Your Golden Retriever needs a healthy diet to keep him healthy and happy. Nutrition is highly important, and your dog will require specific nutritional needs at different stages of his life.
As you go forward with the responsibility of caring for your dog’s basic needs, you will notice that you are on the hunt for the best dog food for Golden Retrievers. Your goal is to fulfill your dog’s nutritional needs with high-quality dog food.
New pet parents are often concerned about their dog’s health and wonder if they are feeding their dog the right food. Pet parents that experience doubt should consult with a veterinarian to find out their dog’s specific needs.
However, in general, the dog food bags have a convenient label that describes the age and stage of life that coordinates with the nutritional value in the package.
Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers
1. ROYAL CANIN
Features
- Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult dry dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Golden Retrievers 15 months and older
- Exclusive kibble shape designed specifically for a Golden Retriever’s straight muzzle and scissor bite to encourage chewing
- Reinforces the skin barrier with essential nutrients to support healthy skin and help promote a shiny coat
- Promotes heart health with taurine, EPA, and DHA for healthy cardiac function
- Maintains ideal weight with precise calorie and fat content designed for Golden Retrievers
Royal Canin contains Omega 6 and Omega 3 acids along with a variety of other essential vitamins your dog needs to live a healthy life.
Key Specifications
- Weight – 30.4 pounds
- Product Dimensions – 26 X 21 X 5 inches
- Shipping – This item can be shipped to the United States and APO/FPO addresses
- Warranty – Yes
- Why We Recommend – This dog food provides proper nutrition for adult dogs
Golden Retrievers are an intelligent breed that enjoys jumping around and swimming in the water and loves their family. They tend to have sensitive skin when compared to other dog breeds. Feeding them the right dog food can help keep their skin in good condition throughout their lifetime.
This particular dog food is for Golden Retrievers that are more than 15 months old. The ingredients contain Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids that are known to improve and maintain healthy skin.
Sweet and loving Golden Retrievers are prone to cardiac issues and sensitivity. This dog food contains essential ingredients such as DHA, EPA, and taurine that contribute to maintaining a healthy heart.
Adult dogs often have joint aches and pain that limit their mobility. This dog food contains healthy ingredients that help your dog have more energy and move around more easily throughout their adulthood.
Pros
- Maintains ideal weight for adult Golden Retrievers
- Maintains a shiny, healthy coat
- , Improves and maintains skin health
- Helps with cardiac function and long-term maintenance
- Maintains ideal weight for adult Golden Retrievers
Cons
- Only for dogs more than 15 months old
- All the Kibble is specially shaped the same way
Royal Canin contains a wide range of nutrients that support heart health, coat and skin health, joint function, and mobility.
2. EUKANUBA
Features
- Eukanuba adult large breed dry dog food is complete and balanced nutrition for large breed dogs 15 months or older, weighing over 55 pounds
- Promotes lean muscle development and joint health in active adult dogs with a combination of animal protein, chondroitin sulfate, and 50% more glucosamine vs. Eukanuba Adult Medium Breed
- Helps keep dogs sharp and supports healthy brain function with DHA and vitamin E
- Fuels an active lifestyle with optimal levels of fats and carbohydrates
- High-quality chicken is the first ingredient for protein that powers their day
Eukanuba contains healthy ingredients such as chicken, beet pulp, omega 3, omega 6, and prebiotic FOS. The nutrients in this dog food help maintain healthy digestion, lean muscles, healthy skin, and overall good health.
Key Specifications
- Weight – 35.4 pounds
- Product Dimensions 6 X 20 X 23.6 inches
- Shipping – This item ships to the United States and to APO/FPO addresses. Unfortunately, international shipping is not available at this time.
- Warranty – Yes
- Why We Recommend – Provides adult Golden Retrievers with nutrients for long and healthy life.
This nutritious dog food has chicken listed as it’s the first ingredient which means it is flavorful for your dog to eat. It also includes a variety of ingredients that work in combination to support overall good health.
Your dog will have lean muscles, absorb nutrients properly, experience improved digestion, healthy skin, shiny coat, and healthy joints when this dog food is part of his diet.
The kibble is perfectly sized for easy chewing for adult dogs. The crunchy kibble bites keep your dog coming back for more. However, if your dog needs to consume softer food due to dental issues, you can add water to the kibble in the bowl to encourage your dog to eat.
Pros
- Healthy Ingredients
- Specialized fiber to promote nutrient absorption
- Improved Digestion
- Supports healthy joints
- Promotes a shiny coat
- Promotes healthy skin
Cons
- The shape of the kibble is unusual and described as bone-shaped or similar to the letter “z.”
- Not recommended for pregnant dogs
- Not recommended for nursing dogs
- For adult dogs only
Eukanuba is nutritious, tasty, and helps maintain your dog’s overall health. This dog food will provide your dog with essential nutrients and vitamins that will promote healthy skin, lean muscles, and healthy joints.
3. Hill’s Science
Hill's Science
$57.99
Features
- A synergistic blend of easily digestible ingredients to support energy levels in large-breed dogs
- Supports your grown dog's joint health with natural sources of glucosamine & chondroitin
- Uses a balanced set of minerals to promote heart and kidney health in large dogs
- Nourishes your big dog's skin and supports a shiny coat with omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E
- Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
Hill’s Science is veterinarian recommended. It provides the ideal diet that keeps your dog healthy throughout their lifetime. Dogs love the flavor of chicken and enjoy this delicious dog food.
Key Specifications
- Weight – 33.8 pounds
- Dimensions – 24” X 20” X 5”
- Shipping – Domestic shipping in the United States
- International Shipping – Not available
- Warranty – Yes
- Why We Recommend – Provides a healthy diet with natural sources of vitamins and minerals for adult dogs.
This healthy dog food is best suited for adult dogs over six years old that weigh at least 55 pounds. You can start your dog eating this food at the age of 5, as long as they weigh 110 pounds and are a large dog breed.
The nutritious trustworthy ingredients are collected globally, and the product is made in the United States. It contains natural sources of chondroitin and glucosamine that encourage and support mobility and healthy joints.
This dog food is clinically proven to support a healthy immune system and is an excellent source of vitamins E, C, and antioxidants.
Your dog will enjoy the flavor of this nutritious meal. It has easy to digest high-quality ingredients. The ingredients include minerals, vitamins, amino acids. There’s no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- No artificial colors
- No artificial flavors
- No preservatives
- Contains Vitamin E
- Contains Vitamin C
- Easy to digest ingredients
Cons
- Only for adult dogs
- Dry dog food only
Hill’s Science provides an overall healthy diet for adult canines. The flavor keeps them coming back for more, and the kibble is the perfect size to mix with soft dog food for added nutrition. Your dog will love this chicken, rice, and barley mixture every day.
4. Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo
$54.98
Features
- REAL MEAT FIRST: Blue Buffalo foods always feature real meat as the first ingredient; High-quality protein from real chicken helps your dog build and maintain healthy muscles; Plus they contain wholesome whole grains, garden veggies and fruit
- LARGE BREED DOG FOOD: Specially formulated for the wellness of adult large breed dogs, BLUE Life Protection Formula Large Breed dry dog food contains glucosamine and chondroitin to help support joint health and overall mobility of bigger dogs
- ANTIOXIDANT-RICH LIFESOURCE BITS: A precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support immune system health, life stage needs and a healthy oxidative balance
- A NATURAL DOG FOOD: BLUE dry dog food is made with the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals; BLUE contains NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives
- Contains one (1) 30 lb Bag of BLUE Life Protection Formula Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food Chicken and Brown Rice
Blue Buffalo contains life source bits that provide vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. Does your dog love the flavor of chicken? They will enjoy this dog food and beg for more because it contains real meat!
Key Specifications
- Weight – 30.2 pounds
- Dimensions – 25.5” X 17” X 5” inches
- Shipping – Domestic shipping in the United States
- International Shipping – Not available
- Warranty – Yes
- Why We Recommend – This dog food supports lean muscles, bone development, healthy joints and provides an overall healthy diet.
Your dog will love this tasty dog food! Flavor choices include chicken and brown rice, fish and brown rice plus lamb and brown rice. The first ingredient in all the recipes is either meat or fish, depending on the flavor you choose.
The protein source is high-quality. L-Carnitine which is responsible for the maintenance and development of lean muscles is added to all recipes. The ingredients also include fruit, garden vegetables, and whole grains.
Large dog breeds require special nutritional needs. This natural dog food is enhanced with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that meet the life stage requirements.
This dog food contains a specific blend of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that were explicitly chosen by holistic veterinarians to support a healthy immune system.
Pros
- Natural dog food
- No artificial flavors
- No preservatives
- No corn
- No Wheat
- No by-product meals
Cons
- For adult dogs only
- Dry kibble only
- Only ships in the United States
Blue Buffalo is intended to provide your dog with nutrition for their overall health needs. This holistic and natural dog food is a tasty treat for your dog and gives you peace of mind knowing you are providing your dog with an overall healthy diet.
5. IAMS ProActive
IAMS ProActive
Features
- Contains one (1) 30 lb. bag of IAMS Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken
- 1st ingredient is real, farm-raised chicken, and features smaller kibble size
- Maintains bone and joint health with a formula tailored to support large breed active dogs
- Promotes healthy digestion and immunity with a tailored blend of wholesome fibers and prebiotics
- IAMS Large Breed Dry Dog Food promotes strong muscles with quality protein sourced from real chicken
Iams Proactive has scientifically chosen the best ingredients for a healthy diet. It contains real meat and supports strong muscles. This tasty food will keep your dog healthy and happy.
Key Specifications
- Weight – 30.6 pounds
- Dimensions – 5.2” X 18.8” X 23.9” inches
- Shipping – Domestic shipping in the United States
- International Shipping – Not available
- Warranty – Yes
- Why We Recommend – Promotes strong muscles, maintains healthy bones, joints, and digestion.
This nutritious dog food contains high-quality real meat and perfectly complements Iams canned dog food. Mixing the dry kibble with wet food provides your dog with a delicious textured experience.
As your dog grows older, they might experience, digestion difficulty if they eat the wrong type of food. This dog food prevents tummy issues and contains chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, prebiotics, and fiber.
The chicken flavor will keep your dog’s attention and keep them coming back for more. The ingredients include real chicken to promote strong muscles, beet pulp for healthy digestion, and wholesome grains for youthful energy.
Healthy joints are essential for an overall healthy life. This dog food encourages healthy bones by including chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine in the ingredients.
Pros
- High-quality ingredients
- Real meat ingredients
- Maintains healthy digestion
- Veterinarian recommended
Cons
- Only one flavor available
- Only comes in kibble form
- Only ships in the United States
Do you have a picky dog that doesn’t want to eat? This particular dog food can help the situation since it has real meat and contains tons of vitamins and nutrients. It also contains ingredients that help improve digestion. A happy tummy helps your dog feel more comfortable and gives them the desire to eat. Iams Proactive Health is an excellent source of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for large dogs.
Bottom Line
The list of nutritional and natural Golden Retriever dog food will keep your dog healthy throughout their lifetime. It’s wise to discuss your dog’s health with a veterinarian to assure you are providing your dog with the proper nutrition for their age and current health status. The foods suggested above meet nutritional requirements and are considered the best dog food for Golden Retrievers.
All of the dog food on our list is amazing! However, our top pick out of the five on the list is definitely the Hill’s Science. It is packed full of vitamins and nutrients and is easy to digest.
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Razvan
Razvan is a dog trainer and veterinary technician with over 10 years of experience working with dog daycares, animal shelters, vet clinics and private dog training. Razvan is one of the lead publishers on Dog Struggles covering the latest product reviews and dog health advice.
