Golden retrievers enjoy lots of exercise, and require a lot of food due to their large size.
In the United States, the golden retriever is the fifth most popular breed of dog registered with the American Kennel Club. This common breed makes a friendly and loyal pet, a useful aid on the hunt, and an excellent service dog. Found in a wide variety of situations, there is likely no one ideal food for this dog, and people offer them a variety of diets. However, adequate nutrition helps a golden retriever thrive and keep its long coat soft and shiny.
Poor-quality Foods
A sad fact of life is that many owners feed their dogs low-quality foods, full of grains and fillers. Poor-quality foods contain less meat, and may have artificial flavorants. Brands found at discount and grocery stores are rarely appropriate feed, though they are cheap and commonly available. While the dog will eat the food with gusto, its coat and health may suffer as a result. Golden retrievers are quite sensitive and can get itchy skin when fed poor-quality foods.
Wet Foods
Meat should be the primary ingredient. Preferably, the ingredients list should mention what type of animal the meat came from. Avoid products that contain unidentified byproducts, as there is little way of judging the source and quality of these ingredients. Some dogs do well on wet, canned food and enjoy its texture. Canned food may suit older dogs who are less able to chew on hard kibble, or dogs with tooth and jaw problems.
Dry Foods
A wide variety of kibbles stock store shelves around the country, and are very popular because of how easy they are to feed and serve. A high-quality kibble has meat among the very first ingredients. Any grains are whole grains, though fruits and vegetables are preferable to grain content when picking a food. While a variety of good quality foods are available, no one food is perfect for every golden retriever. Some dogs have allergies and sensitivities, thus their owners choose foods that alleviate these issues.
Raw Foods
Some dogs thrive on a diet composed primarily of raw meat, with occasional treats of fatty fish to help keep their coats glossy. Advocates of this diet recommend raw, meaty bones so the dog has access to both flesh and marrow. Often, the diet is supplemented with fresh greens and vegetables, as well, to offer a wider variety of nutrients, though this is not always the case.
Supplementation
Because of their skin problems and long fur, some owners supplement their golden retriever's diet with an essential fatty acid supplement. Fish oil is common, though some owners simply add fatty fish to their dog's diet. Other supplements are generally on a case-by-case basis, and should be discussed with a vet to determine its necessity.
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