Choosing food for your new golden retriever can be confusing! While you may be able to glean helpful advice from a rescuer, breeder, or veterinarian, there are many differing opinions about what food is best for your puppy and what you can do with it. may receive conflicting advice. We asked our 800,000 member golden retriever community on facebook the following question: “What food did you feed your golden retriever?” We received hundreds of responses and summarize the top answers below.
Remember to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your golden retriever’s diet. iHeartDogs is reader powered so some of the links below may be affiliate links where we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The 25 best foods for Golden Retriever dogs
Author: Jim R.
Prefer: forty six
We use royal dog which is exclusively for adults gold. Our dog has sensitive skin… our vet recommends this for his skin. It has been good so far.
Author: lawsuit S.
Prefer: twelfth
Purina pro plan lamb and oatmeal was the best for my gold. She has allergies and eating other expensive foods that caused her DCM. Switch to Purina and she does a great job. Also, she will be 12 years old in April
Author: Pamel B.
Prefer: 5
My vet recommended Scientific diet for large breed puppies.
Author: Marilyn L.
Prefer: 21
It’s your fur baby I used purina puppy chow and mixed some cheese with it and I’ve had a lot of high breed puppies from saint’s lab, Golden and black are both healthy and happy long, don’t indulge in more expensive foods, look at element! No wheat, gluten cornstarch, no dyes of any kind! Or you can make your own to celebrate your new fur Baby
Author: Sandra R.
Prefer: 0
We’ve got two gold medals that are always awarded genealogy their entire life, both canned and dry, as recommended by our first vet. But my son’s goldfish has a sensitive stomach, and he got dry on Hill’s Science Diet.
Author: Rick K.
Prefer: 8
I’ve used Puppy up to the senior level. My gold has lived for almost 16 years!
Author: Doreen C.
Prefer: first
My 12-year-old golden has a chicken allergy and we feed him Pro Plan Stomach & Sensitive Skin.
Author: Jodi Mackenthun F.
Prefer: 16
I had good luck with our gold coins and lab with super nutrition
Author: Karine D.
Prefer: 3
I’ve used Ray Rachel for my gold. She’s still up there and loves it every minute
Author: Shawn S.
Prefer: 2
Dogs must not eat corn, other fillers, preservatives, etc. They are designed to thrive on meat. Raw is best but if you’re buying dog food and beef, venison, etc. isn’t the number one ingredient, you’re feeding an unhealthy, cancer-promoting diet. If the list is a mile long with ingredients you can’t even pronounce, you’re on an unhealthy diet. Cancer rates in dogs are higher than ever. After we lost Golden to a sinus tumor, I did a lot of research. Diet is key. I feed a mix of raw, cooked, etc., high quality canned beef. There are several good dry foods for dogs but Pedigree is not one of them. Fromm is what I leave them if they choose to eat it. I can refill it every 3 weeks and we have 3 big dogs. Our new family member is Golden. They’re the best.
Author: Gia L.
Prefer: 3
Purina Large Breed Chow! Do not use any grain-free diets…will cause DCM. Just chow the puppy will be fine.
Author: Justin M.
Prefer: 6
Opinions will always be conflicting, you have to start trying to see what’s better for your dog. I have tried a lot of brands but now I only cook home cooked meals, chicken with vegetables or fish fillets with vegetables, I change up my protein weekly and he loves it. Its coat is shinier, there are no more skin allergies and that makes me very happy.
Author: Nelson B.
Prefer: 0
I have 5 Goldens and 1 Husky ate it all Purina one all live long and healthy lives.
Author: Lynn Catania C.
Prefer: 4
We used Scientific Diet during my 14 and a half Golden years. First large breed puppy food, then adult adult breed food.
Author: Carol W.
Prefer: 0
I’ve used green buffalo and will add canned UNSALT green beans or carrots.
Author: Maryanne D.
Prefer: 7
Honest Kitchen Chicken is good for all ages. My Goldens have loved it for years. Raw water loss.
Author: Priscilla I.
Prefer: first
We use The Hills Science Diet is for sensitive stomachs and skin. Our puppy (6 golden years old) loves it, it keeps its coat nice and its poop is perfect! We tried other brands for years and had problems with the food we were using (tail of mouse and liquid stools). Our vet recommended Hills and within a few weeks Gabi was completely transformed. She always gets compliments on her beautiful coat and feathers. We happily recommend it to all golden parents.
Author: Pattie H.
Prefer: 0
Orijen!! No fillers ever. No potatoes, corn, by-products. My dog loves it!!
Author: Lorraine V.
Prefer: 4
Fromm puppy and add cooked unsalted frozen peas, carrots or chickpeas. For a treat, I added a cooked egg with olive oil. My golden one has an amazing coat and is super healthy at 4 and a half years old
Author: Michele S.
Prefer: 2
Wild blue! Our dog has very sensitive skin, it sheds a significant amount of hair. He has been eating dog food with hydrolyzed protein prescribed by his veterinarian for several years. We decided to try Blue Wilderness. After he ate this for about 4 to 6 months, we noticed his hair grew back. Woohoo, we are so happy!
Author: Lor S.
Prefer: 3
I fed our Golden Nutrient source His whole life. He lived to be 15 and was never too fat or too thin. He never gets sick and doesn’t look old when he is finally.
Author: Lynn B.
Prefer: 0
4 health Large breed puppies and extra coarse kibble. You’ll want something that meets the nutritional needs of a rapidly growing puppy.
Author: Lisa F.
Prefer: 2
Victor beef and brown rice. All 3 of my golden dogs live to be 15 and it’s a leg problem, not cancer
Author: Pat B.
Prefer: 0
We feed Golden first Canada because she can’t eat corn and was recommended by our dog trainer. She lived to the age of 13 and we raised our current Golden Canadae. Both did well on it.
Author: Pat Kreme L.
Prefer: 0
As always, be sure to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your golden retriever food. iHeartDogs is reader powered so some of the links above may be affiliate links where we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
