Top 3 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Puppy Food for Golden Retrievers
What is the best puppy food for Golden Retrievers? It can be challenging to decide which brand and product is the most suitable for your dog. Amidst the innumerable brands and their products available, each brand is trying its best to upsell its product. In this upselling, the good and evil are pretty tricky to identify, and marketers only care about selling the product so that they can go to any lengths.
Do not worry, as Bindi Paws have made your life easier by bringing the top 3 universal questions you should ask while choosing a puppy food. With thorough research and market analysis, we have identified what can serve as the best puppy food for Golden Retrievers. All of our endorsed brands are recommended by qualified vets and nutritionists.
Top 3 Questions to Ask
As a dog parent, you have the right to ask relevant questions about the brand you use for your puppy’s diet. You have the right to know if the product of a particular brand is certified, lists all ingredients, and is healthy for the dog. Here are the top 3 questions that you should ask before buying dog food for your Golden Retriever or any other dog:
1. Do Golden Retrievers Need Special Food?
Golden Retrievers are considered medium to large breed dogs. A golden retriever’s food does not vary much from the food of another large breed dog. There are only a few variables you need to keep in mind. Golden Retrievers need a good amount of protein in their food to keep their muscles growing and tummies filled for longer times. By exact proportion, a Golden Retriever puppy needs 22% of the protein in its diet while needing 5% fats.
High protein results in muscle building and healthy digestion. As Golden Retrievers are large breed dogs, they need a dog food that is filling and not abundant in calories. Large breed dogs tend to eat more since their portion size is enormous. Excess food can result in a high-calorie intake, leading to obesity and other health problems. Hence, the best puppy food for Golden Retrievers is high in protein and less in overall calories.
2. What to Look for in a Golden Retriever Dog Food?
Firstly, it does not matter which puppy breed you have; you should only buy AAFCO-certified products. AAFCO-approved products are fit for your dog since they do not contain any deficiencies and do not pose any harmful effects on your dog. The best puppy food for Golden Retrievers is what fulfills their nutritional value through natural ingredients and helps with growth in life functions. High-quality brands can deliver up to the expectations and can result in the following benefits for your dog:
- Strong bones and joints
- Healthy digestive system and bowel movements
- Nourished skin and coat
- Healthy heart health
To attain all these benefits for your pup, your dog food should contain premium quality ingredients that provide a complete meal to your dog. Natural ingredients are the number one requirement to classify food as high-quality. Dog food that comprises unknown animal by-products, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and fillers is not recommended!
Your Golden retriever should be given food rich in protein from high-quality sources like chicken, lamb, beef, and fish. Look out for products that mention what protein source they contain. Fats are also essential for the nourishment of coat and skin. However, too much fat can lead to heart problems and obesity.
Calcium is crucial for large breed dogs to support their heavy body mass onto their bones. Balanced calcium and phosphorus levels allow the development of healthy and strong joints and bones.
Apart from all the nutritional requirements, ensure that the kibble size is significant, as Golden Retrievers are known to overeat their food. Larger kibble size will stagnate their eating speed. Food containing all the above components can be called the best puppy food for Golden Retrievers.
3. Is Grain-Free Food Harmful to Golden Retrievers?
There have been many discussions and debates about the effect of feeding grain-free food to Golden Retrievers. According to Golden Meadows Retrievers, grain-free foods can cause heart, vision, and digestion problems in the long term. Grains are a great source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that stabilize certain health functions. Grain-free food is also reported to bring dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs.
Grains and fruits are essential ingredients that dog food should contain. However, exceptions can be made for dogs who are allergic to grains.
Best Puppy Foods for Golden Retrievers
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Golden Retriever Puppy Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin is the most recommended dog food for Golden Retrievers as it fulfills all the nutritional requirements. It contains essential nutrients from grains and vitamins to support the immune system and keep the dog free from any health hazards. Along with it, Royal Canin aids digestion, brain development and strengthens bones.
Wellness Natural Pet Food Complete Health Natural Dry Large Breed Dog Food, Chicken & Rice
Wellness Natural Pet Food is made up of high-quality chicken and rice that supplies protein and carbohydrates to the dog. The product is free from any artificial additives and fillers. The premium formula helps bone development and aids healthy digestion.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food, Chicken and Brown Rice
Blue Buffalo contains premium chicken meat that boosts muscle growth and serves as an optimum source of protein. The natural blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals dramatically boosts the immune system and vitalizes life functions. Blue Buffalo is made of 100% natural ingredients with no additives.
Final Thoughts
The best puppy food for Golden Retrievers can be deduced by conducting simple research on what nutrients a dog requires to advance in life. Always ask the 3 essential questions before purchasing dog food for your Golden Retriever. Always buy trusted brands recommended by vets, and get your dog consulted by a vet to learn more about its health conditions to determine what food will be best for it!
