Have you ever heard the quote that says “Food can be our greatest medicine or our worst poison.”? It’s true, and it’s true for our pets as well! Your Big Dog’s diet should be tailored to his (or her) specific needs. The dog food industry has certainly jumped on this marketing bandwagon, often leaving us scratching our heads over which food is right for our beloved companion. Today we are going to cut through marketing gimmicks and discover some solid answers about which dog food is (really) best for Golden Retrievers and why!
For example: Should Golden Retrievers Eat Large Breed Dog Food? Yes. Although Golden Retrievers are considered to be a Medium-Sized Breed, they will benefit from a Large Breed Dog Food because it provides nutrients formulated for dogs that will weigh more than 50 pounds(22.6kg) and mature Golden retrievers will.
PLEASE NOTE! The size of the kibble matters if you opt for Dry Large Breed Dog Food! Your Golden Retriever should be able to easily and completely chew their kibble. If you are concerned the Large Breed Dog Food has kibbles that are too big for your dog, either discontinue use or moisten the food to let it soften before serving.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at…
- What Classifies a Dog as a Large Breed, Medium or Small
- How Dog Foods Differ
- The Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers
- How Much a Golden Retriever Should Eat (and why they always seem hungry!)
- Whether or not Golden Retrievers Should Eat Dairy
I’m glad you stopped by! I’ve done a ton of research regarding the right dog food for the right breed, and am going to share all I’ve learned with you right here, in the Big Dog Den. We have a bowl-full of kibble to sort out, so let’s get started!
Are Golden Retrievers Considered Large Breed Dogs?
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Golden Retriever is considered a medium-sized dog breed. On other lists, they are classified as large. When it comes to conflicting information, we’ll look instead at the facts. A mature Golden Retriever will grow to stand 21-24 inches tall (53-60cm) and weigh in the range of 55-75 pounds (25-34kg).
For comparison, a “bonafide” Large Breed Dog like the Rottweiler will weigh from 77-130 pounds (34-60kg) and stand 22-27 inches tall (55-69cm). The Beagle, a medium-sized breed, will weigh roughly 25 pounds (11kg) at maturity and stand at 13-16 inches tall (33-40cm).
As you see, the Golden Retriever comes in at the “low end” of Large Dog Breeds and at the “high end” of medium-sized Dog Breeds!
FUN FACTS: The Blue Great Dane is the record-holding tallest dog, able to reach a height of 7 feet 3 inches when standing on his back paws! In contrast, a Chihuahua holds the record for being the shortest dog… a mere 3.8 inches (9.65cm)!
How is Dog Food for Large Breeds Different?
Puppy Formula Dog Food for Large Breed Dogs: Puppy Food for “Large Breed Dogs” is lower in calories per serving than other Puppy Food formulas. This allows the pup to grow at a healthy rate for supporting joints and bones. Additionally, the Large Breed Puppy Food contains the perfect amount of Calcium for controlling bone development.
Adult-Formula Dog Food for Large Breed Dogs
Adult Dog Foods for Large Breeds often add ingredients like Glucosamine to support healthy joints. These kinds of issues are painful for your dog and often occur in larger, heavier adult dog breeds. Some Large Breed Dog Foods contain fiber blends and prebiotics that aid digestion.
Dog Food for Obese Dogs There are no laws governing marketing claims on Dog Food labels. For this reason, I leave the ultimate decision to you regarding Dog Foods formulated for overweight dogs. Be aware that the low calories could be coming from ways that aren’t optimum for your dog’s health. Better is a sound diet, which we will go over in the very next section and an adequate exercise regime for your dog’s weight-loss!
Dog Food for Senior Dogs Dog Food that advertises a “Senior Blend” variety is usually lower in calories than regular Dog Food and may contain Glucosamine for joint health and extra fiber to aid aging digestive systems. If your Senior Dog is happy with their food, and you are happy by the label, you may want to consider adding a multi-vitamin with Glucosamine and fiber as a supplement instead of changing Dog Foods.
FYI: In the United States, Dog Food is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in cooperation with the State Department of Agriculture. The nutritional guidelines are developed by the National Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). If you discover an issue regarding the dog food you purchased, you can address the issue here.
What is the Best Food For Golden Retrievers?
I don’t pay as much attention to the brand (unless I’m noting it’s a good one!) as I do to the Ingredient List. Your Golden Retriever is going to grow to weigh between 55-75 pounds (25-34kg)! The building blocks to all that bigness are sound nutrition!
Golden Retrievers are omnivores. Their health thrives when fed a diet of meat, vegetables, healthy grains, and healthy fats. When we break that down per serving, we see that it means a label should read like this:
Proteins from a specific meat source and vegetable proteins: About 25% Daily Value
*This need can rise as high as 28% during peak times of growth and activity!
Healthy Fats: 10-15% Daily Value, depending on the dog’s activity level
*For growing puppies and extremely active dogs, the requirement for healthy fats can rise to 30% Daily Value.
Carbohydrates: Up to 50% Daily Value. Use Dog Foods that use good carbohydrates like these:
- Pearled Barley
- Whole Oats
- Brown rice
- Whole wheat
- Sweet or Regular Potatoes
- Millet
* Be sure your dog’s food is fortified with vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, the B Vitamins, Vitamin C, D, E, and Vitamin K.I did some research to save you the time and headache and came up with some great Dog Food Options right on Amazon! You’ll find the details along with helpful links right at the end of this article! If you want a review of a Dog Food that didn’t make “the cut” you’ll want to check out my article digging into Pedigree Dog Food. I had a Rottweiler on my heart when I wrote the article, but the information certainly applies to all dog breeds!
How Much Should a Golden Retriever Eat Daily?
Golden Retriever Puppy: Your Golden Retriever puppy should be fed three times a day, offering 1/3-1/2 cup servings at each meal.
Adult Golden Retriever: 2-3 cups By now, your Golden Retriever can eat 2-3 cups of food once a day, but dividing that amount into two servings instead of one will help keep your dog’s blood-sugars (and energy) at healthier and well-balanced levels throughout the day.
DID YOU KNOW? It’s best to remove your dog’s water during feeding time if you serve dry kibble. Water with dry kibble can cause uncomfortable bloating in the stomach. Replace the water bowl 15-30 minutes after your dog has eaten.
Why do Golden Retrievers Eat so Much?!
There’s not a scientific measurement for this, but Golden Retrievers are more well-known for being food lovers than any other breed. We can only guess where it came from! More important is we know what to do about it. Just because your Golden Retrieve tries tirelessly to get extra food or treats does not mean they would be good for him (or her)! It’s on us to regulate our dog’s caloric and nutrition intake to keep him healthy and without any extra weight to have to support with his joints.
Here are 5 Tips to Help Satiate Your Golden Retriever’s Appetite:
- Purchase a Slow-Feeding Dog Bowl
- Toss a Couple of Tennis Balls into Your Dog’s Food Bowl
- Consider 2-3 Meals per Day Using the Recommended Daily Amount of Food
- Use Pieces of Fresh Vegetables for Treats Instead of Traditional Dog Treats
- Provide Bones for Your Golden Retriever’s Chewing Pleasure
Can Golden Retrievers Drink Milk?
Milk is not usually recommended for Golden Retrievers, or for any dog breed, for that matter. Milk’s high-fat content and many dogs’ lactose intolerances are the two top reasons listed against giving dogs milk to drink. However, milk and some other dairy products aren’t without benefits.
If you decide to incorporate dairy into your Golden Retriever’s menu, please do so in small increments follow by a 48 hour observation period. If your dog doesn’t exhibit signs of stomach distress, such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea, you can increase the servings of dairy products you are feeding him.
Always stay within his caloric intake limit for the day, though… Those calories add up fast! Please also be aware that dairy products can cause constipation, as well as diarrhea.
LEARN MORE! When your dog has an upset stomach or diarrhea, you’ll want a fast and reliable remedy! I wrote one up with a Rottweiler that wasn’t feeling so good on my mind, but the solution certainly applies to all dog breeds!
I hope that you have found answers to your questions about Large Breed Dog Foods today, and maybe even were surprised by a few of them. I was! I appreciate your time spent in the Big Dog Den, and look forward to seeing you here in the future!
TOP-RATED BEST SELLING LARGE BREED DOG FOOD ON AMAZON
*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.
