021 [Timer & Programmable]. That way, your Golden will get its meals on time, whether you are home or not.
Table of Contents
Best Dog Food For Golden Retrievers
| Golden Retrievers Dog Food | Features | Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Canin | Enriched with taurine, EPA, and DHA | 4.9 |
| Nutro Natural | Non-GMO ingredients | 4.8 |
| Purina | Contains real meat | 4.8 |
| Blue Buffalo | Protein-rich with real meat | 4.7 |
| Hill Science | Omega-6 fatty acids added | 4.6 |
| Holistic | A complete and balanced diet | 4.6 |
We have listed the 6 best adult dry dog foods for Golden Retrievers to help their owners keep their pets in peak condition.
Number 1: Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Breed Specific Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin has over 50 years of formulating science-backed products and partnering with veterinarians and breeders. They have developed a formula of dry adult dog food that is perfect for specific breeds.
This Royal Canin formula is designed exclusively for pure breed Golden Retrievers over 15 months. Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult dog food is the best dog food for retrievers because it is tailor-made with nutrition created just for pure breed Golden Retrievers.
This diet is exclusively breed-specific for Golden Retrievers, with specific nutrients that will help this breed thrive. The kibble shape and texture are specially designed for a Golden Retriever’s straight muzzle and scissor bite.
The shape of the kibble encourages the Retriever to chew. Essential nutrients help reinforce the skin barrier that protects their skin and helps to maintain a Retriever’s long, golden coat.
Nutrients like taurine, EPA, and DHA will support heart health, and an exact amount of calories and fat will enable your Retriever to maintain a healthy weight. You can mix in or alternate the dry kibble with Royal Canin Golden Retriever wet dog food if you so choose.
Key Benefits:
- Designed for Golden Retrievers over 15 months
- An exclusive complex of nutrients for skin and coat health
- Enriched with taurine, EPA, and DHA for healthy cardiac function
- Appropriately balanced to help maintain ideal weight
- Optimal kibble size, shape, and texture for the breed and encourages chewing
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Number 2: NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Large Breed Adult Lamb & Rice Dry Dog Food
Made for large breed adult dogs like Golden Retrievers, Nutro Natural Choice dry dog food for Golden Retrievers is designed to help keep large dogs trim and in great shape with a tailored blend of protein and fiber.
This large breed adult dry dog food is specially formulated to support healthy joints by containing natural glucosamine and chondroitin. Nutro Natural Choice also provides essential antioxidants for healthy immunity.
The lamb and brown rice recipe has ingredients sourced from trusted farmers and suppliers and is always non-GMO.
Key Benefits:
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Formulated without chicken by-product meal
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Contains essential antioxidants
Number 3: Purina Pro Plan Sport, Energy & Vitality Support, High Protein Dry Dog Food
The Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance formula is for dogs at all stages of life, including puppies. Its highly digestible formula guarantees optimal nutrient delivery in this dog food for Golden Retrievers.
This formula contains live probiotics for digestive and immune health. This specially formulated dry dog food optimizes your dog’s oxygen metabolism for increased endurance.
Amino acids nourish muscles, especially during that crucial time after exercise. To help keep a retriever’s skin and coat nourished, this formula has omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A.
Key Benefits:
- Contains real meat (beef, lamb, poultry, or salmon)
- Sports Performance contains 30% protein and 20% fat
- Has amino acids for strong muscles
- Concentrated nutrition help optimize oxygen metabolism
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Number 4: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
At Blue Buffalo, they feel that diets for large dogs, like Golden Retrievers, do better on diest derived entirely from real meat, real vegetable, and real fruit keep a dog healthy, sharp, and alert.
They have made their Blue Buffalo formula grain-free kibble packed with protein, veggie, and fruits. It is also free from chicken meat and poultry by-products, making it a great dog food for Golden Retrievers. Antioxidant-rich berries will help to boost your dog’s immune system and help slow down the aging process.
Peas and sweet potatoes will give just the right amount of complex carbohydrates your pet needs for energy. Added L-Carnitine helps large dogs burn fat, and the glucosamine in the mix helps support joint function and improve overall mobility.
Key Benefits:
- Protein-rich with real meat
- No chicken or chicken by-product meals
- Healthy fruits and vegetables
- Balanced protein and carbohydrates
Number 5: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult 1-5, Large Breed
Hill’s Science Diet adult large breed dry dog food is scientifically formulated to provide a complete and balanced nutritious diet tailored to deliver a visible difference in large breed dogs like Golden Retrievers.
Containing natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to provide the building block of healthy cartilage, Hill’s Science Diet will help give your dog healthy joints for ideal mobility.
Added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients deliver clinically proven antioxidant benefits that are essential in dog food for Golden Retrievers.
Key Benefits:
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Nature sources of glucosamine and chondroitin
- Antioxidant blend with vitamins C and E
- Omega-6 fatty acids added
Number 6: Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Large & Giant Breed Adult
Bigger dogs, like Golden Retrievers, need bigger pieces of kibble that are better suited to their larger mouths. Holistic Select Natural dry dog food provides those bigger, better-tasting kibble for your dog and supports a healthy diet at the same time.
Holistic Select has a unique combination of probiotics, healthy fiber, and digestive enzymes to optimally keep your larger dog’s digestive tract functioning.
This dog food for Golden Retrievers has recipes that will please your dog’s palate and keep them coming back for more.
Key Benefits:
- A complete and balanced diet
- Protein blend supports muscle maintenance
- Glucosamine supports healthy hips and joints
- Digestive enzymes break down proteins, starch, and cellulose
FEEDING CHART FOR GOLDEN RETRIEVERS
Suggested Amount To Feed Per Day
Use a standard 8 oz measuring cup.
| Weight of Adult Dog (lbs.) | Feeding Amount In Cups |
| 50 LB | 3 – 3 1/3 |
| 60 LB | 3 1/3 – 4 |
| 80 LB | 4 1/4 – 4 3/4 |
| 100 LB | 5 – 5 3/4 |
| 120 LB | 5 2/3 – 6 1/2 |
| 160 LB | 7 – 8 1/4 |
| 200 LB | 8 1/2 – 9 2/3 |
FAQ
Once my Golden Retriever is an adult, do I still need to monitor their weight?
Yes, you do. You should monitor your dog’s weight their entire life. While you are petting your dog, just feel their ribs. You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs but not see them. If you can see them, increase the amount of food you are giving them.
How much grooming does a Golden Retriever need?
The coat on a Golden Retriever needs to be combed and groomed daily. Daily brushing will get out any dead hair and keep their fur from matting. Feeding your dog the right kind of dog food will also make a difference in how healthy their coat is. While their coats are delightful, this dense hair can lead to skin irritation for the Retriever, so it is essential to give them quality dog food.
How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need?
A Golden Retriever is a sporting breed and has a very inquisitive nature. As such, they need a lot of exercise to help keep them healthy and mentally stimulated. Once fully grown, regular exercise of a high intensity is best for a Golden Retriever.
Additional Resources:
grrmf.org/learn/feeding-your-golden/
www.purina.ca/dogs/dog-breeds/golden-retriever
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7damXE06VsE
Ian is an avid outdoorsman and dog lover. He lives in Central Florida with his wife Heather, and their 2 dogs – Panda (Purebread Rough Collie X English Golden Retriever) & Kuma (Blue Merl Purebread Rough Collie)
