Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers in 2022 – Reviews of Health Foods

While it is true that all pets are a source of happiness in their owners’ lives, a Golden Retriever certainly occupies a very special place in a dog owner’s heart. The lively, handsome dogs are embodiment of sunshine and as an owner of one, you must want the best life for your beloved Goldy!

To make sure your pet stays happy and healthy, you better start by feeding your four-legged friend only the best dog food for Golden Retrievers. After all, the quality of the dog food plays a huge role in his overall well-being and health.

Golden Retrievers are very active and playful. So, you need to adjust their diet accordingly! Your Goldy needs just the right combination of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to be healthy and happy. So, let’s begin, shall we?

An Overview: Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers

I have compiled a list of some best dog food for Golden Retrievers. But, before going through the list, there are a few other things that I’d like to share with you. For now, here’s a preview I best dog food for Golden retrievers that I’ll be reviewing in this article.

Top 3 – Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers

Here Are the Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers Review 2022

1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dog Food
2. Taste of The Wild Pacific Stream Dog Food
3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dry Dog Food
4. NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Dry Dog Food
5. Natural Balance Original Ultra Dry Dog Food

I’ll get into the in-depth reviews later, as I want to first talk about a few things I feel are necessary. So, let’s get talking!

1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dog Food

When assessing the Blue Buffalo Protection formula just by the quality of its ingredients, it comes out to be an above-average kibble. But, as you know by now, we assess and judge a kibble on the basis of three main criteria:

Let’s first take a look at the macro nutrients this dog food is known to contain:

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This kibble contains a moderate amount of meat  Below-average quantity of fats  The above-average quantity of carbohydrates is good for active Golden Retrievers  May cause the thinning of hair around the eyes  May not suit the digestive system of some breeds

What this essentially means is that this kibble is the best dog food for Golden Retrievers that are extremely active and full of energy. So, when we take out the content of protein from plant-based sources such as peas, flax seeds, dried yeast, etc. we come to find that this dog food contains a moderate quantity of animal-source protein in it.

What I really like in this kibble is that it contains a no poultry by-products or cheap filler ingredients such as soy, corn, wheat, etc. which makes this kibble a good choice for healthy muscle development and a beautiful, shiny coat. The bottom line is that the Blue Buffalo Protection formula is one of the best dog foods for Golden Retrievers as it contains a good quantity of meat and carbohydrates which are perfect for an active Goldy.

2. Taste of The Wild Pacific Stream Dog Food

Often golden retrievers are seen with a dull and scraggly coat, and it’s a travesty. These are dogs known for their luscious coat, and you should always ensure they’re getting the kind of diet that keeps their skin healthy.

This taste of The Wild Pacific Stream dog food contains both farmed and wild-caught salmon, which offers plenty of omega fatty acids to keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy. Salmon is the number one ingredient of this food, and this protein is 32% of the entire food.

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Salmon is the first ingredient  Supplies plenty of necessary nutrients that your dog needs  Suitable for dogs with food sensitivities  Ingredients are sustainably sourced  A grain-free diet might cause health issues in some dogs

Aside from salmon, this dog food also contains vitamins and minerals sourced from fruits and superfoods, and each serving includes species-specific K9 strain proprietary probiotics, antioxidants, and prebiotics. All the ingredients are sustainably sourced, the manufacturers claim.

There’s no egg protein, egg meal, chicken, or chicken meal in this food, so you don’t need to worry about allergies wreaking havoc on your dog’s health. It also does not contain any grain, corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or artificial colors.

Also Read: Best Dog Houses – Excellent Choice for Your Need

3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dry Dog Food

So if we look at just the ingredients, I feel that Wilderness Blue Buffalo is an above-average dog food. This kibble is made from high-quality ingredients. But that’s not all! This food contains:

These stats suggest that Wilderness Blue dry dog food has:

In my opinion, this food is best for lazy or aged Golden Retrievers. If we subtracted the plant-based protein sources such as chia seeds, peas, alfalfa, and quinoa we came to find that this dog food has a notable amount of animal-sourced protein.

And, trust me, the content of meat in the food is extremely important. After all, too much of plant-based foods can wreak havoc on your dog’s digestive system. Let’s talk about the pros and cons. Here’s the breakdown:

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This Golden Retriever food has an above-average amount of protein and is a good choice for inactive Goldies  This has a low amount of fat especially good for senior Goldies  A notable quantity of meat content  Can cause diarrhea  Contains below-average carbs

I feel that this one deserves to be on my list of the best dog food for Golden Retriever puppies and grown dogs. How do you feel? Share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s move on to other choices.

4. NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Dry Dog Food

When we take a look at just the ingredients and assess the Nutro Dry Dog Food on that basis, it looks like an average dog food product. And, that’s the good thing. As this means that the ingredients in Nutro Dry Dog Food are actually very good for your furry friend to consume. Moving on… We should go through the macros on this one. Let’s take a look:

When you compare it to other kibbles available to buy, it seems quite standard. The meat content in a dog food is also extremely important. After singling out the effects of the plant-based protein sources such as lentils and peas, this dog food has a moderate amount of it from animal sources.

Other than that, this kibble also contains Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids which give your dog a healthy skin as well as give him the shiny coat that everyone is envious of! Although it might not be a good dog food for dogs with sensitive stomach. To make the final assessment, we also need to know the pros and cons of this kibble. Let’s take a look:

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Contains average amount of protein  Contains a near-average amount of fat making it good for lazy and aged dogs  A moderate quantity of meat  Switching to this may cause your dog to have an upset tummy

I feel that this one deserves to be on my list of the best dog food for Golden Retriever puppies and grown dogs. How do you feel? Share your thoughts in the comments… Moving on.

Also Read: Best Dog Food for Small Breeds – Most Popular on the Market

5. Natural Balance Original Ultra Dry Dog Food

This is the last on my list. When you judge Natural Balance Original Ultra Dog Food by just the quality of its ingredients, it comes out to be an above-average dog food available in the market. We should also look at the levels of macros this dog food as so that you know whether or not it will help your dog hit the right amount of his daily caloric intake. So, let’s take a peek. Following are the macros this dog food contains:

Okay, the number can be confusing. The breakdown:

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This dog food is good for the less active dogs This food is a good choice for dogs that need to lose weight  May cause diarrhea in some dogs  The shelf life isn’t very long

As you can see, this dog food is light and probably best for sick, inactive, or aged Golden Retrievers. But, don’t make a final decision just yet! We also need to talk about something extremely important: The quantity of meat this dog food contains.

So, here’s the deal: Natural Balance Original Ultra Dog Food contains a moderate quantity of meat after you single out the protein from plant-based sources such as yeast, peas, flax seeds, etc. One thing to note is that this kibble helps your dog strengthen his immune system as it contains antioxidants.

This food is good for your dog’s eyes, heart, bones and teeth. All in all, I feel that Natural Balance Original Ultra Dog Food is one of the best dog food for Golden Retrievers—especially less active dogs.

What Golden Retriever Owners Swear By!

I’m sure you’ve met a lot of Golden Retriever parents. Consequently, I’m also certain that each and every one recommends different diets and dog foods! Some people swear by dog foods meant for other large breeds. That’s something you should never try. See, the thing is that each and every breed is different and, obviously, has different nutritional needs.

Since Goldies are intelligent, energetic, playful and have a beautiful coat made of long hair, they need special nutrition. So, the first thing you should do is to tune out all that bad advice. There are three core things that you should look for when buying dog food. Let’s take a look:

However… The most important thing you need to do before making any changes to your dog’s diet is to always consult the vet because he is a highly trained professional who knows more about a dog’s body and needs. After all, we all want our furry companions to be happy and healthy.

Also Read: Best Dog Food for Pitbulls – Reviews to Keep Them Health

Counting Macros for Golden Retrievers

Ever been on a diet? Well, if you have then you must be aware that it’s not the calories that matter—it is the source that does. This essentially means that calories you get from your food come from the three vital macronutrients—carbs, proteins, and fats. Your body needs them all in adequate quantities to thrive. And so does your dog’s. However, macros need to be adjusted keeping in mind the dog’s height, age, level of activity, etc.

Protein

The best dog food for Golden Retrievers needs to have at least 30% protein. Anything lesser is just unacceptable.

Fat

12-18% is the ideal amount of fat that should be in Golden Retriever’s diet. You may think that fat is the enemy but, it is needed by the body to perform optimally.

Carbohydrates

Carbs need to be adjusted according to the dog’s level of activity and age. A good dog food must contain a minimum of 30-35% carbs.

Another tip: Feeding your dog foods that are rich in omega fatty acids help keep your Goldy’s coat shiny and healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How Much and How Often Should You Feed Your Dog?

A: While a puppy can eat four times, an adult dog can eat 1-2 times a day. But it depends on your dog’s size and activity level. If your dog plays outside too much, it may eat more than others. You need to know your pet better than anyone else and take care of it this way.

Q: What Your Golden Retriever Can and Cannot Eat?

A: A golden retriever can eat carrots, peanut butter, eggs, salmon, blueberries, popcorn, pineapple, watermelon, bread, blackberries, etc. But it cannot eat avocado, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, nuts, onions, etc. And even salt, cheese, cashews, tomatoes, etc., are allowed; they have a limit.

Q: Do Golden Retrievers Need Special Food?

A: Not necessarily if your dog does not have special health conditions. However, it is essential to feed them with a specialized diet. It would help if you avoided extra calories because it can lead to unhealthy weight gain. And this can lead to other issues like joint and bone problems. That’s why you need to feed your golden retriever a protein-rich diet with low-to-moderate fat and calorie content.

The Bottom Line: The Good Dog Food for Golden Retrievers

I hope that I helped you figure out the best dog food for Golden Retrievers. But, always keep in mind that you should never make tweaks or adjustments to your doggy’s diet without consulting the vet. The thing is that the vet is a trained professional who knows more about your dog’s dietary needs.

And, there’s one more thing. You should follow the 90-10 or 80-20 rule. This basically means that about 10-20% of your doggy’s daily caloric needs should come from treats and the rest should come from the kibble itself. Over-feeding your dog may not feel like a big thing right now, but it can have severe health consequences later in life.

So, stick to good and nutritious foods for your canine friend—after all, they make or break your dog’s health! Let me know in the comments section if you were able to find the best dog food for your Goldy through this article. Have you tested out any of these dog foods previously? What did your dog think? Share it with us!