Retriever High Protein Dog Food Guide – How to Choose the Best Option

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the golden retriever has consistently remained amongst the most popular dog breeds in the world. Not only do golden retrievers typically have gentle and fun temperaments, but they are also beautiful dogs.

While there is no doubting the breed’s popularity, few dog owners understand that the breed has unique dietary requirements. Golden retrievers are incredibly active, so they need high-quality protein sources to help maintain lean and strong muscles. 

Unfortunately, the breed also has a heightened risk of several genetic health issues, like joint problems, various forms of cancer, and allergies. In other words, you need to find a high protein dog food made from highly digestible ingredients that can help preserve your furry friend’s long-term health.

How Can We Help?

If you need golden retriever dog food, we can help! We will explain how you can choose the right option for your golden retriever to support their energetic personality and reduce their chances of experiencing serious health issues later in life. From there, we will highlight our top picks for today’s best golden retriever dog food.

What Types of Food Do Golden Retrievers Need?

As mentioned above, golden retrievers, like other retriever breeds, are energetic and have a relatively high muscle mass when they are healthy. They need to consume a relatively high amount of protein to support their high energy levels and maintain their lean musculature. 

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, adult golden retrievers and other similar breeds need a diet of at least 18% protein. Golden retriever puppies need closer to 22%. The protein within the food must be high in quality and easily digestible. 

Like other active breeds, golden retrievers also need a consistent supply of healthy fats, as concentrated calories can be a good energy source. With that said, you want to avoid empty calories, as the excess calories can lead to unhealthy weight gain or obesity. Since golden retrievers already have a heightened risk of joint issues, like hip dysplasia, you want to make sure that you are feeding your pooch a diet that will keep them at a healthy weight.

The breed’s risk of developing joint issues is also why you should choose a dog food containing glucosamine and chondroitin, as this can help prevent joint and cartilage degeneration.

Avoid Common Golden Retriever Food Allergens

Not only is it important to choose food that contains high-quality ingredients and a nutrient profile that is properly balanced for the breed, but you should also choose a variety that does not contain ingredients that are known to trigger allergies in golden retrievers.

Unfortunately, the breed can experience inflammation and skin irritation if they consume certain food items that are common in lower-quality dog foods. These include corn, soy, artificial flavors and preservatives, and wheat.

Some golden retrievers also have a sensitivity to poultry, so you may want to avoid chicken-based dog foods if your retriever suffers from this type of allergy.

The Best Golden Retriever High Protein Dog Food

Now that you know what types of dry dog food you should look for if you own a retriever, we can get into our top picks. Each of the following was chosen because they meet the unique nutritional and caloric requirements of these energetic dogs.

1. Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult Dog Food

Royal Canin is one of the world’s most trusted pet food manufacturers, so it is no surprise that this food, specifically formulated for the exact dietary needs of adult golden retrievers, is right at the top of our list.

It contains the right amount of protein to support your retriever’s muscles and has the precise calorie and fat content for bigger dogs with a heightened risk of unhealthy weight gain.

It also supports skin and coat, which is particularly important for a double-coated breed. Vitamin E and omega fatty acids help maintain a healthy, shiny coat. The food contains taurine, EPA, and DHA for heart protection, which all help promote healthy cardiac function.

We also like that the kibbles are uniquely designed to encourage a golden retriever to chew. This helps scrape plaque from the surface of the teeth, which is essential, especially as retrievers can suffer from oral health issues as they age.

Overall, it is an outstanding option and one of the safest bets if you are looking for high-quality dog food for an adult golden retriever!

2. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Complete Essentials Dog Food

Purina is one of the largest dog food brands, and Pro Plan is considered the best line they offer. This particular blend has an appropriately high protein content for a retriever.

The protein is sourced from real chicken, so it is highly digestible and contains the amino acids your dog needs to support their lean muscles. The kibbles are also fortified with live probiotics, which are extremely beneficial for digestive health and the overall strength of your dog’s immune system. 

Since the kibbles are made with brown rice and other high-quality sources of fiber, your dog’s digestive system will be able to run efficiently. Vitamin A and omega fatty acids also help nourish your dog’s skin and coat.

Like the Royal Canin kibbles, these are also textured to help clean your dog’s teeth as they chew. Overall, these are an excellent option for retrievers and surprisingly affordable!

3. Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Adult Dog Food for Healthy Weight

Hill’s Science Diet is another one of the most trusted dog food brands. All their foods are specifically formulated to meet the exact dietary requirements of various life stages and breeds. This particular blend is perfectly optimized for large breeds, like golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers.

Despite the high animal protein content, the food has 18% fewer calories by volume than the average large-breed dog food. This means that your dog is not filling up on empty calories and is instead getting the protein and healthy fats they need to support an active lifestyle.

Natural plant fibers help your dog feel satisfied with fewer calories, which is excellent for weight management. The added fiber also helps with digestive health. Vitamin E and omega 6 fatty acids help nourish your dog’s skin and coat, which is really important for retrievers.

Overall, this is a fantastic option for anyone looking for dog food that was scientifically formulated to be ideal for the dietary needs of retrievers. It is also a great option if your retriever is overweight and you are looking for dog food that can help them get back down to a healthy weight.

4. Royal Canin Retriever Puppy Dry Dog Food

We mentioned earlier how puppies have different dietary requirements than dogs in their adult or senior life stage. Retrievers are no different. 

Not only do they need a higher proportion of animal protein in their diet, but there are also plenty of other nutrients they require in higher volumes, as they can help support their physical growth and mental development.

Luckily, Royal Canin offers puppy food formulated explicitly for retriever puppies. These specialized kibbles contain antioxidants to help develop your puppy’s immune system. They are also packed with high-quality amino acids, prebiotics, and fatty acids that can help your puppy’s overall development.

If you want to set your retriever puppy up for a long and healthy life, it starts with offering them the best nutrition diet possible. Royal Canin’s Retriever Puppy Food is an excellent choice.

For More Information

If you are new to retrievers, we have plenty of information to help you be a better owner to your furry friend. We recommend reading Golden Retrievers – Everything You Need to Know.

This straightforward guide explains everything you should know about the breed, including care and maintenance information. We also recommend reading How Long Do Golden Retrievers Live, as this informative lifespan guide will tell you how long you can expect a healthy retriever to live and what you can do to increase your dog’s chances of living a longer and healthier life.

Mary Nielsen

I grew up in a household that was filled with animals. I believe that my fate as a dog-loving person was sealed in early childhood since my parents owned several dogs of varying sizes and breeds. There was no choice but to take care of and learn about dog habits and the best animal care practices — otherwise, I’d be clueless about how to go about the creatures I was surrounded by day and night.

As a life-long puppy lover, I know a thing or two about dogs and how to go about caring for them in the best way possible. Although I’m not a professionally trained dog behaviorist, trainer, or veterinarian, all of my knowledge and experience with canines comes from a place of love and a deep-rooted passion for dogs and animals in general.

Seeing as dogs kept me company throughout every stage of my life, I decided to follow a different path in my academic life and obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marketing Management and Digital Advertising, which ultimately allowed me to combine my professional training and personal experience by creating the ultimate dog lover’s resource website! Along with my husband, Dave, I run MySweetPuppy for like-minded dog lovers who want to have a single, clear, and reliable information source about anything and everything related to dogs and their well-being.