What is the best dog food for your Golden Retriever? This is the question that arises in most dog owner’s mind and we understand them completely.
Golden Retrievers are large dogs and have large craving for the food. Feeding a high-quality-diet is an important aspect to meet his nutrional needs as well as keep his health intact.
The dog food plays a major role in the weight management, healthy joints and keeping coat lustorous. One can feed Golden retrievers a home cooked food or can provide him a ready-made food that available in the market.
Which is the best food for Golden Retriever?
| Best Brand | Type | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Royal Canine | Grain Inclusive (wheat and corn) | Buy at Amazon |
| 2. Maxi Starter | Grain-free | Buy at Amazon |
| 3. Drools | Grain-free | Buy at Amazon |
| 4. Pedigree Puppy Food | Grain-free | Buy at Amazon |
| 5. Purina | Grain inclusive (wheat, corn and rice bran) | Buy at Amazon |
If you are looking for food for your Golden Retriever puppy, then Pedigree Puppy Dry Dog Food is an ideal option. When it comes to adult food, Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Dog Food is a good option. You can also give them home cooked foods like boiled meat, grains, pulses, fruits and vegetables.
List of Golden Retriever dog and puppy food in India
1. Royal Canin Golden Retriever Food
First five ingredients – Brown rice, chicken by-product meal, oat groats, brewers rice, and wheat.
Type – Grain Inclusive (wheat and corn)
Best for – Golden Retriever Adults
This adult dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of a purebred Golden Retriever. It contains 23 % protein, 11 % fats, 5.7 % fiber and 10 % moisture.
Why we like this product
- Contains taurine, DHA and EPA that promotes heart health
- Contains the required calorie and fat content to maintain their weight
- Unique kibble shape that encourages chewing
- Enriched with Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to support skin’s barrier
2. Royal Canin Maxi Starter
First five ingredients – Rice, dehydrated poultry protein, animal fats, vegetable protein isolate* and hydrolysed animal proteins.
Type – Grain-free
Best for – Best Starter Foods for Golden Retriever Newborn (1-2 months old)
This Golden Retriever dog food is the ideal way to start your puppy’s food journey to adult.
Why we like this product
- Kibbles rehydrate to a porridge-like consistency that is appetizing for bitch and weaning puppies
- Designed in a way that it supports bitch’s high energy needs at the end of gestation and throughout lactation
- Contains nutrients that support the puppy’s natural defences and digestive health
3. Drools Focus Puppy Premium Dog Food
First five ingredients – Real chicken, whole dried eggs, long-grain rice, oatmeal and flaxseed oil.
Type – Grain-free
Best for – Puppies
This puppy food does not contain chicken by-product, but real chicken. The protein source in this product is chicken meat only. It contains 28 % protein, 16 % fats, 2.5 % fiber and 10 % moisture.
Why we like this product
- Does not contain any artificial colour or flavour
- Enriched with proteins for optimum growth of puppies
- Contains DHA that nourishes the nerve cells and helps in brain development
- Rice and oats absorb nutrients well and improve the digestive system
- Power-packed with Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamin E, zinc and biotin for healthy skin and coat
- Rich in antioxidants for a healthy immune system
- Highly soluble long-grain rice helps in digestion
4. Pedigree Puppy Dry Dog Food
First five ingredients – Meat and Meat by-products, Chicken and Chicken by-products, Vegetables and Vegetable by-products, Vegetable oils, and Milk powder.
Type – Grain-free
Best for – Puppies
Pedigree is made out of high-quality ingredients for stronger immunity and health. It contains 24% protein, 10% fat and 5% fiber.
Why we like this product
- Omega 6 and zinc promotes healthy skin and coat
- Protein from meat and cereals promote strong muscles
- Rich in fiber helps bowel movement
- Antioxidants from meat and vitamin E helps to strengthen immune system
- Kibble designed to promote dental health
5. Purina Supercoat Puppy Dry Dog Food
First five ingredients – Cereal and cereal products, chicken and chicken products, vitamins, minerals, and invert syrup
Type – Grain inclusive (wheat, corn and rice bran)
Best for – Puppies
This product is natural and does not include any artificial colours and flavours. It contains 26% protein, 12% fat, 5% fiber and 12% moisture.
Why we like this product
- Contains DHA2 helps in brain and vision development
- Contains Vitamin E and C that develops natural defences
- Power-packed with calcium that strengthens bones and teeth
- Formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of the puppy
How to Choose a Golden Retriever Dog Food in India?
To make sure that your Golden Retriever meets the basic nutritional requirements of the day, it is important to choose the ideal formulated food for his/her life stage.
Below mentioned are a few factors that you need to look into while buying food for your Golden Retriever:
- Ensure that the dog food is made with natural and wholesome ingredients, without any by-products, fillers and artificial additives
- The product has limited fat and calorie content to limit the growth in puppies and maintain lean mass
- The food should be power-packed with lean protein from quality animal sources like fish, meat and poultry
- It should be nutritionally balanced as per the AAFCO nutrient profile
- The food should have limited phosphorus and calcium levels for joint health
Apart from the above-mentioned factors, there are a few more that you should consider
Budget (low, medium and premium)
Buying dog food is a recurring expense and thus you need to know what you can afford, you can find dog food available at different price ranges like low, medium and premium.
Availability
We recommend you opt for a popular brand dog food so that you do not have to deal with the shortage. Your Golden Retriever would not happily adjust to the change in its food.
What is a good diet for a golden retriever?
Golden Retrievers are large breeds and as per NRC of National Academies, sedentary dog should have 900 to 1272 calories while active dogs should consume 1353 to 1740 calories per day. Ideal diet of Golden retrievers should have 30% proteins, 15-20% fats, 30% carbohydrates and ingredients like omega 3, fatty acids, DHA, EPA etc.
Nutritional Requirements of Golden Retriever Puppy and Adult
Nutritional profile of a Golden Retriever puppy and adult is different.
Below mentioned is the nutritional requirement of a Golden Retriever puppy.
255 to 30% protein content – The food should be rich in protein that helps develop lean muscle mass
12% to 18% fat content – Golden Retriever pups are full of energy. They require a good amount of fats to give them the required energy. Unsaturated fats in the food also help them maintain skin health
Omega fatty acids – Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are crucial nutrients that keep joints and bones strong. It provides a good anti-inflammatory effect and reduces swelling and pain in joints
Below mentioned is the nutritional requirement of a Golden Retriever adult.
30% protein content – Golden Retriever adults require an ample amount of protein to improve bone density and endurance
15% to 20% fat content – Fats help decrease shedding in Golden Retrievers and restore the coat’s natural radiance
30% to 35% carbohydrates – Sufficient carbohydrate provides good energy that helps keep the dog active
DHA and EPA – these omega fatty acids keep bones and joints supple, thus improving mobility.
How Much to Feed a Golden Retriever Puppy?
The right amount of food to feed your Golden Retriever pup is determined by his/her weight as well as the quality of food that you buy.
Here is an idea of how much you should feed your Golden Retriever puppy. But it is always good to consult the vet first.
| Age | Feeding Requirement |
| 2 months | 1 ½ cups daily |
| 3 months | 2 cups daily |
| 4 months | 2 ½ cups daily |
| 5 – 6 months | 3 cups daily |
| 6 – 7 months (male only) | 3 ½ to 4 cups daily |
How Long Is a Golden Retriever Considered a Puppy?
It is said that Golden Retrievers take 1 year to grow into their body, 2 years into their coat and 3 years into their brain. Usually, their growth plates close between 10 and 24 months.
When To Switch Puppy Food To Adult Food?
The best time to switch puppy food to adult food is between 12 and 18 months. This is the time when they start achieving adult height.
Different dogs mature at a different rate. Larger breeds take a longer time. Golden Retrievers are medium breeds and thus, they mature between 12 and 18 months.
Can I Feed Homemade Food to My Golden Retriever?
Yes. cooking and feeding your Golden Retriever home-cooked food is a good way to provide him/her the required nutrition to be healthy.
You need to ensure that the ingredients you use in the food are safe for them to eat and also meets the nutritional requirements of your furry friend.
Remember to switch Golden retriever’s food to home-cooked from kibble slowly and progressively. Consider facts like eating history, healthy and weight of the dog before giving him/her home-cooked food.
Here is a list of homemade foods that you can feed your Golden Retriever:
Eggs and meat
Protein is the primary nutrition for your dog. Good sources of protein and fats are chicken, mutton, fish, pork, beef, boiled and scrambled egg.
Chicken is the most common non-vegetarian dish in Indian households. Make sure not to provide them garlic, onion, extra oil and even spices.
Also, do not provide them cooked chicken bones since it is brittle and may lead to oral injuries. It can even be fatal in the intestines and will have to be removed surgically.
Grains and pulses
Whole grains and pulses are nutritious to the dog. A combination of brown rice and mashed boiled vegetables is a simple and healthy meal for a Golden Retriever.
Some dogs are allergic to wheat, while the ones that are fine can safely eat chapatti and whole wheat pasta. Dogs even like soybeans, provided they are not sensitive to it. You can feed them whole wheat or brown bread in limited quantities.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide superior nutrition, texture, taste and colour. They are a powerhouse of minerals, fibers, and vitamins and are low in calories.
They are not just healthy but also reduce the risks of diseases like some cancers, heart disease and high blood pressure.
They are low in calories but ensure that you do not intake excess because that may upset the stomach.
Milk and dairy products
You can give pasteurised and homogenized carton milk to your pet dog. Some dogs like humans can be lactose intolerant, so ensure that you do not give them milk.
Most dogs love cottage cheese. Also, buttermilk and curd are good sources of calcium and prebiotics.
Make sure to consult your vet before you introduce a new item to your dog. Reactions and allergies to foods can vary from dog to dog. Thus, it is wise to observe your dog every time you introduce new food into their diet.
Make sure to avoid artificial sugar and limit their intake of salt. A pinch of salt daily would be sufficient.
Conclusion
We hope to have helped you understand in detail about the best food in India for dogs and puppies. Make sure to check out the factors that we have mentioned before choosing food for your dog and puppy.
Many pet owners have multiple questions in mind like how much to feed the dog, how to switch the puppy from puppy food to adult food, etc. We have answered all of these commonly asked questions.
To make your search simpler, we have even reviewed some of the best Golden Retriever dog foods in India that you can consider buying.