Golden Retrievers are known for their affectionate nature, loyalty, and boundless energy. But beneath that golden coat lies a breed with a few dietary sensitivities and health predispositions that pet parents should be aware of.

These gentle giants are prone to certain conditions like joint issues, obesity, and skin allergies — all of which can be influenced, for better or worse, by what's in their bowl. 

In this guide, we tap into expert insight to break down what your Golden Retriever really needs in their bowl — from optimal protein sources to treats with health benefits. Whether you've just welcomed a Golden into your home or you're looking to improve your current feeding routine, this will help you make more confident, informed choices about the best food for your Golden. 

Read more: Golden Retriever breed insights: care, personality & expert tips 

How nutrition can help common Golden Retriever health concerns 

Joint issues 

Golden Retrievers can be genetically predisposed to joint conditions like hip dysplasia. Over time, these can lead to arthritis and mobility issues, especially in senior dogs. Proper nutrition can play a pivotal role in supporting joint health and reducing inflammation. 

Try this: 

Although you can’t change your pup’s genes, you can support their joint health with dietary ingredients containing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties like turmeric, ginger and omega-3 from fish and fish oil.  

Read more: Hip dysplasia: how can your dog’s diet help? 

Weight gain 

Golden Retrievers tend to overeat, which can lead to obesity and exacerbate existing health issues like joint stress or heart disease, which can reduce your pup’s life expectancy. Managing their weight through portion control and high-quality nutrition is essential. 

Try this: 

Opt for custom-portioned, high-protein, low-carbohydrate meals to keep your dog satisfied, support steady energy release, and promote lean muscle maintenance for a healthy weight, like Lyka. And when it comes to treats, a handy rule of thumb is no more than 10% of their daily caloric needs. Low-fat, single-protein treats like Lyka’s Chicky Chews are ideal.  

Read more: Lyka’s vet guide to healthy dog weight (with charts and videos) 

Skin allergies 

Golden Retrievers can be prone to skin allergies triggered by environmental or dietary factors. Identifying and eliminating allergens through a tailored diet can make a big difference. 

Try this: 

A novel protein diet, like Lyka’s Hypoallergenic Pro, is made with goat. It’s unlikely your Golden has eaten goat before, reducing the risk of an allergic reaction. It’s also made without common allergens like chicken, beef, wheat, corn, soy, dairy and egg.  

Read more: Dog skin allergies: triggers, symptoms and itch relief treatment (with photos)

How to choose the best food for your Golden Retriever 

Fresh food, raw, wet or dry? Supermarket, pet shop, or delivered to your door? There are so many dog food options on the market — where do you begin? 

1. Complete and balanced 

Golden Retrievers, like all pups, need a complete and balanced diet containing the right nutrients in the right proportions. 

Australia has pet food standards, but they’re largely unregulated. Many brands follow AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) or FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) guidelines. 

Meeting AAFCO and FEDIAF standards is just the start. Lyka meals are formulated by a team of board-certified veterinary nutritionists to ensure they’re complete and balanced for all life stages. 

Read more: Dog food ingredients: a glossary of common and confusing terms 

2. Optimal nutrition for your Golden Retriever 

Not all dog food is created equally. Variety and quality of ingredients and cooking methods can all impact the nutrient availability of your dog’s food. 

Many raw dog food options present a good balance of high-quality protein, fresh produce, and superfoods. But not all dogs can easily digest raw food, especially pups with a weakened immune system, or digestive issues. 

Dry food (kibble) often contains high amounts of carbohydrates and synthetic vitamins and minerals. The animal protein used in kibble is often pet-grade, like meat meal or meat by-products, that vary in quality and are not subject to the same checks as human-grade meat. Kibble is usually cooked at high temperatures which can reduce digestibility and can lead to the potential formation of harmful compounds, like acrylamides. 

Home cooking can be a great option for your dog, but it can be time-consuming. Making sure each mouthful is complete and balanced is not easy to do without expert guidance. 

Lyka meals are made using human-grade ingredients and are gently cooked then snap-frozen to retain their nutritional value and digestibility. Each meal is high in protein and custom-portioned to meet your dog’s daily needs. 

Want to dig deeper into which type of food is best for your Golden Retriever? We’ve created a series of guides to help you make an informed choice. 

Read more: Freshly cooked vs kibble for dogs: which is better?  
Read more: Freshly cooked vs raw meat for dogs: which is better?  
Read more: Freshly cooked vs home cooking for your dog: which is better?  
Read more: Freshly cooked vs wet food for dogs: which is better? 

How much food does a Golden Retriever need? 

Serving size recommendations based solely on weight don’t tell the full story. Your dog’s energy level, lifestyle and body condition score are all part of the picture. 

That’s why Lyka calculates your Golden Retriever’s portion sizes based on their personal profile, not just on their weight. 

Establish a consistent feeding routine with your Golden Retriever to support their digestion, especially if they have a sensitive stomach. 

Do Golden Retriever puppies and senior dogs need special food? 

Not necessarily. Nutrient-dense, real food meals formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists for all life stages — like Lyka — cover the daily requirements of both growing pups and dogs in their golden years. 

Read more: What should puppies eat? Expert nutrition tips for optimal development Read more: Why real food is the healthiest choice for senior dogs 

Read more: What should puppies eat? Expert nutrition tips for optimal development

Real-life insight from a Golden Retriever parent

What's in your Golden's bowl can be a game-changer when it comes to their health. Hear from Erin and her experience parenting Rufio.

"Rufio has always been fussy with veggies, he won't touch them unless they're coated with meat! Lyka’s made it easy for us all – he devours every bowl, getting the balanced nutrition he needs without the fuss"

– Erin and Rufio (he's on Lyka)

New to Lyka? Let’s rethink dog food together 

Parenting a Golden Retriever comes with plenty of decisions. Choosing what’s in their bowl is one of the most important. 

Designed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists and made with real, human-grade ingredients, Lyka meals are custom-portioned to match your dog’s needs. 

Golden Retrievers across Australia are already thriving on Lyka — yours could be next. 

Join our pack of proud Golden Retriever parents today.