Golden Retriever Puppies
Making a wise decision on the best puppy food for Golden Retrievers can be challenging. Golden Retrievers’ health and immune systems can benefit from a high-quality diet because they are especially sensitive to dietary issues.
Feeding a high-quality diet does not always cost more money. Price is deceptive since less expensive foods need more liquid for consumption—up to several cups at each meal.
Our Favorite Golden Retriever Puppy Food
Our best puppy food for Golden Retrievers is the Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Dry Dog Food. It provides nutrient-rich whole foods that will support the special health requirements of larger dogs.
What Breed Size are Golden Retrievers?
There is a solid reason why Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. They are affectionate, smart, obedient, and simple to teach. Due to their excellent behavior among young children and other dogs, they make perfect family pets.
They are medium-sized sporting dogs, weighing 55 and 75 pounds (24.9 and 34.01 kilograms) on average, with females falling closer to the lower end of this range. They can be between 21 and 24 inches (53.3 and 60.96 centimeters) tall. They have an extremely muscular frame, a deep chest, short ears, and a large head.
Risks Associated With Feeding the Wrong Golden Retriever Puppy Food
Are you wondering how much to feed a Golden Retriever puppy? Many health problems affecting Golden Retrievers regularly relate to your dog’s nutrition. Here are a few illustrations:
Obesity
Golden Retrievers enjoy eating; if you allow them, they can easily gain weight. This issue frequently impacts the following issues.
Joint Problems
Growing quickly because they eat too much can often worsen the joint problems that Golden Retrievers are prone to.
Heart Problems
Many people believe that the current rise in DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) cases in Golden Retrievers relates to their consumption of BEG (boutique, exotic-ingredient, and grain-free) diets.
Skin Problems
Hot spots are common in Golden Retrievers, and an excessive amount of protein in their diet may contribute to them.
Cancer
The Morris Animal Foundation is doing the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, where they are studying 3,000 goldens to discover whether there are any trends (such as nutrition) that cause cancer. Golden Retrievers have the highest cancer rates of any breed.
Allergies
Food allergies affect a lot of goldens. Be careful when feeding a Golden Retriever Puppy.
The Best Golden Retriever Puppy Food – an Overview
Product Name | Best for case | Type | Star rating |
Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Dry Dog Food | Best overall | Chunks | 4.6 |
Taste of the Wild Roasted Bison and Venison | Best complete meal | Chunks | 4.7 |
Iams Puppy Dry Dog Food | Best dry food | Kibble | 4.7 |
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula | Best for large puppy breed | Kibble | 4.6 |
Royal Canin Large Puppy Wet Dog Food | Best wet dog food | Kibble | 4.4 |
Diamond Naturals Premium Large Breed Formulas | Best natural food | Pellet | 4.6 |
Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food | Best vet recommended | Kibble | 4.5 |
Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food Dog Food | Best healthy food | Soup | 4.6 |
Earthborn Holistic Puppy Vantage Dry Dog Food | Best for all breeds | Pellet | 4.7 |
Purina Pro Plan High Protein Wet Puppy Food | Best canned dog food | Pate | 4.6 |
The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Human Grade | Best human grade dog food | Kibble | 4.6 |
Merrick Grain Free All Breed Sizes Canned Wet Dog Food | Best wet puppy food | Chunks | 4.6 |
Our Golden Retriever Puppy Food Reviews
Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Dry Dog Food: Best Overall
Brand: Wellness Natural Pet Food
Lifestage: All
Breed recommendation: Large
Item Form: Dry
First five ingredients: Real meat, omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics
Profile: Animal food
Flavor: Salmon, chicken, rice
Available package sizes: 5,15,and 30 pounds (2.26, 6.80, and, 13.6 kilograms)
Allergen information: Suitable for all
Vet recommended: No
Prescription required: No
Targeted uses: Dog treats, meal toppers, and food
Topper or complete meal: Both
About This Item
- The primary ingredient in this large breed, puppy dry dog food is chicken, a high-quality protein with healthful grains like rice.
- This crunchy kibble has no artificial preservatives, fillers, or meat by-products.
- Designed to provide nutrient-rich whole foods that will support the special health requirements of larger dogs.
- Made in the USA with only the best ingredients worldwide.
- With Wellness natural dog food, you can feed your dog for a lifetime. There are also grain-free dog treats, meal toppers, and wet food options.
Taste of the Wild Roasted Bison and Venison: Best Complete Meal
Amazon’s Choice in Dry Dog Food by Taste of the Wild
Brand: Taste of the Wild
Lifestage: Dog
Breed recommendation: All breed sizes
Item Form: Dry
First five ingredients: Water buffalo, lamb meal, sweet potatoes, egg product, pea protein
Profile: Dog food
Flavor/s: Grain-free puppy
Available package sizes: 5, 14, and 28 pounds (2.26, 6.35, and 12.70 kilograms)
Allergen information: Contains no grains
Vet recommended: Yes
Prescription required: Yes
Targeted uses: Dog food
Topper or complete meal: Complete
About This Item
- Real meat is the number one ingredient in Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy with Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison. It is the best puppy food for Golden Retrievers.
- It is a dry dog food high in protein (28%) to strengthen bones, joints, and lean muscles in pups and nursing or pregnant mothers.
- Omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, vitamins and minerals from Superfoods, and nutrient-rich to provide you the energy you need to live
- Prebiotics, antioxidants, and high concentrations of species-specific K9 Strain proprietary probiotics are all in every serving to promote immunological function, a healthy digestive system, and general health and wellness.
Iams Puppy Dry Dog Food: Best Dry Food
Amazon’s Choice in Dry Dog Food by Iams
Brand: Iams
Lifestage: All
Breed recommendation: Medium, large
Item Form: Dry
First five ingredients:
Profile: Dog food
Flavor/s: Chicken
Available package sizes: 30, 7, and 15 pounds (13.6, 3.17 and 6.80 kilograms)
Allergen information:
Vet recommended: Yes
Prescription required: No
Targeted uses: Puppy, dogs food
Topper or complete meal: Complete
About This Item
- Large breed puppy food: Designed to meet the unique nutritional requirements of large breed puppies and Golden Retriever medium-size puppies, this kibble contains real, farm-raised chicken as its first ingredient to support strong muscles and vital minerals to support strong bones.
- Veterinarians suggest IAMS: This delightful kibble is full of antioxidants to support the development of a robust immune system. It contains 22 essential nutrients in the mother’s milk, including omega-3 DHA, to promote healthy cognition.
- Complete and balanced nutrition for puppies: For full and balanced nutrition, IAMS Dog Food contains high-quality animal protein and no artificial preservatives, flavors, or fillers.
- Customized for your dog: From puppies to adults to older dogs, small breeds to large, we have a full variety of foods with formulas that maintain a healthy weight and digestive system.
- IAMS super premium dog food: Select nourishment that meets your dog’s specific needs and brings out the best in them; Iam’s premium, high-quality recipes are from the USA, using the best ingredients worldwide.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula: Best for Large Puppy Breed
Amazon’s Choice in Dry Dog Food by Blue Buffalo
Brand: Blue Buffalo
Lifestage: Large dogs
Breed recommendation: Large
Item Form: Dry
First five ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
Profile: Dog food
Flavor: Chicken and brown rice
Available package sizes: 15, 30, and 34 pounds (6.80, 13.6, and 15.42 kilograms)
Allergen information: No poultry by-product
Vet recommended: Yes
Prescription required: Yes
Targeted uses: Dog food
Topper or complete meal: Complete
About This Item
- Blue Real flesh is always the first ingredient in buffalo meals; Your dog’s muscles grow and are well-maintained by consuming real chicken’s high-quality protein; they include fruit, garden vegetables, and healthful whole grains. The best puppy food for Golden Retrievers available.
- In addition to promoting healthy muscular growth, large breed puppy food provides DHA and ARA, two crucial fatty acids in mother’s milk that enhance eye health and cognitive function.
- Blue chooses a mixture of nutrients with care by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support the immune system, different life stages, and a healthy oxidative balance.
- Blue dry dog food contains the best natural ingredients supplemented with vitamins and minerals; Blue has no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Blue contains no chicken (or poultry) by-product meals.
- Dry dog food for large breed puppies, with chicken and brown rice
Royal Canin Large Puppy Wet Dog Food: Best Wet Dog Food
Amazon’s Choice in Canned Dog Food by Royal Canin
Brand: Royal Canin
Lifestage: Puppy
Breed recommendation: Puppy
Item Form: Wet, dry
First five ingredients: Pork by-products, chicken, pork liver, powdered cellulose, modified corn starch
Profile: Puppy food
Flavor: Chicken
Available package sizes: 4.9 ounces (138.9 grams) cans 10-count
Allergen information: Suitable for puppy
Vet recommended: No
Prescription required: No
Targeted uses: Puppy food
Topper or complete meal: Topper
About This Item
- It is for puppies up to 15 months old with a mature weight of over 56 pounds (25.42 kilograms),
- Royal Canin dog food for Golden Retrievers pairs nicely with the easy-open pouch and soft dog food texture.
- Immune assistance Vitamin E is part of a complex of antioxidants that promotes puppies’ immune systems and natural defenses.
- It supports a healthy gut flora, encourages wholesome digestion, and results in the best possible stool quality.
- Supports large dogs’ energy requirements during their long growing phase.
Diamond Naturals Premium Large Breed Formulas: Best Natural Food
Amazon’s Choice in Dry Dog Food by Diamond Naturals
Brand: Diamond Naturals
Lifestage: Dog
Breed recommendation: Large breeds
Item Form: Dry
First five ingredients: Lamb, lamb meal, ground white rice, peas, pea flour
Profile: Large breed formula
Flavor: Puppy lamb
Available package sizes: 40 pounds (18.16 kilograms)
Allergen information: Contains a source of live (viable), naturally occurring microorganisms.
Vet recommended: Yes
Prescription required: No
Targeted uses: Dog food
Topper or complete meal: Complete
About This Item
- Has Das for the growth of the brain and the eyes.
- Formulation of antioxidants for Golden Retriever puppy feeding.
- Omega fatty acids in balance for the skin and coat.
Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food: Best Vet Recommended
Brand: Holistic Select
Lifestage: Large dog
Breed recommendation: All
Item Form: Dry
First five ingredients: Fruits, veggies, and healthy proteins
Profile: Dog food
Flavor: No flavors
Available package sizes: 30-pound (13.62- kilogram) bag
Allergen information: No meat by-products
Vet recommended: Yes
Prescription required: Yes
Targeted uses: Large dogs
Topper or complete meal: Meal
About This Item
- This dog food has the right amount of protein, prebiotics, probiotics, live yogurt cultures, digestive enzymes, and natural fiber to support your large breed dog’s digestion for the duration of their life.
- Salmon oil and flaxseed’s omega-three fatty acids help a healthy coat and skin.
- Supported by antioxidants, probiotics, glucosamine, and taurine for a strong heart.
- The company prepares each of the diets in a cutting-edge facility in the USA using only the best products from across the world. We create delectable natural meals utilizing nutritional components selected for their nutritional benefits.
- Developed by nutritionists, vets, and animal lovers, the recipes offer the perfect harmony of nature’s finest ingredients, carefully chosen to maintain the well-being of your dog.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food Dog Food: Best Healthy Food
Brand: Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food
Lifestage: All
Breed recommendation: All
Item Form: Wet
First five ingredients: Chicken, turkey, duck, salmon, carrots
Profile: Dog food
Flavor: Puppy
Available package sizes: 12.96 ounces (367.4 grams)
Allergen information: No wheat, corn, or soy
Vet recommended: No
Prescription required: No
Targeted uses: Dog nourishment
Topper or complete meal: Topper
About This Item
- The dog chow’s first component is real chicken, a high-quality protein.
- Dog food contains real ingredients like chicken, turkey, duck, salmon, carrots, apples, brown rice, oats, and more.
- The wet food formula is wheat-, corn-, and soy-free and never contains by-product meals, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
- Delicious, healthful food created with premium ingredients that are also reasonably priced. Created especially so that superior nourishment is available in every home that cherishes a dog.
- Carefully made in the USA using the finest ingredients available.
Earthborn Holistic Puppy Vantage Dry Dog Food: Best for All Breeds
Amazon’s Choice in Dry Dog Food by Earthborn Holistic
Brand: Earthborn Holistic
Lifestage: Dogs
Breed recommendation: All breeds
Item Form: Dry
First five ingredients: Chicken and pacific whiting meal, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
Profile: Dog food
Flavor: Chicken
Available package sizes: 4, 12.5, and 25 pounds (1.81, 5.67, and 11.35 kilograms)
Allergen information: Grain-free
Vet recommended: No
Prescription required: No
Targeted uses: Dog food
Topper or complete meal: Meal
About This Item
- Chicken meal, which is the main ingredient in this delicious recipe and a great source of nutrition for your puppy, consists of USA farm-raised chicken. A delicious meal that your dog will adore.
- Energy from the whole grain: Puppies need a lot of energy for development and play. Because they are gentle on the digestive system and support excellent health, earthborn employ whole, nutrient-rich ancient grains like buckwheat, pearled barley, and oats.
- It is a superfood blend: A variety of superfoods, such as spinach, apples, blueberries, cranberries, flaxseed, blueberries, and pumpkin, assist optimum digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Taurine and methionine are part of the formula to promote your dog’s heart health. Maintain the lively, playful personality of your dog for years to come.
- This unique dish offers an extremely nutritious meal without using peas, lentils, beans, or white potatoes.
- DHA, a long-chain Omega-3 fatty acid, is important for the growth and operation of the neurological system. This unique recipe, rich with DHA, supports the development of cognition and behavior.
- To start on the right paw, this whole-grain holistic puppy chow recipe is a fantastic choice for both tiny and large breed puppies.
- Earthborn Holistic is a product of the United States in kitchens run by a fourth-generation family.
Purina Pro Plan High Protein Wet Puppy Food: Best Canned Dog Food
Amazon’s Choice in Canned Dog Food by Purina Pro Plan
Brand: Purina Pro Plan
Lifestage: Puppy
Breed recommendation: All
Item Form: Wet
First five ingredients: Real meat, poultry, salmon
Profile: Puppy food
Flavor: Chicken and brown rice
Available package sizes: 5.5 and 13 ounces (155.9 and 368.5 grams) cans
Allergen information: No by-products
Vet recommended: Yes
Prescription required: Yes
Targeted uses: Puppy food
Topper or complete meal: Meal
About This Item
- Twelve cans of Purina Pro Plan high protein puppy food pate, chicken, and brown rice entree, which is especially for dogs up to one year old and contains DHA for developing the brain and eyes.
- With chicken as the first ingredient, Purina puppy food has a fantastic taste and gives your puppy the high-quality protein he needs to develop lean muscles.
- Puppies’ chicken and rice dog chow supports a strong immune system and nourishes their skin and coat.
- Puppies receive 100% complete and balanced nutrition from wet dog food pate, free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Human Grade: Best Human Grade Dog Food
Amazon’s Choice in Dry Dog Food by The Honest Kitchen
Brand: The Honest Kitchen
Lifestage: Puppy, Dog
Breed recommendation: All
Item Form: Dry
First five ingredients: Oats, veggies, salmon oil
Profile: Dog food
Flavor: Chicken
Available package sizes: 1, 4, and 20 pounds ( 0.45, 1.81, and 9.08)
Allergen information: No rendered meals
Vet recommended: Yes
Prescription required: Yes
Targeted uses: Puppy food
Topper or complete meal: Meal
About This Item
- First human grade dry dog food in the world: Most pet food classification is “feed grade.” The first dry food in the world that is 100% human quality developed in a facility that produces human food. Accordingly, you should anticipate higher quality ingredients and greater safety regulations from your food.
- This dry puppy food is fully balanced, with added protein to help muscle growth, increased DHA for brain health, and twice as many probiotics to support the digestive tract. Both adult mothers and large breed puppies (during gestation and breastfeeding) can use it.
- Human-grade muscle meat, liver, oats, healthy fats, and active probiotics are carefully combined to create clusters, which are then cold-pressed into tasty, bite-sized, ready-to-eat pieces. Also, absent from this recipe are potatoes and beans.
- To preserve whole foods’ nutrients, flavor, and aroma, clusters are a combination of small batches of fresh ingredients, cold pressing them into bite-sized clusters, and then gently slow roasting and dehydrating them.
- This recipe has no meat meals, fillers, GMO ingredients, artificial flavors, or artificial preservatives. It also does not use feed-grade ingredients.
Merrick Grain Free All Breed Sizes Canned Wet Dog Food: Best Wet Puppy Food
Brand: Merrick
Lifestage: Dog
Breed recommendation: All
Item Form: Wet
First five ingredients: Deboned meat, fish, or poultry
Profile: Dog food
Flavor: Chicken
Available package sizes: 12.7 ounces (360.04 grams)
Allergen information: Grain-free
Vet recommended: Yes
Prescription required: Yes
Targeted uses: Dog food
Topper or complete meal: Topper
About This Item
- Twelve Cans Grain-free wet puppy food and canned dog food from Puppy Plate with a chicken recipe
- The primary component in this nutritious dog food recipe is real deboned chicken.
- Also included in this grain-free puppy food are sweet potatoes and carrots.
- This Merrick dog food recipe incorporates DHA to assist your puppy’s healthy brain development and is free of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or by-products.
- The pull tab on this natural dog food can make it simple to open and quickly serve the moist formula.
FAQs on Golden Retriever Puppy Food
How do I Switch to a New Food Without Making My Puppy Sick?
You should know when to switch Golden Retriever from puppy food as a dog owner. Many dogs experience soft feces or diarrhea even after a simple adjustment in dog food. Here are the ins and outs of properly transferring your dog from one food to another:
What to Avoid
Let’s assume your dog typically consumes Chicken Chow, but Sausage Snacks are on sale at the shop. You give your dog a different gift, so you put a new menu in the basket. After all, if they eat the same thing every day, your dog must get quite bored, right?
Don’t replace all the food at once. As sure as dogs have wet noses, your dog’s stomach will become upset due to the sudden change in flavor, regardless of how pleased they may be about it. Instead, gradually switch your dog’s diet for a full week to give its digestive system time to acclimate.
How to Switch a Dog’s Diet
You can switch the dog’s diet by gradually cutting back on the old food for a Golden Retriever puppy and making up the difference with the new. There is no great trick to changing your diet. Simply introduce the new diet gradually to give your dog’s digestive system time to acclimate to the new gut flora.
You can switch the dog’s diet by gradually cutting back on the old food and making up the difference with the new. There are two ways to do this; both require at least seven days to complete. Mix the new food in with the old. This is a covert approach to introducing a new dog food to picky eaters with success:
Days 1 to 2
25% add new dog food to the old.
Days 3 to 4
Half the food should be new.
Days 5 to 6
Replace 75% of the old with new.
Day 7
Feed completely new food.
Fussy eaters may benefit from an even more gradual shift; switch out their meals gradually over a full month, if necessary.
2nd Approach: Side by Side
Alternatively, serve the food separately in bowls you place side by side rather than combining the fresh and the old in one bowl. As the days pass, continue adding a little more to the “new food dish” while removing some of the old stuff.
Once more, it should take at least seven days for the move to be complete, though longer is acceptable.
Do Golden Retriever Puppies Need Special Food?
Remember to feed any puppy the best dog food for Golden Retriever puppies whenever you feed them. It is important to note that kibble designed for young dogs will contain increased quantities of protein, fat, and omega fatty acids to assist their developing bodies and minds.
How Much Food Should You Feed a Golden Retriever Pup?
You should feed your puppy accordingly depending on what your veterinarian recommends and what the dog food label states.
Giving generic advice like “feed your puppy one cup per day” is difficult since every puppy is unique and various foods have different calorie densities.
Most people feed their puppies three times a day, eventually reducing it to two when they become a little older. They don’t need to eat as regularly because they aren’t developing as quickly, which usually makes them defecate less.
When can You safely switch a Golden Retriever to adult food?
Golden Retriever puppies continue to grow and aren’t ready to eat adult food until they are between 12 and 24 months old. If you switch your puppy to adult food before, your golden may more likely sustain severe and irreversible hip injuries.
How Can I Make Sure the Food is Appropriate for My Puppy’s Level of Development?
You may have observed that some dog foods indicate whether for puppies or older dogs when you evaluated several types of dog food. Your dog may have varying nutritional requirements at various stages of its life because a puppy’s digestive system develops and matures over time.
Generally speaking, your dog will benefit from eating puppy food from around eight weeks until they are between 6 and 12 months old. To find out when it’s appropriate to transfer from puppy food to one for adult dogs, consult your veterinarian. Recommendations change depending on your dog’s size.
What can Golden Retrievers not eat?
Macadamia nuts, chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, walnuts, alcohol, and anything sweetened with xylitol are foods that are hazardous to Golden Retrievers. Try to steer clear of giving your Golden any food with these components.
Do Golden Retrievers Need Grain in Their Diet?
Grain is a crucial part of a Golden Retriever’s diet. Taurine deficiencies link directly to a lack of grain, and your golden could have cardiac issues.
Final Thoughts
There are different types of Golden Retrievers puppy food available in the market. You can go for wet or dry forms of food depending on your dog’s needs. Try our top choice, the Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Dry Dog Food. It is available on amazon at an affordable rate. Read our article and find out How Long Can a Dog Go Without Eating?